Form And Function In Mobulids: A Comparative Analysis Of Filter Morphology With Bioinspiration Applications,
2025
California State University, Fullerton
Form And Function In Mobulids: A Comparative Analysis Of Filter Morphology With Bioinspiration Applications, J. B. Teeple, S. R. Kahane-Rapport, K. E. Cohen, L. Hamann, J. A. Strother, E. W. M. Paig-Tran
Biological Sciences Faculty Publications
Mobulas (manta and devil rays) are large-scale ram filter feeders that separate planktonic food particles from large volumes of water with minimal clogging. This contrasts with most human-made filters that can suffer from problematic clogging requiring additional mechanisms for clearing blocked surfaces and maintaining performance. Prior studies have shown that mobulas employ a unique mechanism referred to as ricochet separation to filter feed, whereby captive vortices in filter pores cause particles to bounce off the filter surfaces and away from the filter pores. This mechanism enables the filtration of particles smaller than the pore size and reduced clogging. However, few …
Using Environmental Dna Metabarcoding To Investigate Diversity And Seasonal Variation Of Fishes In Humboldt Bay, California,
2025
Cal Poly Humboldt
Using Environmental Dna Metabarcoding To Investigate Diversity And Seasonal Variation Of Fishes In Humboldt Bay, California, Johnathon M. Richardson
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
This study applied environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to characterize fish diversity and temporal patterns in fish assemblage structure within Humboldt Bay, California. This work advances ecological understanding of Humboldt Bay’s ichthyofauna, regional natural history and ecosystem function. Over one year (February 2023–January 2024), triplicate surface-water samples were collected every two weeks from a fixed site in Humboldt Bay (n = 78). DNA was extracted from filters and amplified using MiFish 12S primers in six replicate PCRs per sample. Amplicon concentrations were normalized, pooled and sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform (2×150 bp). Sequences were processed using a custom bioinformatics pipeline, …
An Economic And Production Analysis Of Seaweed Farms In California And The Pacific Northwest,
2025
Cal Poly Humboldt
An Economic And Production Analysis Of Seaweed Farms In California And The Pacific Northwest, Brian Donovan
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
Since the early 2010s, the seaweed aquaculture industry has steadily expanded in the United States, with states like Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, and Connecticut leading the way in the development of this emerging sector. However, information gaps remain concerning certain aspects of the domestic seaweed aquaculture industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the status of the seaweed aquaculture industry along the West Coast of the United States; specifically in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Seaweed farmers in these states were invited to voluntarily complete surveys asking important production, economic, and commercial questions regarding their operations. Data …
Cultivation Of Winged Kelp (Alaria Marginata) In Humboldt Bay,
2025
Humboldt State University
Cultivation Of Winged Kelp (Alaria Marginata) In Humboldt Bay, Evan C. Simpson
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
The cultivation potential of the winged kelp (Alaria marginata) was evaluated in Humboldt Bay, California, to further develop sustainable aquaculture in the region. Seasonality, depth, and system design were evaluated in regard to harvest biomass and quality. Results suggested that single-longline configurations at shallow depths (< 2 m) produced greater total biomass than a multi-longline system, suggesting enhanced water flow and reduced self-shading improved growth. Kelp grew best with a winter outplanting period (December-April), most likely due to environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, nutrients, and salinity) being within the kelp’s tolerable range, with as much as 2.24 kg/meter of kelp being harvested. These findings demonstrate that while the estuarine system has more variable conditions than predicted, A. marginata can be successfully cultivated in Humboldt Bay and highlight its potential as a viable crop for northern California’s emerging seaweed industry. Future work targeting the optimization of single-longline design and deployment timing may further improve yield and support regional goals for sustainable aquaculture and food security.
