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Title: Mechanisms for coexistence of two species of octopus at a shallow water habitat.
Creator: Bennice, Chelsea, Hanlon, Roger, Brooks, W. Randy, Graduate College
Abstract/Description: Ecological components such as availability of resources, physical make-up of the environment, and biotic interactions amongst and between species are factors that determine habitat selection and coexistence of organisms within a community. A stable coexistence of species within a community is possible if the limited resources are partitioned to be speciesspecific. However, sympatric species are expected to exploit similar resources. Two species of octopus Octopus vulargis and Macrotritopus...
Show moreEcological components such as availability of resources, physical make-up of the environment, and biotic interactions amongst and between species are factors that determine habitat selection and coexistence of organisms within a community. A stable coexistence of species within a community is possible if the limited resources are partitioned to be speciesspecific. However, sympatric species are expected to exploit similar resources. Two species of octopus Octopus vulargis and Macrotritopus defilippi with similar ecological requirements coexist at an intra-coastal habitat. The ecological phenomena of coexistence of species can be quantified by measuring the ecological components of the niche. The objective of this study is to identify the components that facilitate coexistence. The ecological components being examined include: general habitat location, habitat heterogeneity, foraging and feeding times and locations, and biotic interactions. Global Positioning System will be used to determine the general location of the octopus species den. The importance of habitat heterogeneity will be addressed by looking at substrate make-up of the different species dens. Foraging and feeding times and locations will be recorded to determine any temporal or spatial influence on species coexistence. Field observations and laboratory habitat selection experiments will be conducted to determine what habitat each species selects in the presence and absence of the other species. Our studies will allow identifying ecological components that facilitate coexistence of sympatric species, provide insight to cephalopod ecology, and conservation at a heterogeneous environment, which is of importance to maintain marine biodiversity and ecotourism in south Florida.
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Date Issued: 2014
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005803
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Comparative functional morphology of hooked setae versus pappose setae on the exoskeleton of the Florida Speck Claw Decorator Crab Microphrys bicornutus.
Creator: Salazar, Monique Alexandra, Brooks, W. Randy, Graduate College
Date Issued: 2011-04-08
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3164790
Subject Headings: Crabs, Scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Habitat selection among fishes and shrimp in the pelagic Sargassum Community: The role of habitat architecture.
Creator: Bennice, Chelsea, Brooks , W. Randy, Graduate College
Date Issued: 2011-04-08
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3164454
Subject Headings: Pelagic fishes, Habitat selection, Sargassum --Sargasso Sea
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Foraminifera Archaias angulatus and Amphistegina spp. as possible indicator species of ocean acidification and temperature increase.
Creator: Davis, Edward, Brooks, W. Randy, Graduate College
Date Issued: 2011-04-08
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3172433
Subject Headings: Climatic changes, Marine fauna, Calcification
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A comparison of the thermal bleaching responses of the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum from three geographically different regions in south Florida.
Creator: Kemp, Dustin W., Cook, Clayton B., LaJeunesse, Todd C., Brooks, W. Randy
Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2827836
Subject Headings: Ocean temperature --Observations, Coral bleaching, Symbiosis, Zooxanthella, Cnidarians
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The role of symbiotic dinoflagellates in the temperature-induced bleaching response of the subtropical sea anemone Aiptasia pallida.
Creator: Perez, Santiago F., Cook, Clayton B., Brooks, W. Randy
Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3165425
Subject Headings: Coral bleaching, Dinoflagellates, Zooxanthella, Sea anemones, Symbiosis, Photosynthesis
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Diet and Temporal Partitioning Facilitates Coexistence Between Two Octopus Species in a Shallow Coastal Habitat.
Creator: Bartz, Danielle, Bennice, Chelsea, Brooks, W. Randy, Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry
Abstract/Description: Niche partitioning mechanisms may be used by closely related, sympatric species to reduce competition. We examine two dimensions of niche partitioning (diet and temporal) amongst the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the Atlantic longarm octopus (Macrotritopus defilippi), which spatially overlap in a South Florida intracoastal habitat. SCUBA is used to collect octopus prey remains and gather supplemental feeding images to determine diets of each species. A 24h octopus monitoring camera...
