Dr. Dominique A. Didier

Education:

B.A. Illinois Wesleyan University
Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Courses Taught:

BIOL 100 – General biology Lab
BIOL 211 – Concepts of Zoology Lab
BIOL 487 – Evolution
BIOL 471 – Topics in Biology - Ichthyology
BIOL 396 – Marine Ichthyology (Marine Science Consortium, Wallop's Island, VA)

Areas of Specialization:

Ichthyology, Marine Biology, Phylogenetic Systematics and Taxonomy

Research Interest(s):

My research is focused on studying the largest and most diverse group of vertebrates on the planet – fish! In particular, I am studying the morphology, development, and phylogeny of a little known group of shark relatives known as the chimaeras or ratfishes. These are marine fishes found in all the world's oceans at depths ranging from about 100 m to over 2,000 m. My current work is focused on describing the many new species that have recently been discovered. I also work closely with global fisheries and conservation organizations in the development of fishery guides for identification as well as guidelines for sustainable management of shark fisheries. Comparative morphological work in my laboratory is focused on understanding morphological characters in an evolutionary context. I am also interested in comparative embryology of Chondrichthyes (sharks and their relatives). There's a lot of fish out there just waiting to be studied, and I am looking forward to working with students on various aspects of ichthyological research.

Selected Publication(s): (*student)

Didier, D.A. 2004. Phylogeny and Classification of Extant Holocephali. In : J.C. Carrier, J.A. Musick, and M.R. Heithaus (eds.). Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pgs. 115-135.

Didier, D.A. 2002. Two new species of chimaeroid fishes from the southwestern Pacific Ocean (Holocephali, Chimaeridae). Ichthyological Research 49: 299-306.

Didier, D.A. and B. Séret. 2002. Chimaeroid fishes of New Caledonia with description of a new species of Hydrolagus (Chondrichthyes, Holocephali). Cybium 26:225-233.

Didier, D.A., E. E. LeClair, and D.R. Vanbuskirk*. 1998. Embryonic staging and external features of development of the chimaeroid fish, Callorhinchus milii (Holocephali, Callorhinchidae). Journal of Morphology 236: 25-47.

Didier, D.A. 1998. The leopard Chimaera, a new species of chimaeroid fish from New Zealand (Holocephali, Chimaeriformes, Chimaeridae). Ichthyological Research 45: 281-289.