Dr. Donna J. Devlin
PhD. 2004. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Assistant Research Professor
FAU-Biological Sciences at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution

Contact information
Office:Room 221, New FAU Building at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Phone:772- 462 0873
Email: ddevlin@fau.edu

Professional Interests and Research Program

My primary research interests are in plant-invertebrate their effect on community composition, primarily in estuarine and marine settings (mangrove and salt marsh communities). My work involves studies at scales that range from molecular (microsatellites, AFLP’s), organismal (defense compounds, plant physiology), population (population biology), community (plant-animal interactions, plant-plant competition) and landscape (mangrove forests and salt marshes, restoration ecology). All of these studies have a basis in the ecology and genetics of the animal-plant interactions. On-going projects include interactions among fiddler crabs (Uca spp.), marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata), and marsh grass (Spartina alterniflora) during recovery from hurricanes Rita and Katrina funded by NSF; co-evolutionary interactions between the red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) and a specialist parasitic beetle (Coccotrypes rhizophorae); a long-term study in mangrove restoration in southwestern Florida, and an assessment of mangrove impoundments in the Indian River Lagoon funded by USFWS. I am also interested in mollusk ecology and population biology/genetics and have conducted studies on mangrove leaf litter grazing by Melampus coffeus and am embarking on studies of the ecology and conservation genetics of the queen and fighting conchs (Strombus gigas and alatus respectively). I have worked in polychaete taxonomy and maintain an interest in the biology and ecology of many invertebrate species. Prior to receiving my PhD, I worked for a national environmental organization and was registered environmental lobbyist for the state of Florida. My specialty was coastal conservation and policy and was involved in formulating the coastal armoring ordinance for the State of Florida and in the designations of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge and the Keys National Marine Sanctuary. I was inspired to do conservation work while employed by a consulting firm where I designed and conducted environmental impact studies in Tampa Bay. 

 I also teach Marine Invertebrate Zoology (both undergraduate and graduate courses) in the department and am developing special courses for an NSF IGERT grant proposal for training PhDs on which I am co-lead PI.

Representative Publications

Devlin, D.J. in prep. Field experiments on the interactions between the Scolytid parasite Coccotrypes rhizophorae and the host red mangrove species (Rhizophora mangle). Submission to Ecology.

Proffitt, C.E. and D.J. Devlin. 2005. Long-term growth and succession in restored and natural mangrove forests in southwestern Florida. Wetlands Ecology and Management 13:531-551.

Proffitt, C.E. and D.J. Devlin. 2005. Grazing by the intertidal gastropod Melampus coffeus greatly increases mangrove leaf litter degradation rates, Marine Ecology Progress Series. 296:209-218.

Devlin, D.J. 2004. Effects of Coccotrypes rhizophora on the population and community structure of forests dominated by Rhizophora mangle in Florida. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Proffitt, C.E. and D.J. Devlin. 1998. Are there cumulative effects in red mangroves from oil spills during seedling and sapling stages? Ecological Applications 8:121-127.

Proffitt, C.E., K.M. Johns, C.B. Cochrane, D.J. Devlin, T.A. Reynolds, D.L. Payne, S. Jeppesen, D.W. Peel, and D.D. Linden. 1993. Field and laboratory experiments on the degredation of mangrove leaf detritus by Melampus coffeus L. (Gastropoda: Pulmonata). Florida Scientist: 54: 211-222.

Bell S.S. and D.J. Devlin. 1983. Short term macrofaunal recolonization of sediment and epibenthic habitats in Tampa Bay, Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science 33:102-110.