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College of Natural and Applied Sciences University of Buenas yan Hafa Adai, Hafa Adai, Western Pacifi c Tropical Research Center To be is to do . . . It’s been an exciti ng year for the Western Pacifi c Tropical Research College of Natural and Applied Sciences Center, in part because we’ve expanded our research base by extending The Western Pacifi c Tropical Research Center is once again proud to WPTRC funding to other UOG faculty within the College of Natural & showcaseUniversity some of of Guamour 2015 research, extension and instructi onal Applied Sciences. The projects highlighted in this year’s Impact Report outcomes and the relevance WPTRC plays in the advancement of “Good demonstrate the variety of important issues being studied at the to Great” within the University of Guam and our island and regional University of Guam. communiti es. In 2015, we conti nue to address the challenge to Guam’s tropical This year we highlighted projects that exhibit the wide diversity of what agriculture industry, our region’s environment and natural resources, we are doing on Guam and in the Pacifi c region. The cover, centerfold and we are studying the growing problem of child obesity. We also and fi rst arti cle are about saving Guam’s indigenous tree snails that are strive to extend our current capabiliti es beyond the boundaries of Guam under the threat of exti ncti on. There are also four studies that were to become an internati onally recognized tropical research center. conducted in the Philippines, which show the depth of our research outside of Guam and how it can be applied to our own island ecosystem. The hardworking faculty and staff of WPTRC conti nue to remain We have a team of scienti sts and recent agriculture graduates working competi ti ve in securing extramural funding. We conti nue to focus on our on generati ng a rare nursery to propagate rare Guam fl ora for opportuniti es, such as: partnerships with other enti ti es in Micronesia, future out-planti ngs on Guam. For the local farm community, there our proximity to Asia, clean ocean water for aquaculture research, is a team of scienti sts and farmers working together to have a bett er commitment by the U.S. government to preserve nati ve species on understanding of a devastati ng tomato disease and testi ng for virus- Guam, and interest by other research enti ti es to collaborate. In 2015, resistant . We also get a great update about combati ng Guam’s we collaborated with multi ple off -island scienti sts and insti tuti ons, new invasive litt le fi re ants and an innovati ve way that our entomologist provided employment to the local community, and off ered students to can track the coconut rhinoceros beetle. Our senior aquaculturist opportunity to gain valuable research experience. provides an update on shrimp geneti cs and RNAi immune response. And fi nally, to show the breadth of WPTRC, we conclude our impact WPTRC is here to serve our stakeholders, so please feel free to contact report by highlighti ng a study about childhood obesity on Guam and in my offi ce if you have any questi ons or need additi onal informati on. the Pacifi c region. A must read!

I want to personally thank all who have contributed to the 2015 WPTRC impact report and especially to my administrati ve team members who Rachael Taitano Leon Guerrero set true examples of leadership. This year’s report exemplifi es what a Associate Director small group of scienti sts is capable of doing and the impact they have on WPTRC the lives of our island and regional communiti es. To be is to do . . .

Si yu’us ma’ase, Administrati on Lee S. Yudin, Dean and Director Lee S. Yudin (671) 735-2002 Dean/Director Rachael Leon Guerrero, Associate Director CNAS/WPTRC (671) 735-2004 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Credits 1 Save our snails! 17 Rare plant nursery Photographs Mark Acosta 5 Testing for virus-resistant 19 The good news about Herman Crisostomo tomato plants G. Curt Fiedler Hui Gong Jiang 7 Disturbing an idyllic tropical 21 Radio little fire tracking ants of CRB Thomas Marler Olympia Terral forest 23 Shrimp studies: genetics Writers 9 Stabilizing and destabilizing and the environment G. Curt Fiedler forces drive Mount Pinatubo Rachael Leon Guerrero Hui Gong Jiang recovery 25 RNAi and shrimp immune Thomas Marler response Aubrey Moore 11 The unfortunate loss of Olympia Terral traditional knowledge 27 Children’s Healthy Living Cover Photo G. Curt Fiedler 13 The aspect of recovery 31 Publications Guam’s Partula radiolata is one of three indigenous snails added to the federal Endangered Species list in 2015.

Centerfold G. Curt Fiedler Tiny Samoana fragilis navigates the mosses in its native Guam habitat. Table Of Contents

Back Cover Western Pacific Tropical Research Center G. Curt Fiedler College of Natural & Applied Sciences UOG Station Editor Mangilao, Guam 96923 Olympia Terral http://cnas-re.uog.edu/ UOG is an equal opportunity provider and employer, and a tobacco and smoke-free campus. WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Save our snails!

The fragile tree snail, and all of Guam’s indigenous tree snails, are under threat of extinction and have recently been added to the federal Endangered Species list. WPTRC biologist, Dr. G. Curt Fiedler, is working to conserve these species.