Show moreNiche partitioning mechanisms may be used by closely related, sympatric species to reduce competition. We examine two dimensions of niche partitioning (diet and temporal) amongst the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris) and the Atlantic longarm octopus (Macrotritopus defilippi), which spatially overlap in a South Florida intracoastal habitat. SCUBA is used to collect octopus prey remains and gather supplemental feeding images to determine diets of each species. A 24h octopus monitoring camera records foraging activity times for each species. The common octopus consumes bivalves (49%), gastropods (32%) and crustaceans (19%), and forages at dawn, dusk, and nocturnal hours. The Atlantic longarm octopus consumes crustaceans (89%) and bivalves (11%), and forages during diurnal hours. Results suggest there is diet overlap between species and octopuses use temporal partitioning. This study provides additional findings to cephalopod niche partitioning literature, novel information on the ecology of the Atlantic longarm octopus, and conservation requirements for sand-dwelling species.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005613
Subject Headings: College students --Research --United States.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Colonization of infauna and fiddler crabs in a newly constructed mangrove environment.
Creator: McVay, Christie Bunting, Florida Atlantic University, Brooks, W. Randy
Abstract/Description: Colonization of infauna in a newly constructed mangrove environment at Spanish River Park, Boca Raton, Florida was studied for six months following initial site preparation. Monthly core samples for benthic invertebrates were collected from December 1994 to June 1995. Sampling stations were chosen randomly each month in three zones along two transects across a tidal channel: upper mangrove, lower mangrove, and mangrove/Spartina. Fiddler crab burrows were counted within randomly placed square...
Show moreColonization of infauna in a newly constructed mangrove environment at Spanish River Park, Boca Raton, Florida was studied for six months following initial site preparation. Monthly core samples for benthic invertebrates were collected from December 1994 to June 1995. Sampling stations were chosen randomly each month in three zones along two transects across a tidal channel: upper mangrove, lower mangrove, and mangrove/Spartina. Fiddler crab burrows were counted within randomly placed square meter quadrats in each zone. Rapid succession over short-term indicated the constructed environment would eventually become an established, functional mangrove community. Natural infaunal colonization began immediately, and a total of 26 species was collected during the study period. The most abundant species were microdrile oligochaetes, capitellid polychaetes, and dipteran larvae. Fiddler crab holes were first encountered in April 1995 and reached a maximum in June of 42 burrows per m^2. No significant zonation (p > 0.05) was found in the most abundant species, average infaunal density, or fiddler crab holes. Samples from two reference sites showed similar faunas, with the organisms found in adjacent channel areas an influencing factor on species diversity and density.
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Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15369
Subject Headings: Mangrove ecology--Florida, Benthic animals--Florida, Fiddler crabs--Florida, Biodiversity--Measurement
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Discrimination of chemical signals from gastropods by hermit crabs.
Creator: Gonsalves, Deirdre C., Florida Atlantic University, Brooks, W. Randy
Abstract/Description: Some species of hermit crabs can locate chemically predation sites where snails are consumed and subsequently obtain their shells. This study addressed four questions: (1) Is chemotaxis to snail odors prevalent among hermit crabs? (2) Do members of hermit crab lineages respond similarly to common snail odors? (3) Do hermit crabs respond more acutely to snails whose shells they most frequently occupy? and (4) Does phylogeny of snails influence responses by hermit crabs? Two sets of congeners ...
Show moreSome species of hermit crabs can locate chemically predation sites where snails are consumed and subsequently obtain their shells. This study addressed four questions: (1) Is chemotaxis to snail odors prevalent among hermit crabs? (2) Do members of hermit crab lineages respond similarly to common snail odors? (3) Do hermit crabs respond more acutely to snails whose shells they most frequently occupy? and (4) Does phylogeny of snails influence responses by hermit crabs? Two sets of congeners (Clibanarius vittatuslC. tricolor and Dardanus venosuslD. fucosus) in the family Diogenidae, and three congeners (Pagurus pollicaris, P. longicarpus, and P. annulipes) in the family Paguridae were tested. Fifteen species of snails from 11 families served as test odors. Hermit crab response was measured by the fondling display, where one hermit crab investigates the shell of a neighboring crab. The diogenids discriminated odors more readily than did the pagurids. Correlations between responses and shells most frequently occupied existed for C. vittatus and D. venosus. Clibanarius tricolor was the only crab to respond to confamilial test odors.
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Date Issued: 1996
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15303
Subject Headings: Hermit crabs--Physiology, Gastropoda, Snails, Chemoreceptors
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Host selection, chemical detection, and protection of the symbiotic pinnotherid crabs Dissodactylus crinitichelis and Clypeasterophilus rugatus associated with echinoderms.
