Animal Sciences Commons^™

Comparative Accumulation And Effects Of Microplastics And Microplastic-Associated Pcb-153 In The White Hard Clam (Meretrix Lyrata) And Giant River Prawn (Macrobrachium Rosenbergii) Following Chronic Exposure, Bao-Son Trinh, Lien Thi Le, Loc Minh Tran, Gunther Rosen, Robert C. Hale

VIMS Articles

Global environmental abundance of microplastics (MPs) is increasing. MPs may sorb hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs), accumulate in and cause deleterious effects on exposed organisms. This study investigated and compared the accumulation and effects of MPs and MP-associated PCB in the two indigenous aquatic organisms in Viet Nam, the white hard clams, Meretrix lyrata, and the giant river prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The test organisms were exposed to either polyethylene microbeads (PEMBs), waterborne polychlorinated biphenyl 153 (PCB-153), or PEMB-associated PCB-153 (PEMB-PCB) over 28 days. Organismal MP accumulation, survival, and weight gain were examined at various sampling intervals. In general, MP …

Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program: 2023 Annual Report, Susanna Musick, Lewis Gillingham

Reports

Through 2023, the Virginia Game Fish Tagging Program (VGFTP) has maintained a 28-year database of records for tagged and recaptured fish. The program is a cooperative project of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament (VSFT) under the Virginia Marine Resources Commission-(VMRC) and the Virginia InsƟtute of Marine Science (VIMS) of William & Mary (under the VIMS Marine Advisory Program).

The main goal of the program is to train and maintain an experienced group of anglers who volunteer their Ɵme to properly tag and release fishes. Data on tagged and recaptured fish are summarized in annual re- ports and are accessible on …

West Coast Rock Lobster Resource Harvest Strategy, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries management papers

Harvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012). Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objectives of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA) and the Aquatic Resources Management Act …

Estimation Of Juvenile Striped Bass Relative Abundance In The Virginia Portion Of Chesapeake Bay Annual Progress Report: 2023 - 2024, Jack R. Buchanan, Mary C. Fabrizio, Troy D. Tuckey

Reports

The 2023 juvenile Striped Bass abundance index was 4.26 and was significantly lower than the reference mean of 7.77 for the period 1980 to 2009. Abundance indices were below average in the James and Rappahannock rivers and average in the York River in 2023 compared with the river-specific reference means (1980-2009). Relatively low catches of young‐of‐the‐year Striped Bass from sites upriver and downriver of core nursery areas suggest juvenile Striped Bass largely remained within core nursery areas in 2023.

Indices of abundance were calculated for three additional economically and recreationally important fishes in Virginia waters. Juvenile White Perch abundance indices …

Ecological, Molecular, And Electron Microscopical Investigations Of The Distribution Of Shell-Boring Polychaetes Along The Coast Of Maine, Emma Tomasetti

Honors College

Blister worms are polychaete worms that live in various calcareous materials such as dead shells, red algae, limestone, and cinder blocks, along with cultured shellfish, such as oysters or sea scallops. These worms can be considered a pest due to their nature to burrow into their host’s substrate and create blisters that then fill with mud and detritus. In chapter 1, I worked closely with an oyster farm looking at the reproductive status of one species of blister worm, P. websteri, and the efficacy of cold storage as a method of ridding oysters of P. websteri. For chapter 2, I …

Phenotypic Plasticity In Pigmentation: Investigating Coloration Patterns In Anablepsoides Hartii Population Responses To Environmental Variation, Jasdeep Kaur

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects

In this study, we investigated the color-changing capabilities of Trinidadian killifish, Anablepsoides hartii, through exposure to varied color conditions over defined periods of time. Our experiment aims to understand adaptive responses when killifish are subjected to different color backgrounds, exploring their mechanisms to change color. By subjecting the species to different environmental color variations, we sought to discern color change patterns, which could indicate adaptive responses related to camouflage, stress, behavior clues, and physiological adjustments. Carefully controlling environmental factors, we monitored and documented the fishes’ color changes, aiming to provide insights into the interplay between fish’s developmental plasticity and its …

An Examination Of The Eastern Nebraska And Western Iowa Flash Flood Event Of 6-7 August 1999, Catherine M. Zapotocny

NOAA Technical Reports and Related Materials

Flash flooding occurs each summer in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. While 10-inch rains are extraordinary, it is not uncommon to have at least one excessive rain event during the annual convective season. A significant flash flood occurred in east central Nebraska and western Iowa the night of August 6, 1999 into the morning of August 7, 1999. Antecedent hydrologic conditions limited the loss of life, however considerable property damage resulted as the heavy rain fell over the urbanized areas in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

Several flash flood ingredients came together over the area. These meteorological factors are typical …

