Mollusks are members of the large and diverse phylum Mullusca, which includes a variety of familiar animals like snails, clams, squid, and octopi. Scaphopods are a class of marine mollusks with a tubular and generally curved shell having openings at both ends. Since their shell resembles an elephant's tusk, they are more commonly referred to as "tusk shells." Many scaphopod species inhabit the deep waters off the West and Alaskan coasts. This summer, Matt Sharbaugh '08 (Simsbury, Conn.), a biology major, is working with Professor of Biology Patrick Reynolds to study how the latitude and ocean depth at which scaphopods live affects their diversity and distribution.
Sharbaugh's research project will focus on testing three hypotheses. First, he will see whether scaphopod diversity increases as latitude decreases (i.e. gets closer to the equator). This relationship between latitude and diversity is referred to as a latitudinal gradient. Second, he will assess whether Rapport's rule, which states that range size (i.e. the geographic area where a species can be found) is inversely proportional to latitude, applies to scaphopods. Finally, Sharbaugh will determine whether or not a pattern exists between scaphopod diversity and ocean depth. In particular, he will try to find out if there is any correlation between increased ocean depth and larger scaphopod body size. Sharbaugh says that his project will make use of meta analysis, which means he will be "taking data from the primary sources, finding the corresponding latitudes on Google Earth, and then testing to see if the hypotheses [he is examining] are correct."
This is Sharbaugh's first summer of research. Thus far, he says that it has been "fun and challenging to study organisms that are unfamiliar to most people." On campus, he plays ultimate Frisbee and various intramural sports, such as basketball, softball, hockey, and soccer. After finishing his research at Hamilton, Sharbaugh plans to work on whale conservation for the rest of the summer.
-- by Nick Berry '09
Sharbaugh's research project will focus on testing three hypotheses. First, he will see whether scaphopod diversity increases as latitude decreases (i.e. gets closer to the equator). This relationship between latitude and diversity is referred to as a latitudinal gradient. Second, he will assess whether Rapport's rule, which states that range size (i.e. the geographic area where a species can be found) is inversely proportional to latitude, applies to scaphopods. Finally, Sharbaugh will determine whether or not a pattern exists between scaphopod diversity and ocean depth. In particular, he will try to find out if there is any correlation between increased ocean depth and larger scaphopod body size. Sharbaugh says that his project will make use of meta analysis, which means he will be "taking data from the primary sources, finding the corresponding latitudes on Google Earth, and then testing to see if the hypotheses [he is examining] are correct."
This is Sharbaugh's first summer of research. Thus far, he says that it has been "fun and challenging to study organisms that are unfamiliar to most people." On campus, he plays ultimate Frisbee and various intramural sports, such as basketball, softball, hockey, and soccer. After finishing his research at Hamilton, Sharbaugh plans to work on whale conservation for the rest of the summer.
-- by Nick Berry '09
