Marine Biology Commons^™

The Trophic Ecology Of The Snipe Eel Avocettina Infans (Anguilliformes: Nemichthyidae) In The Deep-Pelagic Gulf Of Mexico, Emma N. Schindler

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

The Nemichthyidae (snipe eels) are ubiquitous in the deep-pelagic waters of tropical and temperate latitudes, and in some ecosystems are among the dominant fishes. In the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the nemichthyid species Avocettina infans is one of the dominant large predators. This prompted the current study, where an extensive sample set was utilized to characterize the abundance of the family in total, and the vertical distribution and trophic ecology of A. infans specifically. The nemichthyid abundance from 0 – 1500 m was estimated at 1,106.58 individuals per billion cubic meters, the largest portion of which was …

The Benefits Of High Phosphate Concentration (10n : 1p) And Diagonal Orientation On The Ex Situ Grow-Out Of Caribbean Coral Juveniles, Ashley Shen

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

As coral reefs keep declining, it is imperative to increase coral production ex situ for restoration, but this requires culture protocols to be optimized. This study examined the impacts of grow-out orientation and phosphate concentration (and nitrate (N): phosphate (P) ratio) on the survival and growth of Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa juveniles from 3 to 9 months old. Pristine reefs typically have low nitrate (0.12μmol/L) and low phosphate (0.03μmol/L) concentrations, leading to N:P ratios of 4-16 N: 1P. In recirculating tanks, it is difficult to lower nitrate concentrations below 25μmol/L. Here we hypothesized that increasing the phosphate concentration in …

Tides, Tourists, And Tails: Exploring Human-Wildlife Overlap On The Homer Spit, Alaska, Serena Seiler

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Coastal areas present unique challenges for human-wildlife coexistence due to their shared use by people and marine species. The Homer Spit in Homer, AK (59.6481° N, 151.5299° W) is a projection of land into Kachemak Bay on which lodging, restaurants, campgrounds, RV parks, fishing, and a variety of coastal activities exist or occur, especially during the summer months. Two of the most popular nearshore marine mammals that attract visitors are sea otters (Enhydra lutris) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). These two species spend time swimming, foraging, and resting around the Spit, potentially resulting in co occurrences with humans. Using a …

Fouling Community Assessment On Anthropogenic Structures In Barnegat Bay, Nj: Who's Fouling With Our Lagoons?, Jesi Herterich

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Biofouling communities consist of both mobile and non-mobile species which settle and attach themselves to both natural and artificial substrata. With increased construction of lagoon communities and marinas in Barnegat Bay, NJ utilizing PVC material, it allows space for invasive and generalist species to recruit. This study examines the impacts of man-made structures and abiotic factors on the distribution of recruiting fouling organisms in coastal lagoon communities in Barnegat Bay, NJ. Polyvinyl chloride settling plates were deployed in late May of 2024. Settling plates were retrieved and replaced at one month intervals to assess monthly settlement patterns, while a second …

Crustose Coralline Algae Accretion In A Kelp Forest Ecosystem In Southern New England, Usa, Ruimeng Liu

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Temperate reef ecosystems are experiencing rapid canopy loss of kelp and the proliferation of algal turf. However, the consequences of these changes for crustose coralline algae (CCA)— a key but often overlooked benthic calcifier—are poorly understood. Here, I study CCA recruitment patterns in southern New England, USA, using standardized settlement tiles at two field sites over 12 months (September 2023 – August 2024). I measure CCA accretion rates and the associated biological and environmental correlates of CCA recruitment. At the two sites, CCA accretion rates ranged from 0.0259 to 1.215 mg CaCO3 cm⁻² yr⁻¹, with an average of 0.441 mg …

Trophic Roles And Climate-Driven Vulnerability For Benthic Invertebrates At Artificial Reefs In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Amanda Kirkland

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Artificial reefs are deployed to enhance marine habitats and fisheries, yet their role in supporting secondary production and their vulnerability to climate stressors remain understudied. This dissertation investigates the trophic ecology and climate sensitivity of benthic invertebrates at artificial reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Chapter 1 assessed reef food webs using stable isotopes from fishes, invertebrates, and primary producers across six reefs and two seasons. Mixing models showed that most fishes rely on benthic reef carbon, while suspension feeders consume plankton and sediment microphytobenthos. Isotopic niche analysis revealed functional diversity and seasonal shifts in δ¹³C and δ³⁴S, though …

