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(1 - 8 of 8)
- Title
- LATITUDINAL PATTERNS OF CILIATE RDNA DIVERSITY IN THE SURFACE PLANKTON OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
- Author
- Covell, Marthe Adrienne, Caffrey, Jane M., Moss, Joseph A., Jeffrey, Wade H., Ryals, Phillip E., University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
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Unicellular organisms known as ciliates (Phylum: Ciliophora) are a widespread and ecologically important group of eukaryotic microorganisms. Despite their critical roles in the microbial and planktonic food webs, their global distribution patterns remain poorly understood. It is unclear whether ciliates follow the same latitudinal gradient patterns that have been identified for macroscopic organisms, which generally show an increase in biodiversity and species richness approaching the equator...
Show moreUnicellular organisms known as ciliates (Phylum: Ciliophora) are a widespread and ecologically important group of eukaryotic microorganisms. Despite their critical roles in the microbial and planktonic food webs, their global distribution patterns remain poorly understood. It is unclear whether ciliates follow the same latitudinal gradient patterns that have been identified for macroscopic organisms, which generally show an increase in biodiversity and species richness approaching the equator. Some microbial ecologists believe that ciliates do not have the same types of dispersal limitations as larger organisms and therefore will have ubiquitous distribution, while others argue that there is evidence of endemic species in specialized oceanic environments In this study, ciliate rDNA diversity was examined along a 15,400 km transect of the Pacific Ocean in order to identify distributional patterns. A combination of molecular techniques including terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, molecular cloning, and DNA sequencing were used to document patterns of biodiversity. Statistical analyses show that there is no significant relationship between latitude and ciliate distribution. This study provides a broad understanding of the distribution patterns of marine ciliates, as well as adds to our understanding of the global biogeography of microscopic organisms.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- WFE0000553, uwf:61241
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- SEASONAL VARIATION OF GROUNDWATER DISCHARGE AND GROUNDWATER NUTRIENT INPUTS OF WESTERN ESCAMBIA BAY, FLORIDA.
- Author
- Prince, Dawn Marie, Schwartz, Matthew C., Caffrey, Jane M., Liebens, Johan, University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
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Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an important pathway for water and nutrient inputs to coastal ecosystems. However, since scientific interest in quantification of SGD only became popular in recent decades, much research is needed for accurate estimations both regionally and globally. Radon-222 and Lee-style seepage meters were used to determine Western Escambia Bay, Florida, SGD rates. A groundwater rate of 157 cm d-1 in summer and 46 cm d-1 in winter was needed to support excess...
Show moreSubmarine groundwater discharge (SGD) is an important pathway for water and nutrient inputs to coastal ecosystems. However, since scientific interest in quantification of SGD only became popular in recent decades, much research is needed for accurate estimations both regionally and globally. Radon-222 and Lee-style seepage meters were used to determine Western Escambia Bay, Florida, SGD rates. A groundwater rate of 157 cm d-1 in summer and 46 cm d-1 in winter was needed to support excess radon-222 concentrations, while seepage meters measured rates of 1.62 cm d-1 for summer and 2.25 cm d-1 for winter. Radon-222 rates were likely influenced by shifting of the groundwater-seawater interface and selection of groundwater end member, while seepage meter rates appeared to be tidally influenced. Groundwater and porewater samples were taken via piezometers and analyzed for concentrations of nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, and phosphate. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen flux averaged 6.3 mmol m-2 d-1 for radon-222 and 0.22 mmol m-2 d-1 for seepage meters. Dissolved inorganic phosphorus flux averaged 0.23 mmol m-2 d-1 for radon-222 and 0.01 mmol m-2 d-1 for seepage meters. Nutrient fluxes were similar to Escambia River inputs, illustrating the potential importance of SGD in the biochemistry of Escambia Bay.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- WFE0000383, uwf:61033
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- SPATIAL PATTERNS OF PHYTOPLANKTON AND PERIPHYTON GROWTH AS INDICATORS OF ESTUARINE CONDITION IN ESCAMBIA BAY, FLORIDA.
