I have studied size-selective predation on zooplankton, Daphnia and copepod relationships among lake size, primary productivity and zooplankton biological diversity. My lab is currently investigating effects of environmental contaminants on Daphnia development and sex determination. We have developed a whole-animal bioassay using Daphnia sex ratio and morphology, characters which are sensitive to environmental contaminants, including common agricultural and industrial chemicals. We are planning on exploring the possibility that some herbicides disrupt a thyroid-like system in Daphnia . Dr. Dodson received a US patent in 1999 for a biological test of endocrine disruption using Daphnia, the water flea, as a test organism.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals interfere with normal hormone system functions.
He published papers identifying hormones and pesticides that change Daphnia sex ratio. He has also found that ponds in agricultural areas contain fewer zooplankton species than ponds in undisturbed areas, and is investigating whether this loss in biological diversity is due to pesticide contamination. In related research, he reported evidence that aquatic diversity is highest in ponds of moderate algae production. There are about 150 BAC majors. His recently-developed Ecology Internship program continues to be successful.