Projects
Our research focuses on using molecular tools to answer ecological and evolutionary questions in both marine and freshwater systems. Currently, the lab has three main central areas of interest:
Environmental DNA
Environmental DNA uses traces of organisms left behind in water in attempt to determine if species, particularly rare, invasive, or hard to find species, are present. We are investigating several species and ecosystems and have received funding for many of these projects. In the Mobile River Basin, we are investigating critically endangered Alabama sturgeon, threatened Gulf sturgeon, and other fishes in this system. In the Gulf of Mexico, we are investigating Lionfish invasions into estuarine and river systems using eDNA and comparing fish structure on artificial reefs. We are also beginning a new project to characterize salt ponds and coastal dune lakes along the northern Gulf Coast.
Microplastics
Microscopic plastics (microplastics) are ubiquitous in the world’s oceans and have become a serious concern as plastic production and use increases. Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, can be those that are manufactured at a microscopic size for use in facial cleansers and cosmetics. Alternatively, microplastics can be secondary, in that they are the result of the physical breakdown of larger plastic debris as a result of UV solar radiation, thermal, and chemical degradation. We are currently investigating genetic and epigenetic impacts of microplastics on zooplankton and other marine organisms.
Phylogeography
Laboratory interests also lie in the population genetics and phylogenetic relationships of organisms compared to their geographic distributions. Specifically, we are interested in the evolutionary mechanisms that lead to population differentiation, divergence, and ultimately speciation. We are currently investigating several Gulf of Mexico species using phylogeographic tools such as DNA barcoding and population genetics to investigate distributional patterns within a species and species complexes. In addition to sequence data we also use behavior and morphology to address evolutionary changes. Defining species boundaries in relation to their distribution, migration, and life history is an important aspect in understanding the evolutionary history of biogeographic zonation.
Publications
Lovell, M.S.**, Polito, M.J., Schuster, J.A., Shallow, E.E., Janosik, A.M., Falterman,
B.J., Dance, M.A. (2024). Seasonal variability in the foraging ecology of an oceanic predator. Scientific Reports 14, 17353. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63557-z
Prior, J.H**.; Whitaker, J.M.; Janosik, A.M. (2024) Short-Term Microplastics Exposure
to the Common Mysid Shrimp, Americamysis bahia: Effects on Mortality and DNA Methylation. Microplastics 3, 234-249. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics3020014
Curl, L.F.**, Hurst, S.A.*, Pomory, C.M., Lamont, M.M., Janosik, A.M. (2024)Assessing microplastics contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs, Science of The Total Environment. 912, 169434, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169434
Womacks, C.H.*, Janosik, A.M. (2023) Biodiversity and genetic connectivity of Brachyura and Anomura (Decopoda) from artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Crustacean Biology. 43: 0278-0372. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruad081
Garza, T.N.**, Barnes, D.K.A., Scourse, J.D., Whitaker, J.M., Janosik, A.M. (2023) Quantifying microplastics in fjords along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 193: 115-144.
Janosik, A.M., Whitaker, J.M. & Johnston, C.E. (2023) Phylogeography and population structure of the Rock Darter species complex, Etheostoma rupestre (Teleostomi: Percidae) across the Mobile River Basin. Hydrobiologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-05122-1
Shollenberger, K. R., Janosik, A. M., & Johnston, C. (2022). Detection of the threatened snail darter Percina tanasi in the Tennessee River system using environmental DNA. Journal of Fish Biology, 1– 7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15269
Hornfeck, C.*, Faurie T.C.*, Hodges L.L.*, Janosik A.M., Bogantes, V.E. (2022) The complete mitochondrial genome of the marine feather duster, Bispira melanostigma (Annelida: Sabellidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 7:1, 51-53, DOI:10.1080/23802359.2021.2008840
Hamilton, L.E.*, Preston, G.C.*, Wheeler, J.B.*, Janosik, A.M., Bogantes, V.E. (2022) The complete mitochondrial genome of the plumed worm Diopatra cuprea (Annelida: Onuphidae), Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 7:1, 49-50, DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.2008838
Rider, H.J.*, McFarland, A.*, Rape, C.*, Engster, S.**, Bogantes, V.E., Janosik, A.M. (2022). Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Spheciospongia vesparium (Demospongia, Clionaida, Clionaidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 7:1, 28-29.
