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Articles 1 - 30 of 68

Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology

Identify And Widen Bottlenecks In The Asexual Restoration Of Endangered Orbicella Faveolata Boulder Coral, Whitney Schwab Jul 2026

Identify And Widen Bottlenecks In The Asexual Restoration Of Endangered Orbicella Faveolata Boulder Coral, Whitney Schwab

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Landscape-scale coral reef restoration is constrained by the context-dependent responses of corals to environmental and ecological conditions throughout a region, and identifying factors affecting the growth and survival of key reef-building species is essential for maximizing restoration success. In collaboration with Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the University of Miami (UM), and Mote Marine Laboratory, this study evaluated the relative effects of intrinsic factors (putative genotype and source colony location) and extrinsic factors (ex-situ nursery system characteristics, in-situ nursery location, nursery type (ex-situ vs. in-situ), and environmental conditions) on Orbicella faveolata tissue regeneration and survival following fragmentation. Corals …

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New Hampshire Shellfish Under Pressure: Physiological Effects Of Climate Change And Toxic Algal Blooms, Olivia Boyan Jan 2026

New Hampshire Shellfish Under Pressure: Physiological Effects Of Climate Change And Toxic Algal Blooms, Olivia Boyan

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Climate change driven effects on the ocean, including warming water, acidification, and changes in the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are causing metabolic pressures on marine organisms, particularly in the Gulf of Maine. Shellfish are susceptible to these pressures because their metabolic processes including growth and respiration are influenced by water temperature, pH, and consumption of algal toxins. This study investigates the effects of ocean warming, acidification, and diet toxicity level on the growth and respiration of Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), and Sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus). Selected individuals were subjected to water treatments simulating ambient …

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Optimizing Kappaphycus Alvarezii Seedlings: Acclimatization And Cultivation Methods For Sustainable Seaweed Seed In Lombok Kodek Bay, Dasep Hasbullah, Fahrurrozi Fahrurrozi, Gagan Garnawansah, Zaenal Arifin Siregar, Wahyu Purbiantoro, Moh. Awaludin Adam, Idham Sumarto Pratama, Nurhalis Tarmin, Balkam F. Badi, Abdul Wahab, Raismin Kotta Dec 2025

Optimizing Kappaphycus Alvarezii Seedlings: Acclimatization And Cultivation Methods For Sustainable Seaweed Seed In Lombok Kodek Bay, Dasep Hasbullah, Fahrurrozi Fahrurrozi, Gagan Garnawansah, Zaenal Arifin Siregar, Wahyu Purbiantoro, Moh. Awaludin Adam, Idham Sumarto Pratama, Nurhalis Tarmin, Balkam F. Badi, Abdul Wahab, Raismin Kotta

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This study explores the combined[-10pc]AU: Please specify the corresponding author name. effects of cultivation methods and acclimatization durations on the growth performance of Kappaphycus alvarezii, a tropical seaweed widely utilized in biostimulants and bioplastics. Cultivation methods included monoculture of Spinosum (SNP), monoculture of Cottonii (DNP), and polyculture of Spinosum and Cottonii (PSP), while acclimatization treatments involved durations of 0, 2, and 4 days before planting (DBA). Results demonstrated that the SNP system achieved the highest productivity, with maximum weight (142.8 g) and relative growth rate (RGR) of 3.21% per day observed under 0 DBA. The 2 DBA treatment was …

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Life History And Distribution Of Two Species Of Cownose Ray, Rhinoptera Bonasus And Rhinoptera Brasiliensis, In Mississippi Coastal Waters, Anna Millender Dec 2025

Life History And Distribution Of Two Species Of Cownose Ray, Rhinoptera Bonasus And Rhinoptera Brasiliensis, In Mississippi Coastal Waters, Anna Millender

Master's Theses

Historically, the American Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) was considered the only rhinopterid residing in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM); however, recent studies have confirmed the presence of the Brazilian Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera brasiliensis) throughout this region. The current study investigated the life history and distribution of both species within Mississippi waters, an area that previously represented a data gap for both species. From April 2016 – July 2025, 193 R. bonasus and 94 R. brasiliensis were analyzed to describe the reproductive biology. Reproductive timing, mating, gestation length, and parturition were similar among species. Although more …

