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Posted March 25, 1999
Visiting Scientist Studies Urchins at Darling Marine Center Leland Johnson, professor of biology at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, conducted experiments at the Darling Marine Center this winter to test the effects of temperature on the development of sea urchin larvae. He has an interest in larval ecology, a field of biology that focuses on how environmental factors affect the development of marine organisms during the early stages of life. He hopes the results of his work will expand our knowledge of the relationship between temperature and the development of marine animals, and contribute to our general understanding of the interaction of organisms and their marine environment. Since Maine sea urchins support a commercial fishery, such research has practical importance. It is necessary to understand their biology so that management decisions can be as sound as possible. Further, as with some other commercially important species, there is some interest in sea urchin aquaculture. A clear understanding of factors that affect larval development will provide the necessary foundation for aquaculture research. Johnson was introduced to the Darling Marine Center in 1992 by his longtime friend Dr. Kevin Eckelbarger, the Center's director. He returns to the Center for both research and teaching on a regular basis. His developmental biology workshop is a perennial favorite of the Center's summer course program drawing college and university professors from across the US and Canada. For more information about the Darling Marine Center, call 563-3146, ext. 200. Return UMaine Today Research home |
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Urchin larva photographed by
Leland Johnson