Dr. Mark A. Albins

Bio

• Research Assistant Professor, University of South Alabama
• Ph.D. (2012) - Marine Ecology, Oregon State University

Emphasis: Ecology of marine fishes, experimental design, applied statistics

Research Interests

My research interests span a wide range of issues in marine-fish ecology, with a particular focus on questions of immediate relevance to effective management. My research combines a firm grounding in ecological theory with rigorous empirical field investigations and advanced analytical tools to investigate the function of marine fish populations and communities, and how our actions affect their ability to provide valuable ecosystem goods and services.

Current Funded Projects

Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) abundance, distribution, and movement in U.S. waters in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Sea Grant, NOAA, NMFS

Publications

• McCall, M., M. A. Albins, S. P. Powers. 2023.  The common predator, Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), enhances survival of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in an experimental setting. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 568, 151945. DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2023.151945
• Pusack, T. J., C. D. Stallings, M. A. Albins, C. E. Benkwitt, K. E. Ingeman, T. L. Kindinger, M. A. Hixon. 2022.  Protracted recovery of long-spined urchin (Diadema antillarum) in the Bahamas. Coral Reefs. DOI: 10.1007/s00338-022-02321-z
• Curtis, J. S., M. A. Albins, E. B. Peebles, C. D. Stallings. 2020.  Stable isotope analysis of eye lenses from invasive lionfish yields record of resource use. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 637: 181-194.
• Livernois, M. C., S. P. Powers, M. A. Albins, J. F. Mareska. 2020.  Habitat associations and co-occurrence patterns of two estuarine-dependent predatory fishes. Marine and Coastal Fisheries. 12(1): 64-77.
• Jefferson, A. E., R. J. Allman, A. E. Pacicco, J. S. Franks, F. J. Hernandez, M. A. Albins, S. P. Powers, R. L. Shipp, J. M. Drymon. 2019.  Age and growth of gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) from a north-central Gulf of Mexico artificial reef zone.  Bulletin of Marine Science.  95(2):177-195.  DOI: 10.5343/bms.2018.0025
• Sackett, D. K., M. Catalano, J. M. Drymon, S. P. Powers, M. A. Albins. 2018.  Estimating exploitation rates in the Alabama Red snapper fishery using a high-reward tag-recapture approach.  Marine and Coastal Fisheries.  10(6):536-549.  DOI: 10.1002/mcf2.10049
• Benkwitt, C. E., M. A. Albins, K. L. Buch, K. E. Ingeman, T. L. Kindinger, T. J. Pusack, C. D. Stallings, M. A. Hixon. 2017.  Is the lionfish invasion waning? Evidence from the Bahamas.  Coral Reefs.  36:1255-1261.  DOI: 10.1007/s00338-017-1620-7
• Curtis, J. S., K. R. Wall, M. A. Albins, C. D. Stallings. 2017.  Diet shifts in a native mesopredator across a range of invasive lionfish biomass.  Marine Ecology Progress Series. 573:215-228.  DOI: 10.3354/meps12164
• Stier, A. C., C. D. Stallings, J. F. Samhouri, M. A. Albins, G. R. Almany. 2017.  Biodiversity effects of the predation gauntlet.  Coral Reefs.  DOI: 10.1007/s00338-017-1544-2.
• Kindinger, T. L., M. A. Albins. 2017.  Consumptive and non-consumptive effects of an invasive marine predator on native coral-reef herbivores.  Biological Invasions. 19(1):131-146.  DOI: 10.1007/s10530-016-1268-1.
• Hixon, M. A., S. J. Green, M. A. Albins, J. L. Akins, J. A. Morris Jr. 2016.  Lionfish: a major marine invasion.  Marine Ecology Progress Series. 558:161-165.  DOI: 10.3354/meps11909
• Albins, M. A. 2015.  Invasive Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans reduce abundance and species richness of native Bahamian coral-reef fishes.  Marine Ecology Progress Series. 522:231-243.  DOI: 10.3354/meps11159.
• Raymond, W. W., M. A. Albins, T. J. Pusack. 2014.  Competitive interactions for shelter between invasive Pacific red lionfish and native Nassau grouper.  Environmental Biology of Fishes. 98:57-65.  DOI: 10.1007/s10641-014-0236-9.  [Undergraduate lead author]
• Albins, M. A. 2013.  Effects of invasive Pacific red lionfish Pterois volitans versus a native predator on Bahamian coral-reef fish communities.  Biological Invasions.  15:29-43.  DOI: 10.1007/s10530-012-0266-1.
• Albins, M. A., M. A. Hixon. 2013.  Worst case scenario: Potential long-term effects of invasive predatory lionfish (Pterois volitans) on Atlantic and Caribbean coral-reef communities.  Environmental Biology of Fishes.  96:1151-1157.  DOI: 10.1007/s10641-011-9795-1.
• Albins, M. A., P. J. Lyons. 2012.  Invasive red lionfish Pterois volitans blow directed jets of water at prey fish.  Marine Ecology Progress Series (Featured Article).  448:1-5.  DOI: 10.3354/meps09580. [reviewed in “Science Now” feature on AAAS website (24 Feb 2012)]
• Page-Albins, K. N., P. S. Vroom, R. Hoeke, M. A. Albins, C. M. Smith. 2012.  Patterns in benthic coral reef communities at Pearl and Hermes Atoll along a wave exposure gradient.  Pacific Science.  66(4): 481-496.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2984/66.4.6.
• Christie, M. R., B. N. Tissot, M. A. Albins, J. P. Beets, Y. Jia, D. M. Ortiz, S. E. Thompson, M. A. Hixon. 2010.  Larval connectivity in an effective network of marine protected areas.  PLoS ONE. 5(12): e15715.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015715. [reviewed in "News" column of Nature (13 Jan 2011) 469:146. DOI: 10.1038/469146a]
• Albins, M. A., M. A. Hixon, Y. Sadovy. 2009.  Threatened fishes of the world: Epinephelus striatus (Bloch, 1792) (Serranidae).  Environmental Biology of Fishes.  86(2): 309-310.  DOI: 10.1007/s10641-009-9512-5.
• Albins, M. A., M. A. Hixon. 2008.  Invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans reduce recruitment of Atlantic coral-reef fishes.  Marine Ecology Progress Series.  367: 233–238. [reviewed in "News in Brief" column of Nature (16 Jul 2008) 454:265. DOI: 10.1038/454265f]
• Dameron, O. J., M. Parke, M. A. Albins, R. Brainard. 2007.  Marine debris accumulation in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands: An examination of rates and processes.  Marine Pollution Bulletin.  54: 423-433.