Article
Ecology
Nicholas S. Lorusso, Cara A. Faillace
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of apparent competition in a model laboratory system, finding that positive interactions and indirect effects play important roles in a highly asymmetric outcome favoring one prey, Chlamydomonas. It was revealed that Chlamydomonas can form colonies to defend against predators, while Colpidium cannot do so.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Maartje J. Klapwijk, Michael B. Bonsall
Summary: The indirect interactions between a focal and alternative resource mediated by a generalist consumer can be influenced by associational effects, resulting in various dynamics such as apparent competition and apparent mutualism. The inclusion of density-dependence expands the range where alternative resources positively influence the focal resource.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Brittany M. Jellison, Kristen E. Elsmore, Jeffrey T. Miller, Gabriel Ng, Aaron T. Ninokawa, Tessa M. Hill, Brian Gaylord
Summary: This study examines the impacts of ocean acidification on tidepool communities, focusing on the interactions within a three-level food web. The results show that experimental declines in seawater pH suppress the anti-predator behavior of snails, leading to a diminished top-down control of predators on basal resources. These findings suggest that ocean acidification may alter cascading effects within food webs.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Yuxin Ma, Ruizhi Yang
Summary: This paper investigates a diffusive predator-prey model with nonlocal competition and prey refuge. The influence of parameters on the existence, multiplicity, and stability of nonhomogeneous steady-state solutions is studied. It is found that there exists an unstable positive nonconstant steady state near the positive constant steady state. Compared to the model without nonlocal competition, the model with nonlocal competition can generate Hopf-Hopf bifurcation under certain conditions. Numerical simulations are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the obtained results and the dependence of the dynamic behavior on nonlocal competition, revealing that nonlocal competition can lead to stable spatially non-homogeneous periodic solutions and stable spatially non-homogeneous quasi-periodic solutions under certain conditions.
DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS-SERIES B
(2023)
Article
Biology
Jawdat Alebraheem, Yahya Abu-Hassan
Summary: A characteristic of ecosystems is the complexity of numerous interdependencies. Mathematical models have contributed significantly in understanding predator-prey interactions. These models focus on the growth of population classes and the interactions between prey and predator. This study investigates the relationship between models and Holling types functional and numerical responses, aiming to gain insights into predator interference and competition. Both a predator-prey model and a two-predator one-prey model are used to explain the concept, with a novel approach measuring predator interference through numerical response, showing good correspondence between real data and computer simulations.
JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Mathematics
Seralan Vinoth, R. Vadivel, Nien-Tsu Hu, Chin-Sheng Chen, Nallappan Gunasekaran
Summary: This study investigates the impact of fear on prey populations and prey refuges in a predator-harvested Leslie-Gower model. The research focuses on analyzing the number and stability properties of all positive equilibria and uses numerical simulation to evaluate the stability. Additionally, sensitivity investigations are performed on model solutions in relation to fear impact, prey refuges, and harvesting.
Article
Mathematics
Binhao Hong, Chunrui Zhang
Summary: In this paper, a new discrete method is used to deduce a predator-prey model with discrete time in the interior of R-+(2) and study its local dynamics and Neimark-Sacker bifurcation. Discrete models, compared with continuous ones, have unique properties that provide a new perspective for understanding the changing patterns of biological populations. The existence and stability of equilibria are analyzed, and the formation conditions of Neimark-Sacker bifurcation are established. An attracting closed invariant curve appears, corresponding to periodic oscillations between predators and prey over a long period of time. Numerical simulations and their biological meanings are given to reveal complex dynamical behavior.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Spoljar, Natalia Kuczynska-Kippen, Tvrtko Drazina, Jelena Fressl, Ivancica Ternjej, Tea Tomljanovic, Chen Zhang, Marija Purgar, Marko Corkalo, Lana Kekelj
Summary: The littoral zone of shallow water bodies plays an important role in predator-prey interactions, with sediment serving as a refuge for planktonic microcrustaceans. The study showed that the assemblage and size structure of crustaceans and fish, as well as biotic interactions, vary along the heterogeneity gradient of the littoral zone. This research contributes to understanding the defense strategies developed by zooplankton against predators.
