Marine Biology Commons^™

Diel Movement Patterns In Nominally Nocturnal Coral Reef Fishes (Haemulidae And Lutjanidae): Intra Vs. Interspecific Variation, William P. Collins, David R. Bellwood, Renato A. Morais, Nathan J. Waltham, Alexandre C. Siqueira

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Movement of animals, habitat connectivity, and nutrient transport are key elements in the ecological functioning of coral reef ecosystems. However, most studies have focused on the diurnal component of these aspects; nocturnal patterns are less known. Our study aims to address this knowledge gap by assessing diel movement patterns in ecologically and commercially important nocturnal coral reef fishes. We evaluate 122-days of acoustic telemetry data from 4 nocturnal species in 2 coral reef fish families (Haemulidae and Lutjanidae) on the Great Barrier Reef. For all species, we found a clear division between daytime resting areas on the reef and a …

Contrasting Nitrogen Dynamics Across The Mid-Atlantic Bight Shelfbreak Front: Insights From Nitrate Dual Isotopes And Nitrifier Gene Abundance, Yifan Zhu, Margaret R. Mulholland, Corday R. Selden, Dennis J. Mcgillicuddy Jr., Josie Mottram, P. Dreux Chappell, Weifang Gordon Zhang, Julie Granger, Katherine E. Crider, Meredith G. Meyer, Peter W. Bernhardt, Hilde Oliver, Sophie Clayton

OES Faculty Publications

Observations and model studies suggest that front dynamics can enhance phytoplankton productivity. This study tested whether frontal systems also increase the abundance of nitrifying microbes and nitrogen recycling during repeat sampling transects across the Mid‐Atlantic Bight shelfbreak in July 2019. We measured ammonium concentrations, nitrate dual isotopes (δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O), and ammonia monooxygenase subunit A (amoA) genes of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB). In subsurface shelf waters, ammonium concentrations exceeded 2 μmol L⁻¹, due to a temporary imbalance in regeneration from sinking particles and subsequent nitrification. The inverse correlation between nitrate δ^{15 …}

Arctic Report Card 2024, United States National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration: Technical Reports and Related Materials

The Arctic Report Card from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for 2024.

An Aggregation Of The Pandalid Shrimp, Heterocarpus Ensifer, On Deep Reef Habitats Of The West Florida Slope, Eastern Gulf Of Mexico, Steve W. Ross

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Heterocarpus ensifer A. Milne—Edwards (1881) (Crustacea: Pandalidae), armed nylon shrimp, is widely distributed in the western and eastern North Atlantic Ocean. In the western Atlantic this shrimp occurs from off North Carolina to Brazil and in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), western Bahamas, and Caribbean Sea at depths of 170—885 m. Despite its widespread occurrence, ecology or biology information for this species are sparse, and in situ observations of abundance, behavior and habitat preferences are particularly lacking. During extensive submersible and ROV observations on and near deep—reefs in the north—central and eastern GOM, a remarkably large aggregation of H. ensifer …

Seasonal Abundance Of The Nudibranch Dondice Jupiteriensis On The Colonial Hydroid Eudendrium Carneum, Erika Molina, Daniela Gutierrez-Andrade, Samantha Schlegel, Julia Piper, Louis J. Ambrosio, Michael L. Middlebrooks

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Benthic colonial hydroids often serve as a host to a large variety of invertebrate taxa. The colonial hydroid Eudendrium carneum Clarke, 1882 is host to a variety of epifauna, including the recently described nudibranch Dondice jupiteriensis García—Méndez & Valdés, 2022. Like many species of heterobranch sea slugs, little is known about the natural history and population biology of D. jupiteriensis. Here we describe a year—long study recording the population density and size structure of D. jupiteriensis on E. carneum colonies in Tampa Bay, FL USA. We found that the D. jupiteriensis population persists year—round but is the densest during …

Ecu-Mss-2 Dataset, A New Multi-Species Seagrass, Md K. Noman, Syed M. S. Islam, Seyed M. Jalali, Jumana Abu-Khalaf, Paul Lavery

Research Datasets

The "ECU-MSS-2' dataset contains four different habitats, 'Amphibolis' spp (hereafter 'Amphibolis"), 'Halophila' spp (hereafter 'Halophila'), 'Posidonia' spp (hereafter 'Posidonia') and 'Background'. We compiled this image dataset from different sources. The 'Halophila' images were collected by the Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia.

