Marine Biology Commons^™

Socioeconomics Of The Lionfish Derby Fishery, Kristina Ann Trotta

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the western North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) have established dense populations, greatly impacting their host environments. Lionfish tournaments have been an important tool for resource managers and other concerned stakeholders in suppressing local populations of lionfish. Tournaments can also bring economic benefits to the communities where they are held, despite this not being the primary purpose.

Five derby events in Florida and the Bahamas were surveyed and 119 participants were interviewed on site, using a survey asking them to describe (1) the lionfish derby experience; (2) non-derby related lionfish …

Global Population Structure Of The Dusky Shark And Geographic Sourcing Of Shark Fins From Commercial Markets, Teagen K. Gray

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The dusky shark, Carcharinus obscurus, is a globally distributed, coastal-pelagic species subject to an apparent high level of exploitation. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists this species as “Vulnerable” globally, and “Endangered” within western North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters due to an over 80% decline in this region, with no evidence of population recovery. The extensive exploitation of dusky sharks may partly be attributed to the high market value of its fins, but the contribution of individual dusky shark stocks to the fin markets is unknown. This knowledge would be helpful to detect …

The Ecological Impact Of Casitas On Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus Argus) Populations In The Florida Keys, Fl, (Usa), Benjamin C. Gutzler

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Casitas are artificial structures placed on the seabed by fishermen to aggregate Caribbean spiny lobsters (Panulirus argus) for ease of capture. Some researchers suggest that they may also enhance lobster populations in shelter-limited environments. Conversely, aggregation of lobsters within casitas may be detrimental to the population if the nutritional condition or mortality of lobsters is poorer in casitas than in natural shelters. Small juvenile lobsters may be at particular risk because their foraging range is smaller and they are more readily preyed upon than larger lobsters. If so, then casitas placed in lobster nurseries may function as "ecological traps"; wherein …

Ultraviolet Led Biofouling Mitigation, Andrew Lam

Computer Engineering

The goal is to determine if low-cost UV LEDs can mitigate marine biofouling on small glass or acrylic camera lenses. A microprocessor-controlled experimental setup to control the illumination of low-cost UV LEDs of various wavelength and packaging was fashioned. The system consists of a programmed microcontroller, a manufactured LED breakout interface, and a submergible UV LED array enclosed in a borosilicate glass tube. A preliminary qualitative assessment of four different UV LEDs was conducted during a three-week deployment of the experimental setup in the raw seawater system at the Cal Poly Center for Costal and Marine Sciences in Avila Beach, …

Detection Of Pahs In Commercial And Wild Caught Fish Oil Using Scanning Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Edwin Antonio Pena

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The DeepWater Horizon (DWH) oil spill contaminated a large area in the Gulf of Mexico in summer 2010. It is likely that many aquatic species in the Gulf were affected by the spill. Crude oil contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs). Some PAHs are carcinogenic to fish and humans. The purpose of this project was to develop menhaden fish oil as a biomonitoring tool for crude oil contaminants such as PAHs using scanning fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS). Menhaden (Genus Brevoortia) is one of the most ecologically and economically important marine fish species along the Atlantic and Gulf coast; however, it is …

Use Of Coastal Islands By Seabirds: A Tool To Guide Future Marine Protected Areas In California, Dana A. Page

Master's Projects and Capstones

Seabird breeding colonies on islands off the coast of California offer a unique tool to help guide marine spatial planning. The life histories of seabirds can be used to develop locations of ecological importance along the coast of California. Tracking methodologies and habitat modeling related to seabird habitat utilization can be used to inform management approaches which can aid in the expansion of marine protected areas (MPAs). Protecting ocean habitats will help mitigate impacts of climate change and ensure the ecosystem services provided by marine environments. Areas within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary were analyzed to locate candidate MPA …

Water Water Everywhere: Analyzing Long Island's Water Issues And Finding Solutions For A Sustainable Future, Anthony T. Becker

2014 Student Theses

Over three million people call Long Island their home. With access to beautiful landscapes, world-renowned beaches, and proximity to New York City, it is no wonder that so many proudly call this geographic stretch of glacial till their home. However, throughout the years our actions do not necessarily reflect this affection we have to our home. Years of sprawl and human infestation across the island have resulted in widespread environmental degradation. Specifically, the water we drink and the beaches we enjoy have become endangered. I plan on studying the urban ecology of how intensified population growth led to the eutrophication …

Biogeochemistry Of Trace Elements In The Mixing Zone Of The Mississippi And Atchafalaya Rivers And Chemical Distributions As Affected By The Deepwater Horizon Blowout, Dongjoo Joung

Dissertations

Selected trace elements (TEs), dissolved organic carbon, and nutrients were studied in Louisiana Shelf waters including the Mississippi (MR) and Atchafalaya (AR) River plumes during periods of high, intermediate, and low river discharges. Seasonal variations in TEs were observed at low salinity, reflecting seasonal changes in the river water endmembers. Shelf surface water dissolved Mo, Cs, U, Ni, and Cu showed conservative behavior with minor scattering in some high salinity waters. Based on associated mixing experiments, nutrient and chlorophyll distributions, as well as surface-bottom concentration contrasts, the non-conservative behavior of TEs was variously related to colloidal flocculation (Fe, Cr), biological …

The Delivery, Speciation, And Fate Of Trace Elements In St. Louis Bay, Mississippi, Gopal Bera

Dissertations

Estuaries are dynamic regions in which there can be significant modification of the riverine flux of trace elements to the open ocean due to various geochemical, physical, and biological processes. Additionally, estuaries are often subject to anthropogenic inputs of trace elements. The first portion of this study investigated the source, behavior, and sediment interaction of anthropogenic stable cesium (Cs) in St. Louis Bay (SLB), MS. A consistent increase in stable Cs concentration was noticed in sediment cores starting from a period when a titanium dioxide refinery on SLB started operations. Weak correlation between Cs and clay percentage and strong correlations …

The Detection Of Amazonian Manatees (Trichechus Inunguis) Using Side-Scan Sonar And The Effect Of Oil Activities On Their Habitats In Eastern Ecuador, Caitlin E. Brice

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Substantial hunting pressure and habitat destruction caused by oil extraction has critically endangered the Amazonian manatee in Ecuador. The current population status is unknown because an effective method to observe them in the wild has yet to be developed. This study explored whether the Amazonian manatee persists or has been extirpated in the eastern Ecuadorian Amazon utilizing side-scan sonar to increase odds of detection. Spatial differences in probability of detection were quantified if manatees were observed. The level of chemical contamination was determined and compared spatially and temporally against historical data. Data were collected using opportunistic transect surveys and grab …

An Assessment Of Gelatinous Zooplankton And Impacts On Planktonic Community Structure In Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, Christie L. Castellano

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Local populations of gelatinous zooplankton are experiencing increases in response to changes in coastal ecosystems due to anthropogenic forces. The abundance of the Atlantic sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) has dramatically increased in Barnegat Bay, NJ. Lift net sampling was used to determine the density and distribution of sea nettle and ctenophore {Mnemiopsis leidyi) populations, while zooplankton tows were used to compare relationships between their abundance to that of other zooplankton species. Lift net results showed substantial spatial and temporal variability in density and distribution of ctenophores and sea nettles, with these patterns being inversely proportional. Chrysaora quinquecirrha was more abundant …

Elements Of A Successful Plan: Marine Invasive Species Management, Caitlin Gerber

Muskie School Capstones and Dissertations

Marine invasive species are becoming an increasing threat to marine ecosystems and coastal economies around the world. The purpose of this study is to determine the elements of an effective invasive species program in a variety of places and to come up with suggestions for how to implement this in Maine, specifically in terms of combatting Green Crabs

Resident Benthic Fishes Of Artificial Reefs In The Mississippi Sound: Effects Of Habitat Relief And Subregion, Claire Louise Matten

Master's Theses

One of the fundamental questions of artificial reef research concerns the capability of these manmade structures to promote secondary production. Many researchers have questioned whether artificial reefs increase the production of fish biomass, or simply aggregate existing fish biomass. Most previous research has focused on production of transient fish biomass, because of the high recreational and commercial value of these species. Establishing a link between transient fish production and artificial reef primary and secondary production has proved difficult. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the productivity of benthic fishes resident to artificial reefs in the Mississippi Sound, …

Taxonomy, Diversity, And Distribution Patterns Of Portunid Crab Megalopae In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico During Fall Of 2003, Carley Rain Knight

Master's Theses

The field of zooplankton biology contributes to more accurate stock assessments as well as to a greater understanding of the marine food web. However, adequate information for the invertebrate component of zooplankton is lacking compared to the ichthyoplankton component. In this thesis, identification of Portunidae (Crustacea: Decapoda) megalopae collected during the fall of 2003 from a NOAA SEAMAP cruise revealed 7 species and 11 morphs with 90% of the total density comprised of Callinectes sapidus, Achelous gibbesii, Callinectes similis, Achelous spinicarpus, and Achelous sp.I. Keys and detailed descriptions are provided along with photographs and morphological drawings for each morph to …

Prokaryotic Diversity Of The Wastewater Outfalls, Reefs, And Inlets Of Broward County, Alexandra Mandina Campbell

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

We applied culture-independent, next-generation sequencing (NGS) high throughput pyrosequencing, to characterize the microbial communities associated with near shore seawater in Broward County, FL. These waters flow over coral reef communities, which are part of the Florida reef tract, and are close to shore where bathers frequent. Through a close partnership with the NOAA FACE program, 38 total seawater samples were taken from 6 distinct locales -the Port Everglades and Hillsboro Inlets, Hollywood and Broward wastewater outfalls, and the associated reef waters-over the course of one year. Tagged 16S rRNA amplicons were used to generate longitudinal taxonomic profiles of marine bacteria …

Conch Population Demographics And Habitat Association Near Port Everglades Inlet, Florida, Charlotte A. Berry

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The queen conch (Strombus gigas) is a large marine gastropod found throughout the tropical western Atlantic including Florida. Overfishing and habitat loss have led to Caribbean-wide population declines requiring regional protections. On Florida’s east coast, aggregations of conch were previously reported just south of a major shipping port near Ft. Lauderdale, unusually high latitude for the species. This study was designed to investigate the spatial extent and population demographics of the Ft. Lauderdale conch. In summer 2012, broad-scale population surveys were conducted to document benthic cover and conch distribution and size data along 72 random transects stratified across …

Behavioral Criteria For The Diagnosis Of Domoic Acid Toxicosis In Zalophus Californianus, Christiana Wittmaack

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Introduction

California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) health is severely compromised by domoic acid toxicosis, which occurs in high levels during harmful algal blooms of Pseudonitzschia australis along the coast of California. Current diagnostic protocols are often inconclusive due to a 2-48 hour window of detectability within the urinary, circulatory, and gastric systems (Cook, et al. 2011 and Monte, Pers Comm, 2012). Past studies suggest that Z. californianus, with domoic acid toxicosis, commonly display abnormal behaviors (Goldstein, et al. 2008). However, many of these abnormal behaviors are also associated with other diagnoses and are therefore unreliable as diagnostic indicators. …

The Effects Of Ocean Acidification And Eutrophication On The Growth, Lipid Composition And Toxicity Of The Marine Raphidophyte Heterosigma Akashiwo., Julia Rose Matheson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Anthropogenic forcing, such as ocean acidification caused by rising carbon dioxide emissions, and eutrophication due to increased nutrient loadings in run-off, are causing major changes to the biogeochemistry of the oceans. As a consequence, coastal phytoplankton are susceptible to altered biogeochemical environments. This study examined the effect of a lower pH and increased levels of nutrients on the common coastal harmful alga, Heterosigma akashiwo. Growth rates, maximal cell yields, neutral lipid accumulation and toxicity of cells grown under various pH and nutrients regimes were measured. H. akashiwo growth was near maximal when grown at lower pH levels. There was …

Measuring Viability Of The Red-Tide Dinoflagellate Lingulodinium Polyedra Following Treatment With Ultraviolet (Uv) Light, Scott Riley

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Harmful algae blooms (HABs) have caused millions dollars in annual losses to the aquaculture industry, inhibited beach recreation, and have threatened marine and human health. HABs and red tides can develop suddenly and their frequency, geographic range, and intensity have increased over the past decade. A possible source for spreading and seeding new areas expanding the geographic range of HABs is ballast water. The process of ballast water discharge has been identified as a primary vector for the translocation of non-indigenous species (NIS) and invasive species. National and international efforts are currently underway to address the impact of NIS and …

Evidence Of The Enemy Release Hypothesis: Parasites Of The Lionfish Complex (Pterios Volitans And P. Miles) In The Western North Atlantic, Gulf Of Mexico, And Caribbean Sea, Kayelyn Regina Simmons

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Invasive species are becoming more common as human interactions within coastal waters and the aquarium trade continues to increase. The establishment of the invasive lionfish complex Pterois volitans and P. miles from the Indo-Pacific to the Western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea has had significant negative effects on reef fish biodiversity and economically important species. Their rapid colonization and success has been attributed to their biological and ecological life history traits as well as their absence of predation. Past research has highlighted these characteristics; however, there is a knowledge gap in lionfish parasitism. This research explored the …

Increase Of Excavating Sponges On Caribbean Coral Reefs: Reproduction, Dispersal, And Coral Deterioration, Andia Chaves-Fonnegra

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Coral reefs ecosystems are deteriorating and facing dramatic changes. These changes suggest a shift in dominance from corals to other benthic organisms. Particularly in the Caribbean Sea, with corals dying, sponges have become the leading habitat-forming benthic animals. However, little is known about what life-history traits allow organisms to proliferate in a marine system that is undergoing change. Thus, the objective of this dissertation was to try to understand the current increase of encrusting excavating sponges on deteriorating Caribbean coral reefs through the study of reproduction, recruitment and dispersal potential of the widely distributed and currently expanding species, Cliona delitrix …

A Female Audience Increases Frequency Of Showy Agonistic Displays In Male Siamese Fighting Fish, Raisa Lück

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The audience effect refers to a situation where individuals alter displays in the presence of bystanders. By changing display choice, displayers can optimize their effectiveness against both the opponent and audience. Many displays – territorial, aggressive, warning, and threatening – fall into the broad category of agonistic behavior. Male Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens) are known for being territorial, and they use the same set of stereotypical displays repeatedly from one male to the next. I observed effects of a female audience on male Betta displays to determine if males use certain displays more frequently than others when a female …

Stream Crossing Barrier Prioritization Methods For Increasing Eastern Brook Trout Habitat In The Little Androscoggin River Watershed, Michele Windsor

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Eastern Brook Trout (Salvelinas fontanalis) are an important cold water fishery in the state of Maine. While populations in Maine are relatively abundant there has been decline in some parts of its range due in part to loss of habitat connectivity. Brook trout require access to specific types of stream habitat for spawning, feeding, and seasonal thermal refuges. Stream crossing structures such as undersized, poorly installed, or blocked culverts, as well as small remnant dams, can create barriers to accessing important stream habitat for brook trout. A recent Fish Barrier/Culvert Survey in the Little Androscoggin River Watershed provided data about …

Combined Gut Content-Stable Isotope Trophic Analysis And Satellite Tagging Of The Pelagic Stingray Pteroplaytrygon Violacea (Bonaparte, 1832) From The Western North Atlantic Ocean, Tiffany A. Weidner

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The pelagic stingray, Pteroplatytrygon violacea, is a bycatch species in the global pelagic longline fishery. However, little research has been conducted on its basic biology, including prey composition, trophic positioning, and habitat utilization. Descriptions of the habitat utilization have largely been through indirect analyses of catch rates in commercial fisheries, which also provided no information on actual behaviors. The first chapter of this thesis will describe the habitat utilization and behavior of four individual pelagic stingrays using electronic tagging technology. Prior diet descriptions were hampered, in part, by low sample sizes and accordingly provided little information on the ecological …

Molecular Ecology Of Globally Distributed Sharks, Christine B. Testerman

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Many sharks have life history characteristics (e.g., slow growth, late age at maturity, low fecundity, and long gestation periods) that make their populations vulnerable to collapse due to overfishing. The porbeagle (Lamna nasus), bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas), great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), and smooth hammerhead (S. zygaena), are all commercially exploited. The population genetic structure of these species was assessed based on globally distributed sample sets using mitochondrial control region (mtCR) sequences and/or nuclear markers. Complex patterns of evolutionary and demographic history were inferred using coalescent and statistical moment-based methods. All four species showed …

Benthic And Planktonic Microalgal Community Structure And Primary Productivity In Lower Chesapeake Bay, Matthew Reginald Semcheski

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Microalgal populations are trophically important to a variety of micro- and macroheterotrophs in marine and estuarine systems. In Chesapeake Bay, microalgae facilitate the survival and development of ecologically and economically relevant fauna, including shellfish and finfish populations. While regarded as significant components of coastal environments, microphytobenthic communities are historically understudied. In Chesapeake Bay, the importance of phytoplankton to the ecosystem is understood, but the contribution of microphytobenthos remains unclear. This project surveys intertidal microphytobenthic communities, in relation to phytoplankton communities, around lower Chesapeake Bay describing the taxonomic makeup of these populations, coupled with quantification of cell abundance, biomass, and primary …

Trophic Dynamics And Feeding Ecology Of The Southeast Florida Coastal Pelagic Fish Community, Travis Allan Moore

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The combined methods of stomach content analysis and stable ¹⁵N and ¹³C isotope biochemistry analysis were used to investigate the trophic dynamics and feeding ecology of coastal pelagic fishes in the waters off southeastern Florida, USA. The coastal pelagic fish complex includes blackfin tuna Thunnus atlanticus, dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus, king mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla, little tunny Euthynnus alletteratus, skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis, and wahoo Acanthocybium solandri. These coastal teleosts, particularly the tunas and wahoo, are primarily targeted by recreational anglers. However, there is a shortage of available trophic and diet composition data concerning …

Growth Of The Marine Fish-Killing Phytoflagellate, Heterosigma Akashiwo Under Emerging Coastal Regimes: Temperature, Eutrophication And Ocean Acidification, Cayla M. Bronicheski

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Coastal oceans are fundamental to human economies, nutrition and recreation. Anthropogenic stressors have led to the acceleration of the nitrogen cycle, the accumulation of inorganic carbon in the earth’s atmosphere, the loss of UV-scavenging upper atmospheric ozone and the overall accumulation of deep elements from the earth’s crust to surface exposure. These changes have caused ocean acidification and eutrophication events in coastal waters and the impacts of these events on primary production and ocean biodiversity are not yet fully understood.

This study examined the effects of predicted future ocean conditions (salinity, temperature, reduced seawater pH and modified nitrogen supplies), on …

Post Disturbance Coral Populations: Patterns In Live Cover And Colony Size Classes From Transect Studies In Two Oceans, Claire A. Dolphin

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes data acquired in French Polynesia in the Pacific and The Bahamas (Atlantic), both oceans affected by recent, well documented and sequential disturbances. For the purposes of this study, a disturbance is defined as a perturbation of environmental, physical or biological conditions that causes a distinct change in the ecosystem. After several decades of coral bleaching events, biological change, and anthropogenic impacts, rapid assessments of the coral community were accomplished by collecting photo-transects across the reefs to extract size structure of the corals, percent live tissue cover and perform a faunal evaluation. Cluster analyses and spatial autocorrelation tests …

Kingswood Lake Management Plan, Sarah Martina Tierney

Honors Theses and Capstones

High water quality and natural buffers exist on Kingswood Lake located in Brookfield, New Hampshire. A comprehensive lakes inventory (CSI) was recorded and health of the land, wildlife, and waterways were observed. Educational outreach was taken to inform the local community and to instruct them on proper stewardship of the land. A completed watershed management plan was constructed including key recommendation of limiting nitrogen loading in the area, checking septic systems for leaching, stabilizing shoreline from erosion, and establishing man-made rain gardens to help preserve water quality. The Kingswood watershed management plan acts as a guide for the town of …