Dr. David L. Strayer
Aquatic Ecologist
Ph.D., 1984, Cornell University

Dr. Strayer's research is focused on the distribution and roles of freshwater invertebrates. He is currently working on the ecology of the Hudson River and on understanding the controls on distribution and abundance of pearly mussels. He is co-author of The Pearly Mussels of New York State, a comprehensive book on unionids, a diverse and endangered group of animals. In addition, Dr. Strayer has developed A Beginner's Key to Freshwater Meiofauna to accompany Palmer, M. A., D. L. Strayer, and S. D. Rundle. 2005. Meiofauna. In: F. R. Hauer and G. A. Lamberti (eds.). Stream ecology: field and laboratory exercises.

Current Research

Pearly Mussel Ecology.
I have been trying to understand what controls the distribution and abundance of pearly mussels, a species-rich and highly endangered group of animals in eastern North America. I have also been working on better methods to monitor mussel populations.

Ecological Functions of Submersed Plant Beds.
Beds of water celery (Vallisneria americana) and other plants are widespread in the Hudson River, and play several important ecological functions. These beds contain a diverse invertebrate community, which may serve as a major source of food to the river's fish.

Zebra Mussels and the Hudson River.
Zebra mussels appeared in the Hudson in 1991 and fundamentally transformed the ecosystem. The zebra mussel invasion is linked to losses of native mussels and changes in the fish community.

Selected Publications

• Strayer, D. L., M. L. Pace, N. F. Caraco, J. J. Cole, and S.E.G. Findlay. 2008. Hydrology and grazing jointly control a large-river food web. Ecology 89(1):12-18.
• Strayer, D. L., and H. M. Malcom. 2007. Submersed vegetation as habitat for invertebrates in the Hudson River Estuary. Estuaries and Coasts. 30(2):253–264.
• Meyer, J. L., D. L. Strayer, J. B. Wallace, S. L. Eggert, G. S. Helfman, and N. E. Leonard. 2007. The contribution of headwater streams to biodiversity in river networks. JAWRA 43(1):86-103.
• Strayer, D. L., and H. M. Malcom. 2007. Effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on native bivalves: The beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 26(1):111–122.
• Strayer, D. L. 2006. Challenges for freshwater invertebrate conservation. J. N. Am. Benthol. Soc. 25(2):271–287.
• Strayer, D. L., H. M. Malcom, R. E. Bell, S. M. Carbotte, and F. O. Nitsch. 2006. Using geophysical information to define benthic habitats in a large river. Freshwater Biology. 51:25-38.
• Strayer, D. L., and H. M. Malcom. 2006. Long-term demography of a zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) population. Freshwater Biology. 51:117-130.
• Jeschke, J. M., and D. L. Strayer. 2005. Invasion success of vertebrates in Europe and North America. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 102(20):7198–7202.
• Strayer, D. L., K. Hattala, and A. Kahnle. 2004. Effects of an invasive bivalve (Dreissena polymorpha) on fish populations in the Hudson River estuary. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 61: 924-941.
• Meyer, J. L., L. A. Kaplan, D. Newbold, D. L. Strayer, C. J. Woltemade, J. B. Zedler, R. Beilfuss, Q. Carpenter, R. Semlitsch, M. C. Watzin, and P. H. Zedler. 2003. Where Rivers Are Born: The Scientific Imperative for Defending Small Streams and Wetlands. American Rivers and The Sierra Club, Washington, D. C. 23 pp.
• Strayer, D. L., C. Lutz, H. M. Malcom, K. Munger, and W. H. Shaw. 2003. Invertebrate communities associated with a native (Vallisneria americana) and an alien (Trapa natans) macrophyte in a large river. Freshwater Biology 48: 1938-1949.
• Strayer, D. L., H. Ewing, and S. Bigelow. 2003. What kind of spatial and temporal details are required in models of heterogeneous systems? Oikos 102: 654-662.
• Strayer, D. L., and D. R. Smith. 2003. A guide to sampling freshwater mussel populations. American Fisheries Society Monograph 8:1-103.
• Strayer, D. L., and L. C. Smith. 2001. The zoobenthos of the freshwater tidal Hudson River and its response to the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) invasion. Archiv für Hydrobiologie Supplementband 139: 1-52.
• Strayer, D. L. 1999. Use of flow refuges by unionoid mussels in rivers. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 18: 468-476
• Strayer, D. L., N. F. Caraco, J. J. Cole, S. Findlay, and M. L. Pace. 1999. Transformation of freshwater ecosystems by bivalves: a case study of zebra mussels in the Hudson River. BioScience 49: 19-27.
• Strayer, D. L., and K. J. Jirka. 1997. The pearly mussels of New York state. Memoirs of the New York State Museum 26: 1-113 + 27 plates.