Creator: Reeves, Misty N., Florida Atlantic University, Brooks, W. Randy
Abstract/Description: Host selection by Dissodactylus crinitichelis and Clypeasterophilus rugatus for different echinoderms was investigated. Initial preference (within 24 h of collection) and preference after "conditioning" with an alternate host were compared. D. crinitichelis initially preferred its field host, the sand dollar Encope michelini, but after conditioning switched its host preference to a non-field host, the sea biscuit Clypeaster rosaceus. This switch in host preference after conditioning occurred...
Show moreHost selection by Dissodactylus crinitichelis and Clypeasterophilus rugatus for different echinoderms was investigated. Initial preference (within 24 h of collection) and preference after "conditioning" with an alternate host were compared. D. crinitichelis initially preferred its field host, the sand dollar Encope michelini, but after conditioning switched its host preference to a non-field host, the sea biscuit Clypeaster rosaceus. This switch in host preference after conditioning occurred despite consumption of numerous crabs (86 out of 167) by C. rosaceus. Clypeasterophilus rugatus initially preferred its field host, the sea biscuit Clypeaster rosaceus, but showed little change in host preference after conditioning. These results indicate significant behavioral differences in these closely related crabs in their association with echinoderms. Chemical detection by the crabs was investigated, and no significant use of chemical cues by adults or juveniles of either species was found, even though chemical responses have been observed in other closely related pinnotherid crabs. Using the checkered pufferfish, Sphoeroides testudineus, as a predator, the possibility that crabs may receive protection by living with echinoderms was also examined. Crabs with echinoderms survived significantly longer than crabs without echinoderms, which is the first direct evidence that these crabs are protected by associating with echinoderms.
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Date Issued: 2000
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12697
Subject Headings: Pinnotheridae, Echinodermata, Crabs--Behavior
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Host specificity of the anemoneshrimp Periclimenes pedersoni and Periclimenes yucatanicus in the Florida Keys.
Creator: Gwaltney, Christina Little, Florida Atlantic University, Brooks, W. Randy
Abstract/Description: Host specificity by Periclimenes pedersoni and P. yucatanicus to three species of sea anemone was investigated. Field associations, initial preferences (within 72 h of collection) in the laboratory, and changes in preference after "conditioning" with an alternate host were compared. Periclimenes pedersoni associated with Bartholomea annulata in the field preferred this same anemone in choice trials. These same shrimp changed preference after 2 to 8 wks of conditioning with a different host...
Show moreHost specificity by Periclimenes pedersoni and P. yucatanicus to three species of sea anemone was investigated. Field associations, initial preferences (within 72 h of collection) in the laboratory, and changes in preference after "conditioning" with an alternate host were compared. Periclimenes pedersoni associated with Bartholomea annulata in the field preferred this same anemone in choice trials. These same shrimp changed preference after 2 to 8 wks of conditioning with a different host species. Periclimenes yucatanicus associated with Stichodactyla helianthus in the field preferred this same anemone in choice trials. Those P. yucatanicus collected from either Condylactis gigantea or B. annulata did not exhibit an initial preference for these respective hosts. Periclimenes yucatanicus initially found on and preferring S. helianthus did not change their preference after conditioning; those found on other hosts chose S. helianthus after conditioning.
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Date Issued: 1991
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14737
Subject Headings: Sea anemones--Florida--Florida Keys, Sea anemones--Behavior
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Prey selectivity of the fishes Stephanolepis hispidus and Histrio histrio on the Sargassum shrimps Latreutes fucorum and Leander tenuicornis.
Creator: Hutchinson, Kimberly A., Florida Atlantic University, Brooks, W. Randy
Abstract/Description: Predator-prey relationships were studied between the shrimps Latreutes fucorum and Leander tenuicornis and the predatory fishes Stephanolepis hispidus and Histrio histrio, all found within pelagic Sargassum communities. Average survival times of shrimps were compared in species, size/density, and habitat selection studies. The results showed that S. hispidus had a preference for prey species while H. histrio did not. 30 mm shrimp survived longer than the 10 mm shrimp for both S. hispidus and...
