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2021

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Articles 91 - 120 of 359

Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology

An Analysis Of Consumer Evaluations Of The “Tagonoura Shirasu” Certification Under The Japan Geographical Indication Protection System, Yu-Heng Lu, Takahiro Sajiki Sep 2021

An Analysis Of Consumer Evaluations Of The “Tagonoura Shirasu” Certification Under The Japan Geographical Indication Protection System, Yu-Heng Lu, Takahiro Sajiki

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Over time, the Geographical Indication (GI) protection system has been independently adopted in more than 100 countries worldwide. In Japan, the GI protection system has been operating since 2015 in response to a growing interest in local brands. Therefore, based on a questionnaire survey, we econometrically analyze the consumer evaluation of Shizuoka Prefecture’s Shirasu “Tagonoura Shirasu,” which is registered under the GI protection system. Shirasu is a collective term for long and narrow larvae such as anchovy (Engraulis japonicus), sardine (Sardinops melanostictus), or red-eye round herring (Etrumeus sadina). Based on the contingent valuation method, we clarified that consumers' additional willingness …


A Two-Stage Approach To Integrate Vessel Geo-Tracking Data And Logbooks For Monitoring Fishing Activity Of Coastal Fisheries In Waters Off Northwestern Taiwan, Yi-Jou Lee, Nan-Jay Su, Cheng-Hsin Liao, Wei-Chuan Chiang, Chun-Huei Li Sep 2021

A Two-Stage Approach To Integrate Vessel Geo-Tracking Data And Logbooks For Monitoring Fishing Activity Of Coastal Fisheries In Waters Off Northwestern Taiwan, Yi-Jou Lee, Nan-Jay Su, Cheng-Hsin Liao, Wei-Chuan Chiang, Chun-Huei Li

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Catch and fishing effort data are fundamental information to stock assessment and fisheries management, but difficult to obtain without the support of administration and sound fishery data collection system. This study integrated various sources of data from a simplified vessel geo-tracking system and logbooks from interviews with captains of coastal gillnet fisheries. We developed a two-step approach based on hierarchical cluster analysis to characterize the operation patterns and infer the fishing activities of the fishery. Results showed that the fishing effort in terms of operation duration could be estimated precisely for various vessel sizes, with catch composition and harvest information …


Effect Of Chlorine Dioxide On The Removal Of Sulfadimethoxine And Sulfamethoxazole In Freshwater And Seawater, Zhen-Hao Liao, Dai-Chee Ng, Yu-Sheng Wu, Fan Hua Nan Sep 2021

Effect Of Chlorine Dioxide On The Removal Of Sulfadimethoxine And Sulfamethoxazole In Freshwater And Seawater, Zhen-Hao Liao, Dai-Chee Ng, Yu-Sheng Wu, Fan Hua Nan

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study aimed to understand the fate of sulfonamides (SAs) under dark condition in a laboratory-scale aquatic system, and evaluate the removal of SAs by using Chlorine dioxide. Based on the mass spectrometry quantification, our results have shown that two sulfonamides were transformed at very slow rate in the dark. The 180 day degradation efficiencies (%) of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) in freshwater and seawater were 6.37 ± 2.56 and 4.38 ± 3.43, respectively, while those of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in freshwater and seawater were 7.81 ± 2.15 and 6.60 ± 2.69, respectively. In the treatment of Chlorine dioxide for the removal of …


Long-Term Observations Of Interannual And Decadal Variation Of Sea Surface Temperature In The Taiwan Strait, Ming-An Lee, Wei-Po Huang, Yi-Lo Shen, Jinn-Shing Weng, Bambang Semedi, Yi-Chen Wang, Jui-Wen Chan Sep 2021

Long-Term Observations Of Interannual And Decadal Variation Of Sea Surface Temperature In The Taiwan Strait, Ming-An Lee, Wei-Po Huang, Yi-Lo Shen, Jinn-Shing Weng, Bambang Semedi, Yi-Chen Wang, Jui-Wen Chan