1 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

lthough invasive Cuban slugs and giant thousands. Given that this snail is only known African snails in your garden may not be from Guam, this is a good thing. However, Adesirable residents, Guam does have three many of its populations are declining and all indigenous tree snail species that are drawing are at risk. increased attention since they were added to the federal Endangered Species list in 2015. The humped tree snail (Partula gibba) is Historically, Guam had four native tree snail known from several Mariana islands. This snail species, and they were once common and was once so common it was used to make colorful inhabitants in limestone and strand handbags and jewelry from the 1940s-1970s. forests on the island. One of them, the Alifan Unfortunately, these snails are disappearing This fragile tree snail is encircled by a Manokwari tree snail (Partula salifana), went extinct in fast from most of their native range, and the flatworm, the main threat to all endemic snails. the 1950s from its limited range on southern Guam population is estimated to be little Tree snails seem to prefer shady, moist Guam peaks. The remaining three are on more than one hundred individuals at Haputo. forests, with nearby fresh water, and the decline due to habitat destruction and broad-leafed plants. Unfortunately, such introduced predators. Dr. G. Curt Fiedler and locations on the coastlines are prime sites his Snail Team from the Terrestrial, Marine for development. Also, the presence of and Freshwater Invertebrate Laboratory in the unchecked populations of pig and deer Natural Sciences Division are studying these degrade native forests reducing litter and snails. promoting growth of invasive plant species that are not good homes for tree snails. The Guam tree snail (Partula radiolata) is still somewhat widespread, at more than 20 Although there are natural predators of tree locations on Guam, and may number in the snails, introduced animal predators are now the major source of mortality, including Humped tree snail shells were once used to make rats and pigs. The careless introduction of jewelry and handbags, but now less than 150 individuals remain on Guam. two additional snail-specific predators has made the situation worse. The Manokwari The fragile tree snail (Samoana fragilis) flatworm is the biggest threat. Although this historically occurred on both Rota and Guam, voracious predator eats introduced pests, like but was last reported from Rota in 1996. the giant African snail, its impact on native On Guam, this snail is known only from four land snails has been devastating. Empty locations, with small populations (10-60 shells of dead snails litter the ground in many individuals). Worse, this species may be the forested areas. most vulnerable to predation from Manokwari Although still relatively widespread, Guam tree Continued on next page 2 snail populations are in decline and at risk. flatworms (Platydemus manokwari). WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

TheSave Intersectionour snails! of Alien Invasions and Typhoons

The fragile tree snail (Samoana fragilis) historically occurred on both Rota and Guam, but the last reported observation from Rota was in 1996.

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Dr. Fiedler’s interest in tree snails began in limited understanding of their basic biology part because of his photography hobby. In and ecology.” Snail Team has an intern his first week on Guam, he photographed analyzing the contents of snail feces to assess Guam tree snails at Sella Bay overlook and dietary components, and recently added Asan Park. “When I found out what they a graduate student to help with various were, I started noticing them more and projects. Fiedler also has begun to examine became pretty good at spotting them,” activity patterns of tree snails and their home explained Fiedler. These skills helped him as plant preferences. He hopes to conduct part of a 2013 team of UOG and University of captive rearing of the most vulnerable species Hawaii biologists conducting surveys of tree once federal permits are obtained from the snails and rare butterflies funded by the US US Forestry and Wildlife Service. Department of Defense. Subsequently, he decided to focus his own research on these Collaborators in this research include Dr. snails because of the dire conservation status Alex Kerr at the UOG Marine Lab, the of all three species. Hawaii Snail Extinction Prevention program, Guam’s Department of Aquatic and Wildlife In the two years since, Fiedler and his team Resources, the US National Park Service, have located several additional populations CNMI’s Department of Land and Natural of Guam tree snail, and two additional Resources, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. populations of the very rare fragile tree snail. He’s also helped with relocation of three Funded by USDA, US Forest Service McIntire populations of snails in harm’s way, including Stennis grant & the US Navy one at Asan Beach Park that was impacted by the invasive little fire ant (LFA). Snail Team also conducts a monthly survey of fragile tree snails at Hilaan, and is working to estimate Guam tree snails can still be found at over 20 size and distribution of all known Guam tree “Counting and finding locations on island. snail populations. Fiedler plans to also assess snails isn’t enough, we tree snail populations in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in the future, need to expand our limited G. Curt Fiedler in collaboration with their Department of understanding of their (671) 734-2788 Land and Natural Resources. basic biology and ecology.” [email protected] “Counting and finding snails isn’t enough,” cautioned Fiedler, “We need to expand our 4 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Testing for virus-resistant tomato plants

Sheeka Tareyama meets with local tomato farmers in their fi elds to evaluate plants infected with a tomato virus.

5 WPTRC 2010 IMPACT REPORT WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

n 2007 a mysterious disease was reducing year round producti on on Guam based on Ithe yield of tomatoes by 10% in northern fi eld data showing strong virus resistance, Guam. Farmers noti ced their tomato plants high yield, and low levels of cracked and exhibiti ng symptoms of leaf curl, yellowing, unmarketable fruits. and stunted growth. By spring of 2011 some farmers were experiencing a total loss of Through this collaborati ve research, WPTRC their tomato crops, apparently to the same helps all Guam tomato farmers maximize problem. This prompted samples to be sent Infected their profi ts and gives consumers bett er off -island for geneti c sequencing. Forward choices for fresh, locally-grown produce. and reverse sequences of the samples had a 93% identi ty to Ageratum yellow vein virus Funded by USDA NIFA WSARE Professional & (AYVV). Producer Research & Educati on grant

