J. MICHAEL FITZSIMONS Curator of Ichthyology Ph.D., 1970, University of Michigan Address:Museum of Natural Science 119 Foster Hall Louisiana State University                  Baton Rouge, LA 70803-3216 Email: fitzsimons@lsu.edu Phone: 225-578-3079 Fax: 225-578-3075

Specific Research Interests

My research interests include the systematics of subtropical and tropical marine and freshwater fishes.

For the past several years, my graduate students and I have focused our studies on the relationships, behavior, ecology, and life histories of amphidromous fishes indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands. Adults live in high-gradient, pristine mountain streams, and all species have a lengthy larval stage in the ocean. The study sites are often in remote sections of the islands' windward coasts where extensive hiking or helicopter transport are required to reach them.

Most studies rely heavily on underwater work that requires the researchers to be in excellent physical condition and thoroughly knowledgeable about diving, off-road vehicles, and first aid. Although our work proceeds as basic research, the results are being applied to conservation recommendations, stream restoration, and stream-use decisions in Hawai'i.

Our research group, funded through the LSU Museum of Natural Science, includes professors and graduate students from other universities in Canada, Florida, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Louisiana. In Hawai'i, we collaborate closely with key individuals from the Division of Aquatic Resources and the University of Hawai'i.
 
 

Selected Publications

Fitzsimons, J. M., M. G. McRae, H. L. Schoenfuss, and R. T. Nishimoto. 2003. Gardening behavior in the amphidromous Hawaiian fish Sicyopterus stimpsoni (Osteichthyes: Gobiidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters 14:185-191.

Fitzsimons, J. M., J. E. Parham, and R. T. Nishimoto. 2002. Similarities in behavioral ecology among amphidromous and catadromous fishes on the oceanic islands of Hawai'i and Guam. Environmental Biology of Fishes. 65:123-129.

Benson, L. K., and J. M. Fitzsimons. 2002. Life history of the Hawaiian fish Kuhlia sandvicensis as inferred from daily growth rings of otoliths. Environmental Biology of Fishes 65:131-137.

Fitzsimons, J. M., and R. T. Nishimoto. 1995. Use of fish behavior in assessing the effects of Hurricane Iniki on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. Environmental Biology of Fishes 43:39-50.