People

 

 
Daphne Munroe
Associate Professor
dmunroe@hsrl.rutgers.edu
(856) 391-7655
Mailing Address:
  Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory
  6959 Miller Avenue
  Port Norris, NJ 08349 USA
 

Education

Ph.D. 2006 University of British Columbia, Vancouver Canada
B.Sc.Hon. 2000. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Canada 

Research Interests

Marine & Coastal Sustainability
Intersecting Larval Ecology and Population Connectivity

The major objective of my research is to identify and understand processes and mechanisms by which shellfish populations adapt and change, and how coastal marine food production systems interact with the broader marine ecosystem. My research largely focuses on shellfish fisheries and aquaculture; a useful model system because the adult (exploited) phase of the life cycle is sessile, whilst the larval stages are mobile and highly dispersive. This dispersive larval strategy is common among many marine species, and thus makes my research relevant well beyond species of commercial interest. Additionally, shellfish are often considered important ecosystem components because of their role as filter feeders and ecosystem engineers that alter or provide habitat for other species. As human populations grow and pressure on our coastal and marine ecosystems for food and other resources expand, it will become increasingly important for sustainable management of industries such as shellfisheries and aquaculture, planning marine protected areas, and predicting impacts of climate change. 

Click here to download my Curriculum Vitae

Current Research Projects

Click on the links below to read more about some of my research interests:

• Larval Ecology - Linking Dispersal, Recruitment and Population Dynamics

• Anthropogenic Interactions – Invertebrate Fisheries & Aquaculture

• Evolution of Disease Resistance

• Climate Change and Range Shifts

Selected Publications

Acquafredda, M. P., & D. M. Munroe. (2020). The effect of species diversity on particle clearance and productivity in farmed bivalves. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 639, 107-126. DOI: 10.3354/meps13266

Borsetti, S., D. M. Munroe, D. Rudders, & J.-H. Chang. (2020). Timing of the reproductive cycle of waved whelk, Buccinum undatum, on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic Bight. Helgoland Marine Research, 74: 5. DOI: 10.1186/s10152-020-00537-6

Munroe D. M., T. M. Grothues, N. E. Cleary, J. Daw, & S. Estrada. (2020). Oyster aquaculture does not impede spawning beach access for Atlantic horseshoe crabs Limulus polyphemus. Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 12, 81-90. DOI: 10.3354/aei00351

Caracappa, J. C., & D. M. Munroe. (2019). Variability in swimming behavior among broods of blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) zoeae. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 518: 151176. DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2019.151176

Munroe, D. M., D. Haidvogel, J. C. Caracappa, J. Klinck, E. N. Powell, E. E. Hofmann, B. Shank, & D. Hart. (2018). Modeling larval dispersal and connectivity in the Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Fisheries Research, 208, 7-15. DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2018.06.020

Morson, J., D. M. Munroe, K. Ashton-Alcox, E. N. Powell, D. Bushek, & J. Gius. (2018). Density-dependent capture efficiency of a survey dredge and its influence on the stock assessment of eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Delaware Bay. Fisheries Research, 205, 115-121. DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2018.04.012

Borsetti, S., D. M. Munroe, D. Rudders, C. Dobson, & E. A. Bochenek. (2018). Spatial variation in life history characteristics of waved whelk (Buccinum undatum L.) on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic continental shelf. Fisheries Research, 198, 129-137. DOI: 10.1016/j.fishres.2017.10.006

Munroe, D. M., D. Bushek, P. Woodruff, & L. Calvo. (2017). Intertidal rack-and-bag oyster farms have limited interaction with Horseshoe Crab activity in New Jersey, USA. Aquaculture Environment Interactions, 9, 205-211. DOI: 10.3354/aei00227

Munroe, D. M., S. Borsetti, K. Ashton-Alcox, & D. Bushek. (2017). Early post-settlement growth in wild Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica Gemlin 1791) populations. Estuaries and Coasts, 40 (3), 880-888. DOI: 10.1007/s12237-016-0185-y

