Research

Invasion Biology

My research involves the investigation of trends in the invasion process and exploration of invasion vectors responsible for transportation of species at global or finer scales.  Such investigations are useful for; 1) determining important vectors, and; 2) predicting species having high potential for invasion success or those that might have high impacts on native systems.  Consequently, such approaches allow for the development of management strategies to prevent invasions by providing clues on which and how potential vectors might be disrupted.  This is an ecologically and economically preferential approach to control, or the near impossible task of eradication, once organisms have established.

Figure:

Bighead carp bought from Asian fish market in Toronto, Ontario

(see Rixon et al. in press)

Zooplankton Ecology

I am interested in the ecology of freshwater zooplankton, and in particular the rotifers.  Rotifers have been a much neglected group of organisms in New Zealand to date, with many studies having used poor collection methods (e.g., mesh sizes too large) and without adequate attention given to taxonomic detail.  In particular I am interested in studies using resting eggs as determinants of community composition and their role in dispersal.

Figure:

At the microscope examining zooplankton

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