Current Search: Coral reef ecology (x)
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Pages
- Title
- Deepsea coral collection protocols: a synthesis of field experience from deep-sea coral researchers, designed to build our national capacity to document deep-sea coral diversity.
- Creator
- Etnoyer, P., Cairns, S. D., Sanchez, J. A., Reed, John K., Lopez, Jose V., Schroeder, W. W., Brooke, S. D., Watling, L., Baco-Taylor, A., Williams, G. C., Lindner, A., France, Scott C., Bruckner, A. W.
- Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3172990
- Subject Headings
- Deep sea corals, Corals --Collection and preservation, Deep-sea ecology, Octocorallia, Coral reef conservation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Deep-water reefs off the southeastern U.S.: recent discoveries and research.
- Creator
- Reed, John K., Ross, S. W.
- Date Issued
- 2005
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007074
- Subject Headings
- Southeastern United States, Deep sea corals, Reefs, Oculinidae, Corals--Ecology, Trawl fishing, Coral declines
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Habitat and fauna of deep-water Lophelia pertusa coral reefs off the southeastern US: Blake Plateau, Straits of Florida, and Gulf of Mexico.
- Creator
- Reed, John K., Weaver, Doug C., Pomponi, Shirley A.
- Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3172090
- Subject Headings
- Coral reef ecology, Corals --Habitat --Congresses, Deep sea corals, Oceanographic submersibles, Remote submersibles
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Assessment of coral stressors on St. Lucie reef: Florida’s northernmost coral reef.
- Creator
- Beal, Jeff, Voss, Joshua, Edge, Sara, Cohen, Lisa
- Date Issued
- 2012-02
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3360203
- Subject Headings
- Corals Effect of stress on, Corals--Florida, Coral reef ecology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Epithallus sloughing: a self-cleaning mechanism for coralline algae.
- Creator
- Littler, Mark M., Littler, Diane S., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- Date Issued
- 1999
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3166881
- Subject Headings
- Coralline algae, Corallinaceae, Delesseriaceae, Algae --Cytology, Coral reef ecology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Unusual linear arrays of the coral reef macrophyte Halimeda incrassata in the Bahamas.
- Creator
- Littler, Mark M., Littler, Diane S., Brooks, Barrett L., Lapointe, Brian E.
- Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2875932
- Subject Headings
- Coral reef ecology, Algae --Congresses, Toxic algae --Congresses, Rhizoids, Halimeda
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Nutrient over-enrichment ofSouth Florida’s coral reefs: how science and management failed to protect a national treasure.
- Creator
- Lapointe, Brian E.
- Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007356
- Subject Headings
- Coral reef ecology--Florida--Florida Keys, Eutrophication
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Uptake and assimilation of 15N-ammonium by the symbiotic sea anemones, Bartholomea annulata and Aiptasia pallida: conservation versus recycling of nitrogen.
- Creator
- Lipschultz, F, Cook, Clayton B.
- Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2783238
- Subject Headings
- Dinoflagellates, Nitrification, Nitrates --physiology, Ammonia--metabolism, Coral reef --ecology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Effects of stormwater nutrient discharges on eutrophication processes in nearshore waters of the Florida Keys.
- Creator
- Lapointe, Brian E., Matzie, William R.
- Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3174027
- Subject Headings
- Stormwater infiltration, Runoff, Septic tanks, Water quality, Coral reef ecology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Impacts of land-based nutrient pollution on coral reefs of Tobago.
- Creator
- Lapointe, Brian E.
- Date Issued
- 2003
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3173021
- Subject Headings
- Coral reef ecology, Turbidity, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Water quality
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Connectivity of the Pulley Ridge - South Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem:Processes to Decision-Support Tools.
- Creator
- Farrington, Stephanie, Reed, John K., Hanisak, M. Dennis, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
- Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007509
- Subject Headings
- Pulley Ridge, Coral reef ecology--Florida, Underwater exploration
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Tropical crustose coralline algal community and individual growth responses to light and elevated pCO2.
- Creator
- Dutra, Elizabeth A., Koch, Marguerite, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Crustose coralline algae (CCA) are important reef stabilizers and their susceptibility to anthropogenic climate change and ocean acidification (OA) is of concern. Ocean acidification effects on benthic algal communities were determined by the response of CCA, fleshy macroalgae and microalgae to the interaction of pCO2 and light. I examined if elevated pCO2 and light influences CCA dominance by assessing their growth, recruitment and calcification. Elevated pCO2 under natural reef diurnal CO2...