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Long-term observations of interannual and decadal variation of sea surface temperature (SST) in the Taiwan Strait (TS) were studied for the period 1870–2018; the climatology data were obtained from the Met Office Hadley Centre, UK. In the study period, the highest annual mean and lowest SST observed were 25.3°C in 1998 and 22.4°C in 1919, respectively. Six distinct regimes were identified. The first regime of fairly stable or slightly cooling SST lasted through the 1920s. The two regime shifts of 1919 to 1945 and 1976–1977 to 1998 led to the two fast warming trends of 2.0°C in 26 years, from …


Experimental Investigation And Modeling Of The Response Surface Methodology For The Optimization Of A Multiloop Heat Pipe, Dar-Sun Liou Sep 2021

Experimental Investigation And Modeling Of The Response Surface Methodology For The Optimization Of A Multiloop Heat Pipe, Dar-Sun Liou

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Considering thermohydrodynamic instabilities in the design of cooling systems has become a trend, which has led to the evolution of thermal management. However, such instabilities, which cause flow perturbations, are difficult to explain by using physical theories. The aim of this study was to use a parameter-based modeling technique, namely the response surface methodology (RSM), to characterize the dynamics of multiloop heat pipes (MLHPs) under various heat loads. The RSM, which is based on statistics, was used to determine the relationship between the design parameters and thermal responses of MLHPs, which are represented using polynomials. Th aim of our RSM …


Supply Chain Inventory Model With Markov Chain Demand, Zhi-Ping Lin, Su-Ping Ho Sep 2021

Supply Chain Inventory Model With Markov Chain Demand, Zhi-Ping Lin, Su-Ping Ho

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study aims to develop a new one-vendor multiple-buyers integrated inventory model. We believe that our proposed model can forecast the demand of all buyers in the coming future by using data that have already existed and to minimize the total cost-for both buyers and vendors. In recent days, the Markov chain approach has played one of the critical methods of demand forecasting in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) field. The proposed model of this study is to analysis the demand of all buyers in one specific season that was impacted by the demand in the same season from last …


Fire Resistance Of Steel Connectors Of Precast Lightweight Concrete Walls, Jen-Hao Chi, Maochieh Chi, Yue-Lin Huang Sep 2021

Fire Resistance Of Steel Connectors Of Precast Lightweight Concrete Walls, Jen-Hao Chi, Maochieh Chi, Yue-Lin Huang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

In this study the fire test was performed to investigate the mechanic behaviors and failure patterns of precast normal weight concrete (NWC) and lightweight concrete (LWC) walls with three types of commonly used steel connectors, namely dry (61), wet (81), and bearing (56E) connectors. For the LWC wall specimens, on lateral application of tension, the cracking load values of the dry, wet, and bearing-type connectors were 95.1%, 86.3%, and 83.0%, respectively, of the original loads, and their ultimate load values were 81.6%, 90.7%, and 85.0%, respectively, of the original. In the shearing test after the fire resistance test, the cracking …


Differential Evolution Algorithm For Ship Path Planning In Open Waters, Yu-Tao Kang, Wei-Jiong Chen, Jin-Hui Wang Sep 2021

Differential Evolution Algorithm For Ship Path Planning In Open Waters, Yu-Tao Kang, Wei-Jiong Chen, Jin-Hui Wang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

A general approach to the derivation of simple yet accurate formulas for identifying bandpass nonlinear channels in or-thogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems is proposed in this paper. The OFDM is an widely adopted tech-nique for wideband communication applications. An OFDM signal could be highly vulnerable to nonlinearities in a com-munication link. This makes proper estimation of the nonlin-ear channel essential for an OFDM system. A nonlinear bandpass communication channel is commonly described by a complex Voletrra series, in which the task of nonlinear channel identification is to determine the Volterra kernels. This task can become very difficult when the order …


