Curriculum Vitae
Jonathan W. Armbruster
Associate Professor and Curator of Fishes
Department of Biological Sciences
331 Funchess
Auburn University, AL 36849
Telephone: Office: (334) 844-9261
Home: (334) 502-4492
Fax: (334) 844-9234
e-mail: armbrjw@auburn.edu
PERSONAL: Born Chicago, Illinois, 3 September 1969. Married.
EDUCATION
B.S., University of Illinois, Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution (1991).
Ph.D., University of Illinois, Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution (1997). Major Advisor - Dr. Lawrence M. Page. Ph.D. thesis: Phylogenetic relationships of the sucker-mouth armored catfishes (Loricariidae) with emphasis on the Ancistrinae, Hypostominae, and Neoplecostominae.
POSITIONS
August 2003 - present. Associate Professor and Curator of Fishes, Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
September 1998 - August 2003. Assistant Professor and Curator of Fishes, Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
September 1997 - August 1998. Postdoctoral Fellow, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian institution, Washington, DC.
TEACHING
COURSES
Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Illinois, Department of Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution.
Biology 120 - Genetics, Evolution, and Biodiversity (Spring of 1992, 1993, 1994)
Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution 232 - Comparative Anatomy (Fall of 1991)
Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution 337 - Ichthyology (Fall of 1993, 1995)
Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution 343 - Limnology (Fall of 1992)
Assistant Professor, Auburn University, Department of Biological Sciences
Biology 103 - Animal Biology (Spring 2000)
Biology 1030 - Organismal Biology (Spring and Fall 2001, Spring 2003, 2005)
Biology 3010 - Comparative Anatomy (Winter and Summer of 1999, 2000, Fall 2000 and 2001, Summer 2001, 2003-2005, Spring 2002-2006)
Biology 7160 - Systematic Ichthyology (graduate, Spring 2001, 2003, Fall 2005)
Biology 7200 - Organic Evolution (graduate, Fall 2001)
EVALUATIONS
On all aspects of recent evaluations I have scored 4Õs or greater (5 point scale) and the scores are rising. Good points students note are my enthusiasm and helpfulness.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
COMPLETED
Justin D. Evans, master's, June 1999 - May 2002, description and revision of a new genus of loricariid catfish from west of the Andes and a molecular phylogeny of the Pterygoplichthini.
Carrie Allison, masterÕs (nonthesis), August 2001-August 2003, a guide to the loricariids of the Rupununi District, Guyana.
Thomas Paul Pera, master's, August 2000 - December 2004, taxonomic assessment of the silverjaw minnow, Ericymba buccata.
David C. Werneke, master's, August 2000 - May 2005, systematics of the Brook Silverside (Labidesthes sicculus).
CURRENT
Ricardo Betancur, Ph.D., August 2004 - present. Molecular phylogeny of the ariid (sea) catfishes of the world.
Shobnom Ferdous, Ph.D., August 2004 - present. Systematics of the bagrid catfishes.
Nathan Lujan, Ph.D., August 2002 - present. Decoupling and adaptive radiation in loricariids.
Marcelo Melo, Ph.D., August 2004 - present. Phylogenetics of the swallowers (Chiasmodontidae).
Lesley de Souza. Ph.D., August 2003 - present. Use of the Rupununi portal by fishes.
DIRECTED STUDY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS (select)
Brandon Chockley, September 1999 - March 2000, description of a new species of loricariid catfish from Peru, published a manuscript on findings, obtained a MasterÕs at the University of Florida (2003).
Leigh Coffman. January 2004 - December 2004, description of a new species of Hypostomus, manuscript in preparation.
Thomas P. Pera, January - June 2000, life history of the pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) in Tuskegee National Forest.
David Werneke, March 2000 - June 2000, test of a novel, internet-based fish identification tool under development by me.
The systematics of the South American catfish subfamilies Hypostominae and Ancistrinae (Loricariidae) based on osteology and digestive tract anatomy.
Biogeography of loricariid catfishes
The decoupling hypothesis and its usefulness in understanding loricariid diversification
The evolution of hearing abilities in loricariid catfishes
Evolutionary ecology of feeding of loricariid catfishes
Description of new loricariid species
Description, revision, and biogeography of a new genus of loricariid catfish from west of the Andes.
Survey of the fishes of Guyana and Amazonas, Venezuela.
Phylogenetics of the North American cavefishes (Amblyopsidae).
