Jennifer L. Specker

  • Emerita Professor of Oceanography
  • Biological Oceanography
  • Email: 401.874.6958
  • Office Location: 336 Coastal Institute

Research

Biological Oceanography

Biology, Fish ecology, Flatfish ecology, Physiology, Science communication. 

Jennifer Specker is a fish endocrinologist specializing in the metamorphosis of flounder, the reproductive biology of commercially important marine fishes, the endocrine regulation of the gut and gills during development and adaptation, and stress and anesthetics in marine fishes.

Selected Publications

Soffientino B, Nacci DE, Specker JL. 2010. Effects of the dioxin-like PCB 126 on larval summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part C 152, 9-17.

Breves JP, Veillette PA, Specker JL. 2009. Ghrelin in the summer flounder: Immunolocalization to the gastric glands and action on plasma cortisol levels. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 152, 268-272.

Veillette PA, Serrano X, Garcia MM, Specker JL. 2007. Evidence for the onset of feedback regulation of cortisol in larval summer flounder. General and Comparative Endocrinology 154, 105-110.

Veillette PA, Merino M, Marcaccio ND, Garcia MM, Specker JL. 2007. Cortisol is necessary for seawater tolerance in larvae of a marine teleost the summer flounder. General and Comparative Endocrinology 151, 116-121.

Veillette PA, Breves JP, Reardon DR, Specker JL. 2006. Adaptation for water balance in the partial gastrointestinal tract of summer flounder. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A 143, 211-217.

Breves JP, Specker JL. 2005. Cortisol stress response of juvenile winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus, Walbaum) to predators. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 325, 1-7.

Veillette, P.A., White, R.J., Specker, J.L., and Young, G. 2005. Osmoregulatory physiology of pyloric ceca: regulated and adaptive changes in chinook salmon. Journal Experimental Zoology, 303A: 608-613.