Show moreCrustose coralline algae (CCA) are important reef stabilizers and their susceptibility to anthropogenic climate change and ocean acidification (OA) is of concern. Ocean acidification effects on benthic algal communities were determined by the response of CCA, fleshy macroalgae and microalgae to the interaction of pCO2 and light. I examined if elevated pCO2 and light influences CCA dominance by assessing their growth, recruitment and calcification. Elevated pCO2 under natural reef diurnal CO2 cycles did not significantly affect CCA percent cover, calcification rates or survival of adult CCA lobes. No significant community pCO2 effects were observed, rather light controlled dominance. The percent cover of microalgae increased in highlight, while CCA increased in the shade. My results indicate that algal response to irradiance is a more significant driver of reef benthic algal change than pCO2 levels predicted for 2100; however, this conclusion should be corroborated in longer-term and in field experiments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004365, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004365
- Subject Headings
- Marine algae, Algal communities--Monitoring, Coral reef ecology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Terpene Biosynthesis in the Octocorals Erythropodium caribaeorum and Plexaurella spp.
- Creator
- Frenz, Jamie L., Kerr, Russell G., Florida Atlantic University
- Abstract/Description
-
The marine environment is a prolific source of novel compounds for therapeutic use due to the complex biological and chemical diversity. Throughout the past 30-40 years, over 15,000 natural products have been discovered from the oceans, many of which display a broad range of potential clinical and commercial applications. Many marine invertebrates are sessile organisms that lack physical protection, and which chemical defense may be a possible explanation for these secondary metabolites....
Show moreThe marine environment is a prolific source of novel compounds for therapeutic use due to the complex biological and chemical diversity. Throughout the past 30-40 years, over 15,000 natural products have been discovered from the oceans, many of which display a broad range of potential clinical and commercial applications. Many marine invertebrates are sessile organisms that lack physical protection, and which chemical defense may be a possible explanation for these secondary metabolites. Despite the promise marine natural products have as potent pharmaceutical agents, one of the major factors delaying clinical use is the supply issue. These bioactive compounds are often found in trace amounts in the host organism, which makes harvesting from the reefs unfeasible. A general goal in our lab was to investigate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolite terpenes to ultimately provide a production method of these potent marine derived compounds. Eleutherobin and desmethyleleutherobin are diterpenes isolated from the Caribbean soft coral Erythropodium caribaeorum. These extremely valuable anticancer agents disrupt cell division by polymerizing and stabilizing microtubules, and have demonstrated tumor tissue selectivity toward selected breast, renal, ovarian and lung cancer cell lines. Determining the first intermediate in terpene biosynthesis is the initial step in developing a biotechnological production method of these cytotoxic agents. We investigated the complex chemistry of this coral using a radioactivity-guided isolation procedure, and isolated and partially characterized a diterpene hydrocarbon from E. caribaeorum. The close association between marine invertebrates, zooxanthellae and numerous bacteria gives rise to the question of the identity of the producer of secondary metabolites in marine organisms. If the symbiont produces these therapeutic agents, cell culture methods could be employed to supply the compounds rather than obtaining them from coral reefs. Sesquiterpenes have been isolated from the gorgonian Plexaurella spp., however, no investigations concerning host/symbiont contribution of the sesquiterpenes have been reported. We investigated the biosynthetic source of terpenes in this coral, and experimental evidence indicates that bacteria are responsible for sesquiterpene production. We also examined sesquiterpene variation of Plexaurella spp. from various locations, and found sesquiterpene content to vary within and between species, identifying Plexaurella as a chemically indistinguishable genus.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000853
- Subject Headings
- Coral reef ecology, Terpenes--Synthesis, Marine pharmacology, Pharmacognosy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Exploration of Methods to Identify Biosynthetic Genes and the Origin of Biosynthesis in Marine Octocorals.
- Creator
- Ranzer, Llanie Karen, Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Abstract/Description
-
The overall goal of this research was to isolate key genes involved in the diterpene biosynthesis from Euniceafusca and Erythropodium caribaeorum using molecular biology techniques. The initial goal was to use fuscol induced cell cultures of Symbiodinium sp. isolated from E. fusca and to develop an approach based on differential display of mRNA-reverse transcription-PeR. Together with inverse PCR, these techniques ultimately provided a full-length farnesyl diphosphate synthase sequence....
