scholarly journals Associated organisms inhabiting the calcareous spongeClathrina luteain La Parguera Natural Reserve, Puerto Rico

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaaziel E. García-Hernández ◽  
Nicholas M. Hammerman ◽  
Juan J. Cruz-Motta ◽  
Nikolaos V. Schizas
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Associated Fauna ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Caribbean Coral Reefs ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
La Parguera

ABSTRACTSponges provide an array of ecological services and benefits for Caribbean coral reefs. They function as habitats for a bewildering variety of species, however limited attention has been paid in the systematics and distribution of sponge-associated fauna in the class Calcarea or for that matter of sponges in the Caribbean. The goal of this study was to characterize infaunal assemblages from a calcareous sponge,Clathrina lutea, across multiple reefs from the La Parguera Natural Reserve, Puerto Rico. The associated fauna from 43C. luteaspecimens yielded a total of 2,249 associated infauna distributed in seven invertebrate phyla. Arthropoda was the most abundant phylum accounting for 62.5% of total abundance, followed by Annelida (21.0%) and Nematoda (5.5%). Limited patterns of temporal or spatial variability were surmised due to the opportunistic sampling effort afforded to this investigation from the cryptic nature of this species. A concordance between our data set and those for the class Demospongiae were observed, with the most abundant associated fauna being copepods and polychaetes. However, when compared to other Calcarea, the present study found considerably more associated fauna.

scholarly journals Climate Change and Caribbean Coral Reefs

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Anastasia Deonarinesingh
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Caribbean Studies ◽  
Bachelor Of Science ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Caribbean Coral Reefs ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
A Minor ◽  
The University

Anastasia, a student at the University of Toronto, St. George, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Double Major in Physics and Caribbean Studies and a Minor in Mathematics. She is a pianist, plays the guitar and steelpan and spends her free time arranging music. Her love for soca music and steelpan in no way takes away from her passion for classical piano and physics. As a person of the Trinidadian Diaspora with many interests, Ana has decided to look at the Caribbean from a different perspective by combining her love for science and the region.

scholarly journals One Hundred and Fifty Years of Warming on Caribbean Coral Reefs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen B Bove ◽  
Laura Mudge ◽  
John F Bruno
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Thermal Characteristics ◽  
Marine Systems ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems ◽  
Caribbean Coral Reef ◽  
Caribbean Coral Reefs ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
And Function

Anthropogenic climate change is rapidly altering the characteristics and dynamics of biological communities. This is especially apparent in marine systems as the world's oceans are warming at an unprecedented rate, causing dramatic changes to coastal marine systems, especially on coral reefs of the Caribbean. We used three complementary ocean temperature databases (HadISST, Pathfinder, and OISST) to quantify change in thermal characteristics of Caribbean coral reefs over the last 150 years (1871-2020). These sea surface temperature (SST) databases included combined in situ and satellite-derived SST (HadISST, OISST), as well as satellite-only observations (Pathfinder) at multiple spatial resolutions. We also compiled a Caribbean coral reef database identifying 5,326 unique reefs across the region. We found that Caribbean reefs have warmed on average by 0.20 °C per decade since 1987, the calculated year that rapid warming began on Caribbean reefs. Further, geographic variation in warming rates ranged from 0.17 °C per decade on Bahamian reefs to 0.26 °C per decade on reefs within the Southern and Eastern Caribbean ecoregions. If this linear rate of warming continues, these already threatened ecosystems would warm by an additional 1.6 °C on average by 2100. We also found that marine heatwave (MHW) events are increasing in both frequency and duration across the Caribbean. Caribbean coral reefs now experience on average 5 MHW events annually, compared to 1 per year in the early 1980s. Combined, these changes have caused a dramatic shift in the composition and function of Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. If reefs continue to warm at this rate, we are likely to lose even the remnant Caribbean coral reef communities of today in the coming decades.

scholarly journals Growth dynamics in Acropora cervicornis and A. prolifera in southwest Puerto Rico

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernesto Weil ◽  
Nicholas M. Hammerman ◽  
Rebecca L. Becicka ◽  
Juan Jose Cruz-Motta
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Acropora Palmata ◽  
Acropora Cervicornis ◽  
Storm Damage ◽  
Quick Recovery ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
La Parguera

