Dr. Annie Mercier
Bachelors: B.Sc. Université de Sherbrooke
Masters: M.Sc. Université du Québec à
Rimouski
Doctoral: Ph.D. Université du Québec à
Rimouski
Telephone: (709) 864- 2011
E-mail: amercier@mun.ca
Website: www.ucs.mun.ca/~amercier/
Curriculum Vitae: CV
List of Scientific Publications
Research Interests:
My research is primarily focused on the fundamental and applied aspects of benthic invertebrate ecology. While my studies are centered on echinoderms (particularly sea cucumbers and sea stars), I am also interested in cnidarians (corals), molluscs and crustaceans from tropical and cold waters, and from the deep sea. I especially like to combine laboratory and field experiments, and to mix investigations at the behavioural level with microscopic/molecular analyses and environmental assessments. My specific areas of expertise include: 1) the chronobiology of reproduction with emphasis on the role of exogenous and endogenous factors and inter-individual chemical communication in the fine-tuning of gametogenesis and spawning; 2) other aspects of the reproductive cycle: spawning, gamete dispersion, larval development, settlement cues, juvenile growth and ecology; 3) interactions such as pairing and aggregative patterns, prey-predator responses, parasitism, symbiosis; 4) the effects of contaminants on the reproduction and symbiotic relationships of marine invertebrates; and 5) the development of aquaculture and stock enhancement programs.
Selected Recent Publications:
Sun, Z..; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A (2012). Marked shifts in offspring size elicited by frequent fusion among siblings in an internally brooding marine invertebrate. American Naturalist 180 (5) E151-E160. (Click here for Abstract) Full text
Baillon, S.; Hamel, J.-F.; Wareham, V.E.; Mercier, A (2012). Deep cold-water corals as nurseries for fish larvae. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 10 (7) 351-356. (Click here for Abstract) Full text
Mercier, A.; Sun, A.; Hamel, J.-F. (2011). Internal brooding favours pre-metamorphic chimerism in a non-colonial cnidarian, the sea anemone Urticina felina. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 278 3517-3522 (Click here for Abstract) Full text
Mercier, A.; Sun, Z.; Baillon, S.; Hamel, J.-F. (2011). Lunar rhythms in the deep sea: Evidence from the reproductive periodicity of several marine invertebrates. Journal of Biological Rhythms. 26 (1) 82-86. (Click here for Abstract) Full text
Mercier, A.; Sun, Z.; Hamel, J.-F. (2011). Reproductive periodicity, spawning and development of the deep-sea scleractinian coral Flabellum angulare. Marine Biology. 158 (2) 371-380. (Click here for Abstract)
Mercier, A.; Schofield, M.; Hamel, J.-F. (2011). Evidence of dietary feedback in a facultative association between deep-sea gastropods and sea anemones. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 396 (2) 207-215. (Click here for Abstract)
Baillon, S.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2011). Comparative study of reproductive synchrony at various scales in deep-sea echinoderms. Deep-sea Research Part 1. 3 260-272. (Click here for Abstract)
Mercier, A.; Hamel, J.-F. (2011). Contrasting reproductive strategies in three deep-sea octocorals from eastern Canada: Primnoa resedaeformis, Keratoisis ornata, and Anthomastus grandiflorus. Coral Reefs. 30 339-350. (Click here for Abstract)
So, J.J.; Uthicke, S.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2011). Genetic population structure in a commercial marine invertebrate with long-lived lecithotrophic larvae: Cucumaria frondosa (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea). Marine Biology. 158 859-870. (Click here for Abstract)
So, J.J.; Hamel, J.-F.; Mercier, A. (2010). Habitat utilisation, growth and predation of Cucumaria frondosa: implications for an emerging sea cucumber fishery. Fisheries Management and Ecology. 17 (6) 473-484. (Click here for Abstract)
Mercier, A.; Hamel, J.-F. (2010). Synchronized breeding events in sympatric marine invertebrates: role of behavior and fine temporal windows in maintaining reproductive isolation. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 64 (11) 1749-1765. (Click here for Abstract)
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I also write for popular magazines. See my last contribution to the April 2008 issue of Canadian Geographic.
Video clip produced by Radio-Canada on Mercier Lab (in French)
