James W. Atkinson
Professor
Ph.D., Emory University, 1969
301 Natural Science Building
Office Telephone: 517-353-2269
atkinso9@msu.edu
Research website
Behavior, Development and Evolution of Molluscs
We are studying the sensory structures and capabilities of land snails and slugs as well as the beharioral consequences of these structures and capabilities. The broad goal is to elucidate the qualities that have made these organisms uniquely successful in terrestrial enviornments. I am also engaged in the systematics of a native North American slug in the genus Pallifera which may be a newly described species. As part of this research I am collaborating with a researcher in Taiwan who is studying the family (Philomycidae) in which our slug belongs. I also serve as the curator/collections manager of the MSU Invertebrate Zoology Collections.
Representative Publications
Atkinson, J. W. 2003. Foraging strategy switch in detour behavior of the land snail Anguispira alternata (Say). Invert Biol. 122 (4): 326-333.
Atkinson, J.W. 2000. Behavioral responses to a change in stimulus: transport vs attach behavior in a carnivorous land snail, Haplotrema concavum. Invert. Biol. 119 (1): 38-44.
Atkinson, J.W. 1998. Food Manipulation and Transport by a Carnivorous Land Snail, Haplotrema concavum. Invert. Biol. 117(2):109-113.
Atkinson, J.W. 1992. Conceptual Issues in the Reunion of Development and Evolution. Synthese 91:93-110.
Atkinson, J.W. 1985. E. G. Conklin on Evolution: The Popular Writings of an Embryologist. Jour. Hist. Biol. 18:31-50.
Atkinson, J.W. 1985. Models and Myths of Science: Views of the Elephant. Amer. Zoologist 25(3):727-736.