Article
Ecology
Olivia M. Williamson, Alexander T. Mustard, Allan J. Bright, Dana E. Williams, Mark C. Ladd, Andrew C. Baker
Summary: Many reef invertebrates reproduce through simultaneous broadcast spawning. Here, we document instances of the ruby brittle star capturing and consuming egg-sperm bundles of two coral species during spawning events. These observations suggest that this behavior may be prevalent on western Atlantic reefs.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Vladimir Mashanov, Denis Jacob Machado, Robert Reid, Cory Brouwer, Janice Kofsky, Daniel A. Janies
Summary: This article presents the draft genome and mitochondrial genome of the brittle star O. brevispinum, providing an important resource for studying regenerative mechanisms. The genomic information will be essential for future research on the molecular mechanisms regulating regeneration.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jane E. Williamson, Stephanie Duce, Karen E. Joyce, Vincent Raoult
Summary: Sea cucumbers bioturbate reef sediments, releasing organic material to benthic communities. Research reveals significant bioturbation by sea cucumbers at Heron Island Reef and underscores their importance for reef ecosystem functioning and services.
Article
Biology
Hannah G. G. Reich, Emma F. F. Camp, Liza M. M. Roger, Hollie M. M. Putnam
Summary: This review explores the role of trace metals in the physiological performance and functional ecology of coral holobiont in oligotrophic environments. It emphasizes the importance of metal exchanges among holobiont partners and their contribution to partner compatibility, stress coping ability, and overall organismal fitness and distribution. The review also highlights the influence of abiotic factors and climate change on trace metal availability and the potential consequences for coral survival. Future research directions are suggested to further understand the impacts of trace metals on coral holobiont symbioses and nutrient cycling in coral ecosystems.
BIOLOGICAL REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daniel Wangpraseurt, Yazhi Sun, Shangting You, Sing-Teng Chua, Samantha K. Noel, Helena F. Willard, David B. Berry, Alexander M. Clifford, Sydney Plummer, Yi Xiang, Henry H. Hwang, Jaap Kaandorp, Julia M. Diaz, Todd C. La Jeunesse, Mathieu Pernice, Silvia Vignolini, Martin Tresguerres, Shaochen Chen
Summary: This study uses 3D bioprinting technology to construct biomimetic coral microhabitats, replicating the biological processes involved in coral-algal symbiosis and providing a potential method for manufacturing synthetic designer corals.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lauren T. Toth, Travis A. Courtney, Michael A. Colella, Rob R. Ruzicka
Summary: SCTLD has had an unprecedented impact on the western Atlantic coral-reef ecosystems, causing a decline in reef-accretion potential and altering the composition of coral assemblages. The loss of reef-building corals has significantly decreased carbonate production, leading to a decline in their capacity for growth.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Giulia Puntin, Jamie Craggs, Roisin Hayden, Kara E. E. Engelhardt, Shelby McIlroy, Michael Sweet, David M. M. Baker, Maren Ziegler
Summary: Reef-building corals rely on symbiosis with unicellular algae for their evolutionary success, but frequent heat waves cause coral mass-bleaching events, posing a serious threat to reef ecosystems. Understanding the functioning, breakdown, and prevention of coral-algal symbiosis remains incomplete due to difficulties in experimental handling and manipulating the association. The study identifies the stony coral species Galaxea fascicularis as a novel candidate coral model system, which allows for genotype studies and experimental investigation of the symbiosis.
