Profiles
Dr Benjamin Ciotti
Lecturer in Marine Biology
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Role
Lecturer in Marine Biology
Qualifications
PhD (2012) University of Delaware
BSc (2002) University of Liverpool (1st class honours)
Teaching interests
Physiology and behaviour of marine animals
Coastal ecology
Fish biology and fisheries
Molecular biology
Experimental design and statistics
Statistical computing
Field techniques in marine biology
Research interests
I take a broad, integrative approach to reveal variation in the performance of marine organisms in nature. My approach builds on physiological fundamentals, modern molecular tools, field surveys, laboratory experiments and statistical analysis to address contemporary ecological concerns.
A major focus of my research is on the development and application of new biochemical and molecular tools to characterize variation in physiological performance in situ. For example, I am applying RNA-based indices to evaluate the importance of coastal areas as nursery habitats for juvenile fishes. Similarly, I am using molecular markers to elucidate long-term impacts of environmental change on physiological and immune performance in crustaceans.
Pratt N, Ciotti BJ, Morgan EA, Taylor P, Stahl H, Hauton C (2015) No evidence for impacts to the molecular ecophysiology of ion or CO2 regulation in tissues of selected surface-dwelling bivalves in the vicinity of a sub-seabed CO2 release. Int J Greenhouse Gas Control 38:193-201
Fox CJ, Targett TE, Ciotti BJ, de Kroon K, Hortsmeyer L, Burrows MT (2014) Size variation of 0-group plaice: Are earlier influences on growth potential a contributing factor? J Sea Res 88:59-66
Ciotti BJ, Targett TE, Nash RDM, Geffen AJ (2014) Growth dynamics of European plaice Pleuronectes platessa L. in nursery areas: A review. J Sea Res 90:64-82
Ciotti BJ, Targett TE, Nash RDM, Burrows MT (2013) Small-scale spatial and temporal heterogeneity in growth and condition of juvenile fish on sandy beaches. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 448:346-359
Ciotti BJ, Targett TE, Burrows MT (2013) Decline in growth rate of juvenile European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) during summer at nursery beaches along the west coast of Scotland. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 70:720-734
Ciotti BJ, Targett TE, Burrows MT (2013) Spatial variation in growth rate of early juvenile European plaice Pleuronectes platessa. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 475:213-232
Rees BB, Targett TE, Ciotti BJ, Tolman CA, Akkina SS, Gallaty AM (2012) Temporal dynamics in growth and white skeletal muscle composition of the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus during chronic hypoxia and hyperoxia. J Fish Biol 81:148-164
Ciotti BJ, Targett TE, Nash RDM, Batty RS, Burrows MT, Geffen AJ (2010) Development, validation and field application of an RNA-based growth index in juvenile plaice Pleuronectes platessa. J Fish Biol 77:2181-2209
Breitburg DL, Craig JK, Fulford RS, Rose KA, Boynton WR, Brady DC, Ciotti BJ, Diaz RJ, Friedland KD, III JDH, Hart DR, Hines AH, Houde ED, Kolesar SE, Nixon SW, Rice JA, Secor DH, Targett TE (2009) Nutrient enrichment and fisheries exploitation: interactive effects on estuarine living resources and their management. Hydrobiologia 629:31-47
Atkinson D, Ciotti BJ, Montagnes DJS (2003) Protists decrease in size linearly with temperature: ca. 2.5% degrees C-1. Proc R Soc Lond B 270:2605-2611