A Porpoise-Driven Approach: Using Agent-Based Models To Predict Population Consequences Of Offshore Wind Noises On Gulf Of Maine Harbor Porpoises,
2025
Humboldt State University
A Porpoise-Driven Approach: Using Agent-Based Models To Predict Population Consequences Of Offshore Wind Noises On Gulf Of Maine Harbor Porpoises, Ben Greenberg Pridonoff
Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects
Marine mammals are increasingly exposed to anthropogenic noises, including from offshore wind activities, necessitating the development and refinement of tools to predict the effects of noise on their populations. Agent-based models (ABMs) are an effective tool that can simulate realistic movements and behaviors of animals to quantify population consequences of disturbance. In this study, I used the Europe-based ABM ‘DEPONS’ to (1) evaluate its effectiveness in a new environment, the Gulf of Maine, USA/Bay of Fundy, Canada, and (2) develop estimates of the population dynamics of local harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) interacting with expected noises from proposed floating …
Behavioral Responses To Underwater Noise,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Behavioral Responses To Underwater Noise, Christine Erbe, Capri Jolliffe, Renee Schoeman, Valeria Senigaglia, Cristina Tollefsen, Rebecca Wellard, Ann Bowles, Dorian Houser, Shyam Madhusudhana, Sarah A. Marley, Angela Recalde Salas, Chandra Salgado-Kent, Leah Trigg
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
This chapter presents an overview of physical and acoustic behavioral responses of marine mammals to underwater sounds. A literature review was undertaken, and data on received levels at the animal when certain types of responses were observed were compiled in an online supplementary spreadsheet. Based on this, an overview of responses was written, organized first by species and then by sound type. In-air and underwater sound sources were considered. The most studied sound types were mid-frequency sonar and acoustic deterrent devices and then impact pile driving and vessels. The most frequently reported response was avoidance, followed by changes in swim …
Varying Vulnerabilities: Seagrass Species Under Threat From Prolonged Ocean Warming,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Varying Vulnerabilities: Seagrass Species Under Threat From Prolonged Ocean Warming, Marnie L. Campbell, Chi T.U. Le
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Understanding the response of various seagrass species to prolonged elevated water temperatures is crucial for effective management and seagrass species restoration amid increasing climate change-induced ocean warming and marine heat waves. This is especially important in intertidal seagrass meadows, where heat can penetrate substrate depths of up to 50 cm. We assessed and contrasted the responses of five intertidal species—Zostera muelleri Irmisch ex Asch, Halophila ovalis (R.Br.) Hook f., Halodule uninervis (Forssk.) Asch, Halophila decipiens Ostenf., and Halophila spinulosa (R.Br.) Asch—over a month of elevated temperatures by examining rhizome growth, number of living shoots, root development, and sprig survival. While …
Contrasting Tropical Marine Herbivorous Fish Catches Between The Indo-Pacific And Western Atlantic,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Contrasting Tropical Marine Herbivorous Fish Catches Between The Indo-Pacific And Western Atlantic, Lucas L. Lutzenkirchen, Sterling B. Tebbett, Helen F. Yan, David R. Bellwood
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Ensuring food security in the Anthropocene presents a significant socio-ecological challenge, especially in rapidly changing coastal seascapes that sustain critical fisheries. Herbivorous fishes are essential for food and financial security through fisheries, however, their contributions to regional catches, and the factors influencing them, are not well understood. Analysing reported and reconstructed catch data across 69 Exclusive Economic Zones, we identify shallow-reef area and coastal population density as significant predictors of herbivorous fish catches. However, between-realm (i.e. Indo-Pacific vs. Western Atlantic) differences are marked, with rabbitfishes contributing disproportionately to herbivorous fishery catches. While rabbitfishes have the potential to support productive fisheries …
Non-Stereotypy (To Species) In Mysticete Downsweeps,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Non-Stereotypy (To Species) In Mysticete Downsweeps, Paul Nguyen Hong Duc, Christine Erbe, Shyam Madhusudhana, Daniel Wilkes, Lachlan Gill, Cristina Tollefsen, Narissa De Bruin, Aiyana Erbeking, Curt Jenner, Micheline Jenner, Angela Recalde-Salas, Chandra P. Salgado Kent, Kautilya Srivastava, Chong Wei, Robert Mccauley
