Dr. Solomon Chak of the Biological Sciences Department recently had his research on eusocial snapping shrimp shown on National Geographic's new documentary series Super Natural on Disney+.
Chak’s research was included in the four-minute sequence presented in the episode ‘Bloodlines,’ executively produced by James Cameron and narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch.
“I think it was awesome what they can show with the fascinating animations,” said Dr. Chak. “With the CGI, you can really see the hormones being released by the shrimp so that is really great. We are really excited to have this research incorporated into the show.”
The snapping shrimps in the genus Synalpheus, are the only marine animals that are known to have evolved eusociality—an advanced social system that is found mainly in social insects like ants and bees.
Dr. Chak, who started teaching at SUNY Old Westbury in 2020, has been working on this subject since 2011. He earned his Ph.D. at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at the College of William and Mary, his M.S. in Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming, and his B.S. in Biology from Iowa State University.