Life Sciences Commons^™

Marine Law Symposium: Can Offshore Wind Development Have A Net Positive Impact On Biodiversity? Regulatory And Scientific Perspectives And Considerations April 20-21, 2023, Roger Williams University School Of Law Marine Affairs Institute, The Nature Conservancy

School of Law Conferences, Lectures & Events

No abstract provided.

Variation In Symbiont Density Is Linked To Changes In Constitutive Immunity In The Facultatively Symbiotic Coral, Astrangia Poculata, Isabella Changsut, Haley R. Womack, Alicia Shickle, Koty H. Sharp, Lauren E. Fuess

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Scleractinian corals are essential ecosystem engineers, forming the basis of coral reef ecosystems. However, these organisms are in decline globally, in part due to rising disease prevalence. Most corals are dependent on symbiotic interactions with single-celled algae from the family Symbiodiniaceae to meet their nutritional needs, however, suppression of host immunity may be essential to this relationship. To explore immunological consequences of algal symbioses in scleractinian corals, we investigated constitutive immune activity in the facultatively symbiotic coral, Astrangia poculata. We compared immune metrics (melanin synthesis, antioxidant production and antibacterial activity) between coral colonies of varying symbiont density. Symbiont density was …

Evaluating Acid-Aluminum Stress In Streams Of The Northeastern U.S. At Watershed, Fish Community And Physiological Scales, Benjamin J. Zdasiuk, Celia Y. Chen, Stephen D. Mccormick, Keith H. Nislow, Joel Singley, John T. Kelly

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

In spite of overall improvements in air and water quality, biological stress from low pH and high concentrations of inorganic aluminum continue to impact fish and fish habitat in northeastern North America, with independent and interactive effects on individuals, populations and communities. Integrative indicators can therefore be useful in monitoring both impact and recovery across multiple scales. Using coupled water chemistry (pH, conductivity, and base cation and inorganic aluminum concentration), geographic (site elevation and watershed area) and biological (fish diversity, fish abundance, gill aluminum concentration and gill physiology) data, we developed an integrated indicator of acid-aluminum stress across the White …

A Call To Action: Education Driven Strategies For Successful Implementation Of Blue Economy Initiatives At Coastal Universities, Matthew Tallino

Education Theses

Microplastic pollution impacts the earth’s oceans. Research at the deep sea and surface level, as well as research examining different bodies of water, indicates this problem is widespread. This research examines data from 2012 to the present to assess the impact the human stressor of microplastic has on marine ecosystems and ocean sampling and the insight that peer reviewed research on microplastics can provide as coastal universities create Blue Economy strategic action plans. Data indicates microplastics are a critical issue to the oceans overall health. The implications of the research are designed to target a variety of community members at …

Phylogenetic, Genomic, And Biogeographic Characterization Of Anovel And Ubiquitous Marine Invertebrate-Associated Rickettsiales Parasite,Candidatus Aquarickettsia Rohweri, Gen. Nov., Sp. Nov, J. Grace Klinges, Stephanie M. Rosales, Ryan Mcminds, Koty H. Sharp

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Bacterial symbionts are integral to the health and homeostasis of invertebrate hosts. Notably, members of the Rickettsiales genus Wolbachia influence several aspects of the fitness and evolution of their terrestrial hosts, but few analogous partnerships have been found in marine systems. We report here the genome, phylogenetics, and biogeography of a ubiquitous and novel Rickettsiales species that primarily associates with marine organisms. We previously showed that this bacterium was found in scleractinian corals, responds to nutrient exposure, and is associated with reduced host growth and increased mortality. This bacterium, like other Rickettsiales, has a reduced genome indicative of a parasitic …

Season, But Not Symbiont State, Drives Microbiome Structure In The Temperate Coral Astrangia Poculata., Koty H. Sharp, Zoe A. Pratte, Allison H. Kerwin

