Bruce E. Felgenhauer
1975 B.S. (Zoology) Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
1977 M.S. (Zoology) Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
1982 Ph.D. (Zoology) Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
My research program focuses on the functional morphology of arthropods, primarily crustaceans and chelicerates. Currently, I am investigating members of the crustacean Class Remipedia. The remipedes are a relatively recent discovery that has prompted considerable study and discussion of their relationship to other crustacean groups and of the relative primitiveness of their body plan and appendage morphology. These unique and fascinating crustaceans live exclusively in subterranean marine habitats know as anchialine cave systems, often in karst coastal settings. The known extant remipedes occur primarily in the Bahamas and the West Indies, though a single species is know from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and another from the Canary Islands. Presently, my lab is investigating the functional morphology of the feeding mechanism of several species of remipedes that seems to be unique among the Crustacea and exhibits aspects that resemble an “arachnoid” feeding mode. All aspects of microscopy (LM, SEM, TEM) are utilized in my laboratory in an attempt to relate form with function. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a fully equipped Microscopy Center with state-of-the art instrumentation.
In addition to my research interests, I am the Chair of the Pre-Professional Committee that is responsible for evaluating our pre-professional undergraduate students that are applying to the professional school(s) of their choice (e.g., Medical, Dental, Physician Assistant, Physical and Occupational Therapy). Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning the requirements for admission to any of the above mentioned programs.
Graduate students interested in working in my laboratory will be expected to have or acquire knowledge of all aspects of microscopy. In addition, graduate students will be expected to present their research at regional and national meetings when possible and to submit their work to reputable national and international journals.