Amsler, Charles

Amsler, Charles
Professor

Senior Scientist (C), Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering (CBSE) , School of Optometry 2008 -
Professor (P), Biology , College of Arts and Sciences 2011 -

Overview

I grew up along the south shore of Lake Erie with annual trips to the Atlantic coast in South Carolina and developed a life-long love of aquatic environments in general and the marine environment in particular. From a fairly early age I knew that I wanted to be a biologist working in marine ecosystems. I developed a strong interest in marine macroalgae working with my undergraduate advisor at Duke University and further developed that interest into a career focus during graduate work at UNC-Wilmington and UC-Santa Barbara.

I had my first two opportunities to do research in Antarctica as a grad student at UCSB. While I did not anticipate it at the time, a major emphasis of my research since coming to UAB in 1994 has become the chemical ecology of macroalgae and other organisms in Antarctic marine communities. My postdoctoral work at the University of Illinois at Chicago took me into studies of how bacteria behaviorally respond to information about their chemical environments where I learned methods and perspectives that were very important in developing my subsequent UAB-based studies of marine chemical ecology and behavior.

Selected Publications

Academic Article

Year	Title	Altmetric
2019	Impacts of gastropods on epiphytic microalgae on the brown macroalga Himantothallus grandifolius 2019
2019	Anverenes B-E, new polyhalogenated monoterpenes from the antarctic red alga Plocamium cartilagineum 2019
2017	Effects of ocean acidification on the shells of four Mediterranean gastropod species near a CO2 seep 2017
2017	Ocean warming and acidification alter Antarctic macroalgal biochemical composition but not amphipod grazer feeding preferences 2017
2017	Declines in plant palatability from polar to tropical latitudes depend on herbivore and plant identity 2017
2017	Gut content, fatty acid, and stable isotope analyses reveal dietary sources of macroalgal-associated amphipods along the western Antarctic Peninsula 2017
2016	Seawater acidification more than warming presents a challenge for two Antarctic macroalgal-associated amphipods 2016
2016	Darwinolide, a New Diterpene Scaffold That Inhibits Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilm from the Antarctic Sponge Dendrilla membranosa 2016
2016	Antarctic crustacean grazer assemblages exhibit resistance following exposure to decreased pH 2016
2016	Control of grazing by light availability via light-dependent, wound-induced metabolites: The role of reactive oxygen species 2016
2016	Climate change confers a potential advantage to fleshy Antarctic crustose macroalgae over calcified species. 2016
2016	Testing antarctic resilience: The effects of elevated seawater temperature and decreased pH on two gastropod species 2016
2015	Abundance and diversity of gastropods associated with dominant subtidal macroalgae from the western Antarctic Peninsula 2015
2015	A comprehensive study of Antarctic algal symbioses: minimal impacts of endophyte presence in most species of macroalgal hosts 2015
2015	Life history bias in endophyte infection of the Antarctic rhodophyte, Iridaea cordata 2015
2015	Structure and function of macroalgal natural products 2015
2015	The immediate wound-induced oxidative burst of Saccharina latissima depends on light via photosynthetic electron transport 2015
2015	The immediate wound-induced oxidative burst of Saccharina latissima depends on light via photosynthetic electron transport 2015
2014	Impacts of acute elevated seawater temperature on the feeding preferences of an Antarctic amphipod toward chemically deterrent macroalgae 2014
2014	Climate change impacts on overstory Desmarestia spp. from the western Antarctic Peninsula 2014
2014	Chemical mediation of mutualistic interactions between macroalgae and mesograzers structure unique coastal communities along the western Antarctic Peninsula 2014
2014	Reactive oxygen species and the antarctic macroalgal wound response 2014
2014	Climate change impacts on overstory Desmarestia spp. from the western Antarctic Peninsula 2014
2014	Impacts of acute elevated seawater temperature on the feeding preferences of an Antarctic amphipod toward chemically deterrent macroalgae 2014