Show morePredator-prey relationships were studied between the shrimps Latreutes fucorum and Leander tenuicornis and the predatory fishes Stephanolepis hispidus and Histrio histrio, all found within pelagic Sargassum communities. Average survival times of shrimps were compared in species, size/density, and habitat selection studies. The results showed that S. hispidus had a preference for prey species while H. histrio did not. 30 mm shrimp survived longer than the 10 mm shrimp for both S. hispidus and H. histrio. Density was a factor in the survival times of the 20 mm shrimps with S. hispidus only. L. tenuicornis survived longer in artificial Sargassum habitats with H. histrio. The larger shrimps survived longer in the artificial habitats than the smaller shrimps with S. hispidus. Both fish predators employ optimal foraging strategies with similarities and differences, the latter of which are likely related to behavioral differences in the these predator and prey.
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Date Issued: 2004
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13156
Subject Headings: Predation (Biology), Fishes--Ecology, Ocean bottom ecology, Marine animals
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Responses of hermit crabs to hemolymph from conspecifics and heterospecific crustaceans.
Creator: Baechler, Patricia Joann., Florida Atlantic University, Brooks, W. Randy
Abstract/Description: Previous studies indicate that hermit crabs may use the blood or hemolymph from dying crabs to locate the soon-to-be-vacated shells. In this study, I determined and characterized the responses of hermit crabs to hemolymph from various crustaceans. Hermit crabs tested included members of the Diogenidae: Dardanus venosus, Clibanarius tricolor, C. antillensis, C. vittatus, and Calcinus tibicen; and Paguridae: Pagurus longicarpus and P. annulipes. Test odor sources included the previously...
Show morePrevious studies indicate that hermit crabs may use the blood or hemolymph from dying crabs to locate the soon-to-be-vacated shells. In this study, I determined and characterized the responses of hermit crabs to hemolymph from various crustaceans. Hermit crabs tested included members of the Diogenidae: Dardanus venosus, Clibanarius tricolor, C. antillensis, C. vittatus, and Calcinus tibicen; and Paguridae: Pagurus longicarpus and P. annulipes. Test odor sources included the previously mentioned hermit crabs plus seven additional odors, including three non-anomuran crustaceans. Most significant responses to hemolymph were to species within the same family. In several cases, the strongest responses were to conspecifics or congenerics. These results show clearly that hermit crabs in general use chemicals from other hermit crabs as cues for finding new shells. These results also show that the shell a crab occupies influences its response to odors, illustrating the role of context in these interactions.
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Date Issued: 1996
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15354
Subject Headings: Hermit crabs, Hemolymph, Crustacea
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Investigations on symbioses between shrimp and sea anemones.
Creator: Mihalik, Mary Beth, Florida Atlantic University, Brooks, W. Randy
Abstract/Description: Periclimenes yucatanicus, P. pedersoni, and Thor sp. were nonrandomly distributed among three anemone species at different sites off southern Florida. Host selection tests showed that P. yucatanicus had a strong preference for one anemone, which could explain its field abundance with this same species. Host location tests showed that both Periclimenes species used chemical cues to detect their anemones--visual information seemed unimportant. Laboratory predation trials showed that shrimp...
Show morePericlimenes yucatanicus, P. pedersoni, and Thor sp. were nonrandomly distributed among three anemone species at different sites off southern Florida. Host selection tests showed that P. yucatanicus had a strong preference for one anemone, which could explain its field abundance with this same species. Host location tests showed that both Periclimenes species used chemical cues to detect their anemones--visual information seemed unimportant. Laboratory predation trials showed that shrimp survived significantly longer with an anemone than without in the presence of predatory fishes. The acclimation behavior of Periclimenes was described to analyze the protection mechanism. Legs and antennae were in frequent contact with the anemone, but the other body regions rarely contacted the tentacles. Additionally, antennae were used frequently to direct tentacles away from these other body regions. Coating of high contact areas with anemone mucus and avoidance of tentacles with other areas may be the method of protection.
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Date Issued: 1989
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/14565
Subject Headings: Shrimps, Sea anemones, Symbiosis
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Role of Chemoreception and Host-Use on the Behavioral Ecology of the Pea Crab Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Creator: Ambrosio, Louis J., Brooks, W. Randy, Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The pinnotherid Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) is a common symbiont with various solitary ascidians throughout its reported range of Jamaica, Venezuela, and West Florida. Cues affecting host use and host recognition in the West Florida population were the focus ofthis study. T. moseri responded to conspecific and host generated chemical cues in the water column. Although host generated chemical cues were recognized by T. moseri, tactile cues triggered much stronger responses to host...