In an eff ort to identi fy the virus species with greater precision, additi onal samples were collected and sent to Dr. Kai-Shu Ling at the U.S. Vegetable Laboratory in South Carolina. Healthy leaves Using an enzyme linked immonosorbent assay (ELISA), samples were found to be negati ve to most common tomato viruses but positi ve data using a cumulati ve logic model.” Parti al for Begomovirus using PCR. Dr. Ling reported, analysis identi fi ed 12 varieti es with virus “Due to the high level of sequence diversity resistance superior to Season Red and fi ve found, it is likely that Guam has a unique with inferior resistance. Using real-ti me PCR strain of AYVV.” protocol developed in Dr. Ling’s laboratory, AYVV was detected in one superior variety “We conducted farm trials in August 2014 to and four inferior ones. When symptomless compare 17 commercial tomato varieti es for tomatoes were tested, only one of the 18 Robert Schlub virus resistance and producti on suitability varieti es were positi ve for AYVV. (671) 735-2089 against the control variety Season Red,” [email protected] explained Extension Associate Sheeka Top varieti es selected by producers include: Tareyama. “We created a tomato virus Olivia, Carmine, Affi nity, Ornela, and Felicity. Sheeka Tareyama severity scale to visually evaluate the tomato Due to Olivia’s fruit characteristi cs and growth (671) 735-2072 varieti es for AYVV. We then compared tomato habits, it is only recommended for producti on [email protected] varieti es against the control and Karl Schlub, in Guam’s dry season or in a hoop house. 6 project stati sti cian, analyzed this and other The other varieti es are recommended for WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Disturbing an idyllic tropical forest

WPTRC employees Gil Cruz and Thomas Marler compare the 2015 list of species in Mount Pinatubo’s caldera with the list from past years.

7 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

ntense but relatively infrequent exhibited more alien plant species, likely while surfaces in the lowest elevations disturbances influence many ecosystem vectored into the habitats by human activity. continue to be inundated with massive Itraits, and they need to be studied from Some of these alien species have international amounts of soil deposits. The source of the theoretical and empirical perspectives reputations for being highly invasive, so eroding soils is the middle elevations, where to gain an understanding of the impacts. keeping a close eye on the increases or deep canyon walls remain unstable and For example, islands in the north-western decreases of these species has given the collapse to place enormous deposits of soil on Pacific are frequented by typhoons, and WPTRC an opportunity to contribute to the the canyon floor. these disturbances affect plants, animals, global understanding of invasive species. microorganisms, and many ecosystem In sustaining the uniqueness of the WPTRC, processes such as nutrient cycling and food A second major driver of ecosystem recovery Marler’s lab remains the only research facility web interactions. Our understanding of how has been elevation. Research on vegetation worldwide that is consistently studying the intense disturbances affect the resistance of recovery from most other volcanic eruptions recovering aftermath of the 1991 Mount island biology to damage and resilience of has also identified elevation as a major Pinatubo eruption. habitats following damage is limited by lack of factor for understanding recovery following context-dependent research. disturbance. However, in most of those other examples the temperature gradient explains The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo much of the means by which elevation devastated agroforest ecosystems in a controls ecosystem recovery. manner that had not occurred for centuries. WPTRC scientist Thomas Marler has been Our research has identified two alternative studying the vegetation dynamics of the factors that mediate the elevation response habitats in order to better understand the on Mount Pinatubo. First, the highest fundamental aspects of how the barren elevations of the habitats that were landscapes have recovered. The core of the completely barren in 1991 are directly field work has been repeated surveys of the impacted by clouds. The vegetation responses plant species and their interactions within to direct exposure to clouds creates a permanent plots for the past 10 years. unique habitat type that is called montane. Habitats in the highest elevations of Mount For example, the first epiphytes that we Pinatubo are often impacted directly by clouds. One of the foremost drivers of ecosystem have identified have been restricted to the These montane habitats harbor unique species recovery has been distance from human montane forest elevations. Epiphytes are and develop distinctive tree canopy architecture. settlement. Proximity to human settlement plants that grow on other plants, rather than appears to exert direct influence on in the ground. Second, soil surface stability ecosystem recovery by way of continued has become tightly correlated with elevation small-scale disturbance. For example, the in recent years. Surfaces in the highest 8 habitats closer to the permanent barangays elevations are becoming more stabilized, WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Stabilizing and destabilizing forces drive Mount Pinatubo recovery

The small grass Pogonatherum crinitum starts vegetation recovery by preferentially colonizing erosion rills, which in turn creates safe sites for other species to become established.