Integrated Simulation Of Virtual Prototypes And Control Algorithms Of Unmanned Surface Vehicles Based On A Robot Operating System, Hye-Won Lee, Joo-Hyun Woo, Myung-Il Roh, Seung-Ho Ham, Luman Zhao, Sol Ha, Nak-Wan Kim, Chan-Woo Yu Sep 2021

Integrated Simulation Of Virtual Prototypes And Control Algorithms Of Unmanned Surface Vehicles Based On A Robot Operating System, Hye-Won Lee, Joo-Hyun Woo, Myung-Il Roh, Seung-Ho Ham, Luman Zhao, Sol Ha, Nak-Wan Kim, Chan-Woo Yu

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) require autonomous software with a high level of liberalization and automation to complete various missions. Therefore, experimental verification and validation of this software at the initial design stage are essential. However, such experiments are impossible before the actual hardware is developed, and the creation of an external environment for the mission requires substantial cost and time. In this study, virtual prototypes of the mission environment and hardware for the USV are developed. Then, a simulation environment for testing the control algorithms in the autonomous software is constructed. Data communication with the USV hardware is necessary for …


Identification Of Nonlinear Channels In Bandpass Communication Systems With Ofdm Inputs, Jen-Ho Cheng, Ching-Hsiang Tseng Sep 2021

Identification Of Nonlinear Channels In Bandpass Communication Systems With Ofdm Inputs, Jen-Ho Cheng, Ching-Hsiang Tseng

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

A general approach to the derivation of simple yet accurate formulas for identifying bandpass nonlinear channels in or-thogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) systems is proposed in this paper. The OFDM is an widely adopted tech-nique for wideband communication applications. An OFDM signal could be highly vulnerable to nonlinearities in a com-munication link. This makes proper estimation of the nonlin-ear channel essential for an OFDM system. A nonlinear bandpass communication channel is commonly described by a complex Voletrra series, in which the task of nonlinear channel identification is to determine the Volterra kernels. This task can become very difficult when the order …


Recruitment Patterns Of The Fouling Community On Eelgrass In Long Island Sound, Diana Lancaster Sep 2021

Recruitment Patterns Of The Fouling Community On Eelgrass In Long Island Sound, Diana Lancaster

Department of Marine Sciences

Abstract The seagrass Zostera marina (eelgrass) is typically found in shallow protected areas of portions of eastern Long Island Sound (LIS). Although the species and its associated ecosystem have been well studied in many places, work in LIS has been limited. A field study was conducted to assess the fouling communities associated with eelgrass beds around Pine Island, in eastern LIS. Samples were collected from four sites between July and October, 2011. A total of 15 species of fouling organisms were found on eelgrass leaves throughout the study period. Recruitment patterns varied spatially and temporally. Differences in the composition of …


Kelp Morphology And Herbivory Are Maintained Across Latitude Despite Geographic Shift In Kelp-Wounding Herbivores, Nicholas P. Burnett, Eric J. Armstrong, Rosemary Romero, Charlotte C. Runzel, Richelle L. Tanner Sep 2021

Kelp Morphology And Herbivory Are Maintained Across Latitude Despite Geographic Shift In Kelp-Wounding Herbivores, Nicholas P. Burnett, Eric J. Armstrong, Rosemary Romero, Charlotte C. Runzel, Richelle L. Tanner

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Herbivores can drastically alter the morphology of macroalgae by directly consuming tissue and by inflicting structural wounds. Wounds can result in large amounts of tissue breaking away from macroalgae, amplifying the damage initially caused by herbivores. Herbivores that commonly wound macroalgae often occur over only a portion of a macroalga’s lifespan or geographic range. However, we know little about the influence of these periodic or regional occurrences of herbivores on the large-scale seasonal and geographical patterns of macroalgal morphology. We used the intertidal kelp Egregia menziesii to investigate how the kelp’s morphology and the prevalence of two prominent kelp-wounding herbivores …