Show moreThe overall goal of this research was to isolate key genes involved in the diterpene biosynthesis from Euniceafusca and Erythropodium caribaeorum using molecular biology techniques. The initial goal was to use fuscol induced cell cultures of Symbiodinium sp. isolated from E. fusca and to develop an approach based on differential display of mRNA-reverse transcription-PeR. Together with inverse PCR, these techniques ultimately provided a full-length farnesyl diphosphate synthase sequence. Functional expression of this enzyme was demonstrated with the addition of appropriate substrates and confirmed by chromatography. From this data, degenerate primer based PCR was used to isolate putative geranylgeranyl diphosphate biosynthetic genes from E. caribaeorum. Both chemical and genetic examinations of Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae eggs and their associated Symbiodinium sp. were employed to identify the biosynthetic origin of their diterpenes. Terpene content and biosynthetic capabilities of azooxanthellae eggs demonstrated the presence of pseudopterosins but also indicated that the eggs were not capable of producing these compounds. Likewise, no correlation could be observed for the phylogenetic relationships inferred for the Symbiodinium sp., with that of the terpene chemistry present in P. elisabethae. This finding leads us to speculate about an additional source of terpene production within this coral. Based on these and other recent findings suggesting symbiotic bacteria as the source of secondary metabolites from marine invertebrates, bacterial assemblages from E. caribaeorum were examined. This study revealed considerable phylogenetic bacterial diversity within this coral and the identification of several bacteria known to produce terpenes in other organisms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000874
- Subject Headings
- Coral reef ecology, Diterpenes, Biosynthesis, Terpenes--Synthesis
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The role of symbiotic dinoflagellates in the temperature-induced bleaching response of Aiptasia pallida.
- Creator
- Perez, Santiago F., Florida Atlantic University, Marsh, G. Alex, Cook, Clayton B., Brooks, W. Randy, Koch, Marguerite
- Abstract/Description
-
Bleaching of reef corals and other cnidarians symbiotic with zooxanthellae can be attributed to the stress response of the host, algae or both. To determine if zooxanthellae are involved in the bleaching process, I infected a single strain of sea anemone, Aiptasia pallida with zooxanthellae from different hosts. I measured expulsion of the algae from the host during 24-hour incubations at 25, 32 and 34C, as well as photosynthetic rates at these temperatures. Photosynthesis and expulsion of...
Show moreBleaching of reef corals and other cnidarians symbiotic with zooxanthellae can be attributed to the stress response of the host, algae or both. To determine if zooxanthellae are involved in the bleaching process, I infected a single strain of sea anemone, Aiptasia pallida with zooxanthellae from different hosts. I measured expulsion of the algae from the host during 24-hour incubations at 25, 32 and 34C, as well as photosynthetic rates at these temperatures. Photosynthesis and expulsion of zooxanthellae were inversely and directly proportional to elevated temperatures, respectively. Photosynthesis and expulsion of zooxanthellae isolated from Condylactis gigantea showed the greatest sensitivity to elevated temperature when compared to other zooxanthellae tested. These results suggest that zooxanthellae have a function in the bleaching process and that this function may be related to their photosynthetic response. Thus, the differential tolerance of zooxanthellae to stress could partly explain the spatial variability characteristic of coral-bleaching episodes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1999
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15698
- Subject Headings
- Dinoflagellates, Sea anemones, Coral reef ecology, Seawater--Thermal properties
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- HYPOSALINITY STRESS TOLERANCES OF THE CORALS MONTASTRAEA CAVERNOSA AND PORITES ASTREOIDES IN SOUTHEAST FLORIDA AND IMPLICATIONS FOR COASTAL FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT.
- Creator
- Davis, Haley A., Voss, Joshua, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Biological Sciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
- Abstract/Description
-
Coastal development shifts natural hydrology through water redirection, increased impervious surfaces, and increased connectivity to the coastal ocean through inlets. In Southeast Florida, watershed alterations can cause flash-freshening in nearshore coastal habitats, threatening coral reef ecosystems. This study assessed the hyposalinity tolerance threshold of two prominent scleractinian corals in Southeast Florida. In a series of experiments, we determined that Montastraea cavernosa corals...
Show moreCoastal development shifts natural hydrology through water redirection, increased impervious surfaces, and increased connectivity to the coastal ocean through inlets. In Southeast Florida, watershed alterations can cause flash-freshening in nearshore coastal habitats, threatening coral reef ecosystems. This study assessed the hyposalinity tolerance threshold of two prominent scleractinian corals in Southeast Florida. In a series of experiments, we determined that Montastraea cavernosa corals have an LC50 of 19 PSU but can survive for at least 21 days at an intermediately stressful salinity of 25 PSU. Porites astreoides corals demonstrated an LC50 of 19 PSU, but experienced mortality when exposed to 25 PSU for 17–18 days. Prior to mortality, corals displayed decreased polyp activity, altered coloration, and decreased tissue integrity. These data suggest that lower-volume, longer-duration releases of freshwater from reservoirs may preserve coral health in Southeast Florida.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2023
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00014207
- Subject Headings
- Montastraea, Porites, Coral reef ecology--Florida, Hydrology
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Weather and hydrographic conditions associated with coral bleaching: Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas.