Distribution and status of the southern brook silverside.
Description of the southern silverjaw minnow.
Illinois Natural History Survey: May-August of 1992, 1993, 1994, August 1994-August 1995, and January 1996 - August 1998. Assist in the curation of the ichthyological collection at INHS and field work for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Smithsonian Institution. The evolution of wood-eating in the loricariid genus Cochliodon. 1 September 1997 to 31 August 1998.
Armbruster, J.W. 2005. Revisions of the Loricariid Catfish of the Genera Lasiancistrus and Peckoltia Sensu Stricto, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists,Tampa, Fl.
Friel, J.P., Armbruster, J. W.; Ferraris, C. J. Jr.; Lundberg, J. G.; Page, L. M.; Sabaj, M. H. 2005. All catfish species inventory: 2005 progress report. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists,Tampa, Fl.
*Armbruster, J.W. 2004. Neotropical catfishes and how we plan to describe them all. Southeastern Division of the American Fisheries Society, Oklahoma City, OK.
*Armbruster, J. W. 2003. The hypostomine loricariids of Guyana. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Manaus, Brazil.
Sabaj, M. H. and J. W. Armbruster. 2003. Interesting fishes from 2002 Guyana Expedition with comments on their biogeography. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Manaus, Brazil.
*Reis, R. , E. L. Pereira, and J. W. Armbruster. 2003. Delturinae, a new loricariid catfish subfamily (Teleostei, Siluriformes). American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Manaus, Brazil.
Armbruster, J. W. 2002. What is a Genus? American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Kansas City, MO.
*Armbruster, J. W. 2000. New Insights in Loricarioid Systematics and a Reappraisal of the Decoupling Hypothesis. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Armbruster, J. W. 2000. Resurrection of the Auburn University Museum Fish Collection. Alabama Fisheries Society, Alabama.
Armbruster, J. W. 1998. Relationships of the Suckermouth Armored Catfishes (Loricariidae) and the Evolution of Wood-eating in Cochliodon. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Armbruster, J. W. 1997. Systematics of the neotropical catfish family Loricariidae with particular emphasis on Hypostominae. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Seattle, WA.
Sabaj, M. H. , J. W. Armbruster, and L. M. Page. 1997. Spawning in Ancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with comments on the evolution of snout tentacles as a novel reproductive strategy: Larval mimicry. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Seattle, WA.
Armbruster, J. W. 1996. Adaptations for air breathing in loricariid and scoloplacid catfishes. Neotropical Ichthyological Association Symposium, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, New Orleans, LA.
Armbruster, J. W. 1995. Revision of Aphanotorulus and its relationships within Hypostominae (Siluriformes, Loricariidae). American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Armbruster, J. W. and L. M. Page. 1993. Convergence in a camouflage pattern in benthic freshwater fishes. American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Austin, TX.
2001: Auburn University, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures
1999: Auburn University, College of Sciences and Mathematics and Department of Physics
1998: Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama City, Panama
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN.
Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History, Los Angeles, CA.
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
1997: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Reis R. E., E. H. L. Pereira, and J. W. Armbruster. In Press. Delturinae, a new loricariid catfish subfamily (Teleostei, Siluriformes), with a revision of Delturus and Hemipsilichthys. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
Pera, T.P. and J.W. Armbruster. In press. Notropis amplamala, a new species of sliverjaw minnow (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Copeia.
Werneke, D.C., M.H. Sabaj, N.K. Lujan, and J.W. Armbruster. 2005. Baryancistrus demantoides and Hemiancistrus subviridis, two new uniquely colored species of loricariids from Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Neotropical Ichthyology 3: 533–542.
Werneke, D.C., J.W. Armbruster, N.K. Lujan, and D.C. Taphorn. 2005. Hemiancistrus guahiborum, a new suckermouth armored catfish from Southern Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) Neotropical Ichthyology 3: 543–548.
Armbruster, J.W. 2005. The loricariid catfish genus Lasiancistrus (Siluriformes) with description of two new species. Neotropical Ichthyology 3: 549–569.
Armbruster, J. W. and L. de Souza. 2005. Hypostomus macushi, a new species of the Hypostomus cochliodon group from Guyana. Zootaxa 920:1–12.
Armbruster, J. W. 2004. Pseudancistrus sidereus, a new species from southern Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) with a redescription of Pseudancistrus. Zootaxa 628:1-15.
