An Illustrated Marine Flora of the Pelican Cays, Belize

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

An Illustrated Marine Flora of the Pelican Cays, Belize BULLETIN OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 9:1-149. 1997 1 An illustrated marine flora of the Pelican Cays, Belize Diane S. Littler and Mark M. Littler (DSL, MML) Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560, V.S.A. (DSL) Division of Marine Science, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 V.S. 1 North, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946, V.S.A. ABSTRACT.-The Pelican Cays, Belize, Central America, represent a benign and biologically diverse environment dominated by sessile photosynthetic and filter-feeding populations. Most are delicate and particularly susceptible to physical damage and eutrophication. Pelican Cays has a rich marine flora, totaling 190 taxa, with 86 Rhodophyta (red algae), 23 Phaeophyta (brown algae), 72 Chlorophyta (green algae), 5 Cyanophyta (blue-green algae) and 4 Magnolio­ phyta (flowering plants). Each species description includes the author citation, original refer­ ence, basionym and synonyms when appropriate. The detailed descriptions are accompanied by line drawings of anatomical and morphological features to aid in identification. Distribu­ tions are listed for the Caribbean Basin, along with the habitat where each taxon is typically found, and 73 new seaweed records are added for Belize. The cause of the exceptionally high biodiversity in such a small area is the unusual convergence of complex mangrove, coral, sea­ grass and algal biomes under stable oligotrophic conditions. Nearly one-fourth of the macro­ phyte flora are rare or uncommon species. The long-lived coarse, leathery and calcareous form groups dominate with 67% of the taxa, indicative of constant, low-nutrient conditions. Few of the ephemeral filamentous and sheet-like green algae that predominate under elevated nutrient regimes are present. The preponderance of long-lived red algal taxa (86 of 190 total macrophyte taxa) is a further indication of a relatively pristine environment. Botanical survey and inven­ tory information on the spectacular Pelican Cays ecosystem is provided in the hope of contrib­ uting toward a timely conservation plan and responsible management of the resource. The atoll-like Pelican Cays, located in the In comparison, the treatment "Marine Plants Central Province of the Belize Barrier Reef of the Caribbean and Adjacent Seas" (Littler (Maps 1-3), comprise a pristine, low-energy, et al. 1989) contained only 209 taxa obtained mangrove-island ecosystem dominated by over an8-year period. In the past, we have sessile photosynthetic and filter-feeding popu­ recorded rich floras of important undocu­ lations. Most are morphologically delicate mented macrophytes in Belizean mangrove and vulnerable to damage from boat wakes, systems such as Twin Cays (Littler et al. 1985) physical disturbance and sedimentation, as and Tobacco Range (Littler et al. 1995). well as natural (Lapointe et al. 1993) and an­ However, the Pelican Cays' macrophytic di­ thropogenic (Littler et al. 1993) eutrophica­ versity far exceeds that of Twin Cays and To­ tion. The predominant algal form groups bacco Range combined. The cause of this (67% of taxa are coarsely-branched thick­ unusually high marine plant biodiversity in leathery or calcareous forms) indicate con­ such a small geographic area is the unique stant, low-nutrient conditions with a paucity juxtaposition of mangrove, coral, seagrass and of the filamentous and sheet-like green algal algal biomes under stable oligotrophic condi­ forms that characterize nearby eutrophic tions (e.g., indicated by consistently "gin­ mangrove cays (e.g., Man-of-War Cay, Chan­ clear" waters). The preponderance of long­ nel Cay, Douglas Cay). lived red algal taxa (86 out of 190 total macro­ The macrophyte biodiversity of the Peli­ phyte taxa) is a further indication of a rela­ can Cays area (190 taxa) is greater than any tively benign, pristine environment (Littler et comparable system studied in the Caribbean. al. 1987). 