Dr. Robert E. Jenkins

Senior Lecturer
Department: Biology
Office: 213 Life Science
Phone:

jenkins@roanoke.edu

Degrees:

B.S., Roanoke College; Ph.D., Cornell University. 1968-1977, 1979

Course List

Research & Teaching Interests:

Ichthyology, Systematics

Statement of Research Interests:

My research fields are ichthyology and aquatic biology. My ichthyological areas of investigation are systematics, distribution, ecology, life history, and behavior of eastern North American freshwater fishes. I am particularly interested in endangered species.

Former research students have performed varied kinds of studies on fishes under my direction: ecologic and geographic aspects of distribution; food habits; age and growth; and reproduction (including determination of reproductive potential, time of spawning, and breeding behavior). Each student has studied one to three of the above aspects on one species that occurs in the Roanoke Valley or within 150 miles of the College.

Students have also tackled the fishes of a particular stream, to determine fish species composition and patterns of distribution, habitat, and abundance of the ichthyofauna. Others have investigated the diversity of aquatic insects in the Roanoke Valley.

All student studies have involved field and laboratory work. Some investigated chemical characteristics of streams populated by the study species. Some of the studies have been published in peer-refereed journals.

I have collaborated with Dr. Adkisson in supervising students in genetic studies of local fishes.