Dr. Jessica Reichmuth
Assistant Professor

Office: Science Hall C-2002
Phone: 706-667-4073
Email: jreichmu@aug.edu

CLASSES TAUGHT AT ASU

• BIOL 1102 Introduction to Environmental Biology
• BIOL 1107 Principles of Biology I
• BIOL 1108 Principles of Biology II
• BIOL 3100 Zoology
• BIOL 4950 Community Field Ecology
• BIOL 4950 Marine Ecology
• BIOL 4950 Biology of Pollution

EDUCATIONAL/CAREER BACKGROUND

• 2009 - Ph.D. Biological Sciences (Ecology & Evolution track) Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ
• 2006 - M.S. Biological Sciences Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ
• 2002 - B.S. Biology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC
• 2001- B.S. Marine Science Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC

FUN FACT(S)

I am a huge Bruce Springsteen fan; one year, I saw two concerts in three months time.

Twenty percent of all marine crustaceans caught and farmed are crabs. That makes over 1.5 million tonnes consumed each year worldwide.

MEMBERSHIP TO BIOLOGY SOCIETIES

• Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
• New England Estuarine Research Society
• Atlantic Estuarine Research Society
• Southeastern Estuarine Research Society
• The Crustacean Society

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Behavioral ecology and ecotoxicology of freshwater and marine invertebrates; marine/freshwater population ecology; marine/freshwater community ecology My research interests lie in the behavioral ecology and population genetics of marine and freshwater invertebrates. In the past, I have conducted studies in both the laboratory and field to find answers to questions involving animal behavior (predator avoidance, aggression, and prey capture), food web complexity (stomach content analysis), metal uptake (metals analysis of hepatopancreas and muscle tissue), and population genetics (microsatellite analysis).

Currently, I have students investigating stream macroinvertebrate diversity and several projects investigating population and community ecology of marine organisms.

CURRENT UNDERGRADUATE PROJECTS AND STUDENTS

• Fish diversity: In a previous study, general differences in fish diversity were discovered among three barrier island systems: Hunting Island (SC), St. Catherines (GA) and Fort Pulaski/Tybee Island (GA). The current investigation is an extension of that project that took place in this course. The following question will be addressed: What is driving the previously observed differences in fish diversity among three barrier islands along the Georgia-lina coast? In order to answer this question, the following concerns are being investigated:
  Seasonality differences: fall vs. winter vs. spring vs. summer (Students: Kelley Jonske; CJ Best, Alyx Shultz)
  Land use change over time using GIS? (Students: Kelly Jonske, CJ Best)
  Do differences exist between Fort Pulaski vs. Tybee Beach? (Student: Jonathan Kareis, Jennifer Gut)
  Are size differences present among fish caught? (Students: Kelley Jonske, CJ Best, Alyx Shultz)
  Are differences present in day vs. night sampling? (Student: Dustin Johnson)
  Do fish exhibit site fidelity? (Student: Melissa Gieseking)
• Snail density and movement: In a previous study, general differences in snail (Littorina irrorata) density and Spartina alterniflora density were observed. The current investigation is an extension of that project. The following question will be addressed: What is driving the previously observed differences in snail density between two barrier islands (Hunting Island, SC & Fort Pulaski/Tybee Island, GA) along the Georgia-lina coast? In order to answer this question, the following concerns are being investigated:
  Seasonality differences: spring vs. summer vs. fall vs. winter (Student: Spencer Morgan)
  How far do snails move? (lab and field; student: Chanel Young)
  If given a choice between two salt marsh plants, Spartina and Salicornia, will the snails always choose Spartina? (lab study; student: Chanel Young)
• Crustacean population genetics (Co-PI: Dr. Amy Abdulovic-Cui): We are investigating population genetics of Georgia and South Carolina populations (Hunting Island, SC & Fort Pulaski/Tybee Island, GA) of blue crabs, speckled crabs, and spider crabs using the genetic variation within the COX1 gene and the 16S rRNA gene encoded in the mtDNA. Several possible questions exist:
  What is the diversity of mothers present in these populations? (Students: April Hammack, Sierra Mannix)
  What similarities in genotype frequency exists among the species? Are there differences? (Students: April Hammack, Sierra Mannix)
• The Butler Did It! An investigation of coliform bacteria and stream macroinvertebrates (Co-PIs: Drs. Chris Bates and Oscar Flite): Both organisms are used as ecological indicators, and sampled monthly from Butler Creek in south Augusta. We have the following questions:
  What is the diversity of macroinvertebrates? (Student: Lindsey Quibeuf)
  What is the water quality? (Student: Lindsey Quibeuf)

FORMER RESEARCH STUDENTS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW

Brigette Haram M.S. Graduate Program, University of Georgia
Jennifer Güt M.S. Graduate Program, Savannah State University

PRESENTATIONS

Jonske, K., C. Best, M. Gieseking, A. Shultz, B. Saul, and J.M. Reichmuth. 2012. Goin’ fishin’: Oceanic fish diversity among three barrier island systems in along the southeastern coast of the United States. SEERS Spring Meeting, NC State Center of Marine Science and Technology/Duke University Marine Lab. Beaufort, NC (Poster).

Johnson, D., S. Morgan, and J.M. Reichmuth. 2012. Snail density and health of Spartina alterniflora in two salt marsh systems along the southeastern coast of the United States. SEERS Spring Meeting, Beaufort, NC (Poster).

Tran, C., M. Nakama, C. Best, M. Ayer, L. Coursey, A. Joyce, and J.M. Reichmuth. 2012. Bugs & Muck: An investigation of stream macroinvertebrate diversity and water quality in Raes Creek in Augusta, GA. Georgia Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA (Poster)

 

PUBLICATIONS

Reichmuth, J.M., M. Y. Nakama, C. Best, and C. Tran. What do stream macroinvertebrates and water quality have in common? A survey of stream macroinvertebrate diversity and water quality in Raes Creek (in preparation).

Reichmuth, J.M., R. Harvey, and J.S. Weis. Size and growth (as a function of lipofuscin) in populations of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) from contaminated and clean estuaries in New Jersey. (submitted October 2011 and in review: Journal of Crustacean Biology)

Weis, J.S., L. Bergey, J. Reichmuth, and A. Candelmo. 2011. Living in a contaminated estuary: behavioral changes and ecological consequences for five species. Bioscience. 61: 375-385.

Reichmuth, J.M., J. MacDonald, J. Ramirez, and J.S. Weis. 2011. Fight or flight: An investigation of aggressive behavior and predator avoidance in contaminated and reference populations of blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) in New Jersey. Hydrobiologia. 658: 173-182.

Reichmuth, J.M., P. Weis and J.S. Weis. 2010. Bioaccumulation and depuration of metals in blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) from a contaminated and clean estuary in New Jersey. Environmental Pollution. 158: 361-368.

Reichmuth, J.M., R. Roudez, T. Glover and J.S. Weis. 2009. Differences in prey capture behavior in populations of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) from contaminated and clean estuaries in New Jersey. Estuaries and Coasts. 32: 298-308.

INTERESTING WEBSITES

Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation: www.erf.org
Southeastern Estuarine Research Society: http://host.coastal.edu/seers/
The Crustacean Society: http://www.thecrustaceansociety.org/
Georgia Aquarium Critter Cam: http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/interact/web-cams.aspx
Monterey Bay Aquarium Critter Cam: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/cam_menu.aspx
The Blue Crab Archives: www.bluecrab.info
International Union for the Conservation of Nature: www.iucn.org