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Understanding the associations among corals, their photosynthetic zooxanthella symbionts (Symbiodinium), and coral-associated prokaryotic microbiomes is critical for predicting the fidelity and strength of coral symbioses in the face of growing environmental threats. Most coral-microbiome associations are beneficial, yet the mechanisms that determine the composition of the coral microbiome remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized microbiome diversity in the temperate, facultatively symbiotic coral Astrangia poculata at four seasonal time points near the northernmost limit of the species range. The facultative nature of this system allowed us to test seasonal influence and symbiotic state (Symbiodinium density in the coral) on microbiome …

Newsroom: The Legal Impact Of Marine Debris 10-21-2016, Roger Williams University School Of Law

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Induction Of Larval Settlement In The Reef Coral Porites Astreoides By A Cultivated Marine Roseobacter Strain, Koty H. Sharp

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Successful larval settlement and recruitment by corals is critical for the survival of coral reef ecosystems. Several closely related strains of γ-proteobacteria have been identified as cues for coral larval settlement, but the inductive properties of other bacterial taxa naturally occurring in reef ecosystems have not yet been explored. In this study, we assayed bacterial strains representing taxonomic groups consistently detected in corals for their ability to influence larval settlement in the coral Porites astreoides. We identified one α-proteobacterial strain, Roseivivax sp. 46E8, which significantly increased larval settlement in P. astreoides. Logarithmic growth phase (log phase) cell cultures of Roseivivax …

Determining The Standard Metabolic Rate Of The Mantis Shrimp, Squilla Empusa: The First Step In Calculating The Heat Increment Of Feeding, Emeline Marie Kelley

Biology Theses

The heat increment of feeding (HI_F) is the metabolic response following a feeding period. There is an increase in metabolism following a meal. The heat increment of feeding of the mantis shrimp, Squilla empusa, has not been studied before, although almost half of the published invertebrate HI_F studies have been on crustaceans.

The standard metabolic rate is the minimum metabolic rate of a postabsorptive ectotherm, at rest, during its non-active period, at a defined temperature. The standard metabolic rate (SMR) of the mantis shrimp was measured using indirect calorimetry, measuring the dissolved oxygen concentrations of the …

Use Of Injectable Eugenol For Euthanasia And Anesthesia Of American Lobsters (Homarus Americanus) And Similar Species, Carlton Huntsberger

Biology Theses

Crustaceans are economically and ecologically significant, but current treatment and diagnostic protocols for crustacean health are limited. According to standards given by the American Veterinary Medical Association there are no current methods of euthanizing lobsters, nor are there effective methods of quick release anesthesia. The objective of this research demonstrated that eugenol by direct injection is a safe, efficient and reliable method for euthanizing or anesthetizing crustaceans. Anesthetic levels were determined by behavior responses, death was determined by a lack of response to stimuli. The results presented here suggest eugenol can be used as a euthanizing agent for American lobsters …

Predictive Model Of Ocean Sediment Binding, Erica Delaney

Honors Theses

This project explored the relationship between sediment size, sediment composition and the concentration of mercury. The samples were taken from Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. Knowledge and understanding of the binding ability of heavy metals, specifically mercury, will help to improve remediation efforts in the future. Analysis of elemental composition was conducted using the Elementar Analyzer and much troubleshooting of the instrument was necessary. End result of the project was the ability to work successfully with an advisor, as well as the ability to troubleshoot, operate and maintain the instrument.

Diversity And Dynamics Of Bacterial Communities In Early Life Stages Of The Caribbean Coral Porites Astreoides, Koty H. Sharp, Dan Distel, Valerie J. Paul

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

In this study, we examine microbial communities of early developmental stages of the coral Porites astreoides by sequence analysis of cloned 16S rRNA genes, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) imaging. Bacteria are associated with the ectoderm layer in newly released planula larvae, in 4-day-old planulae, and on the newly forming mesenteries surrounding developing septa in juvenile polyps after settlement. Roseobacter clade-associated (RCA) bacteria and Marinobacter sp. are consistently detected in specimens of P. astreoides spanning three early developmental stages, two locations in the Caribbean and 3 years of collection. Multi-response permutation procedures analysis …

