RESEARCH INTERESTS:
My research foci span the realms of constructional and
functional biology, and evolutionary ecology. In my graduate work, I combined
morphological, biomechanical and kinematic evidence with field census data on
feeding behaviour to study angelfishes, f. Pomacanthidae, and their close reef
fish relatives. The overall aims were to quantify the range of functional
disparity underpinning the diversification of ecological themes in prey-capture
and microhabitat utilisation of these iconic reef fishes, and to further our
understanding of the evolution of biting
in fishes.
During my first post doc (2006-2008) I have examined
the tongue-biting apparatus, and the associated raking prey-processing
behaviour, found among salmonids and osteoglossomorphs
(bony tongues). The main aim was to quantify evolutionary patterns of
convergence and divergence in the morphology, muscle activity and biomechanics
of this novel functional system, and relate these patterns to rates of
evolutionary diversification.
My new post doc—I will let you know what it is
about in a couple of weeks….
NEWS:
12-aug-08 – I am transferring to
12-aug-08 – Update way overdue, my apologies, but my cv provides a summary of my first post doc.
24-jan-06 - I have left
20-dec-05 - Corrected version of my PhD thesis uploaded. I thank my
reviewers for comments.
07-sep-05 - I have handed in my PhD thesis. A pdf version will be
available when reviews return.
07-sep-05 - A high-speed video gallery of angelfish feeding is added in
mpeg-1 format.
PAPERS (published, in press):
Konow N, Camp AL, Sanford CPJ
(2008) Congruent modulation-patterns in muscle
activity and kinematics govern a convergently derived teleosts prey-processing
behaviour. Int. Comp. Biol.
doi:10.1093/icb/icn045 [pdf]
Konow N, Gerry S (2008) Symposium introduction: Electromyography interpretation and limitations in functional
analyses of musculoskeletal function. Int. Comp. Biol. doi10.1093-icb-icn016 [pdf].
Konow N, Sanford CPJ (2008) Is a Convergently
Derived Muscle-activity Pattern Driving Novel Raking Behaviours in Teleost
Fishes? J. Exp. Biol. 211: 989-999 [pdf].
Konow N, Wainwright PC,
Konow N, Fitzpatrick R, Barnett
A (2006) Adult Emperor angelfish (Pomacanthus imperator) clean Giant
sunfishes (Mola mola)
at
Konow N,
MANUSCRIPTS, accepted, in review,
submitted:
Konow N, Ferry-Graham LA (accepted) Functional Morphology of
Butterflyfishes. In: Biology of
Butterflyfishes (Eds. MS Pratchett, M Berumen, BG Kapoor). Science Publishers
Inc. [preprint]
Konow N, Sanford CPJ (accepted). Biomechanics of a Convergently Derived
Prey-processing Mechanism in Fishes: Evidence from Morphology and Raking
Kinematics. J Exp Biol. (JEXBIO-2008-023564)
[preprint].
Bellwood DR, Konow N, Pratchett MS, Klanten SO, Herwerden Lv (submitted)
Evolutionary History of the Butterflyfishes (f. Chaetodontidae) and the Rise of
Coral Feeding Fishes. Systematic
Biology. [preprint]
MANUSCRIPTS, for imminent submission:
Konow N, Bellwood DR (resubmission) Functional Disparity and Ecological
Diversification in Marine Angelfishes, f. Pomacanthidae. Evolution [preprint]
Krijestorac B, Konow N, Herrel A, Sanford CPJ (90%) A novel feeding behaviour in
the worlds most valuable aquarium fish, the Siamese
fighting fish (Betta splendens). Current Biology [preprint]
Gurevic A, Konow N, Sanford
CPJ (70%) Evolution of behavioural modulation of
prey-processing in osteoglossomorph fishes. Functional Ecology
Konow N, Wainwright PC (70%) Reversal of a functional innovation
involved with transitions from biting to planktivory in Genicanthus, f. Pomacanthidae. J.
Exp. Biol.
Gintof C, Konow N, Ross CF,
DOWNLOADS:
Konow, CV [pdf]
Konow, N. (2005) Feeding ecomorphology in
angelfishes, f. Pomacanthidae: the implications of functional innovations on prey-dislodgement
in biting reef fishes. PhD Thesis,
MPEG GALLERY:
These MPEG-1 videos will execute on most players and are fully PowerPoint compatible. 200fps recordings, except Genicanthus (500fps).
Right-click on thumbnails and choose 'save as', or double-click to execute video, and do please use these for teaching purposes.
Should you require high-resolution versions for other than teaching purposes then please email me to discuss the purpose of use.
Pygoplites diacanthus
Chaetodontoplus duboulayi
Pomacanthus [Euxiphipops] sexstriatus
Pomacanthus [Arusetta] semicirculatus
COLLABORATORS & AFFILITATIONS:
Prof. Christopher Sanford (website)
Prof. David R. Bellwood (website)
Centre for Coral Reef Biodiversity (website)
Prof. P. C. Wainwright (website)
My old department of Zoo-morphology,
____________________________________________________________________________
Nicolai Konow, PhD. Department of Biology, 114
Hofstra University,
Telephone: Office +1 516 463 4246 - Lab +1 516 463 4211 - Fax +1 516 463 5112
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Page maintained by Nicolai Konow - last updated 12 Aug 2008.