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Articles 1 - 28 of 28
Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology
Quantifying The Respiratory Plasticity Of Common Fishes Of The Indian River Lagoon, Logan Exton
Quantifying The Respiratory Plasticity Of Common Fishes Of The Indian River Lagoon, Logan Exton
Honors Theses
Increasing water temperatures resulting from global climate change introduce new energetic demands for marine organisms. Higher energy input will be required to cope with a subsequently higher metabolic rate, affecting all aspects of an individual’s life and therefore their survival. Because estuaries act as a link between rivers and oceans, they and their inhabitants are considered to be the most threatened by climate change. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how these organisms will respond to increased stressors due to climate change. Checkered pufferfish (Sphoeroides testudineus) are among the most common teleost fish in the Indian River Lagoon, …
The Impacts Of Seasonality And Nutrient Loading On Microcystis Bloom Development In Wall Pond, Alyssa Antolak
The Impacts Of Seasonality And Nutrient Loading On Microcystis Bloom Development In Wall Pond, Alyssa Antolak
Honors Theses
The harmful cyanobacteria Microcystis globally dominates eutrophic freshwater systems. Eutrophication leading to nitrogen and phosphorus loading into aquatic systems is increasing bloom propagation and shifting diatom/dinoflagellate dominated systems to cyanobacteria dominated systems. Understanding seasonal variability and environmental parameters combined with nutrient loading will allow for a better understanding of what factors are influencing Microcystis blooms. Biweekly plankton samples and environmental parameters were collected from Wall Pond from spring 2022-spring 2023. Results show that yearly plankton samples shifted from Microcystis dominated in the early summer to diatom dominated in the late summer-early fall then back to Microcystis dominated in late fall-early …
Striped Blenny (Chasmodes Bosquianus) Presence And Behavior Between Sunrise And Sunset At Oyster Landing, South Carolina, Madeline Schuetze
Striped Blenny (Chasmodes Bosquianus) Presence And Behavior Between Sunrise And Sunset At Oyster Landing, South Carolina, Madeline Schuetze
Honors Theses
Lunar and diel cycles of fishes can help to interpret their behaviors during their reproductive season. Temperate estuaries are used by many benthic fishes for shelter and reproduction. This study examined the behavior and presence of striped blennies (Chasmodes bosquianus) during diel and lunar cycles. PVC pipe shelters were placed to mimic oyster shell nests, a natural habitat for blennies, and cameras were placed to monitor these shelters in April, May, and June 2022, during the striped blenny reproductive period. Video footage was reviewed and analyzed for the presence and behavior of both male and female blennies. Male presence …
Are Rising Seas Pushing Ghost Crabs Out Of Their Comfort Zone?, Finn Gillette
Are Rising Seas Pushing Ghost Crabs Out Of Their Comfort Zone?, Finn Gillette
Honors Theses
Ghost crabs (Ocypode quadrata) can be found on sandy beaches bordering the western Atlantic Ocean. These semiterrestrial crustaceans are often found between the swash zone and the dunes on beaches. Dunes are critical refuges for ghost crabs during storms and extreme tide events. This makes them a useful indicator species for monitoring the effects of global warming-induced sea level rise on beach biota, as their distribution patterns among beach zones may correlate with shifts found in other species. Beach surveys conducted from 2015 onward assessed the population density of ghost crabs on beaches of Horry and Georgetown counties …
Comparison Of Behavior Of Mangrove Mosquitofish Across Their Range And Identification Of Their Hybridization With Eastern Mosquitofish Using Genital Morphology, Rose Leeger
Honors Theses
The Mangrove Mosquitofish is found in many brackish and freshwater ecosystems surrounding southeast Florida and Cuba. Historical range distribution in Florida has found these fish solely in the Florida Keys and parts of Miami. This research provides an update to the northernmost range that Mangrove Mosquitofish have been observed. As the name implies, Mangrove Mosquitofish reside in areas of critical habitat: Mangrove Forests. These forests are constantly battling habitat loss and reduction due to increased urbanization in native areas. Mangrove Mosquitofish are poecillid fish species with a modified anal fin called a “gonopodium” that allows for internal fertilization. This research …
The Effect Of Blue Mussel (Mytilus Edulis) Extinction On Ecosystem Function In The Gulf Of Maine Rocky Intertidal, Sophia K. Montague
The Effect Of Blue Mussel (Mytilus Edulis) Extinction On Ecosystem Function In The Gulf Of Maine Rocky Intertidal, Sophia K. Montague
Honors Theses
