Professor Frank A.
Romano, III,
Department Head
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Ph.D., Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. 1980.
Physiological Ecology. Dissertation Topic: Bioenergetics and neurosecretory
controls in two natural populations of a freshwater gastropod Ferrissia rivularis.
Dr. W.D. Russell-Hunter, advisor.
B.S., Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. 1970. Zoology major; Geology minor
RESEARCH INTERESTS Top
Welcome to the wonderful world of Tardigrades!
RECENT PUBLICATIONS Top
2001. Nicols, P.B., F.A. Romano, and D.R. Nelson. Selected aspects of the ecology of Tardigrada on Dugger Mountain (NE Alabama, USA) with respect to seasonal and altitudinal variation. Zoolgischer Anzeiger 240 (3-4):501-504.
2001. Romano, F.A., B. Borrero-Barreras, and D.R. Nelson. Ecological distribution and community analysis of Tardigrada from Choccolocco Creek, Alabama, USA. Zoolgischer Anzeiger 240 (3-4):535-541.
2001. Biological Inquiry, 1st edition, a laboratory manual for freshman biology. F.A. Romano, III, William R. Bowen, and Benjie G. Blair, Kendall-Hunt Inc.
2001. BY 332 - Ecology Laboratory Manual, 5th edition. Cline, G.R. and F.A. Romano, JSU Department of Biology.
RECENT PRESENTATIONS Top
2002 Dafoe, Robert C. and Frank A. Romano, III. Department of Biology,
Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL 36265 - A preliminary
analysis of a marine meiofauna survey from Sand Island, AL. Abstract #
225, 63rd annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists.
2002 Young, James A. J. and Frank A. Romano, III. Department of Biology,
Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL 36265 - An analysis of
an annual marine meiofauna survey from Dauphin Island, AL. Abstract #
246, 63rd annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists.
2002 Griebeling, Kristina, Michelle O’Dell, Samuel Polek, Corinne
Millington, James Powell, Candance Roberstson, Mark Meade and Frank
Romano. Jacksonville State University - Effects of light intensity on
the growth and metabolic performance of Oreochromis niloticus. Abstract
# 69, 63rd annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists.
2001. Romano, F.A., J.A.J. Young, and E.M. Romano. An analysis of a marine meiofauna survey from Dauphin Island, AL. 11th International meiofauna conference. July, Boston, MA.
2001. Romano, F.A. The biodiversity of Tardigrada. 11th International meiofauna conference. July, Boston, MA. Symposium on global species richness, manuscript being prepared.
2001. Mattingly, S., F.A. Romano, and D.R. Nelson. Preliminary results of a tardigrade survey on Dauphin Island, AL. Association of Southeastern Biologists – abstract #329, April.
2000. Cline, G.R., F.A. Romano, J. O=Brien, and M. Boudrias. A simple optimal foraging lab for ecology and marine biology. Assoc. Southeastern Biol. - abstract #187.
2000. Carver. D. and F.A. Romano. A bioassessment of Choccolocco Creek, Alabama. Assoc. Southeastern Biol. - abstract #231.
2000. Romano F.A. and G.R. Cline. Preliminary results of a survey of leaf litter tardigrades from the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA. Assoc. Southeastern Biol. - abstract #320.
2000. Mattingly, S., F.A. Romano, and D.R. Nelson. Preliminary results of a tardigrade survey on Dauphin Island, Alabama. Assoc. Southeastern Biol. - abstract #329.
2000. Bone-Strickland, S., T. Richardson, and F.A. Romano. The aestivation ecology of a prosobranch snail, Viviparous georgianus. Assoc. Southeastern Biol. - abstract #139.
1999. Swenson, K, S. Al-Hamdani, F.A. Romano, and P.B. Nichols. Phytoplankton growth and chlorophyll accumulation in a phytoplankton community of the middle Coosa River. Al. Acad. Sci, March 24.
1999. Cline, G., J. Adams, S. Threlkeld, D. Whetstone, F. Romano, and V. Wu, Al. Comparison of upland tree communities on Fort McClellan. AL. Acad. Sci., March 24.
1999. Romano, F.A. Tardigrades from the campus of Jacksonville State University. Assoc. of Southeastern Biol., April 15, 1999..
Current Projects Top
A limno-terrestrial tardigrade community analysis on Dauphin Island, AL.
A Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay marine sand meiofaunal and tardigrade
community analysis on Dauphin Island, AL.
A Gulf of Mexico and Pelican Bay marine sand meiofaunal and tardigrade
community analysis on Sand Island, AL.
