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The Science Seminar Series: October 11, 2012
A morphological and molecular analysis of Crangonyx grandimanus and C. hobbsi (Amphipoda) as factors for the study of the biological interconnectedness of caves within the Floridan aquifer
Dr. Tom Sawicki
Department of Natural Sciences and Engineering
Macon State University
Time: 4:00 -5:00pm
Abstract
The water filled caves of Florida have resulted in a complex, interconnected habitat within which numerous species have invaded and evolved. To date, only two species of stygobitic amphipods, i.e., species found exclusively in subterranean groundwater habitats, Crangonyx hobbsi and C. grandimanus have been formally described from the Floridan aquifer. Given the nature of the lifecycle, size and the wide distribution of these two species across the Floridan aquifer, Crangonyx hobbsi and C. grandimanus should act as a good proxy to the understanding of gene flow and thus biological interconnectedness of this incredibly large and diverse habitat.