Cryptic Species: A Mismatch Between Genetics And Morphology In Millepora, Craig Tepper, Benjamin J. Greenstein

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Millepore morphology is highly variable and shows signs of phenotypic plasticity. Two species of Millepora are present around the islands of the Bahamas: one exhibiting a strong, blade-like structure, Millepora complanata, and the other having a delicate branch-like structure, Millepora alcicornis. The phylogenetic relationship of these corals has been under considerable debate for many years. The existence of a range of intermediate growth forms exhibiting characteristics of both recognized species has led to the re-examination of this species complex. Several methods were employed to examine the taxonomic relationship including ecological abundance surveys, morphological thin-section analysis, and sequencing of …

Multi-Partner Interactions In Corals In The Face Of Climate Change, Koty H. Sharp, Kim B. Ritchie

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Recent research has explored the possibility that increased sea-surface temperatures and decreasing pH (ocean acidification) contribute to the ongoing decline of coral reef ecosystems. Within corals, a diverse microbiome exerts significant influence on biogeochemical and ecological processes, including food webs, organismal life cycles, and chemical and nutrient cycling. Microbes on coral reefs play a critical role in regulating larval recruitment, bacterial colonization, and pathogen abundance under ambient conditions, ultimately governing the overall resilience of coral reef systems. As a result, microbial processes may be involved in reef ecosystem-level responses to climate change. Developments of new molecular technologies, in addition to …

Two Distinct, Geographically Overlapping Lineages Of The Corallimorpharian Ricordea Florida (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia: Ricordeidae), H. Torres-Pratts, T. Lado-Insua, Andrew L. Rhyne, L. Rodríguez-Matos, N. V. Schizas

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

We examined the genetic variation of the corallimorpharian Ricordea florida; it is distributed throughout the Caribbean region and is heavily harvested for the marine aquarium trade. Eighty-four distinct individuals of R. florida were sequenced from four geographically distant Caribbean locations (Curaçao, Florida, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico). Analysis of the ribosomal nuclear region (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2) uncovered two geographically partially overlapping genetic lineages in R. florida, probably representing two cryptic species. Lineage 1 was found in Florida and Puerto Rico, and Lineage 2 was found in Florida, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and Curaçao. Because of the multi-allelic nature of the ITS …

Bacterial Acquisition In Juveniles Of Several Broadcast Spawning Coral Species, Koty H. Sharp, Kim B. Ritchie

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Coral animals harbor diverse microorganisms in their tissues, including archaea, bacteria, viruses, and zooxanthellae. The extent to which coral-bacterial associations are specific and the mechanisms for their maintenance across generations in the environment are unknown. The high diversity of bacteria in adult coral colonies has made it challenging to identify species-specific patterns. Localization of bacteria in gametes and larvae of corals presents an opportunity for determining when bacterial-coral associations are initiated and whether they are dynamic throughout early development. This study focuses on the early onset of bacterial associations in the mass spawning corals Montastraea annularis, M. franksi, M. faveolata, …

Bryostatins: Biological Context And Biotechnological Prospects, Amaro E. Trindade-Silva, Grace E. Lim-Fong, Koty H. Sharp

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Coral animals harbor diverse microorganisms in their tissues, including archaea, bacteria, viruses, and Bryostatins are a family of protein kinase C modulators that have potential applications in biomedicine. Found in miniscule quantities in a small marine invertebrate, lack of supply has hampered their development. In recent years, bryostatins have been shown to have potent bioactivity in the central nervous system, an uncultivated marine bacterial symbiont has been shown to be the likely natural source of the bryostatins, the bryostatin biosynthetic genes have been identified and characterized, and bryostatin analogues with promising biological activity have been developed and tested. Challenges in …

