Ryan Wasserman

Associate Professor of Zoology

PhD Rhodes University (2014)

Honorary Treasurer for the South African Society of Aquatic Scientists (SASQqS): https://www.facebook.com/SAAquaticScience/

Head of Wetland Ecology Lab (WEL): https://www.facebook.com/wetlandecologylab
 
 
Office: Lab S16, Second Floor, Life Sciences Building
Email:  
r.wasserman@ru.ac.za
Phone: 
046 603 8168
 

Honorary appointments

Adjunct Research Fellow, Monash University, School of Science, Malaysia
Honorary Research Associate, South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, South Africa
 

Research interests

  • Global change biology
  • Trphic relationships in aquatic ecosystems
  • Aquatic ecology
  • Invasion biology

Current students

Post-Doc
Dr Chad Keates: Rhodes University, South Africa - Herpetofaunal diversity in temporary wetland ecosystems (2021-present).
 
PhD
Ms Chipo Mungenge: Rhodes University, South Africa - Plankton dynamics in the Khakea/Bray recharge aquifer wetland system (2021-present).
 
Mr Nawa Nawa: Rhodes University, South Africa - Assessment of fish yield and effects of Redclaw Crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus on Zambia's floodplain fisheries (2021-present).
 
Mr Thendza Muchekwa: Universit of Venda, South Africa - Effects of macadamia orchard inputs on recipient aquatic ecosystems (2020-present).
 
Mr Linton Munyai: University of Venda, South Africa - Biodiversity, trophic structure and connectivity of the Makuleke wetlands in the Kruger National Park (2020-present).
 
MSc
Mr Tafara Bute: Rhodes University, South Africa - Microbial dynamics in the Khakea/Bray recharge aquifer wetland system (2021-present).
 
Ms Nobuhle Mpanza: Rhodes University, South Africa - The biology of Oreochromis mossambicus and vulnerability to the invasion of Oreochromis niloticus (2021-present).
 
Mr Fanny Masina: University of Mpumalanga, South Africa - A baseline assessment of macroinvertebrates in temporary wetlands in the Khakea/Bray transboundary aquafer region (2021-present).
 

Recently graduated students 

PhD
M. Buxton: BIUST, Botswana - Vector mosquito biology, ecology and eco-physiology in Central District, Botswana.
 
L. Mofu: Rhodes University, South Africa- Ichthyofaunal dynamics of the Sundays River irrigation impoundments.
 
D. Khosa: Rhodes University, South Africa- Invasion dynamics of Micropterus spp. in South Africa.
 
MSc
Mr Murphy Tladi: BIUST, Botswana – The ecology of rockpool and pond branchiopod crustaceans in Central District, Botswana.
 
Ms Lufuno Makhuvha: University of Venda, South Africa-Organic matter dynamics in Nylsvlei wetland: Distribution and processes.
 
Ms Phumza Ndaleni: Rhodes University, South Africa - The biology and ecology of bluegill sunfish in the Kariega River system (2015-2016, Awarded with distinction) - data chapter published in ISI accredited journal.
 
Ms Nokubonga Mbandzi: Fort Hare University, South Africa - The relationship between river flow, plankton dynamics and the feeding ecology of two dominant zooplanktivorous fish species in the Kariega Estuary, South Africa (2015-2016, Awarded with minor revisions) - data chapter published in ISI accredited journal.
 
Ms Candice Jooste: University of Johannesburg, South Africa- Genetic connectivity in Lovenula raynerae (Copepoda) from temporary aquatic ecosystems in the Eastern Cape of South Africa (2017-2018, Awarded with distinction) – data chapter published in ISI accredited journal.
 
Mr Thendza Muchekwa: University of Venda, South Africa- Invasive and indigenous leaf litter decomposition dynamics in agricultural water impoundments (2018-2019; Awarded with distinction)- data chapter published in ISI accredited journal.
 
Mr Rolindela Tshivhase: University of Venda, South Africa- An assessment of metal and nutrient dynamics in soils and macrophytes of the Nylsvlei Wetland system (2018-2019)- data chapter submitted to ISI accredited journal.
 

Recent publications

Wasserman RJ, Dalu T (2022). Tropical freshwater wetlands: an introduction. In: Dalu T, & Wasserman RJ, (eds). Fundamentals of Tropical Freshwater Wetlands: From Ecology to Conservation Management. Academic Press, London
 
Dalu T, Cuthbert RN, Moyo S, Wasserman RJ, Chari LD, Weyl OLF, Jackson MC (2022). Invasive carp alter trophic niches of consumers and basal resources in African reservoirs. Science of the Total Environment 813, 152625.
 
Dalu T, Cuthbert RN, Methi MJ, Dondofema F, Chari L, Wasserman RJ (2022). Community structure and environmental factors affecting diatom abundance and diversity in a Mediterranean climate river system. Science of the Total Environment 810, 152366.
 
Makherana F, Dalu T, Cuthbert RN, Monaco C, Glencia M, Dondofema F, Munyai L, Wasserman RJ (2022). Informing spread predictions of two alien snails using movement traits. Science of the Total Environment 81, 152364.
 
