Dr. Daniel M. Dauer

Professor of Biological Sciences and Eminent Scholar

Ph.D. Biology, 1974
University of South Florida

B.S. Biology, 1970
Old Dominion University

Bio. 307, Invertebrate Zoology
Bio. 415/515, Marine Ecology
Bio. 442/542, Marine Ecology Lab
Bio. 750/850, Marine Benthic Ecology

Research Interests:

Dr. Dauer's basic research emphasizes feeding behavior and functional morphology of marine benthic animals. This research requires the integration of (1) controlled laboratory experiments concerning factors affecting feeding rates, (2) direct observation and quantification of behavior during feeding, and (3) detailed examinations of the morphology of the feeding apparatus using scanning electron microscopy. The ultimate goal of this type of research is to better understand observed patterns of distribution and abundance of marine and estuarine animals. Dr. Dauer's applied marine research emphasizes the use of benthic (bottom-dwelling) communities in the assessment of environmental health.

Selected Publications:

Borja, A, S.B. Bricker, D.M. Dauer, N.T. Demetriades, J.G. Ferreira, A. T.
Forbes, P. Hutchings, X. Jia, R.Kenchington, J.C. Marques and C. Zhu.
Overview of integrative tools and methods in assessing ecological integrity in estuarine and coastal systems worldwide. Marine Pollution Bulletin. IN PRESS.


Dauer, D.M., R.J. Llansó, and M.F. Lane. 2008. Depth-related patterns in benthic community condition along an estuarine gradient in Chesapeake Bay, USA. Ecological Indicators 8: 417-424.


Borja, A. and D.M. Dauer. 2008. Assessing the environmental quality status in estuarine and coastal systems: comparing methodologies and indices, Ecological Indicators 8: 331-337.


Chainho, P. J.L. Costa, M.L. Chaves, D.M. Dauer, and M.J. Costa. 2007.
Influence of seasonal variability in benthic invertebrate community structure on the use of biotic indices to assess the ecological status of a Portuguese estuary. Marine Pollution Bulletin 54:1586?1597.

Dauer, D.M., H. K. Mahon and R, Sard�. 2003. Functional morphology and feeding behavior of Streblospio benedicti and S. shrubsolii (Polychaeta: Spionidae). Hydrobiologia 496: 207-213.

Pardo, E.V. and D.M. Dauer. 2003. Particle size selection in individuals from epifaunal versus infaunal populations of the nereid polychaete Nereis (Neanthes) succinea. Hydrobiologia 496: 255-360.

Diaz, R.J., G. R. Cutter, Jr. and D. M. Dauer. 2003. A comparison of two methods for estimating the status of benthic habitat quality in the Virginia Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 285-286: 371-381.

Dauer, D.M. and R. J. Llans�. 2003. Spatial scales and probability based sampling in determining levels of benthic community degradation in the Chesapeake Bay. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 81: 175-186.

Llans�, R.J., D.M. Dauer, J.H. V�lstad, and L.S. Scott. 2003. Application of the Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity to environmental monitoring in Chesapeake Bay. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 81: 163-174.

Christman, C.S. and D.M. Dauer 2003. Development of a diagnostic tool to determine the cause of benthic community degradation in the Chesapeake Bay. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 81: 187-197.

Llans�, R.J., L.S. Scott, D.M. Dauer, J.L. Hyland and D.E. Russell. 2002. An estuarine benthic index of biological integrity for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. I. Classification of assemblages and habitat definitions. Estuaries 25: 1219-1230.

Llans�, R.J., L.S. Scott, J.L. Hyland, D.M. Dauer, D.E. Russell and F.W. Kutz. 2002. An estuarine benthic index of biological integrity for the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. II. Index Development. Estuaries 25: 1231-1242.

Ranasinghe, J.A., J. B. Frithsen, F. W. Kutz, J. F. Paul, D. E. Russell, R. A. Batiuk, J. L. Hyland, J. Scott, and D. M. Dauer. 2002. Application of two indices of benthic community condition in Chesapeake Bay. Environmetrics. 13: 499-511.

Alden, R.W. III, D.M. Dauer, J.A. Ranasinghe, L.C. Scott, and R.J. Llans��. 2002. Statistical Verification of the Chesapeake Bay Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity. Environmetrics13: 473- 498.

Dauer, D.M., J. A. Ranasinghe, and S. B. Weisberg. 2000. Relationships between benthic community condition, water quality, sediment quality, nutrient loads, and land use patterns in Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 23: 80-96.

Dauer. D.M. 2000. Functional morphology and feeding behavior of Spio setosa. Bulletin of Marine Science 67: 269-275.

Dauer, D.M. 1997. Dynamics of an estuarine ecosystem: Long-term trends in the macrobenthic communities of the Chesapeake Bay, USA (1985-1993). Oceanologica Acta 20: 291-298.

Weisberg, S.B., J.A. Ranasinghe, D.M. Dauer, L.C. Schaffner, R.J. Diaz and J.B. Frithsen. 1997. An estuarine benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI) for Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 20: 149-158.

Dauer, D.M. 1997. Functional morphology and feeding behavior of Marenzellaria viridis (Polychaeta: Spionidae). Bulletin of Marine Science 60: 512-516.

Dauer, D.M. 1993. Biological criteria, environmental health and estuarine macrobenthic community structure. Marine Pollution Bulletin 26: 249-257.

Dauer, D.M., J.A. Ranasinghe and A.J. Rodi, Jr. 1992. Effects of low dissolved oxygen levels on the macrobenth

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