Efficacy Of Magnesium Enriched Artificial Substrate For Oyster Restoration,
2018
James Madison University
Efficacy Of Magnesium Enriched Artificial Substrate For Oyster Restoration, Matthew Elder
Masters Theses, 2010-2019
The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is a keystone species that has undergone a large (> 95%) population decline due to overharvest, pollution, and disease. Restoration efforts focus on alternative larval attachment substrates such as concrete, to supplement the loss of natural oyster shell. Magnesium is a component of bivalve shells and its presence in the environment has shown to be important to the growth of mussels, but the same relationship has not been studied in oysters. Assuming that magnesium can be assimilated from the substrate on which the organism is growing, or that ions of magnesium are leached into …
Patterns In Caribbean Coral Spawning,
2018
Nova Southeastern University
Patterns In Caribbean Coral Spawning, Anna C. Jordan
HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations
Most corals worldwide are broadcast spawners that rely on synchronous gamete release for successful fertilization. Spawning synchrony may also decrease the probability of heterospecific fertilization that may produce maladaptive hybrids. Despite the importance of reproductive timing, researchers have only recently begun to collect spawning data across coral species in the Caribbean, but these data remain to be analyzed. This study investigates interannual, seasonal, and environmental patterns that may influence Caribbean scleractinian spawning times. The number of spawning observations varies widely among location and species. Most spawning observations were collected in Florida, Curaçao, and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Acropora …
Population Dynamics Of The Threatened Staghorn Coral, Acropora Cervicornis, And The Development Of A Species-Specific Monitoring Protocol,
2018
Nova Southeastern University
Population Dynamics Of The Threatened Staghorn Coral, Acropora Cervicornis, And The Development Of A Species-Specific Monitoring Protocol, Elizabeth Goergen
HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations
Historically, Acropora cervicornis was found in high densities on many Caribbean, Florida, and Gulf of Mexico reefs. A disease outbreak in the late 1970s and 80s caused up to 99% loss of A. cervicornis cover at some sites, leaving populations sparsely distributed throughout its range and typically found as isolated colonies. Even though populations are depauperate causing a decrease in sexual reproduction, its fast growth rate and ability to reproduce through asexual fragmentation affords this species the potential for quick recovery and population growth. However, limited to no natural recovery has been documented. Many of these populations are poorly studied …
Genetic Population And Evolutionary Dynamics Of The Angel Sharks, Squatina Spp.,
2018
Nova Southeastern University
Genetic Population And Evolutionary Dynamics Of The Angel Sharks, Squatina Spp., Cristin Keelin Fitzpatrick
HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations
Once so abundant as to be called the ‘common’ angelshark, Squatina squatina has been extirpated from nearly the entirety of its historical range, from the eastern North Atlantic, to the Mediterranean Sea [International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Critically Endangered]. The angelshark now only occurs in any abundance in the waters surrounding the Canary Islands. I present the first genetic assessment of the angelshark’s population dynamics and diversity from three locations within the Canary Islands archipelago: Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and Lanzarote. Using a suite of individual mitochondrial genome regions [Control region (CR), NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 …
Biological And Abiotic Factors Influencing Cetacean Mass Strandings In The Northeastern United States,
2018
Nova Southeastern University
Biological And Abiotic Factors Influencing Cetacean Mass Strandings In The Northeastern United States, Octavia Williams
HCNSO Student Capstones
Marine mammal strandings are frequent occurrences along many coastal areas around the world. The significance of stranded cetaceans has been of interest since around 300 B.C. when philosophers, like Aristotle, pondered why marine mammals, including whales, dolphins and porpoise beach themselves; and famous authors, like Henry David Thoreau, whose fascination in mammal strandings lead him to write a book about these mass occurrences off the coast of Cape Cod. Numerous hypothetical theories have been developed to explain these mass stranding phenomena. Though the causes of mass strandings remain unresolved, recent investigations suggest contributing factors could include environmental elements. Less emphasis …
Impacts Of Educational Programming At Dolphins Plus On Visitor Knowledge, Attitude And Behavior,
2018
James Madison University
Impacts Of Educational Programming At Dolphins Plus On Visitor Knowledge, Attitude And Behavior, Carley Rice
Masters Theses, 2010-2019