Blue Carbon In South Florida's Mangroves: The Role Of Large Roots And Necromass, Zoë I. Shribman Sep 2021

Blue Carbon In South Florida's Mangroves: The Role Of Large Roots And Necromass, Zoë I. Shribman

LSU Master's Theses

Blue carbon sequestration and storage in mangroves largely result from belowground biomass allocation in response to flooded anaerobic soil conditions and nutrient availability. Biomass allocation to belowground roots is a major driver of mangrove soil formation and organic matter accumulation leading to blue carbon storage potential. Belowground biomass sampling in mangroves is labor intensive, limiting data availability on biomass stocks, particularly for large roots (>20 mm diameter) and necromass (dead roots). The mangrove nutrient model (NUMAN) uses mostly literature values to parameterize a soil cohort approach to simulate depth distribution of root mass and organic carbon concentration. We evaluated …


Otoliths Of South-Western Australian Fish: A Photographic Catalogue, Chris Dowling, Kim Smith, Elaine Lek, Joshua Brown Sep 2021

Otoliths Of South-Western Australian Fish: A Photographic Catalogue, Chris Dowling, Kim Smith, Elaine Lek, Joshua Brown

Fisheries Research Reports

Due to the species-specific nature of otoliths and given they are often the only part of the fish preserved when fish die, otolith catalogues can be used in numerous applications, such as diet studies in fish eating animals, including pinnipeds, fish and sea birds; archaeological purposes such as reconstructing indigenous people’s diets from otoliths found in middens or evolutionary history of fish species by comparing fossilized otoliths. Given the unique mixture of subtropical and temperate fish, including many endemic species that occur off the southwest corner of WA having a catalogue for this area is extremely important for people working …


Epiphyte Identification On Commercially Grown Kappaphycus Alvarezii In Eastern Samar, Philippines [Research Note], Ma. Carla Angelica Deladia, Leni Yap-Dejeto, Kenneth Abuda, Margarita Dela Cruz Sep 2021

Epiphyte Identification On Commercially Grown Kappaphycus Alvarezii In Eastern Samar, Philippines [Research Note], Ma. Carla Angelica Deladia, Leni Yap-Dejeto, Kenneth Abuda, Margarita Dela Cruz

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The decline in production and quality of Kappaphycus alvarezii is primarily associated with occurrence of "ice-ice" disease and epiphyte infestations. K. alvarezii var. tambalang (brown) in the nursery farms of Balangiga and Lawaan, E. Samar harbored such infestations. This study identified the dominant Epiphytic Filamentous Algae (EFA) on the seaweeds in these farms using microscopic morphological characteristics. Microscopic examinations revealed that the main epiphyte in the farms studied was Melanothamnus apiculatus (Hollenberg) Díaz-Tapia & Maggs (former: Neosiphonia apiculata (Hollenberg) Masuda et Kogame). The epiphytes observed have rhizoids separated from the pericentral cells, unicellular trichoblasts, globose cystocarp and tetrasporangia arranged in …


Connecting Communities To Coastal Resilience: Enhancing Sustainability Through Public Participation In Salt Marsh Management And Restoration In Suffolk County, Ny, Jennifer L. Mcgivern Sep 2021

Connecting Communities To Coastal Resilience: Enhancing Sustainability Through Public Participation In Salt Marsh Management And Restoration In Suffolk County, Ny, Jennifer L. Mcgivern

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Coastal resiliency is becoming significantly more critical to the livelihood of coastal communities as the frequency and intensity of storm events increases and is exacerbated by rising sea levels due to climate change. In October 2012 Superstorm Sandy impacted the New York-New Jersey area costing over $70 billion in storm damages and 147 lives lost, as storm surges surpassed record highs for the region. Protruding more than 100 miles into the Atlantic Ocean with over 1,000 miles of shoreline, Long Island is particularly vulnerable to the increasingly ferocious and numerous storms as well as the rising sea levels that climate …


