Benthic Ecology and Evolution Lab

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

**Dr. Erin E. Easton (left) and colleague Dr. Ariadna Mecho (right) picking benthic fauna off a rock recovered by Agassiz trawl.**

About

Dr. Easton’s Benthic Ecology and Evolution Lab at UTRGV explores the biodiversity and evolution of marine benthos from the coast to the deep sea. Benthos are fauna that live in, on, or in association with the seafloor. More information here.

Research

Research in the Easton Benthic Ecology and Evolution Lab at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley focuses on the study of epibenthic megafauna on hard-bottom habitats and meiofauna of soft-bottom habitats. To study these benthic communities, we use a variety of tools to conduct biodiversity surveys, to explore biogeographic and community assemblage patterns, to identify potential drivers of these patterns, and to understand the phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships of select taxa. Of particular interest are the benthic communities of mesophotic and deep-sea habitats in the South Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. More information on current research project is available here.

Image of the Americas indicating the recent and current study regions, which include (A) continental slope off the US West Coast and coastal, mesophotic, and deep habitats of the (B) Gulf of Mexico, (C) seamounts and oceanic islands of the Easter Island Ecoregion and Salas y
Gómez Ridge, and (D) seamounts and oceanic islands of the Juan Fernandez and Desventuradas Ecoregion(s).

People

Seeking master’s and undergraduate students to join the lab. Checkout Research to review current and planned research projects. If you are interested in joining the lab, email Dr. Easton your CV and statement of research interest.

Pictures of Dr. Easton and colleagues on cruises in the South Pacific in 2016 and 2019.

Image of students participating in an intensive course co-taught by Dr. Easton.

Teaching

Dr. Easton is currently developing courses to add to the undergraduate and graduate curriculum in the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. See here for information courses offered.