G. Joan Holt Associate Professor,
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Ph.D., Texas A&M University (1976)
M.S.,The University of Texas at Arlington (1972)
B.S., The University of Texas at Arlington (1964)
Physiological ecology of larval fish and biochemical measures of adaptation; larval
fish transport and
mechanism of recruitment to estuarine nursery grounds, growth and development in
controlled culture;
larval red drum feeding and nutrition; tropical reef fish; marine aquaculture.
Research Interest
Many physical, chemical and biological factors can potentially affect growth and
survival rates during the
larval and juvenile stages of marine fish. My research focuses on biological and
physical factors that limit
or alter larval fish growth and development. This information is critical for
understanding variable survival
in natural populations and for maximizing production in aquaculture systems. Current
research using this
approach includes several studies designed to clarify trophic interactions of larval
fish, identify ontogenic
changes in nutritional requirements, and explore biochemical techniques useful for
determining
physiological condition.
Specific research projects include investigations of: 1) larval fish transport and
mechanisms of recruitment
to estuarine nursery grounds, 2) nutrition and feeding dynamics of sciaenid fish
larvae, 3) influence of
salinity on reproduction, egg and larva survival in spotted seatrout, 4) reproduction
and larval
development of coral-reef fish and shrimp, and 5) digestion enzyme development in fish
larvae and the
role of exogenous enzymes in larval fish digestion.
Department of Marine Science
University of Texas at Austin
Marine Science Institute
750 Channel View Drive
Port Aransas, TX 78373
Telephone: 361-749-6716
E-mail: joan@utmsi.utexas.edu