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Steve Huskey, Ph.D. Florida Institute of Technology
Associate Professor
Office: TCNW 205-G
Phone: 270-745-2062
Email: steve.huskey@wku.edu
Courses
BIOL 122 Introductory Biology
BIOL 377 Animal Form and Function
BIOL 477 Marine Biology
Research
Functional Morphology, Skeletal Design and Performance, Predator/Prey Interactions, and Animal Behavior
My research examines the link between functional design and ecological utility in vertebrates. I use examinations of dissected carcasses, fully articulated skeletons, and animal behavior to better understand how evolution has shaped organismal design and performance. In my laboratory, we employ EMG's, high-speed video cameras, and pressure transducers to better understand the feeding mechanisms of fishes. In the field, we use SCUBA, rebreathers, portable high-speed video systems, and still-cameras to tease out the intricacies of specialized feeding performance by everything from pelagic species to reef species. My students and I have also worked on the biomechanics of mammal locomotion, tooth development and phenotypic plasticity in fishes, and communication in lizards. We use biomechanics, gross dissection, dermestid beetles, and behavioral observations to draw conclusions about what makes predators successful at doing what they do best -- catching and killing their prey.
Bio
B.S. 1996 - Western Michigan University
Ph.D. 2003 - Florida Tech
Recent Publications
2011. Explorer: Megapiranha, National Geographic Channel. Washington, D.C.
2011. Sea Strikers, National Geographic Channel. Washington, D.C.
2010. WOW! episode 103, National Geographic Channel. Washington, D.C.
2010. WOW! episode 102, National Geographic Channel. Washington, D.C.
*Sandefur, M., *B. French, S. Huskey, and T. Schmidt. In revision. Biomechanical modeling of forelimb adduction in the eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus. J. Biomech.
*Hall, J., *R. Quintero, S. Huskey, and M. Gibbs. In prep. Pattern or subambient pressure change within the buccal cavity of an elongate fish. J. Exp. Biol.
Huskey, S., *E. Gilson, *M. Hougland, A. Rhyne, and N. Konow. In prep. Modulation of feeding behaviors in goliath groupers. J. End. Species Res.
2006. Wainwright, P.C., Huskey, S.H., Turingan, R.G., and Carroll, A.M. Ontogeny of suction feeding capacity in snook. J. Exp. Zool. 305A:246-252.
2004. Carroll, A., Wainwright, P.C., Huskey, S.H., Collar, D., and Turingan, R.G. Morphology predicts suction feeding performance in centrarchid fishes. J. Exp. Biol. 207:3873-3881.
2003. Huskey, S.H. Functional and morphological bases of intraspecific variation in the feeding ecomorphology of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. Dissertation. 137pp.
2001. Huskey, S.H. and R.G. Turingan. Variation in prey-resource utilization and oral jaw gape between two populations of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides. Env. Biol. Fish. 61(2):185-194.
