Shannon Brewer, PhD
Shannon is a research fish biologist and the Unit Leader at the Alabama CRU at Auburn University. Shannon's research questions focus on identifying relationships and mechanisms related to rare, declining, or economically-important aquatic species for which the causes and management responses are unclear.
Research and Teaching Interests
- Stream Ecology
- Fisheries Science
- Landscape Ecology
Shannon is broadly interested in the conservation and management of lotic ecosystems. Human pressures increase the treats on freshwater ecosystems and taxa. The modification of landscapes from historical land cover to agriculture and urban uses has resulted in significant changes and water demands on rivers. Shannon engages multidisciplinary, innovated approaches to establish organism-environmental relationships at multiple spatial scales to guide the conservation and management of stream and river ecosystems. Shannon improves sampling design and her primary research focus is stream fishes, targeting crayfish and freshwater mussels.
Professional Experience
Unit Leader, Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2020-
Assistant Unit Leader, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2010-2020
Education and Certifications
Ph D University of Missouri 2008
MS University of Missouri 2004
BS Missouri Western State University 2001
Science and Products
Preliminary investigation of the critically imperiled Caney Mountain cave crayfish Orconectes stygocaneyi Hobbs III, 2001 (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Missouri, USA
Gastric mill age estimates for ringed crayfish Faxonius neglectus neglectus (Faxon) and the influence of temperature on band formation
The influence of groundwater on the population size and total length of warmwater stream fishes
Coldwater periods in warmwater streams: Microhabitat shifts from autumn to winter by Smallmouth Bass
Age and growth of Freshwater Drum and Gizzard Shad occupying two reservoir-river complexes with different groundwater contributions
Multiscale habitat factors explain variability in stream fish occurrence in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion, USA
First summer survival and channel unit habitat use by the Neosho subspecies of Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu velox)
The accuracy of ecological flow metrics derived using a physics-based distributed rainfall-runoff model in the Great Plains, USA
Subterranean invasion by gapped ringed crayfish: Effectiveness of a removal effort and barrier installation
Movement and diel habitat use of juvenile Neosho Smallmouth Bass in an Ozark stream
Relationships between landscape constraints and a crayfish assemblage with consideration of competitor presence
Hybridization and genetic structure of Neosho Smallmouth Bass in the Ozark Highlands
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 61
Preliminary investigation of the critically imperiled Caney Mountain cave crayfish Orconectes stygocaneyi Hobbs III, 2001 (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Missouri, USA
The Caney Mountain cave crayfish (Orconectes stygocaneyi) is one of North America's rarest crayfish, endemic to one cave in southern Missouri, USA. The species is listed as 'critically imperiled' by Missouri, and 'threatened' by the American Fisheries Society. Previously, only 15 crayfish have been observed in Mud Cave, and only two have been collected (for original species description). We aimedAuthorsRobert J. DiStefano, D.C. Ashley, Shannon K. Brewer, J.B. Mouser, M. NeimillerGastric mill age estimates for ringed crayfish Faxonius neglectus neglectus (Faxon) and the influence of temperature on band formation
Counting bands via the gastric mill is a potential direct approach for ageing crayfish; however, the validity of ageing crustaceans using the gastric mill is unknown. Our study objectives were to 1) compare gastric mill age estimates to a traditional aging technique, 2) compare ageing precision among the ossicles, and 3) examine the effects of temperature on gastric mill band formation. From 2017–AuthorsShannon K. Brewer, Joshua B. Mouser, Jason GloverThe influence of groundwater on the population size and total length of warmwater stream fishes
Groundwater influences stream environments in numerous ways including structuring biotic assemblages. However, associations between groundwater influence and warmwater fish assemblages are under-studied. We examined relationships between groundwater contribution, population size, and total length (TL) for 5 warmwater fishes at 32 stream reaches in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion. When we controlledAuthorsRobert Mollenhauer, Andrew D. Miller, Josh Goff, Shannon K. BrewerColdwater periods in warmwater streams: Microhabitat shifts from autumn to winter by Smallmouth Bass
