James B. Layzer
Professor and Unit Leader
U.S. Geological Survey

Jim with Graduate Students

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 5114
Cookeville, TN 38505

Office: 205 Pennebaker Hall
Phone: 931/372-3032
E-mail: jim_layzer@tntech.edu

Education

B.S., Fishery Biology, University of Massachusetts (1971)
M.S., Fishery Biology, University of Massachusetts (1974)
Ph.D., Zoology, Oklahoma State University (1982)

Professional Experience

1995-Present: Professor and Leader, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit

1985-1995: Associate Professor (1990-1995), Assistant Professor (1985-1990), and Assistant Unit Leader, Tennessee Cooperative Fishery Research Unit

1982-1985: Fishery Biologist (1982-1983), Ecologist (1983-1985), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, D.C.

1978-1982: University Fellow, Oklahoma Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, Oklahoma State University

1973-1978: Project Leader, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Amherst, Mass.

Research Interests

Effects of stream regulation on aquatic biota; ecology and conservation of freshwater mussels; restoring and maintaining aquatic biodiversity; ecology of stream fishes.

Courses Taught

Malacology

Recent Publications
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Layzer, J.B. and E.M. Scott, Jr. 2006. Restoration and colonization of freshwater mussels and fish in a southeastern United States tailwater. River Research and Applications 22:475-491.

Layzer, J.B. and J.R. Khym. 2005. Fish hosts for glochidia of the pheasantshell, Actinonaias pectorosa. Walkerana 14(31):79-85.

Layzer, J. B. and J. R. Heinricher. 2004. Coded wire tag retention in ebonyshell mussels Fusconaia ebena. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24(1):228-230.

Simmons, J.W. and J.B. Layzer. 2004. Spawning behavior and habitat of the endangered bluemask darter, Etheostoma (Doration) sp. Copeia 2004(2):412-417.

Strayer, D. L., J. A. Downing, W. R. Haag, T. L. King, J. B. Layzer, T. J. Newton, and S. J. Nichols. 2004. Changing perspectives on pearly mussels, North America’s most imperiled animals. BioScience 54(5): 429-439.

Layzer, J. B. and T. R. Brady. 2003. Summer microhabitat of the endangered bluemask darter Etheostoma (Doration) sp. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science 78(2):55-57.

Layzer, J.B., B. Adair, S. Saha, and L.M. Woods. 2003. Glochidial hosts and other aspects of the life history of the Cumberland pigtoe (Pleurobema gibberum). Southeastern Naturalist 2(1):73-84.

Eads, C.B. and J.B. Layzer. 2002. How to pick your mussels out of a crowd: using fluorescence to mark juvenile freshwater mussels. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 21(3):476-486.

Gore, J.A., J.B. Layzer, and J. Mead. 2001. Macroinvertebrate instream flow studies after 20 years; a role in stream management and restoration. Regulated Rivers: Research & Management 17:527-542.

Hardison, B.S. and J.B. Layzer. 2001. Relations between complex hydraulics and the localized distribution of mussels in three regulated rivers. Regulated Rivers: Research & Management 17:77-84.

Khym, J.R. and J.B. Layzer. 2000. Host fish suitability for glochidia of Ligumia recta. The American Midland Naturalist 143:178-184.

Current Research Projects

Recovery of the endangered ringpink Obovaria retusa.

Propagation and culture of freshwater mussels.

Effects of stream regulation on freshwater mussels.

Gene flow among seemingly isolated populations of the endangered bluemask darter (Etheostoma (Doration) sp.).

Propagation and translocation of mussels in the upper Tennessee River drainage.

Response of mussels to a conservation flow regime.

Present status of the threatened snail darter (Percina tanasi)

Current Students

Jesse Helton; Carson-Newman College, TN; Evaluation of population and assemblage estimators for mussels in the Green River.