scholarly journals Changes in Seagrass Species Composition in Northwestern Gulf of Mexico Estuaries: Effects on Associated Seagrass Fauna

PLoS ONE ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e107751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon R. Ray ◽  
Matthew W. Johnson ◽  
Kirk Cammarata ◽  
Delbert L. Smee
2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotfi Mabrouk ◽  
Mounir Ben Brahim ◽  
Asma Hamza ◽  
Mabrouka Mahfoudhi ◽  
Med Najmeddine Bradai

We studied spatial patterns in assemblages of epiphytic microalgae on the leaves of two seagrass species with different morphologies and longevity,Cymodocea nodosaandPosidonia oceanica, which cooccur in Chebba in Eastern Tunisia. Epiphyte assemblages were described for each species in summer. Epiphyte microalgal assemblages were more abundant on the leaves ofC. nodosabut more diversified on the leaves ofP. oceanica. We suggest that the differences in species composition and abundance between those seagrass species may reflect an interaction of timescales of seagrass longevity with timescales of algal reproductive biology. Short-livedC. nodosawas dominated by fast growing species such as the cyanobacteria speciesOscillatoriasp., whileP. oceanicaleaves were colonized by more mature and diversified species such as Prorocentrales. Local environmental conditions (hydrodynamics, light penetration), host characteristics (meadow type, shapes forms of leaves, life span, and growth rate), and grazing effect seem also to be responsible for these dissimilarities in epiphytic microalgae communities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Escobar-Morales ◽  
David U. Hernández-Becerril

AbstractThe so-called unarmoured dinoflagellates are not a “natural” (phylogenetic) group but they lack thecal plates, share fragility and possess relatively few morphological characters that can be positively identified. This study depicts the species composition of unarmoured dinoflagellates collected from sites along the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Pacific and includes their descriptions and illustrations. We identified a total of 25 species belonging to 13 genera and six families that were studied through various techniques using light and scanning electron microscopy. Seven new records for the Mexican Pacific are annotated here that include


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Risandi D Sitaba ◽  
Carolus P Paruntu ◽  
Billy Theodorus Wagey

This research was conducted in the waters of Tarabitan Peninsula, West Likupang North Minahasa using quadants transect method. The purpose of this study was to determine the community structure of seagrass found in that waters as initial information for sustainable management seagrass ecosystem . Field observation was conducted to identify the seagrass species, number of individuals/shoots, percent cover for each type of seagrass in those plotting quadrants. The result of this study documented 6 types of seagrass namely, Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halophila ovalis and Halodule uninervis. The species composition and distribution of seagrass were varied and was dominated by Thalassia hemprichii was the most dominant seagrass species with a relative density of 55.55%, a relative frequency of 33.67%, 39.92% relative cover, an important value index of 129.03%, a diversity index of 1.30 belonging to this condition, moderate, the uniformity index of 0.72 is classified as high and the dominance index of 0.2 is classified as low. Based on Minister of Environment Decree Republic Indonesia No. 200 of 2004 concerning the status of seagrass beds, the condition of the seagrass beds in the waters of Tarabitan Village is classified as rich / healthy with a cover value of ≥ 60. Keywords : Seagrass Community, Species Composition,  distribution, Tarabitan Peninsula           Penelitian ini dilakukan di perairan Semenanjung Tarabitan Likupang Barat Minahasa Utara dengan menggunakan metode transek kuadran. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui struktur komunitas lamun yang terdapat di perairan tersebut sebagai informasi awal untuk pengelolaan lamun secara berkelanjutan. Pengamatan lapangan dilakukan untuk mengidentifikasi jenis lamun, jumlah individu/tegakan, persentase tutupan tiap jenis lamun pada tiap kuadran. Hasil penelitian ini mendokumentasikan 6 jenis lamun yaitu Enhalus acoroides, Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea rotundata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halophila ovalis dan Halodule uninervis. Komposisi jenis dan sebaran lamun bervariasi dan didominasi oleh jenis lamun Thalassia hemprichii merupakan jenis lamun yang paling dominan dengan kerapatan relatif 55,55%, frekuensi relatif 33,67%, tutupan relatif 39,92%, indeks nilai penting 129,03%, indeks keanekaragaman 1,30 tergolong dalam kondisi sedang, indeks keseragaman 0,72 tergolong tinggi dan indeks dominansi 0,2 tergolong rendah. Berdasarkan Keputusan Menteri Lingkungan Hidup Nomor 200 Tahun 2004, kondisi padang lamun di perairan Desa Tarabitan tergolong kaya / sehat dengan nilai tutupan ≥ 60.Kata Kunci: Komunitas Lamun, Komposisi Jenis, Distribusi, Semenanjung Tarabitan


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret M. Lamont ◽  
Darren Johnson

The neritic environment is rich in resources and as such plays a crucial role as foraging habitat for multi-species marine assemblages, including sea turtles. However, this habitat also experiences a wide array of anthropogenic threats. To prioritize conservation funds, targeting areas that support multi-species assemblages is ideal. This is particularly important in the Gulf of Mexico where restoration actions are currently ongoing following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To better understand these areas in the Gulf of Mexico, we characterized two multi-species aggregations of sea turtles captured in different neritic habitats. We described species composition and size classes of turtles, and calculated body condition index for 642 individuals of three species captured from 2011 to 2019: 13.6% loggerheads (Caretta caretta), 44.9% Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii) and 41.4% green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Species composition differed between the two sites with more loggerheads captured in seagrass and a greater proportion of green turtles captured in sand bottom. Turtles in sand bottom were smaller and weighed less than those captured in seagrass. Although small and large turtles were captured at both sites, the proportions differed between sites. Body condition index of green turtles was lower in sand habitat than seagrass habitat; there was no difference for Kemp’s ridleys or loggerheads. In general, smaller green turtles had a higher body condition index than larger green turtles. We have identified another habitat type used by juvenile sea turtle species in the northern Gulf of Mexico. In addition, we highlight the importance of habitat selection by immature turtles recruiting from the oceanic to the neritic environment, particularly for green turtles.


2016 ◽  
Vol 557 ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Christiaen ◽  
JC Lehrter ◽  
J Goff ◽  
J Cebrian

1997 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1166-1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
D R Stanley ◽  
C A Wilson

Stationary dual-beam hydroacoustics and visual point count surveys were used in tandem to measure the density, target strength, and species composition of fishes associated with a petroleum platform in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Fish densities ranged from 0 to 10.5 fish · m-3 during monthly sampling trips from January 1991 to May 1992. Density and target strength were spatially and temporally variable. Target strengths varied significantly with side of the platform, month, and east and north current vectors. Density varied significantly with platform side, month, east current vector, and depth. Density and target strength did not change over 24 h periods or with water temperature. Fish densities were highest adjacent to the platform and decreased significantly beyond 16 m. Approximately 1990 - 28<|>100 fish were associated with the platform depending on the month. A total of 19 species were observed at the platform, with Chaetodipterus faber, Caranx fusus, Seriola dumerili, Balistes capriscus,Lutjanus campechanus, andArchosargus probatocephalus constituting 97% of observed fishes. Based on our results, we conclude that the fishes associated with a petroleum platform conform with the open nonequilibrium hypothesis proposed for fishes in coral reef habitats.


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