Distribution Of Shell-Boring Polychaetes At Shellfish Aquaculture Sites Along The Northeast Coast Of The Us, Samantha Silverbrand

Honors College

Coastal shellfish aquaculture has expanded substantially in recent years in Maine and New England as traditional wild fishery stocks have declined. As shellfish aquaculture has expanded, producers have become more concerned about marine worm pests (i.e., polychaetes) that infest cultured bivalves. In particular, worms from the genus Polydora (also known as “polydorids”) burrow into oyster and scallop shells where they feed and deposit mud. Bivalves cover over the muddy burrows creating blisters that can decrease their market value and hinder growth. Farmers and researchers have identified methods to control infestations of P. websteri, one common species of shell-boring worm. However, …

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Western Australian Cephalopod Resource, Cameron J. Desfosses, Kimberley A. Smith, Lachlan W.S. Strain, Dave Murphy, Keyley Hogan-West, Daniel Yeoh, Shannon Burchert, Linda Wiberg, Bec Oliver, Brett M. Crisafulli, Gabby E. Mitsopoulos

Fisheries research reports

On 27 October 2023, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, Department) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the statewide Cephalopod Resource (Resource), which comprises a range of octopus, squid and cuttlefish species. This document contains the background information used to support the ERA risk scoring process, and a summary of the workshop discussions that were relevant to the risk scoring. The background information includes an overview of Western Australian commercial fisheries that access the Resource, focusing primarily on the Octopus Interim Managed Fishery (OIMF), Cockburn Sound Line and Pot Managed Fishery (CSLPMF), …

Ecological Risk Assessment For The Western Australian Large Pelagic Fish Resource, Kimberley A. Smith, Paul Lewis, Kendra Travaille, Brett M. Crisafulli, Liv Rynvis, Gabby E. Mitsopoulos

Fisheries research reports

In December 2023, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) convened an ecological risk assessment (ERA) of the fisheries that access the Statewide Large Pelagic Fish Resource (Resource). This Resource comprises a range of tropical and temperate species including mackerels, billfish, kingfish, cobia, mahi mahi and tunas. This document contains the background information used to support the ERA risk scoring process, scoring from the workshop and a summary of the workshop discussions that were relevant to the risk scoring. This includes an overview of Western Australian commercial fisheries that access the Resource, with a focus on …

Maine Lobstermen's Association Whale Update, Amber-Jean Nickel, Maine Lobstermen's Association

Fisheries

The Maine Lobstermen's Association “has been closely following the death of Right Whale 5120 found dead on Martha’s Vineyard on January 28th. The MLA was shocked and dismayed when NOAA Fisheries announced on February 14th that the rope removed from the deceased whale 'is consistent with the rope used in Maine state water trap/pot buoy lines.’”

“Maine lobstermen have made many changes to how we fish to avoid harming a Right whale which makes this news hard to believe. As we move forward, MLA will push back on NOAA’s finding until the industry’s questions about the entanglement and how NOAA …

Dietary Shifts And The Need For Increased Sustainability Approaches In The Global Aquaculture Seafood System, Darien D. Mizuta

VIMS Articles

Recent shifts in the global dietary preferences have indicated the fast-growing choice for plant-based, or meat-reduced diets. Among the motivations for such choices, which are increasingly advocated by nations and environmental institutions, is the major concern with global environmental sustainability and impacts of food production systems. Incontestably, the animal food source industry is extremely diverse, and seafood production through the aquaculture value chain remains unfamiliar to key stakeholders possibly leading to an uncomprehensive view and often biased perception of the farming industry within the environmental context. Accordingly, I discuss the importance of seafood production systems, such as the fastest seafood …

The Status Of Virginia'a Public Oyster Resource 2023, Melissa Southworth, Roger L. Mann

Reports

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of The Status Of The Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Resource, Corey Wakefield, Ainslie Denham, Fabian Trinnie, Sybrand A. Hesp, Rachel Marks, Dion Boddington, Stephen J. Newman

Fisheries research reports

Executive Summary

For this assessment of the Pilbara Demersal Scalefish Resource (PDSR) of Western Australia, red emperor and bluespotted emperor are the indicator species used to represent the status of the resource. In addition, goldband snapper, though not an indicator species, is relatively abundant in the annual catches, particularly in deeper waters (around 100 m) and in the western Pilbara region and its status has also been assessed.

Long Term Sustainable Use Of Demersal Gillnet And Demersal Longline In Western Australia’S Temperate Shark Fisheries - Fisheries Research Report 340, Matias Braccini, Jack Parker, Daniela Waltrick, Maddison Watt, Nick Blay, Clinton Syers

Fisheries research reports

The Temperate Demersal Gillnet and Demersal Longline Fisheries (TDGDLF) are one of the main commercial shark fisheries in Australia. Most fishers in the TDGDLF use demersal gillnets to target sharks with scalefish taken in smaller amounts. Demersal longlines are also permitted but are not widely used. Demersal gillnets are size selective, but they do not necessarily discriminate among species, catching target and non-target species.

