Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Commons^™

Patterns Of Spiny Lobster (Panulirus Argus) Postlarval Recruitment In The Carribbean: A Crtr Project, Mark J. Butler Iv, Angela M. Mojica, Eloy Sosa-Cordero, Marines Millet, Paul Sanchez-Navarro, Miguel A. Maldonado, Juan Posada, Bladimir Rodriguez, Carlos M. Rivas, Adrian Oviedo, Marcio Arrone, Martha Prada, Nick Bach, Nilda Jimenez, Maria Del Carmen Garcia-Rivas, Kirah Forman, Donald C. Behringer Jr., Thomas Matthews, Claire Paris, Robert Cowen

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

As part of the Coral Reef Targeted Research (CRTR) Program, a partnership between the Global Environment Facility and the World Bank, our research team examined the recruitment patterns of Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) postlarvae among regions in the Caribbean, with a particular focus on Mesoamerica. Our goal was to collect comparable information on postlarval supply among regions and to provide data to test predictions of connectivity generated from a coupled biophysical oceanographic model of lobster larval dispersal. Here we present the results of the postlarval recruitment monitoring program. We monitored the catch of postlarvae on Witham-style collectors …

Letter From The Dean, Lalit Verma

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Peptide Hydrolysis And The Uptake Of Dipeptides By Phytoplankton, Margaret R. Mulholland, Cindy Lee

OES Faculty Publications

Rates of peptide hydrolysis (using the fluorescent substrate, lucifer yellow anhydride-labeled tetra-alanine) and dipeptide uptake (using dually labeled, ¹⁵N and ¹³C, dialanine) were measured in phytoplankton cultures and in natural populations during algal blooms dominated by one or two taxa. During most sampling events, both peptide hydrolysis and dipeptide uptake were greatest in the size fraction containing the dominant phytoplankter, suggesting that phytoplankton contribute substantially to or may even dominate observed extracellular peptide hydrolysis and dipeptide uptake in the environment. These are the first data suggesting that dipeptides may be taken up directly by phytoplankton and this may …

Unintended Facilitation Between Marine Consumers Generates Enhanced Mortality For Their Shared Prey, F. Joel Fodrie, Matthew D. Kenworthy, Sean P. Powers

University Faculty and Staff Publications

We manipulated predator densities and prey vulnerability to explore how interactions between two predators affect overall mortality of their shared prey. Our threemember study system included eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and two of its major consumers: southern oyster drills (Stramonita haemastoma) and stone crabs (Menippe adina). Field experiments demonstrated that drills and crabs foraging together generated higher than expected oyster mortality based on each species operating independently, even though crabs also killed some drills. In subsequent laboratory trials, we experimentally mimicked the handling of oysters by foraging crabs and confirmed that crabs facilitated drills by breeching oyster valves, thereby granting …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No.72 - Western Rock Lobster Ecological Effects Of Fishing Research Plan., Rhys Brown

Fisheries Occasional Publications

The commercial West Coast Rock Lobster Fishery (WCRLF) targets the western rock lobster (WRL), Panulirus cygnus, averaging approximately 10,000 tonnes of lobsters each year. Currently approximately 450 to 500 boats operate in the Fishery in waters ranging from 5 m to 200 m depth adjacent to the Western Australian coast and stretching from Cape Leeuwin in the south to Shark Bay in the north. The Fishery is managed by the Department of Fisheries (DoF) in Western Australia, using an input control system designed to constrain exploitation/fishing effort and deliver sustainable catches. The annual value of the catch is estimated at …

Prey Selectivity Of Planktivorous Fish: Analysis Of Stomach Contents In Four Pomacentrids At Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, James O'Hare

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Coral reef planktivores are important to coral reefs by concentrating and delivering nutrients and allochthonous carbon from the plankton to reef building corals. In an otherwise very oligotrophic system this function may be of major importance. Planktivorous Damselfish (Pomicentridae) were analysed for prey selectivity through enumeration of stomach contents. Simultaneous plankton tows were conducted to establish the plankton community composition of the waters they were taken from. There was a statistically significant variation between the stomach composition and that of the water column. While there was not a significant difference among Simpson’s diversity indices of the stomach contents, there was …

