Ichthyology

Ichthyological research at NYSM focuses on the evolution and ecological interactions of fishes. Our research utilizes a number of different methods and techniques, including morphological examinations of museum specimens, traditional and next-generation DNA, RNA, and proteomic sequencing, toxinological examinations of fish venoms, and basic ecological surveys. These data are being used to examine the taxonomy, population genetics, and evolutionary relationships of a number of New York’s diverse freshwater fish species, the development of venom and venom delivery systems in catfishes, the ecological impacts of invasive species, and the recovery of fish communities from pollutants and human efforts to remove these contaminants from aquatic ecosystems.