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The Influence Of Salt Marsh Fucoid Algae (Ecads) On Sediment Dynamics Of Northwest Atlantic Marshes, M. C. Tyrrell, Carol S. Thornber, J. A. Burkhardt, M. Congretel
The Influence Of Salt Marsh Fucoid Algae (Ecads) On Sediment Dynamics Of Northwest Atlantic Marshes, M. C. Tyrrell, Carol S. Thornber, J. A. Burkhardt, M. Congretel
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Resilience is currently a key theme within salt marsh ecological studies. Understanding the factors that affect salt marsh accretion and elevation gains are of paramount importance if management of these ecosystems is to be successful under increasing synergistic stresses of storm surge, inundation period, and eutrophication. We present the results of salt marsh fucoid algae (ecads) removal experiments on Spartina alterniflora abundance, production and decomposition and the sedimentary dynamics of two marshes on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The presence of the thick layer of marsh fucoids had a significant and positive influence on sediment deposition, accretion, concentration of water column particulates, …
Evolution Of The Freshwater Sardinella, Sardinella Tawilis (Clupeiformes: Clupeidae), In Taal Lake, Philippines And Identification Of Iits Marine Sister-Species, Sardinella Hualiensis, Demian Willette, Kent E. Carpenter, Mudjekeewis Santos
Evolution Of The Freshwater Sardinella, Sardinella Tawilis (Clupeiformes: Clupeidae), In Taal Lake, Philippines And Identification Of Iits Marine Sister-Species, Sardinella Hualiensis, Demian Willette, Kent E. Carpenter, Mudjekeewis Santos
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
We identify the sister species of the world's only freshwater sardinella, Sardinella tawilis (Herre, 1927) of Taal Lake, Philippines as the morphologically-similar marine Taiwanese sardinella Sardinella hualiensis (Chu and Tsai, 1958). Evidence of incomplete lineage sorting and a species tree derived from three mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene indicate that S. tawilis diverged from S. hualiensis in the late Pleistocene. Neutrality tests, mismatch distribution analysis, sequence diversity indices, and species tree analysis indicate populations of both species have long been stable and that the divergence between these two lineages occurred prior to the putative 18th century formation of Taal …
Using Non-Dietary Gastropods In Coastal Shell Middens To Infer Kelp And Seagrass Harvesting And Paleoenvironmental Conditions, Amira F. Ainis, René Vellanoweth, Queeny G. Lapeña, Carol S. Thornber
Using Non-Dietary Gastropods In Coastal Shell Middens To Infer Kelp And Seagrass Harvesting And Paleoenvironmental Conditions, Amira F. Ainis, René Vellanoweth, Queeny G. Lapeña, Carol S. Thornber
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Archaeologists analyzing shell middens typically focus on larger (>2 cm) mollusks to examine subsistence practices, impacts on littoral habitats, and paleoenvironmental conditions as well as a host of other natural and cultural phenomena. Small (<2 cm), non-dietary gastropods in archaeological shell middens also provide important clues regarding human resource procurement in littoral areas and coastal paleoenvironments. We present data from two sites on the California Channel Islands to demonstrate the range of information that can be gained by analyzing small gastropod shells. Identifications revealed the remains of over 4500 non-dietary small gastropods from 75 taxa. Human harvesting of marine macrophytes is suggested by the presence of 18 species that are predominantly associated with seaweeds and seagrasses. Quantification measures revealed high diversity and equitability indices, oscillating taxonomic richness, and decreasing densities through time at both sites. Likelihood ratio tests revealed differences in assemblage composition between Early Holocene and later components at one site, and demonstrated similarities in the relative composition of non-dietary shell assemblages between both sites during the Middle Holocene. Incorporating detailed studies of less conspicuous “incidental” shellfish remains in archaeological midden studies has the potential to contribute to our understanding of past human land use practices and littoral paleoecology. Our findings are applicable to archaeologists working in coastal settings around the world, as well as marine ecologists interested in intertidal paleo-habitats and kelp forest ecosystems.
Untangling Intra- And Interspecific Effects On Body Size Clines Reveals Divergent Processes Structuring Convergent Patterns In Anolis Lizards, Martha M. Muñoz, Johanna E. Wegener, Adam C. Algar
Untangling Intra- And Interspecific Effects On Body Size Clines Reveals Divergent Processes Structuring Convergent Patterns In Anolis Lizards, Martha M. Muñoz, Johanna E. Wegener, Adam C. Algar
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Bergmann’s rule—the tendency for body size to increase in colder environments—remains controversial today, despite 150 years of research. Considerable debate has revolved around whether the rule applies within or among species. However, this debate has generally not considered that clade-level relationships are caused by both intra- and interspecific effects. In this article, we implement a novel approach that allows for the separation of intra- and interspecific components of trait-environment relationships. We apply this approach to body size clines in two Caribbean clades of Anolis lizards and discover that their similar body size gradients are constructed in very different ways. We …