Stressors associated with climate change including thermal stress and ocean acidification inhibit the growth and reproduction of many species, including the ecologically and economically important blue mussel species in the Gulf of Maine (GOM). Established scaling relationships between mussel size, abundance, and water filtration suggests that the decline of mussels will stunt GOM water filtration. This change in the rate of water filtration could have large effects on the abundance of phytoplankton, abundance of invertebrate larvae, abundance of nutrients and organic material, food web stability, and biodiversity. Overall, this thesis explores the effect of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) …
Impacts Of Human Development And Salt Marsh Characteristics On Variation In The Growth And Reproduction Of Spartina Alterniflora, Alora Lovely
Honors Theses
This study focused on how human development may impact salt marshes using the common native species Spartina alterniflora as an indicator. Salt marshes are vital coastal ecosystems that help protect against major flooding and can filter pollutants from the water. Like many environments, salt marshes have been impacted by human development in many ways, from construction of cities and roadways to pollution from industrial facilities and equipment. The salt marshes that once dominated many coastlines along the North American Atlantic coast have been destroyed or reduced in size dramatically with the extensive development that has occurred along these shores. Three …
The Influence Of Bottom Type And Water Column Stratification On Reef Fish Community Structure At Gray’S Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Bridget Campbell
The Influence Of Bottom Type And Water Column Stratification On Reef Fish Community Structure At Gray’S Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Bridget Campbell
Honors Theses
Understanding the physical and oceanographic differences across reef habitats can help researchers assess how those differences influence fish distribution and community structure, which leads to a better understanding of what a healthy reef system looks like. The traditional methods used to assess fish communities on temperate reefs are limited and often focus solely on either the reef structure or water column conditions alone. An assessment of both data sets yields a more complete understanding of the ecosystem as a whole. In this study, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) was surveyed both inside and outside a Marine Protected Area (MPA) …
Environmental Dna (Edna) Surveys For The Smalltooth Sawfish, Pristis Pectinata, In The Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, Emma M. Humphreys
Environmental Dna (Edna) Surveys For The Smalltooth Sawfish, Pristis Pectinata, In The Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, Emma M. Humphreys
Honors Theses
The Critically Endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, was historically found throughout tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. As a result of mortalities in fisheries and habitat degradation, they became largely restricted to southwest Florida in the U.S. and the Bahamas by the 1980s. However, recent public encounter reports of sawfish in the Florida panhandle, Mississippi, and Louisiana suggest this species is occasionally present in northern Gulf of Mexico waters. Targeted species surveys are needed to improve our understanding of the occurrence and status of this species in these waters. This research used environmental DNA (eDNA) methods …
Assessing The Occurrence Of Trichechus Manatus Latirostris In Mobile Bay, Alabama Using Edna, Elora Pierce
Assessing The Occurrence Of Trichechus Manatus Latirostris In Mobile Bay, Alabama Using Edna, Elora Pierce
Honors Theses
In the past several decades Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) have begun to expand their summer range into the northern Gulf of Mexico. Because this is a recent occurrence, not much is known about their habitat use and distribution in this region. Citizen-sourced sighting data suggests that Florida manatees frequent subembayments of Mobile Bay, Alabama, reaching a sighting peak in August. To assess the occurrence of manatees in this area environmental DNA surveys were used from winter (February 19-20) and summer (August 21-22) of 2018. At each of the 21 sites ranging from the mouth of Mobile Bay, …
Shark Diversity And Relative Abundance At Myrtle Beach, Sc Fishing Piers, Lynsey E. Isner
Shark Diversity And Relative Abundance At Myrtle Beach, Sc Fishing Piers, Lynsey E. Isner
Honors Theses
Sharks are frequently observed at fishing piers (Barwick et al. 2004; Martin et al. 2019). These piers offer structural habitats for shark prey items, such as smaller fish and invertebrates, which can attract sharks to piers (Barwick et al. 2004; Heupel 2005). Additionally, fishers often clean their catch and discard entrails at the pier, which also may attract sharks (Martin et al. 2019). Moreover, other factors could play a role in attracting sharks to piers. These include water quality parameters, like salinity and temperature, and the physical characteristics of the pier (Ulrich et al. 2007; Castro 1996; Heupel 2005).