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The Effect Of Temperature And Salinity On Margalefidinium Polykrikoides Group Iii Va, Usa Strain Growth, Eduardo Pérez-Vega, Margaret R. Mulholland, Katherine E. Crider, Kimberly E. Powell, P. Dreux Chappell, Alexander Bochdansky Jan 2025

The Effect Of Temperature And Salinity On Margalefidinium Polykrikoides Group Iii Va, Usa Strain Growth, Eduardo Pérez-Vega, Margaret R. Mulholland, Katherine E. Crider, Kimberly E. Powell, P. Dreux Chappell, Alexander Bochdansky

OES Faculty Publications

Margalefidinium polykrikoides is a cosmopolitan dinoflagellate that blooms in coastal waters. Despite genomic evidence that it belongs to Group III and so closely related to isolates from Puerto Rico, Malaysia, North America, and Central America, M. polykrikoides blooms in the Chesapeake Bay at warmer temperatures and lower salinities than in coastal ecosystems occupied by its closest relatives. In this study, the effect of temperature and salinity on the growth rate and total cell yield of an M. polykrikoides VA culture isolate were examined and compared with environmental observations made during M. polykrikoides blooms in the Chesapeake Bay. M. polykrikoides group …

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Effect Of Stocking Density On Growth, Biochemical Composition, And Blood Parameters In The Pacific Shortfin Eel (Anguilla Bicolor Pacifica) Elvers, Frolan A. Aya, John Carlo L. Unida, Luis Maria B. Garcia, Rowena R. Eguia Ma. Sep 2024

Effect Of Stocking Density On Growth, Biochemical Composition, And Blood Parameters In The Pacific Shortfin Eel (Anguilla Bicolor Pacifica) Elvers, Frolan A. Aya, John Carlo L. Unida, Luis Maria B. Garcia, Rowena R. Eguia Ma.

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

This study examined the effect of stocking density on growth, biochemical composition, and blood parameters of the Pacific shortfin eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica. Elvers (1.95 ± 0.14 g body weight) were randomly stocked in indoor tanks and reared over 186 d at three stocking densities (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 kg m-3) set up in triplicates. Except for survival and biometric indices, elvers maintained at 0.3 and 0.6 kg m-3 densities exhibited higher growth and feed utilization than those held at 0.9 kg m-3. Yield increased with stocking density, which were significantly higher at 0.6 …

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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 …

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Variations In Life-History Traits In Exploited And Unexploited Populations Of Perth Herring (Nematalosa Vlaminghi): Evidence For Density-Dependent Growth?, Kimberley A. Smith, Sybrand Alexander Hesp, Peter Graham Coulson Feb 2024

Variations In Life-History Traits In Exploited And Unexploited Populations Of Perth Herring (Nematalosa Vlaminghi): Evidence For Density-Dependent Growth?, Kimberley A. Smith, Sybrand Alexander Hesp, Peter Graham Coulson

Fisheries Research Articles

Results supported the hypothesis of faster growth in exploited populations because of density-dependent processes. Environmental factors may also have contributed to trait differences between populations.

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Diel Vertical Migration Rates Of The Dinoflagellate Species Margalefidinium Polykrikoides In A Lower Chesapeake Bay Tributary, S. Clayton, Jacqueline B. Chrabot, Michael Echevarria, Leah Gibala-Smith, Kathryn Mogatas, Peter Bernhardt, Margaret R. Mulholland Jan 2024

Diel Vertical Migration Rates Of The Dinoflagellate Species Margalefidinium Polykrikoides In A Lower Chesapeake Bay Tributary, S. Clayton, Jacqueline B. Chrabot, Michael Echevarria, Leah Gibala-Smith, Kathryn Mogatas, Peter Bernhardt, Margaret R. Mulholland

