Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson AZ 85721

• Married to Dr. Kim H. Driver
• B.Sc., 1984, Mt. Allison University, New Brunswick, Canada
• M.S., 1988, Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center, Dania, Florida
• Ph.D., 1994, University of California Davis
• Current Position: Research Associate, Dept. of Geosciences, University of Arizona
• Future Position: Asst. Curator, Department of Invertebrate Zoology & Geology, California Academy of Sciences

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Evolution and Extinction of Marine Molluscs in Neogene Tropical America - During the Pliocene, tropical American marine communities underwent significant changes in diversity, associated possibly with the uplift of the Isthmus of Panama, and the initiation of Northern Hemisphere cooling. I have been documenting the extinction and survival of marine bivalves during this episode. I currently focus on venerid bivalves, specifically Chione and other related genera.
• Dynamic Analysis of Evolutionary Time Series - This is a new endeavour, applying principles of nonlinear dynamics and fractal geometry to the analysis of evolutionary (stratophenetic) time series. The project is based on the premise that many such series can be modeled as random walks, but recognizes that random walks can often exhibit interesting behavior suggestive of the underlying mechanics.
• Reconstructing Colorado River Flow for the past 2,000 years - This work is being done in collaboration with Karl Flessa and CEAM at the University of Arizona. We are using the stable isotopic composition of marine bivalve shells from the Gulf of California to reconstruct the volume and seasonality of flow of the Colorado River into the northern Gulf during the last 2,000 years. We are also estimating the effect(s) of River shut-down (in the 20th century) on productivity in the Gulf.

• ROOPNARINE, P. D., G. BYARS and P.FITZGERALD 1998 Anagenetic evolution, stratophenetic patterns, and random walk models. Paleobiology (in press).
• ROOPNARINE, P. D., P. FITZGERALD, G. BYARS and K. KILB 1998 Coincident boron profiles from the Gulf of California: Implications for the calculation of paleosalinities. PALAIOS, 13:395-400.
• ROOPNARINE, P. D. 1998 Translating trees into taxonomy: A reply to Harte. Malacologia 39(1-2):221-224.
• ROOPNARINE, P. D. 1997 Endemism and extinction of a new genus of Chionine (Bivalvia: Veneridae) bivalve from the late Neogene of Venezuela. Journal of Paleontology, 71(6):1039-1046.
• ROOPNARINE, P. D. 1996 Systematics, biogeography and extinction of Chionine bivalves (Bivalvia: Veneridae) in tropical America: Early Oligocene - Recent. Malacologia, 38(1-2):103-142.

ROOPNARINE, P. D. 1995 A re-evaluation of evolutionary stasis between the bivalve species Chione erosa and Chione cancellata (Bivalvia: Veneridae). Journal of Paleontology, 69(2):280-287.


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FIGURES FOR DOWNLOAD

• Figure 1
• Figure 2
• Figure 3 

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CURRENT FUNDING

• ``Patterns and rates of evolution in two lineages of Lower Devonian conodonts''. (Michael Murphy, UC Davis, co-PI). National Science Foundation. 1999-2001. $90,000
• ``Patterns and rates of evolution from the fossil record.'' University of Arizona Foundation. 1998-1999. $2,240

OTHER INTERESTS

• BioList. One of my pet Web projects. A growing list of Web sites for the biological sciences.
• Progamming scientific applications. I use the best operating system out there,  Linux . I am simply in awe of LINUX! I am also busily learning JAVA. I do not maintain much of an interest in Windows or Macintosh systems, but the programs should operate under those systems (just less efficiently).
• Kosho-Ryu Kenpo. I practice Kosho-Ryu, or Chinese Kenpo, a Japanese martial art. The primary focus of this style is self- defense. It is a circular form, combining both hard and softstyle techniques, and is closely related to several kung fu styles. I have also been a student of Ninpo Taijutsu.
• Avid Miami Dolfan! Even in the Jimmy Johnson Era.
• Certified Open Water and Nitrox SCUBA diver.

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