Show moreThe pinnotherid Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) is a common symbiont with various solitary ascidians throughout its reported range of Jamaica, Venezuela, and West Florida. Cues affecting host use and host recognition in the West Florida population were the focus ofthis study. T. moseri responded to conspecific and host generated chemical cues in the water column. Although host generated chemical cues were recognized by T. moseri, tactile cues triggered much stronger responses to host ascidians. Results of conditioning trials suggest that T. moseri is a generalist in host use and accepts novel host species after conditioning with Molgula occidentalis and Phallusia nigra. However, T. moseri prefers S. plicata after conditioning with novel host species. The results of this study suggest that any genetic divergence existing between geographically disjunct populations of T. moseri are probably due to limited dispersal potential rather than population specific host fidelity and host use characteristics.
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Date Issued: 2008
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000724
Subject Headings: Marine animals--Physiology--Florida--Tampa Bay, Marine animals--Ecology--Florida--Tampa Bay, Crabs--Behavior--Florida--Tampa Bay, Rathbun, Mary Jane,--1860-1943--Research
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Functional aspects of behavior and morphology in the decorator crab Microphrys Bicornutus (Latreille, 1825) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Mithracidae).
Creator: Salazar, Monique Alexandra, Brooks, W. Randy, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Masking or decorator crabs, conceal themselves partially through camouflage, by selecting or indiscriminately attaching materials from their environment to their exoskeleton. Functional aspects of decorating behavior and morphology in this group have not been documented. Using Microphrys bicornutus as a model species, this dissertation demonstrates clearly that decorating is an advantageous phenotype that has evolved to serve several functions. Decorating is a complex behavior that begins...
Show moreMasking or decorator crabs, conceal themselves partially through camouflage, by selecting or indiscriminately attaching materials from their environment to their exoskeleton. Functional aspects of decorating behavior and morphology in this group have not been documented. Using Microphrys bicornutus as a model species, this dissertation demonstrates clearly that decorating is an advantageous phenotype that has evolved to serve several functions. Decorating is a complex behavior that begins when a crab approaches an algal substrate and results in the attachment of algae to hooked setae on the exoskeleton. Once decorated, crabs remain motionless on the substrate until disturbed or until another behavior is initiated. This was confirmed for M. bicornutus, as crabs spent a significant amount of time feeding, remaining motionless, picking, and walking when compared to decorating. Crabs displayed agonistic behaviors during encounters with conspecifics conspecifics. These included both active aggressive behavior and display behavior. Crabs showed a decrease in motility during these encounters, helping maintain dispersed distributions, thereby decreasing intrsapecific encounters in the field. Trials were done to determine the effect of conspecifics, predators and feeding preferences on algal utilization. M. bicornutus showed a significant decrease in the amount of algae used for decoration in the highest density trials (i.e., 4 and 8 crabs). Agonistic displays and aggressive behavior between these crabs likely affected the time available for decorating. Decorated crabs isolated from an algal substrate were more likely to survive in the presence of either of two sympatric fish predators. Thus, being protected by the algal decoration on their exoskeletons. Trials also showed a parallel between algal consumption and algal materials used for decoration. In addition to its protective function, algae used by M. bicornutus for decoration simultaneously serve as short term food supplies for the crabs. Eleven morphologically complex structures were identified and mapped on the exoskeleton. Hooked setae were the primary structures used to attach algae to the crab’s body. Ten additional setal structures were present, including two novel types of setae. On the basis of location and morphological variation exhibited among these latter structures, a primary sensory function may be inferred.
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Date Issued: 2013
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA0004056
Subject Headings: Animal behavior, Camouflage (Biology), Crabs -- Behavior, Marine ecology, Predation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A comparison of the thermal bleaching response of the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum from three geographically different regions in south Florida.
Creator: Kemp, Dustin W., Florida Atlantic University, Cook, Clayton B., Brooks, W. Randy, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Coral bleaching involves the loss of symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) from reef corals and other cnidarians during periods of environmental stress, particularly elevated temperature. In this study the thermal bleaching responses of the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum from three populations along the southeast coast of Florida were compared. Winter (2002--2003) and summer (2003) samples from three geographically separate sites were exposed to increased temperatures and the loss of zooxanthellae...