OES Faculty Publications

Margalefidinium polykrikoides is a mixotrophic dinoflagellate harmful algal bloom (HAB) species that blooms annually in the lower Chesapeake Bay. M. polykrikoides undertakes a diel vertical migration (DVM) which may give it a competitive advantage over purely phototrophic organisms who cannot access deeper nutrient pools and allow it to form large toxic blooms. Laboratory-based estimates of M. polykrikoides’ DVM rates suggest that it is one of the fastest known dinoflagellate swimmers and understanding this behavior is likely important for modeling and predicting M. polykrikoides blooms. However, to date, no field-derived estimates of M. polykrikoides’ DVM rates have been made in the …

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Saturating Growth Rate Against Phosphorus Concentration Explained By Macromolecular Allocation, Gabrielle Armin, Jongsun Kim, Keisuke Inomura Aug 2023

Saturating Growth Rate Against Phosphorus Concentration Explained By Macromolecular Allocation, Gabrielle Armin, Jongsun Kim, Keisuke Inomura

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The saturating relationship between phytoplankton growth rate and environmental nutrient concentration has been widely observed, yet the mechanisms behind the relationship remain elusive. Here, we use a mechanistic model of phytoplankton and show that the saturating relationship between growth rate and phosphorous concentration can be interpreted by intracellular macromolecular allocation. At low nutrient levels, the diffusive nutrient transport linearly increases with the phosphorous concentration, while the internal phosphorous requirement increases with the growth rate, leading to a non-linear increase in the growth rate with phosphorous. This increased phosphorous requirement is due to the increased allocation to biosynthetic and photosynthetic molecules. …

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The Effect Of Water Flow Rates On The Survival And Growth Rates Of Three Caribbean Bouldering Coral Species Juveniles In An Indoor Versus Outdoor Environment, Ian Michael Johnson Aug 2023

The Effect Of Water Flow Rates On The Survival And Growth Rates Of Three Caribbean Bouldering Coral Species Juveniles In An Indoor Versus Outdoor Environment, Ian Michael Johnson

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Coral reefs are vital ecosystems for the world’s oceans and humanity; however, they are threatened by climate change, disease, and local anthropogenic stressors, and need assistance to recover. Traditional reef restoration efforts (fragmentation and outplanting are helping but are limited in effectiveness by not increasing genetic diversity. Ex situ sexual propagation for corals provides new, genetically different coral recruits. However, this process is laborious, expensive and time consuming, especially at the scale required to effectively contribute to the widespread recovery. To lower costs, two key parameters that require optimization to hasten the growth of coral recruits are water flow and …

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Reproduction, Early Development, And Larval Rearing Of The Climbing Perch Anabas Testudineus (Teleostei: Anabantidae) In Captivity, Frolan A. Aya, Reylan C. Gutierrez, Luis Maria B. Garcia Jun 2023

Reproduction, Early Development, And Larval Rearing Of The Climbing Perch Anabas Testudineus (Teleostei: Anabantidae) In Captivity, Frolan A. Aya, Reylan C. Gutierrez, Luis Maria B. Garcia

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Induced spawning, early development, and larval rearing of the climbing perch Anabas testudineus were examined under captive conditions. Five female climbing perch [125.33 ± 3.27 mm SL; 70.67 ± 5.59 g BW] were paired with apparently mature males (108.50 ± 3.97 mm SL; 39.27 ± 4.70 g BW) and induced to spawn with 5,000 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) + 0.5 mL Ovaprim kg BW-1. All hCG + Ovaprim-injected fish spawned 9 – 11 h after hormone administration but saline-injected fish (control group) failed to spawn. Mean egg production per female, fertilization and hatching rates, and larval production …

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Potential Interactions Between Diatoms And Bacteria Are Shaped By Trace Element Gradients In The Southern Ocean, Alexa R. Sterling, Laura Z. Holland, Randelle M. Bundy, Shannon M. Burns, Kristen N. Buck, P. Dreux Chappell, Bethany D. Jenkins Jan 2023

Potential Interactions Between Diatoms And Bacteria Are Shaped By Trace Element Gradients In The Southern Ocean, Alexa R. Sterling, Laura Z. Holland, Randelle M. Bundy, Shannon M. Burns, Kristen N. Buck, P. Dreux Chappell, Bethany D. Jenkins