West Virginia Streamside Salamander Guilds And Environmental Variables With An Emphasis On Pseudotriton Ruber Ruber, Kathryn Rebecca Pawlik

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Amphibian distributions are greatly influenced by environmental variables, due in part to semi-permeable skin which makes amphibians susceptible to both desiccation and toxin absorption. This study was conducted to determine which streamside salamander species were sympatric and how environmental variables may have influenced habitat choices. One hundred sixty streams were surveyed throughout 55 counties in West Virginia during the summer of 2007. At each site, a 10 m ² quadrat was established around a central aquatic habitat. While surveying, I looked under natural cover objects, in vegetation, and through leaf litter. I recorded species, cover object type, and location on …

A Study On The Population Size And Natural History Of The Eastern Six‐Lined Racerunner, Aspidoscelis Sexlineata, In West Virginia, With Notes On Other Lizard Species, Emmy Johnson

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Species will expand ranges through natural or human‐alterations. Such an occurrence has happened in West Virginia with Eastern Six‐lined Racerunner, Aspidsocelis sexlineata, a species that has been found to thrive in areas of high disturbance from humans. While found abundantly in other states, they are thought to occur only in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia (Morgan County) where they are believed to have come from Maryland via a railroad bridge. Without the bridge, the Potomac River forms a natural barrier between these two states. The objectives of my study were to determine the population size and natural history …

Terrestrial Habitat Use Of Marbled Salamanders Ambystoma Opacum: A Site Specific Approach, Frank Piccininni

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Habitat destruction, fragmentation and degradation have contributed heavily to the decline of amphibian populations such as Marbled Salamanders (Ambystoma opacum). Often, ambystomatid water resources are conserved without consideration for the equally important terrestrial habitat. This is partly due to a lack of information regarding the relationship between ecological succession, plant community composition, microhabitat and salamander abundance. Three sampling transects consisting of drift fence arrays, vegetation assessments and microhabitat surveys were extended 100 m into the terrestrial habitat surrounding a seasonal wetland at Beech Fork State Park in Wayne County, West Virginia. Principal components analysis was used to identify …

Mycobacteriosis-Associated Mortality In Wild Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) From Chesapeake Bay, Usa, D. T. Gauthier, R. J. Latour, D. M. Heisey, C. F. Bonzek, J. Gartland, E. J. Burge, W. K. Vogelbein

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is an economically and ecologically important finfish species along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. Recent stock assessments in Chesapeake Bay (USA) indicate that non-fishing mortality in striped bass has increased since 1999, concomitant with very high (>50%) prevalence of visceral and dermal disease caused by Mycobacterium spp. Current fishery assessment models do not differentiate between disease and other components of non-fishing mortality (e. g., senescence, predation); therefore, disease impact on the striped bass population has not been established. Specific measurement of mortality associated with mycobacteriosis in wild striped bass is …

Evaluation Of Aerial Cluster Sampling Of Double-Crested Cormorants On Aquaculture Ponds In Mississippi, Brian S. Dorr, Loren W. Burger Jr., Scott C. Barras

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Concern over increasing numbers of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) and their impacts on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) aquaculture has resulted in increased need for quantitative information to develop and evaluate depredation management efforts. We evaluated aerial surveys in a stratified cluster sampling (SCS) design to estimate and monitor abundance of cormorants on catfish aquaculture ponds in the Yazoo River Basin of Mississippi, USA (hereafter Yazoo Basin). Twice monthly abundance estimates and coefficient of variation during winter averaged 8,128 (n = 29, SE = 1,233) and 33% (n = 29, SE = 0.02), respectively. Counts of cormorants …

Shark Bay Prawn And Scallop Fisheries. Draft Review Report, Department Of Fisheries Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

In recent times, the Department of Fisheries has received representations from both sectors about the ongoing interaction of the fisheries and their respective management settings. As a result, a decision was made to comprehensively review the fisheries, taking into account matters of fishery sustainability and gear interactions, together with industry economics and market considerations. The review has also addressed research requirements to ensure an appropriate scientific basis for decision-making into the future.