Warming Of The Southern Ocean During The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum: Inferences From Foraminifera At Site U1580, Samina Anee

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, ~56 million years ago) represents an ancient episode of rapid global warming, offering critical insights into climate dynamics and the Earth's response to increased greenhouse gases. This project aims to quantify the magnitude of warming across the PETM at newly recovered IODP Site U1580 (Agulhas Plateau, Southern Ocean) through the analysis of Mg/Ca and δ¹⁸O ratios of planktic foraminifera. Understanding the extent of warming at Site U1580 is crucial for comprehending past climate variability and improving future climate predictions. Site U1580 is particularly well-suited to foraminiferal geochemistry because of high carbonate content throughout …

Distribution, Roles And Environmental Drivers Of Bacterial Communities In The Chesapeake And Delaware Bays, Mir Alvee Ahmed

All Dissertations

In this dissertation, water samples from the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay estuaries were analyzed to see how estuarine environmental gradients drive distributions, functional potential, growth estimates and gene expressions of bacteria. To answer this, the abundant and versatile taxa– Rhodobacterales and Actinobacteriota, along with broader particle-attached (PA) vs. free-living (FL) bacterial assemblages of these Bays were analyzed using a multifaceted ‘omics approach.

The PA fraction, differing from the FL in taxonomy, distribution, functional potential and estimated growth rates across salinities, and bays harbored genes degrading complex aggregates, and surface attachment. The FL counterpart presented genes involved in nutrient uptake …

Insights Gained From Applying Molecular Techniques To Gray Triggerfish (Balistes Capriscus Gmelin, 1789) In The Mexican Caribbean, The Southern And Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Geaceli G. Orive

Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on Balistes capriscus (Gray Triggerfish), a reef-associated species dependent on hard-bottom habitats in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Using mitochondrial DNA barcoding and phylogenetic analyses, genetic structure across four sites was assessed: Rio Grande Valley (RGV), Veracruz, Chinchorro Bank, and Xahuayxol. Samples from RGV and Veracruz exhibited limited haplotype diversity, minimal nucleotide divergence, and weak genetic differentiation-patterns consistent with recent population expansion and ongoing connectivity within the GOM. While the study centered on B. capriscus, all individuals from Chinchorro and Xahuayxol unexpectedly grouped with Canthidermis maculata (Spotted Oceanic Triggerfish), suggesting misidentification, cryptic diversity, or taxonomic uncertainty in …

Identification Of Crustose Coralline Algae Species In Florida And Their Ability To Induce Larval Settlement Of Caribbean Corals, Danielle Macias

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are a diverse, globally spread and yet poorly studied group of benthic organisms. They act as settlement cues for coral larvae, but this interaction is often species-specific, as CCA species can be either inducers or inhibitors to larval settlement and metamorphosis. Despite this importance, information on Caribbean CCA distribution, diversity, and impact on coral species is limited due to the difficulty in identifying them. In the present study, CCA samples were collected from seven different reef sites in the southeastern region of Florida’s Coral Reef and genetically identified using molecular analyses. Some of the samples collected …

Assessing Effectiveness Of Runnel Restoration In New England Salt Marsh Habitats, David M. Burdick, Grant Mckown, Gregg Moore, Jenny Gibson, Wenley Ferguson, John Herbert, Nancy Pau, Susan Adamowicz, Geoff Wilson

Faculty Publications

Rising sea levels that increase flooding in salt marshes recovering from hydrologic impairments is reducing nesting habitat for salt marsh sparrows. Abandonment of colonial farming practices (1600s through 1900s) has resulted in large, waterlogged basins characterized by shallow depressions (pannes) dominated by short-form Spartina alterniflora and unvegetated megapools that are subsiding. A relatively new technique designed to provide regular tidal flooding and drainage to the waterlogged basins that have formed on the marsh is runnelling – creation of shallow hydrologic features on the marsh surface. Will runnels result in revegetation of pannes and pools with productive perennial grasses that are …

Twist And Snout: Head And Body Morphologies Determine Feeding Kinematics In Substrate-Biting Fishes, Tal Perevolotsky, Jacob M. Brotman-Krass, Yarden Ratner, Yael Avigad, Adam P. Summers, Cassandra M. Donatelli, Roi Holzman

