This is the first and only documentation of wood eating in bony fishes. These projects will allow the students to learn techniques of biochemical and chemical assays, calorimetry and respiratory physiology. The students will also compare cutaneous responses of Notophthalmus viridescens with those of other amphibians less well adapted for tolerance of low ambient pH conditions. These predaceous flies are significant elements of natural ecosystems, assisting in stabilization of pest and other insect populations. Destruction of habitats impact significantly upon the developmental biology and breeding sites of asilids.
Recent studies suggest that species richness is greatly reduced through deforestation.
Determining the biodiversity of species of present day Maryland or other areas of the world provide a comparative basis for assessing the impact of changes in time. Long term research focuses on assessment of regional biodiversity, systematics of world asilids, developing usable identification keys of species, and determining phylogenetic relations of between groups. Relationships are accessed through use of cladistic analysis based upon ecological, ethological, morphological, and biogeographical data. Ongoing revisionary studies from Latin America and Africa will serve as the bases of summer study. Assessment of morphological characters is basic to establishing relationships between and among species groups.