Molecular Phylogenetics Of Perciform Fishes Using The Nuclear Recombination Activating Gene 1, Andrew R. Mahon

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The order Perciformes contains one-third of all extant fishes in twenty different suborders and over 10,000 species. Few systematic investigations have been performed on this large group of fishes at the suborder level and their evolutionary history is widely recognized as problematic. This dissertation presents three studies: a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the putative suborders of the order Perciformes, an analysis of interrelationships of the families of the perciform suborder Percoidei, and a multi-gene investigation of the percoid superfamily Sparoidea.

The taxa sampled in this dissertation represent one of the most inclusive molecular datasets, to date, testing the monophyly of …

Plan Of Management For The Kalbarri Blue Holes Fish Habitat Protection Area, Department Of Fisheries

Fisheries Management Papers

The FHPA has been declared to protect and conserve an example of a near-shore reef community. In order to achieve this aim, and encourage the appreciation and conservation of fish, a number of management strategies have been identified which restrict recreational and commercial fishing. The FHPA is approximately 420 metres long and approximately 130 metres wide at the southern end and 140 metres wide at the northern end.

Determining Winter Flounder Spawning Sites In Two Connecticut Estuaries, Eric T. Schultz, Jose J. Pereira, Peter J. Auster

EEB Articles

Winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) come inshore during the late winter and early spring to lay their eggs in shallow bays and estuaries along the coast. Unlike most fish eggs, which are buoyant, these eggs are demersal and sink to the seafloor. This makes them vulnerable to burial from various types of natural and human caused disturbances (e.g., storms, mobile fishing gear, maintenance dredging). Our objective was to map spawning areas in two harbors and search for generalities among these sites that would allow us to predict where winter flounder might spawn in other areas. This would allow managers to avoid …

Morphological And Molecular Analyses Of The Blacknose Dace Species Complex (Genus Rhinichthys) In A Large Zone Of Contact In West Virginia, Geoffrey D. Smith

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The blacknose dace species complex (Rhinichthys atratulus, Rhinichthys obtusus obtusus, and Rhinichthys obtusus meleagris) are among the most common freshwater fishes in eastern North American. Despite this fact, the taxonomy of this group is still in question. This study focuses on the relationship of the members of this species complex along an unusually large zone of contact in the high Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Morphological, distributional, and molecular analysis of the relationships of this complex were conducted in this area to try to shed light on the systematics of this group. Morphological analysis of coloration patterns of nuptual males …

A Study Of The Genus Desmognathus In West Virginia, With Emphasis On Desmognathus Welteri, The Black Mountain Salamander, Tristan Bond

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Black Mountain Salamander, Desmognathus welteri, is listed as S2 by the WVDNR. Given the threat of extirpation, this species is in need of studies to facilitate a conservation effort. The following studies were completed as part of this work: Comparative morphology of the genus Desmognathus in West Virginia; Distribution of D. welteri in West Virginia; Habitat partitioning of Desmognathine salamanders; and Phenology of Desmognathus spp. Ratios of morphometrics of the tail were found to be most useful for distinguishing Desmognathus spp. D. welteri was found in three of 22 streams searched, meaning there are now 21 documented occurrences of …

Habitat Preferences Of The Eastern Hellbender In West Virginia, S. Conor Keitzer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The Eastern Hellbender, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis, is a species of concern in West Virginia and is in need of management. An important component of conservation efforts will involve identifying suitable habitat for protection. The goal of this research was to locate populations and examine hellbender habitat preferences to help managers identify habitat for protection. Populations were located using rock turning surveys from May through November, 2006. Hellbenders may be sensitive to water chemistry, so the dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductivity, and water temperature were measured. Substrate composition may influence populations, so substrate was characterized with Wolman pebble counts. …

Evaluation Of Habitat Enhancement Structure Use By Spotted Bass, Stanley L. Proboszcz, Christopher S. Guy