2 BULLETIN OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 18rn IJ ~ , ~ ...: q? .::..: .. G' Columbus Reef 14m Twin Cays .. .. •. ' . Blue Ground ./.: Range' ( {f South Water Cay ~: :.~: Carrie Bow Cay ::~<:: ':;': '.. Curlew Bank 18m :.~. .... :'." :~J 1r45'N f· .. ·• .. ...... .. :..... 5m··.:~ ..:·:·;· ;~:~):.:: 22m Douglas Cay:., :<., :~ '.:'. ::: "C .10. =1·· :~ PIe lean ays·\-o~ : .:: ~ .~".:~ ':., '.:- .. :t1' _.. : ':.0 .'. ····.:.:.-:....:.:·.1 .f:,·: . <::.:.<...\ "~.' "): \: ., ····\·:··~~:.H:1' ':~:: ':::<,:- .... ' ....\'" III, o :.:.~;: ••l' 5km Cl » lar16W :'>:1 ar06'W Map 1. Location of the atoll-like Pelican Cays group on the Central Province of the Belize Barrier Reef, Central America. NUMBER 9 3 Our emphasis is primarily on the large Methods and Materials macrophytic forms that are not ubiquitously dispersed by birds, wind-aerosols and ships. Collections from the Pelican Cays' man­ We cover the three major phyla of marine grove prop roots, seagrass flats and shallow algae, Rhodophyta (red algae, 86 taxa), Phaeo­ ribbon reefs were made from February 1992 phyta (brown algae, 23 taxa) and Chlorophyta to May 1995 by hand while snorkeling. (green algae, 72 taxa). Also included are Cya­ SCUBA diving was employed to collect from nophyta (blue-green algae, 5 taxa), which rep­ the deeper slopes of seagrass beds and ribbon resent an important macrophytic component reefs. During February 1993, we began re­ in some habitats, and the flowering plant phy­ cording observations of populations and is­ lum Magnoliophyta (seagrasses, 4 taxa), even land systems in the Pelican Cays Group using though generally omitted from algal floras names of locations from charts and some of and texts. The seagrasses play a major role in our own site designations (Maps 2, 3). Our the ecology and population dynamics of Peli­ research team has now made multiple sea­ can Cays' ecosystems and, therefore, must be sonal marine plant collections at 43 different incorporated in any comprehensive treat­ sites from the 11 major islands of the Pelican ment. Cays. Manatee Cay was collected at 11 sites, Bird Cays at 6 sites, Fisherman's Cay at 5 sites The algal biodiversity of the unique Peli­ and the remaining cays at 3 sites each. A co­ can Cays is documented as a first step toward ordinated transect method was used among establishing a baseline of systematic informa­ the three divers to facilitate complete system­ tion essential to further research and of use to atic and habitat coverage. Specimens for managers of this remarkable resource. The pressing were combined in large mesh bags, approach used is an illustrated flora, whereby while separate plants were placed in individual each taxon is given a general morphological plastic bags at the time of collection, later description followed by a more technical ana­ transferred to polycarbonate scintillation vi­ tomical treatment, and a plate of one to five als, fixed in 5% Formalin and finally pre­ diagnostic habit and anatomical line drawings. served in 70% ethyl alcohol. This resulted in The product is a fully illustrated floristic 150 identified bulk collections for pressing treatment that can, also serve as a field guide to and 300 separate identified collections pre­ the marine plant life of the Pelican Cays. served in individuallabeled vials. In the labo­ A CKNOWLEDGMENTs.