Research Interests

My past research focused on several aspects of the physiological ecology of aquatic and estuarine invertebrates. Most recently, I studied Streptocephalus seali, a fairy shrimp that is abundant locally and common in temporary ponds distributed throughout much of North America. My primary interest was in the role of hemoglobin (Hb) in the respiratory physiology of shrimp as affected by environmental hypoxia. Apparently, there is an inverse correlation between hemolymph Hb concentration and ambient oxygen concentration, especially in iron-rich habitats during late summer. Additional work in my laboratory examined osmoregulation and ontogeny of this species.

Another area of research is related to selected aspects of the host-parasite interrelationships between parasitic isopods (Bopyridae) and caridean shrimp hosts (Palaemonidae). Work that my students and I have completed on these associations includes studies on energy flow through the host-parasite system, life cycles, host-finding behavior, and effects of parasitism on development of experimentally infected hosts.

Additional work in my laboratory concerned the physiological ecology of fishes and invertebrates exposed to nitrite, a common component of the environments of cultured aquatic and marine organisms. My students and I evaluated both ontogenetic changes in tolerance to nitrite and the relationships between methemoglobin and oxygen carrying-capacity of cultured organisms.

For the past decade, I have been interested in the utilization of technological innovations both in the teaching of biology and in the presentation of scientific information. This interest has culminated in the development of Introductory Biology Courseware which I use to teach BSC 110 and 111, Principles of Biology 1 and 2, respectively.

Some of the publicly accessible biology courseware Web pages I developed have been recently selected for endorsement by the SciLinks program, a service of National Science Teachers Association (e.g., Vertebrate Jaw Evolution, The Calvin Cycle, and Respiration).

I have implemented two other Web sites, which serve as repositories of scientific information on two taxa of Crustacea. The first, co-authored by Richard Heard and Kim Larsen) is the Tanaidacea web site. Recently, this site was endorsed by Infography/Fields of Knowledge as one of the top six superlative sources of information on the Tanaidacea.

Another Web site I developed in collaboration with Wayne Price and Richard Heard is devoted to the biology of the Mysidacea and is under heavy construction.

Representative Publications

Anderson, G., D. Anderson, P. Biesiot, & S. Wang. 1994. Evaluation of a constructed wetland's effects on remediation of water quality in a recirculating catfish aquaculture pond. In B.J. Daniel (ed.) Proc. 24th Mississippi Water Resources Conference, pp. 665-74. Mississippi State Univ., Mississippi State, MS.

Anderson, G., 1990. Postinfection mortality of Palaemonetes spp. (Decapoda; Palaemonidae) following experimental exposure to the bopyrid isopod, Probopyrus pandalicola (Packard) (lsopoda; Epicaridea). J. Crustacean Biol., 10: 284-292.

Anderson, G., & S.-Y. Hsu, 1990. Streptocephalus seali (Crustacea; Anostraca): survival, growth and time to maturation in the laboratory at various temperatures and water hardnesses. Freshw. Biol., 24: 429-442.

Anderson, G., & W.E. Dale, 1989. Probopyrus pandalicola (Packard) (lsopoda; Epicaridea): swimming responses of cryptoniscus larvae in water conditioned by hosts, Palaemonetes pugio (Holthuis) (Decapoda; Palaemonidae). J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol., 130: 9-18.