The 'Amphibolis' 'Background' and 'Posidonia' images were collected by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), Australia. The 'Amphibolis' class includes the seagrass species Amphibolis griffithii and Amphibolis Antarctica. The 'Halophila' class includes Halophila ovalis, while the 'Posidonia' class includes Posidonia sinuosa, Posidonia coriacea, and Posidonia Australis. The 'Background' class includes coral, sand, …

What's In A Name? Standardization Of Vernacular Names For Trichechus Manatus, A. A. Mignucci-Giannoni, Daniel Gonzalez-Socoloske, Anmari Alvarez-Alemán, Jamie Aquino, D. Caicedo-Herrera, Delma Nataly Castelblanco-Martínez, Diane Claridge, M. Fabiola Corona-Figueroa, Adolphe O. Debrot, Benoit De Thoisy, Carlos Espinoza-Marin, J. Galves, Eddy Garcia-Alfonso, Hector M. Guzman, Jalaludin Ahmad Khan, Jeremy J. Kiszka, Fabia De Oliveira Luna, Miriam Marmontel, Leon David Olivera-Gomez, Christine O'Sullivan, James A. Powell, Enrique Pugibet-Bobea, Indranee Roopsind, Carlos J. Silva

Faculty Publications

Trichechus manatus is one of 3 recognized extant species of manatees of the mammalian Order Sirenia. Currently, it is known by various vernacular names, none of which are descriptive of its biology and known distribution. This lack of standardization has led to confusion and miscommunication, hindering conservation efforts for this species. We propose standardizing the vernacular names used to refer to the species and its 2 subspecies based on appropriate geographical characterization in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, and Portuguese, respectively: “American Manatee”, “Manatí de las Américas”, “Lamantin d’Amérique”, “Amerikaanse Lamantijn”, and “Peixe-boi das Américas” for T. manatus; “Florida Manatee”, “Manatí …

Two Decades Of Seagrass Monitoring Data Show Drivers Include Enso, Climate Warming And Local Stressors, Chanelle Webster, Kathryn Mcmahon, Claire Ross, Eben Afrifa-Yamoah, Nicole Said, Renae Hovey, Belinda Martin, Simone Strydom

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The drivers contributing to the trajectories of seagrass ecosystems is a key knowledge gap which limits our effectiveness in preventing their decline. Here, we present the key findings from the regional assessment of seagrass condition (shoot density) over time, which was undertaken to inform environmental impact assessment and monitoring as well as mitigation for the Westport program. To assess regional trends and drivers of these trends, data was collated from five regional seagrass monitoring programs, including the Cockburn Sound State Environmental Policy Seagrass Monitoring Program and marine park monitoring programs conducted by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. These …

The Food And Habitat Effects Of Detrital Kelp As A Trophic Subsidy To Seagrass-Inhabiting Mesograzers, Jessica Billinghurst

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Seascapes are connected through the transfer of energy from the movement of fauna, detritus, and nutrients among habitats. This exchange of resources can influence food web dynamics in the recipient system, increasing productivity and biodiversity, thus creating spatial subsidies. Spatial subsidies are usually characterised by the transfer of resources from highly productive donor systems to lower productive recipient systems. However, recent work suggests that recipient systems with comparably high productivity, such as seagrass meadows, may benefit from spatial subsidies. Kelp is regularly eroded from reefs and provides a vector for nutrient and detrital transfer to seagrass meadows, where it can …

