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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Preferences For Derelict Gear Mitigation Strategies By Commercial Fishers, James A. Delbene, Andrew M. Scheld, Donna Marie Bilkovic
Preferences For Derelict Gear Mitigation Strategies By Commercial Fishers, James A. Delbene, Andrew M. Scheld, Donna Marie Bilkovic
VIMS Articles
Local, national, and international efforts to address the issue of derelict fishing gear are often limited by resources and costs. Managers and policymakers have implemented various preventative, impact reducing, and curative measures to decrease derelict fishing gear abundance and impacts, but stakeholder support is essential for success. To identify stakeholder preferences and the most efficient measures to address the issue of derelict blue crab pots in Chesapeake Bay, we distributed a stated preference survey with a discrete choice experiment to 1,032 licensed commercial fishers in Virginia and received a 42% response rate. The choice experiment consisted of hypothetical scenarios with …
Confronting Sources Of Systematic Error To Resolve Historically Contentious Relationships: A Case Study Using Gadiform Fishes (Teleostei, Paracanthopterygii, Gadiformes), Adela Roa-Varón, Rebecca B. Dikow, (...), Eric J. Hilton
Confronting Sources Of Systematic Error To Resolve Historically Contentious Relationships: A Case Study Using Gadiform Fishes (Teleostei, Paracanthopterygii, Gadiformes), Adela Roa-Varón, Rebecca B. Dikow, (...), Eric J. Hilton
VIMS Articles
Reliable estimation of phylogeny is central to avoid inaccuracy in downstream macroevolutionary inferences. However, limitations exist in the implementation of concatenated and summary coalescent approaches, and Bayesian and full coalescent inference methods may not yet be feasible for computation of phylogeny using complicated models and large data sets. Here, we explored methodological (e.g., optimality criteria, character sampling, model selection) and biological (e.g., heterotachy, branch length heterogeneity) sources of systematic error that can result in biased or incorrect parameter estimates when reconstructing phylogeny by using the gadiform fishes as a model clade. Gadiformes include some of the most economically important fishes …
A Decade Of Incorporating Social Sciences In The Integrated Marine Biosphere Research Project (Imber): Much Done, Much To Do?, Ingrid Van Putten, Rachel Kelly, (...), Kevin Weng, Et Al
A Decade Of Incorporating Social Sciences In The Integrated Marine Biosphere Research Project (Imber): Much Done, Much To Do?, Ingrid Van Putten, Rachel Kelly, (...), Kevin Weng, Et Al
VIMS Articles
Successful management and mitigation of marine challenges depends on cooperation and knowledge sharing which often occurs across culturally diverse geographic regions. Global ocean science collaboration is therefore essential for developing global solutions. Building effective global research networks that can enable collaboration also need to ensure inter- and transdisciplinary research approaches to tackle complex marine socio-ecological challenges. To understand the contribution of interdisciplinary global research networks to solving these complex challenges, we use the Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) project as a case study. We investigated the diversity and characteristics of 1,827 scientists from 11 global regions who were attendees at …
The Path To An Ecosystem Approach For Forage Fish Management: A Case Study Of Atlantic Menhaden, Kristen A. Anstead, Katie Drew, David Chagaris, (...), Robert J. Latour, Et Al
The Path To An Ecosystem Approach For Forage Fish Management: A Case Study Of Atlantic Menhaden, Kristen A. Anstead, Katie Drew, David Chagaris, (...), Robert J. Latour, Et Al
VIMS Articles
Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) support the largest fishery by volume on the United States East Coast, while also playing an important role as a forage species. Managers’ and stakeholders’ increasing concerns about the impact of Atlantic menhaden harvest on ecosystem processes led to an evolution in the assessment and management of this species from a purely single-species approach to an ecosystem approach. The first coastwide stock assessment of Atlantic menhaden for management used a single-species virtual population analysis (VPA). Subsequent assessments used a forward projecting statistical catch-at-age framework that incorporated estimates of predation mortality from a multispecies VPA …
