Marine Biology Commons^™

Diel Activity Patterns, Space Utilization, Seasonal Distribution And Population Structure Of The Yellow Stingray, Urobatis Jamaicensis (Cuvier, 1817) In South Florida With Comments On Reproduction., Daniel P. Fahy

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The yellow stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis is the most common elasmobranch in the coastal waters of Southeast Florida. Despite their common occurrence the ecology of yellow stingrays remains poorly understood. In particular, yellow stingray daily movements, space utilization, seasonal distribution and population structure have not been described. This study was conducted to address the lack of knowledge of these fundamental life history parameters and to provide further information on the ecology of U. jamaicensis in coastal waters of Broward County, Florida.

The activity patterns and space utilization of U. jamaicensis were assessed by manual tracking with ultrasonic telemetry. Telemetry tracking of …

Age, Growth And The Annual Cycles Of Lipogenesis And Reproduction Of Acanthurus Bahianus In Southeastern Florida, Stacy M. Wolfe

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The ocean surgeon, Acanthurus bahianus, is a coral reef fish inhabiting the tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic, including southeastern Florida. This study was a 23-month analysis of the reproductive cycle correlated with the annual build up and depletion of fat reserves in the fish. In addition, an age and growth analysis of this species was conducted. A total of 507 fish were analyzed for length, weight, gonad weight and fat body weight. 478 were aged by microscopic examination of the transverse section of the sagittae otolith. The von Bertalannfy growth equation was used to determine length at …

Biology And Ecologyof Epigean Crayfish That Inhabit Everglades Environments Procambarus Alleni (Faxon) And Procambarus Fallax (Hagen), Peggy G. Vanarman

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Two species of epigean crayfish, Procambarus alleni (the Everglades crayfish) and Procambarus fallax (slough crayfish), may be keystone species that inhabit wetlands in south Florida and the Everglades. Recent field studies showed that although these two species occur in sympatric and syntopic distribution, Everglades crayfish prefer shallow water and short hydroperiod conditions, whereas slough crayfish prefer areas that are more permanently flooded (Hendrix 2000). Slough crayfish have invaded some areas within the range occupied by Everglades crayfish, and may be the more successful competitor. Because of their critical role throughout the trophic structure of Everglades wetlands, shifts in relative abundance …

Habitat Utilization By Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) In Biscayne Bay, Florida, Christine A. Hudak

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) exhibit variable distribution patterns, depending upon their geographic location. Habitat utilization patterns in Biscayne Bay, Florida, were examined using the Biscayne Bay Bottlenose Dolphin Photo-ID database obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) Miami Laboratory. Habitat coverages in Biscayne Bay were obtained from the Atlas of Marine Resources Version 1.3B CD and the Biscayne Bay National Park CD. Dolphin sightings were overlaid on the habitat coverages using GIS Arcview software.

The effects of habitat, season, behavior, zone (sectioned area of Biscayne Bay), and depth on patterns …

Growth And Survivorship Of Meandrina Meandrites And Montastrea Cavernosa Transplants To An Artificial Reef Environment, And The Effectiveness Of Plugging Core Holes In Transplant Donor Colonies, Elizabeth Glynn Fahy

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The growth and survivorship of two species of scleractinian coral transplants, Meandrina meandrites and Montastrea cavernosa, were investigated. Identically sized replicate transplants were obtained from the second reef, off Dania Beach, using a hydraulic drill fitted with a 4” core barrel. The transplants were fixed to Reef Ball™ substrates using an adhesive marine epoxy. Drill holes in the donor corals (core holes) were filled with concrete plugs to prevent the detrimental effects of bioeroders. Control corals, of comparable size to both the donor colonies and the transplant corals, were selected for comparison. The transplant corals, donor corals, and controls …

Coral Recruitment To Various Artificial Substrata, Miami Beach, Fl, Nicholas C. Straccione

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The City of Miami has placed 12 artificial reefs approximately 100m offshore in two parallel transects. The reason for this deployment was to tum a barren seabed into a productive environment for aquatic organisms. The reefs were placed close to the shoreline to allow easy access for snorkellers, divers, and fisherman. Three different types of reef materials were used in constructing the artificial reefs: boulders composed of limestone, concrete shaped as tetrahedrons, and concrete mixed with tire aggregate shaped as tetrahedrons. This study consisted of two separate assessments: I) a survey from two of each of the different reef types …

A Comparison Of Aeration Methods And Diets For Larval Culture Of The Edible Sea Urchin, Tripneustes Ventricosus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea), Ray Wolcott

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Tripneustes ventricosus (Lamarck 1816), a major near-shore herbivore in the Atlantic and Caribbean, has been harvested for human consumption in the Caribbean for centuries (Lawrence 2001a, b), occasionally at rates that exceed sustainability (Smith & Berkes 1991), and is among the species having economic importance (Lawrence & Bazhin 1998). Tripneustes ventricosus has recently been observed on the forereef controlling macroalgal growth in the absence of Diadema antillarum (Woodley 1999, Aronson & Precht 2000, Haley & Solandt 2001).