- Author
- Wagner, Matthew Earl, Snyder, Richard A., Caffrey, Jane M., Lepo, Joe E., University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
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Periphyton and phytoplankton responses along the salinity gradient and in depth profiles of Escambia Bay, FL, were compared over a sampling period covering two summer seasons. Periphyton accumulation ranged from 0 to 54 µg Chl a / dm2, and phytoplankton biomass ranged from 1.5 to 73 µg Chl a / L. Horizontal periphyton spatial patterns indicated distribution of bioavailable nutrients differently than phytoplankton. Maximum growth of periphytic and planktonic microalgae did not occur at the...
Show morePeriphyton and phytoplankton responses along the salinity gradient and in depth profiles of Escambia Bay, FL, were compared over a sampling period covering two summer seasons. Periphyton accumulation ranged from 0 to 54 µg Chl a / dm2, and phytoplankton biomass ranged from 1.5 to 73 µg Chl a / L. Horizontal periphyton spatial patterns indicated distribution of bioavailable nutrients differently than phytoplankton. Maximum growth of periphytic and planktonic microalgae did not occur at the same location in the estuary. This dissimilarity in spatial distribution was directly related to hydrographic conditions. Periphyton appeared to be more limited by total Nitrogen in the water than phytoplankton which was more dependent on total and dissolved Phosphorous. Vertical profiles showed that water chemistry not light availability controlled microalgal distribution, with the highest biomass accumulating at the freshwater/seawater interface. River discharge accounted for the majority of spatial and temporal variability of physical and nutrient dynamics in Escambia Bay estuary, and affected the location of the estuarine turbidity maximum and the phytoplankton chlorophyll maximum. This study presents evidence that analyzing periphyton growth at fixed locations provides the means to examine integrated nutrient loading patterns unconstrained by hydrodynamics. The combination of periphyton response measures with conventional measurements of the water column created a different view of the overall ecosystem status of Escambia Bay.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- WFE0000010, uwf:60738
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF BACTERIAL COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN THE NORTH EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO.
- Author
- Knight, Katelyn T., Jeffrey, Wade H., Caffrey, Jane M., Snyder, Richard A., University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
-
Bacteria are found in all oceans around the globe and dominate marine processes because of their abundance and contribution to biogeochemical cycles. Resource availability and environmental parameters are both key factors in determining bacterioplankton growth and community structure. Understanding temporal changes in the microbial community structure in the Gulf of Mexico has the potential to shed new light on the dynamics of energy transfer and organic processing. A two-year seasonal study...
Show moreBacteria are found in all oceans around the globe and dominate marine processes because of their abundance and contribution to biogeochemical cycles. Resource availability and environmental parameters are both key factors in determining bacterioplankton growth and community structure. Understanding temporal changes in the microbial community structure in the Gulf of Mexico has the potential to shed new light on the dynamics of energy transfer and organic processing. A two-year seasonal study was conducted at a station 40 km south of Choctawhatchee Bay on the Florida Shelf in the Northeast Gulf of Mexico. A total of 31 water column samples were collected from surface and bottom waters (~90 m) and mid-water deep chlorophyll maxima, when present, at 12 different time points. In addition to microbial diversity, chemical, physical, and biological environmental parameters such as bacterial production, nutrients, temperature, salinity, chlorophyll a, and bacterial counts were also taken. 16S rRNA clone libraries generated 2,160 high quality clones that were used for community analysis. 535 OTUs were obtained at 97% similarity. Samples were analyzed in three different categorical groupings: all OTUs, all OTUs grouped together at order level, and OTUs without dominant taxa. Environmental patterns were seen to correlate directly with seasonal changes; however, community structure was independent of seasonal trends. Depth, nutrients, and salinity were seen to have a slight influence on the community structure. This shows that no single parameter is driving the community structure, but rather the community structure is the result of complex interactions between many factors.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- WFE0000619, uwf:61281
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- TEMPORAL DIFFERENCES IN NITROGEN FIXATION RATES WITHIN SEDIMENTS COLONIZED BY SUBTROPICAL SEAGRASS SPECIES, THALASSIA TESTUDINUM AND HALODULE WRIGHTII.
