| FACULTY
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Daniel A. McCarthy
Assistant Professor Director, Marine Science Program Education B.S., Jacksonville University M.S., Florida State University Ph.D. in Marine Ecology, King's College, University of London, England Areas of Expertise Invertebrate Zoology, Marine Ecology, and Reproduction of Marine Organisms |
 Dr. Daniel A. McCarthy |
| Bio
and Research Being raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, my father taught me to scuba dive when I was somewhere around 10 years old. He was the first to spark my interest in the marine environment, as we had numerous adventures out on Florida waters either fishing, snorkeling or scuba diving. It was during these early years that I knew that I wanted to one day become a marine biologist. In fact, some of the reefs that I study today are reefs that my father and I explored many (and I mean many) years ago. Broadly, my research interests lie within the fields of marine benthic and larval ecology. I am especially interested in the ecology of early life histories of marine invertebrates, specifically the interactions of their reproductive processes with the environment. This includes how marine organisms enhance reproductive success by using environmental cues to spawn: 1) synchronously, and 2) at the optimal times for larvae to either survive in the plankton or find space to settle. Most of my research has focused on encrusting organisms that exist on nearshore hard-bottom habitats off the Atlantic coast of Central Florida. In addition to the ecological questions I address in my research, the data are also useful to coastal managers who have to strike compromises between proposed development and conservation in these habitats. I am also interested in understanding the importance of sabellariid reefs to vertebrate and invertebrate species. Particularly, I am intrigued by the idea that the sabellariid and associated hard-bottom reefs are important intermediate habitats for fish species that make the transition from estuarine habitats to deeper reefs. While the results from my research suggest sabellariid reefs are generally ephemeral, the reefs do appear to follow predictable patterns of high recruitment, rapid growth, dominance, decay and recruitment. There are likely to be important links between when seasonal sabellariid reefs provide their greatest structure, and when fish and invertebrate species are present on them.I have recently begun research to study other species living in and around sabellariid reefs. My doctoral and postdoctoral experiences form the foundation for a long-term research program on the effects of environmental variables on the life histories of organisms living on nearshore reefs along the Atlantic coast of Florida. There are many questions remaining regarding the life histories and interactions of the animals that live in these unique habitats. Many of these questions are of interest to ecologists and coastal managers alike. I am in the process of developing an externally funded research program and build strong collaborations to gain a better understanding of: 1) how species are adapted to the disturbances that occur in these harsh habitats, and 2) the links between various species and sabellariid reefs. I welcome students with interests in the reproduction and ecology or marine and estuarine organisms. I am married to Heather Picot McCarthy, and we have two beautiful daughters Jelena and Calypsa. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family doing water-related activities such as fishing, boating, swimming and scuba diving. We also enjoy hanging at the house singing and strumming the guitar, as well as playing with our dog Hala who is oddly half Great Dane and half Blue Tick Hound. |
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| Links Dr. McCarthy's full curriculum vitae (PDF file) Dr. McCarthy's Worm Reef Website |
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| Teaching
MSC310W Marine Ecology MSC304 Ichthyology BLY302 Invertebrate Zoology MSC101 Introduction to Marine Science ENV101 Introduction to Environmental Science MSC431 Oceanographic Techniques BLY314 Evolution BLY499 Biology Seminar |
Contact Information Office: Reid 110 Phone: (904) 256-7369 E-mail: dmccart1@ju.edu |
