scholarly journals Association behavior between sand tiger sharks and round scad is driven by mesopredators

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11164
Author(s):  
Nicholas C. Coleman ◽  
Erin J. Burge
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Western Atlantic ◽  
Marine Communities ◽  
Association Behavior ◽  
Cape Fear ◽  
Large Predators ◽  
Behaviorally Mediated Indirect Interaction ◽  
Unique Association ◽  
Carcharias Taurus ◽  
Predation Refuge

In marine systems, behaviorally-mediated indirect interactions between prey, mesopredators, and higher trophic-level, large predators are less commonly investigated than other ecologic interactions, likely because of inherent difficulties associated with making observations. Underwater videos (n = 216) from SharkCam, a camera installation sited beneath Frying Pan Tower, a decommissioned light house and platform, on a natural, hard bottom site approximately 50 km off Cape Fear, North Carolina, were used to investigate association behavior of round scad Decapterus punctatus around sand tiger sharks Carcharias taurus. Videos containing sand tiger sharks were analyzed for the simultaneous presence of round scad, and six species of scad mesopredators, with scad-shark interactions assigned to one of three categories of association: no visible interaction, loosely associated, or tightly associated. The likelihood of scad being loosely or tightly associated with sharks was significantly higher in the presence of scad mesopredators, suggesting that sharks provide a predation refuge for scad. This behaviorally-mediated indirect interaction has important implications for trophic energy transfer and mesopredator control on hard bottoms, as scad are one of the most abundant planktivorous fish on hard bottoms in the western Atlantic Ocean. Although we were not able to provide statistical evidence that sand tiger sharks also benefit from this association behavior, we have clear video evidence that round scad association conceals and attracts mesopredators, enhancing predation opportunities for sand tiger sharks. These interactions potentially yield additional trophic consequences to this unique association and highlight the value of exploring behaviorally-mediated interactions in marine communities.

Ministering Angel

2019 ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
Philip Gerard
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Small Children ◽  
Entire Duration ◽  
Cape Fear ◽  
A Company ◽  
Young Wife

Rev. Alexander Davis Betts, a minister from Smithville, on the Cape Fear, honors a request by his friend Lorenzo Cain to become chaplain in the 30th North Carolina. Partially lame from a childhood accident, he is torn between strenuous duty in the field and the comforts of a safe village and a loving family. He leaves behind a young wife and four small children. He serves through the worst battles for nearly the entire duration of the war-ministering not just to souls but to the wounded, traveling so relentlessly that once he falls off his horse, unconscious, and awakens in a field. He consoles the dying of both armies, including friends like Lorenzo Cain, endures multiple bouts of illness and exhaustion, but somehow always comes back to where he is needed most. After the war, he preaches far and wide, meeting many survivors from his old regiment, attended always by a company of ghosts.

Dieback of Salt-water Cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora Loisel.) in the Lower Cape Fear Estuary of North Carolina: An Experimental Approach to Re-establishment

1980 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick A. Linthurst ◽  
Ernest D. Seneca
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Spartina Alterniflora ◽  
Salt Marshes ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
High Water ◽  
The United States ◽  
Salicornia Europaea ◽  
Web Studies ◽  
Mean High Water ◽  
Cape Fear

Spartina alterniflora is the dominant endemic saltmarsh angiosperm along the East and Gulf coasts of the United States. Dieback of S. alterniflora became evident through aerial surveys of the Lower Cape Fear Estuary of North Carolina. The areas affected varied in size, the largest being greater than 40 ha in areal extent. As S. alterniflora productivity losses can subsequently affect the productivity of the estuarine detritus-based food-web, studies were initiated in 1975 to examine the dieback phenomenon, follow successional trends, and determine the recolonization potential of S. alterniflora in dieback-affected salt-marshes.Three S. alterniflora dieback sites in the Lower Cape Fear Estuary were selected for study. Two of the sites, both above mean high-water, were recolonized by Salicornia europaea, Distichlis spicata, Scirpus robustus, Spartina patens, and S. alterniflora. At a third site, found to be below mean high-water, all volunteer plants were of S. alterniflora. Final stabilization of all three sites was mainly by S. alterniflora, with the living standing-crop biomass ranging from 341 to 1,565 g/m2 in September of 1978.Experimental plots within each of the three dieback sites were sprigged with S. alterniflora plants from three sources: (i) sandy dredge-material, (ii) volunteer plants within affected sites, and (iii) unaffected sites near the dieback areas. The success of these sprigs was strongly site-dependent. It is suggested that the plants used for revegetation of dieback sites should be obtained from areas similar to the site that is being transplanted and/or plants which have large rhizome systems.

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