Armbruster, J. W. 2004. Phylogenetic relationships of the suckermouth armored catfishes (Loricariidae) with emphasis on the Hypostominae and the Ancistrinae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 141:1-80.
Armbruster, J. W. 2003. Peckoltia sabaji, a new species from the Guyana Shield (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Zootaxa 344:1-12.
Armbruster, J. W. 2003. The species of the Hypostomus cochliodon group (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Zootaxa 249:1-60.
Hardman, M., L. M. Page, M. H. Sabaj, J. W. Armbruster, and J. H. Knouft. 2002. Comparison of fish surveys in the Essequibo and other coastal drainages of Guyana in 1908 and 1998. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 13:225-238.
Chockley, B. R. and J. W. Armbruster. 2002. Panaque changae, a new species of loricariid catfish (Teleostei) from eastern Peru. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 13:81-90.
Armbruster, J. W. 2002. Hypancistrus inspector , a new species of suckermouth armored catfish (Loricariidae: Ancistrinae) with comments on loricariid feeding modes. Copeia 2002:86-92.
Armbruster, J. W. and F. Provenzano. 2000. Four new species of the suckermouth armored catfish genus Lasiancistrus (Loricariidae: Ancistrinae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 11:241-254.
Armbruster, J. W. , M. H. Sabaj, M. Hardman, L. M. Page, and J. H. Knouft. 2000. Catfish genus Corymbophanes (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) with description of one new species: Corymbophanes kaiei. Copeia 2000:997-1006.
Sabaj, M. H. , J. W. Armbruster, and L. M. Page. 1999. Spawning in Ancistrus with comments on the evolution of snout tentacles as a novel reproductive strategy: larval mimicry. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 10:217-229.
Armbruster, J. W. and M. Hardman. 1999. Redescription of Pseudorinelepis genibarbis (Loricariidae: Hypostominae) with comments on behavior as it relates to air-holding. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 10:53-61.
Armbruster, J. W. 1998. Modifications of the digestive tract for holding air in loricariid and scoloplacid catfishes. Copeia 1998:663-675..
Armbruster, J. W. 1998. Phylogenetic relationships of the suckermouth armored catfishes of the Rhinelepis group (Loricariidae: Hypostominae). Copeia 1998:620-636.
Armbruster, J. W. 1998. Review of the loricariid catfish genus Aphanotorulus and redescription of A. unicolor (Teleostei: Siluriformes). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 8:253-262.
Armbruster, J. W. and L. M. Page. 1997. Generic reassignments of the loricariid species Monistiancistrus carachama Fowler 1940, Plecostomus lacerta Nichols 1919, and Rhinelepis levis Pearson 1924 (Teleostei: Siluriformes). Copeia 1997:227-232.
Page, L. M. , J. W. Armbruster, and M. H. Sabaj. 1996. Redescription of Glyptoperichthys scrophus (Cope), a loricariid catfish from Peru. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 7:185-191.
Johnston, C. E. , J. W. Armbruster, and C. A. Laird. 1996. Parallel swims as a means of intra- and interspecific assessment in stream fishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 46:405-408.
Armbruster, J. W. and L. M. Page. 1996. Redesription of Aphanotorulus (Teleostei: Loricariidae) with description of one new species, A. ammophilus, from the R’o Orinoco basin. Copeia 1996:379-389.
Armbruster, J. W. and L. M. Page. 1996. Convergence of a cryptic saddle pattern in benthic freshwater fishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 45:249-25.
Armbruster, J. W. 1994. Early season nesting success of mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) in central Illinois. Transactions of the Illinois Academy of Science 87:71-82.
PUBLICATIONS SUBMITTED
Evans, J.D, J.W. Armbruster, and M. Hardman. Phylogenetic analysis of the Hemiancistrus annectens group (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) as inferred from the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene with the description of Lanceapelta, new genus. Copeia.
PUBLICATIONS IN PREPARATION
Armbruster, J.W., N.K. Lujan, and D.C. Taphorn. Five new species of Hypancistrus from southern Venezuela (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Copeia.
Armbruster, J. W. Zanclomaxillaris, a new genus of loricariid catfish from western Ecuador (Hypostominae: Ancistrini). Copeia.
Armbruster, J.W. Revisions of Peckoltia and Peckoltichthys. Zootaxa.
Evans, J.D. and J.W. Armbruster. Description and morphometric analysis of the loricariid catfish genus Lanceapelta with description of one new species. Zootaxa.