9 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

uring the aftereffects of an intense by highly unstable canyon walls that often The successional dynamics of stabilizing disturbance, the speed of ecosystem define the rate of ecosystem recovery at Pinatubo’s canyon walls with vegetation often Drecovery is under the influence of multifarious the fine scale. These canyon walls collapse begins with the small grass Pogonatherum interacting factors. An empirical approach in “mass waste” events during high rainfall crinitum. This one species is able to become with frequent site visits to recovering storms, depositing immense piles of soil established within the rills that develop on habitats is often required to disentangle and plant debris in the process. The fate of near-vertical surfaces. After this initial plant the mechanistic drivers of the process. these piles of volcanic debris is governed by becomes established, secondary species The WPTRC has been busy for the past 10 a feedback loop. If the new soil surfaces can are able to colonize the micro-sites with years doing that in attempts to more fully stabilize long enough, then immigrating plants established Pogonatherum crinitum plants. understand how tropical island forests can colonize them before they are carried recover from complete biological destruction away by the rivers. In turn, as more plants This WPTRC research is adding to a global following a disturbance. become established, the soil surfaces become understanding of major ecological concepts. more stable due to the protective cover of The concept of “environmental filtering” Almost 25 years after the eruption of Mount the vegetation and the consolidating strength is revealed when Pogonatherum crinitum Pinatubo, our work has illuminated that the afforded by the roots. arrive on the canyon wall surfaces then mid-elevations continue to be characterized preferentially colonize the rills. No other species is able to colonize these surfaces until this small grass establishes first, then provides “safe sites” for seeds of these additional species to germinate. This case study shows how one species can exert extreme control over ecosystem developmental processes. Mount Pinatubo’s habitats would not have recovered as well to date if this one grass species were absent from the palette of local species. These critical species are sometimes considered “ecosystem engineers.”

This research has allowed the WPTRC to contribute to the global understanding of how elevation gradients affect ecosystem traits.

The ever-changing appearance of Mount Pinatubo canyon walls continues to reveal unstable surfaces 10 almost 25 years after the eruption. WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

The unfortunate loss of traditional knowledge

Wild banana blossom is one of the non-timber forest products that Aeta tribes harvest from forests above the alluvial fan. These products are transported across the fl ood plains below the alluvial fan where they are destined for the restaurant market chain.

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PTRC scientist Thomas Marler has almost exclusively on inter-generational verbally by my grandmother. I would not be relied heavily on the Aeta tribal oral transmission of the information. This who I am today if she had been unable to do Wresidents in the Mount Pinatubo habitats he has been a reliable means of sustaining and that.” has been studying for the past decade. Local expanding traditional knowledge over the companionship during the grueling treks and ages, but when an outside force disrupts the International attention toward safeguarding guidance through the surreal habitats proved process that reliability is threatened. The against the erosion of traditional knowledge invaluable during the initial years of the field Pinatubo Aeta are known for their historical and cultural integrity has been inadequate. work. But the generous sharing of traditional resistance to the acculturation process. But Marler is hopeful that the WPTRC’s Mount knowledge from the elder members of the like most traditional cultures their means of Pinatubo ecology research may shed light on various barangays in the riparian zones is passing on cumulative knowledge requires how the Aeta way of life has been placed at what enabled Marler’s success in identifying that they sustain uninterrupted contact with risk of disappearing from the cultural fabric of most of the plant species. the biological resources integral to practice the Philippines. that knowledge. “Much of the Mount Pinatubo vegetation was unfamiliar to me, even though I had For example, in order to re-set the rivers a spent most of my life on a tropical island,” mosaic of healthy vegetation must develop said Marler. The customary approach to terminate the chronic shifting and braiding for securing accurate identifications of of the waters. Stable river channels must unknown organisms employs the collection develop before fish and other aquatic of specimens that are sent to international resources can return to the previously barren taxonomic experts. This approach was not landscape. But this process is still in its infancy available to Marler because of the daunting almost 25 years after the eruption. The collection permitting process that is inhibitory many unique Aeta approaches to harvesting of progress in the Philippines. fish and other aquatic resources represents one example of traditional knowledge that Although Marler was unable to collect actual may not be fully passed on to the younger field specimens of the unknown species, generations if the knowledge holders “learning the names of the plants in the continue to be denied access to healthy fish Gil Cruz maneuvers the habitats near the alluvial Aeta and provincial Kapampangan languages populations in their rivers. fan of the Pasig-Potrero River on the south-east established my alternative pathway for flanks of Mount Pinatubo. The highest elevation of permanent Aeta settlements on each of the rivers ultimately verifying the scientific names,” said “I was very saddened when I learned about is located at the alluvial fan. Marler. that while standing in one of the rivers used by the Aeta for thousands of years,” said Gil Continuity of traditional skills and knowledge Cruz. “All of what I learned about the culture 12 over the last several millennia has depended of my ancestors on Guam was taught to me WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

The aspect of recovery

Trees and grasses coordinate recovery eff orts as they struggle to develop a stronghold on unstable surfaces.

13 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

n complicated interpersonal, inter-agency, mark on the terrain, the plants and animals the diversity in forests has increased among or multi-state relationships, an aspect returned to their idyllic tropical paradise. Fast- small-scale niche habitats. The surveys Iis a particular feature or characteristic of forward 20+ years later, and Mount Pinatubo identified trees as the functional group that something. In ecology, an aspect is the is now characterized by elaborate and surreal has been most affected by aspect, with more compass direction that a slope faces. In all canyon systems. The deep and near vertical relative tree cover developing on the polar- situations, understanding every aspect can be canyon walls have grown to superimpose facing slopes and less relative tree cover of utmost importance. highly contrasting niche habitats onto the developing on the equatorial facing slopes. landscape. The role of slope aspect on vegetation has Identifying universal drivers of how habitats been heavily studied in many geographic “Our 2006 botanical surveys began to recover following a major disturbance event regions. For example, equatorial facing slopes illuminate some habitat features that may is critical for understanding our natural are often more dry and barren than polar be controlling of vegetation recovery,” world. The lessons learned from this WPTRC facing slopes. But the influence of aspect has said WPTRC scientist Thomas Marler. “We research are making strides in understanding been less studied in coastal zones, where identified aspect as one of those features.” aspect as one of those drivers. it can exert unexpected effects on soils and The initial observations led to more elaborate biology. studies that have revealed a decrease over Funded by USDA NIFA time in the number of species that are shared The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in both equatorial and polar facing slopes. Thomas Marler leveled the terrain and playing field among (671) 735-2130 the organisms. As the waterways began to Outcomes indicate that as the canyon systems [email protected] recover and the rivers began to make their have continued to develop in recent years,