OES Faculty Publications

The growth of diatoms in the Southern Ocean, especially the region surrounding the West Antarctic Peninsula, is frequently constrained by low dissolved iron and other trace metal concentrations. This challenge may be overcome by mutualisms between diatoms and co-occurring associated bacteria, in which diatoms produce organic carbon as a substrate for bacterial growth, and bacteria produce siderophores, metal-binding ligands that can supply diatoms with metals upon uptake as well as other useful secondary compounds for diatom growth like vitamins. To examine the relationships between diatoms and bacteria in the plankton (diatom) size class (> 3 mu m), we sampled both …

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Benthic Community Dynamics And Stony Coral Demographics In Florida In Relation To Acute Disturbances And Chronic Pressures, Nicholas P. Jones Aug 2022

Benthic Community Dynamics And Stony Coral Demographics In Florida In Relation To Acute Disturbances And Chronic Pressures, Nicholas P. Jones

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The persistence of coral reef communities is threatened by a suite of pressures operating at varying spatial and temporal scales. In general, acute disturbances (short term stochastic events such as marine heatwaves or hurricanes) and chronic pressures, such as ocean warming, have caused the most significant changes to stony coral assemblages (order Scleractinia) and continue to impair recovery potential. Additionally, many coral reefs are subject to local chronic anthropogenic pressures resulting in poor water quality or sedimentation, which further impact stony corals and shape benthic community structure, particularly near urbanized coastlines. For the viability of communities on coral reefs, a …

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The Atlantic Surfclam Fishery And Offshore Wind Energy Development: 1. Model Development And Verification, Daphne M. Munroe, Eric N. Powell, John M. Klinck, Andrew M. Scheld, Sarah Borsetti, Jennifer Beckensteiner, Eileen E. Hofmann Jan 2022

The Atlantic Surfclam Fishery And Offshore Wind Energy Development: 1. Model Development And Verification, Daphne M. Munroe, Eric N. Powell, John M. Klinck, Andrew M. Scheld, Sarah Borsetti, Jennifer Beckensteiner, Eileen E. Hofmann

CCPO Publications

Competing pressures imposed by climate-related warming and offshore development have created a need for quantitative approaches that anticipate fisheries responses to these challenges. This study used a spatially explicit, ecological-economic agent-based model integrating dynamics associated with Atlantic surfclam stock biology, decision-making behavior of fishing vessel captains, and fishing fleet behavior to simulate stock biomass, and fishing vessel catch, effort and landings. Simulations were implemented using contemporary Atlantic surfclam stock distributions and characteristics of the surfclam fishing fleet. Simulated distribution of fishable surfclam biomass was determined by a spatially varying mortality rate, fishing by the fleet was controlled by captain decisions …

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Saturating Relationship Between Phytoplankton Growth Rate And Nutrient Concentration Explained By Macromolecular Allocation, Jongsun Kim, Gabrielle Armin, Keisuke Inomura Jan 2022

Saturating Relationship Between Phytoplankton Growth Rate And Nutrient Concentration Explained By Macromolecular Allocation, Jongsun Kim, Gabrielle Armin, Keisuke Inomura

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Phytoplankton account for about a half of photosynthesis in the world, making them a key player in the ecological and biogeochemical systems. One of the key traits of phytoplankton is their growth rate because it indicates their productivity and affects their competitive capability. The saturating relationship between phytoplankton growth rate and environmental nutrient concentration has been widely observed yet the mechanisms behind the relationship remain elusive. Here we use a mechanistic model and metadata of phytoplankton to show that the saturating relationship between growth rate and nitrate concentration can be interpreted by intracellular macromolecular allocation. At low nitrate levels, the …

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Rearing Silver Therapon Leiopotherapon Plumbeus (Teleostei: Terapontidae) Larvae Using Euryhaline Rotifers As Starter Food, Frolan A. Aya, Vicar Stella Nillasca, Luis Maria B. Garcia Dec 2021

Rearing Silver Therapon Leiopotherapon Plumbeus (Teleostei: Terapontidae) Larvae Using Euryhaline Rotifers As Starter Food, Frolan A. Aya, Vicar Stella Nillasca, Luis Maria B. Garcia

