Checo Colón-Gaud

Department of Zoology
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

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Degree Program

* Advisor:  Dr. Matt Whiles
* Program:  PhD
* Specialty:  Freshwater Ecology

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Research Work Abstract

DYNAMICS OF NEOTROPICAL STREAM ECOSYSTEMS: ENERGY BUDGETS, MACROINVERTEBRATE PRODUCTION AND TROPHIC STRUCTURE OF FOUR PANAMANIAN HIGH ELEVATION STREAMS.

My research emphasizes on the ecosystem effects of tropical amphibian declines in mid- to high-elevation streams in Central Panama. The focus of my study is quantifying energy budgets and the dynamics of energy flow by measuring for macroinvertebrate community structure and functional structure along with primary and secondary production in these Neotropical streams.

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Highlights

* Publications:

Colón-Gaud, J.C., and W.E. Kelso. 2003. A suitcase trap for sampling macroinvertebrates in dense submerged aquatic vegetation. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 76(4):667-671.

Colón-Gaud, J.C., W.E. Kelso and D.A. Rutherford. 2004. Spatial distribution of macroinvertebrates inhabiting hydrilla and coontail beds in the Atchafalaya Basin, Louisiana. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management 42:85-90.

Whiles, M.R., K.R. Lips, C.M. Pringle, S.S. Kilham, R.J. Bixby, R. Brenes, S. Connelly, J.C. Colón-Gaud, M. Hunte-Brown, A.D. Huryn, C. Montgomery, and S. Peterson. 2006. The effects of amphibian population declines on the structure and function of Neotropical stream ecosystems. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 4(1):27-34.
 
* Education:
B.A., The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas 2000

M.S., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 2003

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Contact Information

* E-mail:  checo@siu.edu
* Office Phone:  618-453-4645

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