Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Research Articles

In the field: an interview with Sönke Johnsen

Sönke Johnsen is a Professor at Duke University, USA, investigating visual ecology. After completing his degree in mathematics at Swarthmore College, USA, and a PhD with William Kier at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, Johnsen worked as a post-doc with Edie Widder at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, USA, and Larry Madin at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA. He remained at Woods Hole as an Assistant Scientist before moving to Duke as an Assistant Professor. Johnsen talks about his experiences of collecting transparent animals while blue water diving and in a submersible, as well as outrunning Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Seven new deep-water Tetractinellida (Porifera: Demospongiae) from the Galápagos Islands – morphological descriptions and DNA barcodes

The Galapagos Islands, positioned in the confluence of warm and coldwater currents in the Eastern Pacific, is well known for the high degree of endemism of its marine invertebrate fauna. This fauna has been studied extensively in recent years: the echinoderms, corals and other benthic cnidarians, but little is known about the deep- and shallow-water sponge faunas. To date, only 70 sponge species have been described from the Galapagos Islands, 37 of which are endemic. Of these 70 species, only one shallow-water species of desma-bearing Tetractinellida (Demospongiae), Corallistes isabela, has been reported. In 1995, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida, led an expedition around the Galapagos archipelago, focussed on the collection of deep-water Porifera. Here, we describe seven new species and provide DNA barcodes for the tetractinellids from these collections. Phylogenetic relationships of these new species are discussed and compared with other material from the Caribbean, the Central and West Pacific Oceans. The new species represent five genera (Craniella, and desma-bearing Tetractinellida Neophrissospongia, Corallistes, Raeodiscula and Scleritoclerma). Phylogenetic reconstructions combining independent markers (mtDNA and rDNA) support the generic affiliation of these new species and confirm the separation of Eastern Pacific species from Caribbean and Central to West Pacific species.

Evaluating the use of fatty acid profiles to identify deep-sea Vibrio isolates

Capillary gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) was used to determine the cellular fatty acid (CFA) profiles of a number of Vibrio strains obtained from ATCC and grown on various media. This initial determination for optimal growth conditions, including type of medium and incubation temperature, for these various ATCC Vibrio species, was important for use in the subsequent evaluation of deep-sea Vibrio strains. The deep-sea Vibrios were obtained from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (Fort Pierce, FL), and GC-FID analysis was used to determine whole cell fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from the cells. The Vibrio strains were cultured for 24 h on a specific medium which included brain heart infusion (BHI) agar, trypticase soy agar (TSA), trypticase soy broth agar (TSBA), and Luria–Bertani (LB) agar. The temperature of incubation was 28 °C for cells grown on TSA, TSBA, and LB and 35 °C for BHI. A data set for each Vibrio species was prepared, using fatty acid profiles for a specific medium. Major fatty acids of the Vibrio strains evaluated in this study were straight-chain C 12:0, C 14:0, C 16:0, and unsaturated summed C 16:1 ω7c/C 16:1 ω6c, C 18:1 ω7c, and summed C 14:0 3-OH/iso-C 16:1. Most of the deep-sea Vibrio isolates were identified as Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio harveyi. Analysis of FAMEs from Vibro strains grown on a specific medium by this rapid GC-FID method can provide a sensitive procedure for the identification of these organisms, and the differentiation between Vibrio species.