Show moreCoral bleaching involves the loss of symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) from reef corals and other cnidarians during periods of environmental stress, particularly elevated temperature. In this study the thermal bleaching responses of the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum from three populations along the southeast coast of Florida were compared. Winter (2002--2003) and summer (2003) samples from three geographically separate sites were exposed to increased temperatures and the loss of zooxanthellae was measured. Zooxanthellae populations were sampled and identified using PCR-DGGE. The results showed that samples of P. caribaeorum from reefs that experience smaller annual thermal ranges released the most zooxanthellae. Seasonal comparisons revealed winter samples experienced a greater amount of zooxanthellae loss than summer samples. P. caribaeorum was found to harbor two genetic strains of zooxanthellae, C1 and D1a. Colonies either contained monotypic populations of these, or a combination of both.
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Date Issued: 2003
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13053
Subject Headings: Zoanthinaria, Seawater--Thermal properties, Zooxanthellales
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ADVANCING THE CULTIVABILITY OF SOIL BACTERIA USING A DYNAMIC SOIL ENVIRONMENT AND SOIL EXTRACT METHOD.
Creator: España, Erick, Brooks, Randy W., Esiobu, Nwadiuto, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: Bacteria are inarguably the most ubiquitous and adaptive organisms on the planet. The vast, diverse community of microbes residing in soil are mostly studied using sequencing technologies because over 99% of them are currently uncultivable in the laboratory. This lack of diverse bacterial cultivation presents a serious challenge for modern microbiological and medical science where the discovery of novel antibiotic producers and microbial products has been outpaced by the rise in drug...
Show moreBacteria are inarguably the most ubiquitous and adaptive organisms on the planet. The vast, diverse community of microbes residing in soil are mostly studied using sequencing technologies because over 99% of them are currently uncultivable in the laboratory. This lack of diverse bacterial cultivation presents a serious challenge for modern microbiological and medical science where the discovery of novel antibiotic producers and microbial products has been outpaced by the rise in drug resistance. This study designed and tested two new cost-effective culture systems called the “Dynamic Soil Environment” and Soil Extract Systems with the goal of increasing the cultivable communities of diverse bacteria in a soil sample over standard methods. Illumina MiSeq sequencing and DADA2 pipeline protocols were used to analyze community DNA from cultivated samples and source soil metagenomes. Autoclaved soil extract media in the Soil Extract Experiment yielded a statistically significantly greater Shannon’s (p = 0.008) and Simpson’s diversity (p = 0.007) of bacteria over pH modified (6.4) nutrient agar media over 30 days of incubation. Autoclaved soil extract media was also able to cultivate, on average, 33% of species in bulk soil sequences compared to 27% from standard nutrient agar however these differences weren’t statistically significant. The length of incubation had a lesser effect than media type on yield of bacteria over 30 days in batch culture conditions. Species richness and diversity generally decreased over time except in soil extract samples. In the Dynamic Soil Environment experiment, membrane plates placed on a live soil environment produced a slightly higher diversity than autoclaved membrane plates and control plates without soil, however, these differences were not statistically significant except when analyzed with Chao1 diversity (0.041). Cultivated bacterial diversity and communities differed more according to media type than soil environment with statistically significant differences between standard and pH modified nutrient agar. Media with a 5.8 pH buffer produced a significantly higher relative abundance of the well-known antibiotic-producers, Actinobacteria (t(10) = -5.715, p < .000) and also Proteobacteria (t(10) = -10.127, p < .000). This study establishes cost-effective methods of cultivating more diverse bacterial communities for low-funded laboratories. Culture conditions for the reliable cultivation of higher relative abundances of bacterial groups belonging to Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria are also established with the Dynamic Soil Environment Experiment.
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Date Issued: 2019
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013304
Subject Headings: Bacteriological Techniques--methods, Bacteriology--Cultures and culture media, Soil
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The Role of Chemical Cues in Locating Pelagic Sargassum by the Associated Fish Stephanolepis hispidus.
Creator: Cox, Derek, Brooks, W. Randy, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract/Description: The ecosystem created by pelagic Sargassum is important in the life histories of a number of economically and ecologically important associated organisms. Fishes play a vital role in this food web and nutrient flow within these systems, but it is unknown how they locate these floating habitats. This study examined the role of natural chemical cues from Sargassum patches and the synthetic chemical Dimethylsulfonionpropionate (DMSP) for an associated fish, the planehead filefish (Stephanolepis...
