Understanding how animals cope with rapidly changing environmental conditions is essential for their conservation. As an evolutionary behavioral ecologist, my goal is to understand the relationship between the ecology and the behavior of the individual. My research seeks to understand the importance of behavioral variability in the success of commercially important crustaceans such as blue crabs, lobsters and crayfish. These remarkable species differ dramatically in their behaviors, social interactions, and life history strategies, but all are experiencing a rapid decline in the quality of their natural habitats.
