Teaching Training & Awards Professional Organizations

Research Interests

Publications Student Projects Contact
Training and Awards
  • BA Biology 1973 California State College, Sonoma.

  • MA Biology 1975 California State College, Sonoma - with Dr. Colin Hermans (Interstitial Fauna)

  • PhD Zoology 1978 UC Berkeley - with Dr. Richard Eakin (Invertebrate photoreceptors; ciliary locomotion)

  • PostDoct UC Riverside - with Dr. Prudence Talbot (Mammalian Ovulation)

  • Occidental College since 1980, Department Chair 1988-1992; 1999-2001

  • Loftsgordon Award for Excellence in Teaching 1984; Linda & Tod White Teaching Prize 2009.

  • Director of R/V Vantuna 1996 -2003.

  • Director Summer Oceanology Program 1980 - 2008.

Teaching

Bio 115: Introductory Zoology

Bio 323: Histology

Bio 344: Comparative Invertebrate Morphology and Physiology

 

Pictures:
  • Left: Megathura crenulata in tide pool.
  • Middle:Taking a blood sample from Sicyonia ingentis.
  • Right: Analyzing samples with our Zeiss EM 109 TEM.
Professional Organizations
AAAS, ASCB, SICB, TCS, EMSA, WAS, ISDCI.


Research Interests

Large granule hemocyte and granules from S. ingentis.

FITC-labeled WGA stained hemocytes from S. ingentis. Large granule cell is positive and hyaline cell is negative.

Immunoperoxidase localization of KLH in limpet pharynx.

Dissecting scope view of opened stomach from M. crenulata showing esophageal pucker, sorting area, gastric shield, style sac, major typhosole and ducts to the digestive gland.
Research in my lab focuses on the functional morphology of marine crustaceans and gastropods. With crustaceans we are interested in cells and tissue involved in fighting infection. Most of our work has been on penaeid shrimp (primarily Sicyonia ingentis) with comparative studies on lobsters and spiny lobsters and other groups. We have developed a classification scheme for circulating blood cells based on morphology, cytochemistry and function. Hyaline cells lyse to initiate coagulation of the hemolymph thereby preventing dissemination of pathogens thought the body. Granulocytes, both small and large granule varieties, phagocytose and encapsulate foreign material and release chemicals such as phenoloxidase. Nodules composed of foreign materials and blood cells form rapidly in the blood and are filtered out primarily in the narrow vessels of the gills. We have examined the midgut trunk and associated peritrophic membrane as a possible barrier to penetration of ingested microbes into the body. Finally we are interested in the role of the lymphoid organ in removing pathogens from the blood and the process of hematopoiesis.

A second area of research in my lab involves projects on several marine gastropods. Megathura crenulata, the giant keyhole limpet, is the source of KLH (Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin), a plasma respiratory pigment that shows promise in the clinical treatment of cancer. We are investigating the cells responsible for the synthesis of KLH and the production of hemocytes in M. crenulata and other gastropods such as Aplysia californica. We are also interested in the morphology of the entire digestive tract in the limpet and the activity of digestive enzymes along its length; this information should help in the proper culture of these animals. Finally we are looking at the morphology of sensory structures (eyes, sensory papillae) in various species of Cone snails with different feeding habits. And to be truthful, it is difficult for us to pass up the opportunity to examine the ultrastructure of any beautiful invertebrate cell.
 
Publications: most recent at the bottom (*indicates OXY Student Co-Author). If journal is underlined, you may click on it to obtain a pdf copy of the paper.

Martin, Gary G. 1977. Saccocirrus sonomacus n. sp., A new archiannelid from California. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 96: 97‑103.

Eakin, Richard M., Gary G. Martin and Carol T. Reed. 1977.Evolutionary significance of fine structure of archiannelid eyes.  Zoomorphology 88: 1‑18.

Martin, Gary G. 1978. The duo‑gland adhesive system of archiannelids.  Zoomorphology 91: 63‑75.

Martin, Gary G. 1978.  A new function of rhabdites: mucus production for ciliary gliding.  Zoomorphology 91: 235‑248.

Martin, Gary G. 1978. Ciliary gliding in lower invertebrates. Zoomorphology 91: 249‑261.

Martin, Gary G., Prudence Talbot and Paula Pendergrass. 1980. An intrabursal injection procedure for the in vivo study of ovulation in the hamster. Journal of Experimental Zoology 216: 461‑468.

Martin, Gary G. and Prudence Talbot. 1980. The role of follicular smooth muscle cells in hamster ovulation. Journal of Experimental Zoology 216: 469‑482.

Martin, Gary G. and Prudence Talbot. 1980  Drugs that block smooth muscle contraction inhibit in vivo ovulation in hamsters. Journal of Experimental Zoology 216: 483‑491.

