11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

Poster Mini-Symposium 26: Biodiversity and Diversification of Reef Organisms
26.1170
Cymothoid Isopods On Coral Reef Fishes in The Near Shore Marine Environment
Of St. Kitts, Lesser Antilles.
Maureen SULLIVAN* 1 , Raphaela STIMMELMAYR 2
1 St.Kitts Reef Ecology Watchgroup, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, 2 Ross University
Veterinary School, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
Nine Species of Cymothoid isopods of the genera Anilocra spp. selectivily associate with
specific West Indian fish species and are location specific. Anilocra infestation is thought
to impact breeding success, interfere with swimming dynamics, decrease fish size, and is
known to cause lesions in the host ranging from localized tissue inflammation to
underlying bone deformities. As part of a larger marine ecosystem survey project (2006-
2007) of the marine environment, isopod parasitism as a potential useful marine
ecosystem health indicator was monitored during roving diver/snorkel fish species
surveys. Anilocra chromis Williams and Williams on Brown Chromis (Chromis
multilineatus) but not Blue Chromis (C. cyaneus) and Anilocra haemuli on French Grunt,
Haemulon flavolineatum, Smallmouth Grunt, H.Chrysargyum, and Caesar Grunt,
H.carbonarium were observed. The host location of isopods is beneath the eye of host.
The observed isopods were of mature size and affected grunts appear depressed. We did
not measure body size; however, no obvious size differences were apparent in affected
vs. unaffected hosts. The distribution profile of isopods on grunts differed between
different sites. Although other fish species (i.e. groupers) known to be parasitized by A.
haemuli are present at many of these sites, only the grunts and Brown Chromis were
affected. We do not know what environmental and ecological factors (i.e. sea-water
temperature; algae; cleaner density) are contributing to the observed differences in isopod
parasitism. Preliminary data suggests that there is no difference in presence of cleaner
fish between the bays. Based on long term local observations, seasonal seawater
temperature increases have been occurring earlier and lasting longer. This is the first
report on isopod parasitism and geographical distribution for the marine environment of
St. Kitts.
26.1171
Species Diversity Of Fishes in Main Coral Reefs Of China
Wentao NIU* 1 , Rongcheng LIN 1
1 Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration of China, Xiamen,
China, People's Republic of
China’s coral reefs are found mainly around Hainan Island and offshore, in the
Nansha、Zhongsha and Xisha Islands of South China Sea. For rational conservation and
management and sustainable use of reef fish resources throughout South China Sea, we
analyzed the fish species composition of main coral reefs in China according to historical
survey data and investigation of late years. The results indicated that there’re more than
200 reef fishes (including more than 30 species cartilaginous fishes) in main coral reefs
of China, of which 197 species (including 5 species cartilaginous fishes) in Hainan
Island, 101 species (including 22 species cartilaginous fishes) in Nansha Islands, 115
Species (including 23 species cartilaginous fishes) in Xisha Islands, 68 species(including
11 species cartilaginous fishes) in Zhongsha Islands. Carcharhiniformes and
Myliobatiformes were dominant families of the cartilaginous fishes, while Perciformes
and Teraodontiformes were dominant families of the bony fishes. In fact, due to the
restriction of investigation methods etc, coral-reef fish species in China could be far more
than 200 species.
Keywords: species diversity, fishes, coral reef, China
26.1172
Two Species Of Giant Clams (Tridacnidae) Show Different Depth Distributions And
Divergent Feeding Strategies
Carin JANTZEN* 1 , Christian WILD 2 , Mohammed EL-ZIBDAH 3 , Hilly ROA-QUIAOIT 4 ,
Christoph HAACKE 2 , Claudio RICHTER 1
1 Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT), Bremen, Germany, 2 Coral Reef Ecology Work
Group (CORE), Center of Geobiology and Biodiversity Research, München, Germany,
3 Marine Science Station Aqaba, Aqaba, Jordan, 4 McKeough Marine Center, Xavier University,
Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Two species of giant clams coexist in the Red Sea and show different depth distributions:
Tridacna maxima occurs mostly in shallow water (reef flat and edge), while T. squamosa can be
found mostly in deeper water (>40 m). This can be attributed to differences in hetero- vs.
autotrophy in the two species. T. maxima shows high light adaptation through a significant
higher Pmax and greater photosynthesis measured via oxygen fluxes during short time chamber
incubations (gross oxygen production: 120.3 and T. squamosa 84.8 µmol O2 cm-2 mantle area
d-1) than T. squamosa. T. maxima was also able to maintain a high productivity (92 % of Pmax)
under reduced light levels corresponding to water depth of 20 m. The deeper-dwelling T.
squamosa, by contrast, fared less well at simulated depths of 20 m (44 % of Pmax). Chamber
incubations were used to calculate “the percent contribution of algal carbon to the host’s daily
requirements for respiration” (CZAR). This revealed that in shallow water (~ 0.5 m) autotrophy
exceeds respiration by a factor of 1.88 for T. maxima and 1.53 for T. squamosa. The calculated
compensation depth (where gross photosynthesis equals respiration) of T. maxima matches the
actual maximum depth of occurrence (16 m). These findings suggest that T. maxima is
obligately photoautotrophic, and its depth distribution is limited by light. By contrast, the
compensation depth of T. squamosa (9 m) was much shallower than the maximum depth of
occurrence. This suggests that T. squamosa relies – as a true mixotroph - on additional
heterotrophic sources to fuel its metabolism (e.g. filter-feeding).
26.1173
A Molecular Assessment of Speciation and Evolutionary History of the Globally
Distributed Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari)
Vincent RICHARDS 1 , Marcy HENNING 1 , Wayne WITZELL 2 , Mahmood SHIVJI* 1
1 National Coral Reef Institute, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, 2 SouthEast
Fisheries Science Center, NOAA, Miami, FL
The spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari), a species of conservation concern (Near Threatened
IUCN category) is commonly associated with coral reef ecosystems worldwide where it is
likely to play an important predatory role. Currently described as a single, circumglobally
distributed species, geographic differences in parasite diversity have led to suggestions that A.
narinari may constitute a species complex. There has been no systematic evidence to support
this suggestion, however. If multiple species of spotted eagle ray exist, each will likely posses
decreased geographic ranges and population sizes, altering the impacts of threats and requiring
separate assessments of conservation needs. We assessed the validity of A. narinari as a single
cosmopolitan species using 1570bp of sequence data from two mitochondrial genes
(cytochrome b and COI) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS2 locus. Individuals from four major
geographic regions were examined: western north Atlantic, and western, central, and eastern
Pacific. Phylogenies for each locus concordantly described three distinct lineages (western
north Atlantic, western/central Pacific, and eastern Pacific) with no genetic exchange among
regions. Genetic distances among the most divergent lineages were comparable to
taxonomically uncontroversial batoid and teleost congener pairs. Using combined genealogical
concordance and genetic distance results, we recommend 1) that the western/central Pacific
lineage be recognized as a distinct species from the western north Atlantic and eastern Pacific
lineages, and 2) the western north Atlantic and eastern Pacific lineages, separated by the
Isthmus of Panama, be given subspecies status. Dramatically higher nucleotide diversity and
sequence divergence coupled with a basal position in multiple phylogenetic analyses support an
Indo-West Pacific origin for the A. narinari species complex, with subsequent migration into
the Atlantic. Evolutionary relationships among lineages suggest a westerly migration around the
southern tip of Africa, with intensification of the Benguela coldwater upwelling system a
possible vicariant mechanism underlying speciation.
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