Dr. Chris Finelli Faculty Page

Bayouside Classroom @ LUMCON

Research in our lab examines the interaction of marine animals and their physical and chemical environment, with primary emphasis on how water flow influences organismal biology and ecological interactions. Recent projects have examined bioirrigation by burrowing shrimps, the influence of water flow on planktivory by reef fishes, filtration rates of the giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta, and recruitment of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Because of their ecological importance, ubiquitous distribution, and intimate ties to water flow, we often use benthic suspension feeders as model organisms in lab and field studies. We work locally in coastal NC and in coral reef habitats of Florida, the Bahamas, and Belize. Feel free to poke around our website and contact us about our work.