Natural population recovery of Acropora palmata, A. cervicornis and their hybrid, Acropora prolifera, have fluctuated significantly after their Caribbean-wide, disease-induced mass mortality in the early 1980s. Even though significant recovery has been observed in a few localities, recurrent disease outbreaks, bleaching, storm damage, local environmental deterioration, algae smothering, predation, low sexual recruitment and low survivorship have affected the expected, quick recovery of these weedy species. In this study, the status of three recovering populations of A. cervicornis and two of A. prolifera were assessed over one year using coral growth and mortality metrics, and changes in their associated algae and fish/invertebrate communities in three localities in the La Parguera Natural Reserve (LPNR), southwest coast of Puerto Rico. Five branches were tagged in each of 29, medium size (1–2 m in diameter) A. cervicornis and 18 A. prolifera colonies in the Media Luna, Mario and San Cristobal reefs off LPNR. Branches were measured monthly, together with observations to evaluate associated disease(s), algae accumulation and predation. A. cervicornis grew faster [3.1 ± 0.44 cm/month (= 37.2 cm/y)] compared to A. prolifera [2.6 ± 0.41 cm/month (= 31.2 cm/y)], and growth was significantly higher during Winter-Spring compared to Summer-Fall for both taxa (3.5 ± 0.58 vs. 0.53 ± 0.15 cm/month in A. cervicornis, and 2.43 ± 0.71 vs. 0.27 ± 0.20 cm/month in A. prolifera, respectively). Algal accumulation was only observed in A. cervicornis, and was higher during Spring-Summer compared to Fall-Winter (6.1 ± 0.91 cm/month and 3.8 ± 0.29 cm/month, respectively, (PERMANOVA, df = 2, MS = 10.2, p = 0.37)). Mortality associated with white band disease, algae smothering and fish/invertebrate predation was also higher in A. cervicornis and varied among colonies within sites, across sites and across season. The balance between tissue grow and mortality determines if colonies survive. This balance seems to be pushed to the high mortality side often by increasing frequency of high thermal anomalies, inducing bleaching and disease outbreaks and other factors, which have historically impacted the natural recovery of these taxa in the La Parguera Natural Reserve in Puerto Rico and possibly other areas in the region. Overall, results indicate variability in both growth and mortality rates in both taxa across localities and seasons, with A. cervicornis showing overall higher mortalities compared to A. prolifera.

The Caribbean coral reefs of Colombia

2003 ◽  
pp. 275-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaime Garzón-Ferreira ◽  
Juan Manuel Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Caribbean Coral Reefs ◽  
The Caribbean

scholarly journals A Catalogue of Tropical Cyclone Induced Instantaneous Peak Flows Recorded in Puerto Rico and a Comparison with the World’s Maxima

Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Carlos E. Ramos-Scharrón ◽  
Caroline T. Garnett ◽  
Eugenio Y. Arima
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Peak Flow ◽  
Limited Attention ◽  
Cyclone Intensity ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Tropical Depressions ◽  
Peak Streamflow ◽  
Eastern Half

Peak streamflow rates from the Insular Caribbean have received limited attention in worldwide catalogues in spite of their potential for exceptionality given many of the islands’ steep topographic relief and proneness to high rainfall rates associated with tropical cyclones. This study compiled 1922 area-normalized peak streamflow rates recorded during tropical cyclones in Puerto Rico from 1899 to 2020. The results show that the highest peak flow values recorded on the island were within the range of the world’s maxima for watersheds with drainage areas from 10 to 619 km2. Although higher tropical cyclone rainfall and streamflow rates were observed on average for the central–eastern half of Puerto Rico, the highest of all cyclone-related peaks occurred throughout the entire island and were caused by tropical depressions, tropical storms, or hurricanes. Improving our understanding of instantaneous peak flow rates in Puerto Rico and other islands of the Caribbean is locally important due to their significance in terms of flooding extent and its associated impacts, but also because these could serve as indicators of the implications of a changing climate on tropical cyclone intensity and the associated hydrologic response.

scholarly journals Sexual reproduction in the Caribbean coral genus Isophyllia (Scleractinia: Mussidae) in Puerto Rico

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Soto ◽  
Ernesto Weil
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Histological Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Mode ◽  
Previous Description ◽  
Timing Of Reproduction ◽  
Coral Genus ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Sexual Pattern