The Effects Of Scallop Dredge Fishing Practices On Physical, Behavioral, And Physiological Stress In Discarded Yellowtail Flounder, Windowpane, And Fourspot Flounder, Brooke N. Anderson, Amelia Weissman, John Mandelman, David B. Rudders, James A. Sulikowski
The Effects Of Scallop Dredge Fishing Practices On Physical, Behavioral, And Physiological Stress In Discarded Yellowtail Flounder, Windowpane, And Fourspot Flounder, Brooke N. Anderson, Amelia Weissman, John Mandelman, David B. Rudders, James A. Sulikowski
VIMS Articles
The Atlantic sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus dredge fishery is one of the most lucrative commercial fishing industries in the northeastern United States, and fish bycatch can comprise up to ~42% of the total catch. Benthic species, such as flatfish, are particularly susceptible to unintended capture in scallop dredge gear, and mitigating bycatch and associated mortality has been mandated a priority for fisheries management. Based on this management need, the present study evaluated the physical, physiological, and behavioral stress responses of Yellowtail Flounder Limanda ferruginea, Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosus, and Fourspot Flounder Paralichthys oblongus to capture in the scallop dredge …
It’S Raining Sturgeons: A Likely Occurrence Of Avian Predation Or Scavenging Of Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus Mitchell, 1815), Eric J. Hilton, Patrick E. Mcgrath
It’S Raining Sturgeons: A Likely Occurrence Of Avian Predation Or Scavenging Of Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus Mitchell, 1815), Eric J. Hilton, Patrick E. Mcgrath
VIMS Articles
Predation on the federally-endangered Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus), and sturgeons generally is understudied. Most predation is presumed to occur on eggs and larvae, and bethe result of interactions with other aquatic organisms, primarily other fishes. Predation on larger juvenile sturgeon by terrestrial and avian predators remains largely unknown. Here we document the recovery of a juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon carcass (512 mm total length) approximately 120 m inland from the shore of the York River in Gloucester County, Virginia. This individual showed signs of predation by a bird of prey, most likely an Osprey (Pandion haliaetus), although a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus …
Penaeid Shrimp In Chesapeake Bay: Population Growth And Black Gill Disease Syndrome, Troy D. Tuckey, Jillian L. Swinford, Mary C. Fabrizio, Hamish J. Small, Jeffrey D. Shields
Penaeid Shrimp In Chesapeake Bay: Population Growth And Black Gill Disease Syndrome, Troy D. Tuckey, Jillian L. Swinford, Mary C. Fabrizio, Hamish J. Small, Jeffrey D. Shields
VIMS Articles
Since 1991, the number of penaeid shrimp occurring in Virginia waters of Chesapeake Bay has steadily increased, prompting an interest in developing a fishery. Although development of a shrimp fishery in the Chesapeake Bay region could bring economic benefits, the fishery may be hampered by the presence of a disease syndrome known as shrimp black gill (sBG). The objectives of our study were to (1) describe the spatial distribution and abundance patterns of shrimp in Chesapeake Bay, (2) relate relative abundance of shrimp to habitat characteristics, and (3) determine the presence and seasonality of sBG to better understand disease dynamics …
Perspectives From The Water: Utilizing Fisher’S Observations To Inform Sne/ Ma Windowpane Science And Managemen, Richard J. Bell, M. Conor Mcmanus, Jason Mcnamee, James Gartland, Ben Galuardi, Chris Mcguire
Perspectives From The Water: Utilizing Fisher’S Observations To Inform Sne/ Ma Windowpane Science And Managemen, Richard J. Bell, M. Conor Mcmanus, Jason Mcnamee, James Gartland, Ben Galuardi, Chris Mcguire
VIMS Articles
Within fisheries, stakeholders often have varying viewpoints regarding natural marine resources, and use different sets information to evaluate their condition. Evaluating a resource with different sets of information can lead to different conclusions. Windowpane flounder (Scophthalmus aquosus) are a managed finfish species in the northwest Atlantic whose regulations have the potential to limit harvest opportunities for target species. We analyzed commercial trip and catch information from video data to understand local densities of windowpane flounder in conjunction with fisheries independent surveys. Video monitoring data from three Rhode Island commercial fisher’s vessels and fisheries independent trawl survey data were analyzed to …