A Systematic Review Of Parasites Found Within Selected Teleost Fishes Of The South Florida Hermatypic Coral Reef Tract, Blake A. Roberts Aug 2021

A Systematic Review Of Parasites Found Within Selected Teleost Fishes Of The South Florida Hermatypic Coral Reef Tract, Blake A. Roberts

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

This report is a synthetic survey of published accounts of 43 reef-associated fish species and their parasites from the east coast of North America, the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and regions adjacent to the south Florida reef tract. To date, no comprehensive host-parasite list is available for this region, although comparable reviews from other regions have played a vital role in the fields of parasitology and fish ecology, providing valuable guidance on sampling locations, available host fishes inhabiting the region, and inventories of parasites likely to be found infecting these host species. This systematic review of teleost host fish …


Insights Into Halophilic Microbial Adaptation: Analysis Of Integrons And Associated Genomic Structures And Characterization Of A Nitrilase In Hypersaline Environments, Sarah Sonbol Aug 2021

Insights Into Halophilic Microbial Adaptation: Analysis Of Integrons And Associated Genomic Structures And Characterization Of A Nitrilase In Hypersaline Environments, Sarah Sonbol

Theses and Dissertations

Hypersaline environments are extreme habitats that can be exploited as biotechnological resources. Here, we characterized a nitrilase (NitraS-ATII) isolated from Atlantis II Deep brine pool. It showed higher thermal stability and heavy metal tolerance compared to a closely related nitrilase.

We also studied integrons in halophiles and hypersaline environments. Integrons are genetic platforms in which an integron integrase (IntI) mediates the excision and integration of gene cassettes at specific recombination sites. In order to search for integrons in halophiles and hypersaline metagenomes, we used a PCR-based approach, in addition to different bioinformatics tools, mainly IntegronFinder.

We found that integrons and …


The Age And Growth Of The Yellow Stingray (Urobatis Jamaicensis) In Southeast Florida, Jessica Schieber Aug 2021

The Age And Growth Of The Yellow Stingray (Urobatis Jamaicensis) In Southeast Florida, Jessica Schieber

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The yellow stingray, Urobatis jamaicensis (Cuvier 1816), is a coastal species that has limited known life-history information, especially regarding their age and growth patterns. Age estimates were assigned by counting band-pairs deposited on the vertebral centrum of stingrays caught between 2003 and 2019 (n = 195). Marginal increment analysis of different size classes was used to validate age estimates, with the largest class having verified annual band deposition (ANOVA, F(9,7), P = 0.029). Age estimates ranged between females, and rates, but females attained larger sizes with the largest observed DW being 241-mm and 216-mm for females and males, respectively. …


The Distribution, Composition, And Management Of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (Dfads) In The North Atlantic Ocean, Erin E. Kimak Aug 2021

The Distribution, Composition, And Management Of Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (Dfads) In The North Atlantic Ocean, Erin E. Kimak

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (dFADs) are a gear accessory utilized on a global scale by commercial fishers to increase catch size and efficiency of target pelagic fishes such as tuna and dolphinfish. Despite their widespread use, there are few scientific estimates of the total number of abandoned or beached dFADs in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Basin or the compliance of dFAD use with t-RFMO recommendations. Previous studies have utilized the modeled drift trajectories of dFADs to predict beaching probability and location, but this study is the first of its kind, analyzing true beaching events. This study identifies the beaching …


What Are The Effects Of Worldwide Trade On Marine Life?, Flávia Costa Aug 2021

What Are The Effects Of Worldwide Trade On Marine Life?, Flávia Costa

International Programs

No abstract provided.