The Importance Of Open Access In Technology Transfer For Marine Ornamental Aquaculture: The Case Of Hobbyist-Led Breeding Initiative, Andrew L. Rhyne

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Access to peer-reviewed literature is often restricted to a limited segment of the target audience. Barriers are in place to prevent open access information. Here, I present a case study of how the internet and hobbyists are transforming both access and flow of information from closed circles to open dialogue within the field of marine ornamental fish rearing. This open approach is leading to innovation a rate remarkably faster and at a lower costs than could have been accomplished by traditional methods. Aquaculture societies, aquarium professionals, hobbyists, and scientists pursuing the captive production of species should embrace this movement. Whether …

How U.S. Ocean Policy And Market Power Can Reform The Coral Reef Wildlife Trade, Brian N. Tissot, Barbara A. Best, Eric H. Borneman, Andrew W. Bruckner, Cara H. Cooper, Heather D’Agnes, Timothy P. Fitzgerald, Amanda Leland, Susan Lieberman, Amy Mathews Amos, Rashid Sumaila, Teresa M. Telecky, Frazer Mcgilvray, Brian J. Plankis, Andrew L. Rhyne, Glynnis G. Roberts, Benjamin Starkhouse, Todd C. Stevenson

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

As the world’s largest importer of marine ornamental species for the aquaria, curio, home décor, and jewelry industries, the United States has an opportunity to leverage its considerable market power to promote more sustainable trade and reduce the effects of ornamental trade stress on coral reefs worldwide. Evidence indicates that collection of some coral reef animals for these trades has caused virtual elimination of local populations, major changes in age structure, and promotion of collection practices that destroy reef habitats. Management and enforcement of collection activities in major source countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines remain weak. Strengthening US …

Effects Of Salinity On Reproduction And Survival Of The Calanoid Copepod Pseudodiaptomus Pelagicus, Cortney L. Ohs, Andrew L. Rhyne, Scott W. Grabe, Matthew A. Dimaggio, Erik Stenn

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Four experiments were conducted on the calanoid copepod, Pseudodiaptomus pelagicus, to determine the effects of salinity on survival, development time, reproductive output, and population growth in order to define the optimal salinity for culture. To determine the appropriate experimental salinity range we exposed nauplii and adults to abrupt salinity changes from 35 g/L to 5, 10, 15, 35, 42, and 48 g/L at 30 °C and determined survival after 24 hours. The second experiment stocked early stage nauplii into 1 L beakers after which they were cultured using standard procedures for 10 days at six salinities (10, 15, 20, …

The Evolution Of Euhermaphroditism In Caridean Shrimps: A Molecular Perspective Of Sexual Systems And Systematics, G. Curt Fiedler, Andrew L. Rhyne, Ryoko Segawa, Tadashi Aotsuka, Nikolaos V V. Schizas

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The hippolytid genus Lysmata is characterized by simultaneous hermaphroditism, a very rare sexual system among Decapoda. Specialized cleaning behavior is reported in a few pair-living species; these life history traits vary within the genus. Unfortunately, the systematics of Lysmata and the Hippolytidae itself are in contention, making it difficult to examine these taxa for trends in life history traits. A phylogeny of Lysmata and related taxa is needed, to clarify their evolutionary relationships and the origin of their unique sexual pattern. In this study, we present a molecular phylogenetic analysis among species of Lysmata, related genera, and several putative …

Chemical Defenses: From Compounds To Communities, Valerie J. Paul, Koty H. Sharp

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Marine natural products play critical roles in the chemical defense of many marine organisms and in some cases can influence the community structure of entire ecosystems. Although many marine natural products have been studied for biomedical activity, yielding important information about their biochemical effects and mechanisms of action, much less is known about ecological functions. The way in which marine consumers perceive chemical defenses can influence their health and survival and determine whether some natural products persist through a food chain. This article focuses on selected marine natural products, including okadaic acid, brevetoxins, lyngbyatoxin A, caulerpenyne, bryostatins, and isocyano terpenes, …

A Fossil Reef From The Last Interglacial, Western Australia, Benjamin J. Greenstein, John M. Pandolfi, David R. Blakeway

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

We report an initial investigation of a Devils Point Event (DPE) style surface exposed approximately 1.5 m above present sea level in a spectacularly preserved reef sequence in southern Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia.

