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Research statement:
My research emphasis has been in the area of behavioral/physiological ecology of marine organisms, with a particular interest in symbiotic associations. These associations represent tremendous potential in demonstrating alternatives to competition as major selective agents. The significance of coevolutionary adaptations by associated organisms is just recently being acknowledged as a major evolutionary force (e.g., endosymbiotic hypothesis for development of eukaryotes). Specifically, I have usually studied associations involving organisms that live with cnidarians, including dinoflagellates, fishes, hermit crabs, and shrimp. Recently, I have also been involved in the long-term monitoring of coral reef conditions using video transects. Some recent projects involving graduate students involve: 1) temperature-induced bleaching response of zooxanthellae living in cnidarians; 2) behavioral interactions among echinoderms and symbiotic crabs; 3) predator/prey interactions within the sargassum community.
Publications:
W. R. Brooks.2003. Coral reef monitoring off the Palm Beach County Coast: A four-year Summary to National Marine Fisheries.10 pp.
M.N. Reeves and W.R. Brooks. 2001. Host selection, chemical detection, and protection of the symbiotic pinnotherid crabs Dissodactylus crintichelis and Clypeasterophilus rugatus associated with echinoderms. Symbiosis, 300:239-256
S. Perez, C. Cook and W.R. Brooks. 2001. The role of symbiotic dinoflagellates in the temperature-induced bleaching response of Aiptasia pallida., J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 256:1-14.
S.M. MacFarland, E.M. Stocker, D. Rittschof and W.R. Brooks. 1999. Movements of Anemones Symbiotic with Hermit Crabs; Effects of Light, Gravity, Flow and Conspecifics. Mar. Freshw. Behav. Physiol., 32: 193-205
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