Large-scale culturing has the potential to produce T. ventricosus in sufficient numbers to be used for: bioremediation of coral reef degradation, restocking of …

Beach Crawl Width As A Predictive Indicator Of Carapace Length In Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta Caretta)., Dawn M. Miller

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Carapace lengths and widths of nesting loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were measured at Pompano Beach and Fort Lauderdale, Florida to determine if plastron and/or track crawl widths were predictive of carapace size. Straight and curved carapace measurements were taken.

Plastron and track crawl width were measured at four points on each crawl: 1) emerging at the tide line; 2) mid-way to the nest; 3) mid-way returning to the surf; and 4) at the tide line returning to the surf. All four measurements were significantly different from each other (P < 0.005) along each crawl. Crawl width was the most variable factor in all comparisons.

Maximum straight carapace length correlated with emergent track …

Abundance And Distribution Of Commensal Amphipods From Common Marine Sponges Of Southeast Florida, Stacie E. Crowe

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Marine sponges were examined from shallow waters of southeast Florida and the Florida Keys to determine species composition and distribution of commensal amphipod crustaceans from shallow reef, mangrove, and seagrass habitats. Twenty sponge species were investigated during this study, sixteen of which housed amphipods in the families Colomastigidae and/or Leucothoidae. Six species of commensal amphipods were identified. Leucothoe spinicarpa (Abildgaard) species "complex" was the most dominant amphipod commensal, representing 63% of the total amphipods collected. The L. spinicarpa "complex" contains four local morphotypes, which are diagnosed and briefly described. Common sponge hosts included Callyspongia vaginalis, Mycale sp., and Myriastra kallitetilla.

A Taxonomic Evaluation Of The Comatulid Genus Stephanometra (Echinodermata:Crinoidea), Dana Lin Rankin

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Several genera in the comatulid family Mariametridae are currently ambiguously distinguished on the basis of variations in length and robustness of oral pinnules. Previous descriptions have suggested that at least the genera Stephanometra and Lamprometra are imperfectly distinguishable. A detailed re-examination of morphology coupled with principal component analyses of morphometric data and cladistic analyses provide support for a monophyletic Stephanometra distinct from Lamprometra. A preliminary morphological analysis suggests that Dichrometra and Liparometra should be synonymized with Lamprometra. The six currently recognized species of Stephanometra uniquely share at least one pair of oral pinnules characterized by enlarged size, reduced ambulacral groove …

Experiments To Maximize Growth In Captive Florida Pompano (Trachinotus Carolinus), Brian J. Hicks

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Florida pompano (Trachinotus carolinus) are highly prized food and sport fish indigenous to coastal areas of the southeastern United States. A commercially valuable fishery has historically existed in the Gulf of Mexico and on the South Atlantic seaboard. Efforts to economically culture Florida pompano in a captive environment were only partially successful. Four experiments were performed to explore the physical and environmental requirements of Florida pompano and other closely related species in the Family (Carangidae):

Experiment #1- Semi-natural spawning was induced with newly developed hormonal implants. to initiate and sustain semi-natural spawning in captive Florida pompano. Fish collected from the …

The Occurrence Of Pcbs And Chlorinated Pesticide Contaminants In Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) In A Resident Community: Comparison With Age, Gender And Birth Order, Kathleen M. Kuss

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Tissue samples from twenty bottlenose dolphins from a stable, residential community of coastal dolphins in the western Gulf of Mexico were analyzed for toxic PCB congeners and chlorinated pesticides. The tissues analyzed (blubber and melon) were from known individuals in a long-term (27⁺ y) study that stranded and were recovered for necropsy. Substantial demographic data were available on these individuals and utilized in the analysis of maternal transfer of organochlorines to young.