Love Bites? Pre-Copulatory Behaviours Of Whale Sharks (Rhincodon Typus) At Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, Christine Barry, Emily Lester, Micheal P. Doane, Luciana C. Ferreira, Michele Thums, Adrian C. Gleiss, Mark G. Meekan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Very little is known about the reproductive behaviours of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus). Here, we describe field observations of courtship behaviour by a whale shark at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. We witnessed and recorded following and biting behaviours by a sexually mature male of a smaller female. Following and biting are common events during courtship and copulation of other species of elasmobranchs. Our observations are consistent with earlier reports of courting behaviours in whale sharks provided by fishers, the pilot of a light plane and observations of courtship by a sexually mature male towards females held in aquaria.

Citizen Science Highlights Rare Behaviours By The Spotted Eagle Ray Aetobatus Ocellatus Kuhl 1823, Gonzalo Araujo, Rebecca Bateman-John, Jacinta L. Shackleton, Chris Garraway, Nigel Marsh, Daisy Whicheloe, Jade Rosadoni, Aimee Jan, Kohei Saito, Emily Lester

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Suspended Particulate Organic Matter Supports Mesopredatory Fish Across A Tropical Seascape, Molly Moustaka, Tahlia J. Bassett, Leah Beltran, Michael V.W. Cuttler, Richard D. Evans, Daniel Gorman, Camille M. Grimaldi, Renee K. Gruber, Glenn A. Hyndes, Gary A. Kendrick, Natalie Travaglione, Shaun K. Wilson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Understanding the sources of primary production supporting marine food webs is important for conserving critical habitats. However, the importance of allochthonous versus autochthonous production is often unclear. We identify the sources of primary production supporting three species of predatory fish (Lutjanus carponotatus, Lutjanus fulviflamma, and Lethrinus punctulatus) in the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia. The proportions of mangrove, seagrass, macroalgae, and suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM) assimilated by fish of different life-history stages and from different habitats were determined using stable isotopes and Bayesian mixing models. While contributions of sources varied among species and habitats, we found that SPOM was an …

Region-Specific Drivers Cause Low Organic Carbon Stocks And Sequestration Rates In The Saltmarsh Soils Of Southern Scandinavia, Carmen Leiva-Dueñas, Anna E. L. Graversen, Gary T. Banta, Jeppe N. Hansen, Marie L. K. Schrøter, Pere Masqué, Marianne Holmer, Dorte Krause-Jensen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Saltmarshes are known for their ability to act as effective sinks of organic carbon (OC) and their protection and restoration could potentially slow down the pace of global warming. However, regional estimates of saltmarsh OC storage are often missing, including for the Nordic region. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed OC storage and accumulation rates in 17 saltmarshes distributed along the Danish coasts and investigated the main drivers of soil OC storage. Danish saltmarshes store a median of 10 kg OC m−2 (interquartile range, IQR: 13.5–7.6) in the top meter and sequester 31.5 g OC m−2 yr−1 (IQR: 41.6–15.7). …

Editorial - Contemporary Marine Science, Its Utility And Influence On Regulation And Government Policy, Piers Larcombe, Angus Morrison-Saunders, Peter V. Ridd

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The purpose of this Research Topic is to evaluate the quality of contemporary marine science and to examine relationships between science, regulation and government policy in the marine environment. The quality of marine science matters; not just to advance knowledge on understanding marine ecosystems, but also to guide marine management. ...