2014	Multiple stressor effects of near-future elevated seawater temperature and decreased pH on righting and escape behaviors of two common Antarctic gastropods 2014
2014	Reactive oxygen species as a marine grazing defense: H2O2 and wounded Ascoseira mirabilis both inhibit feeding by an amphipod grazer 2014
2013	Tolerance and sequestration of macroalgal chemical defenses by an Antarctic amphipod: A 'cheater' among mutualists 2013
2013	West Antarctic peninsula: An ice-dependent coastal marine ecosystem in transition 2013
2013	Site-specific variability in the chemical diversity of the Antarctic red alga Plocamium cartilagineum 2013
2013	Endophyte presence as a potential stressor on growth and survival in Antarctic macroalgal hosts 2013
2012	Effects of Macroalgal Chemical Extracts on Spore Behavior of the Antarctic Epiphyte Elachista Antarctica Phaeophyceae 2012
2012	Palatability of living and dead detached Antarctic macroalgae to consumers 2012
2012	Phototactic responses of Elachista antarctica (Phaeophyceae) spores of different ages across a broad irradiance range using new motion analysis software 2012
2012	The abundance and distribution of echinoderms in nearshore hard-bottom habitats near Anvers Island, western Antarctic Peninsula 2012
2012	Palmadorin chemodiversity from the Antarctic nudibranch Austrodoris kerguelenensis and inhibition of Jak2/STAT5-dependent HEL leukemia cells 2012
2012	Algicidal activity and potential antifouling defenses in macroalgae from the western Antarctic Peninsula including probable synergistic effects of multiple compounds 2012
2012	Amphipods exclude filamentous algae from the Western Antarctic Peninsula benthos: Experimental evidence 2012
2011	A comprehensive evaluation of the potential chemical defenses of antarctic ascidians against sympatric fouling microorganisms 2011
2011	Palmerolide macrolides from the Antarctic tunicate Synoicum adareanum 2011
2011	Reactive Oxygen Species and the Macroalgal Wound Response 2011
2011	CNS and antimalarial activity of synthetic meridianin and psammopemmin analogs 2011
2011	AMPHIPODS EXCLUDE FILAMENTOUS ALGAE FROM THE WESTERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA BENTHOS: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE 2011
2011	EFFECTS OF MACROALGAL CHEMICAL EXTRACTS ON SPORE BEHAVIOR OF THE ANTARCTIC EPIPHYTE ELACHISTA ANTARCTICA 2011
2011	THE IMPACT OF ENDOPHYTE PRESENCE ON GROWTH AND SURVIVAL IN ANTARCTIC MACROALGAL HOSTS (RHODOPHYTA) 2011
2011	The Mg-calcite composition of Antarctic echinoderms: Important implications for predicting the impacts of ocean acidification 2011
2011	Changes in amphipod densities among macroalgal habitats in day versus night collections along the Western Antarctic Peninsula 2011
2011	Accumulation of vanadium, manganese, and nickel in Antarctic tunicates 2011
2011	Gut contents and stable isotope analyses of the Antarctic fish, Notothenia coriiceps (Richardson), from two macroalgal communities 2011
2011	CHEMICAL MEDIATION OF PREDATOR-PREY AND MUTUALISTIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANTARCTIC MACROALGAE AND INVERTEBRATES 2011
2011	CHEMOKINETIC RESPONSES OF MOTILE PROPAGULES OF ANTARCTIC EPIPHYTE ELACHISTA ANTARCTICA IN THE PRESENCE OF HYDROPHILIC EXTRACTS OF COMMON RHODOPHYTES 2011
2011	Impacts of mesograzers on epiphyte and endophyte growth associated with chemically defended macroalge from the western antarctic peninsula: A mesocosm experiment 2011
2011	REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AS A POTENTIAL MACROALGAL DEFENSE ALONG THE WESTERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA 2011
2011	SANCTUARY IN MACROALGAE: CHANGES IN AMPHIPOD DENSITIES AMONG MACROALGAL HABITATS IN DAY VERSUS NIGHT COLLECTIONS ALONG THE WESTERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA 2011
2011	THE EFFECT OF ENDOPHYTE INFECTION ON GROWTH AND SURVIVORSHIP OF ANTARCTIC MACROALGAE (RHODOPHYCEAE) 2011
2011	Palatability of the Antarctic rhodophyte Palmaria decipiens (Reinsch) RW Ricker and its endo/epiphyte Elachista antarctica Skottsberg to sympatric amphipods 2011
2010	Introduction to the symposium: Advances in antarctic marine biology 2010
2010	Overview of the chemical ecology of benthic marine invertebrates along the western antarctic peninsula 2010
2010	An overview of the Chemical Ecology of Marine Macroalgae and Benthic Invertebrates along the Antarctic Peninsula 2010