Bryan Dewsbury, Miriam Segura-Totten, Stanley M Lo, Elizabeth Gibbons Bailey, Laura Beaster-Jones, Robert J Bills, Sara E Brownell, Natalia Caporale, Ryan Dunk, Sarah L Eddy, Marcos E. García-Ojeda, Stephanie M. Gardner, Linda Green, Laurel Hartley, Colin Harrison, Mays M Imad, Alexis M. Janosik, Sophia Jeong, Tanya Josek, Pavan Kadandale, Jennifer Knight, Melissa Ko, Sayali Kukday, Paula Lemons, Megan Litster, Barbara Lom, Patrick Ludwig, Kelly McDonald, Anne McIntosh, Sunshine Menezes, Erika Nadile, Shannon Newman, Stacy Ochoa, Oyenike Olabisi, Melinda Owens, Rebecca Price, Joshua Reid, Nancy Ruggeri, Christelle Sabatier, Jaime Sabel, Brian Sato, Beverly L Smith-Keiling, Sumitra Tatapudy, Elli Theobald, Brie Tripp, Madhura Pradhan, Madhvi Venkatesh, Mike Wilton, Abdi N Warfa, Brittany Wyatt, Samiksha Raut. (2021) Chronicling the journey of the Society for the Advancement in Biology Education Research (SABER) in its effort to become antiracist: from acknowledgement to action. Frontiers in Education, section STEM Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.780401
Whitaker, J.M, Brower, A.M.**, Janosik, A.M. 2021. Invasive lionfish detected in estuaries in the northern Gulf of Mexico using environmental DNA. Environmental Biology of Fishes https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-021-01177-6
Kleinschmidt, J.M.*, Janosik, A.M. (2021) Microplastics in Florida, United States: A case study of quantification and characterization with intertidal snails. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution: 22:638-649.
Figueroa, A.C.*, McHugh, W.J.*, Miller, S.M.*, Fellgren, A.K.**, Bogantes, V.E., Janosik, A.M. (2021) Characterisation of the complete mitochondrial genome of Thyonella gemmata (Echinodermata: Cucumarriadae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 6(10):2997-2998.
Drake, V.I.*, Kim, E.*, Nigro, H.G.*, Bogantes, V.E., Janosik, A.M. (2021) The complete mitochondrial genome of the chocolate chip sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus (Echinodermata:Holothuroidea). Mitochondrial DNA Part B.6(7):1947-1948
Epps, M.T.*, Nguyen, R.T.*, Samborski, K.L.*, Bogantes, V.E., Janosik, A.M. (2021) The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Peppermint Shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni (Decapoda: Lysmatidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 6(7): 1964–1965.
Nehmens, M.C.**, Varney, R.M.**, Janosik, A.M., Ebert, D.A. (2021) An exploratory study of telomere length in the deep-sea shark, Etmopterus granulosus. Frontiers in Marine Science-Marine Molecular Biology and Ecology. 8: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.642872
Janosik, A.M., Whitacker, J.M., VanTassel, N.M.**, Rider, S.J. (2021) Improved environmental DNA sampling scheme for Alabama sturgeon provides new insight into a species once presumed extinct. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 00:1-8 https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14183
Whitaker, J.M., Janosik, A.M. (2020) Missing the mark(er): Pseudogenes identified through whole mitochondrial genome sequencing provide new insight into invasive lionfish genetics. Conservation Genetics. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10592-020-01263-9
Friebertshauser, R.**, Shollenberger, K. **, Janosik, A.M. Garner, J.T., Johnston, C.E. (2019) The effect of bivalve filtration on eDNA-based detection of aquatic organisms. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222830
Johnston, C.E., Janosik, A.M. (2019) Detection of Trispot Darter (Percidae: Etheostoma trisella) using empirical sampling and environmental DNA (eDNA). Southeastern Naturalist.18 (4):555-560.
