Robert E. Schmidt

Environmental Studies and Zoology

Division: Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing

Appointment: 1984

Education:
BS - University of Rhode Island, 1969 (Zoology)
MS - University of Connecticut, 1971 (Fisheries)
Ph.D. - University of Connecticut, 1976 (Ichthyology)

Positions:
Fordham University- Assistant Professor
Upsala College- Faculty (part time)
Mercy College - Faculty (part time)
Bard College - Graduate Faculty
Hudsonia Ltd. - Associate Director
Berkshire Environmental Research Center - Director
New York State Museum - Associate Curator (Fishes)

Contact Information:
Office: Fisher 210
Phone: (413) 528-7438
Email: schmidt@simons-rock.edu

Research Interests:
Biology of Fishes in the Hudson River Estuary
Recent grants have allowed me to observe and collect data on the migrations of two species of herring. I have also done work on the use of tributary streams by migratory fishes. I have other research projects on biology and distribution of freshwater and estuarine fishes in New York and Massachusetts.

Atlas of Larval Fishes
For this long-term project I am collecting specimens and determining how to tell them apart. I am also plotting the distribution in time and space of fish larvae in the Hudson River Estuary. I am curating the larval fish collection in the New York State Museum.

Fishes of South America
I have collected and analyzed specimens from Guyana. Several undescribed species have been discovered as well as a number of very rare fishes. Research is continuing with these species.

Local Environmental Issues
Through my work with local non-profit organizations, I have done research on rare and endangered species, water quality issues, and management of lakes and ponds.

Student Research Opportunities:
I encourage students to work with me on a variety of projects for credit, as paid interns, or as paid employees.

Reports and publications coauthored by Simon's Rock students

Recent Publications:
Waldman, J.R., J.R. Young, B.P. Lindsay, R.E. Schmidt and H. Andreyko. 1999. A comparison of alternative approaches to discriminate larvae of striped bass and white perch. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 19(2): 470-481.

Littman, M.W., B.M. Burr, R.E. Schmidt, and E.R. Iseru. 2001. Sorubim elongatus, a new species of catfish (Siluriformes: Pimelodidae) from tropical South America. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 12(1): 1-16.

Schmidt, R.E. 2001. Loricaria cataphracta, parental care and description of early larvae. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 12(3): 235-240.

Limburg, K.E., I. Blackburn, R.E. Schmidt, T.R. Lake, J. Hasse, M. Elfman and P. Kristiansson. 2001. Otolith microchemistry indicates unexpected patterns of residency and anadromy in blueback herring, Alosa aestivalis, in the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers. Bulletin Francais de la Pêche et de la Pisciculture 362/363: 931- 938.

Schmidt, R.E. and T.R. Lake. 2001. A benthic juvenile scrawled cowfish (Acanthostracion quadricornis) from the lower Hudson River estuary. Northeastern Naturalist 8(3): 343-346.

Schmidt, R.E., B. Jessop and J. Hightower. 2003. Status of river herring (Alosa aestivalis, A. pseudoharengus) stocks in large rivers. p. 171-182. In K.E. Limburg and J.R. Waldman (Ed.). Biodiversity and Conservation of Shads Worldwide. American Fisheries Society Symposium 35.

Schmidt, R.E., T. Hunsinger, T.W. Coote, E. Griffin-Noyes and E. Kiviat. 2004. Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) in the tidal Hudson River with comments on their status as natives. Northeastern Naturalist 11(2): 179-188.

Schmidt, R.E. and R.A. Daniels. 2004. Description of the larval stages of the shield darter (Percina peltata) in New York. Zootaxa 774: 1-7.

Daniels, R.A., K.E. Limburg, R.E. Schmidt, D.L. Strayer and R.C. Chambers. 2005. Changes in fish assemblages in the tidal Hudson River. p. 471-503. In J.N. Rinne, R.M. Hughes, and B. Calamusso (Eds.). Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas. American Fisheries Society, Symposium 45.

Schmidt, R.E. and R. Jacobs. 2005. The mimic shiner, Notropis volucellus (Cope), in Connecticut. Northeastern Naturalist 12(3): 325-330.

Schmidt, R.E., and R.A. Daniels. 2006. Hybridization in Umbridae in the Hudson River, New York, with Designation of neotypes for Umbra limi and Umbra pygmaea. Zootaxa 1113:1-20.