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Samuel H. Gruber
Professor of Marine Biology and Fisheries

Biography


Research Interests
From the beginning of my scientific career, more than 30 years ago, I have been interested in the biology and behavior of elasmobranch fishes. My research from 1960-76 involved anatomy, physiology and psychophysics of the visual system of the lemon shark. Beside characterizing basic functions of the shark eye, we developed some unique training techniques to communicate with our shark subjects. During a transition period between 1974-78, I began to expand the research toward a more field-oriented, ecological framework with the objective of quantitatively defining the role of the shark in a tropical marine ecosystem. This expansion culminated in a decade-long, NSF-supported study of the early life history of the lemon shark. The investigation involved a dozen individual laboratory and field studies and provided degree projects for 10 graduate students. Presently, I am summarizing the overall results of the 10-yr. study with the objective of producing a predictive, mathematical model of the lemon shark based on the bioenergetics of the juvenile stages. This theoretical exercise is expected to suggest a series of hypotheses which will form the basis of future research projects.

Recent Publications
Sundström, L.F.and S.H. Gruber. 1998. Using speed sensing transmitters to model the bioenergetics of subadult lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris (poey), in the field. Hydrobiol. 271/272: 241-247.

Sundström, L.F., J. Sterk & S.H. Gruber. 1998. Effects of a speed-sensing transmitter on the swimming speed of lemon sharks. Bahamas J. Sci. 6 (1): 12-22.

M. J. Corcoran and S. H. Gruber 1999. The use of photoidentification to study social organization of the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen 1790), at Bimini, Bahamas: a preliminary report. Bahamas J. Sci. 7(1):21-27

W. R. Silliman & S.H. Gruber. 1999. Behavioral biology of the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen, 1790), in Bimini, Bahamas; an interim report. Bahamas J. Sci. 7(1): 13-20

Sundström, L. F., Gruber, S., H. Clermont S. M., De Marignac, J. R., Correia, J., Thomassen, L., Lowrance C., Morrissey, J. F. and M.. T. Oliveira. Review of elasmobranch studies using ultrasonic telemetry with special reference to the behavior of free-ranging lemon sharks, Negaprion brevirostris, around Bimini islands, Bahamas Paper submitted and in review. Environmental Biology of Fishes

Gruber, S. H., de Marignac J. R. and J. M. Hoenig. Survival of juvenile lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) at Bimini, Bahamas, estimated by mark-depletion experiments. Paper submitted and in review. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

Clermont S. M., Gruber S. H and A. Lund. Young lemon sharks (Negaprion brevirostris) possess a homing mechanism. Paper is complete and will be submitted to Marine Biology

Contact
Prof. Samuel H. Gruber
RSMAS/MBF
University of Miami
4600 Rickenbacker Causeway
Miami, FL 33149

Telephone: 305/361-4146
sgruber@rsmas.miami.edu