Paul W. Hughes
Morrow Library
Lab: Morrow G18/ G23
Email:  hughes195@live.marshall.edu

                   Education

Bachelor of Science: Natural Resource Management
   Glenville State College

Masters of Science: Watershed Resource Sciences
    Marshall University           

Major Professors: Tom Jones, Ph.D.

Thesis

Natural Life History of Cambarus smilax, The Greenbrier Crayfish

(Cambarus smilax)

Cambarus smilax, the Greenbrier crayfish, is West Virginia's newest named species of crayfish. Described by Zachary Loughman, the species is the sister taxon of Cambarus robustus. The species is endemic to the Greenbrier River watershed, from which it gets its namesake. Cambarus smilax makes West Virginia's 3rd endemic species of crayfish along with Cambarus nerterius and Cambarus elkensis (the Greenbrier Cave Crayfish and the Elk River Crayfish). There are now 23 species of crayfish listed in West Virginia total.

I'm studying the life stages of two different populations. The data gathered will provide insight into when they are sexually active, fecundity, and interaction with other native species of crayfish.

Other Research Interests:

Aquaculture

White Sulphur Springs Fish Hatchery Mussels Program (link: WSSFH)

Aquaculture fascinates me because it is the practice of raising aquatic organisms in a controlled environment for food, energy, medicinal and ecological purposes. Here you can see aquariums set up for host fish that will release glochidia (larval freshwater mussels), which will move through the tubes and be collected in a seine. Then they can be raised to adult mussels and reintroduced to natural rivers and streams.

Invasive Species

( Hypophthalmicthys molitrix) Silver Carp, Lower Ohio River

Invasive species decimate native populations of organisms through competition, predation, disease, and hybridizing with natives. Because invasive species are often exotic, they have no natural predators and the organisms that they feed on may not have any means of protection. The spread of invasive species via humans has dramatically altered whole ecosystems. In the case of the silver and bighead carp, they feed on the phytoplankton that is needed by native species of fish at the bottom of the food chain.

(Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Fly-fishing the Bluestone River in Mercer County

( Agkistrodon contortirx mokasen)

Northern Copperhead, Monongahela National Forest

Fly-fishing on Second Creek in Greenbrier County