Project description:Monitoring the state of coral reefs is necessary to identify drivers of change and assess effectiveness of management actions. There are several widely-used survey methods, each of which is likely to exhibit different biases that should be quantified if the purpose is to combine datasets obtained via different survey methods. The latter is a particularly important consideration when switching methodologies in long-term monitoring programs and is highly relevant to the Caribbean today. This is because of the continuing need for regionally comparable coral reef monitoring datasets and the fact that the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)-Caribbean node is now recommending a photoquadrat (PQ) method over the chain intercept transect method widely adopted by the members of the first truly regional monitoring network, Caribbean Coastal Marine Productivity Program (CARICOMP), in the early-1990s. Barbados, a member of the CARICOMP network, has been using a variation of the chain intercept method in its long-term coral reef monitoring program for more than two decades. Now a member of GCRMN-Caribbean, Barbados is considering switching to the PQ method in conformity with other regional members. Since we expect differences between methods, this study seeks to quantify the nature of those differences to inform Barbados and others considering switching methods. In 2017, both methods were concurrently implemented at 21 permanent monitoring plots across three major reef types in Barbados. Differences in % cover estimates for the six major benthic components, that is, hard corals, sponges, gorgonians, macroalgae, turf algae and crustose coralline algae, were examined within and among reef types. Overall, we found a complex pattern of differences between methods that depended on the benthic component, its relative abundance, and the reef type. We conclude that most benthic components would require a different conversion procedure depending on the reef type, and we provide an example of these procedures for Barbados. The factors that likely contribute to the complex pattern of between-method differences are discussed. Overall, our findings highlight that switching methods will be complicated, but not impossible. Finally, our study fills an important gap by underscoring a promising analytical framework to guide the comparison of ecological survey methods on coral reefs.

Project description:Larval settlement and metamorphosis is a vital transition period for marine invertebrates and can have far-reaching effects on the ecology and evolution of a species. To explore the molecular mechanisms of this critical process in a non-model organism, the tropical abalone Haliotis asinina, we employed cDNA microarray methods. By comparing gene expression profiles through mid to late larval development and metamorphosis, we identified 144 genes as likely candidates for a role in competence and/or metamorphosis. Gene characterization showed that ~60% of these were significantly similar to previously described genes from other taxa, while ~40% had no significant similarities to any known genes. A high 49.3% of genes were gastropod- or abalone-specific, but none appear to be Lophotrochozoan-specific, despite the fact that metamorphosis is thought to have had a separate origin in this group. Based on temporal expression profiles, the differentially expressed larval and postlarval genes can be clustered into 5 categories that reveal there are strikingly different transcriptional patterns occurring during this phase of development. Some classes of gene activation are contingent upon exogenous cues and correlate with the initiation of settlement and metamorphosis. Importantly, there is also extensive gene activity associated with the endogenous attainment of competence, which occurs prior to, and independent of, the exogenous induction of settlement. Our results show that as the haliotid veliger larva matures, it requires the coordinated regulation of temporally different batteries of genes involved in a wide range of physiological and developmental processes associated with colonisation of the benthos. Although the signalling pathways operating at metamorphosis may be conserved across the animal kingdom, it appears they are regulating the expression of novel genes specific to abalone, gastropods and molluscs during H. asinina metamorphosis. Keywords: timecourse; metamorphosis; marine ecology

Project description:Thicklip grey mullet hepatic transcriptome comparission from PASAIA harbour, Basque Country Active biomonitoring using sentinel species caged in differentially polluted aquatic environments is being implemented worldwide. To determine the biological effects of pollutants in a heavily polluted Basque harbour (Pasaia, 431700N 015500W), two cages specially designed to deploy thicklip grey mullets (Chelon labrosus) were placed in the inner- and outer-harbour. Cages were deployed for 5 and 21 days to determine possible differences between sites, linked to specific chemical burdens. Hepatic gene expression profiles were studied using Q-PCR and a toxicology tailored low density mullet microarray (160 genes). Chemical analysis showed high concentrations of metals, PAHs, PCBs, phthalates, and organometallic compounds at both sites, most chemicals showing slightly higher concentrations in the inner-harbour. Q-PCR expression studies confirmed chemical data as metallothionein and CYP1A showed significant expression upregulation at day 21 at both sites, but showed no differences between sites. The microarray showed gene expression profiles that were able to distinguish mullets according to the site they were deployed in and the day they were captured. Regarding sites, 39 genes showed significant differences at p<0.05 on the last sampling day. Two families of genes are to be highlighted. Phase I and II biotransformation genes CYP2, CYP3 and UGT were upregulated in the inner-harbour together with AhR2 and AhRR. Similarly, TBT binding protein and genes involved in lipid metabolism such us PPARa and CYP7 were upregulated. The latter two genes have also been reported to be regulated by TBT. In summary, the low density microarray designed for mullets proved to be useful to unveil even slight differences in pollutant burdens in field conditions. 24 samples:6 hepatic samples from Inner harbour after 3 days of exposure, 6 hepatic samples from outer harbour after 3 days of exposure, 6 hepatic samples from Inner harbour after 15 days of exposure and 6 hepatic samples from outer harbour after 15 days of exposure

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Contrasting diversity patterns using Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures deployed in pelagic vs. benthic environments

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