Munroe, D. M.. (2016). Habitat effects on early post-settlement growth of intertidal clams, Venerupis philippinarum (A. Adams & Reeve, 1850). Journal of Molluscan Studies, 82 (4), 507-514. DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyw014

Zhang, X., D. M. Munroe, D. Haidvogel, & E. N. Powell. (2016). Atlantic surfclam connectivity within the Middle Atlantic Bight: Mechanisms underlying variation in larval transport and settlement. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 173, 65-78. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2016.02.019

Munroe, D. M., D. Narváez, D. Hennen, L. Jacobsen, R. Mann, E. E. Hofmann, E. N. Powell, & J. M. Klinck. (2016). Fishing and bottom water temperature as drivers of change in maximum shell length in Atlantic surfclams (Spisula solidissima). Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Sciences, 170, 112–122. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2016.01.009

Munroe, D. M., J. Kraeuter, B. Beal, K. Chew, M. Luckenbach, & C. P. Peterson. (2015). Clam predator protection is effective and necessary for food production. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 100 (1), 47-52.  DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.09.042

Munroe, D. M., E. E. Hofmann, J. M. Klinck, E. N. Powell, & S. E. Ford. (2015). Outcomes of asymmetric selection pressure and larval dispersal on evolution of disease resistance: a metapopulation modeling study with oysters. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 531, 221-239. DOI: 10.3354/meps11349

Powell, E. N., J. M. Klinck, D. M. Munroe, E. E. Hofmann, P. Moreno, & R. Mann. (2015). The value of captains’ behavioral choices in the success of the Surfclam (Spisula solidissima) fishery on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic coast: a model evaluation. Journal of Northwest Atlantic Fishery Science, 47, 1–27. DOI: 10.2960/J.v47.m701

Zhang, P., D. Haidvogel, E. N. Powell, J. M. Klinck, R. Mann, F. Castruccio, & D. M. Munroe. (2015). Modeling larval connectivity of the Atlantic surfclams within the Middle Atlantic Bight: Model development, larval dispersal and metapopulation connectivity. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 153, 38-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.ecss.2014.11.033

Narváez, D., D. M. Munroe, E. E. Hofmann, J. M. Klinck, E. N. Powell, R. Mann, & E. Curchitser. (2015). Long-term dynamics in Atlantic surfclam (Spisula solidissima) populations: The role of bottom water temperature. Journal of Marine Systems, 141, 136-148. DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2014.08.007

Munroe, D. M., J. M. Klinck, E. E. Hofmann, & E. N. Powell. (2014). A modeling study of metapopulation genetic connectivity in Delaware Bay oysters and the role of marine protected areas. Aquatic Conservation, 24, 645-666. DOI: 10.1002/aqc.2400

Munroe, D. M., J. M. Klinck, E. E. Hofmann, & E. N. Powell. (2013). How do shellfisheries influence genetic connectivity in metapopulations? A modeling study examining the role of lower size limits in oyster fisheries. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 70 (12), 1813-1828. DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2013-0089

Courses Taught

Cick on the links below to download the course syllabus.

• Exploring the World's Oceans

(11:628:125:90) Online course offered in the fall. Introductory oceanography course for non-science majors.

• Green Cuisine - Exploring New Jersey's Shellfish Resources

(11:090:101:08) Undergraduate Byrne Seminar course, offered in the fall.

• Larval Ecology - Topics in Oceanography

(16:712:59) Graduate seminar to be offered periodically.

Current Students

Michael Acquafredda, Ph.D., studies new aquaculture opportunities through ecological diversification.

Janine Barr, M.S., studies the science and management of marine ecosystems.

Sarah Borsetti, Ph.D., studies population dynamics and life history characteristics of a waved whelk.

Emily Manuel, M.S., studies oyster larval connectivity in Delaware Bay.
 

[Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory]