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Articles 1 - 29 of 29
Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology
Examining The Relationship Between Stomiiform Fish Morphology And Their Ecological Traits, Mikayla L. Twiss
Examining The Relationship Between Stomiiform Fish Morphology And Their Ecological Traits, Mikayla L. Twiss
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Trait-based ecology characterizes individuals’ functional attributes to better understand and predict their interactions with other species and their environments. Utilizing morphological traits to describe functional groups has helped group species with similar ecological niches that are not necessarily taxonomically related. Within the deep-pelagic fishes, the Order Stomiiformes exhibits high morphological and species diversity, and many species undertake diel vertical migration (DVM). While the morphology and behavior of stomiiform fishes have been extensively studied and described through taxonomic assessments, the connection between their form and function regarding their DVM types, morphotypes, and daytime depth distributions is not well known. Here, three …
Vertical And Diel Behavior Patterns Of Adult Lemon Sharks (Negaprion Brevirostris) Around The Southeastern Florida And Western Bahamas Coastal Shelves, Jacquelyne Reuder
Vertical And Diel Behavior Patterns Of Adult Lemon Sharks (Negaprion Brevirostris) Around The Southeastern Florida And Western Bahamas Coastal Shelves, Jacquelyne Reuder
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) is a large sub-tropical species found in the western Atlantic Ocean from Virginia to Brazil, including The Bahamas and Caribbean Sea. Previous studies on habitat utilization were conducted on juveniles in The Bahamas, but little is known about vertical depth and temperature preferences of adults. Given the species’ risk to overexploitation and habitat degradation, the IUCN Red List recently listed lemon sharks as Vulnerable. Pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) were deployed on lemon sharks (n=7) in 2008 and 2009 off Jupiter, Florida (n=6; two females, four males) and Tiger Beach, Bahamas (n=1; one …
Integrative Revision Of Five Genera Type Species For Zoanthidea To Bridge The Parataxonomy Gap, Jacob Colbert
Integrative Revision Of Five Genera Type Species For Zoanthidea To Bridge The Parataxonomy Gap, Jacob Colbert
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Cnidarian order Zoanthidea is a relatively understudied group of invertebrates inhabiting a diverse range of marine habitats. Over/During the last two decades, species descriptions within this order have largely been based on a novel molecular parataxonomic system that relies almost exclusively on DNA barcodes to detect and describe new species. DNA barcodes are short, conserved sequences that are readily compared across taxa and used to detect previously described species. The existing taxonomic system, based on anatomical analysis and the identification of evolutionarily informative characters for phylogenetic inference, has been recently replaced by molecular parataxonomy by some scientists/researchers. While molecular sequence …
Quantifying The Toxicological Effects Of The Organic Uv Filters Avobenzone And Homosalate On Acropora Cervicornis, Samantha F. Buckley
Quantifying The Toxicological Effects Of The Organic Uv Filters Avobenzone And Homosalate On Acropora Cervicornis, Samantha F. Buckley
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Reports of the environmental effects of organic UV filters such as oxybenzone have led to the marketing of “reef-safe” sunscreen ingredients, including avobenzone and homosalate. Avobenzone provides broad-spectrum UV protection which blocks higher wavelength UV rays, the leading cause of aging and skin cancer. However, as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organic UV filters have similar structures to crude oil and estrogens, some of which have been labeled endocrine disrupters. Common in personal care products, UV filters enter marine ecosystems via wastewater effluent and swimmers. Significant stress and mortality have been observed in juvenile and some adult scleractinian corals after exposure …
Toxicity And Effectiveness Of A New Two-Part Underwater Adhesive For Coral Restoration, Matthew Rojano
Toxicity And Effectiveness Of A New Two-Part Underwater Adhesive For Coral Restoration, Matthew Rojano
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
As coral cover decreases around the world due to disease, bleaching events, and anthropogenic effects, coral restoration projects become increasingly important. A crucial part of many coral restoration projects is the attachment of corals to substrates in nurseries or reef substrates during outplanting. The effective anchoring of transplants is a critical phase in coral restoration and the adhesive used for attachment is crucial. Commonly used adhesives have several drawbacks: there are long mixing times, low substrate adhesion, and lengthy hardening times. To address these issues and provide an effective alternative for coral restoration activities, a new two-part Mixed Adhesive was …
Ship Groundings And Boulder Deployment: A Study On Restoration Of Ship Grounding Sites In The Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area, Shane Wever
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Coral reefs are widely regarded as one of the world’s most important ecosystems. These ecosystems have been in a state of rapid decline worldwide due to chronic stressors and acute disturbances. Ship groundings on coral reefs are one of the most destructive acute disturbances, damaging both the biological community and the underlying reef framework. Once disturbed, these reef ecosystems often require restoration to promote recovery. Southeast Florida is home to an extensive high latitude reef system located near a highly developed and densely populated coast. In 2006, two large commercial vessels, the Spar Orion and Clipper Lasco, grounded north of …
Larval Ecology Of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus Thynnus): New Insights From Otolith Microstructure, Biotic, And Abiotic Analyses From The Gulf Of Mexico And Mediterranean Sea, Estrella Malca
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABT), Thunnus thynnus, spawn in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and the Mediterranean Sea (MED). Spawning occurs within narrow temporal and environmental parameters. Efforts to characterize growth of ABT in wild conditions revealed a wide range of growth variability during the early life stages. This series of studies examined potential biotic and abiotic influences of larval growth from seven ABT cohorts, and identified several key drivers of growth for this commercially valuable species. A detailed investigation of larval dynamics using otolith microstructure was conducted as follows. First, companion growth curves and stable isotope analysis from the same …
Assessing Broad-Scale Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Intervention Activities In Southeast Florida, Usa, Kathryn Toth
Assessing Broad-Scale Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease Intervention Activities In Southeast Florida, Usa, Kathryn Toth
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Reef-building corals are crucial to the long-term existence of Caribbean coral reef ecosystems, providing both direct and indirect, local and global, ecological, economic, and social benefits. Stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is endemic in southeast Florida first appearing in 2014 and present in 2022. Effective in situ disease intervention treatments using antibiotic paste stop disease progression ~ 90% of the time. Between May 2019 and April 2022, 1,037 corals, >85% of which were Montastraea cavernosa, were treated during disease intervention dives in southeast Florida. This study investigated intervention activities over three years in an effort to make them more …
Caribbean Reef-Building Coral-Symbiodiniaceae Network: Identifying Symbioses Critical For System Stability In A Changing Climate, Shaman Patel
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Increasing global ocean temperatures and frequency of marine heatwaves pose dire consequences for coral reefs. High temperatures often lead to disruptions in coral symbiosis resulting in coral bleaching, increasing the mortality of corals. However, corals can potentially avoid bleaching peril by associating with thermally tolerant symbionts. Here we provide a tool for understanding symbiosis network stability of Caribbean reef-building corals. We created a network of Caribbean hermatypic corals and their associated Symbiodiniaceae phylotypes. A bleaching model was applied to this network to test for resilience and robustness (R50) to thermal stress. It was also layered with trait data for coral …
Crustacean Assemblage Structure Over The Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone Of The Mid-Atlantic Ridge Collected During The 2009 Henry B. Bigelow Expedition, Kathryn Medina
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The Charlie Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ) consists of two nearly parallel fracture transform faults that intersect the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) axis. This area has high primary productivity and biomass levels due to the topography and water. A predominant hydrographic feature of the MAR is the Sub-Polar Front (SPF) which runs along the southern edge of the CGFZ and is known as a biogeographical boundary for multiple species. As part of The Census of Marine Life project Patterns and Processes of the Ecosystem of the northern Mid-Atlantic (MAR-ECO), this study analyzed the abundance and distribution patterns of the CGFZ crustacean community …
Effects Of Net Type On The Quantification Of Pelagic Shrimp And Krill In The Gulf Of Mexico, Eric J. Lee
Effects Of Net Type On The Quantification Of Pelagic Shrimp And Krill In The Gulf Of Mexico, Eric J. Lee
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Trawls are an effective and widely used method for collecting micronekton because they can sample large volumes of sparsely distributed organisms, as well as allow for direct species identification of collected samples. However, net sampling methods are known to be highly variable in terms of design and catchability, and comparisons of deep-sea trawl data from two different types of nets over the same spatial and temporal scale are relatively rare. The current study is unique because it provides such an analysis for micronektonic crustaceans in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) by comparing the trawling efficacy of a smaller 10 m …
Size Structuring Of Myctophids In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico In The Years Following The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Adam Warren
Size Structuring Of Myctophids In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico In The Years Following The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Adam Warren
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Body size is one of the main determinants of marine ecosystem structure and is correlated with many behavioral processes such as diel vertical migration (DVM). Myctophidae, a highly abundant, speciose, and globally distributed fish family, perform diel vertical migrations between the epipelagic zone at night and the mesopelagic zone during the day with vertical distributions varying with ontogeny, and therefore body length. Understanding how DVM contributes to an ecosystem’s structure is important to understanding ecosystem functioning, especially in response to anthropogenic impacts such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in myctophid …
The Impacts Of Egg Chamber Depth And Clutch Size On Hatching And Emergence Success For Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta) On South Florida Beaches, Curtis J. Slagle
The Impacts Of Egg Chamber Depth And Clutch Size On Hatching And Emergence Success For Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta) On South Florida Beaches, Curtis J. Slagle
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
All seven extant species of sea turtle are either threatened or endangered due to a multitude of anthropogenic and environmental factors. There has been strong emphasis on reversing this trend through various conservation efforts at multiple life stages, yet, if hatchlings never develop within the nest or are unable to escape the egg chamber, then these efforts are futile. Understanding how they develop, the factors impacting this development and their ability to emerge from the egg chamber are essential for sea turtle conservation. Important factors that may impact hatching success (HS) and emergence success (ES) are egg chamber depth (ECD) …
Relationships Between Mercury And Trophic Level In Nine Coastal Pelagic Fishes Off Southeastern Florida, Emily Akins
Relationships Between Mercury And Trophic Level In Nine Coastal Pelagic Fishes Off Southeastern Florida, Emily Akins
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
State and federal agencies have issued consumption advisories for various fish species for many years, including in Florida. Upper-level predatory fish, such as tunas and mackerels, are especially popular with anglers but are susceptible to high levels of mercury through bioaccumulation and biomagnification. This study used two data sets over two time periods, 2010-2012 and 2020-2021, to compare mercury and trophic level relationships in nine coastal pelagic fishes is Southeastern Florida. As these species are popular in recreational fisheries, charter and tournament catches formed the base of the samples that were analyzed for total mercury along with carbon and nitrogen …
Benthic Community Dynamics And Stony Coral Demographics In Florida In Relation To Acute Disturbances And Chronic Pressures, Nicholas P. Jones
Benthic Community Dynamics And Stony Coral Demographics In Florida In Relation To Acute Disturbances And Chronic Pressures, Nicholas P. Jones
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The persistence of coral reef communities is threatened by a suite of pressures operating at varying spatial and temporal scales. In general, acute disturbances (short term stochastic events such as marine heatwaves or hurricanes) and chronic pressures, such as ocean warming, have caused the most significant changes to stony coral assemblages (order Scleractinia) and continue to impair recovery potential. Additionally, many coral reefs are subject to local chronic anthropogenic pressures resulting in poor water quality or sedimentation, which further impact stony corals and shape benthic community structure, particularly near urbanized coastlines. For the viability of communities on coral reefs, a …
Preliminary Trials To Assess Bycatch Reduction Potential For Deep-Set Pelagic Longline Gear In The U.S. Atlantic Fishery, Sean T. Wilms
Preliminary Trials To Assess Bycatch Reduction Potential For Deep-Set Pelagic Longline Gear In The U.S. Atlantic Fishery, Sean T. Wilms
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline fishery uses a shallow-set gear configuration to primarily target swordfish (Xiphias gladius) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) at depths of around 75-100 m. However, the fishery has been the subject of several bycatch reduction regulations due to incidental catch and mortality of sea turtles, seabirds, marine mammals, and istiophorid billfishes. An alternative deep-set technique, used by the U.S. pelagic longline fishery based in Hawaii and several non-U.S. fleets, differs from the shallow-set pelagic longline gear by deploying a greater length of mainline per unit distance using a mechanical line shooter, resulting in a deeper catenary …
Impacts On Fast-Start Performance: How Do Group Size And Habitat Degradation Alter The Escape Behavior Of A Schooling Coral Reef Fish?, Monica D. Bacchus
Impacts On Fast-Start Performance: How Do Group Size And Habitat Degradation Alter The Escape Behavior Of A Schooling Coral Reef Fish?, Monica D. Bacchus
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Escaping predation is essential for species survival, but prey must effectively match their response to the perceived threat imposed by a predator. Fish evaluate their surroundings using several sensory stimuli, including olfactory, visual, auditory, and mechanical cues. A range of taxa use the fast-start response to evade predators, including fishes, sharks, and larval amphibians. While the fast-start response (rapid bursts of swimming) is extensively studied in solitary fishes, the factors that mediate the collective escape response in schools of fish have historically been investigated far less. To address this knowledge gap, the collective escape behavior and individual escape performance of …
Determination Of Atlantic Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus Oxyrinchus) Population Genetic Structure And Comparison Of Mitogenomic Markers, Marissa Mehlrose
Determination Of Atlantic Shortfin Mako Shark (Isurus Oxyrinchus) Population Genetic Structure And Comparison Of Mitogenomic Markers, Marissa Mehlrose
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
This study provides the first genomics-level, population structure and genetic diversity assessment of the shortfin mako (Isurus oxyrinchus) shark. The assessments were based on mitogenome sequences from makos distributed throughout the Atlantic Ocean, with Pacific mako mitogenomes used as a comparative outgroup. In addition to complete mitogenome-based analyses, I assessed individual mitochondrial coding gene and non-coding (Control Region) sequences for their comparative resolution properties as markers for revealing matrilineal population structure and genetic diversity. Sequencing of 125 makos in the western and eastern Atlantic across northern and southern hemispheres yielded 92 complete mitogenomes (16,698-16,702 bp) and 33 partial …
Variability In The Vertical Distributions Of Mesopelagic Fishes: Effect Of Body Size, Season, And Sampling Strategy On The Characterization Of Diel Vertical Migration, Brandon A. Brule
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Diel vertical migration, or DVM, is defined as the large-scale changes in the depth distribution of a species or an assemblage with respect to the time of day. DVM is the largest active movement of biomass on Earth, driven by the need for food balanced against predator avoidance and metabolic constraints. Asynchronous diel vertical migration, in the context of this study, refers to the phenomenon where only a portion of a species’ population migrates upwards at night while others remain at depth. The extent that factors such as temporal variation, ontogenic variation, and methodological variation explain this migratory pattern is …
Evaluation Of Nearshore Carbonate Chemistry Within Major Navigational Inlets Of The Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area, Harrison Davis
Evaluation Of Nearshore Carbonate Chemistry Within Major Navigational Inlets Of The Kristin Jacobs Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area, Harrison Davis
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) by ocean surface water is causing ocean acidification (OA), a process by which the reaction between water and CO2 changes ocean carbonate chemistry. Predictions of OA trajectories modeled by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are based on open ocean trends and may not accurately predict changes to variable nearshore ecosystems. The dynamic nature of nearshore ocean chemistry, and prevalence of OA vulnerable species within these ecosystems complicates the process of making accurate OA impact predictions within the coastal zone. Florida’s coral reef is a nearshore ecosystem vulnerable to …
Abundance, Site-Fidelity, And Association Patterns Of Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) Off Southeast Florida, Graysen D. Boehning
Abundance, Site-Fidelity, And Association Patterns Of Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) Off Southeast Florida, Graysen D. Boehning
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The coastal bottlenose dolphin is well studied throughout its natural range, however, most of the study areas comprised wide, well-protected habitats such as bays and estuaries, and not narrow coastal sandbanks. This study identifies a residential group of coastal bottlenose dolphins utilizing the narrow sandbanks within the Northwestern Atlantic waters off the coast of Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. From 2014-2020, 313 boat surveys were conducted, and 585 individual dolphins were identified using photo-ID. Twenty-four animals were determined to be full-time and 66 animals were determined to be part-time residents. Full-time and part-time residents associated in three social tribes, with …
Polychlorinated Organic Contaminants In Baleen From North Pacific Ocean Whales, Briana R. Coulter
Polychlorinated Organic Contaminants In Baleen From North Pacific Ocean Whales, Briana R. Coulter
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Persistent organic pollutants (POP) have been detected and analyzed in various baleen whale tissues (blubber, muscles, liver, etc.) This study concentrated on detecting 7 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and 14 organochlorine pesticides from baleen, a baleen whale tissue never before analyzed for POPs. These data were used to investigate temporal and geographic trends by sampling at every 1 cm interval along the length of the baleen plate. Four species of baleen whales stranded in the North Pacific Ocean were included in this study: gray (n=2), humpback (n=2), minke (n=1), and blue (n=1) whales. Organic contaminant concentrations were analyzed with respect to …
Toxicological Assessment Of Zinc Oxide And Titanium Dioxide On Staghorn Coral, Acropora Cervicornis, Katherine E. Meurer
Toxicological Assessment Of Zinc Oxide And Titanium Dioxide On Staghorn Coral, Acropora Cervicornis, Katherine E. Meurer
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Coral reefs are one of the most diverse and biologically significant ecosystems on the planet. However, anthropogenic impacts have led to a global decline in overall reef health in recent years. To address concerns that organic ultraviolet filters in sunscreen may contribute to reduced coral health, the mineral UV filters, zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2), have become more common in sunscreen formulas as they are often considered “reef safe” despite limited information on the toxicological effects of these compounds in corals. This study evaluated the effects of exposure to unmodified forms of zinc oxide or titanium …
An Analysis Of Suspended Microplastics In Sewage Outfalls, Inlets, And Coastal Waters Of Broward County, Florida, Katrina A. Smith
An Analysis Of Suspended Microplastics In Sewage Outfalls, Inlets, And Coastal Waters Of Broward County, Florida, Katrina A. Smith