Saved By The Shell: Oyster Reefs Can Shield Juvenile Blue Crabs Callinectes Sapidus, Katherine S. Longmire, Rochelle D. Seitz, Alison Smith, Romuald N. Lipcius
Saved By The Shell: Oyster Reefs Can Shield Juvenile Blue Crabs Callinectes Sapidus, Katherine S. Longmire, Rochelle D. Seitz, Alison Smith, Romuald N. Lipcius
VIMS Articles
Juvenile blue crabs Callinectes sapidus use seagrass and other structured habitats as refuges from predation. Oyster reef habitats provide structural complexity that may offer refuge, but the value of these habitats for juvenile blue crabs has not been examined. We quantified survival of juvenile C. sapidus in structured oyster reef habitat versus unstructured soft-bottom habitat. In a field tethering experiment in the York River, lower Chesapeake Bay (USA), juvenile C.sapidus (10−50 mm carapace width [CW]) were tethered in sand (n = 40) or oyster reef (n = 39)habitats at subtidal sites 1−2 m deep. An underwater camera system was used …
Methods For Identifying Species Complexes Using A Novel Suite Of Multivariate Approaches And Multiple Data Sources: A Case Study With Gulf Of Alaska Rockfish, Kristen L. Omori, Cindy A. Tribuzo, Elizabeth A. Babcock, John M. Hoenig
Methods For Identifying Species Complexes Using A Novel Suite Of Multivariate Approaches And Multiple Data Sources: A Case Study With Gulf Of Alaska Rockfish, Kristen L. Omori, Cindy A. Tribuzo, Elizabeth A. Babcock, John M. Hoenig
VIMS Articles
International and national laws governing the management of living marine resources generally require specification of harvest limits. To assist with the management of data-limited species, stocks are often grouped into complexes and assessed and managed as a single unit. The species that comprise a complex should have similar life history, susceptibility to the fishing gear, and spatial distribution, such that common management measures will likely lead to sustainable harvest of all species in the complex. However, forming complexes to meet these standards is difficult due to the lack of basic biological or fisheries data to inform estimates of biological vulnerability …
The Expanding Role Of Natural History Collections, Eric J. Hilton, Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell, Sarah K. Huber
The Expanding Role Of Natural History Collections, Eric J. Hilton, Gregory J. Watkins-Colwell, Sarah K. Huber
VIMS Articles
Museum specimens serve as the bedrock of systematic and taxonomic research and provide the basis for repeatability or reinterpretation of preserved aspects of phenotypes. Specimens are also fundamental to fields such as ecology, behavior, and development. Each specimen is a record of biodiversity and documents a particular species present at a particular place at a particular time. As such, specimens can provide key evidence for biodiversity and conservation initiatives. Four aspects of natural history collections and their use are discussed here: 1) collection, curation, and use of specimens, particularly non-traditional specimens; 2) the use of specimens and technological advances in …
A Taxonomic Review Of The Family Trachipteridae (Lampridiformes), With An Emphasis On Taxa Distributed In The Western Pacific Ocean, Jennifer Martin, Eric J. Hilton
A Taxonomic Review Of The Family Trachipteridae (Lampridiformes), With An Emphasis On Taxa Distributed In The Western Pacific Ocean, Jennifer Martin, Eric J. Hilton
VIMS Articles
The family Trachipteridae—the Ribbonfishes, Dealfishes, and their relatives—has a circumglobal distribution, with at least 10 species in three genera (Zu Walters & Fitch 1960, Desmodema Walters & Fitch 1960, and Trachipterus Goüan 1770) that are characterized by elongate, extremely laterally compressed bodies, large eyes, absence of ribs, spines on lateral-line scales, greatly protrusible mouths, and a lack of pelvic fins in adults. They are also known for the drastic morphological changes that occur during ontogeny. Trachipterids are poorly represented in collections due to the fragile nature of their bodies. Most studies of the Trachipteridae have been limited by the …
Attainability Of Accurate Age Frequencies For Ocean Quahogs (Arctica Islandica) Using Large Datasets: Protocol, Reader Precision, And Error Assessment, Kathleen M. Hemeon, Eric N. Powell, Eric Robillard, Sara M. Pace, Theresa E. Redmond, Roger Mann
Attainability Of Accurate Age Frequencies For Ocean Quahogs (Arctica Islandica) Using Large Datasets: Protocol, Reader Precision, And Error Assessment, Kathleen M. Hemeon, Eric N. Powell, Eric Robillard, Sara M. Pace, Theresa E. Redmond, Roger Mann
VIMS Articles