The Effects Of Emotionally Appealing Messages On Perceptions About Marine Plastic Pollution: Implications For Science Communication On Social Media Outlets, Shelby Miller
Honors Theses
Marine plastic pollution (MPP) is one of the most pressing problems in the world today with many effects on ecological, economic, and social aspects of society. Global plastic production is around 322 million tons, with 10% of the world’s plastic products entering the ocean every year. Environmental campaigns use humor and shock in order to influence consumer behavior in regard to plastic products. Such approaches are important to utilize on social media in order to effectively communicate the issues posed by MPP. In this study, students and staff at the University of New Haven campus were given a survey containing …
Multi-Generational Effects Of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure On Gene Expression In Liver Tissue, Kayla Lovitt
Multi-Generational Effects Of ∆9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Exposure On Gene Expression In Liver Tissue, Kayla Lovitt
Honors Theses
Cannabis is the most commonly used, cultivated, and trafficked illicit drug worldwide. Increased availability and acceptance of cannabis and cannabinoid-containing products provide the necessity for understanding how these substances influence aging. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to concentrations of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (0.08, 0.4, 2 µM) during embryonic-larval development, the effects on aging were measured 30 months later and in the offspring of the exposed fish (F1 generation. We observed results indicating a biphasic and hormetic effect. Treatment with the lowest concentration of THC significantly increased egg production, while higher concentrations resulted in impaired …
Variability In Antibacterial Activity In The Caribbean Sponge Amphimedon Compressa, Mackenzie Reilly
Variability In Antibacterial Activity In The Caribbean Sponge Amphimedon Compressa, Mackenzie Reilly
Honors Theses
Coral reefs are essential ecosystems that provide an abundance of natural resources. Sponges, common reef inhabitants, produce a diversity of secondary metabolites that are known to serve as chemical defenses. Secondary metabolites often have ecological functions, such as antipredator and antibacterial activities. I studied the common Caribbean sponge species, Amphimedon compressa, which is known to be chemically defended. Samples were collected from three sites in Belize, two sites in Grand Cayman, and three sites in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. To determine whether antibacterial activity varied across broad or local geographic scales, sponge extracts were tested against four bacterial strains …
The Impact Of Climate Change On The Migration Phenology Of New England’S Anadromous River Herring And American Shad, Charles K. Cobb
The Impact Of Climate Change On The Migration Phenology Of New England’S Anadromous River Herring And American Shad, Charles K. Cobb
Honors Theses
Anadromous fish play important roles in food webs and nutrient cycling in both aquatic and marine ecosystems. As a result of climate change however, anadromous fish’s migration timing has begun to change, with potentially deleterious consequences to both anadromous fish, and the species that depend on them. Western coastal US studies have linked earlier anadromous fish returns to warming marine temperatures and changes in river flow regimes, but the exact temperatures thresholds that anadromous fish respond to, and the relative importance of temperatures and river flows, remain somewhat unknown. Additionally, there has been relatively little research on anadromous fish phenology …
Development And Validation Of Gene Delivery Methods For Crassostrea Virginica, Adrienne N. Tracy
Development And Validation Of Gene Delivery Methods For Crassostrea Virginica, Adrienne N. Tracy
Honors Theses
The Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is an important part of the East Coastal USA economy because aquaculture creates jobs. Sadly, the oysters are under constant threat due to increasing pollution, red tides, and diseases. Bivalves, and oysters in particular, are also becoming potential model organisms in medical research. With the sequencing of the oyster genome, scientists are focusing on deciphering the function of the predicted genes. However, the limited number of molecular and cellular tools available makes functional annotation of the genome challenging. A consistent, replicable gene delivery system needs to be developed to assess gene function and understand the …
Microfiber Concentrations In Sand From Nesting Sea Turtle Beaches In Costa Rica, South Carolina, And Florida., Kaylin Leroy, George Boneillo
Microfiber Concentrations In Sand From Nesting Sea Turtle Beaches In Costa Rica, South Carolina, And Florida., Kaylin Leroy, George Boneillo
Honors Theses
Microplastics are an increasing threat to marine environments and the organisms that inhabit them. Since plastic pollution in the ocean is prominent throughout the globe, microplastic is washing ashore, affecting important sea turtle nesting sites. This study quantified microfibers in the sand of various sea turtle nesting sites around the world. Sand samples were collected in Myrtle Beach (South Carolina), Destin (Florida) and the Pacuare Reserve (Costa Rica). The microfibers were retrieved using a super saline solution and then filtered under a hood. Filters were then counted using microscopy. Microfibers were found at every sampling site, with the lowest surface …
Potential Arm Preference Within Starfish Species Including Asterias Vulgaris And Luidia Clathrata: A Study And Summary, Rebecca Jones, Young Robert
Potential Arm Preference Within Starfish Species Including Asterias Vulgaris And Luidia Clathrata: A Study And Summary, Rebecca Jones, Young Robert
Honors Theses
Foraging arm preference was tested in two species of starfish: Asterias vulgaris and Luidia clathrata. No evidence was found for a species-wide preference or for a preference by individual sea stars, but trials were impacted by illness and resulting low sample size.
