DONN K. BRANSTRATOR, Associate Professor
B.A., 1987, Lawrence University
Ph.D., 1993, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

dbranstr@d.umn.edu
15 SSB, 726-8134

I am a limnologist interested in the ecology and evolution of zooplankton. Research in my lab focuses on large plankton predators in pelagic food webs. Minnesota Sea Grant is funding 2 of my projects into 2005. In the Department of Biology I teach Field Limnology and Ecology Laboratory in the fall and General Ecology, Plankton Biology and Coral Reef Field Studies in the spring. I also teach Aquatic Food Webs during May semester. I serve on the department curriculum committee.

Research:

PLANKTON BIOLOGY AND LIMNOLOGY: Ecology and evolution of zooplankton, food webs, African lakes.

Recent Publications:

• F. R. Prete, L. E. Hurd, D. K. Branstrator, and A. Johnson. 2002. Responses to computer-generated visual stimuli by the male praying mantis, Sphodromantis lineola (Burrmeister). Animal Behavior.
• D. K. Branstrator and C. M. Holl, 2000, "Planktivory by bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) on Leptodora kindti in a small North American lake," Hydrobiologia, vol. 437, pp. 101-106. [journal]
• D. K. Branstrator, G. Cabana, A. Mazumder and J. B. Rasmussen, 2000, "Measuring life-history omnivory in the opossum shrimp, Mysis relicta, with stable nitrogen isotopes," Limnology and Oceanography, vol. 45, pp. 463-467. [journal]
• D. K. Branstrator, 1998, "Predicting diet composition from body length in the zooplankton predator Leptodora kindti," Limnology and Oceanography, vol. 43, pp. 530-535. [journal]

Teaches:

• BIOL 2801 General Ecology
• BIOL 2802 Ecology Lab
• BIOL 5004 Limnology Lab
• BIOL 5777 Plankton Biology

Graduate Student Projects:

• Meghan Brown, Ph.D. candidate in Water Resources Science, "Studies on the
  ecology of the resting egg of the spiny water flea, Bythotrephes longimanus."
• Mel Huff, M.S. candidate in Water Resources Science, "Comparative analysis of the modern and historical zooplankton assemblages of two connected, urban lakes in Virginia, Minnesota."

Recent UROP student projects:

• Gerald Bellehumeur, "Using Stable Isotope Analysis to Determine Food Web Architecture of Nearshore Communities on Lake Superior"
• Katherine Heimgartner, "Testing in Vertical Migration Pattern of Bythotrephes in Island Lake, MN"

Family/Hobbies:

Married to Stacy Crawford (UMD admissions office). Two children, Sydney and Mason. Family activities include fishing, canoeing, hiking, biking.