A Strategic Framework For Estimating International Container Flows: An Empirical Study, Dung-Ying Lin, Hsin-Chun Huang, Steven Travis Waller, Xiang Zhang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Maritime transportation is a highly complex transportation system that plays a pivotal role in international trade. Its low-cost and high-volume advantages have enabled it to cover most of the world’s cargo transportation. However, with the trend of global trade volume increasing almost every year and the recent congestion of ports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the chaos in global supply chains not only increases operating costs for shippers but also makes it difficult for countries that rely heavily on port trade to plan for their ports’ future. To develop a strategic analytic tool to estimate container flow in liner shipping, …

Assessing The Effects Of Remaining Northern California Kelp Forest Mesopredators On Purple Sea Urchin Abundance, Distribution, And Feeding Activity, Sandra E. Traverso

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Kelp forests are threatened by regional abiotic and biotic stressors, including overgrazing by sea urchins. On the north coast of California, purple sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) are prolific grazers of kelp and with the regional extinction of their main predator (sunflower stars, Pycnopodia helianthoides), it is unknown whether any remaining mesopredators could exert top-down control of purple urchin populations. Other known predators of purple urchins in northern California include rock crabs, which have been shown to control sea urchin populations in Atlantic urchin barrens and indirectly cause phase shifts back to kelp forests. Yet, little is known …

Trophic Interactions Of Sympatric Cyprinodontiform Fishes Inhabiting Louisiana Saltmarshes, Ryan Heines

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Resident saltmarsh nekton, namely Cyprinodontiform fishes, play key ecological roles in supporting terrestrial and aquatic food webs. These fishes are highly abundant across the saltmarsh landscape of coastal Louisiana and have evolved to tolerate the highly variable environmental conditions that are characteristic of these habitats. The objective of this research is to consider mechanisms enabling this diverse community of fishes to cooccur in the spatially limited saltmarsh habitats of coastal Louisiana. In Chapter 2, bulk stable isotope ratios of carbon (δ13C), sulfur (δ34S) and nitrogen (δ15N) were used to quantify the intra- and inter-specific resource use of six sympatric Cyprinodontiform …

Exploring Market Segmentation For Autonomous Ferries, Ashari Fitra Rachmannullah, Taih Cherng Lirn, Kuo Chung Shang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

This study aims to investigate the determinants that underlie psychographic segmentation in the domain of autonomous ferries (AFs) by using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a guiding theoretical construct. The paper focuses on Indonesian individuals who had previously utilised conventional ferry services. TPB was applied as a catalyst to identify possible market segmentation among potential AF passengers. In this study, cluster analysis is used to differentiate passengers by their perception of using AFs. The results identified three market segments through cluster analysis based on passengers’ perceptions of using AFs: Resource-Limited, Resource-Capable, and Value-Optimistic. Among these segments, the Resource-Capable …

Adaptive Prediction Horizon Energy-Saving Collision-Free Mpc Of Ships Based On Ship-Shore Cooperation, Han Xue, Enjie Yang

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

ABSTRACT:In order to perform the close association between ship maneuvering control and energy consumption through the control strategy, this paper designs an adaptive prediction horizon based energy-saving robust nonlinear model predictive control (APHERNMPC) for underactuated ships to deal with the actual control and state constraints during berthing based on ship-shore cooperation. An improved Emperor Penguin Optimizer (EPO) method is proposed for collision avoidance decision. To solve the problems of falling into local optimum and reducing the convergence speed, the traditional EPO is improved based on Sobol sequence in order to enhance the diversity and ergodicity of the population. The multi-ship …

Research And Design A Lifeboat Virtual Reality Simulation System For Maritime Safety Training In Vietnam, Nguyen Dinh Thach, Nguyen Van Hung

Journal of Marine Science and Technology–Taiwan

Ensuring maritime safety and security is crucial for all nations. Training trainees and operational officers in this field aims to enhance their professional skills and ability to manage and resolve incidents at sea. This article outlines the development of a lifeboat simulation system that integrates Virtual Reality (VR) technology in accordance with international maritime regulations. It describes the creation of an algorithm designed to optimize data transmission between simulation systems using the ant colony optimization technique in conjunction with intelligent control algorithms on Unity 3D software for human interaction. In particular, the system combines training with a maritime simulation framework …