LAUDER, G.V.*; MADDEN, P.; MCHENRY, M.J.; Harvard University; Harvard University; Univ. California, Irvine: Fin rays of ray-finned fishes: biology and mechanics of remarkable structures The median and paired fins of ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) are supported by fin rays with a characteristic structure. Each ray consists of two elements (hemitrichs) that articulate with pectoral girdle radial […]

VAN LEEUWEN, JL; MULLER, UK; LIU, H; Wageningen University; Wageningen University; Chiba University: Fast starts mechanics in larval fish We studied fast starts of larval fish because we expect that maximum mechanical loads on the musculo-skeletal system occur during this behaviour. When startled, fish larvae perform a fast start followed by a period of cyclic […]

SCHUMACHER, J.W.; LAMMERT, A.C.; LONG, JR., J.H.; Vassar College; Vassar College; Vassar College: Evolutionary Robotics: Exploring the Origins of Early Vertebrates using Biomimetic Swimmers Evolutionary robotics (ER) is an established technique used to automatically optimize autonomous robots. Agents are selected based on efficacy of task performance and offspring are created using functions analogous to mutation […]

LEICHTER, J.J.; HELMUTH, B.*; FISCHER, A.M.; Scripps Inst. Oceanography; Univ. South Carolina, Columbia; Cornell Univ., Ithaca: What lies beneath the surface: quantifying complex thermal environments on corals reefs Understanding patterns of water temperature on coral reefs has become of prime importance in forecasting patterns of physiological stress due to changing environmental conditions. However, these patterns […]

RODRIGUEZ-LANETTY, Mauricio*; WEIS , Virginia M; PHILLIPS, Wendy S; Oregon State University: Transcriptome analysis of a cnidarian � dinoflagellate mutualism reveals complex modulation of host gene expression Cnidarian � dinoflagellate endosymbioses are one of the most important mutualisms in the marine environment. They form the trophic and structural foundation of coral reef ecosystems. Despite the […]

GOFFREDO, S.; LASKER, H.R.*; University of Bologna; University at Buffalo: Modular Growth of a Gorgonian Coral Generates Predictable Patterns of Colony And Population Growth The modular construction of colonial organisms can generate complex growth patterns that incorporate both growth and partial mortality. While that patterning can confound simple descriptions of growth it is not a […]

BASCH, L.V.; University of Hawai’i, Manoa, National Park Service: Marine Conservation Science: Examples in a Network of National Parks and Marine Protected Areas in Hawai�i The persistence of benthic ecosystems including coral reefs and their component species depends on natural processes affecting the replacement of adult individuals within populations by young life stages (animal larvae […]

COWART, J.D.**; PAWLIK, J.R; Univ. of North Carolina Wilmington; Univ. of North Carolina Wilmington: Is there a trade-off between reproduction and growth form for two closely related Florida reef sponges? Sponges are prominent members of coral reef communities, where they often rival scleractinian and alcyonarian corals in both diversity and abundance. Nevertheless, little is know […]

ERWIN, P. M.*; THACKER, R. W.; University of Alabama at Birmingham; University of Alabama at Birmingham: Incidence and Importance of Photosynthetic Symbionts in Shallow-Water Sponge Communities Symbioses between marine sponges and photosynthetic organisms (e.g. cyanobacteria) have been described from coral reef communities; however, the frequency of these associations and the ecological nature of interactions between […]

TARRANT, A.M.*; CORT�S, J.; BEZY, B; JOHANNING, K.J.; CHIANG, T.C.; VARGAS, J.A.; MCLACHLAN, J.A.; Woods Hole Oceanographic Instition, Woods Hole, MA; University of Costa Rica, San Jose; University of Costa Rica, San Jose; University of New Orleans, LA; Tulane University, New Orleans, LA; University of Costa Rica, San Jose; Tulane University, New Orleans, LA: Identification […]