Zoos, aquariums, and similar institutions have been transitioning for many years from venues of entertainment to institutions of informal environmental education. This transition has led to these institutions claiming missions of conservation and education. The conservation education impacts of zoos and aquariums are not well understood. The literature is limited and at times inconclusive. Claims of conservation and education should be formally evaluated through survey research projects to determine validity. These types of studies will shed light on these institutions and aid in improving educational programs to best benefit conservation of wildlife, habitats and the environment. The purpose of this …
Waking Students Up With Explorations Of Metabolic Dormancy: A Pilot Study Of The Killifish Cure,
2018
Portland State University
Waking Students Up With Explorations Of Metabolic Dormancy: A Pilot Study Of The Killifish Cure, Emma Goodwin, Daniel E. Zajic, Jason E. Podrabsky, Erin E. Shortlidge
Student Research Symposium
A national goal for education reform is to provide opportunities for all biology undergraduates to participate in research. Traditionally, undergraduates gain research experience by apprenticing in faculty-led research labs; however, only a fraction of undergraduates have access to these opportunities. Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) are a type of laboratory course where students conduct experiments to answer relevant research questions, thus allowing undergraduates to gain authentic research experience at a large scale. To increase equity in opportunities for biology undergraduates to participate in authentic scientific research at Portland State University (PSU), we have designed and implemented a CURE to pilot …
Trophic Ecology And Parasitism Of A Mesopelagic Fish Assemblage,
2018
Nova Southeastern University
Trophic Ecology And Parasitism Of A Mesopelagic Fish Assemblage, Matthew Woodstock
HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations
Mesopelagic (open ocean, 200-1000 m depth) fishes are important consumers of zooplankton and are prey of oceanic predators. Some mesopelagic fishes (e.g., myctophids and stomiids) undertake a diel vertical migration where they ascend to the near-surface waters during the night to feed and descend into the depths during the day to avoid predators. Other mesopelagic fishes (e.g., Sternoptyx spp.) do not vertically migrate and remain at deep depths throughout the day. While in the epipelagic zone (surface – 200 m depth), vertically migrating fishes become prey to upper-trophic level predators, such as: tunas and billfishes. Benthic fishes (e.g., macrourids) often …
Identification And Spatiotemporal Dynamics Of Tuna (Family: Scombridae; Tribe: Thunnini) Early Life Stages In The Oceanic Gulf Of Mexico,
2018
Nova Southeastern University
Identification And Spatiotemporal Dynamics Of Tuna (Family: Scombridae; Tribe: Thunnini) Early Life Stages In The Oceanic Gulf Of Mexico, Nina Pruzinsky
HCNSO Student Theses and Dissertations
Fishes within the family Scombridae (i.e. tunas, mackerels and bonitos) are of high ecological and economic value, as they are heavily targeted by commercial and recreational fisheries. In coastal and open-ocean environments, adults are high-level predators, while larvae and juveniles serve as prey for numerous species. Much is known about the distribution and abundance of adult tunas, but high taxonomic uncertainty and limited knowledge regarding the distributional patterns of larval and juvenile tunas have led to an “operational taxonomic unit” gap in our understanding of tuna ecology. Scombrids were collected across the Gulf of Mexico (GoM, hereafter) during seven research …
Preliminary Work On Infestation Dynamics And Stable Isotope Ecology Of A Coral Reef Micropredator,
2018
Arkansas State University
Preliminary Work On Infestation Dynamics And Stable Isotope Ecology Of A Coral Reef Micropredator, William Garrett Jenkins
Student Theses and Dissertations
Despite the significant ecological role that parasites likely play within their respective communities, little is understood about the role that they play within food webs. The studies presented herein sought to expand upon the understanding of the role that gnathiid isopods, a marine fish ectoparasite, play within coral reef ecological communities by: a) assessing the effect of host physical condition on susceptibility to exploitation by a gnathiid isopod and b) by conducting a comprehensive, preliminary, study on the stable isotope ecology of these micropredators. Host fish which were experimentally injured during field trials exhibited a higher probability of being parasitized …
Wetlands Evaluation For Philbrick's Pond Marsh Drainage Evaluation North Hampton, Nh,
2018
Jackson Estuarine Laboratory
Wetlands Evaluation For Philbrick's Pond Marsh Drainage Evaluation North Hampton, Nh, David M. Burdick, Chris Peter, Gregg Moore
Natural Resources & the Environment
Philbrick’s Pond is a lagoon type estuary that formed landward of barrier beach spits in North Hampton, NH. Its inlet was stabilized and restricted by the road that is now Route 1A or Ocean Boulevard. Water flow from the Gulf of Maine passes through a culvert running under Route 1A and into a small waterway and is further restricted as it runs through a clay pipe under an old trolley berm. The lagoon is characterized as a 29 acre tidal marsh. The goal of the overall project is to evaluate the condition and hydrology of the two restrictions recognizing the …
Ichthyology Scientific Collection Spreadsheet,
2018
Pittsburg State University
Ichthyology Scientific Collection Spreadsheet, Karisa Boyer
Ichthyology Collection
No abstract provided.