The male dolphins in this study were shown to accumulate organochlorine contaminants with age. In female dolphins the organochlorine levels were found to decline with age. These …

Variability In Copepod Hatching Success: Observations On Natural Populations And Experiments On The Role Of Maternal Diet, Carol A. Burkart

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this study were (1) to survey the percent hatching success of eggs produced by calanoid copepod species from a variety of ecosystems (i.e., polar, temperate, and sub-tropical), (2) to describe the relationship between egg production, hatching success of Acartia tonsa and the physical and food environments of Florida Bay, and (3) to describe the relationships between hatching success and maternal diet. In order to fulfill the first objective, an incubation system was designed to allow the monitoring of eggs at sea for extended periods of time. The second objective was addressed with a series of egg production …

Coastal Circulations Driven By River Outflow, Shuliang Zhang

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Variable-density, 1^1/2- and 2^1/2- layer models are used to examine the behavior of plumes resulting from a fresher outflow of transport M_r and salinity S_r into a pre-existing oceanic layer of initial thickness H₁ and salinity S₁. It is found that the plumes exhibit a variety of features depending on conditions of the outflow, the situation of the ambient ocean, and external forcing. Perhaps the most interesting feature is that the plume can flow along the upstream (to the left of the river mouth, looking seaward in the northern hemisphere) coast …

Diet And Seasonal Feeding Habits Of The Yellow Stingray, Urolophus Jamaicensis, T. Patrick Quinn

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Urolophus jamaicensis, the yellow stingray, is a common elasmobranch found on and around the coral reefs off Florida's southeastern coast. Its diet consists of polychaetes, crustaceans, nemerteans, sipunculids, nematodes, and chaetognaths with polychaetes and crustaceans comprising almost 67% of the stomach contents by volume. There does not appear to be any diet preference between the male and females stingrays. The seasonal changes in diet preference are limited to an increase in the proportion of polychaetes found in the stomach during spring when compared to fall.

Regulation Of Beta-Glucosidase In Marine Bacteria, Dennis Stetter

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The following is a study of the regulation of production of a catabolic enzyme, beta-glucosidase, by isolated strains of marine bacteria. Catabolic enzymes transform organic matter to monosaccharides which are utilized as an energy source for growth by bacteria. The bacterial strains were isolated from the Gulf Stream off the coast of Florida, as well as from particulate matter collected from waters adjacent to the Florida coast.

The first section describes the preparation of a liquid medium using sterile saltwater supplemented with inorganic nutrients and a carbohydrate component. This medium allowed growth of marine bacteria under carbohydrate-limiting conditions. A solid …

Phosphorous Limitation And Trophic Status In Limestone Quarry Lakes, Dade County, Fl, Isaac Peter Chase

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

While limestone quarry lakes have existed in South Florida for many years, only recently have they received serious scrutiny. A thorough understanding of the trophic dynamics of these lakes has yet to be achieved. Questions have arisen as to the value of these lakes for such purposes as water reclamation, conservation, and recreational use. The purpose of this study was twofold, 1) to investigate the trophic processes within these lakes with special regard to phosphorus limitation, and 2) to help provide a better understanding of the linmology of these lakes, specifically through the quantification and identification of the invertebrate life …

Alkaline Phosphatase Activity And Phosphorus Limitation In Marine Macroalgae From The Florida Keys And The Bahamas, Christine M. Urnezis

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Anthropogenic nutrient enrichment and coastal eutrophication are a primary threat to the biological integrity of coral reef ecosystems. Macroalgal blooms are one symptom of eutrophication and provide useful 'bioindicators' of the nutrient dynamics associated with the eutrophication process. This study used marine macroalgae to monitor physiological processes associated with eutrophication by comparing the degree of phosphorus (P) limitation in reef and nearshore environments of the highly developed Florida Keys with the relatively pristine Bahamas by measuring enzymatic alkaline phosphatase activity (APA), tissue composition, and water column nutrient concentrations [total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)]. Experimental nutrient enrichment studies were …

Microzooplankton Distributions In The Irish Sea, Carol A. Burkart

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the distributions and abundances of microzooplankton across a front in the Irish Sea, and to test the hypothesis that the structure which develops within the microzooplankton community is the result of the interactions within the communities.

