James B. Layzer

Jims_pictureProfessor and Unit Leader
U.S. Geological Survey

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 5114
Cookeville, TN 38505

Office: 205 Pennebaker Hall
Phone: 931/372-3032
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Education

B.S., Fishery Biology, University of Massachusetts (1971)
M.S., Fishery Biology, University of Massachusetts (1974)
Ph.D., Zoology, Oklahoma State University (1982)

Professional Experience

1995-Present: Professor and Leader, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit

1985-1995: Associate Professor (1990-1995), Assistant Professor (1985-1990), and Assistant Unit Leader, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit

1982-1985: Fishery Biologist (1982-1983), Ecologist (1983-1985), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C.

1978-1982: University Fellow, Oklahoma Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Oklahoma State University

1973-1978: Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Amherst, Mass.

Research Interests

Effects of stream regulation on aquatic biota; ecology and conservation of freshwater mussels; restoring and maintaining aquatic biodiversity; ecology of stream fishes.

Courses Taught

Malacology

Recent Publications

Ashton, M.J. and J.B. Layzer.  2008.  Distribution of the threatened Snail Darter (Percina tanasi) in the upper Tennessee River drainage.  Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 83:52-56.

Simmons, J.W., J.B. Layzer and D.D. Smith.  2008.  Age-class structure and variability of two populations of the Bluemask Darter Etheostoma (Doration) sp.  American Midland Naturalist 160:300-309.

Layzer, J.B. and E.M. Scott, Jr. 2006. Restoration and colonization of freshwater mussels and fish in a southeastern United States tailwater. River Research and Applications 22:475-491.

Layzer, J.B. and J.R. Khym. 2005. Fish hosts for glochidia of the pheasantshell, Actinonaias pectorosa. Walkerana 14(31):79-85.

Layzer, J. B. and J. R. Heinricher. 2004. Coded wire tag retention in ebonyshell mussels Fusconaia ebena. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24(1):228-230.

Simmons, J.W. and J.B. Layzer. 2004. Spawning behavior and habitat of the endangered bluemask darter, Etheostoma (Doration) sp. Copeia 2004(2):412-417.

Strayer, D. L., J. A. Downing, W. R. Haag, T. L. King, J. B. Layzer, T. J. Newton, and S. J. Nichols. 2004. Changing perspectives on pearly mussels, North America’s most imperiled animals. BioScience 54(5): 429-439.

Layzer, J. B. and T. R. Brady. 2003. Summer microhabitat of the endangered bluemask darter Etheostoma (Doration) sp. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 78(2):55-57.

Layzer, J.B., B. Adair, S. Saha, and L.M. Woods. 2003. Glochidial hosts and other aspects of the life history of the Cumberland pigtoe (Pleurobema gibberum). Southeastern Naturalist 2(1):73-84.

Eads, C.B. and J.B. Layzer. 2002. How to pick your mussels out of a crowd: using fluorescence to mark juvenile freshwater mussels. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 21(3):476-486.

Gore, J.A., J.B. Layzer, and J. Mead. 2001. Macroinvertebrate instream flow studies after 20 years; a role in stream management and restoration. Regulated Rivers: Research & Management 17:527-542.

Hardison, B.S. and J.B. Layzer. 2001. Relations between complex hydraulics and the localized distribution of mussels in three regulated rivers. Regulated Rivers: Research & Management 17:77-84.

Khym, J.R. and J.B. Layzer. 2000. Host fish suitability for glochidia of Ligumia recta. The American Midland Naturalist 143:178-184.

Current Research Projects

  • Assessment of the mussel fauna in the area impacted by dredging for the Green River Ferry, Mammoth Cave National Park.
  • Establish NEPs of two endangered mussel species in the lower French Broad River.
  • Life history of the Barrens heelsplitter (Lasmigona sp.).
  • Predicting the effects on endangered mussels from incremental decreases in minimum flows.
  • Reintroduction of mussels into the Little Tennessee River at the Calderwood Dam By-Pass.
  • Research directed at the recovery of endangered mussels.

 

Current Students

Stephanie Barton; Reinhardt College, Georgia; Life history of the Barrens Heelsplitter (Lasmigona sp.) (Bivalvia: Unionidae).

Chase Ehlo; Oklahoma State University; Population demographics and life history aspects of the Tennessee Pigtoe, Fusconaia barnesiana (Bivalvia; Unionidae) in the Duck River, Tennessee.

Kendall Moles (PhD); Arkansas Tech University; Predicting the effects on endangered mussels from incremental decreases in minimum flow.

 

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