Erosion rills become deep canyon systems over time as Mount Pinatubo habitats recover from the 1991 eruption. 14

WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Rare plant nursery

Kawika Davis, nursery manager, holds a specially designed orchid growing panel that can be easily carried inside with plants attached in the event of a typhoon.

17 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

he Guam Plant Extinction Prevention Once GPEPP staff head out in the field, but genetic testing is necessary in order to Program (GPEPP) logged hundreds the work is hot and the terrain can be know that definitively. Hedyotis megalantha Tof hours of fieldwork in 2015 carrying problematic. “The surveys are organized is a beautiful flowering savanna species now out multiple surveys around the island. around line transects of 10 square meters, extremely rare on Guam due to erosion and These surveys serve as diagnostic tools for which can be difficult in the karst terrain in off-roading activities. understanding the current conditions facing parts of Guam,” said Else Demeulenaere, rare plants on Guam including population project coordinator. “We have found some The rare plant nursery was built to numbers, health, habitat, effects of invasive plants that have been recently put on the propagate rare and priority species for species on target populations, etc. IUCN list of endangered species are in fact future outplantings. Kawika Davis manages not as rare on Guam as was thought, but in the nursery, which was designed to protect To prepare for the survey fieldwork, GPEPP the long-term they are still at risk as they seedlings from insect and plant pests as research associates spend time checking are found in just a few concentrated areas.” well as allow the structure to be dismantled reports at the Herbarium Pacificum at the A good example of this is a small, endemic quickly and efficiently in the event of an Bishop Museum, Hawaii; the US National shrub called Eugenia bryanii found on Guam’s imminent typhoon. Herbarium, Smithsonian Institute in DC; as cliff lines. The GPEPP team found thousands well as the University of Guam Herbarium in of plants but the plants were found in only GPEPP surveys and cultivation of rare and order to gain understanding as to the habitats two locations on island at this time. endemic plants inform conservation efforts and possible locations for the particular and promote biodiversity for Guam and the species they are investigating. The University GPEPP has other priority species including region. of Guam Herbarium is an important resource the not-so-common Fagraea berteronana for scientists studying flora of the region. var. ladronica. It is believed to be endemic, Funded by US Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife, US Navy, McIntire Stennis

James McConnell (671) 735-2129 [email protected]

Mari Marutani (671) 735-2131 [email protected]

Else Demeulenaere (671) 489-4069 [email protected] 18 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

The good news about little fi re ants

Although the little fi re ants in this photograph look large, they are actually only 1.5mm, the size of the silver beads pictured below. 1.5mm

19 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

he litt le fi re ant (LFA) is sti ll steadily Miller. “The treatment is working beauti fully, comparing populati on density of LFA in spreading across the island bringing but the ants conti nue to spread because of Guam and in Costa Rica, Guam had a much Tits painful sti ng to all it encounters. Some the indiscriminate dumping of LFA infested higher density. This may be due to greater homeowners in Umatac cannot allow their garbage and green waste.“ numbers of competi tors and predators in children to play outside as their yards are LFA’s home range. This research highlights the infested with litt le fi re ants. The good news is Aft er typhoon Dolphin blew over the island vulnerability of islands when invasive species the treatments being used to control the ants in May 2015 there was a massive amount are accidentally introduced. are working. of green waste generated. Government of Guam offi cials opened a temporary green Dr. Ross Miller and his team’s implementati on waste collecti on site at Oka point. Since that of LFA control techniques is fi nding success. ti me, litt le fi re ant has been found in the area The techniques were developed in Hawaii around the collecti on site. and adapted for use on Guam. Several of the sites, where multi ple treatments were applied Miller’s lab is also involved with surveillance for one year, are now declared free of litt le on the islands of fi re ants. One site located in Yigo sits next to Saipan, Tinian and the home of the island’s only animal shelter, Rota for coconut NAPIRE program students use Berlese extractions Guam Animals in Need. rhinoceros beetles for little fi re ant research conducted in Costa Rica and litt le fi re ants to under the direction of Dr. Ross Miller. Miller’s team performed surveys at each keep these invasive treatment site to determine the magnitude insects from hitching The impact of litt le fi re ant on the ecosystems and range of the infestati on. The area is a ride from Guam of Guam is not yet fully understood, but the then treated with low toxicity granular bait to other islands. work of WPTRC researchers proves that this called Siesta™. A second insecti cide that His team is using invasive insect can be controlled. interrupts the growth cycle of the ants, the locally created Tango®, is sprayed on tree trunks and leaves. rhino beetle Defence Funded by USDA CAPS & US Forest Service One week later the team conducts a follow- Trap to monitor the up survey to check the eff ecti veness of the presence of coconut treatments, and then six weeks later both rhinoceros beetles. insecti cides are reapplied and the site is Ross Miller again surveyed. Each site received a total Working with students in Costa Rica with (671) 735-2068 of eight repeat treatments over a period of the Nati ve American and Pacifi c Islander [email protected] more than a year. “The only complicati on Research Experience (NAPIRE) program, we have found is getti ng 12 straight hours Miller has the opportunity to study litt le 20 without rainfall to apply the insecti cides,” said fi re ants in their home environment. When WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Following radio-tagged rhino beetles to discover breeding sites

