John Sparks's Research
Research activities are currently focused on investigating the morphological and functional evolution of specialized hearing in cichlids (supported by NSF) via comparative studies of the otophysic (gas bladder-inner ear) connection in this clade, as well as neuroanatomical studies directed toward reconstructing mid- and hindbrain evolution in cichlids using 3D imaging (MRI) and traditional histological techniques. Via collaborative physiological studies with colleague Chris Braun (CUNY/Hunter College), we are directly measuring the auditory abilities of cichlids using ABR methodology.