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Articles 61 - 90 of 1425

Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology

Butterfly Peacock Bass (Cichla Ocellaris) Neurocranium, Jasmyn Todaro, Emma Horton, David Kerstetter Nov 2024

Butterfly Peacock Bass (Cichla Ocellaris) Neurocranium, Jasmyn Todaro, Emma Horton, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.


A Comparative Analysis Of Extant Oceanic Shark Species Using Trait-Based Ecology, Elizabeth A. Johnson Aug 2024

A Comparative Analysis Of Extant Oceanic Shark Species Using Trait-Based Ecology, Elizabeth A. Johnson

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Over the past few decades, scientists have been working together to mitigate human impacts on global shark populations, but deciding which species need the most immediate attention can be difficult. This study uses a newly emerging approach to ecology, trait-based ecology, to identify trends in trait expression with depth and determine which species have the most unique sets of traits. While trait-based ecology has already been applied to numerous fields, a trait-based approach to shark research is still in its infancy. A total of 15 traits across 337 oceanic shark species were examined to identify trends in trait expression and …


The Effects Of Simulated Predation And Nursery Structure On Post-Outplant Survival And Growth Of Sexual Juveniles Of Six Caribbean Coral Species, Jarrod Little Aug 2024

The Effects Of Simulated Predation And Nursery Structure On Post-Outplant Survival And Growth Of Sexual Juveniles Of Six Caribbean Coral Species, Jarrod Little

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Over the past few decades, increasing frequency and severity of direct and indirect anthropogenic stressors have resulted in reef degradation and decreased coral cover and diversity. In South Florida, coral propagation ex situ has gained popularity as a means to restore coral cover. Outplanting sexually propagated corals on the reef is particularly important as it contributes to greater genetic diversity and potentially overall reef resilience. However, these corals typically experience high levels of predation following outplanting, significantly reducing coral survival, and thus constitute a major bottleneck to the success of restoration efforts. This study assessed if simulated predation events on …


Euhaplorchis Sp. A Effect On Social Behavior And Familiarity Of Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis), Hannah Bauman Apr 2024

Euhaplorchis Sp. A Effect On Social Behavior And Familiarity Of Gulf Killifish (Fundulus Grandis), Hannah Bauman

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Trophically transmitted parasites may manipulate their hosts’ phenotype (e.g., behavior, physiology, morphology) to increase the likelihood of transmission to the definitive host. In fishes, stable social groups develop familiarity over time through repeated interactions among individuals, and social preferences are often developed due to familiarity. Consequently, fishes often shoal with familiar fishes, a behavior that is likely to be protective against predation. Parasites may alter fish social dynamics in two ways: by decreasing association with familiar individuals, thereby isolating infected fish and making them more susceptible to predation by definitive hosts; and/or by incentivizing uninfected individuals to avoid infected fish …


Trophic Ecology Of Black Swallowers (Scombriformes: Chiasmodontidae: Chiasmodon) In The Deep-Pelagic Gulf Of Mexico, Travis J. Kirk Apr 2024

Trophic Ecology Of Black Swallowers (Scombriformes: Chiasmodontidae: Chiasmodon) In The Deep-Pelagic Gulf Of Mexico, Travis J. Kirk

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The ecology of deep-pelagic predatory fishes remains poorly understood despite their importance as ecosystem regulators and energy transfer vectors. This study investigated the trophic ecology of three species of the predatory fish genus Chiasmodon (“black swallowers”) in the Gulf of Mexico, a region that serves as an analog for the global low-latitude deep pelagial, the world’s largest cumulative ecosystem. Foraging habits (e.g., selectivity, chronology, daily ration) of an “advanced” evolutionary fish in a system that is otherwise dominated by basal fish taxa, were quantitatively estimated via high-resolution stomach content analysis. A quantitative dataset of both predator and prey abundance, the …


Microplastic Quantification On The Effect Of Endoparasite Communities In Florida Seabirds, Sarah N. Prieto Apr 2024

Microplastic Quantification On The Effect Of Endoparasite Communities In Florida Seabirds, Sarah N. Prieto

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Microplastics are being studied in a variety of different projects to better understand their impact and threat to wildlife species. Although there is an understanding that microplastics are affecting our wildlife, there are still questions about how coastal seabirds come to ingest them and how the ingestion is altering critical biological processes, such as that for endoparasite communities. This project aims to determine a better understanding of two main objectives: assessment of the presence of secondary ingestion of microplastics in coastal seabirds due to the fish species they prey on and relationship between microplastics and endoparasite communities' structure and state …


Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus Narinari) Jaw, Lili M. Mcelhill, Alison G. Novara, David W. Kerstetter Apr 2024

Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus Narinari) Jaw, Lili M. Mcelhill, Alison G. Novara, David W. Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.


Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon Terraenovae) Jaw, Juliana N. Ottens-Rivera, Fiona Smith, David Kerstetter Apr 2024

Sharpnose (Rhizoprionodon Terraenovae) Jaw, Juliana N. Ottens-Rivera, Fiona Smith, David Kerstetter

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

Jaw from 76cm total length (TL) Rhizoprionodon genus (Sharpnose), collected from Anglers Bait & Tackle on Feb 5th, 2024, by Juliana Ottens-Rivera


Broadscale Coral Disease Interventions Elicit Efficiencies In Endemic Disease Response, Kathryn A. Toth, Samantha F. Buckley, Hunter Noren, Karen L. Neely, Brian K. Walker Jan 2024

Broadscale Coral Disease Interventions Elicit Efficiencies In Endemic Disease Response, Kathryn A. Toth, Samantha F. Buckley, Hunter Noren, Karen L. Neely, Brian K. Walker

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

The presence and abundance of 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. In 2014, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) was first identified in southeast Florida and remains endemic to the region, while continuing to spread throughout the Caribbean. Effective in situ intervention treatments using antibiotic paste can halt lesion progression on Montastraea cavernosa up to 90% of the time. This study investigated intervention activities over a three-year period to identify efficiencies in disease response. Since May 2019, 1,037 corals, >85% …


199965, David Kerstetter Jan 2024

199965, David Kerstetter

PERC Albacore sPAT Data

Datasets (and supporting material) from 4sPAT electronic tags deployed on albacore caught by pelagic longline gear in the western North Atlantic.


199953, David Kerstetter Jan 2024

199953, David Kerstetter

PERC Albacore sPAT Data

Datasets (and supporting material) from 4sPAT electronic tags deployed on albacore caught by pelagic longline gear in the western North Atlantic.


199949, David Kerstetter Jan 2024

199949, David Kerstetter

PERC Albacore sPAT Data

Datasets (and supporting material) from 4sPAT electronic tags deployed on albacore caught by pelagic longline gear in the western North Atlantic.


199946, David W. Kerstetter Jan 2024

199946, David W. Kerstetter

PERC Albacore sPAT Data

Datasets (and supporting material) from 4sPAT electronic tags deployed on albacore caught by pelagic longline gear in the western North Atlantic.


Catfish Neurocranium 3-D Scan, Pamela Gonzalez, Jarod Johnson, David Kerstetter Dec 2023

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 Dec 2023

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].


Evaluating Post-Release Survival And Habitat Utilization Of Undersized Swordfish (Xiphias Gladius) Caught By The U.S Pelagic Longline Fishery In The Western North Atlantic, Zachery Young Dec 2023

Evaluating Post-Release Survival And Habitat Utilization Of Undersized Swordfish (Xiphias Gladius) Caught By The U.S Pelagic Longline Fishery In The Western North Atlantic, Zachery Young

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

This study used survivorship pop-up archival tags (sPAT) tags to determine the post-release survival and habitat use from twenty-four undersized swordfish captured in the northwest Atlantic Ocean during normal operation within the commercial U.S pelagic longline industry. From these deployments, sixteen tags were used to determine post-release survival, and eight of the surviving tags were used to analyze short-term habitat utilization. Mortality was estimated to be 43.8% and was not significantly affected by variables such as fish size, latitude caught, or horizontal distance traveled. The relatively high mortality, in combination with the high at-haulback mortality reported in previous studies, does …


Spawning Asynchrony Of The Endangered Acropora Cervicornis: Are Light Pollution And Abnormally Warm Temperatures The Culprits?, Krista Laforest Dec 2023

Spawning Asynchrony Of The Endangered Acropora Cervicornis: Are Light Pollution And Abnormally Warm Temperatures The Culprits?, Krista Laforest

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The persistence of reefs relies on mature corals spawning synchronously to maximize fertilization and produce larvae to replenish local populations. Corals synchronize the release of gametes by responding to temperature, sun, and moon light cycles; however, abnormalities in these patterns can disrupt synchrony. This study is the first to describe regional asynchronous spawning of Acropora cervicornis by quantifying gamete development and spawning times among two reefs, an in situ nursery off Fort Lauderdale, and an in situ nursery in the Florida Keys. While A. cervicornis in the Florida Keys synchronously spawned within the predicted window of 2-5 days after the …


Common Snook (Centropomus Undecimalis) Neurocranium, Ryan Robison, Lesley Wallace, David Kerstetter Dec 2023

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 Dec 2023

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 Dec 2023

Jack Crevalle Neurocranium, Rodolfo A. Heredia, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.


