Paul ProctorI became a part of the Rouse lab as a Master's student in 2019. Currently, I study deep-sea pelagic annelids. The group I study is Acrocirridae with a particular focus on the pelagic members exhibiting fascinating swimming behavior and bioluminescent "bombs."
My interest in deep-sea biology, evolution, and systematics was fostered through my experiences as an undergraduate in a tropical biology field course. My other passions include teaching and outreach, and I continue to grow in these areas through my experiences as a Teaching Assistant and as a member of Scripps Community Outreach for Public Education (SCOPE) and the Scripps Student Symposium (S^3).
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Research
My research focuses on understanding the evolution, biodiversity, and biogeography of swimming acrocirrids through morphology, molecular data, and phylogenetic inference. These worms share recent common ancestry with benthic deposit feeders revealing a riveting evolutionary story from seafloor to the ocean deep. Members of this group possess a bioluminescent structure that can be dropped, seemingly an adaptation for predator avoidance.
Contact
Graduate Student
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
Marine Biology Research Division
Hubbs Hall
8750 Biological Grade, La Jolla, CA, 92093
Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego
Marine Biology Research Division
Hubbs Hall
8750 Biological Grade, La Jolla, CA, 92093