Review
Ecology
Tamar L. Goulet, Denis Goulet
Summary: Symbiotic relationships are crucial for the coral reef ecosystem, with many cnidarian symbioses being highly obligative and exhibiting a certain degree of fidelity. The survival and adaptability of these symbiotic partnerships depend on the robustness and potential plasticity of the host-symbiont combination. Climate change poses a threat to the stability and biodiversity of coral reefs by potentially causing the demise of some cnidarian symbioses.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Evelyn Abbott, Groves Dixon, Mikhail Matz
Summary: The study found that changes in the abundance of different symbiont genera within coral hosts can affect the gene expression of symbionts, particularly impacting expression of photosynthesis components and proteins related to cell movement. When both genera are represented in comparable proportions within the host, the mixed symbiosis state may lead to more intense competition but does not result in increased stress for the host. After heat treatment, corals with mixed symbiosis showed the lowest stress signatures compared to corals dominated by either Cladocopium or Durusdinium.
Article
Geology
Tara R. Clark, George Roff, Tess Chapman, Hannah Markham-Summers, Nicholas M. Hammerman, Faye Liu, Yuexing Feng, John M. Pandolfi, Jian-xin Zhao
Summary: The overall status of many reefs in the Great Barrier Reef is uncertain due to the lack of detailed broad-scale studies. The relative role of various threats in impacting individual reefs is generally unclear. A novel approach using uranium-thorium dating of dead corals was adopted to reconstruct historical disturbance events at Rib and Davies Reefs, providing a reliable benchmark to assess recovery and monitor coral communities effectively.
Article
Ecology
Rebeca Granja-Fernandez, Brenda Maya-Alvarado, Fabian A. Rodriguez-Zaragoza, Andres Lopez-Perez
Summary: Ophiuroidea is a marine group with wide distribution and particular lifestyles, making it suitable for exploring diversity partitioning in the ocean. However, there is still a lack of investigation and basic information on diversity in large areas such as the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP). This study examines the alpha, /3, and gamma-diversity patterns of Ophiuroidea in the ETP at multiple spatial scales. The results show significant differences in species composition at all spatial levels, and the variation in species composition is influenced by factors such as longitudinal and latitudinal gradients. This work represents the first attempt to analyze the distribution patterns of shallow-water Ophiuroidea from the ETP.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yaeli Rosenberg, Noa Simon-Blecher, Maya Lalzar, Ruth Yam, Aldo Shemesh, Shahar Alon, Gabriela Perna, Anny Cardenas, Christian R. Voolstra, David J. Miller, Oren Levy
Summary: This study examines the impact of urbanization on coral reefs and finds that coral in urban environments experience extensive disruptions to their natural biorhythms and environmental sensory systems. The study also reveals poor symbiont performance, disturbance to gametogenic cycles, and altered seasonality patterns in vital biological processes. The microbiomes of the urban coral population also showed changes in seasonality patterns, highlighting the impact of urbanization on the holobiont.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Marine
Asa Oren, Ofer Berman, Reem Neri, Ezri Tarazi, Haim Parnas, Offri Lotan, Majeed Zoabi, Noam Josef, Nadav Shashar
Summary: This study examines reef fishes' behavior and reactions to three-dimensional-printed (3DP) corals and finds that 3DP corals can be a suitable substitute for live corals for certain types of reef fish services.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Amin R. Mohamed, Michael A. Ochsenkuehn, Ahmed M. Kazlak, Ahmed Moustafa, Shady A. Amin
Summary: Understanding the complex interactions between corals and their associated microbiome is essential for coral resilience in a warming ocean. Recent research focuses on manipulating the coral microbiome to enhance their ability to withstand stress. The potential mechanisms through which microbiota communicate with and modify host responses, as well as the power of omics tools in studying corals, are highlighted.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elizabeth Ann Lenz, Lucy A. Bartlett, Anastasios Stathakopoulos, Ilsa B. Kuffner
Summary: This study evaluated the physiological characteristics of Porites astreoides corals at different geographic locations and seasons in the Florida Keys reef tract, finding significant differences in bleaching severity among sites and highlighting the better adaptation of colonies at the Dry Tortugas site to high temperature events. The results contribute to the selection of candidate sites for adaptive coral management strategies.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Hematology