Whitaker, J.M., Garza, T.N.*, Janosik, A.M. (2019) Sampling with Niskin bottles and microfiltration reveals a high prevalence of microfibers. Limnologica. 78: 125711
Roy, M.B.**, Johnston, C.E., Janosik A.M. (2019) A habitat risk assessment and breeding site projection for Slackwater darter (Etheostoma boschungi) (Percidae) in Alabama and Tennessee USA. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 102: 685-703 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-019-00862-x
VanTassel, N.M.**, Janosik, A.M. (2018) A compendium of Coastal Dune Lakes in Northwest Florida. Journal of Coastal Conservation. 23: 385-416. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-018-0671-4
Varney, R.M., Pomory, C.M, Janosik, A.M. (2017) Telomere elongation in regenerating tissues of the starfish Luidia clathrata. Marine Biology. 164:195
Jarret, A., Stiles, W., Janosik, A.M, Johansen, R., Johnston, C. (2017) Evidence of stream capture from the Tallapoosa River drainage by a Chattahoochee River tributary based on fish distributions. Southeastern Naturalist: 16: 117-126
Pfleger, M.O., Rider, S.J., Johnston, C.E., Janosik, A.M. (2016) Saving the doomed: the importance of detection for conservation of sturgeon (Acpenseridae) Global Ecology and Conservation. 8: 99-107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2016.08.008
Janosik, A.M., Johnston C. E. (2015) Environmental DNA as an effective tool for detection of imperiled fishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes: DOI:10.1007/s10641-015-0405-5
Janosik, A.M., Halanych, K.M. (2013) Seeing stars: a molecular and morphological investigation into the evolutionary history of Odontasteridae (Asteroidea) with description of a new species from the Galapagos Islands. Marine Biology 160: 821-841.
Janosik, A.M., Mahon, A.R., and Halanych, K.M. (2011) Evolutionary history of Southern Ocean seastar species separated by the Drake Passage (Odontasteridae; Asteroidea). Polar Biology 34: 575-586.
Janosik A.M., Halanych, K.M. (2010) Unrecognized Antarctic biodiversity: a case study with Odontaster (Odontasteridae; Asteroidea). Integr Comp Biol 50: 981-992. Cover photograph
Janosik, A.M., Mahon, A.R., Scheltema, R.S., and Halanych, K.M (2008). Short Note: Larval identification by barcoding of the Antarctic sea star Labidiaster annulatus (Labidiasteridae: Asteroidea) with notes on life history. Antarctic Science 20 (6): 563-564.
Halanych, K.M., and Janosik, A.M. (2006). The state of Annelid Phylogenetics. Integrative and Comparative Biology 46: 533-543.
B.J., Dance, M.A. (2024). Seasonal variability in the foraging ecology of an oceanic predator. Scientific Reports 14, 17353. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63557-z
Prior, J.H**.; Whitaker, J.M.; Janosik, A.M. (2024) Short-Term Microplastics Exposure
to the Common Mysid Shrimp, Americamysis bahia: Effects on Mortality and DNA Methylation. Microplastics 3, 234-249. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics3020014
Curl, L.F.**, Hurst, S.A.*, Pomory, C.M., Lamont, M.M., Janosik, A.M. (2024)Assessing microplastics contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs, Science of The Total Environment. 912, 169434, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169434
Womacks, C.H.*, Janosik, A.M. (2023) Biodiversity and genetic connectivity of Brachyura and Anomura (Decopoda) from artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico. Journal of Crustacean Biology. 43: 0278-0372. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruad081
Garza, T.N.**, Barnes, D.K.A., Scourse, J.D., Whitaker, J.M., Janosik, A.M. (2023) Quantifying microplastics in fjords along the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 193: 115-144.