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he coconut rhinoceros beetle was first discovered on Guam in 2007. Adults kill Tpalms when they bore into crowns to feed on sap. Rhino beetle larvae feed only on dead plant material at breeding sites and they do no damage. In order to eradicate rhino beetles, all breeding sites must be found and destroyed. Four dogs were trained to lead handlers to cryptic breeding sites on Guam. This detector dog program was effective but very expensive and it was shut down after a few years. of new, miniature breeding sites in Guam’s jungles resulting from typhoon damage. Aubrey Moore, a UOG entomologist, These breeding sites will be generating large suggested following radio-tagged rhino numbers of adult rhino beetles within the beetles to breeding sites as a cost-effective next several months.” alternative to using detector dogs. In August 2015, this idea was tested in a small feasibility Another unexpected result from the field trial study on Guam by a research team that is the fact that none of the 30 tagged beetles included Moore; Dr. Matthew Siderhurst were caught in pheromone traps, even and his students, Kat Lehmann and Diego though all were released within pheromone Barahona from Eastern Mennonite University, trapping grids. This indicates that rhino beetle Virginia; Domenick Skabeikis from the USDA Dr. Aubrey Moore tracks radio-tagged coconut pheromone traps may be useful for detection Pacific Basin Research Center in Hilo, Hawaii; rhinoceros beetles to find cryptic breeding sites. and surveillance but are ineffective for and UOG technician, Ian Iriarte. receivers and were never recovered. As population control. hoped, several beetles lead the team to During the 10-day field trial, miniature radio cryptic breeding sites. The transmitter from Cryptic breeding sites can be found by transmitters were glued to the backs of rhino one of the first beetles to be released was following radio-tagged beetles and this beetles. These beetles were released at the found the next day in a hole in a rotting method may be critical to the success of UOG Agricultural Experiment Station in Yigo branch of a breadfruit about 20 feet above eradication attempts on newly invaded and at Asan Beach Park and their locations the ground. Three other adult beetles were islands. were tracked for a few days using special found in the same hole indicating that the radio receivers equipped with directional beetles had aggregated here to establish a Funded by US Forest Service antennas. new breeding site. Aubrey Moore (671) 735-2086 The majority of beetles were tracked to According to Moore, “It is very likely that the [email protected] coconut trees that had already been damaged breadfruit branch was broken during Typhoon by rhino beetles. A few other beetles quickly Dolphin, which visited Guam in May 2015. 22 flew beyond the detection range of the If this is the case, there must be thousands WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Shrimp studies: genetics and the environment

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he United States is the leading global members, Dr. Hui Gong Jiang investigates importer of fish and fishery products, the interaction between genetics (shrimp Twith 91% of the seafood we eat (by value) families) and the environment (water originating abroad – half of which is from salinity). Setting up 10 cages with 200 shrimp aquaculture. On Guam, the high demand juveniles from each of ten families in two for premium seafood is deeply rooted in the outdoor ponds (12m X 13m) initially filled island’s cultural and traditional lifestyle, as with seawater, one pond was maintained well as driven by the appetites of the over with seawater (32ppt), and the other pond one million tourists that visit the island gradually shifted from seawater to freshwater annually. As a result, approximately $11.5 (2.5ppt). Total acclimation took one week to biochemical analysis and immune responses. million worth of seafood is imported annually complete. The familial difference in terms of various to Guam. In order to meet such a high indexes will be evaluated for the genetic demand, the genetic selection of specific Forty-five shrimp of each of the families and environment interaction, as well as the pathogen free (SPF) marine shrimp families in from the two ponds were sampled every decisions incorporated in potential family low salinity water could provide an alternative two weeks for growth throughout the eight- selection for low salinity conditions. for local producers to grow the fresh product week trial. During the first six weeks, a few without the use of ocean water. shrimp families were documented as growing The results from this research will increase faster in the low salinity water than in the the understanding of how to improve Working with two exchange scholars, Dr. high salinity water. At the end of the trials, shrimp production in different water salinity Yun Li and Mr. Tao Huang from Shanghai final weights and survival numbers will be environments, and allow for genetic selection Ocean University, China and three local staff recorded and samples will be taken for of the finest families for breeding in low salinity environments for local aquaculture producers, as well as provide useful information to both the aquaculture industry and researchers.

