Marine Biology Commons^™

Monitoring Faunal Responses To Biodegradable Oyster Reef Restoration Materials With Camera Traps, Tara L. Blanchard

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Restoration of the oyster reefs has become increasingly crucial due to great population declines around the globe. Intertidal oyster reefs provide essential foraging and loafing grounds to many faunal species, including several threatened/endangered wading bird species. Biodegradable oyster reef restoration materials have been introduced to avoid potential plastic pollution from traditional materials. Studies have shown success regarding oyster recruitment rates to these materials. However, their impacts on fauna using restored oyster reefs are unknown. This project aims to evaluate oyster reef restoration using biodegradable materials to increase faunal diversity, abundance, and foraging behaviors. Camera traps were deployed to observe fauna …

Abundance And Habitat Associations Of Bivalves In Mosquito Lagoon, A Preliminary Survey, Mariam Sonbol

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study investigates the understudied abundance and habitat associations of bivalves in Mosquito Lagoon. Seagrass habitats were found to support the highest diversity of mollusks in earlier surveys (Mikkelsen et al., 1995). Twelve sites, including seagrass-vegetated, unvegetated, and seagrass-restored areas, were sampled in March and May 2024. Habitat characteristics, such as sediment composition and seagrass cover, were analyzed alongside bivalve populations. Across all sites, 6 genera were identified among 44 individuals. Overall abundance and diversity of bivalves collected were low in all sites, and most individuals were juveniles. Sediment characteristics influenced differences in diversity across site types, with restored sites …

Tropicalization Fact Sheet, Linda Walters, Carla Perscky

CEELAB Outreach Materials

The goal of this 2-sided fact sheet is to introduce the topic of tropicalization along our coastlines to young audiences and their families. Tropicalization is defined as, "the transformation of ecosystems by tropical organisms that migrate towards the poles in response to warming minimum winter temperatures."

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

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

No abstract provided.

Oliver Agee Catfish Neurocranium, Charlotte R. Oliver, Kristina Agee, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from 10.7 cm total length, [Catfish], collected by [Kerstetter].

Common Snook (Centropomus Undecimalis) Neurocranium, Ryan Robison, Lesley Wallace, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium length of 16.5 cm Common Snook (Centropomus undecimalis), collected from Dr. Kerstetter's Lab on 10/23 by Ryan Robison and Lesley Wallace.

Yellow Grouper (Epinephelus Awoara), Tyler Jurain, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.

Jack Crevalle Neurocranium, Rodolfo A. Heredia, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.

Brown Bullhead Catfish (Ameiurus Nebulosus) Neurocranium, Reginald Leon Kempson Iii, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from [6.3] cm total length (30 cm) [Brown Bullhead Catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus)], collected from [Dr.Kerstetters lab] on [6/December/2023] by [Reginald Kempson III]

Gag Grouper (Mycteroperca Microlepis) Neurocranium, Sierra Potts, David Kerstetter

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

10 cm neurocranium from Gag Grouper, Mycteroperca microlepis, collected from Snapper Mike's on 05/11/2023 by Sierra Potts

Psammocora Stellata Distribution At Devil's Crown, Floreana Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, María José Guarderas Sevilla

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

In the Galápagos Archipelago, the free-living nodular coral Psammocora stellata is a common species that does not form reef structures. However, it is a key component of the ecosystem by increasing habitat complexity and, consequently, species diversity. This species experienced a drastic decline in Devil’s Crown channel, Floreana Island, where it disappeared after the 1982-83 El Niño-Southern Oscillation, presumably by displacement of unattached colonies by strong surface waves and currents. This assemblage has now recovered to pre-impact levels. A combination of underwater photoquadrats from 2007 and 2009 and recent (2023) orthomosaics were used to determine changes in coral densities and …

Parrotfish Skull, Grace Mikus, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.

Rainbow Parrotfish Neurocranium, Theophilus J. Hebert, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.

Deep Ocean Vehicle Applications And Modifications, Nichole "Nikki" T. Arm

Master's Theses

This project had two primary goals: (1) to explore opportunities to further a deep-ocean vehicle’s reach using alternative pressure spheres, and (2) to implement an existing deep-ocean vehicle (lander) in active scientific research.