Pre-Juvenile Naked Goby (Gobiosoma Bosc) Age And Growth, Annamaria Deitz, Juliana Harding
Pre-Juvenile Naked Goby (Gobiosoma Bosc) Age And Growth, Annamaria Deitz, Juliana Harding
Honors Theses
Due to the abundance of larval naked gobies, Gobiosoma bosc, within the estuarine ichthyoplankton, it is important to understand their age and growth. Naked gobies are a largely distributed, both geographically and within an estuary, small, benthic fish species. There are 3 pairs of otoliths, calcium carbonate structures within the ear canal, that detect vibrations and record the age of the fish, both daily and annually. Using laboratory-reared gobies of a known age (Tremont et al. 2015), daily signatures on the sagittal otoliths were first validated to be daily, then a growth curve for the wild caught larvae was …
Microplastics In Fiddler Crabs (Genus Uca), Gabrielle Forbes, Eric Rosch
Microplastics In Fiddler Crabs (Genus Uca), Gabrielle Forbes, Eric Rosch
Honors Theses
Microplastics, as defined by NOAA, are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long, which cannot be seen with the naked eye. The production of plastic products and plastic use has exponentially increased since the start of plastic usage. Consequently, the amount of plastic waste has also increased greatly. Plastic waste that has been thrown out by humans into the environment breaks down into microscopic pieces, causing harm to organisms that live there. The purpose of this study was to see if there were microplastics passing through fiddler crabs (genus Uca), collected from the marsh at Waties Island, SC. Fecal …
The Effects Of Human Approach On Sanderling Foraging Behavior, Anne Hobdy, Eric Rosch
The Effects Of Human Approach On Sanderling Foraging Behavior, Anne Hobdy, Eric Rosch
Honors Theses
During low tide, sanderlings (Calidris alba) forage on small invertebrates in the sand of the intertidal zone. As a result, these common shorebirds frequently come into contact with humans who visit the beaches for a variety of activities, such as fishing or jogging. Here, the effects of three different approach types (undisturbed, passive, and aggressive) on sanderling foraging behavior were examined to help understand how human activities may be affecting their ability to search for food. At two local beaches, locomotory rate was recorded in addition to obvious changes in initial behavior. Treatments were defined as follows: 1) …
A Comparison Of Phytoplankton Nutrient Limitation Between The Marsh And Beach Environments Of Waties Island, Sc, Raymond Sgambati, George Boneillo
A Comparison Of Phytoplankton Nutrient Limitation Between The Marsh And Beach Environments Of Waties Island, Sc, Raymond Sgambati, George Boneillo
Honors Theses
The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in nutrient limitation within the beach and marsh environments at Waties Island, SC. Conducting the experiment on Waties Island allowed most physical factors to be held as constant, meaning the marsh and beach environments would serve as the only variables. Experiments were performed in the winter, spring, summer and fall of 2018 to determine temporal changes in limitation to phytoplankton and cyanobacteria growth. Nutrient additions included dissolved inorganic nitrogen (nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium), dissolved organic nitrogen (urea), and phosphate. To test for co-limitation, a nitrate & phosphate treatment was also …
Investigating The Effects Of Decreased Ph On The Intertidal Shore Crab, Hemigrapsus Nudus, Avni Gandhi
Investigating The Effects Of Decreased Ph On The Intertidal Shore Crab, Hemigrapsus Nudus, Avni Gandhi
Honors Theses
Ocean acidification has emerged as an issue for marine organisms, due to increased levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. In particular, invertebrates with calcium carbonate exoskeletons seem to be at risk. Our research investigates the potential effect of decreased pH on the weight of Hemigrapsus nudus, a species of intertidal crab found in Northern California. Over a 6 week period, crabs were maintained in individual containers with recirculating chilled seawater at 12.7°C. The control aquaria was maintained at 8.1 pH, while the experimental aquaria averaged a pH of 7.5. Crabs were weighed at two week intervals, preliminary information shows the …
Bacteriophages That Can Lyse Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, Michael Monaco
Bacteriophages That Can Lyse Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, Michael Monaco
Honors Theses
A Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteriophage was isolated from waste water and purified over multiple rounds of plaque removals and serial titrations. This bacteriophage was imaged in a transmission electron microscope and then tested with selected antibiotics for effectiveness in reducing optical density of K. pneumoniae colonies. The phage was shown to have an increased effectiveness in reducing the optical density when used together with an antibiotic that the bacteria was susceptible to.
