W. Randy Brooks
| W. Randy Brooks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1955 (age 70–71) [citation needed] United States [where?] |
| 🏳️ Nationality | American |
| 🎓 Alma mater | Florida State University (MS, PhD) |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Research on clownfish-anemone interactions and Sargassum symbiotic communities |
William Randy Brooks (born 1955) is an American marine biologist and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where he specializes in the behavioral and physiological ecology of marine organisms, particularly symbiotic associations.[1][2] He head researched anemone interactions and habitat selection in Sargassum communities, with over 345 citations across peer-reviewed publications.[3][not in citation given] Brooks serves as an editor for the Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development.[4][not in citation given]
Early life and education
William Randy Brooks was born in 1955 in the United States.[citation needed] Raised in the Midwest, he initially enrolled as a mathematics major at a small liberal arts college.[1] His interest shifted to marine biology, prompting him to change his major to biology.[1] Brooks pursued graduate studies at Florida State University, earning a Master of Science and a PhD in Marine Biology, with his dissertation focusing on symbiotic associations in marine environments.[1][2]
Academic career
Brooks began his academic career with a brief appointment at Auburn University before joining Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science in the Department of Biological Sciences.[1]
Brooks is an editor for the Journal of Marine Science: Research & Development.[4][not in citation given]
Research
Brooks’ research focuses on the behavioral and physiological ecology of marine organisms, with an emphasis on symbiotic associations involving cnidarians, crustaceans, and fish.[2] His work explores mutualistic, commensalistic, and parasitic relationships, highlighting coevolutionary adaptations as alternatives to competitive interactions.[2] Key areas include clownfish-anemone interactions, Sargassum community dynamics, octopus ecology, and coral reef monitoring.
Clownfish-anemone interactions
Early in his career, Brooks clarified the acclimation mechanisms by which clownfish (genus Amphiprion) avoid stings from sea anemone nematocysts.[1] Using a "surrogate" anemone made of rubber bands, he demonstrated that clownfish develop a chemical defense in their mucus coat, suppressing nematocyst firing during acclimation.[5]
Brooks’ research also investigated anemone shrimp (e.g., Alpheus armatus) defending host anemones (Bartholomea annulata) from predatory fireworms, suggesting a mutualistic relationship.[3] His findings challenge earlier assumptions of parasitism, supported by differing carbon isotope values between shrimp and anemones.[3]
Sargassum communities
Brooks has studied symbiotic interactions within pelagic Sargassum communities, focusing on shrimp (Latreutes fucorum, Leander tenuicornis) and fish (Stephanolepis hispidus).[6] His 2009 study found that these shrimp rely on visual cues, not chemical cues, to select live Sargassum over artificial alternatives, with preferences varying by species and size.[6] A 2021 study, co-authored with J.L. Frahm, revealed that chemical cues (e.g., dimethylsulfoniopropionate) enable shrimp to locate Sargassum in the absence of visual cues, critical during nighttime or after storms.[7] A 2023 study with D. Cox showed that fish use chemical cues to locate Sargassum, emphasizing habitat architecture's role in symbiosis.[8]
Octopus ecology
Brooks’ recent work with C.O. Bennice and R.T. Hanlon explores habitat partitioning and resource exploitation among octopus species in Florida lagoons.[9] A 2019 study found that sympatric octopuses select distinct habitats based on structural complexity, facilitating coexistence.[9] A 2021 study provided insights into octopus behavior and resource use, with implications for lagoon conservation.[10] His 2023 study on octopus skin microbiomes identified bacterial symbionts that may protect against pathogens, a first for wild octopuses.[3]
Coral reef monitoring
Brooks has contributed to long-term coral reef monitoring using video transects, assessing bleaching responses in cnidarians hosting zooxanthellae.[2] His work supports conservation efforts amid climate-driven reef degradation, aligning with broader cnidarian symbiosis research.[11]
Selected publications
- Cox, D., Brooks, W. R. (2023). "The role of chemical cues in locating the host pelagic Sargassum spp. by the symbiotic fish Stephanolepis hispidus." Symbiosis, 90, 151–158. doi:10.1007/s13199-023-00913-8 [8][not in citation given]
- Frahm, J. L., Brooks, W. R. (2021). "The use of chemical cues by sargassum shrimps Latreutes fucorum and Leander tenuicornis in establishing and maintaining a symbiosis with the host Sargassum algae." Diversity, 13, 305. doi:10.3390/d13070305 [7]
- Bennice, C. O., Brooks, W. R., Hanlon, R. T. (2021). "Behavioral provide insight into resource exploitation and habitat coexistence of octopus species in a shallow Florida lagoon." Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 540, 151592. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2021.151592 [10]
- Bennice, C. O., Rayburn, A. P., Brooks, W. R., Hanlon, R. T. (2019). "Fine-scale habitat partitioning facilitates sympatry between two octopus species in a shallow Florida lagoon." Marine Ecology Progress Series, 609, 151–161. doi:10.3354/meps12845 [9]
- Jobe, C. F., Brooks, W. R. (2009). "Habitat selection and host location by symbiotic shrimps associated with Sargassum communities: The role of chemical and visual cues." Symbiosis, 49, 75–85. doi:10.1007/s13199-009-0020-5 [6]
- Brooks, W. R., Mariscal, R. N. (1984). "The acclimation of anemone fishes to sea anemones: protection by changes in the fish’s mucous coat." Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 81, 277–285. doi:10.1016/0022-0981(84)90129-8 [5][not in citation given]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Meet Your Professors: Randy Brooks, PhD". Florida Atlantic University - Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Dr. W. Randy Brooks". GulfBase. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "W. Randy Brooks's research works". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2025-05-17.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Editor - William Randy Brooks". OMICS International. ISSN 2155-9910. Missing or empty
|url=(help) - ↑ 5.0 5.1 Roux, N. (2021). "Microbiomes of clownfish and their symbiotic host anemone converge before their first physical contact". Microbiome. 9 (109). doi:10.1186/s40168-021-01058-y (inactive 1 July 2025).
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Jobe, W. R.; Brooks (2009). "Habitat selection and host location by symbiotic shrimps associated with Sargassum communities". Symbiosis. 49 (2): 75–85. doi:10.1007/s13199-009-0020-5 (inactive 1 July 2025).
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Frahm, W. R.; Brooks (2021). "The use of chemical cues by sargassum shrimps Latreutes fucorum and Leander tenuicornis in establishing and maintaining a symbiosis with the host Sargassum algae". Diversity. 13 (7): 305. Bibcode:2021Diver..13..305F. doi:10.3390/d13070305.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Cox, W. R.; Brooks (2023). "The role of chemical cues in locating the host pelagic Sargassum spp. by the symbiotic fish Stephanolepis hispidus". Symbiosis. 90 (2): 151–158. doi:10.1007/s13199-023-00913-8 (inactive 1 July 2025).
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Bennice, R. T.; Rayburn; Brooks; Hanlon (2019). "Fine-scale habitat partitioning facilitates sympatry between two octopus species in a shallow Florida lagoon". Marine Ecology Progress Series. 609: 151–161. doi:10.3354/meps12845.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Bennice, R. T.; Brooks; Hanlon (2021). "Behavioral provide insight into resource exploitation and habitat coexistence of octopus species in a shallow Florida lagoon". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 540: 151592. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2021.151592.
- ↑ Cleary, D. F. R. (2020). "Host selection by shrimps symbiotic with sea anemones: A field survey and experimental laboratory analysis". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 527: 151376. doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2020.151376. hdl:10261/210525.
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