2010	Potential resistance of Antarctic ascidians to sympatric bacterial epibiosis 2010
2010	Potential chemical defenses of Antarctic sponges against sympatric microorganisms 2010
2010	Palmadorins A-C, diterpene glycerides from the antarctic nudibranch austrodoris kerguelenensis 2010
2010	Habitat choice and predator avoidance by Antarctic amphipods: The roles of algal chemistry and morphology 2010
2010	Chemically mediated resistance to mesoherbivory in finely branched macroalgae along the western Antarctic Peninsula 2010
2010	The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Antiherbivore Defense along the Western Antarctic Peninsula 2010
2009	Defenses of polar macroalgae against herbivores and biofoulers 2009
2009	Field studies on deterrent properties of phlorotannins in Antarctic brown algae 2009
2009	Notes on the systematics and biogeographical relationships of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic Rhodophyta with descriptions of four new genera and five new species 2009
2009	Palatability and chemical anti-predatory defenses in common ascidians from the Antarctic Peninsula 2009
2009	Observations on an association between the dexaminid amphipod polycheria sntarctica f. scanthopoda and its sscidian host distaplia cylindrica 2009
2009	Norselic acids A-E, highly oxidized anti-infective steroids that deter mesograzer predation, from the antarctic sponge Crella sp. 2009
2009	Rapid dissolution of shells of weakly calcified Antarctic benthic macroorganisms indicates high vulnerability to ocean acidification 2009
2009	Filamentous algal endophytes in macrophytic Antarctic algae: Prevalence in hosts and palatability to mesoherbivores 2009
2009	Effects of ocean acidification over the life history of the barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite 2009
2009	Palatability and chemical defenses of sponges from the western Antarctic Peninsula 2009
2009	An evaluation of sponge-associated amphipods from the Antarctic Peninsula 2009
2009	IMPACTS OF FILAMENTOUS ALGAL EPIPHYTES/ENDOPHYTES ON MACROALGAL PRODUCTIVITY IN THE WESTERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA 2009
2009	MACROALGAL CHEMICAL ECOLOGY: MICROSCOPIC SPORES TO MAGNIFICENT ANTARCTIC FORESTS 2009
2009	PHOTOTACTIC RESPONSES OF SWARMERS OF THE ANTARCTIC EPIPHYTE ELACHISTA ANTARCTICA 2009
2009	THE SECRET GARDEN: LIFE WITHIN ANTARCTIC MACROALGAE 2009
2009	ARE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DOMINANT MESOGRAZERS AND MACROALGAE IN THE WESTERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA, IN PART, CHEMICALLY MEDIATED? THE ANTI-GRAZING CAPABILITIES OF SECONDARY METABOLITES PRODUCED IN ANTARCTIC FILAMENTOUS MACROPHYTES 2009
2009	Effects of ocean acidification on larval development and settlement of the common intertidal barnacle Amphibalanus amphitrite 2009
2009	FILAMENTOUS ALGAL ENDOPHYTES IN ANTARCTIC MACROALGAE: INCIDENCE AND PALATABILITY 2009
2009	Hiding in the bushes: Structural and chemical determinants of habitat choice in Antarctic amphipods 2009
2009	Ocean acidification and calcified Antarctic seafloor macroorganisms: The perfect storm 2009
2009	PALATABILITY OF PALMARIA DECIPIENS AND ITS ENDOPHYTE ELACHISTA ANTARCTICA TO FOUR COMMON ANTARCTIC AMPHIPODS 2009
2009	Palatability and anti-predatory chemical defenses in a suite of ascidians from the Western Antarctic Peninsula 2009
2008	Intraspecific agonistic arm-fencing behavior in the Antarctic keystone sea star Odontaster validus influences prey acquisition 2008
2008	Mesofauna associated with the marine sponge Amphimedon viridis. Do its physical or chemical attributes provide a prospective refuge from fish predation? 2008
2008	A laboratory study of behavioral interactions of the Antarctic keystone sea star Odontaster validus with three sympatric predatory sea stars 2008
2007	Chemical defenses against diatom fouling in antarctic macroalgae: Insights from bioassay guided fractionation 2007
2007	Ecdysteroids from the antarctic tunicate Synoicum adareanum 2007
2007	Occurrence of three different genotypes of the filamentous brown alga Geminocarpus (Acinetosporaceae, ectocarpales, phaeophyceae) in Antarctica 2007
2007	Palatability of palmaria decipiens and its endo/epiphyte elachista antarctica to three common antarctic amphipods 2007