Seasonal and life stage variation in microhabitat use is an important driver of fish survival and bioenergetics, but knowledge of microhabitat selection during colder periods is generally lacking in warmwater streams. Our objective was to examine changes in microhabitat selection by age‐0 (TL ≤ 85 mm) and age‐1+ (TL > 85 mm) Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu from autumn to winter in streams ofAuthorsS. L. Wolf, Robert Mollenhauer, Shannon K. BrewerAge and growth of Freshwater Drum and Gizzard Shad occupying two reservoir-river complexes with different groundwater contributions
Restoring groundwater flow is a management option that improves water temperature regimes and benefits fishes. Although this strategy applies more readily to river systems, the thermal character of reservoirs is heavily influenced by inflowing rivers. We examined differences in age, structure, and growth of both Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens and Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum that occupyAuthorsJ Dattilo, D. E. Shoup, Shannon K. BrewerMultiscale habitat factors explain variability in stream fish occurrence in the Ozark Highlands ecoregion, USA
The dynamic, multiscale nature of stream systems makes it challenging to establish basic ecological principles to guide stream fish conservation and management. For example, finer-scale instream habitat is often constrained by coarser-scale characteristics driving observed species distributions. Additionally, instream environmental variability can result in patchy species distributions within geneAuthorsRobert Mollenhauer, Yan Zhou, Shannon K. BrewerFirst summer survival and channel unit habitat use by the Neosho subspecies of Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu velox)
No abstract available.AuthorsShannon K. Brewer, Brandon L. Browne, Thomas A. Worthington, Robert Mollenhauer, Anthony Rodger, Matt Skoog, Jim BurroughsThe accuracy of ecological flow metrics derived using a physics-based distributed rainfall-runoff model in the Great Plains, USA
The development of a hydrologic foundation, essential for advancing our understanding of flow-ecology relationships, was developed using the high-resolution physics-based distributed rainfall–runoff model Vflo in a semi-arid region. We compared the accuracy and bias associated with flow metrics that were generated using Vflo, gauge data, and drainage area ratios at both a daily and monthly time stAuthorsThomas A. Worthington, Shannon K. Brewer, Baxter Viex, Jonathan KennenSubterranean invasion by gapped ringed crayfish: Effectiveness of a removal effort and barrier installation
Non-native crayfish invasion is a major threat to many stream fauna; however, invasions in subterranean habitats are rarely documented. Our study objectives were to examine demographics and morphological and life-history traits of a gapped ringed crayfish Faxonius neglectus chaenodactylus population that invaded Tumbling Creek Cave and determine the effects of removal on the population. Crayfish wAuthorsJ.B. Mouser, D.C. Ashley, T. Aley, Shannon K. BrewerMovement and diel habitat use of juvenile Neosho Smallmouth Bass in an Ozark stream
Documenting fish movement patterns and examining relationships with both fish and habitat characteristics are essential aspects of sound conservation and management. Stream fish movement and habitat use have been associated with a myriad of factors, and variability among individuals is common. Movement and habitat use patterns of juvenile Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu in streams are poorlyAuthorsAndrew D. Miller, Robert Mollenhauer, Shannon K. BrewerRelationships between landscape constraints and a crayfish assemblage with consideration of competitor presence
AimCrayfish are globally diverse and one of the most important taxa in North American streams. Despite their importance, many species are of conservation concern and efforts to improve conditions are limited. Here, we address two major impediments to improving conditions: (a) our lack of knowledge of the interplay among natural landscape and human-induced changes; and (b) a very limited understandAuthorsJ.B. Mouser, Robert Mollenhauer, Shannon K. BrewerHybridization and genetic structure of Neosho Smallmouth Bass in the Ozark Highlands
The Neosho Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu velox is endemic to Arkansas River tributaries originating in the Ozark Highlands and Boston Mountains. Although morphologically and genetically distinct from other populations of Smallmouth Bass M. dolomieu, the conservation‐genetic status of Neosho Smallmouth Bass is largely unknown. To assist in filling this data gap, we quantified introgressive hAuthorsA. T. Taylor, James M. Long, M. R. Schwemm, Shannon K. Brewer - Science
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