The Prairie Naturalist

Habitat enhancement is a common and effective method used to positively influence fish populations. However, there is a paucity of speciesspecific evaluations of stream habitat enhancement structures for warmwater fishes. We evaluated use of half-log, rootwad enhancement structure, and simulated undercut bank (LUNKERS) by adult and juvenile spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) in natural and experimental streams. Enhancement structures were installed in Otter Creek, Kansas. Adult spotted bass use of natural and enhancement structure was documented weekly during summer and fall of 2001 and 2002 with radiotelemetry. Mean total length (TL) of adult fish was 292 mm (SE = …

Age Structure And Reproductive Activity Of The Blue Sucker In The Milk River, Missouri River Drainage, Montana, Julie Bednarski, Dennis L. Scarnecchia

The Prairie Naturalist

The life history and ecology of the blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) in the lower Milk River, Montana were investigated in 2002 and 2003. A total of 253 blue sucker was captured; 248 adult fish, three larval fish, and two age-0 juveniles. The ages (n = 102) of the adult blue sucker ranged from 10 to 37 years; maximum age greatly exceeded ages reported in other studies. Blue sucker in the Milk River population grew slower, matured later, and lived longer than fish at lower latitudes. Adult females of the blue sucker were longer and weighed more than …

Anadromous Rainbow Smelt And Tomcod In Connecticut: Assessment Of Populations, Conservation Status, And Need For Restoration Plan, Heather A. Fried, Eric T. Schultz

EEB Articles

(beginning of rainbow smelt executive summary)

Evidence indicates that anadromous rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) populations in Connecticut and elsewhere in the northeast United States have severely declined. Several sampling programs have documented declines in Connecticut’s smelt populations over the last three decades (Marcy 1976a, Marcy 1976b, Millstone Environmental Laboratory 2005). Similar declines have also been documented in the Hudson River (ASA Analysis & Communication 2005) and in Massachusetts (personal communication, Brad Chase, MA Division of Marine Fisheries 2004). Recreational and commercial fisheries in the region for this species have virtually ceased (Blake and Smith 1984). The Connecticut Fish Advisory Committee …

Fisheries Management Paper 213: A Five Year Management Strategy For The Recreational Marron Fishing, Rfac Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Subcommittee

Fisheries Management Papers

In its discussion paper (Fisheries Management Paper No.198), which was widely distributed and publicised, the Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Sub-Committee (RFFSS) of the Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee (RFAC) put forward a range of proposals for community discussion. These proposals were developed after an assessment of historic catch information and the consideration of scientific advice. The proposals also took into account the outcomes and recommendations of the previous review of the recreational marron fishery that was undertaken in 2002. The discussion paper attracted reasonable comment, with 78 written submissions being received from recreational fishers and other stakeholders. The RFFSS would like …

Fisheries Management Paper 217: Five Year Management Strategy For The Recreational Marron Fishery - The Minister For Fisheries’ Decisions In Response To The Final Report Of The Rfac Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Sub-Committee (Fisheries Management Paper No. 213), Jon Ford (Minister For Fisheries; The Kimberley, Pilbara And Gascoyne)

Fisheries Management Papers

The review of the Recreational Marron Fishery is now complete and I would like to thank all members of the RFAC Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Sub-Committee (RFFSS) for their efforts in what has been a challenging task. I would also like to thank those members of the community who made submissions on the draft discussion paper.

After careful consideration of the Recreational Freshwater Fisheries Stakeholder Sub-Committee’s recommendations and the wide range of issues raised in submissions, I have made my decisions in respect to the future management arrangements for recreational marron fishing.

Morphologic And Ontogenetic Patterns In Elasmosaur Neck Length, With Comments On The Taxonomic Utility Of Neck Length Variables, F. Robin O’Keefe, Norton Hiller

Biological Sciences Faculty Research

Elasmosaur cervical vertebrae are common fossils, but their taxonomic utility is limited due to a lack of understanding concerning their shape within and among taxa. In this paper, we analyze data from complete elasmosaur necks in an attempt to quantify and understand the variation in centrum dimensions. In accord with previous studies, variation in cervical centrum shape is found to stem from at least three sources: ontogeny, intracolumn variation, and intercolumn or taxonomic variation. Ontogenetic variability seems reminiscent of that seen in Cryptoclidus, with an overall positive allometry in the length of all centra that is accentuated in the mid-cervical …

The Effects Of Nitrate Levels On The Response Of Pimephales Promelas To Conspecific Chemical Alarm Cues, Lucas J. Borgstrom

Honors Capstones

Capstone submitted as a graduation requirement for the BSU Honors Program.