2007	Effects of sonication and advanced chemical oxidants on the unicellular green alga Dunaliella tertiolecta and cysts, larvae and adults of the brine shrimp Artemia salina: A prospective treatment to eradicate invasive organisms from ballast water 2007
2007	Patterns of gammaridean amphipod abundance and species composition associated with dominant subtidal macroalgae from the western Antarctic Peninsula 2007
2007	Life strategy, ecophysiology and ecology of seaweeds in polar waters 2007
2007	Allocation patterns of phlorotannins in Antarctic brown algae 2007
2006	Lack of defense or phlorotannin induction by UV radiation or mesograzers in Desmarestia anceps and D. menziesii (Phaeophyceae) 2006
2006	The use of computer-assisted motion analysis for quantitative studies of the behaviour of barnacle (Balanus amphitrite) larvae 2006
2006	The biochemical composition, energy content, and chemical antifeedant defenses of the common Antarctic Peninsular sea stars Granaster nutrix and Neosmilaster georgianus 2006
2006	Palmerolide A, a cytotoxic macrolide from the antarctic tunicate Synoicum adareanum 2006
2006	Activators of viral gene expression in polarized epithelial monolayers identified by rapid-throughput drug screening 2006
2006	Palmerolide A, a Cytotoxic Macrolide from the Antarctic Tunicate Synoicum a dareanum 2006
2006	Bioassay-guided fractionation of antifouling compounds using computer-assisted motion analysis of brown algal spore swimming 2006
2006	Phototactic responses of Elachista antarctica skottsberg swarmers 2006
2006	Potential chemical defenses against endophytes and epiphytes in Antarctic macroalgae 2006
2006	Feeding rates of common Antarctic gammarid amphipods on ecologically important sympatric macroalgae 2006
2006	Effects of temperature and light on growth of the Antarctic algae Geminocarpus gemimatus (Ectocarpales: Phaeophyceae) and Cladophora repens (Cladophorales: Cladophorophyceae) in culture 2006
2005	Feeding rates of common antarctic gammarid amphipods on ecologically important sympatric macroalgae 2005
2005	Palatability and chemical defenses of Antarctic Peninsula sponges 2005
2005	The use of sonication and advanced chemical oxidants as mechanisms to eradicate macroinvertebrates in ballast water under static and continuous flow regimes 2005
2005	Potential chemical defenses against diatom fouling in Antarctic macroalgae 2005
2005	Within-thallus variation in chemical and physical defences in two species of ecologically dominant brown macroalgae from the Antarctic Peninsula 2005
2005	Variation in phlorotannin content within two species of brown macroalgae (Desmarestia anceps and D. menziesii) from the Western Antarctic Peninsula 2005
2005	CHEMICAL ECOLOGY OF ECOLOGICALLY DOMINANT DESMARESTIA SPP. ALONG THE WESTERN ANTARCTIC PENINSULA 2005
2005	Comprehensive evaluation of the palatability and chemical defenses of subtidal macroalgae from the Antarctic Peninsula 2005
2005	A comparative analysis of the nutritional and elemental composition of macroalgae from the western Antarctic Peninsula 2005
2005	Defensive and Sensory Chemical Ecology of Brown Algae 2005
2005	Ecology of antarctic marine sponges: An overview 2005
2004	Biochemical composition, energy content and chemical antifeedant and antifoulant defenses of the colonial antarctic ascidian Distaplia cylindrica 2004
2004	Morphological and biological traits of Antarctic Peninsular macroalgae influencing distribution and abundance of associated amphipods 2004
2004	Biochemical composition, energy content and chemical antifeedant and antifoulant defenses of the colonial Antarctic ascidian Distaplia cylindrica 2004
2004	Chemical investigation of predator-deterred macroalgae from the Antarctic Peninsula 2004
2004	Further membranolide diterpenes from the Antarctic sponge Dendrilla membranosa 2004
2004	Clonal variation in phototaxis and settlement behaviors of Hincksia irregularis (Phaeophyceae) spores 2004
2003	The ecology of Antarctic marine sponges 2003
2003	A New Antifouling Bioassay Monitoring Brown Algal Spore Swimming Behaviour in the Presence of Echinoderm Extracts 2003
2003	Individual and Coupled Effects of Echinoderm Extracts and Surface Hydrophobicity on Spore Settlement and Germination in the Brown Alga Hincksia irregularis 2003
2003	Chemical defences in embryos and juveniles of two common Antarctic sea stars and an isopod 2003
