Contact Information
W401 Turner Hall
Urbana, IL 61801
Research Areas
Research Interests
Integrating field and laboratory studies to improve the conservation and management of Paddlefish
Research Description
My research focuses on differences in Paddlefish across their wide latitudinal range and aims to inform the conservation and management of the species. To do this, I have combined laboratory and field studies to provide insight into the influence of thermal variation on Paddlefish stress response and post-release behavior. With warming environments, thermal variation may pose a threat to Paddlefish recovery and survival after enduring capture stressors. Long-term, climate warming may influence the ability of paddlefish to remain in their current range due to increasing temperatures that may exceed thermal tolerances and influence management of the species due to shifts in life history strategies.
External Links
Recent Publications
Kamara, S.R., J. C. Glomb, and C.D. Suski. Quantifying the physiological and behavioral response of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) to commercial capture across temperatures. In review at Fisheries Research, June 11, 2026. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.7025011
Busby, J.L., S.R. Kamara, and C.D. Suski. Cooling largemouth bass Micropterus nigricans during simulated livewell holding increases physiological changes and prolongs recovery. In review at the North American Journal of Fisheries Management Accepted June 6, 2026.
Fitschen-Brown, M., S. Kamara, M. Parker, K. Daniels, A.L. Gilbert, and M.R. Morris. 2026.Chronic exposure to elevated nitrate concentrations alters behavior in the swordtail fish, Xiphophorus helleri. Animal Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2026.123559
Kamara, S.R., J. C. Glomb, and C.D. Suski. 2025. Temperature alters thermal tolerance and physiological response to simulated angling in paddlefish. Journal of Thermal Biology. 133:104272 http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5144944
Kamara, S.R., A. A. Hay, R. E. Oller, and C. D. Suski. 2024. Examining the consequences of angling tournament culling practices on Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 44:1280-1293 https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.11048
Liotta, M.N., S. Kamara, J.K. Abbott, O. Rio-Cardenas, and M. R. Morris. 2021. Evidence for genetic integration of mating behavior and morphology in a behaviorally plastic alternative reproductive tactic. Evol Ecol. 35:723–737. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10682-021-10129-6