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Haokun Qi, Xinzhu Meng
Summary: The paper investigates the threshold behavior of a stochastic predator-prey system with various factors, and finds ways to improve the survival rates of prey and predator. Prey survival rate can be enhanced by strengthening refuge, reducing fear cost or decreasing white noise intensity, while predator survival rate can be increased by weakening refuge strength, increasing fear cost or reducing white noise intensity.
APPLIED MATHEMATICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Andreanne Beardsell, Dominique Gravel, Jeanne Clermont, Dominique Berteaux, Gilles Gauthier, Joel Bety
Summary: Research shows that in the arctic tundra, changes in predator foraging behavior in response to prey density play a significant role in generating positive indirect effects between prey that share a predator.
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Sainan Wu
Summary: This paper considers a reaction-diffusion predator-prey model with indirect prey-taxis and predator-taxis. The model obtains globally bounded solutions under different parameters and conditions.
JOURNAL OF MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS AND APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Sabine Floeder, Joanne Yong, Toni Klauschies, Ursula Gaedke, Tobias Poprick, Thorsten Brinkhoff, Stefanie Moorthi
Summary: The study reveals that intraspecific trait variation significantly influences the competition outcome between ciliate species, with different Coleps clones showing preferences for Cry and Nav affecting the competition result. Additionally, the ability of Euplotes to utilize bacteria as an alternative food source enhances its persistence after the depletion of primary resources.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Susanne Mueller, Orlando Deleon, Samantha N. Atkinson, Fatima Saravia, Stephanie Kellogg, Elizabeth A. Shank, John R. Kirby
Summary: This study reveals the importance of specialized metabolites in the predator-prey dynamics of Myxococcus xanthus and Bacillus cereus. The production of thiocillin by B. cereus ATCC 14579 protects against M. xanthus predation, while strains lacking thiocillin are highly sensitive. Thiocillin also provides protection against other antibiotics and is encoded by an additional copy of the L11 ribosomal protein.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lei Xing, Yong Chen, Bai Li, Kisei R. Tanaka, Robert Boenish, Yiping Ren, Binduo Xu
Summary: Increasing fishing pressure on non-target species was beneficial to the Japanese mantis shrimp and Korean rockfish, with the mantis shrimp being more sensitive to changes in fishing pressure. Predation mortality had a greater impact on both species compared to starvation mortality, indicating the importance of species-specific responses to shifting trophic interactions in fisheries management.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biology
Elisa Caudera, Simona Viale, Sandro Bertolino, Jacopo Cerri, Ezio Venturino
Summary: A mathematical model was built to validate field study results on a three-species system, including two prey species and a predator. The study found that the introduction of an invasive species, the Eastern cottontail, had a negative impact on the native European hare due to increased predation rates by foxes. The model results supported the hypothesis of hyperpredation by increasing fox populations on native hares.
BULLETIN OF MATHEMATICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
T. Reid Nelson, Crystal L. Hightower, Jeff Coogan, Benjamin D. Walther, Sean P. Powers
Summary: This study provides insights into the patterns of occupancy of Red Drum in oligohaline waters and their growth consequences. Oligohaline residency varied during the second and third years of life, with a positive relationship to river discharge. Life history diversity was present in the population, and oligohaline waters played an important role as nursery habitat for juvenile Red Drum.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philine S. E. zu Ermgassen, Bryan DeAngelis, Jonathan R. Gair, Sophus zu Ermgassen, Ronald Baker, Andre Daniels, Timothy C. MacDonald, Kara Meckley, Sean Powers, Marta Ribera, Lawrence P. Rozas, Jonathan H. Grabowski
Summary: Seagrasses, salt marsh edges, and oyster reefs contribute to the enhancement of fish and invertebrate production, with varying levels of effectiveness. The difference in production enhancement between habitats is attributed to factors such as species-specific densities and commercial value. The quantification of production enhancement within specific embayments can guide habitat management decisions and emphasize the importance of habitat protection and restoration.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Amanda E. Jefferson, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Meagan N. Schrandt, Pearce T. Cooper, Sean P. Powers, John J. Dindo, J. Marcus Drymon
Summary: This study assessed stock status of Atlantic Tripletail in the Gulf of Mexico by analyzing age-specific data, growth parameters, and mortality rates. Otoliths were found to be more accurate for aging, with slight differences in growth parameters between male and female Tripletail. Low levels of exploitation were indicated by estimated fishing mortality rates and natural mortality rates.
