Associate Professor of Biology, Southwest Minnesota State University
Contact Information:
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCiD: Alyssa Anderson
ResearchGate: Alyssa Anderson
Dr. Anderson received her Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Minnesota in 2012. She is an Associate Professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, teaching several ecology and zoology-themed courses. Anderson’s research interests include studying life-history dynamics of winter-active insects, especially Chironomidae as well as the ecological importance of these organisms. Anderson is also interested in chironomid taxonomy and the use of midges and other aquatic insects in biological assessments. Dr. Anderson is also passionate about education and outreach, and enjoys sharing the importance of midges and other aquatic insects with others.
Projects I’m Involved with:
In the News:
Publications
*Denotes undergraduate student co-authors
K. Beebout*, L. Teerink*, and A.M. Anderson. 2023. Size distribution and population flux of the Flat Tree Oyster, Isognomon alatus, in two inland lakes on San Salvador Island, The Bahamas. Proceedings of the 3rd Joint Symposium on the Natural History & Geology of the Bahamas, pp. 86-92.
Anderson, A.M., C.F. Friedges*, L. Lozinski*, C. Nyquist, T. Durnin, & L.C. Ferrington Jr. 2022. Longevity and oviposition of winter-emerging Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) at varying low temperatures. Aquatic Insects 44:52-63 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01650424.2022.2076884
Anderson, A.M. 2021. Progress in a time of change. Chironomus: Journal of Chironomidae Research 34:2-3. https://doi.org/10.5324/cjcr.v0i34.4597
Bouchard, W., P. Kranzfelder, & A.M. Anderson. 2021. Leonard C. Ferrington, Jr. (1948-2021): Chironomid cognoscente and modern-day Renaissance man. CHIRONOMUS: Journal of Chironomidae Research 34: 51-66. https://doi.org/10.5324/cjcr.v0i34.4598
Anderson, A.M. 2018. Describing the undiscovered. Chironomus: Journal of Chironomidae Research 31:2-3.
Anderson, A.M. 2017. Keep the fuel burning. Chironomus: Journal of Chironomidae Research 30:2-3.
Anderson, A.M., N.J. Roberts*, T.I. Durnin*, and K.M. Wollman.* 2016. Benefits of chironomid research: Perspectives from undergraduate researchers. Chironomus: Journal of Chironomidae Research 29:39-42.
Anderson, A.M. 2016. A time to reflect and a look to the future. Chironomus: Journal of Chironomidae Research 29:2-3.
Anderson, A.M., E. Mittag*, B. Peterson*, B. Vondracek, and L.C. Ferrington, Jr. 2016. Winter diets of brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations in Southeast Minnesota and the significance of winter-emerging invertebrates. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 145:206-220.
Anderson, A.M., P. Kranzfelder, A. Egan, and L.C. Ferrington, Jr. 2016. The Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) of San Salvador Island: A preliminary survey and look to the future. Proceedings of the 15th Symposium on the Natural History of the Bahamas, pp. 13-21.
Cole, E.S., C. Urnes, A. Hinrichs, E.A. Rothfus, and A. Anderson. 2016. Rainfall drives synchronous spawning episodes in the Scaly Pearl Oyster, Pinctada longisquamosa on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Proceedings of the 15th Symposium on the Natural History of the Bahamas, pp. 45-52.
Kranzfelder, P., A.M. Anderson, J.E. Mazack, R.W. Bouchard, Jr. M.M. Rufer, and L.C. Ferrington, Jr. 2015. Use of Chironomidae (Diptera) surface-floating pupal exuviae as a rapid bioassessment protocol for water bodies. Journal of Visualized Experiments 101:e52558, doi:10.3791/52558.
Mazack, J.E., P. Kranzfelder, A.M. Anderson, R.W. Bouchard, Jr., J. Perry, B. Vondracek, and L.C. Ferrington, Jr. 2015. Survivorship and longevity of adult Diamesa mendotae (Diptera: Chironomidae) at controlled, sub-freezing temperatures. Aquatic Insects: International Journal of Freshwater Entomology 36:35-42.
Anderson, A.M., P. Kranzfelder, A. Egan, and L.C. Ferrington, Jr. 2014. A survey of Neotropical Chironomidae (Diptera) on San Salvador Island, Bahamas. Florida Entomologist 97:304-308.
Anderson, A.M. 2013. The importance of illustration. CHIRONOMUS Newsletter for Research on Chironomidae Research. 26:3-3.
Anderson, A.M., E. Stur, & T. Ekrem. 2013. Molecular and morphological methods reveal cryptic diversity and three new species of Nearctic Micropsectra (Diptera: Chironomidae). Freshwater Science 32 892-921.
Anderson, A.M., P. Kranzfelder, R.W. Bouchard Jr., and L.C. Ferrington Jr. 2013. Survivorship and longevity of Diamesa mendotae Muttkowski (Diptera: Chironomidae) under snow. Journal of Entomological and Acarological Research. 45:e6.
Anderson, A.M. and L.C. Ferrington. 2013. Resistance and resilience of winter-emerging Chironomidae (Diptera) to a flood event: implications for Minnesota trout streams. Hydrobiologia. 707:59-71.
Anderson, A.M. 2012. Winter-emerging Chironomidae (Insecta: Diptera) in Minnesota trout streams. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Minnesota. http://purl.umn.edu/142960
Anderson, A.M. and L.C. Ferrington. 2012. Time-efficiency of sorting Chironomidae surface-floating pupal exuviae samples from urban trout streams in Northeast Minnesota, USA. Fauna Norvegica 31:19-23.
Anderson, A.M., R.W. Bouchard, Jr., and L.C. Ferrington, Jr. 2011. Hibernal emergence of Chironomidae (Diptera) in relation to stream size in Kansas, USA. Proceedings of the 17th Annual Symposium on Chironomidae.