Documentary Anthropology

Previous articleNext article FreeCurrent ApplicationsDocumentary AnthropologyS. EttingS. Etting Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailQR Code SectionsMoreBringing Anthropological Perspectives to Prime TimeFrom Animal Planet’s Wild Kingdom to the History Channel’s Digging for the Truth, JWM Productions is responsible for a variety of documentary specials and educational TV series. However, owner Jason Williams started out not as a filmmaker but as a cultural anthropology graduate student at New York University. Deep into his Ph.D. research on small‐scale Polynesian societies, British‐born Williams realized that fieldwork was not for him; instead, he had become increasingly interested in film production. His advisors encouraged him to take filmmaking classes, using him as a guinea pig for a new visual anthropology department. Williams believes that film allowed him to communicate more deftly and to a much wider audience than he could in language.After leaving academia, Williams worked for CNN and Time‐Life before founding his own production company in 1996. As an executive producer at JWM Productions, his primary role is to maintain the high quality of the company's work. He finds that his anthropological background and training provide him with a novel perspective on many issues and believes that anthropologists can see things “at a slight distance,” giving them a sensitivity to fresh avenues of interpretation. For example, an episode of Digging for the Truth on Stonehenge investigates the social and technological changes that occurred during its construction, such as the transition from stone technology to metallurgy that coincided with a dramatic increase in the size of the labor force.Some JWM Productions projects have been important in the documentation and preservation of key artifacts. During the early months of the current war in Iraq, Williams worked with a team of National Geographic filmmakers and archaeologists to track down the treasures of Nimrud, a collection of Assyrian grave goods that many believed lost. The team was integral to the recovery of the priceless collection from a flooded room of the Central Bank of Iraq.Jason Williams (right) discusses a scene with Lisa Ling and Don Liberatore, a submersible pilot from the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution. Photo credit: Priit Vesilind.View Large ImageDownload PowerPointAlthough he no longer directs as much as he would like to, Williams is particularly excited about JWM Productions’ present work on the documentation by Odyssey Marine Exploration of the salvages of shipwrecks in the Atlantic and a documentary on Albanian families that sheltered Jews escaping from Nazi Europe during the Holocaust. The anthropological training of Williams and several of his frequent contributors ensures the production of entertaining features with interesting perspectives. Previous articleNext article DetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Current Anthropology Volume 49, Number 3June 2008 Sponsored by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/529408 Views: 234Total views on this site PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Octocorals (Coelenterata: Anthozoa: Octocorallia) of Isla del Coco, Costa Rica

The published literature on Isla del Coco (Cocos Island), Costa Rica reveals that until recent years the octocorals were among the least known marine invertebrates. Two of the three orders within the subclass Octocorallia, the Pennatulacea (sea pens) and Alcyonacea (soft corals, gorgonians and telestids) occur in Isla del Coco. From recent collections and research, the total octocorallian fauna presently accounts to three pennatulaceans, seven gorgonians, a soft coral, and one telestid. A sea pen, a telestid, and three of the gorgonians have been collected recently, and two of them are probably new species. The genus Pacifigorgia includes one species: P. curta, presently considered as endemic. There are two species of the genus Leptogorgia, one which presents a large distributional range along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, L. alba, and another which is a new species only found in Isla del Coco and is yet to be described. Finally, an undescribed species related to the genus Rhodelinda was found attached to rodoliths. The other species cited in the literature, the gorgonian, Psammogorgia variabilis, and the pennatulacean, Ptilosarcus undulatus, need to be corroborated since we have not found them yet. Other species, including alcyoniians (soft corals), have been observed by submarine submersibles from 50 m down to 450 m. Some deep water species were collected during a Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution expedition in 1986 with their research submersible the Johnson Sea Link, and four of them have been identified to genera. Several are expected to represent species new to science. Twelve species of octocorals are recorded here. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (Suppl. 2): 71-77. Epub 2008 August 29.

Building a Diverse and Innovative Ocean Workforce through Collaboration and Partnerships that Integrate Research and Education: HBCUs and Marine Laboratories

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) attract, retain and award science degrees to African Americans at a higher rate than majority institutions. Because they offer life-changing and career-orienting experiences for students, field stations and marine laboratories are well positioned to help increase the number of students opting for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers and ocean science and education careers, in particular. Two kinds of partnerships have developed between Savannah State University (SSU), an HBCU, and marine laboratories as a result of federal funding: a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program between SSU and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, and an internship/graduate program between SSU and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. These collaborations and other funded projects since 1998 have resulted in an increase in the percent of graduates from SSU's Bachelor of Science in Marine Science degree who had a significant research experience from 25% before 1999 to 66% percent afterwards and an increase in the number graduating with honors from 30% prior to 1999 to 41% after 1999. The growth and productivity of marine science degree and research experience programs at Savannah State University illustrates how collaboration and partnerships can be an effective way to increase access and eventually pay big dividends by increasing diversity in geoscience professions.