Shallow-Water Reefs In Transition: Examples From Belize And The Bahamas, H. Allen Curran, Benjamin J. Greenstein

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The plight of coral reefs throughout the Caribbean region has been widely reported by reef scientists. A variety of causes has lead to reefal decline, particularly in shallow waters. This study compares the responses of shallow-water reefs in Belize and the Bahamas to outbreaks of white­ band disease (WBD) and traces changes on these reefs to the early 2000s.

Prior to the mid-1980s, reef ridges of the Pelican Cays of Belize were constructed of luxu­ riant stands of Acropora cervicomis. As else­ where, this species suffered massive mortality in mid-1980s owing to WBD, and dead A. cervicor­ nis substrates were …

Taphonomic Evidence For Late Pleistocene Transitions In Coral Reef Community Composition, San Salvador, Bahamas, Thomas A. Rothfus, Benjamin J. Greenstein

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Over the past 20 years, the composi­ tion of Caribbean coral reef communities has changed drastically. The ecology of modern reefs, however, has only been studied since the late 1950's. Thus, only a thirty year data set on changes in coral community composi­ tion exists with which to assess the current faunal transition. The need for longer term data has been recognized by marine ecologists as essential for determining whether the cur­ rent transition is part of a long tenn cycle or itself is an unprecedented phenomenon.

On Telephone Pole Reef, San Salva­ dor, Bahamas, a transition from Acropora cer­ …

Nitric Oxide And Cnidarian-Dinoflagellate Symbioses: Pieces Of A Puzzle, Henry G. Trapido-Rosenthal, Katherine H. Sharp

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

The presence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity is demonstrated in the tropical marine cnidarian Aiptasia pallida and in its symbiotic dinoflagellate algae, Symbiodinium bermudense. Enzyme activity was assayed by measuring the conversion of arginine to citrulline. Biochemical characterization of NOS from Aiptasia was characterized with respect to cellular localization, substrate and cofactor requirements, inhibitors, and kinetics. In response to acute temperature shock, anemones retracted their tentacles. Animals subjected to such stress had lower NOS activities than did controls. Treatment with NOS inhibitors caused tentacular retraction, while treatment with the NOS substrate L-arginine inhibited this response to stress, as did …

Resilience And Recovery Of Coral Reefs From Large-Scale Disturbances: Contrasting Patterns For San Salvador Island, Bahamas, And Belize, Paulette Peckol, Benjamin J. Greenstein

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

Coral cover and diversity are declining while macroalgal abundance is increasing in most Caribbean coral reef systems. Although a complex interaction of natural and anthropogenic disturbances is likely causal, the effects of a specific disturbance may vary dramatically for different reef systems. The coral reefs off the coasts of San Salvador Island, Bahamas and Belize, considered to be in relatively good condition, recently experienced near-direct hits by Hurricanes Floyd (1999) and Mitch (1998), respectively. In addition, NOAA scientists indicated that during 1998, tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs) reached their highest levels above the normal annual maximum for this past century. …

Preservation Of Community Structure In Death Assemblages Of Deep‐Water Caribbean Reef Corals, John M. Pandolfi, Benjamin J. Greenstein

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

An in situ survey of deep reef environments (20 and 30 m) was conducted to determine the degree to which the community structure of live reef coral assemblages was faithfully represented in the adjacent death assemblages accumulating on the sea floor. Relative abundance of species was significantly different between life and death assemblages, and zonation patterns (in species relative abundance, coral growth form, and diversity) present in the life assemblages showed both similarities and differences to those found in the death assemblages. The difference in species distribution patterns between life and death assemblages is shown by a striking growth form …