I gained a greater understanding of the limitations and design choices made for existing pressure spheres using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). My simplified FEA model predicted sphere failure for the existing 30% Fiber Glass 70% Nylon injection molded spheres at an external pressure of 3,954psi or 2,690m ocean-depth (only a 7.38% error compared to the tested minimum failure depth), so I determined it a valid model. I …

Serranidae Spp. Neurocranium, Justin Abonce, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Disturbance And Nutrient Addition On Coastal Dune Arthropod Communities, Kayla Beitzel

Honors Theses

Coastal dune ecosystems are globally distributed ecosystems that occur from the tropics to the poles and serve as the first line of defense during storms. They are critical habitats for a variety of organisms and also play a critical role in stabilizing coastal habitats. These systems face increased pressure via urban development, recreational expansion, and sea-level rise (Newman et al. 2023; Webster et al. 2005). Insects are vital consumers in coastal ecosystems and act as regulators of plant growth. Low-diversity ecosystems, like coastal dune systems, often contain a higher abundance of low-diverse insect consumers (Ripple et al. 2021), which can …

Climate Change And The Shifting Geography Of Coral-Reef Development, Victor Rodriguez-Ruano

Theses and Dissertations

Coral-reef development is modulated by growth processes that deposit calcium carbonate onto the reef, such as calcification, and destructive processes that remove calcium carbonate from the reef, such as bioerosion. Wherever calcification rates exceed bioerosion rates, there is a net accretion of the reef through time, but where bioerosion rates exceed calcification rates, there is a net destruction of the reef through time. A reef’s framework is the legacy of the interaction of these processes throughout a reef’s history. Studying the fossil frameworks of reefs can shed light on the environmental factors that have controlled reef development in the past, …

Evaluating Habitat Use By Nekton In Widgeon Grass (Ruppia Maritima), Shoal Grass (Halodule Wrightii), And Unvegetated Bottom Habitats In The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Jessica Woodall

Master's Theses

Seagrass beds support high biodiversity and animal abundance, serve as feeding grounds for a variety of animals, offer shelter from predation, and act as a nursery habitat for juveniles. The species composition of seagrass beds can impact their use as habitat by animals. Two common species of seagrass in the Gulf of Mexico are Ruppia maritima (widgeon grass) and Halodule wrightii (shoal grass). The shallow coastal waters of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) support both species, but the use of each seagrass as habitat by nekton is poorly understood, which can limit management decision-making. Nekton communities were …

Lionfish (Pterois Volitans) Neurocranium, Kate Heffner, Hosanna Gattle, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from 30 cm total length (TL) Lionfish (Pterois volitans), collected from Second Reef on 15/10/2023 by Kate Heffner.

Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus Chrysurus, Kevin Rafferty, Manuel Ploner, David W. Kerstetter

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

YELLOWTAIL SNAPPER OCYURUS CHRYSURUS 7.5CM Total length

Quantifying The Role Of Water Quality On Nitrogen Cycling In A Trophic Estuary, Kayla Gonzalez-Boy

Symposium of Student Scholars

Jobos Bay Estuary is an intertidal, tropical estuary located in southern Puerto Rico. The estuary covers about 12 km² and has a variety of habitats, such as seagrass beds, mangroves, mud flats, and coral reefs, which play important roles in sediment trapping and water quality maintenance. Seagrasses also serve as nursery and feeding grounds and provide shelter for macrofauna. Currently, the role of seagrasses and water quality on nitrogen (N) cycling in trophic estuaries is not well constrained. Understanding variations in sediment-based effects on N cycling rates and transformations, and how they are associated with water quality, is an …

Yellow Edge Grouper (Hyporthodus Flavolimbatus) Neurocranium, Lili Mcelhill, Alison Novara, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium (11 cm) of Yellow Edge Grouper (Hyporthodus flavolimbatus), collected from South Florida local fish market on 02/11/2023 by Alison Novara and Lili McElhill.

Jackfish (Caranx Lugubris) Neurocranium, Lauren Groves, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from 9 cm total length (TL) Jackfish, Caranx lugubris, collected from Ideal Market on September 18th, by Lauren Groves

Brha, Kevin Rafferty, Briana K. Zaffiro, David W. Kerstetter

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

Skull from Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus).

Northern Red Snapper (Lutjanus Campechnus) Neurocranium, Ajani K. Saldana, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from 7.5 cm total length (TL) 37 cm Lutjanus campechanus (Northern Red Snapper), collected from Mango Tree Supermarket in September 2023 by Ajani Saldana

Blsk 3d Scan, Kevin Rafferty, Briana K. Zaffiro, David Kerstetter

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

Skull from Black Skimmer (Rhnchops niger)

Ictalurus Punctatus (Channel Catfish) Neurocranium, Kayla D. Jones, Maura P. Wondra, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from 9.70 cm total length (TL) Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfish), collected from Davie, Florida in June 2023 by Katrina Sawickij.

[Caranx Hippos (Jack Crevalle)] Neurocranium, Liat N. Castillo, Dylan J. Seiffert, David W. Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from [80cm TL] Caranx hippos (Jack Crevalle), collected from Merrit Island, Florida [9/18/2023] by Dylan Seiffert.

Channel Catfish (Ictalurus Punctatus), Neurocranium, Corinne Renshaw, Brianna Buckley, David Kerstetter

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

Neurocranium from 4.9 cm total length 20.6 cm Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfish), collected from Dr. Kerstetter's dissection specimens.

Shell Pnw, Victoria B. Martinez Bruno, Amy C. Hirons Dr.

Hirons Field Techniques

No abstract provided.