My main research interests between 1980 and 2005 concerned the optics and evolution of the superposition eyes found in decapod crustaceans, based around morphological and physiological techniques.

Specific NERC-funded research projects included :

Studies on the thoracic eyes of hydrothermal vent shrimps

Herring P.J., Gaten E. & Shelton P.M.J. (1999) Are vent shrimps blinded by science? Nature 398:116.

Gaten E., Herring P.J., Shelton P.M.J.& Johnson M.L. (1998 a) Comparative morphology of the eyes of post-larval bresiliid shrimps obtained from the region of hydrothermal vents. Biological Bulletin., 194 : 267-280.

Gaten E., Herring P.J., Shelton P.M.J. & Johnson M.L. (1998 b) The development and evolution of the eyes of vent shrimps (Decapoda: Bresiliidae). Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 39: 287-290.

Light-induced eye damage in Nephrops norvegicus

Chapman C. J., Shelton P.M.J., Shanks A. M. & Gaten E. (2000) Survival and growth of the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus (L.), in relation to light-induced eye damage. Marine Biology 136, 233-241.

Gaten E., Shelton P.M.J., Chapman C.J. & Shanks A.M. (1990) Depth-related variation in structure and functioning of the compound eyes of the Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus. Journal of the Marine Biological Association, 70, 343-355.

Shelton P.M.J., Gaten E. & Chapman C.J. (1985) Light and retinal damage in Nephrops norvegicus (L.). Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B., 226, 217-236.

Adaptation in the eyes of mesopelagic shrimps

Gaten E., Shelton P.M.J. & Nowel M.S. (2004) Contrast enhancement through structural variations in the rhabdoms of oplophorid shrimps. Marine Biology, 145, 499-504.

Gaten  E., Shelton P.M.J. & Nowel M.S. (2003) Variations in the rhabdom structure of oplophorid shrimps. Journal of Morphology, 257, 87-95.

Shelton P.M.J., Gaten E. & Johnson M.L (2000) The 'eye-blink' response of mesopelagic natantia, eyeshine patterns and the escape reaction. Crustacean Issues 12, 253-260.

Gaten E. & Herring P.J. (1995) Morphology of the reflecting superposition eyes of larval oplophorid shrimps. Journal of Morphology, 225: 19-29.

Shelton P.M.J., Gaten E. & Herring P.J. (1992) Adaptations of tapeta in the eyes of mesopelagic decapod shrimps to match the oceanic irradiance distribution. Journal of the Marine Biological Association, 72, 77-88.

Gaten E., Shelton P.M.J. & Herring P.J. (1992) Regional morphological variation in the compound eyes of mesopelagic decapods in relation to their habitat. Journal of the Marine Biological Association, 72, 61-75.

These projects were carried out in association with Dr Peter Shelton (University of Leicester), Dr Magnus Johnson (University of Hull), Dr Mark Nowel (Providence College, Rhode Island), Professor Peter Herring (Southampton Oceanography Centre) and Dr Colin Chapman (SOAFD).