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
The Australian EEZ provides habitat for ten species of mysticete whales seasonally supporting critical life functions ranging from feeding to breeding. All of these species produce downsweeping calls, which may confound passive acoustic monitoring efforts. In an attempt to optimize a detector for Eastern Indian Ocean pygmy blue whale (EIOPBW) downsweeps, we tried a spectrogram correlator based on confirmed templates and a neural network trained on general blue whale D-calls followed by clustering algorithms. Outputs were manually validated by bioacousticians. We found that downsweeps exhibit significant variability and form a graded continuum of acoustic features, as opposed to clusters. Comparative …
Global Patterns And Drivers Of Seagrass Biomass, Net Primary Production And Meadow Structure,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Global Patterns And Drivers Of Seagrass Biomass, Net Primary Production And Meadow Structure, Nicole R. Foster, Enric Gomis, Diana I. Montemayor, Simone Strydom, Miguel Angel Mateo, Eduard Serrano, Aurora M. Ricart, Martin Dahl, Ines Mazarrasa, Paulina Cisternas, Harry Whiteley, Elliott J. Bates, Viena Puigcorbé, Uxue Moreda, Mar Truc, Karina Inostroza, Rafael Huertas, Roisin Mccallum, Anna Lafratta, Chanelle L. Webster, Caitlyn M. O'Dea, Nicole E. Said, Carlos M. Duarte, Paul S. Lavery, Oscar Serrano
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Aim: We decipher global patterns in seagrass growth and structure to advance seagrass science, facilitate multidisciplinary research, and promote effective management strategies and policy development for seagrass habitats. Location: Global. Time period: 1975 to 2024. Major taxa studied: Seagrasses—marine angiosperms. Methods: A global data set on seagrass total biomass, total net primary productivity (NPP), shoot density, and percent cover was compiled across 11 genera. We tested how these variables change across seagrass genera, life-history strategy, and geographic location; and then modelled the environmental drivers (temperature, nutrients, light availability) of the patterns observed. Results: The mean (±SE) total biomass of seagrasses …
Seagrasses Are Most Vulnerable To Marine Heatwaves In Tropical Zones: Local-Scale And Broad Climatic Zone Variation In Thermal Tolerances,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Seagrasses Are Most Vulnerable To Marine Heatwaves In Tropical Zones: Local-Scale And Broad Climatic Zone Variation In Thermal Tolerances, Nicole Said, Chanelle Webster, Simone Strydom, Natasha Dunham, Matthew P. Adams, Kathryn Mcmahon
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Under a changing climate, it is imperative that we understand how species may respond to temperature impacts, which can differ among populations of the same species due to local drivers. Thermal tolerance data, which can be used to assess an organism's upper thermal limits, is valuable to identify species and/or populations' susceptibility to thermal stress. This study assessed the variation in thermal tolerance of six seagrass species at both broad latitudinal (c. 500–1000 km) and local scales (c. 25 km). Photosynthesis–temperature curves (15–45°C) were conducted, by measuring oxygen in closed incubation chambers, and thermal optima (Topt) was extracted. We found …
Epilithic Algal Composition And The Functioning Of Anthropocene Coral Reefs,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Epilithic Algal Composition And The Functioning Of Anthropocene Coral Reefs, Sterling B. Tebbett, Michael J. Emslie, Michelle J. Jonker, Scott D. Ling, Morgan S. Pratchett, Alexandre C. Siqueira, Angus A. Thompson, Helen F. Yan, David R. Bellwood
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Epilithic algae dominate cover on coral reefs globally, forming a critical ecological interface between the benthos and reef organisms. Yet, the drivers of epilithic algal composition, and how composition relates to the distribution of key taxa, remain unclear. We develop a novel metric, the Epilithic Algal Ratio, based on turf cover relative to total epilithic algae cover, and use this metric to assess cross-scale patterns. We reveal water quality and hydrodynamics as the key environmental drivers of the Epilithic Algal Ratio across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), and reefs globally. On the GBR, the abundance of herbivorous fishes and juvenile …
