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Education

• Ph.D.,ÌýFlorida State University, 1984

Research Interests

• Behavioral/physiological ecology of marine organisms

• Symbiotic associations

Research Description

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 studied associations involving organisms that live with cnidarians, including dinoflagellates, fishes, hermit crabs, and shrimp. Some past activities include monitoring of coral reef conditions using video transects, and temperature-induced bleaching response of zooxanthellae living in cnidarians. More recent projects involve: 1) behavioral interactions among echinoderms and symbiotic crabs; 2) symbiotic shrimp/sea anemone behavioral interactions; 3) predator/prey and symbiotic interactions within theÌý Sargassum Ìý(pelagic, floating brown alga) community, and 4) octopus ecology and classification. My research has been extramurally funded.

Recent Publications

• D. Cox,Ìý W. R. Brooks, 2023. The role of chemical cues in locating theÌýhost pelagicÌý Sargassumspp. by the symbiotic fishÌý StephanolepisÌýhispidus. Symbiosis, 90, 151–158.Ìý Ìý
• J.L. Frahm,Ìý W.R. Brooks, 2021. The use of chemical cues by sargassum shrimpsÌý Latreutes fucorumÌýandÌý Leander tenuicornisÌýin establishing and maintaining a symbiosis with the hostÌý SargassumÌýalgae.Ìý Diversity, 13, 305.Ìý
• C.O. Bennice,Ìý W.R. Brooks Ìý& R.T. Hanlon, 2021. Behavioral provide insight into resource exploitation and habitat coexistence of octopus species in a shallow Florida lagoon.Ìý J. Experimental Biology andÌýEcology.Ìý
• M.A. Salazar,Ìý W.R. Brooks, 2020. Functional significance of decorating and associated behaviors in the crabÌý Microphrys bicornutusÌý(Decapoda, Brachyura).Ìý Journal of Marine Science &ÌýResearch DevelopmentÌýMarine, 10: 283Ìý
• C.O. Bennice, A.P. Rayburn,Ìý W.R. Brooks Ìý& R.T. Hanlon, 2019. Fine-scale habitat partitioning facilitates sympatry between two octopus species in a shallow Florida lagoon.ÌýÌý Marine Ecology Progress Series, 609: 151–161,Ìý
• L.E. West &Ìý W. R. Brooks, 2018. Host location and selection by the symbiotic sargassum crabÌý Portunus sayi: the role of chemical, visual and tactile cues. Symbiosis, 76:177–185.Ìý