-Special thanks for ratory, portions of each species' collection support and funding go to Harbor Branch were retained in vials with liquid preservative, Oceanographic Institution (HBOI Contribu­ while the remainder of thalli and bulk materi­ tion No. 1189) and the Smithsonian Marine als ~ere dried and pressed as herbarium Station at Link Port, Florida (SMSLP Contri­ speCImens bution No. 429). Both organizations were Dried herbarium collections, wet preserved extremely helpful during all aspects of this materials and, when at the Carrie Bow Cay work. Additional funding was provided by (CBC) field station, living specimens were NSF Grant DEB-9400534 and the Caribbean examined macroscopically and microscopi­ Coral Reef Ecosystem Program of the Na­ cally, after portions were prepared on glass tional Museum of Natural History (CCRE slides for anatomical study. Thallus sections Contribution No. 523). We gratefully ac­ were made by hand (in the field) or by freez­ knowledge Barrett L. Brooks for his continu­ ing microtome, stained with 1% aniline blue ing support and assistance throughout all of and mounted using a 20% glucose syrup (Karo our field and laboratory efforts and Michael J. Syrup, Corn Products, Inc.) solution in dis­ Wynne and Richard B. Searles for their thor­ tilled water containing a trace of phenol. All ough reviews and excellent suggestions, which anatomical illustrations were drawn with a improved the manuscript considerably. camera lucida on a Zeiss Universal Micro­ David B. Lellinger's excellent review, helpful scope to assure accuracy; internal meas­ suggestions and editorial assistance made the urements were made with a calibrated ocular final publication possible. micrometer. The specimens generated by this 4 BULLETIN OF THE BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON ........'..: 1 km Northeast Cay Bird cays:"; ;1 ....~:t .':. :.' ~ ,l''';Ridge Cay A t ' .... ~ .,1 . "L~~ ... j {, N S ! .::.. ViShennan'S Cay Co Cat ca~ f' ,.,. .. i 1 . 'l~"'" Manatee Cay Avicennia Cay~~. ;: ..... ~; /... ;r........ I.' .:' \) .~, • ",; ~ Cat Cay i'. <';.~::~:~,)..... Little Cat Cay j~.) ..J Cat·Cty..··'"... ···\·~~~.> .. ;'9i .;:: South Island ::.~ \ Yi~j:, ,:~ e n ';~!1il C:·~ c"" C: Five-Mile Flat ~~; ...• z'·' .•.. I ...• ! .......... j) ~
Recommended publications
  • H. Abdul Jaffar Ali · M. Tamilselvi a Comprehensive Inventory Of
    H. Abdul Jaffar Ali · M. Tamilselvi Ascidians in Coastal Water A Comprehensive Inventory of Ascidian Fauna from the Indian Coast Ascidians in Coastal Water H. Abdul Jaffar Ali • M. Tamilselvi Ascidians in Coastal Water A Comprehensive Inventory of Ascidian Fauna from the Indian Coast 123 H. Abdul Jaffar Ali M. Tamilselvi Department of Biotechnology Department of Zoology Islamiah College (Autonomous) V.V. Vanniaperumal College for Women Vaniyambadi, Tamil Nadu Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu India India ISBN 978-3-319-29117-8 ISBN 978-3-319-29118-5 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-29118-5 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015960399 © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made.
    [Show full text]
  • Copyright© 2017 Mediterranean Marine Science
    Mediterranean Marine Science Vol. 18, 2017 Introduced marine macroflora of Lebanon and its distribution on the Levantine coast BITAR G. Lebanese University, Faculty of Sciences, Hadaeth, Beirut, Lebanon RAMOS-ESPLÁ A. Centro de Investigación Marina de Santa Pola (CIMAR), Universidad de Alicante, 03080 Alicante OCAÑA O. Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica y Biodiversidad, Fundación Museo del Mar, Muelle Cañonero Dato s.n, 51001 Ceuta SGHAIER Y. Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) FORCADA A. Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Po Box 99, Edificio Ciencias V, Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig, E-03080, Alicante VALLE C. Departamento de Ciencias del Mar y Biología Aplicada, Universidad de Alicante, Po Box 99, Edificio Ciencias V, Campus de San Vicente del Raspeig, E-03080, Alicante EL SHAER H. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), Regional Office for West Asia Sweifiyeh, Hasan Baker Al Azazi St. no 20 - Amman VERLAQUE M. Aix Marseille University, CNRS/INSU, Université de Toulon, IRD, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), UM 110, GIS Posidonie, 13288 Marseille http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/mms.1993 Copyright © 2017 Mediterranean Marine Science http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 04/08/2019 04:30:09 | To cite this article: BITAR, G., RAMOS-ESPLÁ, A., OCAÑA, O., SGHAIER, Y., FORCADA, A., VALLE, C., EL SHAER, H., & VERLAQUE, M. (2017). Introduced marine macroflora of Lebanon and its distribution on the Levantine coast. Mediterranean Marine Science, 18(1), 138-155. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/mms.1993 http://epublishing.ekt.gr | e-Publisher: EKT | Downloaded at 04/08/2019 04:30:09 | Review Article Mediterranean Marine Science Indexed in WoS (Web of Science, ISI Thomson) and SCOPUS The journal is available on line at http://www.medit-mar-sc.net DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12681/mms.1993 The introduced marine macroflora of Lebanon and its distribution on the Levantine coast G.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Macroalgal Biodiversity of Northern Madagascar: Morpho‑Genetic Systematics and Implications of Anthropic Impacts for Conservation
    Biodiversity and Conservation https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02156-0 ORIGINAL PAPER Marine macroalgal biodiversity of northern Madagascar: morpho‑genetic systematics and implications of anthropic impacts for conservation Christophe Vieira1,2 · Antoine De Ramon N’Yeurt3 · Faravavy A. Rasoamanendrika4 · Sofe D’Hondt2 · Lan‑Anh Thi Tran2,5 · Didier Van den Spiegel6 · Hiroshi Kawai1 · Olivier De Clerck2 Received: 24 September 2020 / Revised: 29 January 2021 / Accepted: 9 March 2021 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2021 Abstract A foristic survey of the marine algal biodiversity of Antsiranana Bay, northern Madagas- car, was conducted during November 2018. This represents the frst inventory encompass- ing the three major macroalgal classes (Phaeophyceae, Florideophyceae and Ulvophyceae) for the little-known Malagasy marine fora. Combining morphological and DNA-based approaches, we report from our collection a total of 110 species from northern Madagas- car, including 30 species of Phaeophyceae, 50 Florideophyceae and 30 Ulvophyceae. Bar- coding of the chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene was used for the three algal classes, in addi- tion to tufA for the Ulvophyceae. This study signifcantly increases our knowledge of the Malagasy marine biodiversity while augmenting the rbcL and tufA algal reference libraries for DNA barcoding. These eforts resulted in a total of 72 new species records for Mada- gascar. Combining our own data with the literature, we also provide an updated catalogue of 442 taxa of marine benthic
    [Show full text]
  • And Description of a New Species, Ciona Interme
    An integrative taxonomic framework for the study of the genus Ciona (Ascidiacea) and description of a new species, Ciona intermedia Francesco Mastrototaro, Federica Montesanto, Marika Salonna, Frédérique Viard, Giovanni Chimienti, Egidio Trainito, Carmela Gissi To cite this version: Francesco Mastrototaro, Federica Montesanto, Marika Salonna, Frédérique Viard, Giovanni Chimi- enti, et al.. An integrative taxonomic framework for the study of the genus Ciona (Ascidiacea) and description of a new species, Ciona intermedia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Linnean Society of London, 2020, 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa042. hal-02861027 HAL Id: hal-02861027 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02861027 Submitted on 8 Jun 2020 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa042 An integrative taxonomy framework for the study of the genus Ciona (Ascidiacea) and the description of the new species Ciona intermedia Francesco Mastrototaro1, Federica Montesanto1*, Marika Salonna2, Frédérique Viard3, Giovanni Chimienti1, Egidio Trainito4, Carmela Gissi2,5,* 1 Department of Biology and CoNISMa LRU, University of Bari “Aldo Moro” Via Orabona, 4 - 70125 Bari, Italy 2 Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona, 4 - 70125 Bari, Italy 3 Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Lab.
