The Understanding of Giant Clams’ Contributions to Coral Reef Health Continues to Grow
by James Keegan, RJD intern Coral reefs suffer from a multitude of problems, such as global warming and ocean acidification, which can be deadly for the reefs. Other issues, like losing individual species, although troublesome, do not garner the same attention because they do not cause as much harm. However, each reef organism has their […]
The Consequences of the Indo-Pacific Lionfish invasion into Atlantic Waters
by Laurel Zaima, RJD intern The introduction of an invasive species into a foreign ecosystem has dire and often unforeseen consequences. An invasive species is considered any living organism that is not native to the ecosystem and causes harm to the local environment (“Invasive Species”). Non-native organisms alter the ecosystem, which affects the native species, […]
Exploitation and Cooperation by Cleaner Wrasse
By Laura Vander Meiden, RJD Intern The relationship between cleaner wrasse and reef fish has long been one of the textbook examples of mutualism, a partnership in which both individuals benefit. In this relationship, the cleaner wrasses set up “cleaning stations” where they eat parasites and dead skin cells off of willing reef fish. The […]
Evolution of Motherhood: The Importance of Mature Female Fish
By Daniela Ferraro, RJD Intern Older, female fish are becoming a necessity for the continuation of trophy-fish hunting and sustainable commercial fishing. Looking at both freshwater and saltwater species, the presence of larger, more mature fish increases the productivity and stability of fish populations. Dr. Mark Hixon, of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, refers […]
Summary of “Competitive interactions for shelter between invasive Pacific red lionfish and native Nassau grouper”
Hannah Armstrong, RJD Intern Invasive species have the potential to negatively effect normal ecological function in any environment. Marine biological invasions are increasingly common, most notably that of the Pacific red lionfish (Pterois volitans). While the lionfish invasion and its direct effects on native fish communities has been well researched, there has been little documented […]
Fish are Friends and Food: The rise of the US federal seafood certification
by RJD Intern Daniela Ferraro As appetite increases, people are looking towards federally managed fisheries to provide a seafood certification system. With rising levels of overfishing, habitat destruction, and mismanagement, there has been an emphasis placed upon fishing regulations and sustainable fishing practices (Jackson et al 2001). This began with adjustments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries […]