Michael H. Horn
Professor of Biology
Fish Seabird and Conservation Biology Lab
____________________________
Department of Biological Science
California State University Fullerton
800 N. State College Boulevard
Fullerton CA 92831-3599
(657) 278-3707
___________________
December 2012
___________________________________________________
TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Teaching Philosophy
I strive to provide up-to-date, hands-on experiences through lab and field exercises and inquiry-based investigations. In all of my recent classes, groups of students undertake problem-based learning projects giving them the opportunity to work together to seek solutions by integrating and interpreting material gathered from the primary literature, the internet, and through direct contact with professionals actively involved in the field.
Courses Recently Taught
Biol 330 Sustainability Ecology: American Indian Models ─ non-majors (Spring 2010)
Biol 401 Biogeography ─ upper division elective and capstone (Fall 2012)
Biol 450 Conservation Biology ─ upper division elective and capstone (Spring 2013)
Biol 475 Ichthyology ─ upper division elective (Spring 2013)
Biol 500A&B Professional Aspects of Biology ─ graduate student requirement (Fall 2010)
Biol 517T Seminar in Ecology ─ graduate student elective (Spring 2006)
RESEARCH PROGRAM
1. Feeding ecology and digestive physiology of herbivorous fishes
Marine fishes ─ Our research focuses on the ontogeny and phylogeny of dietary specialization involving gut structure and function in carnivorous and herbivorous fishes, the evolution of herbivory, and answering the question: What does it take to be a herbivore?.
Current projects:
- Digestive specializations for herbivory in marine fishes: Genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity in gut structure and function in a clade of carnivorous and herbivorous prickleback fishes (Stichaeidae) in the northeastern Pacific Ocean
- Foraging ecology, feeding behavior, jaw mechanics, and digestive physiology of New World silversides (Atherinopsidae) in the northeastern Pacific and Gulf of California
Tropical freshwater fishes ─ Our research focuses on fruit-eating fish in Neotropical rain forests as related to seed dispersal, terrestrial – aquatic linkages, fish-tree interactions, and the evolution of frugivory in characiform fishes.
Current project:
- Phenotypic variation and the evolution of frugivory by fishes in highly seasonal environments
2. Foraging ecology of fish-eating seabirds
Our research focuses on the food and foraging of terns and skimmers nesting in southern California, their trophic structure, and their response to wetland restoration, shifting prey abundance, and changing ocean climate.
Current projects:
- Dietary response of the Elegant Tern to changing ocean conditions and prey populations in southern California
- Effects of wetland restoration: feeding and breeding ecology of the Elegant Tern nesting at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve following creation of a full tidal basin
· Effects of a recent increase in pipefish, a low-quality prey, on growth and development of Elegant Tern chicks
· Food chains of the Elegant Tern with regard to cryptic and non-cryptic prey based on dietary and stable isotope analyses
· Size and composition of fish prey delivered by the endangered California Least Tern to its chicks at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, 1996-2012
· Nest numbers and prey composition of the Elegant Tern in relation to oceanographic conditions and disturbance events in southern California
3. Conservation biology of rare and endangered species
The research areas focus on the concept of rarity as applied to endangered species and their close relatives and to the movements and habitat use of declining amphibian species
Current projects:
· Niche divergence in California endangered taxa and their closest relatives: implications for conservation
· Home range and habitat preference of the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) in Orange County protected areas based on radio telemetry
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Horn, M. H., S. B. Correa, P. Parolin, B. J. A. Pollux, J. T. Anderson, C. Lucas, P. Widmann, A. Tjiu, M. Galetti and M. Goulding (2011) Seed dispersal by fishes in tropical and temperate fresh waters: the growing evidence. Acta Oecologica 31: 561-577.
Horn, M. H. (2010) Global warming and overexploitation in the Northeastern Pacific: challenges driving the need for sustainability, pp. 405-418. In: Climate change and sustainable development (R. A. Reck, ed.) Linton Atlantic Books, Ltd., Chicago.
Sotka, E. E., J. Forbey, M. Horn, A. G. B. Poore, D. Raubenheimer and K. E. Whalen (2009) The emerging role of pharmacology in understanding consumer-prey interactions in marine and freshwater systems. Integrative and Comparative Biology 49: 291-313.
Albrecht, M. P., E. P. Caramaschi and M. H. Horn (2009) Population responses of two omnivorous fish species to impoundment of a Brazilian tropical river. Hydrobiologia 627: 181-193.
Horn, M. H. and C. T. Collins Introduction: Increase in size and diversity of tern and skimmer colonies in southern California as an impetus for studies of foraging ecology. Studies in Avian Biology (accepted).
Dahdul, W. M. and M. H. Horn Diurnal and seasonal foraging periodicity of the terns and skimmers nesting at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve in southern California. Studies in Avian Biology (accepted).
Wilson, J. F. and M. H. Horn Diel periodicity and dietary breadth of the Black Skimmer nesting at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Studies in Avian Biology (accepted).
Chavez, K. J. H. and M. H. Horn Gut passage time, energy assimilation efficiency and growth in captive Caspian Tern and Elegant Tern chicks. Studies in Avian Biology (accepted).
Schallmann, R. A., C. T. Collins, D. W. Bradley and M. H. Horn Growth of Elegant Tern chicks at two breeding colonies in southern California during and immediately following the 1997-1998 El Niño event. Studies in Avian Biology (accepted).
Hendricks, J. N. and M. H. Horn (2008) Foraging ecology of the Elegant Tern (Thalasseus elegans) at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve with new full tidal basin. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 107(2): 116 (abstract).
Horn, M. H. (2007) Global warming and overexploitation in the Northeastern Pacific: challenges that drive the need for solutions to achieve sustainability. Forum topic: Global warming and sustainable development. Forum on Public Policy, A Journal of the Oxford Round Table 3(4): 325-336.
Horn, M. H. and L. G. Allen (2007) Fishes, pp. 232-237. In: Encyclopedia of Tidepools and Rocky Shores (M. W. Denny and S. D. Gaines, eds.). University of California Press, Berkeley.
Boyle, K. S. and M. H. Horn (2006) Comparison of feeding guild structure and ecomorphology of intertidal fish assemblages from central California and central Chile. Marine Ecology Progress Series 319: 65-84.
Horn, M. H., A. K. Gawlicka, D. P. German, E. A. Logothetis, J. W. Cavanagh, and K. S. Boyle (2006) Structure and function of the stomachless digestive system in three related species of New World silverside fishes (Atherinopsidae) representing herbivory, omnivory, and carnivory. Marine Biology 149(5): 1237-1245.
German, D. P. and M. H. Horn (2006) Gut length and mass in herbivorous and carnivorous prickleback fishes (Teleostei: Stichaeidae): ontogenetic, dietary, and phylogenetic effects. Marine Biology 148(5): 1123-1134.
Gawlicka, A. K. and M. H. Horn (2006) Trypsin gene expression by quantitative in situ hybridization in carnivorous and herbivorous prickleback fishes (Teleostei: Stichaeidae): ontogenetic, dietary, and phylogenetic effects. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 79(1): 120-132.
Allen, L. G., D. J. Pondella II and M. H. Horn (eds.) (2006) The ecology of marine fishes: California and adjacent waters. University of California Press, Berkeley, 660 p.
Horn, M. H., L. G. Allen and R. N. Lea (2006) Biogeography, Chapter 1, pp. 3-25. In: The ecology of marine fishes: California and adjacent waters (L. G. Allen, D. J. Pondella II and M. H. Horn, eds.). University of California Press, Berkeley.
Allen, L. G., M. M. Yoklavich, G. M. Cailliet and M. H. Horn (2006) Bays and estuaries, Chapter 5, pp. 119-148. In: The ecology of marine fishes: California and adjacent waters (L. G. Allen, D. J. Pondella II and M. H. Horn, eds.). University of California Press, Berkeley.
Horn, M. H. and K. L. M. Martin (2006) Rocky intertidal zone, Chapter 8, pp. 205-226. In: The ecology of marine fishes: California and adjacent waters (L. G. Allen, D. J. Pondella II and M. H. Horn, eds.). University of California Press, Berkeley.
Horn, M. H. and L. A. Ferry-Graham (2006) Feeding mechanisms and trophic interactions, Chapter 14, pp. 387-410. In: The ecology of marine fishes: California and adjacent waters (L. G. Allen, D. J. Pondella II and M. H. Horn, eds.). University of California Press, Berkeley.
Horn, M. H. and J. S. Stephens Jr. (2006) Climate change and overexploitation, Chapter 25, pp. 621-635. In: The ecology of marine fishes: California and adjacent waters (L. G. Allen, D. J. Pondella II and M. H. Horn, eds.). University of California Press, Berkeley.
Gawlicka, A. K. and M. H. Horn (2005) Storage and absorption in the digestive system of carnivorous and herbivorous prickleback fishes (Teleostei: Stichaeidae): ontogenetic, dietary, and phylogenetic effects. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 78(6): 879-892.
Floeter, S. R., M. D. Behrens, C. E. L. Ferreira, M. J. Paddack and M. H. Horn (2005) Geographical gradients of marine herbivorous fishes: patterns and processes. Marine Biology 147(10): 1435-1447.
German, D. P., M. H. Horn and A. Gawlicka (2004) Digestive enzyme activities in herbivorous and carnivorous prickleback fishes (teleostei: Stichaeidae): ontogenetic, dietary, and phylogenetic effects. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 77(5): 789-804.
O’Reilly, K. M. and M. H. Horn (2004) Phenotypic variation among populations of Atherinops affinis (Atherinopsidae) with insights from a geometric morphometric analysis. Journal of Fish Biology 64(4): 1117-1135.
Drewe, K. E., M. H. Horn, K. A. Dickson and A. Gawlicka (2004) Insectivore to frugivore: ontogenetic changes in gut morphology and digestive enzyme activity in the characid fish Brycon guatemalensis from Costa Rica rain forest streams. Journal of Fish Biology 64(4): 890-902.
Dahdul, W. M. and M. H. Horn (2003) Energy allocation and postnatal growth in captive Elegant Tern (Sterna elegans) chicks: responses to high- versus low-energy diets. Auk 120(4): 1069-1081.
Banack, S. A., M. H. Horn and A. Gawlicka (2002) Disperser- vs. establishment limited distribution of a riparian fig tree (Ficus insipida) in a Costa Rican tropical rain forest. Biotropica 34(2): 232-243.
Sturm, E. A. and M. H. Horn (2001) Increase in occurrence and abundance of zebraperch (Hermosilla azurea) in the Southern California Bight in recent decades. Bulletin Southern California Academy of Sciences 100(3): 170-174.
Logothetis, E. A., M. H. Horn and K. A. Dickson (2001) Gut morphology and function in Atherinops affinis (Teleostei: Atherinopsidae), a stomachless omnivore feeding on macroalgae. Journal of Fish Biology 59(5): 1298-1312.
Gawlicka, A., B. Parent, M. H. Horn, N. Ross, I. Opstad and O. J. Torrissen (2000) Activity of digestive enzymes in yolk-sac larvae of Atlantic halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus): indication of readiness for first feeding. Aquaculture 184(3, 4): 303-314.
Horn, M. H. and A. Gawlicka (2000) Digestion in fish, 9 pp. In: Encyclopedia of Life Sciences. Macmillan Reference Limited, London, England. (Internet Publication: www. els.net/elsonline/html/A0001838.html).
Horn, M. H., K. L. M. Martin and M. A. Chotkowski (eds.) (1999) Intertidal Fishes: Life in Two Worlds. Academic Press, San Diego, California.
Horn, M. H., K. L. M. Martin and M. A. Chotkowski (1999) Introduction, pp. 1-6. In: Intertidal Fishes: Life in Two Worlds (M. H. Horn, K. L. M. Martin, eds.). Academic Press, San Diego, California.
Horn, M. H. and F. P. Ojeda (1999) Herbivory, pp. 197-222. In: Intertidal Fishes: Life in Two Worlds (M. H. Horn, K. L. M. Martin and M. A. Chotkowski, eds.). Academic Press, San Diego, California.
Horn, M. H. (1999) Convergent evolution and community convergence: Research potential using intertidal fishes, pp. 356-372. In: Intertidal Fishes: Life in Two Worlds (M. H. Horn, K. L. Martin and M. A. Chotkowski, eds.). Academic Press, San Diego, California.
CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS AND THEIR THESIS PROJECTS
Fish Seabird and Conservation Biology Lab
7 November 2012
Kathy Baumberger, Chelsea Rankin, Mike Horn, Cassandra Whitcombe,
Justin Smith, Alyssa Stephenson
Justin Smith (Undergraduate institution, CSU Fullerton) ─ Niche divergence in endangered California taxa and their closest relatives: implications for conservation
Alyssa Stephenson (Univ Maine) ─ Size and composition of fish prey delivered by the endangered California Least Tern to its chicks at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, 1996-2012
Kathy Baumberger (UC Davis) ─ Home range and habitat preference of the western spadefoot (Spea hammondii) in Orange County protected areas based on radio telemetry
Chelsea Rankin (UC Santa Cruz) ─ Nest numbers and prey composition of the Elegant Tern in relation to oceanographic conditions and disturbance events in southern California
Cassandra Whitcombe (Chapman Univ) ─ Food chains of the Elegant Tern with regard to cryptic and non-cryptic prey based on dietary and stable isotope analyses
(not accepting graduate students for Fall 2013)
RECENT MS GRADUATES AND THEIR CURRENT POSITIONS
Tyler Flisik (2012) - Biologist, Environmental Intelligence, Laguna Beach, CA
Ben Higgins (2012) – PhD Student, University of California, Santa Cruz
Jeanette Hendricks (2011) ─ Veterinary Student, University of California, Davis
Kelly Kim (2008) ─ Science Teacher, Sunny Hills High School, Fullerton, CA
Kelly Connell (2007) ─ Administrative Manager, Inside the Outdoors, Irvine, CA
Mike Saba (2004) ─ Biologist, Orange County Vector Control, Anaheim, CA
Kelly Boyle (2004) ─ Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biology, University of Liege, Belgium
Ingrid Chlup (2003) ─ Biologist, Glen Lukos Associates, Lake Forest, CA
Donovan German (2003) ─ Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine
Albert Chan (2003) ─ Veterinarian, Monterey, CA
Karen Drewe (2003) ─ Biologist, California Department of Fish and Game, San Pedro
Darryl Smith (2002) ─ Lecturer in Biology, California State University, Fullerton
Wasila Dahdul (2001) ─ Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Biology, University of South Dakota , and Visiting Scientist, Center for Evolutionary Analysis, Duke University
James Cavanagh (2001) ─ Science Teacher, Sycamore Junior High School, Anaheim, CA
Kelly O’Reilly (2001) ─ Manager, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, California Department of Fish & Game, Huntington Beach
Elaine Logothetis (2000) ─ Co-owner, Sapona Green Building Supply, Wilmington, NC