    [Show full text]
  • 2009-Fredericq-Et-Al-2009-S.Pdf
    Fredericq, S., T. O. Cho, S. A. Earle, C. F. Gurgel, D. M. Krayesky, L. E. Mateo-Cid, A. C. Mendoza-González, J. N. Norris, and A. M. Suárez. 2009. Seaweeds of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 187–259 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College Station, Texas. •9 Seaweeds of the Gulf of Mexico Suzanne Fredericq, Tae Oh Cho, Sylvia A. Earle, Carlos Frederico Gurgel, David M. Krayesky, Luz Elena Mateo- Cid, A. Catalina Mendoza- González, James N. Norris, and Ana María Suárez The marine macroalgae, or seaweeds, are a heterogenous group historically lumped together as “Protists,” an assem- blage of taxa whose members typically lack true roots, shoots, leaves, seeds, or water- conducting tissues. They comprise the multicellular green algae (Chlorophyta), red algae (Rhodophyta), and brown algae (Phaeophyceae). Until very recently, the relationship among the Algae and other Protists remained inconclusive and often contradic- tory (Adl et al. 2005). Our understanding of algal phylogeny has dramatically increased with molecular evolutionary methods, and the latest research indicates that the Rhodophyta is a distinct A green seaweed, Acetabularia. After Taylor 1954. eukaryotic lineage that shares a most common ancestry with the Chlorophyta in the Plant lineage (Oliveira and The classification within the Rhodophyta at the ordi- Bhattacharya 2000). A second cluster, the Chromalveo- nal level is unstable and in a constant flux, more so than lata, comprises the Stramenopiles, in which the brown in the Chlorophyta and the Phaeophyceae, and it is cur- algae belong, in addition to diatoms, many zoosporic rently undergoing much taxonomic revision that has led fungi, and the opalinids, among others (Palmer 2000, Adl to proposals of new and recircumscribed orders (Adl et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Studies of Marine Natural Products in Tasmania
    Studies of marine natural products in Tasmania By Jongkolnee Jongaramruong, B. Sc. and M. Sc. (Chulalongkorn University, Thailand) A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy University of Tasmania Hobart March, 2002 Declaration This thesis contains no material that has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or tertiary institution, and to the best of knowledge and belief, this thesis contains no copy or paraphrase of material previously published or written by another person, except when due reference is made in the text of this thesis. Signed (Ms. Jongkolnee Jongaramruong) This thesis may be made available for loan and limited copying in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968. Signed izefut, cvicvwvotal (Ms. Jongkolnee Jongaramruong) Acknowledgements I would like to express my sincere thanks to my supervisor, Dr. Adrian J. Blackman for his exceptional supervision, encouragement, guidance and criticism, as well as invaluable time during the course of my study. Thanks are also given to numerous people who helped in collection of samples used in this study, namely Adrian Blackman, Christian Narkowicz, Daniel Ghedhill, Elizabeth Morgan, and Martin Hitchman. I would like to thank Professor Allan H. White and Dr. Brian W. Skelton from the University of Western Australia for the X-ray crystallography. Invaluable and professional help from Dr. Noel Davis on mass spectrometry, Dr. Evan Peacock for nuclear magnetic resonance and Dr. Graham Rowbottom for selecting the good crystal, as well as Marshall Hughes for lots of technical help about computers is greatly appreciated. As well as other technical staff at the Central Science Laboratory, staff and students in the School of Chemistry, University of Tasmania are also acknowledged.
    [Show full text]
  • Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) Based on Molecular Analyses and Morphological Observations of Specimens from the Type Locality in Western Australia
    Phytotaxa 324 (1): 051–062 ISSN 1179-3155 (print edition) http://www.mapress.com/j/pt/ PHYTOTAXA Copyright © 2017 Magnolia Press Article ISSN 1179-3163 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.324.1.3 The phylogenetic position of Polysiphonia scopulorum (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta) based on molecular analyses and morphological observations of specimens from the type locality in Western Australia JOHN M. HUISMAN1, BYEONGSEOK KIM2 & MYUNG SOOK KIM2* 1Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Locked Bag 104, Bentley Delivery Centre, Western Australia 6983, Australia; and School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia 2Department of Biology, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea *Author for correspondence. Email: [email protected] Abstract Considerable uncertainty surrounds the phylogenetic position of Polysiphonia scopulorum, a species with an apparently cos- mopolitan distribution. Here we report, for the first time, molecular phylogenetic analyses using plastid rbcL gene sequences and morphological observations of P. scopulorum collected from the type locality, Rottnest Island in Western Australia. Mor- phological characteristics of the Rottnest Island specimens allowed unequivocal identification, however, the sequence analy- ses uncovered discrepancies in previous molecular studies that included specimens identified as P. scopulorum from other locations. The phylogenetic evidence clearly revealed that P. scopulorum from Rottnest Island formed a sister clade with P. caespitosa from Spain (JX828149 as P. scopulorum) with moderate support, but that it differed from specimens identified as P. scopulorum from the U.S.A. (AY396039, EU492915). In light of this, we suggest that P. scopulorum be considered an endemic species with a distribution restricted to Australia.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology of Mesophotic Macroalgae and Halimeda Kanaloana Meadows in the Main Hawaiian Islands
