Clyde F. Herreid

Physiological Ecology: Comparative Animal Physiology/Behavior

Distinguished Teaching Professor

Ph.D 1961 Pennsylvania State University
Postdoctoral work 1961 University of Miami, Marine Lab
Assistant Professor 1962 University of Alaska
Postdoctoral work 1965 Duke University
Associate Professor 1968;
Professor 1982;
Distinguished Teaching Professor 1988 University at Buffalo

Address Information

Clyde F. Herreid
Department of Biological Sciences
661 Hochstetter Hall
State University of New York at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260

(716) 645-2363 ext: 129

To send e-mail: herreid@acsu.buffalo.edu

RESEARCH SUMMARY

Environmental physiology examines the response of organisms to different conditions on earth, ranging from the desert to the arctic. Comparative animal studies are a powerful approach to such problems because organisms have evolved different strategies to survive stressful environments relying upon combinations of biochemical, physiological, anatomical and behavioral adaptations. Our research has focused upon the adaptation of organisms to a land environment especially in relation to temperature regulation, water loss, behavior and energy metabolism, and more recently, locomotion.

We initiated the first studies on the energetics of locomotion on land for invertebrates. We built miniature treadmills to examine the running abilities of insects, crabs, spiders, centipedes and millipedes. We have found that all animals, regardless of the number of legs, move with similar energetic efficiencies. However, small animals use more energy than large to move a given distance because they must take more steps. Our work continues as we explore how different body shapes influence the cost of locomotion.

During our investigation of running, we noticed color changes in the pigment of crabs. We established that the color changes were due to hormones and that these hormones are released whenever the animals are stressed by various factors. We are actively engaged in characterizing these "stress hormones".

Whenever animals interact they change their energetic expeditures. By measuring oxygen consumption of animals while fighting, exploring, grooming, feeding, sleeping, etc., we have been able to determine a highly detailed energy budget for many animal species. The energetics of animal behavior is of prime concern in this lab.

Lately, I have been engaged in how to teach science using the case study approach, which has the potential to greatly improve learning.

PUBLICATIONS