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Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology
Morphological Plasticity In The Tropical Sponge Anthosigmella Varians: Responses To Predators And Wave Energy., Malcolm Hill, April L. Hill
Morphological Plasticity In The Tropical Sponge Anthosigmella Varians: Responses To Predators And Wave Energy., Malcolm Hill, April L. Hill
Biology Faculty Publications
The goal of the research presented here was to examine phenotypic plasticity exhibited by three morphotypes of the common Caribbean sponge Anthosigmella varians (Duchassaing & Michelotti). We were interested in examining the biotic (and, to a lesser extent, abiotic) factors responsible for branch production in this species. We also tested the hypothesis that the skeleton may serve an antipredator function in this sponge, focusing on vertebrate fish predators (i.e., angelfish) in this work. In transplant and caging experiments, unprotected forma varians replicates were immediately consumed by angelfish, while caged replicates persisted on the reef for several months. These findings support …
Impact Of Sea Grass Density On Carbonate Dissolution In Bahamian Sediments, David J. Burdige, Richard C. Zimmerman
Impact Of Sea Grass Density On Carbonate Dissolution In Bahamian Sediments, David J. Burdige, Richard C. Zimmerman
OES Faculty Publications
Carbonate dissolution has been widely observed in shallow water tropical sediments. However, sediment budgets C have generally not been closed with respect to the amount of acid required to produce the observed carbonate dissolution. Recently it has been suggested that enhanced oxygen transport into sediments through the roots and rhizomes of sea grasses might play a role in resolving this mass balance problem. We conducted studies of sea grass-carbonate sediment interactions around Lee Stocking Island, Exuma Islands, Bahamas to further examine this problem. Our studies showed that alkalinity, total dissolved inorganic carbon (ΣCO2) and Ca2+ increased with …