• Functional morphology and evolutionary biology of organisms.
• Comparative anatomy and physiology.
• Feeding mechanics and locomotion.
• Integration of morphology, behavior and phylogeny in organismal biology.

  My research interests center on the functional morphology and evolution of behaviors that are key to individual survival, such as feeding and locomotion in fishes. I use the comparative approach to investigate how changes in the morphology of a musculoskeletal system affect its function. A comprehensive knowledge of the morphology and function of a musculoskeletal system as well as the physical environment is essential in understanding how form and function evolve. Laboratory experiments coupled with field studies and phylogenetic research can provide this information. This integration of function, morphology, ecology and phylogeny is essential to accurately interpret the evolution of structure and function in a system.

 Swimming Behavior in Sharks and Sturgeon:

• Locomotor hydrodynamics in dogfish (Squalus acanthias).
• Function of the heterocercal tail in sharks: quantitative wake dynamics during steady horizontal swimming and vertical maneuvering.
• New theory emerges on how sharks swim.
• Fluid dynamics and pectoral fin function in bamboo sharks.
• Resolving forces.
• Three-dimensional kinematics and wake structure of the pectoral fins during locomotion in leopard sharks
• Locomotion in sturgeon: function of the pectoral fins.

 

Evolution of Musculoskeletal Systems in Sharks, Rays and Bony fishes

• Hyoid and pharyngeal arch function during ventilation and feeding in elasmobranchs: conservation and modification in function.
• Evolutionary divergence in the feeding mechanism of fishes.
• Evolution of asynchronous motor activity in the jaw muscles of elasmobranchs.
• Evolution and ecology of feeding in elasmobranchs.
• Eating without hands or tongue: specialization, elaboration and the evolution of prey processing mechanisms in cartilaginous fishes.
• Morphology and evolution of the jaw suspension in lamniform sharks.
• Evolution of upper jaw protrusion mechanisms In elasmobranchs.
• A functional analysis of jaw suspension in elasmobranchs.
• Evolution of jaw depression mechanics in aquatic vertebrates: Insights from Chondrichthyes.

 

Feeding Behavior in Sharks and Rays:

• Functional ecology of feeding in elasmobranchs.
• Pairwise modulation of muscle activity in dogfish and skates.
• Diet and daily ration of shortfin mako sharks.
• Fluid dynamics of feeding in bamboo sharks.
• Mechanics of suction generation in bamboo sharks.
• Tooth and jaw mechanics of bamboo sharks.
• Hydrodynamics of prey capture in sharks: effects of substrate.
• When the shark bites.
• Shark flexes its teeth for tough meals.
• Conservation and variation in the feeding mechanism of spiny dogfish.
• The feeding mechanism of Atlantic guitarfish: Modulation of kinematic and motor activity.
• Durophagy in sharks: feeding mechanics of bonnethead sharks.
• Anatomy of the feeding apparatus of nurse sharks.
• Anatomy of the feeding apparatus of lemon sharks.

 

Book Chapters:

• Climate change and Invasibility of the Antarctic benthos.
• Advances in the study of feeding behaviors, mechanisms, and mechanics of sharks.
• Locomotion in Sharks, Skates and Rays.
• Experimental hydrodynamics and evolution: caudal fin locomotion in fishes

 

TELEVISION PROGRAMS

• Shark Swimming Strokes. Canadian Discovery Channel Television Broadcast Feature. Program premiered on December 3, 2001. Television segment featured my research on swimming in sharks at the University of Rhode Island.

• Eating Machines. Canadian Discovery Channel Television Broadcast Feature. Program premiered on November 30, 2001. Television segment featuring my research on feeding in sharks at the University of Rhode Island.

• Locomotion in Vertebrates. British Broadcasting Service. 2000. Video production featuring postdoctoral research on shark locomotion with George Lauder at Harvard University.

• Sharks And Shipwrecks In Southern New England. Timelines Television Broadcast Program. NBC. Program premiered on August 28^th 2003. Television segment featured my research on feeding in sharks at the University of Rhode Island.

• Jaws. Episode #3 In History Channel series "Evolve". Program premiered on August 12^th 2008. Television segment featured my research on feeding in sharks at the University of Rhode Island. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSTa3iWAS4.

• Discovery Channel, Canada. Daily Planet Series. Episode premièred on January 26, 2011. Clip 2. Television segment featuring Anabela Maia's research on swimming in sharks at the University of Rhode Island. http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/daily-planet/january-2011/daily-planet---january-26-2011/#clip414180. 

• Discovery Channel, Canada. Daily Planet Series. Episode premièred on February 07, 2011. Clip 3. Television segment featuring Jason Ramsay's research on feeding in skates at the University of Rhode Island.   http://watch.discoverychannel.ca/daily-planet/february-2011/daily-planet---february-07-2011/#clip414582.

Supported by:

• National Science Foundation
• Seaworld of San Diego
• Seafreeze Ltd., North Kingstown, RI
• Quaker Lane Bait & Tackle, North Kingstown, RI
• University of Rhode Island
• RI Seagrant
• CELS Coastal Fellow Program
• Museum of Comparative Zoology
• National Museum Natural History
• Chicago Field Museum