HBMMD: an enhanced database of the microorganisms associated with deeper water marine invertebrates

The Harbor Branch Marine Microbial Database (HBMMD) provides preliminary taxonomic identifications and features of microorganisms maintained in the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Marine Microbial Culture Collection. The microbes are primarily derived from marine invertebrates such as sponges (phylum Porifera) and soft corals (phylum Cnidaria) found in deep water environments [>120 feet (>35 m) seawater]. The microbes isolated from within marine invertebrates represent some unique taxa and phylogenetic signatures. The database provides a user-friendly method to systemically search or sort a desired input. The site allows a powerful search for multiple parameters of any entry. Images of the microbes are contained within the database and can be accessed from the website. The HBMMD homepage is located at http://www.hboi.edu/dbmr/dbmr_hbmmd.html.

A Bit of History About Edwin A. Link

I was interested to read the News Focus discussion regarding the fiscal and educational challenges being undertaken by many U.S. marine laboratories, including the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) (“Saving Scripps,” D. Malakoff, 9 July, p. [166][1]). It is important that the contributions of the pioneering engineers and scientists who helped found these institutions not be overlooked, though. For example, the photo caption accompanying the sidebar on p. [167][2] notes that the Harbor Branch submersibles were named after Seward Johnson Sr., but neglects to mention that they were also named after the late Edwin A. Link (1904–81), the engineer and inventor who designed the Johnson-Sea-Link (JSL) submersibles, as well as many other novel marine engineering devices (e.g., the submersible decompression chamber and the first pressurized diver lockout small submersible). Link and Johnson worked hand in hand from their respective engineering and financial backgrounds during the founding and initial operation of HBOI, and the name of the submersibles reflects the importance of their dual contributions. The Link Foundation, established by Ed Link and his wife, Marion, continues to provide vital financial support to Harbor Branch, including sponsorship of their Summer Internship program, which this year celebrates its 30th year of launching the careers of future marine scientists and ocean engineers. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.305.5681.166 [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.305.5681.167

Cover Picture: Total Synthesis and Configurational Assignment of (−)‐Dictyostatin, a Microtubule‐Stabilizing Macrolide of Marine Sponge Origin / Total Synthesis of (−)‐Dictyostatin: Confirmation of Relative and Absolute Configurations (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 35/2004)

Sponging off nature is a reliable way to find promising drug leads: (−)‐Dictyostatin, which was isolated from the marine sponge Corallistidae, is a novel microtubule‐stabilizing agent that could be useful against multidrug‐resistant tumors. In their Communications on pages 4629 ff. and 4634 ff., the groups of I. Paterson and D. P. Curran describe the total synthesis of this challenging target, thus establishing unequivocally the relative and absolute configuration of the macrolactone and opening the way to useful amounts of the drug and designed analogues. The Photo of the sponge was provided by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution.

Hands On and Feet First: Linking High-Ability Students to Marine Scientists

This study explored student perceptions of the benefits gained from participation in the Science Fair Summer Camp (SFSC) program at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (HBOI) in Fort Pierce, FL. The 2-week day camp program links scientists to high-ability secondary students as they design and conduct hands-on research projects in marine science. The study considered the following research questions: (1) Does this summer program align with current educational recommendations for science reform, as well as with the research and recommendations regarding the education of high-ability learners? (2) What do students gain from participating in such programs? (3) Are there any benefits that students experience by participating in the HBOI SFSC program that they cannot experience through their regular classroom curricula? Separate findings from surveys of two camp sessions revealed that many aspects of the SFSC program aligned with elements that are considered essential for high-ability learners and also aligned with current recommendations for science education reform. In addition, students experienced positive changes in both their feelings about science and their opinions of scientists. Students also noted that the camp experience provided the opportunity to conduct field and laboratory research not always available to them in the context of their school classrooms or with the same quality of equipment and technology.