Eight sites were sampled on May 1-2, 1989 along a transect from Liverpool Bay, England to Dundalk Bay, Ireland. The transect crossed both the Liverpool Bay and western Irish Sea fronts; sites were positioned with respect to water type (e.g., coastal, thermally mixed, thermally stratified) . Five sites were sampled by double Longhurst-Hardy Plankton Recorder (LHPR) …

A Survey Of The Stony Coral Community Composition Of Pompano Ledge, Broward County, Florida, With A Preliminary Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Mooring Buoys In Reducing Coral Damage, John D. Hocevar

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Stony corals of Pompano Ledge, First Reef, Broward County, Florida were sampled in situ using a new reef assessment method. The circular-radial method was used to assess the effectiveness of mooring buoys in reducing damage to reefs. Data will be part of a long-term monitoring study of·buoy impacts. The parameter of recent injury was used to provide preliminary information on buoy effectiveness.

Results were as follows: approximately 6% of the study area was covered by stony corals, with an average of 3 colonies per square meter. Diversity based on abundance (H'n) was 1 .7, and diversity based on relative coverage …

The Diet And Feeding Habits Of The Southern Stingray, Dasyatis Americana, In Tropical Shallow Marine Habitats, David S. Gilliam

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

The diet and feeding habits of the southern stingray, Dasyatis americana, were investigated through aerial surveys, land-based observations, and quantitative analysis of stomach contents. The field research was conducted in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, central Bahamas. Systematic aerial surveys and the land-based observations were made to determine population density and feeding periodicity in terms of time or tidal phase. In August, 1989, systematic surveys were flown over two cays in the Park; a 12 km² area around Waderick Wells Cay and a 21km² area around Shroud Cay. Both survey areas were flown three times …

Aspects Of Phytoplankton Chlorophyll A Carbon-Specific Growth Rates, And The Distributions Of Chlorophyll A And Primary Productivity In Relation To Water Column Structure In The Eastern North Atlantic Ocean, Denis William Frazel

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three chapters, two of which are presented in manuscript form. Chapter One is an introduction and review of the measurement of phytoplankton chlorophyll a carbon-specific growth rates. Chapter Two consists of the manuscript ASPECTS OF CHLOROPHYLL a CARBONSPECIFIC GROWTH RATE IN THE EASTERN NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN. It has been formatted in accordance with the specifications of the oceanographic journal Marine Ecology Progress Series. In Chapter Two, an evaluation of the short-term kinetics of the labeling time of natural phytoplankton populations in different oceanic regions showed that chI a labeling varied in relation to both environmental conditions …

Coliphage As An Indicator Of Fecal Pollution In Marine Waters: Assay, Validation, And Application, Donald S. Mccorquodale Jr.

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Escherichia coli, the preferred bacterial indicator for fecal pollution in fresh waters, does not conform to the concept of an indicator microorganism because it is rapidly killed or inactivated by seawater. This series of papers investigated the value of coliphage, a virus which infects E. coli, as an indicator of pollution in saline waters. In order to be an accurate indicator an organism must (1) be ubiquitous in wastewater, (2) survive and be detectable at least as long as the harmful organisms, and (3) be easy to isolate and identify.

A review of the literature determined that coliphage …

A Comparison Of The Relative Sediment Transport Of Quartz And Aragonite Sand For Use As Beach Renourishment Materials In South Florida, Brian Lewis Lipsitz

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

An evaluation of the relative rates of sediment transport of an oolitic aragonite sand and a quartz quarry sand as possible beach renourishment materials has been conducted. When comparing equal volumes, the aragonite experienced less transport than the quartz in both the longshore and in the onshore-offshore directions. When comparing equal size fractions, in sizes 0.35mm and smaller, aragonite was less transportable. The quartz was less transportable in the sizes greater than 0.35mm. This trend was observed in two separate experiments and is attributed to the effective density ratio of aragonite to quartz, dissimilarities in roundness and sphericity, and to …

The Influence Of Lobster Trap Escape Gaps On Capture And Behavior Of The Spiny Lobster, Panulirus Argus (Latreille), Denis William Frazel

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Interest in the potential usefulness of lobster trap escape gaps in the Florida spiny lobster fishery prompted an independent examination of their influence on capture and behavior of the spiny lobster, Panulirus argus. A trapping study was conducted off Southeastern Florida during 1984/1985 using control traps, and traps with escape gap openings of 51, 54, and 57 mm. The 51 mm escape gap caught significantly more legal lobsters than any other trap, while the 54 and 57 mm escape gap caught significantly fewer sublegal lobsters. Carapace lengths of lobsters increased as escape gap width increased.

The impact of escape …

Atmospheric Forcing Of The Bight Of Abaco, Peter M. Smith

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.