Dalu T & Wasserman RJ, (2022). Fundamentals of Tropical Freshwater Wetlands: From Ecology to Conservation Management. Elsevier, London
 
Wasserman RJ, Sanga S, Buxton M, Dalu T, Cuthbert RN (2021). Does invasive river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) alters leaf litter decomposition dynamics in arid zone temporary rivers? Inland Waters 11, 104-113. doi.org/10.1080/20442041.2020.1802196
 
Cuthbert RN, Pattison Z, Taylor NG, Verbrugge L, Diagne C, Ahmed DA, Leroy B, Angulo E, Briski E, Capinha C, Catford JA, Dalu T, Essl F, Gozlan RE, Haubrock PJ, Kourantidou M, Kramer AM, Renault D, Wasserman RJ, Courchamp F (2021). Global economic costs of aquatic invasive alien species. Science of the Total Environment 775, 145238. DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145238
 
Buxton M, Nyamukondiwa C, Wasserman RJ (2021). Disease vector relative spatio-temporal abundances to water bodies and thermal fitness across malaria endemic semi-arid areas. Journal of Medical Entomology 58, 682-691. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjaa221
 
Cuthbert RN, Wasserman RJ, Dalu T, Briski E (2021). Warming mediates multiple predator effects from an invasive crustacean. Marine Biology 168, 35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03840-z
 
Cuthbert R, Dalu T, Wasserman RJ, Weyl OLF, Froneman PW, Callaghan A, Dick JTA (2021). Prey and predator density-dependent interactions under shifting water volumes. Ecology and Evolution 11, 6504-6512.
 
Tladi M, Wasserman RJ Cuthbert R, Dalu T, Nyamukondiwa C (2021). Thermal limits and preferences of large branchiopods (Branchiopoda: Anostraca and Spinicaudata) from temporary wetland arid zone systems. Journal of Thermal Biology 99, 102997.
 
Wasserman RJ, Whitfield AK, Deyzel SHP, James NC, Hugo S (2020). Seagrass (Zostera capensis) bed development as a predictor of size structured abundance for a ubiquitous estuary-dependent marine fish species. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 238, 106694.
 
Buxton M, Cuthbert RN, Dalu T, Nyamukondiwa C, Wasserman RJ (2020). Predator density modifies mosquito regulation in increasingly complex environments. Pest Management Science. DOI: 10.1002/ps.5746.
 
Buxton M, Cuthbert RN, Dalu T, Nyamukondiwa C, Wasserman RJ (2020). Cattle-induced eutrophication favours oviposition by multiple disease-vector mosquito species. Science of the Total Environment 715, 136952.
 
Buxton M, Cuthbert RN, Dalu T, Nyamukondiwa C, Dick JA, Wasserman RJ (2020). Temporary wetland predator diversity favours larval mosquito control. Biological Control 144, 104216.
 
Cuthbert R, Wasserman RJ, Dalu T, Kaiser H, Weyl OLF, Sentis A, McCoy M, Alexander M, (2020). Predator-prey interaction strengths are not conserved across size classes. Ecology & Evolution. ECE-2020-01-00026.R2.
 
Dickey JWE, Cuthbert RN, South Josie, Britton JR, Caffrey J, Chang X, Fadaei E, Farnsworth KD, Ismar S, Julius M, Laverty L, Lucy FE, McCard M, MacIsaac HJ, Reid N, Ricciardi A, Wasserman RJ, Weyl OLF, Dick JTA (2020). On the use of RIP: Using the Relative Impact Potential metric to assess and predict the ecological impacts of invasive alien species. Neobiota.
 
Lee JM, Wasserman RJ, Gan JY, Wilson RF, Raman S, Yek SH (2020). Human activities attract harmful mosquitoes in a tropical urban landscape. Ecohealth 17, 52-63.
 
Dalu T, Magoro ML, Naidoo LS, Wasserman RJ, Human L, Adams JB, Perissinotto R, Deyzel SHP, Wooldridge T, Whitfield AK (2020). Microphytobenthos diversity and community structure across different micro-estuaries and micro-outlets: Effects of environmental variables on community structure. Environmental Pollution 260, 114097.
 
Dalu T, Cuthbert R, Tiyisani C, Froneman PW, Wasserman RJ, (2020). Assessing sediment particle-size effects on benthic algal colonisation and total carbohydrate production. Science of the Total Environment 710, 136348.
 
Mbedzi R, Dalu T, Wasserman RJ, Murungweni F, Cuthbert RN (2020). Functional response quantifies microplastic uptake by a widespread African fish species. Science of the Total Environment 700, 134522.
 
Cuthert RN, Dalu T, Wasserman RJ, Weyl OLF, Froneman PW, Callaghan A, Dick JTA (2020). Alternative prey impedes impacts by mosquito natural enemies. Biological Control 141, 104146.
 
See links below for comprehensive list:
 
See link below for recent popular science and communityengagement activities:

Last Modified: Wed, 20 Apr 2022 15:01:58 SAST