Alkaline phosphatase activity in symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) as a biological indicator of environmental phosphate exposure

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 245:11-20 (2002) - doi:10.3354/meps245011 Alkaline phosphatase activity in symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) as a biological indicator of environmental phosphate exposure Eric R. Annis*, Clayton B. Cook Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 US 1 North, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946, USA *Present address: Darling Marine Center, University of Maine, 193 Clark¹s Cove Road, Walpole, Maine 04573, USA. Email: eric.annis@umit.maine.edu ABSTRACT: Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) is an indicator of phosphorus status in marine plants. We examined APA in the symbiotic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium bermudense, which occurs with the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida. We have developed an assay for APA that serves as a biological indicator of inorganic phosphate (Pi) exposure in coral reef environments and phosphorus deficiency in zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae maintained in culture responded to a lack of Pi with elevated levels of APA. Laboratory experiments with A. pallida demonstrated that this effect occurs in symbiosis, although at a longer timescale. The addition of Pi to ambient sea water resulted in higher zooxanthellae density in unfed anemones compared to unfed controls maintained without additional Pi, indicating that S. bermudense can utilize exogenous sources of Pi. APA was measured in zooxanthellae from the coral Montastraea faveolata collected from 2 reef sites with different phosphorus exposure. Zooxanthellae from corals at the low Pi site had significantly higher APA levels than those from the high Pi site. These results indicate the potential of this assay as an indicator of phosphorus exposure in a coral reef environment. KEY WORDS: Alkaline phosphatase · Acid phosphatase · Nutrient deficiency · Symbiosis · Aiptasia · Montastraea · Symbiodinium Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 245. Online publication date: December 18, 2002 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2002 Inter-Research.

Redesign of NEMO-Type Spherical Acrylic Submersible for Manned Operation to 3000 ft (914 m) Ocean Depth

A detailed nonlinear three-dimensional (3-D) finite element analysis (FEA) was performed in Phase I on a NEMO (naval experimental manned observatory) type HBOI (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution) spherical acrylic submersible in order to overcome the crack generation problem at its interfaces. An FEA has been carried out to develop a new design guideline, by reducing the higher stresses and relative displacements at the interfaces, which are believed to be two of the main reasons for crack generation at these areas. Variation of the stiffness between dissimilar materials at the interface, lower nylon gasket thickness, overdesigned aluminum hatch and bottom penetrator plug, attachment of the retainer ring with hatch ring, close placement of the rubber padding to the interface between the acrylic sphere, and the retainer ring are found to be the various causes for higher stresses within the acrylic sphere at the nylon gasket/acrylic interface. Based on the new design guidelines, in Phase II, a new spherical acrylic submersible was fabricated and tested. This design resulted in significant improvements by reducing the peak stresses and relative displacements at the gasket/acrylic interface areas. This improvement in design is expected to significantly extend the crack-free cyclic fatigue life of the acrylic submersible at 3000 ft (914 m) ocean depth.

Abstracts of Contributed Papers Presented at the 1998 North American Echinoderms Meeting August 16-19, 1998, Wallops Island Marine Science Center, Wallops Island, Virginia

Following the tradition started at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (1989), and continued at the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution (1992), the third North American Echinoderms Meeting was sponsored by the Marine Science Consortium and held at the Wallops Island Marine Science Center in August of 1998. In keeping with the practices of prior meetings, this meeting provided a forum for colleagues from throughout North America to share current work, and fostered communication between researchers whose work is based upon some aspect of the biology of Echinodermata. Presentations covered a range of topics, from evolutionary relationships to ecological processes and from physiological mechanisms to aquacultural applications, illustrating the breadth of activities of researchers investigating the Echinodermata. Following are abstracts resulting from oral or poster presentations contributed to the 1998 North American Echinoderms Meeting, and a special, invited retrospective on meetings on Echinodermata in North America.

