Current Program: Ph.D. in Biology

B.S. in Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001

I am interested in examining the evolutionary transition of the anterior pectoral fins in basal batoids to cephalic lobes in derived batoids. Specifically, I am interested in the correlation between an anatomical change and a functional change. For my research, I am comparing and contrasting the anterior pectoral fin and cephalic lobe morphology and use of a functionally diverse group of batoids using anatomical dissections, radiography, histology, and kinematic studies with high speed videography. Ultimately the characters investigated will be mapped onto the existing phylogeny of batoids to investigate the evolutionary patterns of the cephalic lobes.
Derived rays under investigation include: Rhinoptera bonasus (cownose ray), Aetobatus narinari (spotted eagle ray), and Mobula japanica (spinetail mobula). All the derived rays possess cephalic lobes varying in form, A. narinari having one cephalic lobe, R. bonasus having two depressible lobes, and M. japonica having the largest and more flexible cephalic lobes. Basal rays include: Urobatis jamaicensis (yellow stingray) and Dasyatis sabina (Atlantic stingray). These basal rays have no cephalic lobes, with U. jamaicensis having a very rounded rostrum and D. sabina having a pointed rostrum. The guitarfish Rhinobatos lentiginosus will be used as a representative skate.
Five genera of derived rays (Aetobatus, Aetomylaeus, Rhinoptera, Mobula, and Manta) possess cephalic lobes, which are modified anterior portions of the pectoral fin, supported by the pectoral girdle and sometimes rostral cartilage. The propterygeal cartilage in these batoids extends beyond the head, the modified anterior basal and radial cartilages forming the skeletal support for the cephalic lobes. Unlike the continuous radial cartilage in basal rays, the pectoral radials of these derived rays are clearly separated from the radials of the cephalic lobes. The orientation of the modified radials in the cephalic lobes is also very distinct from the direction of the radials in the pectoral fins, the former being anteriorly directed. To date, there is no in-depth research on cephalic lobe musculature, with only vague descriptions of the musculature.
Histological studies quantifying batoid sensory receptors are somewhat limited in the literature. It is known that the cephalic lobes in some derived batoid species are covered with mechanotactile and electrosensory pores, as well as the anterior pectoral fins in more basal rays. However, no work has been done investigating the pore densities or skin histology of the cephalic lobes or anterior pectoral fins.
The goals for my research are to: complete a morphological description and biomechanical analysis of the cephalic lobes and the anterior pectoral fin; describe the sensory receptors located on the cephalic lobes and anterior pectoral fins; quantify and compare the capture kinematics focusing on the use of the anterior pectoral fins and cephalic lobes for various species of batoids; perform an evolutionary analysis of the functional morphology of the anterior pectoral fins and derived cephalic lobes in batoids. It is hypothesized that: the complexity of the skeleton and musculature in the cephalic lobes will increase throughout phylogeny; the density of sensory pores on the cephalic lobes will significantly differ from the density of sensory pores on the anterior pectoral fins of batoids lacking cephalic lobes; with increasing morphological complexity in the derived batoids, the cephalic lobes will demonstrate increased function and versatility during prey capture and manipulation.

Before attending the University of South Florida, I worked with Dr. Cáceres at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign on limnological investigations. My main project was a study on the zooplankton communities in local lakes at Kickapoo State Park, Vermillion County, IL. By obtaining sediment cores from the bottom of the lakes, I was able to reconstruct the colonization sequence of Daphnia, or water fleas, by means of the egg bank. I also examined the current population dynamics by frequently sampling the water column. I was able to compare the zooplankton assemblages over time within the lakes as well as assemblages between lakes. For more information on zooplankton, visit the Cáceres Lab webpage!

Mulvany, S. and P. Motta.  Morphology of the cephalic lobes and anterior pectoral fins in batoids.  Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, San Antonio, TX (2008)

Mulvany, S.   Morphology of the cephalic lobes and anterior pectoral fins in batoids. F.I.S.H. annual meeting, Tampa, FL (2007)

Motta, P., Davis, R., Hueter, R., Maslanka, M., and S. Mulvany. Whale Shark Filter Feeding: Morphology, Mechanism and Consumption.  American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, St. Louis, MO (2007)

Cáceres, C.E., S.L. Mulvany, K.A. Paczolt, C.F. Steiner. Cladoceran community assemblage in a recently created lake? Internationale Vereinigung für Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie, Verhandlungen

Mulvany, S.L. The colonization sequence of zooplankton in Sportsman’s Lake, Kickapoo State Park, Vermillion County, IL. Howard Hughes Program spring poster session, Champaign, IL (April 27, 2002)