- Creator
- Smith, Ned P.
- Date Issued
- 2001
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2795322
- Subject Headings
- Coral bleaching --Caribbean Sea, Coral reefs and islands --Caribbean Sea, Coral reef ecology --Research, Oceanography --Caribbean Sea --Observations
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Comparison of deep-water coral banks and lithoherms off southeastern U.S.A.
- Creator
- Reed, John K.
- Date Issued
- 2002
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2783221
- Subject Headings
- Coral reef ecology --Florida, Coral reef ecology --Research --Florida, Submarine topography North Atlantic Ocean, Bioherms, Geomorphology --Florida
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Coral-Algal Symbioses in Mesophotic Montastraea cavernosa in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Creator
- Polinski, Jennifer, Voss, Joshua, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Mesophotic reefs represent biodiverse ecosystems that may act as a refuge for depth-generalist coral species threatened in shallow habitats. Despite the importance of coral-algal symbioses, few studies focus on mesophotic zooxanthellae assemblages and their influence on connectivity. This study compared zooxanthellae in Montastraea cavernosa at shallow and mesophotic depths at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and McGrail Bank. Mesophotic corals contained more zooxanthellae and...
Show moreMesophotic reefs represent biodiverse ecosystems that may act as a refuge for depth-generalist coral species threatened in shallow habitats. Despite the importance of coral-algal symbioses, few studies focus on mesophotic zooxanthellae assemblages and their influence on connectivity. This study compared zooxanthellae in Montastraea cavernosa at shallow and mesophotic depths at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and McGrail Bank. Mesophotic corals contained more zooxanthellae and more chlorophyll a and c2 per unit area coral. Increased zooxanthellae within mesophotic corals may represent an adaptive strategy to optimize light capture in low-light environments. Genetic profiles for zooxanthellae assemblages from shallow and mesophotic corals showed similar diversity across banks and between depths. The dominant sequence making up assemblages was identified as Symbiodinium type C1. Similar assemblage diversity suggests that zooxanthellae assemblages will not limit connectivity potential between shallow and mesophotic corals at these reefs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004665, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004665
- Subject Headings
- Adaptation (Biology), Coral reef biology, Coral reef ecology -- Research, Coral reefs and islands -- Monitoring, Corals -- Habitat, Marine biodiversity, Marine resources conservation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Characterization of symbiotic algae, genus Symbiodinium, in corals at St. Lucie reef, Florida.
- Creator
- Klepac, Courtney, Voss, Joshua, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Biological Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
The unique coral reef at St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, FL) persists despite environmental variability from extensive freshwater discharges, summer upwelling, and thermal instability. By examining the symbiotic zooxanthellae, or Symbiodinium, that reside in corals, we can gain insight to coral physiology impacted by local stressors. Two scleractinian corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa were sampled over 1.5 years, including both wet and dry seasons. Zooxanthellae were isolated...
Show moreThe unique coral reef at St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, FL) persists despite environmental variability from extensive freshwater discharges, summer upwelling, and thermal instability. By examining the symbiotic zooxanthellae, or Symbiodinium, that reside in corals, we can gain insight to coral physiology impacted by local stressors. Two scleractinian corals, Montastraea cavernosa and Pseudodiploria clivosa were sampled over 1.5 years, including both wet and dry seasons. Zooxanthellae were isolated and quantitatively characterized using standard measurements and molecular techniques. Both coral species varied in zooxanthellae biomass, where Pseudodiploria clivosa had Higher cell densities and chlorophyll concentrations than Montastraea cavernosa. Over time, these parameters varied, but were not significantly altered by fresh water discharge events. Symbiodinium diversity and abundance were identified by ITS2 region amplification and next-generation sequencing .Novel associations between Symbiodinium and each coral explained the observed physiological differences. The symbioses remained stable throughout and could indicate local adaptation for St. Lucie Reef corals.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004211
- Subject Headings
- Adaptation (Biology), Coral reef biology, Coral reef ecology, Marine chemical ecology, St. Lucie Reef (Stuart, Fla.) -- Environmental aspects, St. Lucie River Estuary (Fla.) -- Environmental aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)