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Synopsis

Across teleosts, feeding by biting substrate-attached prey has evolved multiple times and is associated with convergent morphologies that include a deep body and an elongated, tapered head. However, the functional role of these morphologies in substrate-biting fish is not established. Here, we tested the hypothesis that these morphologies function as control surfaces that affect feeding kinematics during biting. To test this hypothesis, we used simplified physical models of substrate-biting reef fish and examined the role of head, body, and fin morphology in determining feeding kinematics that facilitate the removal of substrate-attached prey. Models simulated the swift lateral movement of …

The Impacts Of Ocean Warming On Phytoplankton Dynamics And Links To Fisheries Management Around St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean, Shelby Bargo

The Plymouth Student Scientist

In the context of a rapidly changing climate, understanding how ocean warming is reshaping the foundation of marine ecosystems has never been more important. This research investigates factors contributing to ocean warming, and where anthropogenically influenced climate change plays a critical role in the functionality of the physical marine environment, phytoplankton, and trophodynamics throughout the pelagic zone. Phytoplankton, whilst microscopic, are vital; they are regulated by physical oceanographic factors that control their access to growth-limiting factors, such as nutrients. With the formidable climate-driven physical and biological changes occurring in the marine environment, alongside the decline in fish stocks, it is …

Investigating The Regulation Of The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Interrenal Axis In Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser Oxyrinchus) Following An Acute Stressor, Liam Doherty, Ciarán A. Shaughnessy, Robert M. Dores

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

This study investigated the response to acute stress in Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) and HPI axis regulation of glucocorticoid production during stress by examining the expression of key genes―corticotropin-releasing hormone (crh), corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor (crhr), proopiomelanocortin (pomca/pomcb), melanocortin 2 receptor (mc2r), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star)―that are associated with hypothalamus/pituitary/interrenal (HPI) axis of bony fishes. Additionally, tyrosine hydrogenase (th1 and th2) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck), found in catecholamine-producing cells in the head kidney of the sturgeon, were investigated as …

Du Undergraduate Showcase Abstracts: Research, Scholarship, And Creative Works, Kabe Aberle, Nadia Kako, Kateri Mcrae, Brooke Agulnek, Sky Palmon, Yasmine Ramirez, Francisca Aguirre Beltran, Ashley Juarez, Bridget Kim, Tessa Appel, Sterling Kerr, Spencer Ingley, Gabe Meyer, Robin Tinghitella, Dale Broder, Lily Baeza, Chloe Beers, Julia Coakley, Whitney Kelsey, Sydney Gainforth, Gabi Wing, Audrey Martin, Aaliyah Amore Berry, Brooke Watley, Kiruthika Venkatesan, Rachel Bienstock, Annabella Brotherston, Madison Bryant, Mia Burgener, Emma P. Lieb, Rachel A. Johnson, Jennifer L. Hoffman, Kania Campbell, Kiena Campbell, Courtney Cassidy, Sage Krzyzkowski, Maddox Jones, Skylar Abookire, Luke Hawkins, Sunnah Yoon, Andrea Chu, Yan Qin, Nyah Cubbison, Brian Gearity, Daniel Mcintosh, Mariely Cruz, Edward Garrido, Grady Dionne, Nicole Doris, Lyndsie Salvagio, Ann-Charlotte Granholm-Bentley, Anna Dymov, Hannah Eckert, Gabrielle Welsh, Erica Larson, Charlie Ernst, Anna Zhou, Sarah Watamura, Larissa Fedorovich-Klein, Georgie Fields, Kimberly A. Guevara, Aven Mccall, Ben Peltier, Feruz Yahia, Patrick Flores, Jadyn Floyd, Sophia Forcier, J. Von R. Monteza, Peter Sokol-Hessner, Gwendolyn Geiger, Scott Nichols, Camryn Gunter, Kendal Hengst, Charlie Bednarz, Issy Garside, Addison Baker, Rachel Mina, Brooke Hermanson, Amanda Klingler, William Highfill, Sydney Jaques, Kerstin Lewey, Allison Grossery, Daniel Linseman, Ethan Lim, Jagger Livengood, Owen Mantelli, Gabby Pappas, Abby Mcdonald, Madeleine Dierking, Eve Miller, Emma Loeber, Anna Marlow, Michael Kerwin, Ella Mathews, Hillary Hamann, Khadija Mohamed, Vivian Nguyen, Gabri Notov, Ifunayachi Ogbonna-Ukuku, Sunil Kumar, Charles Baysah, Sarah Olson, Don Sullivan, Anna Paradiso, Jay Parrish, Mira Pronobis, Alisha Pravasi, Kerstin Haring, Diego Ramirez, Christopher Reardon, Juliana Ramirez, Casey Doherty, Ella Kestner, Teagan Weindel, Cate Billings, Pablo Torre-Walter, Lucy Rand, Samantha Reynolds, Mark Siemens, Khadeeja Rashid, Laine Satterlee, Piper Heilbronner, Lily Pound, Ben Whitehurst, Anna Respet, Lizzie Lesoing, Sydney Hertel, Aya Saad-Masri, Brooke Ballenger, Max Proske, Hannah Rosenberg, Ellia Nakahara, Sophia Espinoza, Ivan Woolhouse, Simon Ruland, Gorkem Er, Timothy Sweeny, Melaku Saketa, Michela Schenk, Maren Lynch, Madi Hamm, Grace Schroeder, Michelle Rozenman, Rana Seif, Jackson Hall, Marisela Simental, Daniel Paredes, Aaron Mena, Preston Spaan, Evelyn Stovin, David Andrew Swartz, Anh Tran, Daniel Pittman, Luke Farchione, Emily Boyer, Ukari Verner, Lacey Conrad, Jonathan Velotta, James Weiner, Jagger Gossett, Noah Sherry, Sam Proud, Ben Block, Avi Narayana, Zoey Weiss, Alyssa Wilson, Gabrielle Walsh, David Zonana, Keely Wright, Kena Riveria, Lillybelle Deer, Jena Doom, Elysia Davis, Isabelle Yaremenko, Caitlyn Young