Funded by USDA Hatch & government of Guam

Hui Gong Jiang (671) 735-2144 [email protected]

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RNAi and shrimp immune response

25 WPTRCWPTRC 20152015 IMPACTIMPACT REPORTREPORT

NA interference (RNAi) is a relatively new in shrimp aquaculture. Among the infectious technology that has revolutionized the pathogens, viral epizootics have caused the Rway that researchers study gene expression. most catastrophic loss for the industry over Andrew Z. Fire and Craig C. Mello were the years. awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2006 for their discovery of RNA Shrimp rely solely on an innate immune interference. It is one of the most important system and, unlike humans, cannot technological breakthroughs in modern manufacture immunoglobulins to combat biology, allowing researchers to directly infections. Instead, crustaceans use diverse observe the effects of the loss of function of defense mechanisms against pathogenic specific genes in animals. The application of infections including cellular and humoral RNAi in aquaculture is receiving more and components, such as RNA interference and more attention and has great potential for signaling pathways. The RNAi response improving the health and performance of is crucial in controlling virus replication aquaculture species. and limiting virus-induced pathology and inherently provides specific antiviral response. During her sabbatical leave, Dr. Hui Gong Also implicated in antiviral responses, various Jiang worked in Dr. Anchalee Tassanakajon’s signaling pathways lead to the activation of Using RNAi technology, Dr. Hui Gong Jiang lab at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. transcription factors and the subsequent works with Dr. Premruethai Supungul in the lab at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. Using RNAi technology, she constructed expression of antimicrobial peptides. gene-specific dsRNA and applied dsRNA The antiviral mechanism of RNAi in penaeid technology against various infectious diseases in the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium shrimp is Jiang’s current focus. “Although for the multiple aquaculture species in rosenbergii. Using several means, her focus basic research and application of RNAi the Pacific region, and eventually lead to was to silence the insulin-like androgenic technology in shrimp aquaculture are still the development of effective strategies gland factor gene to produce neo-females. in the very early developmental stages, the for controlling viral diseases from both “Sex-reversed prawns, female to male, make research I started in Thailand aims at gaining preventative and therapeutic perspectives. for an all-male population. Male prawns grow more understanding of RNAi application and Funded by WPTRC faster than females, which is why farmers applying this understanding to the study of prefer males to increase their yield. Using the integrated immune network of shrimp RNAi we can also improve the animals’ and its interaction with viral pathogens,” resistance to various endemics,” said Jiang. Hui Gong Jiang stated Jiang. (671) 735-2144 Winning the battle against infectious disease [email protected] outbreaks remains the ultimate goal and drive These continuous research efforts will expand the potential for the use of RNAi for seeking effective means of disease control 26 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Children’s healthy living

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hildhood overweight and obesity is a growing epidemic that is occurring Ceven earlier in life than previously observed and impacting children as early as the preschool (ages 2 to 5) years. The health and social consequences of excess weight are substantial, and obese and overweight children are at risk for serious chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. In the US, it is estimated that the rate of overweight/obesity prevalence in children ages 2 to 19 years is approximately 32%; however, a recent study prevent early childhood obesity and improve on Guam suggests that the rate of obesity and the health of young children; and one of overweight among children ages 2 to 19 years the specific objectives used to accomplish is approximately 39%. this was to design and test a community- based, environmentally-focused intervention The Children’s Healthy Living Program for program. Remote Underserved Minority Populations in the Pacific Region (CHL) Program is a However, before the CHL environmentally- collaboration of land-grant institutions in focused intervention program was launched, Alaska, American Samoa, the Commonwealth an extensive amount of baseline data of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), was collected from approximately 1,000 Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia young children, ages 2 to 8 years, from (FSM), Hawai‘i, the Republic of the Marshall five different villages on Guam. This was Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau (RP). done to determine the effectiveness of the In April 2011, CHL was awarded a five-year intervention program efforts, and to learn competitive Food and Agricultural Science more about the health and food consumption Enhancement (FASE) Coordinated Agricultural behaviors of young children living in Guam. Program (CAP) among Pacific Region USDA- Results from the baseline data collection have defined Experimental Program for Stimulating been entered and analyzed, and the following Competitive Research (EPSCoR) grant from are some preliminary results on the dietary the United States Department of Agriculture. data collected in a sample of food logs from The overall goal of the CHL program is to Guam. 28 WPTRC 2015 IMPACT REPORT

Children’s healthy living

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What are children eating on Guam? The following table lists the top five reported foods from the two-day food logs of children living in the following villages:

Agat / Agana Hts / Yona/ Yigo Santa Rita Sinajana Talafofo Water Water Water Water

White rice White rice White rice White rice

Sweetened Milk Milk Milk tea Milk White Sweetened White bread tea bread

White Soy sauce White Soy sauce bread bread Baseline data indicate that the diets of young including community and school gardens, children on Guam have a lot of room for The next table reports the percentage of school-based nutrition and physical activity children from the different villages on Guam improvement. curricula, village walk-to-wellness programs, who consumed the recommended number and other activities. of fruits and vegetables, as reported on their Since baseline data collection was completed two-day food log. in 2013, the Guam CHL Program has focused The Guam CHL Program has only just finished on delivering an environmentally-focused the 24 month data collection and the analysis intervention program that consists of six Village % Children % Children will be completed by the end of 2016. They who met who met target behaviors to promote healthy weight continue working with local partners to recommended recommended among young children (ages 2 to 8 years) ensure the long-term sustainability of their fruit intake vegetable intake including: 1) increasing consumption of fruits efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle for n=187 48% 9% and vegetables, preferably locally grown Guam’s children. Agat/Santa Rita fruits and vegetables; 2) increasing physical n=174 Agana 33% 14% activity; 3) increasing water consumption; Funded by USDA NIFA Hts/Sinajana 4) increasing hours of sleep; 5) decreasing n=252 70% 5% consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages; Rachael Leon Guerrero Yona/Talafofo and 6) decreasing screen time. These six (671) 735-2004 n=168 45% 0% [email protected] target behaviors were promoted by the 30 Yigo Guam CHL Program through many activities 2015 Publications