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The silver therapon Leiopotherapon plumbeus is an important but dwindling freshwater food commodity in the Philippine freshwater habitats. The influence of feeding regimes on growth performance and survival of first-feeding silver therapon larvae fed euryhaline rotifers (Brachionus rotundiformis and B. plicatilis) as starter food was examined. Larvae at two days post-hatch (DPH) (1.93 ± 0.07 mm; 200 larvae/basin) were initially reared on rotifers for 12 days followed by Artemia nauplii from 14 to 35 DPH as follows: (A) B. rotundiformis from 2-13 DPH; (B) B. rotundiformis from 2-7 DPH and Moina micrura from 8-13 DPH; and (C) B. …

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Caribbean Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus Chrysurus: Filling In Critical Gaps In Research For Life History And Novel Ageing Validation Utilizing Δ14C, Sarah Zajovits Jul 2021

Caribbean Yellowtail Snapper Ocyurus Chrysurus: Filling In Critical Gaps In Research For Life History And Novel Ageing Validation Utilizing Δ14C, Sarah Zajovits

Theses and Dissertations

Yellowtail snapper Ocyurus chrysurus is an important fisheries species in the US Caribbean; in waters of Puerto Rico, it ranks second for reef fishes in terms of annual total commercial landings. However, a paucity of information exists concerning basic life history information for Caribbean yellowtail snapper populations. This study provides the first comprehensive documentation of age, growth, and reproductive biology of yellowtail snapper from the Caribbean and is the first to directly validate age estimation in this species. Sampling of 1731 yellowtail snapper occurred in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands during 2013-2021 from fisheries-dependent and –independent efforts. Fish …

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Ontogenetic Variation In Sciaenid Otolith Morphometry With Fish Size From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Thomas C. Ingalls Jan 2021

Ontogenetic Variation In Sciaenid Otolith Morphometry With Fish Size From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Thomas C. Ingalls

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Sciaenids are a diverse family of coastal fishes and their fisheries are an important industry in the United States. In the northern Gulf of Mexico this industry is dominated by six species, specifically, red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), black drum (Pogonias cromis), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), sand seatrout (C. arenarius), Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), and spot (Leiostomus xathurus). Sagittal otoliths of all species were evaluated for changes in size and shape in relation to changes in fish total length and age across a variety of seasons and habitats. Evaluation …

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Assessing The Significance Of Substrate Color And Temperature On Balanus Glandula Growth And Survivorship, Nhi Phan Jan 2021

Assessing The Significance Of Substrate Color And Temperature On Balanus Glandula Growth And Survivorship, Nhi Phan

CMC Senior Theses

The body temperatures of intertidal species are strongly dependent on the temperature of their external environment. This study sought to understand the impact of a substrate’s color and subsequent temperature on Balanus glandula in order to predict the potential effects of warming temperatures from climate change on intertidal species. Barnacles were allowed to settle and grow on three differently colored plates and were photographically monitored over the course of eleven weeks. Settlement and survivorship were recorded on-site, while growth was tracked utilizing digital imaging software. It was hypothesized that barnacles on peach plates would perform the best since the ambient …

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Age, Growth, And Mortality Of Atlantic Tripletail In The North-Central Gulf Of Mexico, Amanda E. Jefferson, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Meagan N. Schrandt, Pearce T. Cooper, Sean P. Powers, John Dindo, J. Marcus Drymon Jan 2021

Age, Growth, And Mortality Of Atlantic Tripletail In The North-Central Gulf Of Mexico, Amanda E. Jefferson, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Meagan N. Schrandt, Pearce T. Cooper, Sean P. Powers, John Dindo, J. Marcus Drymon

University Faculty and Staff Publications

In the southeastern USA and the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), Atlantic Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis are increasingly targeted by recreational anglers, indicating that stock status should be assessed. A critical need for such assessments is age-specific data; however, previous studies have drawn conflicting conclusions regarding the most appropriate structure for aging. Moreover, growth parameters and mortality rates for GOM Atlantic Tripletail are unknown. Therefore, the goals of this study were to (1) evaluate sagittal otoliths and first dorsal spines as aging structures; (2) model combined and sex-specific growth; and (3) estimate mortality rates for GOM Atlantic Tripletail. From 2012 to 2019, …