    ECOLOGY OF MESOPHOTIC MACROALGAE AND HALIMEDA KANALOANA MEADOWS IN THE MAIN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN BOTANY (ECOLOGY, EVOLUTION AND CONSERVATION BIOLOGY) AUGUST 2012 By Heather L. Spalding Dissertation Committee: Celia M. Smith, Chairperson Michael S. Foster Peter S. Vroom Cynthia L. Hunter Francis J. Sansone i © Copyright by Heather Lee Spalding 2012 All Rights Reserved ii DEDICATION This dissertation is dedicated to the infamous First Lady of Limu, Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott. She was my inspiration for coming to Hawai‘i, and part of what made this place special to me. She helped me appreciate the intricacies of algal cross-sectioning, discover tela arachnoidea, and understand the value of good company (and red wine, of course). iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I came to Hawai‘i with the intention of doing a nice little intertidal project on macroalgae, but I ended up at the end of the photic zone. Oh, well. This dissertation would not have been possible without the support of many individuals, and I am grateful to each of them. My committee has been very patient with me, and I appreciate their constant encouragement, gracious nature, and good humor. My gratitude goes to Celia Smith, Frank Sansone, Peter Vroom, Michael Foster, and Cindy Hunter for their time and dedication. Dr. Isabella Abbott and Larry Bausch were not able to finish their tenure on my committee, and I thank them for their efforts and contributions.
    [Show full text]
  • Alkaloids from Marine Ascidians
    Molecules 2011, 16, 8694-8732; doi:10.3390/molecules16108694 OPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules Review Alkaloids from Marine Ascidians Marialuisa Menna *, Ernesto Fattorusso and Concetta Imperatore The NeaNat Group, Dipartimento di Chimica delle Sostanze Naturali, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +39-081-678-518; Fax: +39-081-678-552. Received: 16 September 2011; in revised form: 11 October 2011 / Accepted: 14 October 2011 / Published: 19 October 2011 Abstract: About 300 alkaloid structures isolated from marine ascidians are discussed in term of their occurrence, structural type and reported pharmacological activity. Some major groups (e.g., the lamellarins and the ecteinascidins) are discussed in detail, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer or viral infections. Keywords: natural products; alkaloids; ascidians; ecteinascidis; lamellarins 1. Introduction Ascidians belong to the phylum Chordata, which encompasses all vertebrate animals, including mammals and, therefore, they represent the most highly evolved group of animals commonly investigated by marine natural products chemists. Together with the other classes (Thaliacea, Appendicularia, and Sorberacea) included in the subphylum Urochordata (=Tunicata), members of the class Ascidiacea are commonly referred to as tunicates, because their body is covered by a saclike case or tunic, or as sea squirts, because many species expel streams of water through a siphon when disturbed. There are roughly 3,000 living species of tunicates, of which ascidians are the most abundant and, thus, the mostly chemically investigated.
    [Show full text]
  • Notes on the Marine Algae of the Bermudas
    University of Rhode Island DigitalCommons@URI Biological Sciences Faculty Publications Biological Sciences 2007 Notes on the Marine Algae of the Bermudas. 8. Further Additions to the Flora, Including Griffithsia aestivana sp. nov. (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) and an Update on the Alien Cystoseira compressa (Sargassaceae, Heterokontophyta) Craig W. Schneider Christopher E. Lane University of Rhode Island, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/bio_facpubs Terms of Use All rights reserved under copyright. Citation/Publisher Attribution C. W. Schneider & C. E. Lane. 2007. Notes on the marine algae of the Bermudas. 8. Further additions to the flora including Griffithsia aestivana sp. nov. (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) and an update on the alien Cystoseira compressa (Sargassaceae, Heterokontophyta). Botanica Marina. 50:128-140. DOI 10.1515/BOT.2007.015 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@URI. It has been accepted for inclusion in Biological Sciences Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@URI. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Article in press - uncorrected proof Botanica Marina 50 (2007): 128–140 ᮊ 2007 by Walter de Gruyter • Berlin • New York. DOI 10.1515/BOT.2007.015 Notes on the marine algae of the Bermudas. 8. Further additions to the flora, including Griffithsia aestivana sp. nov. (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta) and an update on the alien Cystoseira compressa (Sargassaceae, Heterokontophyta) Craig W. Schneider1,* and Christopher E. Lane2 muda have been re-collected and established as mem- bers of the flora. One, Cystoseria compressa (Esper) 1 Department of Biology, Trinity College, Hartford, Gerloff et Nizamuddin, an alien Mediterranean species CT 06106-3100, USA, that was introduced to the islands in the 1960s (Taylor e-mail: [email protected] 1961), has established a sizable population on the south 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, shore of Bermuda Island.
