Difference between revisions of "William Ryerson"

From EEBedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:BillSail.jpg]]
+
[[Image:BillSail.jpg|thumb|300px|right|First step towards becoming a pirate...learn to sail]]
  
 
==Contact Information==
 
==Contact Information==
Line 33: Line 33:
 
potential work outside of these systems.
 
potential work outside of these systems.
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
+
[[Image:Racertongueflick.gif|none|right|Photo by T. Landberg]]
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
  
 
===Fluid Mechanics of Tongue Flicking in Snakes===
 
===Fluid Mechanics of Tongue Flicking in Snakes===
 +
 
Under the guidance of [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/index.php/Kurt_Schwenk Kurt Schwenk], my dissertation is focused on the fluid mechanics
 
Under the guidance of [http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/eebedia/index.php/Kurt_Schwenk Kurt Schwenk], my dissertation is focused on the fluid mechanics
 
of tongue flicking in snakes. Snakes are well known for their forked tongues, and it has been proposed that this mechanism allows for detection of a
 
of tongue flicking in snakes. Snakes are well known for their forked tongues, and it has been proposed that this mechanism allows for detection of a
Line 45: Line 46:
 
flicking behavior, and determine if snakes possess the ability to discern direction.  I also am investigating the potential effects of ecological,  
 
flicking behavior, and determine if snakes possess the ability to discern direction.  I also am investigating the potential effects of ecological,  
 
morphological, and behavioral factors that may modulate tongue flicking.
 
morphological, and behavioral factors that may modulate tongue flicking.
 +
 +
<br/>
 +
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
  
Line 55: Line 59:
 
hind limbs do play in this matter.
 
hind limbs do play in this matter.
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
[[Image:Example.jpg]]
 

Revision as of 16:35, 2 March 2010

First step towards becoming a pirate...learn to sail

Contact Information

Office: BPB 412

Phone:(860) 486-4158

Mailing Address: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Connecticut
75 N. Eagleville Road Unit 3043
Storrs, CT 06269

Education

PhD Student, University of Connecticut, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 2009-present


M.S. University of South Florida, Integrative Biology, December 2008.
Thesis Advisor: Stephen Deban
Thesis Title: The Role of Abiotic And Biotic Factors In Suspension Feeding Mechanics Of Xenopus Tadpoles


B.S. University of Maine, Marine Science, May 2006


Research Interests

My research lies primarily in the fields of vertebrate morphology, physiology and biomechanics. I am interested in the form and function of animal movement, and how these principles change through ontgony and evolution. Generally, I focus my work on reptiles and amphibians, but I am open to potential work outside of these systems.

Photo by T. Landberg


Fluid Mechanics of Tongue Flicking in Snakes

Under the guidance of Kurt Schwenk, my dissertation is focused on the fluid mechanics of tongue flicking in snakes. Snakes are well known for their forked tongues, and it has been proposed that this mechanism allows for detection of a chemical gradient. Differing concentration of odor particles would provide individuals with the ability to determine the relative direction of the odor source. However, snakes sample the environment for these odor cues by rapidly extending and oscillating the tongue. This has the potential to obscure the odor source by inducing mixing of the air around the tongue. Enough turbulence will prevent the organism from determining directionality of the source. Using high imaging and visualization techniques, I aim to describe the movement of air around the tongue of snakes during the tongue flicking behavior, and determine if snakes possess the ability to discern direction. I also am investigating the potential effects of ecological, morphological, and behavioral factors that may modulate tongue flicking.




Jumping in Plethodontid Salamanders

Plethodontidae, the lungless salamanders, is well studied for the myriad of unique behaviors and morphologies. Aposematic coloration, toxic skin secretions, and ballistic tongue feeding are just some of the mechanisms under investigation around the world. My interest in this system is the ability of these salamanders to propel themselves into the air. Unlike most jumpers, plethodontid salamanders don't possess large hindlimbs suited for this task. Instead, it appears that these salamanders bend and rapidly straighten their torso, providing the momentum required for the jump. In addition to describing this behavior, I'm interested in seeing (using EMG) how the axial musculature powers this ability, as well the role the hind limbs do play in this matter.