- Author
- Capps, Rachel Elizabeth, Caffrey, Jane M., Darby, Philip C., Lepo, Joe Eugene, University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
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Seagrasses are widely distributed across the globe and provide many ecological services. Thalassia testudinum and Halodule wrightii are the dominant taxa in Northwest Florida. Primary productivity in coastal ecosystems is often limited by availability of bioavailable nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation is a microbially mediated process that converts N2 to bioavailable forms. This study measured nitrogen fixation and environmental parameters in unvegetated areas and seagrass colonized sediments for...
Show moreSeagrasses are widely distributed across the globe and provide many ecological services. Thalassia testudinum and Halodule wrightii are the dominant taxa in Northwest Florida. Primary productivity in coastal ecosystems is often limited by availability of bioavailable nitrogen. Nitrogen fixation is a microbially mediated process that converts N2 to bioavailable forms. This study measured nitrogen fixation and environmental parameters in unvegetated areas and seagrass colonized sediments for one year. Porewater nutrient ratios in sediments colonized by seagrass suggest that nitrogen is the limiting nutrient. Conversely, unvegetated sediments show phosphorus limitation. Nitrogen fixation rates were higher in vegetated areas compared to adjacent unvegetated areas. In unvegetated sediments, increased mineralization results in increased nutrients and energy sources for sulfate reducing bacteria which fix nitrogen. In H. wrightii colonized sediments, nitrogen fixation was driven by decreased availability of nitrogen relative to phosphorus. In T. testudinum colonized sediments, nitrogen fixation was higher during winter. Organic matter supply may be a controlling factor in all three substrate types albeit the mechanism driving nitrogen fixation is slightly different. During June 2016, July 2016, and September 2016, nitrogen fixation provided 8.5%, 1.0%, and 1.0%, respectively, of T. testudinum nitrogen demand. Annually, nitrogen fixation provides 1.3% and 2.9% of the nitrogen demand for T. testudinum and H. wrightii, respectively. Nitrogen fixation was an important source of nitrogen during periods of senescence and dormancy when organic matter content was higher and seagrasses obtain the majority of their nitrogen from the sediments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- WFE0000571, uwf:61205
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF HUMAN AND CLIMATIC IMPACTS ON SEDIMIENT NITROGEN DYNAMICS IN ESCAMBIA BAY, FLORIDA.
- Author
- Smith, Kristin Anne, Caffrey, Jane M., Jeffrey, Wade H., Snyder, Richard A., University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
-
Potential nitrification rates and benthic flux measurements (NO2-+NO3-, NH4+, DIP, DSi, and SOC) were measured during the fall of 2005 at 12 different sites in Escambia Bay, Florida. Escambia Bay is a highly productive estuary whose major environmental problems include urban and agricultural runoff and point source discharges. A significant industrial spill occurred in 1969 when Monsanto Industrial Plant contaminated the bay with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are still present in...
Show morePotential nitrification rates and benthic flux measurements (NO2-+NO3-, NH4+, DIP, DSi, and SOC) were measured during the fall of 2005 at 12 different sites in Escambia Bay, Florida. Escambia Bay is a highly productive estuary whose major environmental problems include urban and agricultural runoff and point source discharges. A significant industrial spill occurred in 1969 when Monsanto Industrial Plant contaminated the bay with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which are still present in the sediment over 40 years later. While PCB effects on marine life are well documented, much less is known of its effects on sediment nitrogen dynamics. Due to the sensitivity of nitrifying bacteria, PCBs were hypothesized to inhibit potential nitrification rates, but this study found no trend between PCB content and potential nitrification rates. In addition to anthropogenic effects, climatic impacts, such as two hurricanes, have affected the bay in recent years. Benthic fluxes from 2005 were compared to prestorm flux data and no significant long term storm effects were found. Potential nitrification rates from 2005 were compared to prestorm 2004 potential nitrification rates and significant differences were seen at the shallow site, but not at the deeper site.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- WFE0000008, uwf:60749
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- THE INFLUENCE OF A GRADIENT IN HABITAT STRUCTURE ON APPLE SNAIL (POMACEA PALUDOSA) DEMOGRAPHY AND SNAIL KITE (ROSTRHAMUS SOCIABILIS PLUMBEUS) FORAGING.