Armbruster, J. W. 2001. In Search of the Lost World of Loricariids: An Adventure to the Potaro River, Guyana. Harnischwelse II, special publication of D.A.T.Z. Article on our 1998 trip to Guyana.
Barnett, A. 2004. Strange but true: Bush-face. BBC Wildlife Magazine,22(2):32. Popular description of larval mimicry hypothesis of Sabaj et al. (1999).
Hoover, A. 2004. Catfish Hunters. Explore:Research at the University of Florida, Spring 2004:18-23.
Leslie, M. 2003. Netting new catfish. Science 299:1289. Description of website developed for the All Catfish project.
Seidel, I. 2001. Interview: Jonathan W. Armbruster. Harnischwelse II, special publication of D.A.T.Z. German aquarium magazine that caters to catfish enthusiasts.
Montaigne, F. 2002. Catfish Hunters. National Geographic Magazine, May 2002. Article on our 1998 expedition to Guyana.
Educational Publications
Lishak, E. Wester, J. Dobie, J. W. Armbruster, R. Boyd, D. Folkerts, and C. Guyer. 2001. Survey of Life, Biology 1010. Contemporary Publishing of Raleigh, Raleigh.
Folkerts, D., J. W. Armbruster, J. Feminella, R. Dute, R. Lishak, M. Dalrymple, F. Lawrence, W. Mason, and C. Peterson. 2002. Organismal Biology: Biology 1030 Lab Manual. Contemporary Publishing of Raleigh, Raleigh.
2002. FISHBOT - a computer-based fish identification tool. The FISHBOT is designed to take keys and species field guides into the 21st century. The FISHBOT uses interactive tables instead of couplets to separate species, provides photographs and short comparisons to other species to make sure that you have identified the fish correctly, and then leads you to a detailed description of the species. This project was designed and implemented by my systematic ichthyology class.
2002. Comparative Anatomy Course Page. Provides supplementary material, a syllabus, and some class notes. On WebCt.
2001. Organismal Biology Course Page. Provides notes for all lectures and weekly quizzes. Available only in semesters when I am teaching the course. Access will be provided if desired. On WebCt.
2001. Auburn University Museum Mammal Database Access site. This site is still in progress. Since its inception, the collection has been searched 32 times. http://george.cosam.auburn.edu:591/mammalguest.htm.
2000. Duckfest: an Ichthyological Exploration of the Duck River, Tennessee. A description and photos of a collecting trip to the Duck River attended by most of the major ichthyologists in the southeastern United States. http://george.cosam.auburn.edu:591/duckfest/duckfest.html.
1999, revised 2001, 2002. Auburn University Museum Fish Collection Website. The website details the collection and includes a searchable database designed by J.W. Armbruster that provides locality information for all of the fish collection and photographs for some of the specimens. The site has been visited 5,651 times since 15 March 2000. Since its inception, the collection has been searched 981 times. http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/cosam/museum/musefish.htm.
1999. Auburn University Museum Herp Database Access site. Designed along with the fish site, the herp database has been searched 480 times. http://george.cosam.auburn.edu:591/Herpguest.htm.
1999, Revised 2005. Loricariidae Home Page. A set of pages detailing my work on the suckermouth armored catfishes. The pages provide a key to the genera and detailed descriptions and photographs of all genera. Some species are also described and keys are provided. The pages are accessed by scientists and aquarists the world over. http://www.auburn.edu/academic/science_math/res_area/loricariid/fish_key/lorhome/index.html.
National Science Foundation, Collaborative Research: Form, Function, and Evolution of Swim Bladder Modifications in Loricariid Catfish. $325,492. Not funded.
National Science Foundation, Supplement to Systematics of Guyana and Brazilian Shield Endemic Loricariid Catfishes of the Tribe Ancistrini & Biogeography of the Shield Regions, April 2004. $18,304.
National Science Foundation, PBI: All Catfish Species Inventory: Phase I of a survey of the Otophysi, September 2003. $4,688,504 (co-PI with PI Page, L.M., and co-PIÕs Lundberg, J.L., Sabaj, M.H., Ferraris, C., and Friel, J.).
National Science Foundation Improvements to the Auburn University Aquatic Invertebrate, Fish, and Amphibian and Reptile Collections, May 2003. $347,602 (PI with co-PIÕs Feminella, J., and Guyer, C.).