Ocean quahogs (Arctica islandica) are the longest lived bivalve on Earth. Individuals on the deep continental shelf off Georges Bank can survive for centuries, and in the colder, boreal waters of Iceland, ages over 500 y can be reached. Ocean quahog landings in the United States represent a $24 million industry, yet assessment models operate with no age data because of the substantial sample size required to develop adequate population age distributions for such a long-lived species, the unknown error associated with age estimates, and the extensive time and financial investment required to create production-scale age datasets. Inclusion …
A Common Love Of Science: The One-Hundredth Meeting Of The American Society Of Ichthyologists And Herpetologists, Eric J. Hilton, Aaron M. Bauer, Katherine E. Bemis, Et Al
A Common Love Of Science: The One-Hundredth Meeting Of The American Society Of Ichthyologists And Herpetologists, Eric J. Hilton, Aaron M. Bauer, Katherine E. Bemis, Et Al
VIMS Articles
One of the most important functions of an academic society such as the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH) is to host conferences for colleagues to directly share and debate ideas and data. Academic society meetings have a long history that grew from social meetings of the privileged in the 16th and 17th centuries during which scientific topics were discussed. Scientific meetings of any nature can provide a stimulating environment to discuss and argue points (Unglow, 2002), as alluded to by Joseph Priestley (1733–1804) in the epigraph, which was written with fond memory of the Lunar Society …
Modeling Oyster Reef Restoration: Larval Supply And Reef Geometry Jointly Determine Population Resilience And Performance, Romuald N. Lipcius, Yi Zhang, Jingyi Zhou, Leah B. Shaw, Junping Shi
Modeling Oyster Reef Restoration: Larval Supply And Reef Geometry Jointly Determine Population Resilience And Performance, Romuald N. Lipcius, Yi Zhang, Jingyi Zhou, Leah B. Shaw, Junping Shi
VIMS Articles
Restoration of native oyster (Crassostrea virginica) populations in Chesapeake Bay shows great promise after three decades of failed attempts. Population models used to inform oyster restoration had integrated reef habitat quality, demonstrating that reef height determines oyster population persistence and resilience. Larval recruitment drives population dynamics of marine species, yet its impact with reef height and sediment deposition upon reef restoration is unknown. To assess the influence of reef height, sediment deposition and larval supply, we adapted a single-stage population model to incorporate stage structure using a system of four differential equations modeling change in juvenile density (J), …
Reproductive Characteristics Differ In Two Invasive Populations Of Blue Catfish, Vaskar Nepal, Mary C. Fabrizio
Reproductive Characteristics Differ In Two Invasive Populations Of Blue Catfish, Vaskar Nepal, Mary C. Fabrizio
VIMS Articles
The management of invasive Blue CatfishIctalurus furcatusin Chesapeake Bay tributaries is hindered by the lackof information on its reproductive biology, which is a key component of population models used to forecast abun-dance. We quantified and compared the reproductive traits of female Blue Catfish from two populations from the tidalreaches of the James and York River subestuaries during 2015–2017. In these systems, Blue Catfish matured betweenthe ages of 6 and 10 years and spawned between May and July, with largerfish spawning earlier in the season. Dur-ing spawning events, Blue Catfish produced 2,613–68,356 eggs, with larger and olderfish producing more eggs. Fishin …
Effects Of Food Limitation On Growth, Body Condition And Metabolic Rates Of Non-Native Blue Catfish, Vaskar Nepal, Mary C. Fabrizio, Richard Brill
Effects Of Food Limitation On Growth, Body Condition And Metabolic Rates Of Non-Native Blue Catfish, Vaskar Nepal, Mary C. Fabrizio, Richard Brill
VIMS Articles
Establishment and range expansion of non-native species in novel habitats depend on their energetic requirements and food availability. Knowledge of growth and metabolic rates of non-native fishes at various food levels is particularly critical to inform models that assess their invasion potential. We compared growth rates, body condition and metabolic rates of juvenile blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), an invasive species in many lakes, coastal rivers and estuaries throughout the Eastern USA, at three ration levels: ad libitum (3.5% of fish body mass/d), two-third ad libitum and one-third ad libitum. All fish survived the entire duration of the experiment (4 months) …