Cross-Habitat Patterns Of Sediment Transport And Release By Surgeonfishes,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Cross-Habitat Patterns Of Sediment Transport And Release By Surgeonfishes, Sterling B. Tebbett, David R. Bellwood, James Gahan, Isabelle Ng, Alexandre C. Siqueira
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Building a comprehensive understanding of geo-ecological functions is viewed as a critical step in the quantification of carbonate and sediment budgets on coral reefs. Although parrotfishes are known to play key roles in such functions, the roles of surgeonfishes are less well understood. This is despite surgeonfishes being some of the largest and most abundant, nominally herbivorous fishes on reefs, with the potential to play a major role in sediment dynamics. Here, we quantified the role of four focal surgeonfish species across two functional groups (sediment suckers and brushers) in cross-habitat sediment dynamics by combining data on behavioural observations, fish …
Accounting For Post-Release Mortality In Data-Limited, Length-Based Assessments For Four Demersal Fish Species With Varying Life Histories,
2025
Edith Cowan University
Accounting For Post-Release Mortality In Data-Limited, Length-Based Assessments For Four Demersal Fish Species With Varying Life Histories, Brett Crisafulli, Sybrand Alexander Hesp, Ebenezer Afrifa-Yamoah, Ute A. Mueller, Karina L. Ryan, David V. Fairclough, Norman G. Hall, Johnny Lo
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Released (or discarded) fish from recreational and commercial line fisheries can experience significant levels of post-release mortality (PRM), affecting sustainability. Although PRM effects are often considered in data-rich (integrated model) assessments, this is uncommon in data-limited assessments. This study investigates impacts of PRM when applying data-limited, length-based assessment methods for four reef-dwelling demersal fish species in temperate Western Australia (Glaucosoma hebraicum, Chrysophrys auratus, Choerodon rubescens and Epinephelides armatus). These species differ considerably in their biology and susceptibility to PRM. For each species simulations were undertaken to (1) evaluate the reliability of a length-based catch curve (LBCC) method for estimating fishing …
Investigating The Role And Expression Of Aquaporin 10 Paralogs In Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias),
2025
Georgia Southern University
Investigating The Role And Expression Of Aquaporin 10 Paralogs In Spiny Dogfish (Squalus Acanthias), Esosa Omoregie
College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations
Aquaporins (AQPs) are integral membrane proteins that facilitate the selective transport of water and small solutes across cell membranes, playing essential roles in maintaining osmotic balance in vertebrates. Among them, aquaglyceroporins such as AQP10 are capable of transporting water, glycerol, and urea, contributing to osmoregulatory and metabolic processes. This study investigated the expression, localization, and potential physiological roles of two AQP10 paralogs, AQP10C1 and AQP10C2, in the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), a marine elasmobranch that maintains osmotic equilibrium through urea retention and ion regulation. Using RT-PCR, quantitative PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry the study identified tissue-specific expression patterns of …
No Detected Signal Of The 2022 Epizootic From Multiannual Diadema Antillarum Settlement Data In The Florida Keys,
2025
Montclair State University
No Detected Signal Of The 2022 Epizootic From Multiannual Diadema Antillarum Settlement Data In The Florida Keys, Jason Albrecht
Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects
The sea urchin Diadema antillarum is a key coral reef grazer that remains functionally extinct on many Caribbean reefs following a mass mortality event in 1983–84. In 2022, another widespread mortality event, likely caused by a scuticociliate parasite, again decimated D. antillarum at reefs across the Caribbean. Understanding the population-level impacts of this recent epizootic will be important for coral reef conservation efforts. This study examines multi-year larval settlement data from the Florida Keys to determine if the 2022 mortality event reduced larval settlement. Larval settlement was assessed monthly at three long-term monitoring sites (Delta Shoal, Tennessee Reef, and Pickles …
Evaluating Annual Precipitation Extremes In The Us Great Plains Using Prism Data,
2025