Is The Trail-Following Behavior Of Juvenile Physa Acuta Influenced By Kinship And Familiarity?,
2018
Montclair State University
Is The Trail-Following Behavior Of Juvenile Physa Acuta Influenced By Kinship And Familiarity?, Tiana Bonventre
Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects
Trail-following behavior is exhibited by many species ranging from insects to gastropods. In gastropods, this behavior serves many functions such as the facilitation of movement, homing, mate and conspecific location, organization, aggregation, and protection. Kin recognition is also a behavior that is exhibited by a wide variety of species including both vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Kin recognition serves many functions including social interactions and status, discrimination, which can lead to outcrossing, and cooperative behaviors that can increase the likelihood of survival. Familiarity with individuals may also contribute to survival through protection and enhanced cooperation. Kin recognition can involve familiarity in …
Spatial Dynamics And Mixing Of Bluefin Tuna In The Atlantic Ocean And Mediterranean Sea Revealed Using Next-Generation Sequencing,
2018
University of New Brunswick
Spatial Dynamics And Mixing Of Bluefin Tuna In The Atlantic Ocean And Mediterranean Sea Revealed Using Next-Generation Sequencing, Gregory N. Puncher, Alessia Cariani, Gregory E. Maes, Jeroen Van Houdt, Koen Herten, Rita Cannas, Naiara Rodriguez-Ezpeleta, Aitor Albania, Andone Estonba, Molly Lutcavage, Alex Hanke, Jay Rooker, James S. Franks, Joseph M. Quattro, Gualtiero Basilone, Igaratza Fraile, Urtzi Laconcha, Nicolas Goñi, Ai Kimoto, David Macías, Francisco Alemany, Simeon Deguara, Salem W. Zgozi, Fulvio Garibaldi, Isik K. Oray, Firdes Saadet Karakulak, Noureddine Abid, Miguel N. Santos, Piero Addis, Haritz Arrizabalaga, Fausto Tinti
Faculty Publications
The Atlantic bluefin tuna is a highly migratory species emblematic of the challenges associated with shared fisheries management. In an effort to resolve the species’ stock dynamics, a genomewide search for spatially informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was undertaken, by way of sequencing reduced representation libraries. An allele frequency approach to SNP discovery was used, combining the data of 555 larvae and young‐of‐the‐year (LYOY) into pools representing major geographical areas and mapping against a newly assembled genomic reference. From a set of 184,895 candidate loci, 384 were selected for validation using 167 LYOY. A highly discriminatory genotyping panel of 95 …
Evaluating The Role Of Large Jellyfish And Forage Fishes As Energy Pathways, And Their Interplay With Fisheries, In The Northern Humboldt Current Systems,
2018
University of Southern Mississippi
Evaluating The Role Of Large Jellyfish And Forage Fishes As Energy Pathways, And Their Interplay With Fisheries, In The Northern Humboldt Current Systems, Luciano M. Chiaverino, Kelly L. Robinson, Jorge Tam, James J. Ruzicka, Javier Quiñones, Katrina Aleksa, Frank J. Hernandez Jr., Richard D. Brodeur, Robert T. Leaf, Shin-Ichi Uye, Mary Beth Decker, Marcelo Acha, Hermes Mianzan, William M. Graham
Faculty Publications
Large jellyfish are important consumers of plankton, fish eggs and fish larvae in heavily fished ecosystems worldwide; yet they are seldom included in fisheries production models. Here we developed a trophic network model with 41 functional groups using ECOPATH re-expressed in a donor-driven, end-to-end format to directly evaluate the efficiency of large jellyfish and forage fish at transferring energy to higher trophic levels, as well as the ecosystem-wide effects of varying jellyfish and forage fish consumption rates and fishing rates, in the Northern Humboldt Current system (NHCS) off of Peru. Large jellyfish were an energy-loss pathway for high …
Determining The Physiological And Behavioral Aspects Of Salinity Tolerance In The Asian Clam, Corbicula Fluminea,
2018
East Tennessee State University
Determining The Physiological And Behavioral Aspects Of Salinity Tolerance In The Asian Clam, Corbicula Fluminea, John Roden
Undergraduate Honors Theses