Low Impact Of Different Snp Panels From Two Building-Loci Pipelines On Rad-Seq Population Genomic Metrics: Case Study On Five Diverse Aquatic Species, Adrian Casanova, Francesco Maroso, (...), Ana Verissimo, Et Al
Low Impact Of Different Snp Panels From Two Building-Loci Pipelines On Rad-Seq Population Genomic Metrics: Case Study On Five Diverse Aquatic Species, Adrian Casanova, Francesco Maroso, (...), Ana Verissimo, Et Al
VIMS Articles
The irruption of Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing(RAD-seq) in the last decade has led to the identification of thousands of molecular markers and their genotyping for refined genomic screening. This approach has been especially useful for non-model organisms with limited genomic resources. Many building-loci pipelines have been developed to obtain robust single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) genotyping datasets using a de novo RAD-seq approach, i.e. without reference genomes.Here, the performances of two building-loci pipelines, STACKS 2 and Meyer’s 2b-RAD v2.1 pipeline, were compared using a diverse set of aquatic species representing different genomic and/or population structure scenarios. Two …
A Sonic Net Reduces Damage To Sunflower By Blackbirds (Icteridae): Implications For Broad-Scale Agriculture And Crop Establishment, Amanda K. Werrell, Page E. Klug, Romuald N. Lipcius, John P. Swaddle
A Sonic Net Reduces Damage To Sunflower By Blackbirds (Icteridae): Implications For Broad-Scale Agriculture And Crop Establishment, Amanda K. Werrell, Page E. Klug, Romuald N. Lipcius, John P. Swaddle
VIMS Articles
Blackbirds, such as red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), are notorious agricultural pests and damage crops at multiple stages of growth. Our aim was to test a novel deterrent, the use of sound designed to mask communication among birds (termed a “Sonic Net”), to deter blackbirds (Icteridae) from target areas of maturing sunflower crops. The Sonic Net masks communication of a target species by delivering “pink noise” that overlaps with the frequencies that the species uses for acoustic communication. If birds cannot hear predators or conspecific warning calls their perceived predation risk increases, and they relocate to an area with lower predation …
The Extent Of Seasonally Suitable Habitats May Limit Forage Fish Production In A Temperate Estuary, Mary C. Fabrizio, Troy D. Tuckey, Aaron J. Bever, Michael L. Macwilliams
The Extent Of Seasonally Suitable Habitats May Limit Forage Fish Production In A Temperate Estuary, Mary C. Fabrizio, Troy D. Tuckey, Aaron J. Bever, Michael L. Macwilliams
VIMS Articles
The sustained production of sufficient forage is critical to advancing ecosystem-based management, yet factors that affect local abundances and habitat conditions necessary to support aggregate forage production remain largely unexplored. We quantified suitable habitat in the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries for four key forage fishes: juvenile spotted hake Urophycis regia, juvenile spot Leiostomus xanthurus, juvenile weakfish Cynoscion regalis, and bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli. We used information from monthly fisheries surveys from 2000 to 2016 coupled with hindcasts from a spatially interpolated model of dissolved oxygen and a 3-D hydrodynamic model of the Chesapeake Bay …
Environmentally-Determined Production Frontiers And Lease Utilization In Virginia's Eastern Oyster Aquaculture Industry, Jennifer Beckensteiner, Andrew M. Scheld, Pierre St-Laurent, Marjorie A.M. Friedrichs, David M. Kaplan
Environmentally-Determined Production Frontiers And Lease Utilization In Virginia's Eastern Oyster Aquaculture Industry, Jennifer Beckensteiner, Andrew M. Scheld, Pierre St-Laurent, Marjorie A.M. Friedrichs, David M. Kaplan
VIMS Articles
During the last decade, oyster aquaculture has rebounded in Virginia and has been associated with an increase in subaqueous leased area. Production levels remain historically low, however, and many leases are thought to be underutilized. This study uses a novel approach leveraging high-resolution environmental data to evaluate lease utilization and identify constraints on aquaculture development. Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) were used to define environmentally-determined production frontiers, i.e. production possibilities based on empirical observations of aquaculture production, available space, and environmental conditions. Both methods estimated Lease Capacity Utilization (LCU, from 0 to 1) for leases producing …