MARINE AND COASTAL FISHERIES
(2021)
Article
Oceanography
Benjamin P. Gray, Mary Anne Bishop, Sean Powers
Summary: By studying piscivorous groundfish in the herring nursery fjords of PWS during winter, it was found that Pacific cod, walleye pollock, and big skate are key consumers of herring, showing seasonality and body size dependency in their consumption patterns.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART II-TOPICAL STUDIES IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Amanda E. Jefferson, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Genevieve M. Ivec, Pearce T. Cooper, Jessica L. Carroll, Carissa L. Gervasi, Jennifer S. Rehage, John F. Mareska, Sean P. Powers, J. Marcus Drymon
Summary: The study aimed to generate baseline population dynamics parameters for Gulf of Mexico crevalle jack and examine the foraging habits of Mississippi and Alabama crevalle jack. The overall growth of crevalle jack was best represented by the logistic growth model, while sex-specific growth was best represented by a version of the von Bertalanffy growth function. Fishes were found to be more important than invertebrates in crevalle jack diet, and the diet varied among locations and years.
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Kelly S. Boyle, Crystal L. Hightower, T. Reid P. Nelson, Sean Powers
Summary: Estimating fishing effort is crucial for effective fisheries management. In this study, passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) was used to infer fishing effort at artificial reef sites in the Gulf of Mexico. By automatically detecting sounds indicative of fishing vessels, the method proved to be effective in monitoring daily and long-term patterns of fishing activity.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Crystal L. Hightower, J. Marcus Drymon, Amanda E. Jefferson, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Emily A. Seubert, Simon Dedman, John F. Mareska, Sean P. Powers
Summary: The red drum is a popular sportfish in the Gulf of Mexico, but its management in federal waters is currently data-limited. This study aimed to address data gaps highlighted in the federal stock assessment by providing updated growth models, indices of relative abundance, habitat suitability predictions, and estimates of natural mortality. The investigation revealed that adult red drum were more abundant in state waters than in federal waters, indicating that the catch moratorium in federal waters is not fully protecting the adult spawning stock of red drum in the Gulf of Mexico.
Article
Ecology
Jonathan H. Grabowski, Christopher J. Baillie, Adam Baukus, Rachael Carlyle, F. Joel Fodrie, Rachel K. Gittman, A. Randall Hughes, David L. Kimbro, Juhyung Lee, Hunter S. Lenihan, Sean P. Powers, Kevin Sullivan
Summary: Coastal marine habitats are being degraded and in response there has been large-scale restoration efforts. This study examines the recovery of oyster reefs and their role in supporting fish and invertebrate communities. The results show that restored reefs can support similar faunal communities to natural reefs, with higher densities of prey species. The findings also highlight the importance of considering landscape setting in restoration decision making to enhance the recovery of ecosystem goods and services.
