Background

Sensory ecology is the primary focus of the lab, examining what information is available to (mostly) marine animals and how they make use of this information. In doing so we collaborate in studying the physical processes governing the production and propagation of signals (mostly light and sound), their reception, the type of information extracted, and how animals utilize this information. Additionally, we examine ecological principles in applied coral reefs restoration projects, where we test our knowledge by actually building the reef of desire.

Current Projects

Polarized light distribution and Polarization vision in aquatic environments Although humans are mostly blind to polarized light, many animals, including marine animals, are sensitive to it and use it for a range of tasks. We aim to understand the factors governing the distribution of polarized light in nature and the way animals utilize it. Color and vision in coral reef fishes Coral reefs are among the most colorful habitats on earth. Yet light changes in them frequently as a function of time, orientation, and depth. We aim to understand the processes producing and governing fishes body patterns and vision and how the fish co-op in these changing light regimes. Coral reefs rehabilitation, design and construction of artificial coral reefs. This project, performed in collaboration of the Marine Science Station, Aqaba; aims at understanding the forces shaping the structure and community of coral reefs, and being able to specifically design artificial structures that will be biologically stable and attractive to coral reef organisms and people alike Dolphin behavior and acoustics This research is performed at the International laboratory for dolphin research, at the Dolphin Reef, Eilat, focuses on the physical forces governing dolphin communication and on factors affection social interactions and decision making by dolphins.

Recent Publications

Berman O., Weizman M., Oren A., Neri R., Parnas H., Shashar N., & Tarazi E. (2023), Design and application of a novel 3D printing method for bio-inspired artificial reefs. Ecological Engineering, 188 106892: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2023.106892.

Oren A., Berman O., Neri R., Tarazi E., Parnas H., Lotan O, Zoabi M, Josef N, Shashar N. (2023) Three-Dimensional-Printed Coral-like Structures as a Habitat for Reef Fish. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 11(4):882. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11040882

Sensurat-Genç T. Shashar N., Ozsüer M., Ozgül A. (2022). Shipwrecks are not the ultimate attracting features in a natural marine environment-the case of Karaburun, Turkey, J. Environ. Management. 315: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115159

Shefy, D., Guerrini, G., Marom, N., Shashar, N., & Rinkevich, B. (2022). Settling in aggregation: Spatial planning consideration for brooding coral transplants. Marine Environmental Research, 176, 105612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105612

Goerger A., Darmaillacq A.S, Shashar N., and Dickel L. (2021) Early exposure to water turbidity affects visual capacities in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis). Frontiers in Physiology, section Invertebrate Physiology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.622126

Ph.D. University of Maryland, 1997