Janosik, A.M., Whitaker, J.M. & Johnston, C.E. (2023) Phylogeography and population structure of the Rock Darter species complex, Etheostoma rupestre (Teleostomi: Percidae) across the Mobile River Basin. Hydrobiologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-05122-1
Shollenberger, K. R., Janosik, A. M., & Johnston, C. (2022). Detection of the threatened snail darter Percina tanasi in the Tennessee River system using environmental DNA. Journal of Fish Biology, 1– 7. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15269
Hornfeck, C.*, Faurie T.C.*, Hodges L.L.*, Janosik A.M., Bogantes, V.E. (2022) The complete mitochondrial genome of the marine feather duster, Bispira melanostigma (Annelida: Sabellidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 7:1, 51-53, DOI:10.1080/23802359.2021.2008840
Hamilton, L.E.*, Preston, G.C.*, Wheeler, J.B.*, Janosik, A.M., Bogantes, V.E. (2022) The complete mitochondrial genome of the plumed worm Diopatra cuprea (Annelida: Onuphidae), Mitochondrial DNA Part B, 7:1, 49-50, DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2021.2008838
Rider, H.J.*, McFarland, A.*, Rape, C.*, Engster, S.**, Bogantes, V.E., Janosik, A.M. (2022). Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Spheciospongia vesparium (Demospongia, Clionaida, Clionaidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 7:1, 28-29.
Bryan Dewsbury, Miriam Segura-Totten, Stanley M Lo, Elizabeth Gibbons Bailey, Laura Beaster-Jones, Robert J Bills, Sara E Brownell, Natalia Caporale, Ryan Dunk, Sarah L Eddy, Marcos E. García-Ojeda, Stephanie M. Gardner, Linda Green, Laurel Hartley, Colin Harrison, Mays M Imad, Alexis M. Janosik, Sophia Jeong, Tanya Josek, Pavan Kadandale, Jennifer Knight, Melissa Ko, Sayali Kukday, Paula Lemons, Megan Litster, Barbara Lom, Patrick Ludwig, Kelly McDonald, Anne McIntosh, Sunshine Menezes, Erika Nadile, Shannon Newman, Stacy Ochoa, Oyenike Olabisi, Melinda Owens, Rebecca Price, Joshua Reid, Nancy Ruggeri, Christelle Sabatier, Jaime Sabel, Brian Sato, Beverly L Smith-Keiling, Sumitra Tatapudy, Elli Theobald, Brie Tripp, Madhura Pradhan, Madhvi Venkatesh, Mike Wilton, Abdi N Warfa, Brittany Wyatt, Samiksha Raut. (2021) Chronicling the journey of the Society for the Advancement in Biology Education Research (SABER) in its effort to become antiracist: from acknowledgement to action. Frontiers in Education, section STEM Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.780401
Whitaker, J.M, Brower, A.M.**, Janosik, A.M. 2021. Invasive lionfish detected in estuaries in the northern Gulf of Mexico using environmental DNA. Environmental Biology of Fishes https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-021-01177-6
Kleinschmidt, J.M.*, Janosik, A.M. (2021) Microplastics in Florida, United States: A case study of quantification and characterization with intertidal snails. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution: 22:638-649.
Figueroa, A.C.*, McHugh, W.J.*, Miller, S.M.*, Fellgren, A.K.**, Bogantes, V.E., Janosik, A.M. (2021) Characterisation of the complete mitochondrial genome of Thyonella gemmata (Echinodermata: Cucumarriadae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 6(10):2997-2998.
Drake, V.I.*, Kim, E.*, Nigro, H.G.*, Bogantes, V.E., Janosik, A.M. (2021) The complete mitochondrial genome of the chocolate chip sea cucumber Isostichopus badionotus (Echinodermata:Holothuroidea). Mitochondrial DNA Part B.6(7):1947-1948
Epps, M.T.*, Nguyen, R.T.*, Samborski, K.L.*, Bogantes, V.E., Janosik, A.M. (2021) The Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Peppermint Shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni (Decapoda: Lysmatidae). Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 6(7): 1964–1965.
