Jonathan W. Armbruster

Associate Professor and Curator of Fishes

Ichthyology, Systematics, Morphology, Ecology

OFFICE: 303 Funchess

LAB: 308 Funchess

FISH COLLECTION: 5 Physiology Building

PHONE: Office-(334) 844-9261, Lab-(334-844-3470)

FAX: (334) 844-9234

e-mail: armbrjw@mail.auburn.edu 


Curriculum vitae 
 
 
 

Honors and awards:

Research/Interests

I am particularly interested in reconstructing the evolution of the genera of the South American suckermouth armored catfishes or plecos (Loricariidae) using morphological characteristics. I also explore in detail various types of morphological systems such as those related to wood-eating in some loricariid catfishes and accessory respiratory structures. Wood-eating is found in two genera of loricariid catfishes and is accompanied by changes in the bones and the evolution of large spoon-shaped teeth. Many loricariids breathe air and there is a large number of adaptations the fishes use to do so including what appears to be a unique evolution of a lung and a unique evolution of a swim-bladder from that lung. I am also involved in taxonomic revisions of many groups of loricariids as well as other fishes . In addition, I am active in exploring the biodiversity of the planet, particularly that of South America. Studies are underway in Venezuela and Guyana (photo above is taken at Kaiteur Falls in Guyana) to determine what fish species are there and what impact humans may be having on them. 


A new genus and species from Guyana, Photo by J.W. Armbruster

With over 600 described species, Loricariidae is the largest family of catfishes in the world and among the top five largest fish families.  As part of my interests in the taxonomy of loricariid catfishes such as the one shown above, I have written a web-key to the genera of three of the subfamilies of Loricariidae.  These three subfamilies (Hypostominae, Neoplecostominae, and a new subfamily) total at least three-fourths of the genera of Loricariidae, and previously no reliable information was available to recognize the genera.  GO TO LORICARIID HOME PAGE.


Labidesthes sicculus, photo by D.C. Werneke and J.W. Armbruster

Another part of my research is the maintenance of the Auburn University Museum Fish Collection.  The fish collections at Auburn University are among the most important collections of fishes from the southeastern United States.  Currently, nearly 500,000 preserved specimens in 50,000 lots are cataloged in the collection.  The fish collection is now searchable via the internet (GO TO SEARCH).  I would like to invite anyone interested in fishes or in curation of natural history collection to volunteer in the fish collection.

I am also a co-PI on the All Catfish Species Inventory, Phase I of a survey of the Otophysi.  Catfishes are incredibly diverse and many species are left to be described from all over the world.  I have recently received funding (with Larry Page (University of Florida), John Lundberg and Mar Sabaj (Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia), John Friel (Cornell University), and Carl Ferraris (California Academy of Sciences)) for one of the largest taxonomic projects ever.  The grant is to describe all catfish species in 5 years.

Classes

I teach in the General Biology Program and also teach Comparative Anatomy and Systematic Ichthyology. Comparative Anatomy is the study of the evolution of the morphological systems of vertebrates. Systematic Ichthyology is a graduate level class designed to explore the systematics of fishes with a particular emphasis on the fishes of Alabama. Systematic Ichthyology is taught every other spring. In Fall 2008, I am also teaching Evolution and Systematics

Collecting in Guyana

Students

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Publications

Popular articles on or about my research.


Educational Publications

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