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Abstracts from the DU Undergraduate Research Showcase.

Nantucket Eelgrass Management Plan, Kimberly Starbuck, Kristin Uiterwyk, Shannon Hogan

Urban Harbors Institute Publications

Eelgrass is a critical component of our coastal ecosystem, supporting marine biodiversity, improving water quality, and helping to stabilize the shoreline. This planning effort aims to support the long-term health and sustainability of eelgrass habitats in our local waters.

Eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) is a subtidal seagrass found on both the east and west coasts of North America. Over the last 40 years, eelgrass has declined worldwide as a result of increased turbidity, algal blooms, physical disturbances, disease, and a host of other stressors. Specifically, in Massachusetts, the eelgrass population has declined approximately 50% in the last 30 …

Life Beneath The Tides: Seagrass Meadows In Surigao Del Sur, Philippines, Giselle B. Ramos, Roxan E. Caray

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Seagrasses are a valuable component of global blue carbon ecosystems yet are also endangered due to natural and man-made pressures. This study assessed the seagrass resources regarding species community structure and diversity using a transect-quadrat design along the intertidal coastlines of selected towns of Surigao del Sur. Of the 19 recorded species in the Philippines, seven common species were observed: Cymodocea rotundata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule pinifolia, Halodule uninervis, Thalassia hemprichii, Syringodium isoetifolium, and Halophila ovalis. Across study sites, the most evident species are T. hemprichii, C. rotundata, and S. isoetifolium; the existence …

Steric Sea Level Variability Over The Red Sea, Turki Alraddadi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The current paper analyzes the steric sea level (SSL) variability over the Red Sea (RS) and linked it with climate modes namely, North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and East Atlantic West Russian (EAWR) patterns using a reanalysis dataset. Long-term (1993--2015) profile temperature and salinity data acquired from Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) was used to compute the SSL. The results show that the SSL is out of phase comparing to the total sea level, which may reduce fluctuations of water level within the sea. Furthermore, it accounts for only 10% of the total sea level variations. The first and second Empirical …

Machine Learning Applications For Berth Allocation Optimization In Major Red Sea Ports: A Multi-Port Analysis, Mohammed H. Alshareef

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Efficient berth allocation remains a critical challenge in Red Sea port operations, particularly given the diverse operational capabilities across the region's ports. The research utilized historical operational data from 147,892 berth allocation instances across these ports spanning 2019--2023. A deep learning model was developed using four dense layers with ReLU activation functions, incorporating vessel characteristics, weather patterns, and operational constraints. The model's performance was validated through comparison with traditional allocation methods using real-time port operation data. Port selection criteria included geographical distribution along the Red Sea, varying levels of technological adoption, and willingness to share operational data for research purposes. …

Assessment Of Dominant Shark And Ray Species And Their Size At Brondong And Muncar Ports, East Java, Indonesia, Tri Djoko Lelono, Gatut Bintoro, Arief Setyanto, M. Arief Rahman, Desy Setyoningrum, Naufal Hilda Bahtiar, Hanifa Ramadhani, Tawang Firmansyah, Hasan Syaiful Rizal

