Belize Barrier Reef Research Articles

Some Digenetic Trematodes of Marine Fishes from the Barrier Reef and Reef Lagoon of Belize

A total of 200 marine fishes (36 species) from the Caribbean Sea off Belize were examined for digenetic trematodes and 163 (81.5%) harbored at least one species. Five species are described as new: Lasiotocus asymmetricus (Monorchiidae) from Haemulon flavolineatum; Stephanostomum belizense (Acanthocolpidae) from Caranx bartholomaei; Neolepidapedon belizense (Lepocreadiidae) from Sphyraena barracuda; Opecoeloides belizensis (Opecoelidae) from Priacanthus arenatus; Saturnius belizensis (Hemiuridae) from Mugil curema. 72 previously known species were identified, and all represent new geographical distribution records while many are recorded from new hosts. Their zoogeographical affinities are very strongly with the tropical western Atlantic, although some also occur in the eastern Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indo-Pacific regions.

Some Digenetic Trematodes of Marine Fishes from the Barrier Reef and Reef Lagoon of Belize

Some Digenetic Trematodes of Marine Fishes from the Barrier Reef and Reef Lagoon of Belize

Siliceous sponge spicules in coral reef sediments

Experimental etching with hydrofluoric acid indicated that silica deposition occurs in a recognizable pattern in common sponge microscleres. The postdepositional alteration of these spicules has previously been generally unrecognized or misinterpreted in the literature. Early stages of postdepositional etching of sponge spicules were observed in the acid insoluble fraction of sediments from the West Atlantic barrier reef near Carrie Bow Cay, Belize. Preliminary data on silica distribution in the Belize barrier reef show that concentrations in fine sediment (<0.25 mm) increase landward of the main reef tract. Sponge spicules are the main component of particulate silica in sediments of the reef and fore-reef where sponge populations abound, whereas grains prevail in the back-reef lagoon deposits. Recycling of locally dissolved silica appears to be important for the growth of many off-shore reef sponges.