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Consequences Of Plume Encounter On Larval Fish Growth And Condition In The Gulf Of Mexico, Kelia E. Axler, Su Sponaugle, Frank Hernandez, Carla Culpepper, Robert K. Cowen Sep 2020

Consequences Of Plume Encounter On Larval Fish Growth And Condition In The Gulf Of Mexico, Kelia E. Axler, Su Sponaugle, Frank Hernandez, Carla Culpepper, Robert K. Cowen

Faculty Publications

© Inter-Research 2020. Freshwater input into nearshore continental shelf waters from coastal river-estuarine plumes can greatly alter the physical and trophic environments experienced by fish larvae. However, the biological consequences of plume encounter on larval fish survival remain equivocal, largely due to the extreme variability of these systems but also because traditional sampling techniques alone are too coarse to effectively characterize the dynamic biophysical environment at spatiotemporal scales relevant to individual larvae. Using a multidimensional approach, we simultaneously collected in situ imagery and net samples of larval fishes and zooplankton from the Mobile Bay plume (Alabama, USA) and ambient continental …

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Pismo Clams (Tivela Stultorum) In Califorina: Population Status, Habitat Associations, Reproduction, And Growth, Alexandria R. Marquardt May 2020

Pismo Clams (Tivela Stultorum) In Califorina: Population Status, Habitat Associations, Reproduction, And Growth, Alexandria R. Marquardt

Master's Theses

Marine shellfish play a vital role in intertidal ecosystems and coastal communities, but many of these fisheries are small-scale and lack the necessary monitoring to ensure long-term sustainability. Effective management often requires information on key demographic parameters, such as population status, reproduction and growth. Pismo clams (Tivela stultorum) are a culturally important and iconic species in California, which supported a thriving commercial and recreational fishery throughout much of the 1900’s. However, Pismo clam populations have declined statewide in recent decades and are attributed to human harvest and predation by California sea otters (Enhydra lutris); However, no …

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Life History Metrics Of Wahoo (Acanthocybium Solandri) From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Erik T. Lang, Chris A. Levron, Cijii D. Marshall, Brett J. Falterman Jan 2020

Life History Metrics Of Wahoo (Acanthocybium Solandri) From The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Erik T. Lang, Chris A. Levron, Cijii D. Marshall, Brett J. Falterman

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) are highly sought in recreational and commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), yet the harvest of Wahoo is currently unmanaged in the GOM region outside of Florida waters. Life history metrics are critical to stock assessments and science-based management. Between 2014-2017, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) biologists collected Wahoo otoliths and ovaries (n=198) from the northern GOM Wahoo recreational fishery based in Venice, LA to estimate life history metrics of age, growth, and maturity. A protocol was developed to section and age the small, fragile otoliths. A 2-parameter Von Bertalanffy growth …

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The Effects Of Boring Sponge Infestation On Condition, Growth, And Sex Change In Crepidula Fornicata, Nicole L. Kleinas Jan 2020

The Effects Of Boring Sponge Infestation On Condition, Growth, And Sex Change In Crepidula Fornicata, Nicole L. Kleinas

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The Atlantic slipper limpet, Crepidula fornicata, is a sequential hermaphrodite whose size at sex-change is plastic with respect to social and population cues. As an organism allocates energy between growth, reproduction and maintenance, an increased cost of one process may affect another. In this paper, I evaluate whether the presence of an epibiotic sponge (Cliona celata) affects the growth, condition and sex-change of C. fornicata individuals. Population surveys demonstrate a variable effect of Cliona presence on C. fornicata condition. The results of a twelve-week in situ experiment demonstrated a decrease in growth when C. celata was present. …

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A Snapshot Of The Age, Growth, And Reproductive Status Of Gray Triggerfish (Balistes Capriscus, Gmelin 1789) On Three Artificial Reefs In The Northwest Gulf Of Mexico, Adam M. Lee May 2019