2003	Surface sequestration of chemical feeding deterrents in the Antarctic sponge Latrunculia apicalis as an optimal defense against sea star spongivory 2003
2003	Tissue-specific palatability and chemical defenses against macropredators and pathogens in the common articulate brachiopod Liothyrella uva from the Antarctic Peninsula 2003
2002	Chemo-tactile predator avoidance responses of the common Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna 2002
2002	Light boundaries and the coupled effects of surface hydrophobicity and light on spore settlement in the brown alga Hincksia irregularis (Phaeophyceae) 2002
2001	Regeneration in Echinoderm Larvae 2001
2001	Induced defenses in macroalgae: The herbivore makes a difference 2001
2001	Introduction to the Symposium: Antarctic Marine Biology1 2001
2001	Utilization of a novel deuterostome model for the study of regeneration genetics: Molecular cloning of genes that are differentially expressed during early stages of larval sea star regeneration 2001
2001	Qualitative and quantitative studies of the swimming behaviour Hincksia irregularis (Phaeophyceae) spores: Ecological implication parameters for quantitative swimming assays 2001
2001	Secondary metabolites as mediators of trophic interactions among antarctic marine organisms 2001
2000	Chemo-tactile predator avoidance responses of the Antarctic limpet, Nacella concinna. 2000
2000	Starfish saponins, LVI. Three new asterosaponins from the starfish Goniopecten demonstrans 2000
2000	Chemotactic tube-foot responses of the spongivorous sea star Perknaster fuscus to organic extracts of sponges from McMurdo Sound, Antarctica 2000
2000	Chemical defenses against diatom fouling in Antarctic marine sponges 2000
1999	An antarctic feeding triangle: Defensive interactions between macroalgae, sea urchins, and sea anemones 1999
1999	Characterization of novel genes expressed during regeneration in larval sea stars. 1999
1999	Nutrients do not influence swimming behavior or settlement rates of Ectocarpus siliculosus (Phaeophyceae) spores 1999
1999	The chemical ecology of antarctic marine organisms. 1999
1998	Chemical defense against herbivory in the Antarctic marine macroalgae Iridaea cordata and Phyllophora antarctica (Rhodophyceae) 1998
1997	Isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of the steroid oligoglycosides and polyhydroxysteroids from the Antarctic starfish Acodontaster conspicuus 1997
1996	Use of computer-assisted motion analysis for quantitative measurements of swimming behavior in peritrichously flagellated bacteria 1996
1996	FliG and FliM distribution in the Salmonella typhimurium cell and flagellar basal bodies 1996
1996	Tyrosine 106 of CheY plays an important role in chemotaxis signal transduction in Escherichia coli 1996
1995	Vertical distribution of Antarctic peninsular macroalgae: Cover, biomass and species composition 1995
1993	Multiple factors underlying the maximum motility of Escherichia coli as cultures enter post-exponential growth 1993
1993	NEUTRAL LIPIDS AS MAJOR STORAGE PRODUCTS IN ZOOSPORES OF THE GIANT KELP MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA (PHAEOPHYCEAE) 1993
1992	The microclimate inhabited by macroalgal propaguies 1992
1992	Dispersal in kelps: factors affecting spore swimming and competency 1992
1991	PHOTOSYNTHETIC PHYSIOLOGY AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SPORES OF THE KELPS MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA, NEREOCYSTIS LUETKEANA, LAMINARIA FARLOWII, AND PTERYGOPHORA CALIFORNICA (PHAEOPHYCEAE) 1991
1990	Nutrient stimulation of spore settlement in the kelps Pterygophora californica and Macrocystis pyrifera 1990
1990	Diel periodicity of spore release from the kelp Nereocystis luetkeana (Mertens) Postels et Ruprecht 1990
1989	Chemotactic effects of nutrients on spores of the kelps Macrocytis pyrifera and Pterygophora california 1989
1985	Field and Laboratory Studies of Giffordia mitchelliae (Phaeophyceae) in North Carolina 1985
1985	GIFFORDIA ONSLOWENSIS SP. NOV. (PHAEOPHYCEAE) FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA CONTINENTAL SHELF AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GIFFORDIA AND ACINETOSPORA 1985
1984	The Occurrence of Codium fragile subsp. tomentosoides and C. taylorii (Chlorophyta) in North Carolina 1984
1980	VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SEAWEED SPORES IN A WATER COLUMN OFFSHORE OF NORTH CAROLINA 1980