- Author
- Wight, Bethany Rose, Darby, Philip C., Meyer, Kenneth D., Caffrey, Jane M., University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
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Everglades restoration efforts focus on improving habitats that support associated endangered wildlife. This study focused on the influence of habitat structure and prey density on the endangered Florida snail kite and the kite's exclusive prey, the Florida apple snail. Snail densities and egg production were estimated across a habitat gradient, from the sawgrass ecotone to wet prairie habitat. Kite foraging was examined as a function of habitat and snail densities at varying spatial scales....
Show moreEverglades restoration efforts focus on improving habitats that support associated endangered wildlife. This study focused on the influence of habitat structure and prey density on the endangered Florida snail kite and the kite's exclusive prey, the Florida apple snail. Snail densities and egg production were estimated across a habitat gradient, from the sawgrass ecotone to wet prairie habitat. Kite foraging was examined as a function of habitat and snail densities at varying spatial scales. Snail densities were relatively low, which may be attributed to a depensation effect and the distribution of snails among habitat types within a site was highly variable. Egg densities were greater along the sawgrass ecotone; however, egg abundance in wet prairie contributed more to total egg production. Kite foraging data suggested prey density variation in small patches within a site was not a good predictor of where kites concentrated their foraging. However, as scale increased (sites within a wetland, and between wetlands), snail density may explain kite occupancy. These results support the idea that restoration efforts should focus on creating habitats with a range of characteristics (sawgrass, wet prairie, and slough habitats) at varying temporal and spatial scales to support kite foraging and apple snail populations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- WFE0000378, uwf:61025
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION AND TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON BACTERIOPLANKTON COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN LAKE GILES, PENNSYLVANIA.
- Author
- Hunter, Erin Mitchell, Jeffrey, Wade H., Caffrey, Jane M., Riesenfeld, Christian, Leech, Dina M., University of West Florida
- Abstract/Description
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Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and temperature effects on bacterioplankton community structure were analyzed after a ten-day microcosm study following spring ice melt-out in Lake Giles, PA. Bacterial community DNA patterns and subsequent phylogenetic assignments were produced using terminal restriction length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) and matched to ribosomal database project (RDP-II) gene sequence entries. The primary environmental stressor shifting community composition was UVR, while warm or...
Show moreUltraviolet radiation (UVR) and temperature effects on bacterioplankton community structure were analyzed after a ten-day microcosm study following spring ice melt-out in Lake Giles, PA. Bacterial community DNA patterns and subsequent phylogenetic assignments were produced using terminal restriction length polymorphisms (T-RFLP) and matched to ribosomal database project (RDP-II) gene sequence entries. The primary environmental stressor shifting community composition was UVR, while warm or cold water incubations, at 5-degree increments, either increased or decreased the shift. All UVR exposed samples had decreased diversity and richness compared to UVR blocked samples. Warm water incubations under UVR stress maintained more diversity than cold-water incubations. Species dominance patterns were altered between phyla and within classes of bacteria in each sample. Specifically, Alphaproteobacteria, a dominant bacterial class with diverse members, had different species composition in UVR exposed and blocked samples. Possible UVR tolerance was assigned to different phyla or classes of bacteria. Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Chlorobi were assigned as UVR resistant. With less certainty Gammaproteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were also assigned UVR resistant. Phylum Tenericutes was assigned as UVR sensitive. The results present a first approximation of UVR resistance and sensitivity to bacterioplankton from Lake Giles using TRFLP and predicted gene sequences.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- WFE0000445, uwf:61098
- Format
- Document (PDF)