A Snapshot Of The Age, Growth, And Reproductive Status Of Gray Triggerfish (Balistes Capriscus, Gmelin 1789) On Three Artificial Reefs In The Northwest Gulf Of Mexico, Adam M. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

Age, growth, and reproductive status of gray triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) were identified from 2015-2016 on artificial reefs in the northwest Gulf of Mexico. Individuals ranged from 232-432 mm fork length with and a mean fork length of 319 mm. Individuals from age 0.2 to 5.2 yrs were observed with a weight to length relationship of Wg = 1.1 x -104 x FL2.7 (r2 = 0.94, n = 112), where FL = fork length (mm) and Wg = weight (g). A von Bertalanffy growth equation of Lt = 326(1 - e - 0.9 (t + 1.71)) was calculated irrespective …

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Indirect Effects Of Ocean Warming And Acidification On The Realized Recruitment Of Agaricia Agaricites, Allan Anderson Dec 2018

Indirect Effects Of Ocean Warming And Acidification On The Realized Recruitment Of Agaricia Agaricites, Allan Anderson

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Over the past few decades, coral cover has declined worldwide due to overfishing, disease, and storms, and these effects have been exacerbated by ocean warming and acidification. Corals are extremely susceptible to these changes because they are already living close to their thermal and aragonite saturation thresholds. Ocean warming and acidification (OAW) may also impact coral survival and growth by impacting their settlement cues. Coral larvae use crustose coralline algae (CCA) and their associated biofilms as cues for settlement, i.e., habitat selection. Settlement cues can also be negatively affected by increased water temperature and acidity. It was hypothesized that the …

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Optimization Of Light Irradiance During The Early Life Of Sexually-Produced Porites Astreoides And Agaricia Agaricites Recruits, Nicholas J. Mcmahon Dec 2018

Optimization Of Light Irradiance During The Early Life Of Sexually-Produced Porites Astreoides And Agaricia Agaricites Recruits, Nicholas J. Mcmahon

HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations

Current solutions of coral restoration rely mainly on fragmentation. Though a reliable technique, this asexual form of reproduction does not benefit the genetic diversity of the coral reef. With many global and local stressors threatening corals’ existence, the resiliency of corals to future ocean conditions depends highly on sexual reproduction to produce new genotypes. New technology allows coral spawning/larval release, larval settlement and rearing to be carried out in an aquarium system. Many of the techniques necessary to maintain coral recruits are well-established, however the effects of light intensity remain to be studied for these early life stages. Newly …

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Analysis Of Temperature And Salinity Effects On Growth And Mortality Of Oysters (Crassostrea Virginica) In Louisiana, Troy Sehlinger Aug 2018

Analysis Of Temperature And Salinity Effects On Growth And Mortality Of Oysters (Crassostrea Virginica) In Louisiana, Troy Sehlinger

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Salinity (S) and temperature (T) control every facet of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) life cycle, principally reproduction, development, growth, and mortality. Previous studies conducted in in the Breton Sound (BR) and Barataria (BA) estuaries have reported differences in growth and mortality rates between the basins. In the present study, environmental conditions were synchronized to compare growth and mortality rates between basins at similar combinations of T and S. Results indicate that when T and S are the same (synchronized), seasonal oyster growth and mortality rates differ between BR and BA. Seasonal analyses revealed that as salinities increased …

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The Interactive Effects Of Ocean Acidification, Food Availability, And Source Location On The Growth And Physiology Of The California Mussel, Tharadet Daniel Man Jan 2018

The Interactive Effects Of Ocean Acidification, Food Availability, And Source Location On The Growth And Physiology Of The California Mussel, Tharadet Daniel Man

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Research shows ocean acidification (OA) can have largely negative impacts on marine organisms and ecosystems. Prior laboratory studies show that shelled marine invertebrates (e.g., molluscs) exhibit reduced growth rates and weaker shells when experiencing OA-related stress. However, populations of the critical intertidal mussel species, Mytilus californianus, which experience naturally acidic water due to upwelling in certain parts of Northern California have been observed to have relatively stronger and thicker shells and higher growth rates than those that experience less frequent exposure to upwelling. To address the discrepancies between negative effects of OA exposure in the laboratory and seemingly positive …

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