Molecular Characterization And Expression Of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase In Atlantic Croaker Brain: Regulation By Antioxidant Status And Nitric Oxide Synthase During Hypoxia Stress, Md Saydur Rahman, Peter Thomas Aug 2021

Molecular Characterization And Expression Of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase In Atlantic Croaker Brain: Regulation By Antioxidant Status And Nitric Oxide Synthase During Hypoxia Stress, Md Saydur Rahman, Peter Thomas

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

We have previously shown that nitric oxide synthase (NOS, an enzyme) is significantly increased during hypoxic stress in Atlantic croaker brains and modulated by an antioxidant (AOX). However, the influence of NOS and AOX on cytochrome P450 aromatase (AROM, CYP19a1, an enzyme) activity on vertebrate brains during hypoxic stress is largely unknown. In this study, we characterized brain AROM (bAROM, CYP19a1b) cDNA in croaker and examined the interactive effects of hypoxia and a NOS-inhibitor or AOX on AROM activity. The amino acid sequence of croaker bAROM cDNA is highly homologous (76–80%) to other marine teleost bAROM cDNAs. Both real-time PCR …


Genetic Population Dynamics Of The Critically Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna Lewini) In The Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, Sydney P. Harned Aug 2021

Genetic Population Dynamics Of The Critically Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna Lewini) In The Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, Sydney P. Harned

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, is a Critically Endangered, migratory species known for its tendency to form large aggregations of mostly adult females, especially in the heavily-fished Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) Ocean. This species forms iconic, visually spectacular, seasonal aggregations in the northern Galápagos Islands, and it is hypothesized based on telemetry studies that pregnant females from these aggregations migrate to mainland coastal nurseries for parturition. This study investigated the population genetic dynamics of the scalloped hammerhead across most of its coastal and offshore distribution (Mexico to Ecuador) in the ETP, focusing on young-of-the-year animals sampled from nursery …


Endophytic Beauveria Bassiana Increases Galling Of ‘Rutgers’ Tomato Roots With Meloidogyne Incognita, Shalini Yerukala, Ernest C. Bernard, Kimberly D. Gwinn, David M. Butler, Parwinder Grewal, Bonnie H. Ownley Aug 2021

Endophytic Beauveria Bassiana Increases Galling Of ‘Rutgers’ Tomato Roots With Meloidogyne Incognita, Shalini Yerukala, Ernest C. Bernard, Kimberly D. Gwinn, David M. Butler, Parwinder Grewal, Bonnie H. Ownley

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Beauveria bassiana is endophytic in many plant species and has been shown to protect host plants against insect pests and plant pathogens. However, less is known about its activity against plant-parasitic nematodes. In vitro and plant assays were conducted to determine the effect of B. bassiana 11-98 (Bb) on Meloidogyne incognita (root-knot nematode; RKN). Beauveria bassiana was confirmed as an endophyte in ‘Rutgers’ tomato and colonization patterns of Bb in ‘Rutgers’ (highly susceptible to RKN) were compared with those in ‘Mountain Spring’ (less susceptible to RKN). In greenhouse tests with ‘Rutgers’ at 30 and 60 days after treatment (DAT) with …


Short- And Long-Term Effectiveness Of Coral Disease Treatments, Karen L. Neely, Colin P. Shea, Kevin A. Macaulay, Emily K. Hower, Michelle A. Dobler Aug 2021

Short- And Long-Term Effectiveness Of Coral Disease Treatments, Karen L. Neely, Colin P. Shea, Kevin A. Macaulay, Emily K. Hower, Michelle A. Dobler

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles

Since 2014, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) has led to large-scale mortality of over 20 coral species throughout the Florida Reef Tract. In 2019, in-water disease intervention strategies were implemented to treat affected corals. Two treatment strategies were employed: (1) topical application of an amoxicillin paste directly to disease margins, and (2) application of a chlorinated epoxy to disease margins as well as an adjacent “disease break” trench. Effectiveness of treatments on 2,379 lesions from 725 corals representing five species was evaluated using mixed effects logistic regression models which demonstrated substantially greater effectiveness of amoxicillin compared to chlorine-treated lesions …