The Western Australian Fishing Industry Council (WAFIC) received funding as part of the Australian Government’s Our Marine Parks Grants Program to undertake research on the TDGDLF. This project was administered under the direction of a steering …

Animal Conservation In St. Louis, Kate O'Sullivan

Undergraduate Research Symposium

St. Louis has a multitude of organizations involved in the natural sciences. But how many of them actually contribute towards animal conservation? The St. Louis Zoo is an organization that focuses a lot of its effort on presentation, so how does that impact the funds that go towards actually saving the animals? I plan to dive into the different animal-based organizations in St. Louis and its surrounding areas, as well as discuss the positives and negatives of each organization. Furthermore, I will provide examples from several sources that I have been reviewing all year to support my claims. I plan …

Monitoring The Abundance Of American Shad And River Herring In Virginia's Rivers: 2023 Annual Report, Eric J. Hilton, Patrick E. Mcgrath, Ashleigh Magee, Timothy Hoyt

Reports

This report describes the results of the twenty-sixth year of a continuing study to estimate the relative abundance and assess the status of American shad (Alosa sapidissima) stocks in Virginia by monitoring the spawning runs in the James, York and Rappahannock rivers in spring 2023, evaluating hatchery programs, and contributing to coast-wide assessments (ASMFC 2007, ASMFC 2020). We also report on two fisheryindependent monitoring programs using anchor gillnets in the Rappahannock River (year 6) and a major tributary of the James River, the Chickahominy River (year 9), to determine relative abundance and stock structure for the adult spawning run of …

Aquaculture Research Institute Newsletter, January 19, 2024, Aquaculture Research Institute

General University of Maine Publications

2024 Women in Aquaculture Series. We're eager to spotlight the 2024 Women's Workshop Series for aquaculture, an opportunity brought to you by the Maine Aquaculture Hub in collaboration with Aquaculture in Shared Waters. Tailored for women and nonbinary aquaculturists, this series isn't just a learning journey—it's a chance to forge your path in Maine's aquaculture scene. Dive into a curriculum brimming with expertise in seamanship, business acumen, and safety protocols. Beyond the skills, it's a community waiting to unfold.

Complex Dynamics Of Coral Gene Expression Responses To Low Ph Across Species, Veronica Z. Radice, Ana Martinez, Adina Paytan, Donald C. Potts, Daniel J. Barshis

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Coral capacity to tolerate low pH affects coral community composition and, ultimately, reef ecosystem function. Low pH submarine discharges (‘Ojo’; Yucatán, México) represent a natural laboratory to study plasticity and acclimatization to low pH in relation to ocean acidification. A previous >2‐year coral transplant experiment to ambient and low pH common garden sites revealed differential survivorship across species and sites, providing a framework to compare mechanistic responses to differential pH exposures. Here, we examined gene expression responses of transplants of three species of reef‐building corals (Porites astreoides, Porites porites and Siderastrea siderea) and their algal endosymbiont communities …

Dataset: Catch Of Egg-Bearing Blue Crabs (Callinectes Sapidus) From 1995 To 2019 In The James River And Chesapeake Bay Mainstem, Alexandra K. Schneider, Mary C. Fabrizio, Romuald N. Lipcius

Data

Monthly catch of egg-bearing blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science Trawl Survey are provided in a CSV file. Catch data is aggregated over all stations sampled per month for the Chesapeake Bay mainstem and James River from 1995 to 2019. Months are limited to February, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. Sampling protocols and methods for the survey can be found in Tuckey and Fabrizio 2022 (Estimating Relative Juvenile Abundance of Ecologically Important Finfish in the Virginia Portion of Chesapeake Bay) doi: 10.25773/9WV1‐PS18. The catch values have been adjusted to account for …

Dataset: Ribbed Mussel Carbon And Nitrogen Composition Data, Robert Isdell, Ashley Rose, Donna Marie Bilkovic, Randolph Chambers

Data

Ribbed mussel (Geukensia demissa) C:N ratios for tissue and shell samples are provided from a marsh in Virginia

Dataset For: “Shifts In Habitat, Habitat Use, And Demography Of American Lobsters In Coastal Maine Over The Past Quarter Century.”, Robert Jarrett Ii, Damian Brady, Richard Wahle, Robert Steneck

