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Dr. Steven Powers

Associate Professor

Department:
Biology
Location:
213 Life Science
Phone:
(540)375-4946

Degrees

  • Ph.D., University of Alabama
  • M.S., Eastern Kentucky University
  • B.S., Georgetown College

Research & Teaching Interests

  • TEACHING INTERESTS:
  • Vertebrate Biology
  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Biogeography and Systematics
  • How Living Organisms Evolve
  • RESEARCH INTERESTS:
  • My research has studied and continues to study evolution, biogeography, systematics, ecology, and conservation of freshwater fishes of the United States. To address such a wide variety of topics, I have employed many techniques, including assessments of genetic differentiation, molecular and morphological phylogenetic systematics, quantifying stream habitat and community structure, forming and testing biogeographic hypotheses, and quantifying life history characteristics.
  • One of the strengths of my research program is a strong working knowledge of my study organisms, the communities to which they belong, and streams of the United States. By working in similar systems, with similar species, I gain a more solid foundation from which to build and test hypotheses about the processes influencing my study organisms.

Publications

  • Powers, S.L., B.R. Kuhajda, and S.E. Ahlbrand. 2012. Systematics of the Etheostoma cinereum (Teleostei: Percidae) species complex (subgenus Allohistium). Zootaxa. 3277:43-55.
  • Tarasidis, A., and S.L. Powers. 2014. Life-history Aspects of Thoburnia rhothoeca (Torrent Sucker) in Southwestern Virginia. Northeastern Naturalist. 21(1):108-118.
  • Powers, S.L., S.E. Ahlbrand, B.R. Kuhajda, and K.E. West. 2015. Testing for Genetic Divergence Within and Among Isolated Populations of a Threatened Species in Georgia and Alabama, Percina aurolineata, Goldline Darter (Percidae). Southeastern Naturalist. 14(4):675-684.
  • Thompson, D.A., J.S. Bentley, and S.L. Powers. 2016. Life-history Aspects of Moxostoma cervinum (Blacktip Jumprock) in the Roanoke River, Virginia. Virginia Journal of Science. 66(4):391-401.
  • Powers, S.L. 2016. Intensive, regular sampling and removal of modest numbers of fishes shows no measurable impact on fish populations in three streams of North Georgia. Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings. 56:1-11.
  • Gilbert, C.A., R.L. Mayden, and S.L. Powers. 2017. Morphological and genetic evolution in eastern populations of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis complex (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), with the descriptions of four new species. Zootaxa. 4247(5):501-555.
  • Thompson, D.A., S.E. Hargrave, G.J. Morgan, and S.L. Powers. 2017. Life-history aspects of Chrosomus oreas (Mountain Redbelly Dace) in Catawba Creek, Virginia. Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings. 57:1-10.
  • Powers, S.L., and P. Whitlow. 2018. Microhabitat of the Chainback Darter, Percina nevisense (Actinopterygii: Percidae), in the Upper Roanoke River in Salem, VA. Banisteria. 50:10-14.
  • Spruill, D.R., and S.L. Powers. 2019. Microhabitat Comparison of Percina roanoka (Roanoke Darter) and Percina nevisense (Chainback Darter) in the Roanoke River. Virginia Journal of Science. 70:1-7.
  • Powers, S.L. 2020. Mugilidae: The Mullets. Pp. 367-383. In: Warren, M. L, Jr. and B. M. Burr. Evolution and Ecology of North American Freshwater Fishes. Vol. 2. Characidae to Poeciliidae. Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore.
  • Powers, S.L., and D.R. Spruill. 2021. Habitat Partitioning and Associated Morphological Differences Among Three Species of Catostomidae (Teleostei: Actinopterygii) in the South Fork Roanoke River, Virginia. Virginia Journal of Science. 72:1-11.
  • Calvert, M.M., and S.L. Powers. 2023. Morphological Differences Align with Habitat Partitioning Among Three Species of Percina (Percidae: Actinopterygii) in the Roanoke River, Virginia. Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings. 63:1-14.
  • Powers, S.L., S.W. Carswell, S.L. Barker, and R.L. Powers. 2023. Impacts of Leaf Removal from Trails on Trail Condition and Erosion. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration. 41(3):17-29.

Available as a Media resource for the following topics

  • Fishes
  • Streams

Willing to speak to professional, social or civic groups on

  • Fishes
  • Streams

Roanoke College Ichthyological Collection

  • The Roanoke College Ichthyological Collection has nearly 500 species in over 5,000 lots representing over 36,000 specimens mostly from Virginia and neighboring states. To request specimens for study, please email powers@roanoke.edu.
  • GIS Data: https://roa.ke/RCIchthyological
  • Collection Images: https://roa.ke/RCFreshwaterFish