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Shark and ray species are both limited in number and distribution and require time to mature and reproduce, making these species extremely vulnerable to mass exploitation as a resource. Based on the identification results, Muncar Port Banyuwangi had 26 species from 490 ray samples, and Brondong Port Lamongan had 28 species from 1830 ray samples. Fifteen species of rays were found only in Brondong, 17 species of rays were found only in Muncar, and as many as 13 were found in the two sample sites. As for sharks in Muncar, 38 out of 679 species were Brondong samples and 22 …

Innovations In Shipbuilding: A Comprehensive Review Of Material Selection, Corrosion Management, And Environmental Considerations, Oumaima Bouanani, Sara Sandabad, Moulay El Houssine Ech-Chhibat

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The shipbuilding industry, a cornerstone of global maritime operations, oversees vessel lifecycles from design through commissioning. This article delves into the industry's complex role in facilitating global trade, driving technological advancements, and prioritizing sustainability and safety. The harsh marine environment-marked by salinity, temperature extremes, and mechanical stresses-necessitates resilient and durable vessel structures. Consequently, the careful selection of materials is crucial for ensuring vessel longevity and performance under stringent safety and environmental standards. Recent breakthroughs in shipbuilding materials, including high-strength steel, composites, and lightweight alloys, have transformed the industry. Innovative solutions, such as shape memory alloys and eco-friendly composites, are designed …

Identifying And Analysing Coastal Landforms In Ar Rāyis, Saudi Arabia: Insights From Sentinel Data And Field Studies, Omar A. Alharbi

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

This study examines the coastal geomorphology of the Ar Rāyis coastal zone on the eastern Red Sea coastal plain, along with the processes underpinning this geomorphology. Coastal areas feature various landforms, including beaches, intertidal flats, khawrs (lagoons), sand spits, sand dunes, sabkhas (salt marshes), coral reefs, wadis, raised coral reef terraces, and alluvial terraces. These landform features suggest rapid alterations in coastal conditions. Furthermore, the analysis of Sentinel-2B data via digital processing reveals a range of natural land covers, with field investigations confirming the results. The supervised classification methods assisted in distinguishing between regions of deep and shallow water, while …

Antibiofilm Activity Of Amylases Isolated From The Bacteria Associated With The Soft Coral Sarcophyton Trocheliophorum, Asmaa Marshoud Al Harbi, Mamdoh T Jamal, Sathianeson Satheesh

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Amylases are one of the important enzymes with tremendous biotechnological applications. In this study, the amylase enzyme producing bacterial strains associated with the soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum was isolated and identified. The amylases were produced in a specific growth medium and the stability was tested under different pH and temperature conditions. The crude amylases were tested for the antibiofilm activity against two biofilm-forming bacterial strains. The amylase enzyme extracted from two bacterial strains (KAU-AS1 and KAU-AS3) showed good activity in the antibiofilm activity assays. The amylases reduced the growth and attachment of the biofilm bacteria. Also, the amylase enzymes degraded …

Morphological Observations Of Ophioderma Hybridum (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) From Western Of Libya, Najla Mohamed Abushaala, Edris Mansour, Ignazio Sparacio, Abdulfattah Elfituri

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

The distribution of the species of Ophioderma in the Mediterranean is still incompletely known. In this paper, Ophioderma hybridum (Ophiuroidea, Ophiodermatidae) is reported for the first time from the coast of Tajura, in the southern Mediterranean Sea, Libya. This recently described species was until now known only from the coast of Tunisia. Description of external appearance and taxonomic characteristics: Specimens had a dark reddish brown body colour on disc and arms, the radial shields not covered by granules. As a result of these morphological observations, O. hybridum is added to the Ophiuroidea fauna of the Libyan coast, southern Mediterranean Sea, …

Isolation And Importance Of Endophytic Actinomycetes Of Some Red Sea Algae And Their Biological Activities, Najla Ali Alburae

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Endophytic Actinomycetes attract scientist's attention and in particular, endophytes from marine algae were documented and showed many biological activities that maintain ecological balance in various habitats that solve many health problems. This research aimed at the development of antimicrobial and antioxidant agent from endophytic Actinomycetes. Three seaweed algal samples were collected from the Red Sea Umluj corniche, nestled in northwestern of Saudi Arabia and identified as Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta), Dictyota dichotoma (Phyaephyta) and Gelidium sp. (Rhodophyta). The collected algal samples were washed, surface sterilized, cut into small squares for Endophytic Actinomycete isolation on Starch nitrate medium containing 10% NaCl. Twelve …