Depth regulation in parenchymella larvae of a demosponge:relative roles of skeletogenesis, biochemical changes and behavior

This study was supported by a Fulbright Fellowship awarded to M.M. (FU93-0227057). This is contribution number 1149 of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution

5166379 Synthesis of compounds with biological activity, and methods of use: Steve Coval, Gabriel Saucy, Richard Wood, Ranjit Desai, Geewananda P Gunawardana, Ross E Longley, Nea Burres assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc

5166379 Synthesis of compounds with biological activity, and methods of use: Steve Coval, Gabriel Saucy, Richard Wood, Ranjit Desai, Geewananda P Gunawardana, Ross E Longley, Nea Burres assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc

5091368 Biologically active compounds from blue-green algae: Frank Koehn, Sue S Cross, Ross Longley assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc

5091368 Biologically active compounds from blue-green algae: Frank Koehn, Sue S Cross, Ross Longley assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc

5091412 Novel antiviral terpene hydroquinones and methods of use: Amy S Wright, Sue S Cross, Neal S Burres, Frank Koehn assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc

5091412 Novel antiviral terpene hydroquinones and methods of use: Amy S Wright, Sue S Cross, Neal S Burres, Frank Koehn assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc

Summary of natural products isolated from marine organisms with antiviral activity against mouse coronavirus. : S. Cross and L. Moritz. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 Old Dixie Highway, Ft. Pierce, Florida, 34946, U.S.A.

Summary of natural products isolated from marine organisms with antiviral activity against mouse coronavirus. : S. Cross and L. Moritz. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, 5600 Old Dixie Highway, Ft. Pierce, Florida, 34946, U.S.A.

Swimming sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea): a survey, with analysis of swimming behavior in four bathyal species

Miller, John E., and David L. Pawson. Swimming Sea Cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea): A Survey, with Analysis of Swimming Behavior in Four Bathyal Species. Smithsonian Contributions to the Marine Sciences,xmrribtT 35,18 pages, 4 figures, 1990.—New information on swimming behavior of four species of deep-sea holothurians has been obtained using the research submersibles Johnson-Sea-Link (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution) and Pisces V (University of Hawaii, HURL Program). Hansenothuria benti Miller and Pawson and Enypniastes eximia Theel were studied off the Bahama Islands, Paelopatides retifer Fisher off the Hawaiian Islands, and Pelagothuria natatrix Ludwig off the Galapagos Islands. Video recordings were made of swimming behavior, and individuals of all species were collected at the time of observation. Four contrasting life modes are represented: H. benti lives and feeds on the seafloor, but when disturbed it can swim vigorously for several minutes by rapidly flexing the anterior and posterior ends of the body into S curves. Enypniastes eximia swims almost continuously, briefly settling to the seafloor to ingest surface sediments. The bulbous body is propelled upwards by rhythmic pulsation of a webbed anterodorsal veil; stability during swimming is maintained by counteractive flexing of posterolateral veils. Paelopatides retifer lives on or near the seafloor and has been found up to 300 meters above the seafloor. The swimming behavior of this species combines locomotory movements of the two preceding species. An anterior veil pulsates, and the posterior half of the body flexes into S curves. Pelagothuria natatrix is truly pelagic, floating or drifting near the seafloor or high in the water column. Swimming is effected by infrequent and irregular pulsation of an enormous anterior veil. There is no evidence to suggest that P. natatrix descends to feed on the seafloor. Published data on the approximately 25 known species of swimming holothurians are summarized Probable reasons for swimming behavior are discussed Swimming appears to be most useful in predator avoidance, escape from physical hazards, locomotion, seeking out suitable substrata for feeding, and dispersal of juveniles or adults. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION DATE is handstamped in a limited number of initial copies and is recorded in the Institution's annual report, Smithsonian Year. SERIES COVER DESIGN: Seascape along the Atlantic coast of eastern North America. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Miller, John E. Swimming sea cucumbers (Echinodermata, Holothuroidea) : a survey, with analysis of swimming behavior in four bathyal species / John E. Miller and David L. Pawson p. cm.—(Smithsonian contributions to the marine sciences ; no. 35) Includes bibliographical references. Supt. of Docs, no.: SI 1.41:35 1. Holothurians—Behavior. 2. Holothurians—Locomotion. I. Pawson, David L. (David Leo), 1938-. II. Title. III. Series. QL384.H7M55 1990 89-600398 593.9'6-dc20 CIP

4868191 Alkaloid compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them: Shige Komoto, Y A Gunawardana, Konakadai, FL, Japan assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc

4868191 Alkaloid compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them: Shige Komoto, Y A Gunawardana, Konakadai, FL, Japan assigned to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc