Research interests
Coral reef fishes present a diverse range of ecological, behavioral and evolutionary questions. So much to do, so little time…

Current Projects
Dispersal of coral-reef fishes in the northern Gulf of Aqaba. Dispersal plays a central role in the demography and ecology of most coastal marine organisms. This study is aimed at exploring the physical and biological forces that contribute to dispersal in coral-reef fishes, and how they may ultimately affect recruitment and connectivity. The project combines shipboard ichthyoplankton and physical oceanographic sampling, biophysical modeling and genetics.

Demographic history of coral-reef fish populations in the Red Sea. Environmental conditions in the Red Sea during the Last Glacial Maxima (LGM) are thought to have been inhospitable for many coral-reef organisms. This study aims to use population-genetic ‘signatures’ of past demographic events to address the question of “what happened to coral-reef fish populations in the Red Sea during the LGM?”

‘Foraging’ decisions by the cleaner-wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus. The mutualistic relationship between cleaners and their clients presents an interesting model system for addressing questions related to the evolution of cooperation and optimal foraging. This study combines theoretical and field work to examine the ‘patch-leaving rules’ used by paired cleaners that operate in tandem.

Recent Publications

Ben-Tzvi O, Kiflawi M, Gaines S.D., Sheehy M.S., El-Zibdah M., Paradis G.L.& Abelson A. (2008) Tracking recruitment pathways of Chromis viridis in the Gulf of Aqaba using otolith chemistry. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 359:229-238.

Brokovich E, Einbinder S, Shashar N, Kiflawi M & Kark S (2008) Descending to the twilight-zone: coral reef fish assemblages change along a depth gradient down to 65 m. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 371:253-262.

Belmaker J, Brokovich E, China V, Golani D & Kiflawi M (2009) Estimating the rate of biological introductions: Lessepsian fishes in the Mediterranean. Ecology 90:1134-1141.

Brokovich E, Ayalon I, Einbinder S, Segev N, Shaked Y, Genin A, Kark S & Kiflawi M (2010) Grazing pressure on coral reefs declines across a wide depth gradient in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 399:69-80.

Ben-Tzvi O, Tchernov D & Kiflawi M (2010) The role of coral-derived cues in micro-habitat selection by settling Chromis viridis. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 409:181-187

Ph.D. University of New Mexico, 1999