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UNCW professor awarded $10,000 to study living marine fossils Most people think of shrimp, crab and lobster as appe tizing entrees in a seafood restaurant. For UNCW Biology Professor Robert George, however, these crustaceans are the subjects of a research project in the Indian Ocean. Phase one of the two-phase “Agassiz Project: Studies on Living Marine Fossils and Giant Crustaceans” is expected to begin in the fall of 1988. George has been awarded $10,000 by the Griffis Founda tion, with expected support from the Fulbright Foundation, to study the feeding habits and behaviors of living marine fossils and giant crustaceans. Specifically, the study will focus upon the biology of the giant isopod Batbymmus in the Bay of Bengal and the living fossil crustacean Pbreatoicus in the lakes of Tasmania. With more diversity and variation within the species than any of the other crustaceans, the isopod is considered a dominant form of the crustacean family. The isopod’s body is composed of seven body segments each bearing a similar set of legs. Normally about the size of the typical backyard variety of roily poUy, also an isopod, Batbynomus have reached sizes as large as 12 inches in the deep seas of the Indian Ocean and other world seas. Many fossils of the nearly extinct Batbynomus evolved from the Eocene Period which dates back approximately 50 million years. Some living fossils have recently been discovered in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Japan. In another part of his research, George will observe a sec ond type of crustacean, the Pbreatoicus. The Pbreatoicus is a cross between an isopod and an amphipod. Half of its body is laterally flat, like the shrimp, while the other half of its body is horizontally flat, like the Batbynomus. George calls this crustacean a primitive isopod because its appearance is in the formative stages of the isopod. Other crustaceans to be studied are the spider crab, golden crab, and the giant crab fi-om the Great Barrier Reef. George will use sophisticated computer equipment to monitor the movements and feeding habits of these crusta ceans to determine if there are any patterns which might ex plain their unusual size. He also hopes to bring back an embryo so that the growth patterns of the crustacean can be observed. Assisting George in his research will be Professor M. K. Chandrashekaran and graduate students from Madurai Kam- araj University in South India. Chandrashekaran and George have worked together on projects ftinded by the Fulbright Foundation. In addition, George hosted Chandrashekaran at UNCW in 1984. The Agassiz Project received its name in honor of Louis and Alexander Agassiz, 19th century deep sea researchers Dr. Robert George from Harvard University and founders of American deep sea oceanography. Phase II of the project will focus on similar information on isopods from the Atlantic region, in comparison to George s findings in the Indian Ocean. This phase is ex pected to begin in the fall of 1990. — Ray Cockrell UNCW News Bureau Intern Have you landed a new job, been promoted, earned a recent award or an additional degree, or have a new address? By completing this questionnaire, you help us in updating alumni records. You also share the "where you are and what you’re doing” with UNCW friends. We look forward to hearing from you. Date Month & Year of Graduation at UNCW Degree . Major Preferred Class. Dr Mrs Name .Mr. ■ Ms Other:. Miss Military Rank. School. Additional Degrees: — Major . Year. Address. City (If married female, include maiden name) -Check if address is new CH State. . Zip. Phone Academic Honors at UNCW. Clubs at UNCW Fraternity/Sorority Current Firm of Employment. Position with Firm Business Address -Phone. Civic Organizations Single Married. -Divorced. -Widowed. Spouse’s Full Name College Spouse Attended -Degree. .Major. -Year Graduated. What information would you like to see included in UNCW Today; Clip form with pre-printed label and return to: UNCW Today Editor, UNCW, 601 South College Rd., Wilmington, N.C. 28403 C O & c ■g 7 I ^ « 3 & •S s 3 I C o « -a PM a islsi
UNCW Today (University of North Carolina Wilmington Alumni Newsletter)
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Sept. 1, 1988, edition 1
16
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