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The widespread use of plastics has led to a surplus of plastic waste in landfills and the ocean. The degradation of these plastics produces microplastics, which are detrimental to the environment. Microplastics can be introduced into the ocean in several ways, including runoff and sewage outfalls; both pathways can concentrate microplastics and promote adsorption of environmental contaminants to the plastic's surface. South Florida has six sewage outfalls, and nine inlets, whose proximity to the Florida Reef Tract increases the potential exposure of microplastics to sensitive environments, such as the coral reef. A quantitative assessment of microplastics introduced into the ocean …
The Deep-Pelagic Sergestid Shrimp Assemblage In The Gulf Of Mexico In The Vicinity Of The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Erik W. Hine
The Deep-Pelagic Sergestid Shrimp Assemblage In The Gulf Of Mexico In The Vicinity Of The Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Erik W. Hine
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
This thesis focuses on the geographical (near-slope vs. offshore) and temporal analyses (2011 – 2018) of the Sergestidae assemblage, the crustacean family with the fourth highest total biomass, in the Gulf of Mexico near the location of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The abundance and biomass of the assemblage were analyzed to determine if statistical differences were present between the near-slope and offshore environments. In addition, this study analyzed the vertical distributions of sergestid species in the epipelagic, mesopelagic, and bathypelagic zones to determine the extent of the migratory behavior of these species. Lastly, the abundance and biomass in the …
Accumulation Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Marine Mammals: A Case Study On Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, And Sirenians, Alydia Moorhead
Accumulation Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Marine Mammals: A Case Study On Cetaceans, Pinnipeds, And Sirenians, Alydia Moorhead
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are lipophilic semi-volatile organic chemicals that present a range of challenges to marine biota, specifically marine mammals that often occupy a high trophic position in the food web. POPs have become a global problem since they have been shown to cause immunologic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, neurological, and reproductive complications in living organisms due to their resistance to biodegradation and their lipophilic nature. Marine mammals can accumulate these toxic substances through direct ingestion, trophic transfer, adsorption, and maternal offloading. They are susceptible to both bioaccumulation and biomagnification of POPs. Accumulation of POPs is affected by many variables, including …
A Spatial Assessment Of Impacts To The Flats Fishery By Recreational Boating In The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Kristin Anderson
A Spatial Assessment Of Impacts To The Flats Fishery By Recreational Boating In The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Kristin Anderson
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The recreational flats fishery in the Florida Keys is a significant component of the marine resource-based economy, exceeding $465 million (USD) in annual economic impact. Permit (Trachinotus falcatus), bonefish (Albula vulpes), and tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) are the three main species targeted by flat fishers. Those participating in this fishery generally practice catch-and-release angling therefore, the fishery is considered a more sustainable marine use compared to more traditional commercial fisheries. However, with population and tourism rising in South Florida, the fishery is increasingly threatened by habitat degradation and user conflicts. Ongoing revisions to the Florida …
Assemblage Composition And Vertical Distributions Of Deep-Sea Anglerfishes (Suborder: Ceratioidei) Of The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Kimberly S. Schmutz
Assemblage Composition And Vertical Distributions Of Deep-Sea Anglerfishes (Suborder: Ceratioidei) Of The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Kimberly S. Schmutz
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The bathypelagic zone, despite being the largest cumulative ecosystem on the planet, represents the largest data gap in biological oceanography. In a deep environment with no solar light and pressures so high that survival is impossible for most marine organisms, some species have been able to adapt and overcome these challenges to radiate into diverse and successful taxa. Among the most notable of these successful taxa are the deep-sea anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei). Ceratioid anglerfishes possess unique adaptations such as a symbiotic bioluminescent lure (females) and extreme dwarfism (males) that make them a particularly interesting group to study. Despite this research …
Trophic Ecology Of A Dominant Mesopredatory Fish Family (Alepisauridae) In The Western North Atlantic Revealed By Stomach Content And Stable Isotope Analysis, Ellyn Willse
All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations
The mesopelagic zone of the ocean is gaining increased notice due to its potential for commercial value and the lack of knowledge of its ecosystems. Lancetfishes, Alepisaurus spp., are large mesopelagic predators and common bycatch species in commercial fishing operations that potentially play a role in connecting epipelagic and mesopelagic waters and may be a source of carbon from near the surface to the mesopelagic. While little is known about the behavior and biology of Lancetfishes, they share many food sources, and are themselves a food source for important commercial fisheries species such as tuna and swordfish. This study examines …