🎨 Think reef fish colors are fixed? Think again.
Adult sunrise dottybacks (P. flavivertex) can change color and pattern over time, with different morphs converging toward similar appearances.
First evidence of adult color plasticity in this species.
#CoralReefs #ReefFish #KAUST #MarineEcology
Proof that you don’t have to live by the ocean to be inspired to study it.
#PennStateBiology #MarineScience #CoralReefs #Ecology #STEM #Research
A fun fact: Dr. Majoris grew up in western Pennsylvania—far from the ocean! 🌾
After a summer at Penn State’s Governor’s School, he set up a saltwater aquarium in his basement. When the fish began breeding, it sparked a lifelong fascination with marine life. 🐠💙
His advice for students drawn to marine science:
💬 “Pursue the questions that truly fascinate you. Marine research can be unpredictable and demanding, but genuine curiosity will carry you through.”
He’s excited to join Penn State Biology’s vibrant community — collaborating with colleagues who study life from genes to ecosystems, and bringing a marine perspective to conversations on ecology, evolution, and behavior. 🔬🌎
“What excites me most,” he says, “is uncovering how such small creatures make such big journeys—and realizing that these invisible movements are what keep coral reef ecosystems thriving.” 🌿✨
Like Nemo, most reef fishes start life drifting through vast waters.
Dr. Majoris explores how early life traits — like swimming ability and behavior — shape where young fish go and how reef populations stay connected. 🐟🌏
🐠 Meet Dr. John Majoris, one of the newest faculty members in Penn State Biology!
His lab studies the “real-life Finding Nemo” — how tiny reef fish larvae navigate the open ocean to find a reef to call home. 🌊👇🧵
Aquarium system with shelves of glass tanks, four rectangular tanks for rearing fish larvae, and saltwater mixing tanks.
Aquarium shelve with glass tanks and glowing blue lights.
Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow! The Majoris wet lab is finished and ready to raise fish in the New Year. #MajorisLab #TAMUCC
Postdoc opportunity in an outstanding and supportive lab. Study tiny fish that have a big impact!
fishandfunctions.com/join
Two TT Assistant Professor positions open in the Department of Life Sciences at TAMU-CC. Come join a friendly, collaborative, and well-equipped department on the Texas Gulf Coast!
tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/TAMUCC...
Sea anemone Aulactinia stella sticking one of its tentacles directly into the mouth of a fellow anemone. Insert photo shows a juvenile anemone being held at the tip of a tentacle
Most people associate brood parasitism with cuckoos, but this new paper presents evidence for brood parasitism in sea anemones.
Some anemones use their tentacles to stick their larvae directly into the mouth hole of other brooding anemones.
#Invertebrate 🧪
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The Majoris Lab at TAMU-CC is open and recruiting a PhD student to study intra- and interspecific variation in larval dispersal traits.
Full details at: www.johnmajoris.com/graduate-stu...
@sicb-dedb.bsky.social
Scientist Dr. John Majoris is soldering a time keeping component for a Raspberry Pi mini-computer
A Raspberry Pi hat to run a stepper motor
Yesterday Dr. John Majoris @gobywan.bsky.social of @tamu.bsky.social and I were busy soldering, assembling, and programming a Raspberry Pi (mini computer) to run a motor for an experiment on fish digestion! 🐠💻 Excited to get this experiment running!
#TexasScience #UTMSI #TAMUCC