The sexual pattern, reproductive mode, and timing of reproduction of Isophyllia sinuosa and Isophyllia rigida, two Caribbean Mussids, were assessed by histological analysis of specimens collected monthly during 2000-2001. Results indicate that both species are simultaneous hermaphroditic brooders, with a single annual gametogenetic cycle. Spermatocytes and oocytes of different stages were found within the same mesentery indicating sequential maturation for extended planulation. Oocytes begin development 7-8 months prior to spermaries; beginning in May in I. sinuosa and August in I. rigida. Gametes of both sexes matured simultaneously; May-June in I. rigida and March-April in I. sinuosa. Planulae were observed in I. sinuosa during April and in I. rigida from June through September. Significantly higher polyp and mesenterial fecundity were found in I. rigida compared to I. sinuosa. Significantly larger oocyte sizes were found in I. sinuosa than in I. rigida, however significantly larger planula sizes were I. rigida compared to I. sinuosa. Hermaphroditism is the exclusive sexual pattern within the Mussidae; brooding has also been documented within the related Mussid genera Mussa, Scolymia and Mycetophyllia. These results represent the first description of the sexual characteristics of I. rigida and refute the previous description for I. sinuosa.

scholarly journals Water Quality Anomalies following the 2017 Hurricanes in Southwestern Puerto Rico: Absorption of Colored Detrital and Dissolved Material

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 3596
Author(s):  
Suhey Ortiz-Rosa ◽  
William J. Hernández ◽  
Stacey M. Williams ◽  
Roy A. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Light Attenuation ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Natural Reserve ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
Sample Measurement ◽  
Quality Assessments ◽  
La Parguera

Absorption of colored dissolved organic matter or detrital gelbstoff (aCDOM/ADG) and light attenuation coefficient (Kd490) parameters were studied at La Parguera Natural Reserve in southwestern Puerto Rico, before and following Hurricanes Irma (6–7 September) and María (20–21 September) in 2017. Water quality assessments involving Sentinel 3A ocean color products and field sample data was performed. The estimated mean of ADG in surface waters was calculated at >0.1 m−1 with a median of 0.05 m−1 and aCDOM443 ranged from 0.0023 to 0.1121 m−1 in field samples (n=21) in 2017. Mean ADG443 values increased from July to August at 0.167 to 0.353 m−1 in September–October over Turrumote reef (LP6) with a maximum value of 0.683 m−1. Values above 0.13 m−1 persisted at offshore waters off Guánica Bay and over coral reef areas at La Parguera for over four months. The ADG443 product presented values above the median and the second standard deviation of 0.0428 m−1 from September to October 2017 and from water sample measurement on 19 October 2017. Mean Kd490 values increased from 0.16 m−1 before hurricanes to 0.28 right after Hurricane Irma. The value remained high, at 0.34 m−1, until October 2017, a month after Hurricane María. Analysis of the Sentinel (S3) OLCI products showed a significant positive correlation (rs = 0.71, p = 0.0005) between Kd490_M07 and ADG_443, indicating the influence of ADG on light attenuation. These significant short-term changes could have ecological impacts on benthic habitats highly dependent on light penetration, such as coral reefs, in southwestern Puerto Rico.

scholarly journals Sexual reproduction in the Caribbean coral genus Isophyllia (Scleractinia: Mussidae) in Puerto Rico

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Soto ◽  
Ernesto Weil
Keyword(s):  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Histological Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Mode ◽  
Previous Description ◽  
Timing Of Reproduction ◽  
Coral Genus ◽  
Caribbean Coral ◽  
Sexual Characteristics ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Sexual Pattern

The sexual pattern, reproductive mode, and timing of reproduction of Isophyllia sinuosa and Isophyllia rigida, two Caribbean Mussids, were assessed by histological analysis of specimens collected monthly during 2000-2001. Results indicate that both species are simultaneous hermaphroditic brooders, with a single annual gametogenetic cycle. Spermatocytes and oocytes of different stages were found within the same mesentery indicating sequential maturation for extended planulation. Oocytes begin development 7-8 months prior to spermaries; beginning in May in I. sinuosa and August in I. rigida. Gametes of both sexes matured simultaneously; May-June in I. rigida and March-April in I. sinuosa. Planulae were observed in I. sinuosa during April and in I. rigida from June through September. Significantly higher polyp and mesenterial fecundity were found in I. rigida compared to I. sinuosa. Significantly larger oocyte sizes were found in I. sinuosa than in I. rigida, however significantly larger planula sizes were I. rigida compared to I. sinuosa. Hermaphroditism is the exclusive sexual pattern within the Mussidae; brooding has also been documented within the related Mussid genera Mussa, Scolymia and Mycetophyllia. These results represent the first description of the sexual characteristics of I. rigida and refute the previous description for I. sinuosa.

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