A Rapid Site Selection Assessment As An Indicator Of Stony Coral Microfragment Outplant Success, John J. Alfirevich Dec 2023

A Rapid Site Selection Assessment As An Indicator Of Stony Coral Microfragment Outplant Success, John J. Alfirevich

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Microfragmentation of massive stony coral species is a technique being utilized to propagate corals asexually to help restore coral reefs. Microfragmentation consists of cutting corals into 3 cm diameter or less fragments, which boosts growth rates. However, in some locations the size of microfragments make them vulnerable to parrotfish predation and benthic overgrowth, reducing survival. As such, a method to identify key site characteristics which promotes microfragment outplant success, particularly one that can be performed quickly across multiple areas is needed. A rapid site assessment conducted prior to microfragment outplanting was performed at 12 randomly selected sites within the Kristin …


Fishing And Fear Effects Interact To Shape Herbivory On Coral Reefs, Bethany M. Tilton Dec 2023

Fishing And Fear Effects Interact To Shape Herbivory On Coral Reefs, Bethany M. Tilton

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Predation influences animal behavior and shapes ecological structure and function through lethal effects and fear effects. On coral reefs, fear effects can alter the distribution and intensity of herbivory by herbivorous reef fishes. This includes the browsing functional group, which potentially reverses macroalgal phase shifts and promotes reef recovery. Herbivory by multiple functional groups may increase on coral reefs through the use of NTZs (no-take zones) but few studies have examined the extent to which small-scale NTZs (< 0.5 km2) influence fear effects and perceived predator presence on reefs. This study aimed to determine whether fear effects on browsers on …


Brown Bullhead Catfish (Ameiurus Nebulosus) Neurocranium, Reginald Leon Kempson Iii, David Kerstetter Dec 2023

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 Dec 2023

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 Dec 2023

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 Dec 2023

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 Dec 2023

Rainbow Parrotfish Neurocranium, Theophilus J. Hebert, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.


The Endoparasite Fauna Of Mesopredatory Mesopelagic Teleosts, Alexander U. Rayburn Dec 2023

The Endoparasite Fauna Of Mesopredatory Mesopelagic Teleosts, Alexander U. Rayburn

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The ecology of the mesopelagic zone is an understudied area of the open ocean, with few diet studies even for dominant fish species. Since endoparasites are generally transmitted trophically, descriptions of the parasite communities within fishes can often provide additional insights on food web interactions. This project assesses the endoparasite faunal community of mesopredatory mesopelagic teleosts to better understand mesopelagic food webs in the South Atlantic Bight. Fishes in the Families Alepisauridae (lancetfishes), Gempylidae (snake mackerels), Bramidae (pomfrets), and Scombrolabracidae (longfin escolar) are frequent bycatch in the pelagic longline fishery targeting swordfish Xiphias gladius and thunnid tunas, yet the ecology …


Do Mesopelagic Fish Biomass Patterns Change In Response To Major Oceanographic Features In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico?, Ian M. Areford Dec 2023

Do Mesopelagic Fish Biomass Patterns Change In Response To Major Oceanographic Features In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico?, Ian M. Areford

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

In recent years interest in mesopelagic fishes has grown due to their ecological significance and economic potential. A major outstanding question is how the assemblage is potentially structured by mesoscale (10 - 100s km) oceanographic features such as eddies, fronts, and riverine plumes. Mesoscale features are known to influence micronekton and zooplankton’s spatial distributions but data on individual mesopelagic fish species’ responses are limited. The Gulf of Mexico (GoM) is an area of particular interest due to its diverse mesopelagic fish assemblage, its well-defined mesoscale oceanographic features, its history of anthropogenic impacts such as oil spills, and its diverse mesopelagic …


Serranidae Spp. Neurocranium, Justin Abonce, David Kerstetter Dec 2023

Serranidae Spp. Neurocranium, Justin Abonce, David Kerstetter

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

No abstract provided.