Aflague T.F., C.J. Boushey, R.T. Leon Guerrero, Z. Ahmad, D.A. Kerr, E.J. Marler, T.E. 2015. Balancing growth and wood quality of Intsia bijuga Delp. 2015. Feasibility and Use of the Mobile Food Record for Capturing under management: complexity of silviculture conservation decisions. Eating Occasions among Children Ages 3–10 Years in Guam. Journal of Tropical Forest Science 27: 429-434. Nutrients 7: 4403-4415. doi:10.3390/nu7064403. Marler, T.E. 2015. Promoting the confluence of tropical cyclone research. Boushey C.J., A.J. Hanbury, D.A. Kerr, T.E. Schapp, S. Paterson, T.F. Communicative & Integrative Biology 8: e1017651-10171653. Aflague, M. Bosch, Z. Ahmad, E.J. Delp. 2015. The mobile food record: how willing are adolescents to record? JMIR mHealth uHealth 3(2):e47. Marler, T.E. and A.N. Cascasan. 2015. Number of emerged seedlings doi:10.2196/mhealth.4087. and seedling longevity of the non-recruiting, critically endangered Håyun lågu tree nelsonii Merr. (: Leguminosae) are Butel, J., K. L. Braun, R. Novotny, M. Acosta, R. Castro, T. Fleming, J. influenced by month of emergence. Journal of Threatened Taxa 7: 8221- Powers, C. R. Nigg. 2015. Assessing intervention fidelity in a multilevel, 8225. multi-component, multi-site program: the Children’s Healthy Living (CHL) program. Translational Behavioral Medicine. DOI: 10.1007/s13142-015- Marler, T.E., A.N. Cascasan, J.H. Lawrence. 2015. Threatened native 0334-z. trees in Guam: short-term storage and shade conditions influence emergence and growth of seedlings. HortScience 50: 1049-1054. Hamada, T., I. Terry, R. Roemer, T.E. Marler. 2015. Potential drift of pollen of Cycas micronesica on the island of Guam: a comparative study. Marler, T.E. and U.F. Ferreras. 2015. Disruption of leaf nutrient HortScience 50: 1106-1117. remobilization in coastal Cycas trees by tropical cyclone damage. Journal of Geography and Natural Disasters 5: 1421-1427. Hamada, T., I. Terry, T.E. Marler. 2015. Habitats, trade winds, and pollination of the endangered Cycas micronesica: is there a role for wind Marler, T.E. and J.H. Lawrence. 2015. Leaf and soil nutrient relations of as pollen vector on the island of Guam? International Journal of Plant Elaeocarpus joga Merr. in oceanic island calcareous soils. HortScience Sciences 176: 525-543. 50: 1644-1649.

Leon Guerrero, R.T., M. Chong, R. Novotny, L.R. Wilkens, G. Badowski, Marler, T.E. and A.J. Lindström. 2015. Carbohydrates, pollinators, and M. Blas, S. Murphy. 2015. Validity and reliability of a quantitative cycads. Communicative & Integrative Biology 8: e10171621-10171623. food frequency questionnaire (ffq) for use in Guam. Food & Nutrition Research 59: 26276. DOI:10.3402/fnr.v59.26276.

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Marler, T. E. and C. Musser. 2015. Potential stressors leading to seedling mortality in the endemic Håyun lågu tree (Serianthes nelsonii Merr.) in the island of Guam. Tropical Conservation Science 8: 738-744.

Marler, P.N. and T.E. Marler. 2015. An assessment of Red List data for the Cycadales. Tropical Conservation Science 8: 1114-1125.

Moore A., T. Jackson, R. Quitugua, P. Bassler. 2015. Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Develop in Arboreal Breeding Sites in Guam. Florida Entomologist 98 (3): 1012-1014. http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1653/024.098.0341.

Paulino, Y.C., R.T. Leon Guerrero, Z. Natividad, J. Quinene, M.G. Rosadino, A. Uncangco. 2015. Overweight and obesity prevalence among public school children in Guam. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved May 26(2 Suppl): 53-62. DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2015.0066. (PMID: 25981088).

Wandrag, E.M, R.H. Miller, A.E. Dunham, H.S. Rogers. 2015. Vertebrate seed dispersers maintain the structure and composition of tropical forest seed banks. AoB Plants plv130. doi: 10.1093/aobpla/plv130.

Wiecko, G. 2015. Green roofs in the tropics conserve energy. The Open Atmospheric Science Journal. Vol. 9: 29-32.

The greatest danger to our future is apathy. ~Jane Goodall

32 United States Department of Agriculture

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

WPTRC RESEARCH FOR GUAM’S FUTURE

All of Guam’s indigenous tree snails are under threat of extinction and in 2015 have been added to the federal Endangered Species list.