Martin, Gary G., Marty Sack and Prudence Talbot. 1980. The structure of the bursae ovaricae surrounding the ovaries of the golden hamster. American Journal of Anatomy 201: 485‑498.

Martin, Gary G. and Cindy Miller‑Walker*. 1983. Visualization of the three‑dimensional distribution of collagen fibrils over preovulatory follicles in the hamster. Journal of Experimental Zoology 225: 311‑319.

Martin, Gary G., Ken Romero* and Cindy Miller‑Walker*. 1983. Fine structure of the ovary in the red abalone, Haliotis rufescens (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Zoomorphology 103: 89‑102.

Martin, Gary G., Gretchen Van Steenwyk* and Cindy Miller‑Walker*.1983. The fate of thecal smooth muscle cells in post-ovulatory follicles of the hamster. Anatomical Record 207:267‑277.

Howard, David* and Gary G. Martin. 1983. Fine structure of the eyes of the interstitial gastropod, Fartulum orcutti. Zoomorphology 164: 197‑203.

Martin, Gary G. and Brenda Graves*. 1985.  Fine structure and classification of shrimp hemocytes.  Journal of Morphology 185: 339‑348.

Talbot, Prudence, Gary G. Martin, and Hansel Ashby*. 1987. Formation of the rupture site in preovulatory hamster  follicles: Loss of the surface epithelium.  Gamete Res. 17: 287‑302. 

Martin, Gary G. and Prudence Talbot. 1987.  Formation of the rupture site in preovulatory hamster follicles: Morphological and morphometric analysis of thinning of the granulosa and thecal layers.  Gamete Res. 17: 303‑320.

Martin, Gary G., Chris Herzig* and Glen Narimatsu*. 1987. Fine structure and histochemistry of the freshly extruded and hardened spermatophore of the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptusJournal of Morphology 192: 237‑246.

Martin, Gary G., Jo Ellen Hose and Janet Jiuen Kim*. 1987. Structure of hematopoietic nodules in the ridgeback prawn, Sicyonis ingentis:  Light and electron microscopic observations. Journal of Morphology 192: 193‑204.

Hose, Jo Ellen, Gary G. Martin, Van Anh Nguyen*, John Lucus* and Tedd Rosenstein*.  1987.  Cytochemical features of shrimp hemocytes.  Biological Bulletin 173: 178‑187.

Omori, Sidne*, Gary G. Martin and Jo Ellen Hose. 1989. Morphology of hemocyte lysis and clotting in the ridgeback prawn, Sicyonia ingentis. Cell and Tissue Research 255: 117‑123.

Hose, Jo Ellen and Gary G. Martin. 1989. Defense functions of granulocytes in the ridgeback prawn, Sicyonia ingentis Burkenroad 1938.  Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 53: 335‑346.

Martin, Gary G., Cathy Corzine* and Jo Ellen Hose.1989. Morphological comparison of the major arteries in the ridgeback prawn, Sicyonia ingentis. Journal of Morphology 200: 175‑183.

Hose, Jo Ellen, Gary G. Martin and Alison Gerard*. 1990. A decapod classification scheme integrating morphology, cytochemistry and function.  Biological Bulletin 178: 33-45.

Martin, Gary G., Jo Ellen Hose, Sidne Omori*, Celeste Chong*, Tanya Hoodbhoy* and Nancy McKrell*. 1991. Localization and roles of coagulogen and transglutaminase in hemolymph coagulation in decapod crustaceans.  Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 100B: 517-522.

Martin, Gary G. and Jo Ellen Hose. 1991. Blood. McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology 1992. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, pp.52-54.

Hose, Jo Ellen, Gary G. Martin, Sam Tiu* and Nancy McKrell*. 1992. Patterns of hemocyte production and release throughout the molt cycle in the penaeid shrimp Sicyonia ingentisBiological Bulletin 183: 185-199.

Martin, Gary G., Jo Ellen Hose. 1992. Vascular elements and blood (hemolymph). In “Microscopic Anatomy of Invertebrates” (F.W. Harrison, ed.) Vol. 10, “Decapod Crustacea” (F.W. Harrison and A.G. Humes, eds.), pp. 117-146. Wiley-Liss, New York.

Martin, Gary G., Donna Poole, Christie Poole*, Jo Ellen Hose, Magdalena Arias*, Linnea Reynolds* and Nancy McKrell*. 1993. Clearance of bacteria injected into the hemolymph of the penaeid shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis.  Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 62: 308-315.

Martin, Gary G., Jo Ellen Hose, Maryanne Choi*, Ron Provost*, Gregg Omori*, Nancy McKrell* and Garrett Lam*. 1993. Organization of Hematopoietic tissue in the intermolt lobster, Homarus americanus. Journal of Morphology 216: 65-78.