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Evaluating Annual Precipitation Extremes In The Us Great Plains Using Prism Data, Sumiaya Amin Preota, Gaurav Talukdar, Sam Zipper
School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications
Understanding hydroclimatic extremes in the U.S. Great Plains (USGP) is crucial for effective water resource management, resiliency of agricultural systems, and mitigation of climate change impacts. This study examines changing hydroclimatic conditions in the USGP, with a focus on annual-resolution precipitation trends and extremes over the past 119 years (1904–2022) using precipitation data from the gridded PRISM climate dataset. We categorized annual-scale precipitation totals into six categories of hydroclimatic extremes: (1) isolated wet extremes, (2) isolated dry extremes, (3) dry-to-dry recurring extremes, (4) wet-to-wet recurring extremes, (5) dry-to-wet whiplash extremes, and (6) wet-to-dry whiplash extremes. “Recurring” and “whiplash” are both …
Nesting Population Trend Of The Leatherback Sea Turtle In Bocas Del Toro Province And Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Panama For The Period 2002–2022,
2025
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Nesting Population Trend Of The Leatherback Sea Turtle In Bocas Del Toro Province And Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Panama For The Period 2002–2022, Sonia Gutiérrez Parejo, Susan E. Piacenza, Raúl García, Cristina Ordóñez, Roldán A. Valverde
School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications
Sea turtle biologists have made sustained efforts to understand the global status of leatherback sea turtle populations. However, despite progress in assessments, demographics, and ecology, key uncertainties persist in tracking leatherback population trends. Trend analyses have historically focused on nesting beaches, with nest counts providing a widely used index for population abundance. Here, we analysed 20 years of annual nest abundance at four main nesting beaches (Soropta, Bluff, Playa Larga and Chiriquí) in Bocas del Toro province and the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, Panama, which constitute the largest nesting leatherback sea turtle population in Central America. We conducted daily nest counts during …
Dataset On Indoor And Outdoor Pm2.5 Concentrations At Two Residences Using Low-Cost Sensors In The Rio Grande Valley Region Of South Texas,
2025
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Dataset On Indoor And Outdoor Pm2.5 Concentrations At Two Residences Using Low-Cost Sensors In The Rio Grande Valley Region Of South Texas, Kabir Bahadur Shah, Sai Deepak Pinakana, Mkhitar A. Hobosyan, Armando Montes, Amit U. Raysoni
School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is one of the criteria air pollutants associated with adverse respiratory and cardiovascular health effects. This dataset contains hourly and daily averaged measurements of PM2.5 concentrations (µg/m3) collected from two residential homes in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Region of South Texas, using PurpleAir-II-SD low-cost sensor. In addition, the dataset also includes temperature (ºC) and relative humidity (%) measured by the sensors. The data was collected for one month during the summer season from indoor (kitchen) and outdoor (front yard) environments at two locations: Home-1 in Weslaco City from June 16, 2024, to July 16, 2024, …
Foreign Object Detection System Development Using Edge Devices Integrated With Quadcopter Autonomous Tracking,
2025
Institute of Electrical and Control Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
Foreign Object Detection System Development Using Edge Devices Integrated With Quadcopter Autonomous Tracking, Chi-Chia Huang, Ching-Hung Lee
Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan
This study proposes an all-weather autonomous foreign-object detection system capable of operating in low-light environments. We used a highly mobile quadcopter equipped with an edge-computing device as the inspection platform. On the software side, we integrated a low-light image enhancement model, a path-tracking algorithm, and a foreign object detection model to achieve rapid object detection. A lightweight, low-light image-enhancement model reduces the need for additional lighting equipment, thereby enabling reliable detection under low-light conditions. The path-tracking algorithm integrates a lightweight semantic segmentation model with traditional image-processing techniques to establish flight paths efficiently and reliably. The foreign-object detection component employs state-of-the-art …