    [Show full text]
  • Describing Species
    DESCRIBING SPECIES Practical Taxonomic Procedure for Biologists Judith E. Winston COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESS NEW YORK Columbia University Press Publishers Since 1893 New York Chichester, West Sussex Copyright © 1999 Columbia University Press All rights reserved Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data © Winston, Judith E. Describing species : practical taxonomic procedure for biologists / Judith E. Winston, p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-231-06824-7 (alk. paper)—0-231-06825-5 (pbk.: alk. paper) 1. Biology—Classification. 2. Species. I. Title. QH83.W57 1999 570'.1'2—dc21 99-14019 Casebound editions of Columbia University Press books are printed on permanent and durable acid-free paper. Printed in the United States of America c 10 98765432 p 10 98765432 The Far Side by Gary Larson "I'm one of those species they describe as 'awkward on land." Gary Larson cartoon celebrates species description, an important and still unfinished aspect of taxonomy. THE FAR SIDE © 1988 FARWORKS, INC. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Universal Press Syndicate DESCRIBING SPECIES For my daughter, Eliza, who has grown up (andput up) with this book Contents List of Illustrations xiii List of Tables xvii Preface xix Part One: Introduction 1 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 3 Describing the Living World 3 Why Is Species Description Necessary? 4 How New Species Are Described 8 Scope and Organization of This Book 12 The Pleasures of Systematics 14 Sources CHAPTER 2. BIOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE 19 Humans as Taxonomists 19 Biological Nomenclature 21 Folk Taxonomy 23 Binomial Nomenclature 25 Development of Codes of Nomenclature 26 The Current Codes of Nomenclature 50 Future of the Codes 36 Sources 39 Part Two: Recognizing Species 41 CHAPTER 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Species Distributions: from Data to Predictive Models
    Marine Species Distributions: From data to predictive models Samuel Bosch Promoter: Prof. Dr. Olivier De Clerck Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor (PhD) in Science – Biology Academic year 2016-2017 Members of the examination committee Prof. Dr. Olivier De Clerck - Ghent University (Promoter)* Prof. Dr. Tom Moens – Ghent University (Chairman) Prof. Dr. Elie Verleyen – Ghent University (Secretary) Prof. Dr. Frederik Leliaert – Botanic Garden Meise / Ghent University Dr. Tom Webb – University of Sheffield Dr. Lennert Tyberghein - Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee * non-voting members Financial support This thesis was funded by the ERANET INVASIVES project (EU FP7 SEAS-ERA/INVASIVES SD/ER/010) and by VLIZ as part of the Flemish contribution to the LifeWatch ESFRI. Table of contents Chapter 1 General Introduction 7 Chapter 2 Fishing for data and sorting the catch: assessing the 25 data quality, completeness and fitness for use of data in marine biogeographic databases Chapter 3 sdmpredictors: an R package for species distribution 49 modelling predictor datasets Chapter 4 In search of relevant predictors for marine species 61 distribution modelling using the MarineSPEED benchmark dataset Chapter 5 Spatio-temporal patterns of introduced seaweeds in 97 European waters, a critical review Chapter 6 A risk assessment of aquarium trade introductions of 119 seaweed in European waters Chapter 7 Modelling the past, present and future distribution of 147 invasive seaweeds in Europe Chapter 8 General discussion 179 References 193 Summary 225 Samenvatting 229 Acknowledgements 233 Chapter 1 General Introduction 8 | C h a p t e r 1 Species distribution modelling Throughout most of human history knowledge of species diversity and their respective distributions was an essential skill for survival and civilization.
    [Show full text]