Tim Shank

Tim Shank is the main biologist working on the animals from Lost CIty. His research focuses on understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that structure genetic diversity and function in benthic marine species. He integrates molecular genetic approaches with studies of the physical, chemical, geological and ecological processes that influence invertebrate populations in disjunct and ephemeral habitats.

His work at Lost CIty has shown that even though the total biomass is small, the diversity of meio and macrofuanal communities at Lost City may rival that of black smoker systems on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

(Shank lab website at http://www.whoi.edu/science/B/people/tshank/index.htm)