Population, life history, and physiology of Craspedecusts sowerbii
(Cnidaria; Hydrozoa) in two freshwater quarries in NE Alabama.
A physiological study of two populations of Viviparous georgiana
(Mollusca; Gastropoda) in north central Alabama.
COURSES TAUGHT Top
Invertebrate Zoology - BY 476 - Spring 2003
Lecture – 1245 – 1415 TTh 338 MAH
Lab –1430 – 1730 Th 228 MAH
Instructor: Dr. F.A. Romano Office: 242 Martin Hall
Office Hours: MW 0830-1000; 1330-1430 Phone:782‑5038
TTH 0830-1000 Email: fromano@jsucc.jsu.edu
Text Books: Lecture - "Biology of the Invertebrates, 4th Edition" by Jan A. Pechenik, McGraw Hill (ISBN – 0-07-012204-0).
Lab – Invertebrate Zoology – A Laboratory Manual, 6th edition by Robert L. Wallace and Walter K. Taylor, Prentice Hall (ISBN – 0-13-042937-6)
Course Description: BY 476 Invertebrate Zoology (4). Prerequisites: BY 332. Lecture, laboratory and field study. The study of the systematics, ecology, physiology, and phylogenetic relationships of invertebrate animals.
Objectives: This course is designed to introduce the student to the major concepts of invertebrate zoology. Thus, the specific aspects of this course is to gain an understanding, an insight, and an appreciation of the following concepts:
· The wealth of animal life that forms the invertebrate animals.
· A basic understanding of phylogeny.
· The structural and functional aspects of invertebrate form.
· The ecological and economic impact of the invertebrate animals.
If any student believes that she/he is a qualifying disabled student (under section 504 of the ADA), please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss how I might accommodate you.
Tentative Lecture Schedule
Date Topic Readings Top
Jan 07 Welcome and Introduction Chap. 1,2
09 Phyla Poriferans/Placozoans Chap. 4
14 Phyla Poriferans/Hydrostatic Skeleton Chap. 4,5
16 Phyla Cnidarians Chap. 6
21 Phyla Cnidarians/Ctenophores Chap. 6,7
23 Phylum Platyhelminthes Chap. 8
28 Phylum Platyhelminthes Chap. 8
30 Mesozoans/Nemertina/Rotifera/Acanthocephala Chap. 9,10,11
Feb 04 Phylum Mollusca Chap. 12
06 Phylum Mollusca Chap. 12
11 Phylum Annelida Chap. 13
13 Phylum Annelida/Sipuncula Chap. 13
18 Phylum Arthopoda Chap. 14
20 EXAM 1
25 Phylum Arthopoda Chap. 14
25 Midterm Grades
27 No Class
Mar 04 Phyla Tardigrada/Onychophora/Nematoada Chap. 15,16
04 Last Day to Withdraw w/o Academic Penalty
06 Phylum Nematatoda Chap. 16
11 Phylum Nematatoda Chap. 16
13 Nematomorpha/Priapulida/Kinorhyncha/Loricifera Chap. 17
14 Leave for Dauphin Island (noon)
15 Dauphin Island Field Trip
16 Dauphin Island Field Trip (leave for JSU at 1300)
17 Myxozoa, Gnathostomulida/Gastrotricha/
Chaetognatha/Cycliophora Chap. 18
20 EXAM 2
Mar 24 - 28 Spring Holidays
Apr 01 Phoronida/Brachiopoda/Bryozoa/Entoprocta Chap. 19
03 Phylum Echinodermata Chap. 20
07 Last day to drop passing or withdraw
08 Phylum Echinodermata Chap. 20
Urochordata/Hemichordata/Cephalochardata Chap. 21,22
10 No Class
Apr 15 Academic Preparation Day
Apr 22 Final Exam 1030 – 1230
Attendance Policy: Attendance to this class is the responsibility of each student. Students are expected to attend classes. Students are responsible for obtaining information on lecture material, examination dates and examination subjects. Do not overcut beyond your abilities. You will be held responsible for all material presented in class even if you were not present when it was discussed or assigned. It is strongly advised that no lectures and labs are cut. General results from prior classes indicate that students that do not regularly attend the lecture earn up to 20% less on examinations. Laboratory attendance is even more critical. During labs we will be examining and dissecting animals that are discussed in lecture. This will reinforce lecture material. Also, if you do not attend a lab that has a written report required or has a lab quiz, you will not receive any credit. You cannot turn in a lab report with data that is not your own, unless specified otherwise.