"Patterns In The Abundance Of Benthic Algae In Streams", Courtney Wright
"Patterns In The Abundance Of Benthic Algae In Streams", Courtney Wright
Honors Theses
Benthic, microscopic algae are the main drivers of primary productivity in streams. The relationship between the abundance and productivity of benthic algae in streams and lakes and the availability of limiting nutrients, especially soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), has been extensively studied (reviewed in Allan and Castillo 2007, Larned 2010). However, nearly all of this research has been conducted on the periphyton assemblage found on hard substrates (e.g., stones, wood), while very little work has addressed the factors affecting the abundance of epipelic algae (i.e., the algae associated with depositional (soft) sediments such as sands and silts). One of the few …
The Acoustics Of Introduction: An Analysis Of Vocalizations From The Captive Introduction Of An Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, Tursiops Truncatus, Cheyenne M. Brady
The Acoustics Of Introduction: An Analysis Of Vocalizations From The Captive Introduction Of An Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, Tursiops Truncatus, Cheyenne M. Brady
Honors Theses
Vocalizations from dolphins were recorded using a hydrophone on several different occasions: from seven previously-housed dolphins prior to introduction of a new animal and from all eight dolphins together, both on the day of introduction and post-introduction. The vocalizations were categorized by visual inspection of spectrograms using Raven, then totaled and averaged. Total vocalizations appeared to peak during the physical introduction of a new individual to the previously-housed dolphins; however, the rates of vocalization per animal per hour showed that the post-introduction period had the most acoustic communications between individual dolphins. Whistles, chirps (a subcategory of whistles), and unmodulated burst …
Mathematical Modeling Of Emiliania Huxleyi And A Host-Specific Virus, Julia Middleton
Mathematical Modeling Of Emiliania Huxleyi And A Host-Specific Virus, Julia Middleton
Honors Theses
The world’s oceans provide the basis for life on the planet. One microscopic algae, the coccolithophores, and Emiliania huxleyi in particular, is a major source of carbon drawdown in the context of the global carbon cycle and account for a significant amount of the primary production in oceanic ecosystems. We know that the oceans are packed with marine viruses and they have an important role in the rise and fall of plankton populations but current mathematical models do not accurately account for virus-host interactions when predicting plankton blooms. Therefore I am using model optimization and comparison techniques to evaluate current …
The Role Of Underutilized Fish In New England's Seafood System, Taylor Witkin
The Role Of Underutilized Fish In New England's Seafood System, Taylor Witkin
Honors Theses
The global fisheries crisis has led to an increasing recognition for the need to relieve pressure on overfished, popular food fish stocks. Opportunities exist to shift consumer demand toward more sustainable choices, including fish that may be locally abundant. Attempts have been made to market underused fish (sometimes termed “trash fish”) that represent more sustainable alternatives; however, it is unclear whether consumers will choose to purchase these more sustainable options, particularly if underused fish are also unfamiliar. Chapter 1 reviews existing research and current issues surrounding sustainable seafood and the recent shift toward local, abundant, undervalued species in New England’s …