Lisha Lin, Longyan Zhao, Na Gao, Ronghua Yin, Sujuan Li, Huifang Sun, Lutan Zhou, Guiling Zhao, Steven W. Purcell, Jinhua Zhao
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alison R. Hammond, Luka Meyers, Steven W. Purcell
Article
Oceanography
Steven W. Purcell, Hugues Gossuin, Daniela M. Ceccarelli
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kate M. Seinor, Stephen D. A. Smith, Murray Logan, Steven W. Purcell
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Steven W. Purcell, Alejandro Tagliafico, Brian R. Cullis, Beverley J. Gogel
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2020)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Beatrice I. Crona, Robert S. Pomeroy, Steven W. Purcell
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Ecology
Steven W. Purcell, Daniela M. Ceccarelli
Summary: The study suggests that introducing alien shellfish species can develop into exploitable populations within 15 years. Translocations of marine organisms must be considered carefully, with potential benefits likely to vary spatially and provide food and livelihood options for coastal fishing communities.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Benjamin C. T. Gray, Luke A. Calvert, Steven W. Purcell
Summary: Movement studies on marine animals can provide important information for conservation and fishery management planning. However, there are limited studies on exploited marine invertebrates. This study tracked the diurnal movement patterns of two sea cucumber species and found differences in their movement behavior and peak activity times, which can inform the design of spatial management measures.
MARINE ECOLOGY-AN EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alison R. Hammond, Steven W. Purcell
Summary: This study investigated the movement and growth rates of a medium-sized sea cucumber species, Pearsonothuria graeffei, in the Indo-Pacific region. The findings demonstrated that P. graeffei exhibits traits that make it vulnerable to overfishing, such as aggregation behavior, low mobility, slow growth, long lifespan, and low natural mortality rate. Therefore, conservation measures should take these factors into account.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Benjamin C. T. Gray, Maria Byrne, Matthew Clements, Steven W. Purcell
Summary: Studies on the movement and feeding ecology of nocturnal sea cucumbers have been limited, but they are crucial for understanding their ecological roles and informing management strategies. This study investigated the movement dynamics, feeding ecology, and sheltering behavior of Stichopus cf. monotuberculatus in the southern Great Barrier Reef. The results showed that the movement of these sea cucumbers was influenced by time and sediment type, with a preference for nutritionally rich particles for feeding. They also sought shelter under hard reef substrata. The findings have implications for spatial management and highlight the potential impact of climate change on the size structure of sea cucumber populations and fisheries.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Steven W. Purcell, Sophie L. Rallings, Alison R. Hammond
Summary: This study found that the large sea cucumber Holothuria (Microthele) fuscopunctata had relatively small displacements over one year, and smaller individuals tended to move further than larger individuals. This finding changes our understanding of echinoderm mobility and reveals a behavior that would worsen Allee effects at low population densities.
Article
Fisheries
Kate Seinor, Steven W. Purcell, Hamish Malcolm, Stephen D. A. Smith, Kirsten Benkendorff
Summary: This study investigated the reproductive cycle of the Australian turbinid, Turbo militaris, and found that it has an extended pattern of reproduction that is closely related to environmental conditions. The findings of this study are important for the development of fisheries management measures.
FISHERIES OCEANOGRAPHY
(2024)
Article
Ecology
Steven W. Purcell, Alejandro Tagliafico, Brian R. Cullis, Beverley J. Gogel
Summary: The study of the trochus fishery in Samoa demonstrates that this relatively new fishery fosters resilience of social-ecological systems at the community level and improves the well-being of fishers. Most fishers are satisfied with income from the new fishery, especially the younger and less experienced ones. The additional earnings from the fishery are mainly spent on food, church tithing, and school fees.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Information Science & Library Science
Kiros Hiruy, Ray Murphy, Tom Lewis, William T. White, Steven W. Purcell
RESEARCH EVALUATION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Tracy MacKeracher, Simon J. Foale, Georgina G. Gurney, Steven W. Purcell
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2019)
