
Michael David
Behrens, PhD
Assistant Professor
Biology Department
Research Interests: My research interests include ecology, evolution biology and biogeography in aquatic systems. I am interested in how environmental factors my affect the ecology and drive biogeographic patterns of diversity and size in fishes, specifically herbivorous fishes. Much of my research focuses on the geographical gradients of herbivorous fish diversity and how temperature effects on physiology may play a role in driving this pattern. I hope to continue my research on marine herbivorous fishes to increase the generality of patterns, which provide support for such a physiological constraint. I have recently begun to investigate similar geographical patterns in freshwater fishes as support for a general physiological constraint across all fishes. Additionally, I am interested in a wide range of aquatic ecological questions, including the consequences of herbivory by both fishes and invertebrates in intertidal and shallow subtidal systems, the causes and consequences of aquatic diseases, and the effects of marine reserves for fisheries enhancement and biodiversity conservation.
Contact Information:
Mail to: Michael
Behrens
Biology Department
Office Phone: (253)
535-7565
Fax: (253) 536-5055
This page is maintained
by Mike Behrens