Assessment Of Anadromous Alewife And Blueback Herring Populations In Connecticut Coastal Streams And Connecticut River Tributaries, Justin P. Davis, Eric T. Schultz

EEB Articles

Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and blueback herring (A. aestivalis) occur in anadromous populations that have a largely overlapping distribution from Florida to Newfoundland (Loesch 1987). Anadromous populations of these species are commonly collectively referred to as “river herring”. Adults inhabit coastal shelf waters until sexual maturity is reached at age 3-5 (Neves 1981). Sexually mature individuals make spawning migrations, commonly referred to as “runs”, into freshwater systems during spring months (Loesch 1987). Spawners can survive and return to spawn in subsequent years (Mullen et al. 1986). Juveniles reside in freshwater for 3-7 months, at which time they undertake a gradual migration …

Natural History And Distribution Of The Upland Chorus Frog, Pseudacris Feriarum Baird, In West Virginia, Jaime Sias

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Chapter 1 is a literature review of Pseudacris feriarum, largely based on published P. triseriata Complex species accounts. Chapter 2 presents the natural history of P. feriarum in West Virginia and compares some parameters with other Pseudacris species. Chapter 3 looks at the phenology of a wetland in eastern West Virginia. Chapter 4 examines the current range of P. feriarum and compares it with the historical range in the state. Finally, hypotheses are given as to why Upland Chorus Frogs have declined in West Virginia. All information obtained from this study should be used to create a management plan for …

The Natural History And Thermal Ecology Of A Population Of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys Guttata) And Wood Turtles (Glyptemys Insculpta) In West Virginia, Ariana N. Breisch

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

An ecological study was conducted from 19 March 2001 to 2 April 2003 on a population of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) and Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) in West Virginia. Live-trapping, mark-recapture, radio telemetry and temperature data logging techniques were used to gather information on morphometrics, capture success, movements, home range, behavior, and thermal regime during activity and over-wintering seasons. Twenty-one Spotted Turtles were captured 260 times. Population structure was 42.9% juvenile, 38.1% male, and 19.0% female. Mean home range was 0.52 ha. Fifty Wood Turtles were captured 230 times. Juveniles were 36%, and males and females were 32% each. Mean …

Constructed Ponds As Mitigated Habitat For The Wood Frog (Rana Sylvatica Leconte) And The Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma Maculatum Shaw) In West Virginia, Celeste Dawn Good

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Many forest dwelling amphibians depend upon aquatic breeding habitats, making them susceptible to habitat changes. To determine if amphibian use of temporary pools occurred, 9 ponds were constructed in 3 forested areas on the MeadWestvaco Wildlife and Ecosystem Research Forest. Studies were conducted in 6 ponds during 2004, and all 9 in 2005 using drift fences. Trapped amphibians were measured and given a pond specific mark with visible implant elastomers. A significant difference was found between low and high elevation sites for juvenile R. sylvatica snout-to-vent length. No significant differences were found for soil, air or water temperatures between sites …

The Breeding Ecology And Natural History Of Ambystomatid Salamanders In An Ephemeral Wetland In Mason County, West Virginia, S. Douglas Kaylor

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

A forested ephemeral wetland in Mason County, WV, documented to contain 4 of 5 Ambystoma species found in the state, was studied to learn about population sizes, breeding cycles, and habitat use. Minnow traps were placed along three drift fences with additional traps placed throughout the study area. From February 5 to March 27, 2005, 85 captured adults were identified to species, marked by elastomer injection for mark-recapture analysis, and measured for morphometrics. Larval salamanders were identified, staged, measured, and returned. Egg clutches were mapped and counted. Mark-recapture analysis suggests the A. texanum population size is between 635 and 735 …