George S. Losey
Professor Emeritus, Biology
Ethology of reef fishes especially regarding UV vision
Research Interests
The zoology department has an active program in the behavior of marine reef animals. We are best equipped and prepared for research on reef fishes but will entertain proposals for work on other animal groups. Research centers on the Coconut Island facility of the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology. I favor research on ethological approaches to social and symbiotic behavior of fishes. A strongly quantitative and experimental approach is standard. My current interests are in the behavioral control of sex change, analysis of social or symbiotic communication, the functions of UV-sensitive vision in marine animals and continuing interest in cleaning symbiosis. The laboratory is unsurpassed in access to coral reef environments and is well equipped with running seawater aquaria, video and computerized event recording analysis of behavior. I do not encourage sociobiological approaches and will not accept students working on marine mammals.
Selected Publications
Losey GS, Cronin TW, Goldsmith TH, Hyde D, Marshall NJ, McFarland WN. 1999. The UV visual world of fishes: a review. J Fish Biol 54:921-943.
Losey GS, Mahon JL, Danilowicz B. 1995. Innate recognition by host fish of their cleaning symbiont. Ethol 100:277-283.
Losey GS, Sevenster P. 1995. Can threespine stickle-backs learn when to display? Rewarded displays. Anim Behav 49:137-150.