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Sound production as a potential management tool for cavefishes (Amblyopsidae), September 2001. $10,000.
Teacher of the year, Beta Beta Beta honor society, June 2001
Alabama State Lands Division, $15,000 to georeference all herp and fish collection records, January 2000. (co-PI with C. Guyer).
National Forest Service of Alabama, $1,500 for continuance of the herp and fish collection georeferencing project, September 1999. (co-PI with C. Guyer).
DeanÕs Research Initiative, $4,400, Air-breathing in Loricariid Catfishes - A Potentially Unique Method of Respiration in Fishes.
Alabama State Lands Division, $12,700 to georeference all herp and fish collection records, March 1999. (co-PI with C. Guyer).
National Geographic Society, $25,000, 90 years after Eigenmann, a repeat of the survey of the fishes of Guyana, August 1998 (with L.M. Page, M.H. Sabaj, J.H. Knouft, and M. Hardman).
Philip W. Smith Memorial Fund Award, $375 for travel to South America, March 1997.
Graduate College of the University of Illinois Conference Travel Support Grant, $100 for travel to national meetings of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, April 1996.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, incomplete list of teachers ranked excellent by their students, for Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution 337, Fall 1995.
Edward C. Raney Memorial Fund Award, $300 for travel to South America, April 1995.
The Department of Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution of the University of Illinois Graduate Student Award, $600 for travel to South America, April 1995.
Francis M. and Harlie M. Research Support Grant, $1200 for travel to South America, March 1995.
Ernst Mayr Grants, $966 for research at museums in the Eastern United States, September 1994.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Incomplete list of teachers ranked excellent by their students, for Biology 120, spring 1994.
American Association for the Advancement of Science: 1997-2001
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists: 1991-present
Biological Society of Washington: 1997-2002
Neotropical Ichthyological Association: 1995-present
Society of Systematic Biologists: 1997-present
OUTREACH
Loricariid homepage is used by national and international researchers and aquarists, email messages from aquarists worldwide have been received praising the pages.
Fish and herp databases have been accessed by researchers worldwide.
Article published in German Aquarium Magazine, Sept. 2001.
Article on my research in Guyana published in the May, 2002 issue of National Geographic Magazine
SERVICE
EDITORSHIP
2002: Named Associate Editor for General Ichthyology for Copeia, the journal of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Three year term.
REVIEWS
2005. Copeia – 26, Neotropical Ichthyology – 4, Environmental Biology of Fishes – 1, National Science Foundation – 18, Zootaxa – 2.
2004: Bulletin of Marine Science - 1, Copeia - 23, Genetica - 1, Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters - 1, Zootaxa - 1, National Science Foundation - 16.
2003: Copeia-24, Journal of Fish Biology - 1, Neotropical Ichthyology-2, National Science Foundation-1, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society-1, Zootaxa - 1
2002: Copeia-16, Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters-1, Journal of Fish Biology - 1, National Science Foundation-2
2001: Copeia-3, Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters-3, Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia-1, National Science Foundation-15
2000: Journal of Fish Biology-1, National Science Foundation-1
1999: Copeia-2, Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters-1
1998: Book: Phylogeny and Classification of Neotropical Fishes-1, Copeia-1, Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters-1.
Auburn University, Biological Sciences, Awards committee, Fall 2002 - present.
Special Publications Committee of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Chair, Fall 2001 - present.
Auburn University, Biological Sciences, Funds for Excellence committee, Spring 2000 - present.
Auburn University, Biological Sciences, Biology 1010 development committee, Fall 1999 - August 2000.
Auburn University, College of Sciences and Mathematics, DeanÕs Medal Award Committee, Winter 2000 - present.
Auburn University, College of Sciences and Mathematics, Museum Committee, Fall 1998 - present. Chair, 2001 - present.
Auburn University, Biological Sciences, Faculty advisor, Marine Biological Society, Winter 1999-Summer 2002.
University of Illinois, Department of Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution, Graduate Programs Committee, Fall 1996-Spring 1997.
Annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, American Elasmobranch Society, and HerpetologogistÕs League, Local Committee, Champaign, Illinois, 1992.
University of Illinois, Department of Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution, Seminar Committee, Spring 1992
GRANT PANELS
National Science Foundation, Biological Research Collections, December 2001.
National Science Foundation, Biological Research Collections, October 2004.
National Science Foundation, Biological Research Collections, October 2005.