Non-Thesis Student Work

This is the dataset for the manuscript "Shifts in habitat, habitat use, and demography of American lobsters in coastal Maine over the past quarter century." Our study revisited 20 long-term monitored sites at 10 m depth along more than 320 km of the Gulf of Maine. Sampling used quadrat sampling via scuba divers. We recorded fundamental changes in lobster habitat use and distribution. The data include count, size, sex, number of claws, and shelter use of lobster in addition to substrate type, percent cover of kelp and other macroalgae. The data are included in six .csv format files: (1) data …

The Impacts Of Anthropogenic Activity And Climate Change On The Formation Of Harmful Algal Blooms (Habs) And Its Ecological Consequence, Zhangxi Hu, Aifeng Li, Zhun Li, Margaret R. Mulholland

OES Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Description Of Neoperla Philippinensis Sp. Nov. Confirmed Using Integrative Taxonomy And Some Notes On Neoperla Oculata Banks, 1924 (Plecoptera: Perlidae), Arthien Lovell P. Pelingen

Biology Faculty Publications

I re-examine the assumed phenotypic variable Neoperla oculata Banks, 1924 (Plecoptera, Perlidae) and describe Neoperla philippinensis sp. nov. All material examined herein are collections from the Mindanao region, of which supplementary information were provided including COI mtDNA accessions, female adult associations, and egg morphology characterization.

Evaluation Of Striped Bass Stocks In Virginia: Monitoring And Tagging Studies, 2023 Progress Report, Robert J. Latour, Christopher F. Bonzek, Gina M. Ralph, James Gartland

Reports

This report presents the results of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) tagging and monitoring activities in Virginia during the period 1 December 2022 through 30 November 2023. It includes an assessment of the biological characteristics of striped bass taken from the 2023 spring spawning run and estimates of annual survival and fishing mortality based on annual spring tagging. The information contained in this report is required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and is used to implement a coordinated management plan for striped bass in Virginia, and along the eastern seaboard.

Bridging Biological Systems With Social Behavior, Conservation, Decision Making, And Well-Being Through Hybrid Mathematical Modeling, Maggie Renee Sullens

Faculty Publications and Other Works -- Mathematics

This dissertation defense presentation highlights the power of hybrid mathematical modeling and addresses crucial issues such as:

1️. The Impact of Industry Collapse on Community Mental Health: A Complex Contagion ODE Model.

2️. Budget Allocation and Illegal Fishing: A Game Theoretic Model.

3️. Reactive Scope Model with an Energy Budget and Multiple Mediators: An ODE Model

The overarching theme of Hybrid Mathematical Modeling beautifully captures the essence of this work, demonstrating its potential to unravel ecological issues while addressing the intricate interactions between humans and the environment.

A Year Of Wins For Farmed Animals, Lewis Bollard

General – Farm Animal Issues

Although the European Union shelved its ambitious farmed animal welfare reforms, there were other “wins” for farmed animals in 2023. There were 130 new corporate pledges to eliminate cages for laying hens and the worst abuses of broiler chickens. So far, over 1,000 corporate pledges have been fully implemented, and 39% of American hens, 60% of European hens, and 80% of British hens are cage-free, up from 6%, 41%, and 48%, respectively, a decade ago. The US Supreme Court upheld California’s Proposition 12, which bans the sale of eggs, pork, and veal from caged animals and their offspring in California. …

Catfish Neurocranium 3-D Scan, Pamela Gonzalez, Jarod Johnson, David Kerstetter

All Scans: Kerstetter Fisheries and Avian Ecology 3D Scan Series

No abstract provided.

Dataset For The Incorporation Of Climate Change Into A Multiple Stressor Risk Assessment For The Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus Tshawytscha) Population In The Yakima River, Washington Usa, Wayne Landis, Chelsea J. Mitchell, John D. Hader, Rory Nathan, Emma E. Sharpe

Environmental Sciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Data files available below

This data set is in support of Landis et al (in press 2024). A key question in understanding the implications of climate change is how to integrate ecological risk assessments that focus on contaminants with the environmental alterations from climate projections. This article summarizes the results of integrating selected direct and indirect effects of climate change into an existing Bayesian network previously used for ecological risk assessment. The existing Bayesian network Relative Risk Model (BN-RRM) integrated the effects of organophosphate pesticides concentrations, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen levels on the Chinook salmon population in the Yakima …

The Influence Of Invasive Species On Fishers’ Satisfactions, Caroline M. Laplante

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Invasives species are prevalent and widespread in North America. Outdoor recreational activities, such as fishing, introduce a point in which humans may interact with invasive species and have to adapt their own behaviors. Bigheaded carp in the Missouri River below Gavin’s Point Dam are a group of invasive fish species that were thought to be negatively relating to recreational fishers’ satisfactions. Using a content analysis and an importance-grid, we conclude that invasive species do not strongly relate to recreational paddlefish fishers’ satisfactions. Paddlefish fishers represent a small sub-set of recreational fishers in Nebraska and South Dakota. The content analysis revealed …