Accumulation And Distribution Of Microplastic Particles In Recent Coastal Sediments From Specific Areas Of The Syrian Coast And Determination Of Medium Energy, Samer Ghadeer, Yousef Rslan

Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Marine Science

Despite the numerous benefits plastics have brought to our daily lives, they have also introduced many unexpected and serious environmental challenges, particularly for marine environments, their ecosystems, and sediments. This research holds significant importance as it addresses microplastic pollution, a pressing contemporary issue that demands solutions. It marks the first study of its kind on the Syrian coast, utilizing sediments to identify and quantify microplastics, as well as to determine their sizes and the primary human activities contributing to their spread. A comprehensive study was conducted on sediment samples from specific areas along the Syrian coast-Wadi Qandel, Banias, and Al-Mantar-to …

Impact Of Oceanographic Gradients And Marine Heatwaves On The Picophytoplankton Community In The Northern California Current System, Kristin E. Forgrave, Carey P. Sweeney, Melissa Steinman, Anvita U. Kerkar, Timothy M. Pettit, Anne W. Thompson

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Northern California Current (NCC) system is a productive coastal ecosystem with a mosaic of temporal and spatial features. The phytoplankton community plays a crucial role in supporting the rich ecosystem and economically important fisheries of the NCC. Our study integrates data across two years (2022-2023) and multiple transects to investigate the community composition of two major phytoplankton groups in the NCC: picocyanobacteria and photosynthetic picoeukaryotes (PPE). The abundances and cell sizes of the phytoplankton were measured using flow cytometry. We found PPE present at similar concentrations in both summer and winter, while picocyanobacteria were much more abundant in the …

Updated Take Estimates Of Marine Turtles In The Guajira Peninsula, Venezuela, Royner Carrasquero-Labarca, Matthew Ware, Jordano Palmar, Daniela Rojas-Cañizales, Héctor Barrios-Garrido

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The Guajira Peninsula is one of the most important foraging grounds areas for marine turtles in Venezuela. There, five species converging: the green turtle, hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, and olive ridley. The Wayuú indigenous people are inhabits of the Guajira Peninsula. They have a close relationship with these animals, and for generations, they have used these species as subsistence resources. Marine turtle take has always occurred in this area and has historically been high; it is still happening now, but the current extent is unknown. For that reason, we aimed to assess and update the estimate for marine turtles take in …

Design And Evaluation Of An Innovative Biomimetic Coral Transport Container, John-Christopher L. Calulo, Wilfredo Y. Licuanan, Leah D. Madrazo, Dana Isabelle P. Villano, Angel Nicole B. Villanueva

Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Coral reefs are vulnerable to disruptive human activities such as pollution, overfishing, and coastal development—degrading water quality and reef structures. Active reef restoration entails temporarily relocating several corals to aquaculture facilities to achieve successful rehabilitation; however, current coral transport methods pose certain risks, such as stress-induced mortality, which can result from physical damage during transportation. Existing studies on coral transport have explored various techniques for collecting, shipping, and maintaining live coral specimens. The design consists of petal-shaped areas where the waves gather, akin to a coral reef’s grooves, separated by wedges—the spurs—that cause waves to divide. The different design modifications …

United Seas For Resilient Reefs: A Blueprint For Coral Conservation Through International Cooperation, John J. Bohorquez, Maoz Fine, Dana I. Grieco, David A. Gill, Ali Al-Swalimih, Jacqueline Padilla-Gamino, Isaiah W. Bolden, Margaux Hein, Callum Backstrom, Melanie Mcfield, Raphael Martinez, Benjamin Midberry, Fahd Al-Guthmy, Ellen K. Pikitch, Natalia Benejam, Chen Azulay, Britt Ronen, Oren Levy, Anne Mcelroy, Karine Kleinhaus

School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences Faculty Publications

Coral reefs are one of Earth’s most vital and threatened ecosystems. They protect coastlines, generate billions of dollars of tourism revenue, support valuable fisheries, and contribute to the development of vital medicines. Yet half of the world's coral reefs have been lost in the last 50 years, and 90% of remaining reefs are projected to die off by the middle of this century, mainly due to warming seas from climate change.

Despite these challenges there is reason for hope. Some coral reefs – such as in the northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba – have demonstrated remarkable resilience to …