Ph.D. Bowling Green State University, 1989 - Emphasis: Algal Ecology

M.S.University of Wisconsin - La Crosse, 1982 - Emphasis: Aquatic Biology

B.S.Central Michigan University, 1977 - Major: Biology / Minor: Chemistry.

Courses taught at GVSU:

Limnology, Stream Ecology, Natural History of Invertebrates, Fisheries Biology, Environmental Ethics, Freshwater Algae, Aquatic Invertebrates, Evolution, Ecology of the Great Lakes, Methods for Aquatic Ecosystems, Productivity of Ecosystems, Aquatic Plants, Tropical Ecology, Biology of People (lab), Great Lakes and Other Water Resources, Human Ecology, General Biology I, Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, Honors Seminar.

Research Interests:

1. Response of Periphyton to Controlled Disturbance.
Most studies of community ecology rely on statistical analysis to determine the level or degree of change that constitutes a significant result. In most cases, these analyses utilize a quantifiable parameter such as number of individuals, total biomass, etc. Because most previous studies have been constructed to use natural random disturbance, these studies have not determined in absolute terms, how much of the area (e.g., 25%, 50% of the surface area) must be disturbed before a standard metric reveals a significant change. Dr. Luttenton uses controlled disturbance to determine at what level of disturbance standard statistical analyses identify significant change in quantified metrics.

2. Freshwater Communities of the Bahamian Islands.
The Bahamas have become increasingly popular as a tourist destination, and several towns have developed as primary points of interest. The increase in tourism has lead to ever increasing demands for freshwater. Because most of the islands have limited freshwater supplies, the government has begun taking water from larger, outer islands to supply population and tourist centers. At the current rates of use, concern has grown over the rapid loss of freshwater, both surface and ground water. Because there is very little known about the freshwater habitats of the Bahamas, Dr. Luttenton has begun to systematically examine the freshwater communities on two islands, San Salvador and Andros.

3.Algal Communities of the Saline Lakes of San Salvador Island, Bahamas.
San Salvador Island, one of the most easterly islands in the Bahamas, is characterized by a series of inland saline lakes. Due to differences in geological history, morphometry and salinity each lake is unique and several contain numerous organisms that are found no where else in the world. Although these lakes have been of great scientific interest, no previous studies have examined the microalgal flora. Dr. Luttenton is currently working on a preliminary assessment of the marine diatoms and dinoflagellates of these unique systems.

Recent Publications:

Steinman, A., Ogdahl, M., Luttenton, M. (2009). An analysis of internal phosphorus loading in White Lake, Michigan (pp. Pages 311-324) Lake Pollution Research Progress. NY: Nova Science Publ.

S. S. Johnson, M. R. Luttenton and A. G. Nikitin. Analysis of mitochondrial nucleotide polymorphism in the ND-1 locus in North American brown trout (Salmo trutta). Journal of Great Lakes Research, (in press).

Steinman, A. D., M. Ogdahl and M. R. Luttenton. An analysis of internal phosphorus loading in White Lake, Michigan. In: Lake Pollution Research Progress, ed. F. R. Miranda and L. M. Bernard.  Nova Science Publications. (2009).

Hendricks, S. P. and M. R. Luttenton. 2007. Benthic algal taxa (exclusive of diatoms) of the Little River basin, western Kentucky, 2000-2003. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science 68:31-36.

Tiano, T. J., C. M. Willis, A. A. Noble, M. R. Luttenton, and A. G. Nikitin. 2007. Genetic identification of hatchery stocks of brown trout (Salmo trutta) using mitochondrial DNA polymorphism. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 27:965-970. 

Hendricks, S. P., M. R. Luttenton, and S. W. Hunt.  2006. Benthic diatom species list and environmental conditions in the Little River basin, western Kentucky, USA. Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science 67:22-38.

Luttenton, M. and R.L. Lowe. 2006.  Response of a lentic periphyton community to nutrient enrichment at low N:P ratios. Journal of Phycology  42:1007-1015.

Luttenton, M and C. Baisden. 2006. The relationships among disturbance, substratum size, and periphyton community structure. Hydrobiologia. 561:111-117.

Steinman, A, R. Rediske, R. Denning, L. Nemeth, X. Chu, D. Uzarski, B. Biddanda, and M. Luttenton. 2006. An environmental assessment of an impacted, urbanized watershed: the Mona Lake Watershed, Michigan. Arch. Hydrobiol. 166:117-144.

Steinman, A.D., M. Luttenton, and K.E. Havens. 2004. Sustainability of surface and subsurface water resources: case studies from Florida and Michigan. Water Res. Update 127:100-107.

Pothoven, S., G. Fahenestiel, H. Vanderploeg and M. Luttenton. In Press. Population dynamics of Mysis relicta in southeastern Lake Michigan, 1995-1998. Journal of Great Lakes Research.

Recent Posters and Presentations:

Local, Regional and Global Water Issues, Loyola University of Chicago, Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy - Invited Presentation -2009.

Conte, M.S. M. Luttenton, M. Holtgren and S. Ogren. 2008. Potential brown and rainbow trout predation on larval lake sturgeon in the Big Manistee River, MI. North American Benthological Society 56^th annual meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, May 25 – 30, 2008.

Conte, M.S. M. Luttenton, M. Holtgren and S. Ogren. 2008. Larval sturgeon as potential prey for juvenile brown trout and rainbow trout in the Big Manistee River, MI.  Michigan Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Annual meeting, Sault Ste. Marie, MI. March 4-5.

Luttenton, M.  2006.  Temporal dynamics in wetland habitats and the implementation of management strategies.  International Symposium: Wetlands 2006.  Association of State Wetland Managers, Traverse City, Michigan.

Luttenton, M., N. Godby, E. Rutherford, and A. Bosch.  2006.  Changes in benthic macroinvertebrates in an impounded Michigan river following the introduction of zebra mussels and a large flow event.  North American Bentholigcal Society, Anchorage, Alaska.

Jermalowicz-Jones, J.L. and M.R. Luttenton.  2006.  Groundwater and sediment nutrient influences on submersed aquatic macrophyte growth in White Lake, Muskegon County, Michigan. Midwest Aquatic Plant Management Society, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Luttenton, M., N. Godby, E. Rutherford, and S. Vankampen.  2005.  The introduction of zebra mussels into an impounded Michigan river: Effects on benthic macroinvertebrates.  Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Jermalowicz-Jones, J.L. and M.R. Luttenton.  2005.  Influence of groundwater and sediment nutrients on submersed aquatic macrophyte growth in White Lake, Muskegon County, Michigan.  North American Lake Management Society, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.

Hunt, S. W. S. P. Hendricks, and M. R. Luttenton.  2005.  Biomonitoring and environmental conditions in the Little River basin, western Kentucky, USA.  Kentucky Academy of Science.

Luttenton, M. 2004.  Habitat Assessments – Muskegon Lake and White Lake.  Workshop on Restoring Fish and Wildlife in Michigan’s Areas of Concern, Sponsored by Great Lakes Commission, Monroe, MI.

Scientific & Professional Societies:

American Phycological Society
American Society of Limnology and Oceanography
Belize Audubon Society
Ecological Society of America
International Association for Great Lakes Research
International Phycological Society
International Society for Diatom Research
Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
North American Benthological Society
Sigma Xi