UG - Grading and Examinations:
2 Lecture Exams (100 pts. each) = 200 450< A > 405
1 Final Exam (100 pts.) = 100 404< B >360
5 Lab Quizzes (10 pts. each) = 50 359< C > 315
2 Lab Practical Exams (50 pts. ea.) = 100 314< D >270
TOTAL = 450 F >269
G - Grading and Examinations:
2 Lecture Exams (100 pts. each) = 200 500 < A > 450
1 Final Exam (100 pts.) = 100 449 < B > 400
5 Lab Quizzes (10 pts. each) = 50 399 < C > 350
1 Term Paper (50 points) = 50 349 < D > 300
2 Lab Practical Exams (50 pts. ea.) = 100 F > 299
TOTAL = 500
Graduate Students will write a term paper on an aspect of the phylogeny and ecology of each class within one of the 9 major phyla. Choose the phyla which you wish to write about and then choose an ecological aspect. Please be sure to to have your topic approved by Dr. Romano before you start.
Make-ups: In accordance to University Policy, students that miss examinations for excusable reasons (legitimacy determined by the instructor) may take make‑ups, which shall be scheduled by the instructor at a reasonable time and under reasonable conditions. No student, regardless of the reason, may take more than two make‑up examinations in a given course. If you are going to be absent for class or are going to miss an examination, please call me (782—5038) or email me (fromano@jsucc.jsu.edu) or leave a message for me with the biology secretary (782‑5642). Failure to follow these procedures may result in a ZERO (0), with no makeup examination possible.
Other Information: Education research reveals that college students should spend approximately 2 hours studying and reading or each hour that they are in class. I advise you to follow this general rule. It also advised that you read the textbook material before the lecture on that material. This will allow you to get a better understanding of the information presented. I've also found that one of the most successful study techniques is the following: After each day's lecture you should spend time to rewrite your notes, combining textbook information, into a separate journal (notebook). Study this new notebook and form questions on your own. Also, prepare discussion type essays condensing information into a short, understandable paragraph. If you can answer your own questions and write an understandable essay regarding a certain process, success in this course and many others will be attained. Forming study groups is also a beneficial technique.
Tentative Laboratory Schedule
Date Lab Exercise - Manual Exercise # page
Jan 09 Exercise 2 - Phylum Porifera 35
16 Exercise 3/4 - Phlya Cnidaria/Ctenophora 47 - 78
23 Exercise 5 - Phylum Platyhelminthes 81
30 Exercises 6,7,8,9 – Phyla Nemertea/Gastrotricha/
Rotifera/Acanthocephala 101-122
Feb 06 Exercise 10 – Phylum Mollusca 125
13 Exercise 11 – Phylum Annelida 159
20 Lab Practicum 1/Finish Molluca and Annelida
21 Exercises 12,13,14 – Phyla Nematada,/
Nematomorpha/Onychophora/Tardigrada 179-201
Mar 06 Exercise 16 – Phylum Arthropoda 203
13 Exercise 17,18,19,20,21 – Phyla Sipuncula/
Phoronida/Bryozoa/Entoprocta/Brachiopoda 255-276
20 Exercise 22 - Phylum Echinodermata 277
27 Spring Break
Apr 03 Lab Practicum 2 – Exercise 23,24,25 –
Phya Chaetognatha/Hemichordata/Chordata 307-324
10 No Class
An extended laboratory will occur from Thursday March 14 through Sunday March 16. We will leave ASAP on Friday morning (March 14). The Biology Dept. will provide a vehicle for a limited number (6-10) of students. Other students must use their personal vehicles. Saturday morning we will leave the dock at 0800 (if you are not on board by 0800 you will be left behind) on the A.E.Verrill for a trawling trip. You must have a DISL vessel release form signed and notorized before you can board ship. No bare feet or open toed shoes allowed on board. Friday afternoon will be spent in the salt marsh by Dauphin Island Airport. Be prepared to get wet and muddy, i.e., bring clothes that you do not mind getting stinky, grungy, and wet. Saturday evening we will spend our time in the laboratory identifying and preserving our catch. Sunday morning we will spend our time on a high and low energy beach at the west end of Dauphin Island and will visit the estuarium. Be sure to bring plenty of sun-screen, hats, sunglasses, and appropriate clothing. We will leave after lunch on Sunday afternoon and will return to JSU that evening. Cost of the trip is as follows:
Transportation = $7.50 (if traveling in Biology Van)
Estuarium entrance = $3.50
Room = $24.00 (@ $12.00/ night))
Meals = $35.00 (3 meals on Saturday, and 2 meals on Sunday)
TOTAL = $70.00
COMMITTEES and SOCIETIES Top
Biology Home Page Last Updated:Wednesday, June 27, 2007