I have undertaken a series of experiments designed to test how behavior interacts with physical phenomena to influence two important ecological processes: 1) olfactory mediated predation; and 2) the settlement and recruitment of invertebrate larvae.

The ability the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, to locate prey is directly proportional to the concentration of odors in the water and current speed. This presents a dilemma: faster water currents will rapidly dilute odors to below detectable levels. This dilemma may be countered by the physical properties of odor plumes in the natural habitat. Odor plumes are complex structures formed from multiple individual odor filaments, which can be described by a time averaged concentration distribution and/or instantaneous properties of odor filaments. Many of these properties covary in a predictable manner thus releasing the organism from detecting any one of these properties. Instead, because of the size (large) and temporal resolution (fast) of the blue crab's olfactory organs this animal may be able to detect bilateral differences in concentration and subsequently orient to flow speed and direction.

The persistence of sessile marine populations is determined by the ability of the larval form to settle and recruit in the adult habitat. Recruitment patterns of the barnacle Chthamalus fragilis are determined by the surface contour of the settlement substratum. These larvae aggregate around bumps. As a consequence they are also aggregated around conspecifics. The surface contour influences patterns of flow over bumps, such that aggregation at the bases of bumps provides a refuge from strong currents.

I have identified a novel behavior in the larvae of the oyster Crassostrea virginica. This behavior results in a rapid downward acceleration and subsequent contact with the bottom. Unlike most other larval behaviors, this does not seem to be related to a specific cue. Instead it may be a generalized response used to maintain close proximity to the bottom. Vertical distribution of larvae in the water column is related to competency for settlement. If the larvae are already in close contact with the bottom when maturity is reached, response to more specific settlement cues may be more effective.