11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

Poster Mini-Symposium 13: Evolution and Conservation of Coral Reef Ecosystems
13.418
Dispersal Without Errors: Symmetrical Ears Tune Into The Right Frequency For
Survival
Monica GAGLIANO* 1 , Martial DEPCZYNSKI 2 , Stephen SIMPSON 3 , James MOORE 4
1 School of Marine Biology (AIMS@JCU), James Cook University & Australian Institute
of Marine Science, Townsville, Australia, 2 School of Marine Biology, James Cook
University, Townsville, Australia, 3 Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of
Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 4 School of Marine Biology (AIMS@JCU),
James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
Vertebrate animals localize sounds by comparing differences in the acoustic signal
between the two ears, and accordingly ear structures such as the otoliths of fish are
expected to develop symmetrically. Sound recently emerged as a leading candidate cue
for reef fish larvae navigating from open waters back to the reef. Clearly, the integrity of
the auditory organ has a direct bearing on what and how fish larvae hear. Yet, the link
between otolith symmetry and effective navigation has never been investigated in fish.
We tested whether otolith asymmetry influenced the ability of returning larvae to detect
and successfully recruit to favourable reef habitats. Our results suggest that larvae with
asymmetrical otoliths not only encountered greater difficulties in detecting suitable
settlement habitats, but may suffer significantly higher rates of mortality. Further, we
found that otolith asymmetries arising early in the embryonic stage were not corrected by
any compensational growth mechanism during the larval stage. Because these errors
persist and phenotypic selection penalises asymmetrical individuals, asymmetry is likely
to play an important role in shaping wild fish populations.
13.419
Corallivorous Microparasites And The Potential Of Invasion From The Marine
Ornamental Trade
Eric BORNEMAN* 1
1 Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX
In recent years, many undescribed or little-known microparasites and predators of
scleractinian and non-scleractinian corals have entered the marine ornamental coral trade.
Because of the high degree of success in growing corals in captivity, the trading or selling
of coral fragments has become commonplace and special “coral fragment trade” events
are regular local, regional, and national events. Little effort is generally made to
quarantine or disinfect corals harboring pest species. Consequently, numerous coral
microparasites and predators have reached epizootic levels in susceptible captive genera
on a national and even global scale. These pest species can be generalists or have more
specific hosts, but they are able to host on both Caribbean and Indo-Pacific species within
their taxonomic dietary confines.
It is now recognized that accidental or intentional release of non-native marine
ornamental species has occurred, and this is primarily well-documented in Florida waters.
There have also been some incursions and invasions resulting from public aquariums and
culture facilities into oceanic waters. Due to the number of known and sometimes highly
cryptic microparasites and the increasing number of reports of undescribed corallivorous
cryptic species entering the ornamental trade, most of which reproduce asexually or by
direct development, the potential for invasion and highly detrimental effects to
susceptible corals poses a new risk to coastal waters.
13.420
Synthesis Of Conservation Initiatives in Cagayan Ridge, Phillippines: Lessons, Gaps And
Challenge
Vivien FACUNLA* 1 , Sheila VERGARA 1
1 Sulu Sulawesi Seascape Project, Conservation International-Philippines, Quezon City,
Philippines
Cagayan Ridge is one of the corridors supported by Conservation International through its Sulu
Sulawesi Seascape Project. The ridge is composed of many small islands, atolls and shoals –
starting from the Sultana Shoal in the north and ending at San Miguel Islands in the south
(Ledesma et al., 2005) with an estimated area of about 40,637 Km² including the world heritage
site-Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP).
CI launched its marine biodiversity program in Cagayan ridge in 2005, which aim to assist the
strengthening of management implementation strategy and expansion of the TRNP. At that
time, encroachment of commercial fishing vessel in the park water was seen as the large scale
enforcement difficulties for the park management. In order to address these evolving threats, the
project identified types of support that will directly contribute to local enforcement capacities
and indirectly, by communication, training and awareness campaigns directed at particular
stakeholder groups.
For two years (2006-2007), SSS project conducted collaborative research among academic
institution to determine the ichthyoplankton and oceanographic connectivity and recruitment
pattern within MBCC to provide science-based in designing MPA. The project studied the
economic valuation of coral reefs destruction and wildlife disturbance in TRNP from boat
grounding to identify the monetary values and provide basis for the computation of
fines/penalties for the level of violation committed in the park. Linkages and coordination with
stakeholder was also done through consultation and meetings.
The information generated from these studies were feed backed to the stakeholders. Using
participatory approach, the feed backing session resulted towards identification of priorities and
provided basis for the continuity of the conservation effort being implemented in the Cagayan
Ridge.
13.422
Evolution Of Anemonefishes (Amphiprioninae, Pomacentridae): Species Boundaries in
The Indo-Malay Archipelago
Janne TIMM* 1 , Malgorzata FIGIEL 2 , Marc KOCHZIUS 2
1 Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany,
2 Biotechnology and Molecular Genetics, University of Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Many species of coral reef fishes are distinguished by their colour patterns, but genetic studies
have shown these are not always good predictors of genetic isolation and species boundaries.
The genus Amphiprion comprises several species that have very similar colouration.
Additionally, morphological characters are so variable, that sibling species can show a
considerable overlap, making it difficult to differentiate them. In this study, we investigated the
species boundaries between the sibling species pair A. ocellaris and A. percula and three closely
related species of the subgenus Phalerebus (A. akallopisos, A. perideraion, A. sandaracinos) by
phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial control region sequences. Within the A. ocellaris/A.
percula complex, five clades were found representing different geographic regions. Two major
divergences both with genetic distances of around 17 % indicate the presence of three deep
evolutionary lineages in this group. The species of the subgenus Phalerebus show three
monophyletic clades, concordant to the morphological classification.
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