Martin, Gary G. and Jo Ellen Hose. 1995. Circulation, the blood and disease. In: Biology of the Lobster, Homarus americanus, Chapter 17, pp. 465-495. Jan Factor, ed. Academic Press, San Diego.

Martin, Gary G., Jo Ellen Hose, Genevieve Minka* and Shari Rosenberg*. 1996. Clearance of bacteria injected into the hemolymph of the ridgeback prawn, Sicyonia ingentis (Crustacea: Decapoida): role of hematopoietic tissue. Journal of Morphology 227: 227-233.

Vazquez, Lorena, Armando Perez, Diana Millan, Concepcion Agundis, Gary G. Martin, Edwin Cooper, Ricardo Lascurain and Edgar Zentano. 1997. Morphology of hemocytes from the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Journal of Morphology 234: 147-153.

Martin, Gary G., Johnson Kay*, Donna Poole and Cynthia Poole*. 1998. In vitro nodule formation in the ridgeback prawn, Sicyonia ingentis and the American lobster, Homarus americanus. Invertebrate Biology 117: 155-168.

Martin, Gary G., Han-Ming Joseph Lin*, and Chau Luc*. 1999. Re-examination of hemocytes in brine shrimp (Crustacea, Branchiopoda). Journal of Morphology 242: 283-294.

Martin, Gary G., Christa Speekmann*, and Siriporn Beidler*. 2000. Photobehavior of the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus californicus and the fine structure of its nauplius eye. Invertebrate Biology 119(1): 110-124.

Martin, Gary G., Michael Quintero*, Michael Quigley*, Hovhannes Khosrovian*. 2000. Elimination of sequestered material from the gills of decapod crustaceans. Journal of Crustacean Biology 20(2): 209-217.

Martin, Gary G., Catherine Castro*, Nicholas Moy*, and Nicole Rubin*. 2003. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in crustacean hemocytes; possible functions and usefulness in hemocyte classification. Invertebrate Biology 122: 265-270.

Martin, Gary G. and Alice Chiu*. 2003. Morphology of the midgut trunk in the penaeid shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis, highlighting novel nuclear pore particles and fixed hemocytes. Journal of Morphology 258: 239-248.

Martin, Gary G., Nicole Rubin*, and Erica Swanson*. 2004. Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi cause detachment of the epithelium from the midgut trunk of the penaeid shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 60: 21-29.

Amaiak Chilingaryan, Amayak M. Chilingaryan *, and Gary G. Martin 2005. The Three Dimensional Detectionof Microvasculatory Bed in the Brain of White Rat Rattus Norvegicus by a Ca 2+ -ATPase. Method. Brain Research 1070: 131-138

Martin, Gary G., Becky Simcox*, Amiak Chilingaryan* and Rachel Yamakawa*. 2006. Peritrophic membrane of   the penaeid shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis; structure, formation and permeability. Biological Bulletin 211: 275-285.

Martin, Gary G., Christopher /t. Oakes*. Heather R. Tousignant*, Heather Crabtree* Rachel Yamakawa*, 2007. Structure and function of haemocytes in two marine gastropods, Megathura crenulata and Aplysia californica. Journal of Molluscan Studies 73: 355-365.

Gopalakrishnan, A., M. Rajkumar, T.M. Vasanthan, T. Balasubramanian and G.G. Martin. Rough-shell disease of Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798 in the grow-out ponds. Seshuiyana 16: 7-9.

Martin, Gary G. and Jo Ellen Hose. Chapter 2 - Shrimp Anatomy. In: The Shrimp Book. Victoria Alday, ed..   Nottingham University Press.

Martin, Gary G., Tracy Bessette*, Alanna Martin*, Christopher Oakes*. Morphology of the Epithelium lining the digestive tract of the giant keyhole limpet, Megathura crenulata (Mollusca, Archeogastropoda). (In prep)

 

Student Projects
  • Shannon Sullivan, Jessica Day, Annalisa Jorgensen, Whitney Tsai, Alanna Martin, Chelsea Brown, and Kate Vumbaco: Identification of digestive enzymes in specific regions of the gut of the giant keyhole limpet, Megathura crenulata.

  • David James: Comparative morphology of the sensory papillae on the proboscis of cone snails.

  • Tracy Bessette, Kate Vumbaco, Alanna Martin, Renae Cotero, Julianna Howland, and Philip Allan: Morphology of digestive tract in the giant keyhole limpet, Megathura crenulata.

  • Lisa Mori and Kristie Watanabe: Regeneration of heart in zebrafish.

  • Alanna Martin: Identification of sites of KLH and hemocyte production in Megathura crenulata.

 

Contact Information

Department of Biology Room 108
Occidental College,
Los Angeles, CA 90041

(323) 259-2890 voice
(323) 341-4974 FAX
(323) 259-2697 department office
gmartin@oxy.edu

Last Updated: Alanna Martin 07/17/09