Environmental Dna (Edna) Surveys For The Smalltooth Sawfish, Pristis Pectinata, In The Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, Emma M. Humphreys Aug 2021

Environmental Dna (Edna) Surveys For The Smalltooth Sawfish, Pristis Pectinata, In The Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, Emma M. Humphreys

Honors Theses

The Critically Endangered smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata, was historically found throughout tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. As a result of mortalities in fisheries and habitat degradation, they became largely restricted to southwest Florida in the U.S. and the Bahamas by the 1980s. However, recent public encounter reports of sawfish in the Florida panhandle, Mississippi, and Louisiana suggest this species is occasionally present in northern Gulf of Mexico waters. Targeted species surveys are needed to improve our understanding of the occurrence and status of this species in these waters. This research used environmental DNA (eDNA) methods …


Patterns Of Habitat Use And Trophic Structure In Turtle Grass (Thalassia Testudinum)-Dominated Systems Across The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Christian Hayes Aug 2021

Patterns Of Habitat Use And Trophic Structure In Turtle Grass (Thalassia Testudinum)-Dominated Systems Across The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Christian Hayes

Dissertations

Seagrass structural complexity is a primary driver of nekton recruitment and faunal community structure. Few studies, however, have quantified the role of seagrass complexity on habitat use and trophic structures over large spatial scales. A large-scale simultaneous survey was conducted to assess relationships of multiple seagrass morphological complexity metrics to nekton habitat use, trophic dynamics, and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) growth and mortality across the Northern Gulf of Mexico. Seagrass morphological and nekton community characteristics depended on site and season, and regional variation in seagrass morphology was an important driver of juvenile nekton abundance, species richness, beta diversity, …


The Waste Management Of Large-Scale Recirculating Aquaculture Systems And Potential Value-Added Products From The Waste Stream, Franco R. Pilone Aug 2021

The Waste Management Of Large-Scale Recirculating Aquaculture Systems And Potential Value-Added Products From The Waste Stream, Franco R. Pilone

All Theses And Dissertations

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) is an emerging technology that is capturing the attention of many in aquaculture due to its ability to produce high-quality seafood using sustainable models. This study explored the waste management of RAS, specifically further treatment technologies, and the potential value-added products from the RAS waste stream that can be reused. Advanced, tertiary, or down-stream treatment technologies available for RAS were investigated through a literature review. Utilizing the constant comparative method and semistructured interviews with stakeholders in RAS, opinions and attitudes were collected about advanced treatment of RAS waste and reuse opportunities presented from value-added products generated …


Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons And The Microbiomes Of Two Benthic Species, Samantha Ells Aug 2021

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons And The Microbiomes Of Two Benthic Species, Samantha Ells

Master's Theses

The presence of oil has been shown to affect the microbiomes of the water column, sediments, and organisms, both by altering the diversity and the composition of those microbial communities. If the microbiome is altered it may no longer provide benefits to its host organism, impacting its ability to survive. Thus, it is important to understand the effects of large-scale contamination events including the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This study set out to examine the effects of oil exposure on the microbiome of two benthic species, southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) and eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) to further understand the effects …


Population Parameter Estimation And Stable Isotope Analysis Of Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus Desotoi) In The Pascagoula River, Alfonso Cohuo Aug 2021

Population Parameter Estimation And Stable Isotope Analysis Of Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus Desotoi) In The Pascagoula River, Alfonso Cohuo

Master's Theses

Gulf Sturgeon (GS), Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, are a threatened, anadromous fish species in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Their range is from the Pearl River, LA, in the west to the Suwannee River, FL, in the east with a longitudinal divide at Mobile Bay, AL, creating a western population unit (WPU) and an eastern population unit (EPU). Sturgeon belonging to the WPU exhibit lower abundances, higher mortality rates, and are overall less studied than their EPU counterparts. Notable data gaps for the WPU includes the absence of recent population parameter estimations and confirmed feeding habitat. My thesis aims to …