Article
Fisheries
Kelly S. Boyle, Crystal L. Hightower, Sean P. Powers
Summary: Management of recreational fishing for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico involves regulations and the use of descender devices to mitigate postrelease mortality. Our study found that depth and the use of descender devices did not have a significant impact on mortality risk and survivorship, while fish length was the most important factor affecting postrelease mortality.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kelly S. Boyle, Crystal L. Hightower, T. Reid Nelson, Sean P. Powers
Summary: Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) can reveal spatial and temporal variation of fish sounds in marine habitats, providing insights into species composition, abundance, and behavioral patterns. In the Alabama Artificial Reef Zone (AARZ), PAM was used to describe fish sounds on different reef structures, revealing variations in sound detection rates and species richness. The study highlights the importance of underwater soundscapes for reef management, as they can serve as acoustic cues for fish locating reefs.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Sean P. Powers, J. Marcus Drymon, Crystal L. Hightower, Liese M. Carleton, John M. Hoenig
Summary: We estimated the absolute abundance of red lionfish, gray triggerfish, and red snapper across an extensive network of artificial reefs using camera counts, indices of relative abundance, calibration factors, and index-removal estimators. From 2012 to 2017, per reef estimates increased for all three species, and network-wide absolute abundances were calculated by multiplying the average per reef estimate by the estimated number of reefs in the network. Our methodology demonstrates the value of fisheries-independent surveys in estimating absolute abundance and evaluating stock assessments.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Kelly S. S. Boyle, Crystal L. L. Hightower, Sean P. P. Powers
Summary: Greater amberjack are active swimmers and their depth use and swimming activity are influenced by factors such as fishing-related stress and cyclonic storms. In this study, we found that fish displayed varied diel depth patterns and swimming activity, with some occupying a narrow depth range, others spending time at mid-water and near bottom, and others showing more generalized patterns. Depth use was influenced by site depth and field effort, while swimming patterns were mainly affected by field effort. Fishing stress was found to increase swimming activity, but release with a descender did not prevent altered diel patterns. The presence of cyclonic storms also impacted depth use and swimming activity. Overall, our study highlights the importance of understanding the factors influencing the behavior of greater amberjack.
ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY OF FISHES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sean P. P. Powers, Henry Roman, Jessica Meixner, Damrongsak Wirasaet, Steven Brus, Gail Fricano, Joannes Westerink
Summary: This study examines the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on oysters in the Gulf of Mexico and finds that local populations contribute a significant proportion of oyster larvae settlement, with strong connectivity between adjacent basins but weak connectivity between nonadjacent basins. Therefore, restoration efforts should focus on building connectivity within and among basins.
Article
Oceanography
Denis A. Wiesenburg, Bob Shipp, F. Joel Fodrie, Sean Powers, Julien Lartigue, Kelly M. Darnell, Melissa M. Baustian, Cam Ngo, John F. Valentine, Kateryna Wowk
Summary: Previous oil spill incidents have shown that ecosystem restoration efforts can be challenging and recovery may take decades. Different regions recover at different rates, with salt marshes and deep-sea habitats experiencing particularly long-term impacts. Understanding ecosystem processes is crucial for environmental recovery and restoration, and filling data gaps and establishing new baselines will require long-term studies. Future research efforts, such as NOAA's RESTORE Science Program and state-based Centers of Excellence, offer a path towards understanding the potential for restoration and recovery of the marine ecosystem in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
J. Marcus Drymon, Matthew B. Jargowsky, Michael A. Dance, Mitchell Lovell, Crystal LouAllen Hightower, Amanda E. Jefferson, Andrea M. Kroetz, Sean P. Powers
Summary: Through the tagging efforts of citizen scientists, it was found that Atlantic tarpon exhibit consistent east-west movement in the northern Gulf of Mexico, with highest utilization distributions in the Mississippi River Delta. The study also revealed that Louisiana, as a critical part of their range, remains understudied in terms of tarpon space use and movement.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Katja J. Geiger, Julio Arrontes, Antonella Rivera, Consolacion Fernandez, Jorge Alvarez, Jose Luis Acuna
Summary: A two-year experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of Pollicipes pollicipes harvest on intertidal community structure and ecological diversity. The study found that intensive exploitation resulted in a decrease in P. pollicipes and Mytilus spp. coverage, while Chthamalus spp. and Corallina spp. increased. The recovery of P. pollicipes aggregations was slow and variable, but their coverage increased under non-extracted conditions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Daniel Castro Martignago, Leandro Godoy, Amanda Pereira Amaral, Guendalina Turcato Oliveira
Summary: This study evaluates the effects of bleaching on the oocytes of the Mussismilia harttii coral and investigates the strategies employed by these cells to maintain antioxidant balance and cellular homeostasis. The research finds that bleached coral oocytes experience lipid damage, but are still able to maintain their quality and potentially elongate their lifespan and fertilization capability. This response may be linked to an intensification of heterotrophy in bleached corals.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2024)