Show moreThe ecosystem created by pelagic Sargassum is important in the life histories of a number of economically and ecologically important associated organisms. Fishes play a vital role in this food web and nutrient flow within these systems, but it is unknown how they locate these floating habitats. This study examined the role of natural chemical cues from Sargassum patches and the synthetic chemical Dimethylsulfonionpropionate (DMSP) for an associated fish, the planehead filefish (Stephanolepis hispidus) and a control fish species not associated with Sargassum, the masked goby (Coryphopterus personatus). Choice trials with a Y-maze apparatus determined that S. hispidus responded significantly to chemical cues from Sargassum while C. personatus did not. DMSP cues did not result in any significant behavioral responses for either fish. Demonstrating that S. hispidus can respond to chemical cues from Sargassum helps further our understanding of this unique floating algal reef and how fishes may locate it.
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Date Issued: 2016
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004684, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004684
Subject Headings: Animal behavior, Habitat (Ecology), Marine algae, Marine chemical ecology, Predation (Biology), Sargassum -- Ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: THE CRITICAL ROLE OF INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ECOLOGICAL FOUNDATION SPECIES IN STRUCTURING A MANGROVE COMMUNITY.
Creator: Aquino-Thomas, Jessene, Brooks, W. Randy, Proffitt, C. Edward, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description: The main objective of this research was to analyze how well my proposed Foundation Species Interaction model explained the benthic communities found on red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) prop roots. This research investigated the connections between the primary foundation species (mangroves), the dominant secondary foundations species (oysters, sponges, and barnacles), and the resulting biodiversity in order to understand the temporal and spatial variability of the ecosystems at different...
Show moreThe main objective of this research was to analyze how well my proposed Foundation Species Interaction model explained the benthic communities found on red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) prop roots. This research investigated the connections between the primary foundation species (mangroves), the dominant secondary foundations species (oysters, sponges, and barnacles), and the resulting biodiversity in order to understand the temporal and spatial variability of the ecosystems at different community levels. Chapter 1 was dedicated to explaining my change in ecological theory, the Foundation Species Interaction model. The interactions included in the model between the foundations species that were examined were the mutualistic (+, +), commensal (+, 0), and parasitic (+, -) interactions. Chapter 2 focused on exploration of the mangrove ecosystem in Southeast Florida and establishing where the secondary foundation species and prop root epibionts where found along the latitudinal gradient. The survey investigated the connections between mangroves, the dominant secondary foundations species (e.g. oysters, sponges, and barnacles), and the resulting biodiversity to understand the temporal and spatial variability of the ecosystems at different community levels. Chapter 3 was dedicated to testing the Foundation Species Interaction model’s ability to predict the biodiversity along the latitudinal gradient of the survey. The difference in mangrove prop root communities were largely explained by where the communities laid along the latitudinal gradient and by secondary foundation species presence. The shift from one foundation species to another had sizable effects on biodiversity. Chapter 4 combined the Foundation Species Interaction model with the established predation hypothesis and tested their abilities to explain biodiversity along the latitudinal gradient. This allowed for shifts in community structure to be examined for top-down and bottom-up influences. Predation effects changed along the latitudinal gradient, as the predation effects changed so did the effects of each of the individual foundation species.
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Date Issued: 2020
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013561
Subject Headings: Mangrove ecology--Florida, Rhizophora mangle, Red mangrove--Ecology, Biodiversity & ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (17)	+ -
FAU Graduate Student Research (4)	+ -
HBOI Faculty Contributions (2)	+ -
FAU Undergraduate Student Research (1)	+ -

Animal behavior (3)	+ -
Predation (Biology) (3)	+ -
Sea anemones (3)	+ -
Symbiosis (3)	+ -
Coral bleaching (2)	+ -

Dinoflagellates (2)	+ -
Habitat (Ecology) (2)	+ -
Mangrove ecology--Florida (2)	+ -
Marine chemical ecology (2)	+ -
Seawater--Thermal properties (2)	+ -
Zooxanthella (2)	+ -
Bacteriological Techniques--methods (1)	+ -
Bacteriology--Cultures and culture media (1)	+ -
Benthic animals--Florida (1)	+ -
Biodiversity & ecology (1)	+ -
Biodiversity--Measurement (1)	+ -
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Brooks, W. Randy (22)	+ -
Florida Atlantic University (16)	+ -
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (8)	+ -
Department of Biological Sciences (8)	+ -
Bennice, Chelsea (4)	+ -

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