Research interests

As I said on the previous page, I think that I have pretty broad interests, and this grocery list of projects with which I am currently involved should confirm that. I will not bore you with a long write-up on each of the following areas, but rather give you a quick overview of my philosophy on these areas of research:

· Larval Ecology

· Roughly 80% of marine species (more than 90,000 currently described species of vertebrates, invertebrates & algae) have a biphasic life cycle in which they produce planktonic propagules. These larvae often have an obligate period during which they are incapable of metamorphosing into the adult body form, and for many species, the potential for dispersal in the ocean currents is far greater during this planktonic larval stage than during the benthic adult stage. I am broadly interested in the causes and consequences of larval dispersal, the cues which larvae use to assess the suitability of a site for settlement, and the variable ability of many species to delay metamorphosis from the juvenile to the adult body form.

· Population Genetic Structure & Phylogenetics of Marine Invertebrates

· One of the most powerful tools introduced to Marine Biology over the past few decades has been the widespread acceptance of molecular approaches to answering long-standing questions. However, I view these approaches as a tool to answer interesting questions, rather than a pursuit in-and-of themselves. I consider myself to be an ecologist who applies molecular techniques rather than a molecular biologist per se, and the question has to come first. These tools allow us to answer a diverse set of questions regarding such important issues as species identity and mapping of life-history characters, patterns and magnitude of larval dispersal, connectivity issues for the design of Marine Protected Areas, and origins of invasive species. My dissertation was a survey of year-to-year variation in population dynamics and genetic patterns of the porcelain shore crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes. This study has greatly changed my understanding of how oceanographic forces impact gene flow in marine species with pelagic larvae, and much of my lab currently focuses on similar types of questions.

· Marine Ornamental Culture & Aquarium Science

· I am interested in aquarium science and the culture of marine ornamental species at a variety of levels. First of all, I have always been interested in the husbandry of marine ornamental species. But beyond that, I believe that it is both an important and rewarding pursuit to introduce primary research into the aquarium industry and vice-versa. Therefore, I write for a number of different hobby magazines on a regular basis, and I try to have at least one aquarium science research project underway in my lab at any given time.

· Research Projects Currently Underway in the Lab

· The ToBo lab (joint Toonen-Bowen research laboratory at HIMB) is a large and active group with many students, post-docs and collaborators. We have a lot of projects that are on-going and most of them are outlined by the people involved from our Folks in the Lab page. In addition to those specific projects, some of the other research that we are involved with includes:

· Phylogenetics and population connectivity of asterinid sea stars. Collaboration with Rick Grosberg & Jason Addison (UC Davis), Mike Hart, Carson Keever & Jenn Sunday (Simon Fraser University), and Maria Byrne & Sergio Barbosa (University of Sydney).

· Estimating the magnitude and patterns of larval dispersal in the porcelain shore crab, Petrolisthes cinctipes.

· Direct comparison of micro-chemical and genetic approaches to tracking larval invertebrate dispersal trajectories. Collaboration with Danielle Zacherl (Cal. State Fullerton), Crow White, Steve Gaines & Bob Warner (University of California, Santa Barbara)

· Systematics, Ecology & Reproductive biology of precious corals in Hawai’i. Collaboration with S. Kahng (HPU) & D. Wagner (UH)

· Effects of genetic relatedness on recruitment, colony formation and social interactions in tropical reef fishes. Collaboration with Brian Bowen & Nick Santangelo (Eastern Kentucky University)

· Genetic analysis of recruitment and connectivity among Hawaiian corals. Collaboration with Fenny Cox, Teresa Lewis and Bob Kinzie (University of Hawaii)

· Systematics, evolution and connectivity of Hawaiian ‘opihi (Gastropoda: Cellana spp.). Collaboration with Brenden Holland, Chris Bird & Brian Bowen (University of Hawaii)

· Extrinsic and intrinsic factors affecting the resilience of corals to climate change, and their use in designing marine reserves. Collaboration with C. Birkeland, A. Baker, V. Garrison, R. Gates, C. Kellogg, G. Piniak, M. Rappé, J. Stillman, & R. van Woesik (various institutions)

Toonen Lab ToBo Lab Members Research Publications Prospective Students

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