I am interested in invasion biology within streams. Specifically, my research is focused on which traits and conditions allow a species to succeed outside of it's native range and the behavioral interactions between native and invasive species.
Currently, I am studying a native crayfish species, Procambarus spiculifer, and a non-native crayfish species, Orconectes palmeri, in the Flint River basin of southwest Georgia. I am working on this project with Alan Covich at the University of Georgia and Stephen Golladay at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center. We are addressing three main research questions: 1) What are the current distributions of P. spiculifer and O. palmeri in the lower Flint River basin 2) How are these distributions structured by physicochemical habitat variables and 3) Are predatory fish disproportionatly feeding on either crayfish species?
Examining species invasions can provide insight into ecological and evolutionary processes. In addition, understanding the mechanism that allows O. palmeri to be a successful inader in some areas, but not others, may assist in predicting the future invasion potential of this species.
Please see my research statement for more information on this project.
Orconectes palmeri
Procambarus spiculifer