The Asian clam, Corbicula fluminea, is an invasive bivalve species that now occurs through most of the lower 48 United States. While a significant degree of salinity tolerance has been observed in C. fluminea, owing to its estuarine lineage, the physiological and behavioral responses to changes in salinity by these organisms are not completely understood. It was hypothesized that Corbicula would initially avoid elevated salinity levels (>1 g/L) behaviorally through valve closure, but would eventually have to open to dispel anaerobic waste products and deal with the salinity. To explore this, Corbicula were collected and put through …
Evaluating In Situ Grazing Patterns Of Lytechinus Variegatus And Their Effects On Seagrass Beds Of Thalassia Testudinum,
2018
Kennesaw State University
Evaluating In Situ Grazing Patterns Of Lytechinus Variegatus And Their Effects On Seagrass Beds Of Thalassia Testudinum, Adrianna Parson
Master of Science in Integrative Biology Theses
The sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus is a known grazer of the seagrass Thalassia testudinum, and has been known to denude vast stands of seagrass beds at high densities. Outside of these denudation events, the effects of sea urchins on seagrass are poorly understood. This study examines the effects of L. variegatus on T. testudinum in situ, to understand how sea urchins are affecting seagrasses in situ. Results indicate that urchins were found in the offshore portion of the seagrass bed at densities up to 4 urchins/m2. Changes in temperature and sediment size in the bay indicate …
Regional Variation In Migratory Behavior And Reproductive Output Of The Gulf Of Mexico Blue Crab Spawning Stock,
2018
University of Southern Mississippi
Regional Variation In Migratory Behavior And Reproductive Output Of The Gulf Of Mexico Blue Crab Spawning Stock, Adam Kemberling
Master's Theses
The overarching goal of this research was to better understand the structure and boundaries of the blue crab stock(s) in the Gulf of Mexico, focusing on large-scale movements of spawning female crabs. Because spawning location is a primary determinant of larval transport pathways, understanding spawning locations and offshore movements of female blue crabs can inform stock identification and potentially clarify the somewhat conflicting population genetic information available for blue crabs. A large-scale mark-recapture study was conducted through the partnership of state/federal management agencies, the commercial fishing industry, recreational fisherman, tourists, and numerous academic institutions to shed light on the timing …
Linkages Between Marsh Fragmentation, Prey Availability, And Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Abundance And Mortality,
2018
University of Southern Mississippi
Linkages Between Marsh Fragmentation, Prey Availability, And Blue Crab (Callinectes Sapidus) Abundance And Mortality, Lennah Shakeri
Master's Theses
Coastal marshes are important nursery habitats for many commercially important invertebrate species, yet these marshes are being lost worldwide at an unprecedented rate due to subsidence, erosion, climate change, and human activity. As marsh is lost, it creates the opportunity for submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) colonization and establishment in newly created open water areas. Blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, use both marsh edge and SAV habitat during the juvenile stages and support one of the largest fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, worth over $70 million in 2015. This thesis studied the linkages between habitat type, SAV cover, benthic prey …
Spatial Variation In Basal Resources And Trophic Position Of Selected Fishes Of The North-Central Gulf Of Mexico,
2018
University of Southern Mississippi
Spatial Variation In Basal Resources And Trophic Position Of Selected Fishes Of The North-Central Gulf Of Mexico, Christopher Fleming
Master's Theses
The North-central Gulf of Mexico is a complex hydrologic environment with freshwater influx that varies on spatial and temporal scales. Freshwater input exerts influence on the isotope values of organisms living in coastal ecosystems. The objectives of this study were to determine relationships between total length and isotope value, estimate basal resource usage and trophic position of target species from Mississippi Sound, reef, and pelagic environments, and identify differences and similarities in spatial patterns of collection. Muscle tissue samples were collected from October 2014 through September 2015. Stable isotope analysis identified a trophic gradient extending from nearshore to offshore, with …