Book

Year	Title	Altmetric
2008	Algal chemical ecology. Ed. 9783540741817. 2008
2008	Preface. Ed. 9783540741817. 2008

Chapter

Year	Title	Altmetric
2013	Chemistry and ecological role of starfish secondary metabolites. 81-89. 2013
2008	Algal sensory chemical ecology. 297-309. 2008
2008	Macroalgal chemical defenses in polar marine communities. 91-103. 2008
2007	Life strategy, ecophysiology and ecology of seaweeds in polar waters. 213-244. 2007
2001	The chemical ecology of invertebrate meroplankton and holoplankton. 195-226. 2001

Research Overview

The research that my students and I conduct is centered in several areas, but most involve chemical interactions between organisms or ways in which organisms perceive, respond to, or otherwise interact with their chemical environments. A recent extension of this work is understanding the impacts of ocean acidification and other climate change factors on marine organisms.

A particular area of ongoing interest over the past 15 years or more has been the interactions of Antarctic macroalgae and benthic invertebrates. These investigations have often involved studies of chemical defenses against predators but have also included studies of potential defenses against pathogens or fouling organisms. More recent efforts have extended this work to broader questions about the structure of Antarctic benthic communities. We are also interested in analogous questions with temperate and tropical organisms.

My laboratory also studies algal ecophysiology, often beginning with quantitative studies of the biochemistry, physiology, or swimming behavior of single cells. These algal studies start with the cell and focus in large part on physiological and behavioral adaptations to the microenvironments of the biofilm and planktonic communities. A common area of interest is the influence of nutrient and other chemical gradients on the swimming and settlement behavior of algal spores.

I am also interested in the ecophysiology and population structure of Antarctic macroalgae and microalgae. Other, previous work has included research on environmental factors governing algal seasonality, the taxonomy of filamentous brown algae, and bacterial chemotactic signal transduction.

Marine Ecophysiology, Chemical Ecology