Nehmens, M.C.**, Varney, R.M.**, Janosik, A.M., Ebert, D.A. (2021) An exploratory study of telomere length in the deep-sea shark, Etmopterus granulosus. Frontiers in Marine Science-Marine Molecular Biology and Ecology. 8: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.642872
Janosik, A.M., Whitacker, J.M., VanTassel, N.M.**, Rider, S.J. (2021) Improved environmental DNA sampling scheme for Alabama sturgeon provides new insight into a species once presumed extinct. Journal of Applied Ichthyology. 00:1-8 https://doi.org/10.1111/jai.14183
Whitaker, J.M., Janosik, A.M. (2020) Missing the mark(er): Pseudogenes identified through whole mitochondrial genome sequencing provide new insight into invasive lionfish genetics. Conservation Genetics. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10592-020-01263-9
Friebertshauser, R.**, Shollenberger, K. **, Janosik, A.M. Garner, J.T., Johnston, C.E. (2019) The effect of bivalve filtration on eDNA-based detection of aquatic organisms. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222830
Johnston, C.E., Janosik, A.M. (2019) Detection of Trispot Darter (Percidae: Etheostoma trisella) using empirical sampling and environmental DNA (eDNA). Southeastern Naturalist.18 (4):555-560.
Whitaker, J.M., Garza, T.N.*, Janosik, A.M. (2019) Sampling with Niskin bottles and microfiltration reveals a high prevalence of microfibers. Limnologica. 78: 125711
Roy, M.B.**, Johnston, C.E., Janosik A.M. (2019) A habitat risk assessment and breeding site projection for Slackwater darter (Etheostoma boschungi) (Percidae) in Alabama and Tennessee USA. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 102: 685-703 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-019-00862-x
VanTassel, N.M.**, Janosik, A.M. (2018) A compendium of Coastal Dune Lakes in Northwest Florida. Journal of Coastal Conservation. 23: 385-416. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-018-0671-4
Varney, R.M., Pomory, C.M, Janosik, A.M. (2017) Telomere elongation in regenerating tissues of the starfish Luidia clathrata. Marine Biology. 164:195
Jarret, A., Stiles, W., Janosik, A.M, Johansen, R., Johnston, C. (2017) Evidence of stream capture from the Tallapoosa River drainage by a Chattahoochee River tributary based on fish distributions. Southeastern Naturalist: 16: 117-126
Pfleger, M.O., Rider, S.J., Johnston, C.E., Janosik, A.M. (2016) Saving the doomed: the importance of detection for conservation of sturgeon (Acpenseridae) Global Ecology and Conservation. 8: 99-107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2016.08.008
Janosik, A.M., Johnston C. E. (2015) Environmental DNA as an effective tool for detection of imperiled fishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes: DOI:10.1007/s10641-015-0405-5
Janosik, A.M., Halanych, K.M. (2013) Seeing stars: a molecular and morphological investigation into the evolutionary history of Odontasteridae (Asteroidea) with description of a new species from the Galapagos Islands. Marine Biology 160: 821-841.
Janosik, A.M., Mahon, A.R., and Halanych, K.M. (2011) Evolutionary history of Southern Ocean seastar species separated by the Drake Passage (Odontasteridae; Asteroidea). Polar Biology 34: 575-586.
Janosik A.M., Halanych, K.M. (2010) Unrecognized Antarctic biodiversity: a case study with Odontaster (Odontasteridae; Asteroidea). Integr Comp Biol 50: 981-992. Cover photograph
Janosik, A.M., Mahon, A.R., Scheltema, R.S., and Halanych, K.M (2008). Short Note: Larval identification by barcoding of the Antarctic sea star Labidiaster annulatus (Labidiasteridae: Asteroidea) with notes on life history. Antarctic Science 20 (6): 563-564.
Halanych, K.M., and Janosik, A.M. (2006). The state of Annelid Phylogenetics. Integrative and Comparative Biology 46: 533-543.