- Population status of Diadema antillarum among five coral communities off north-central Puerto Rico: a first assessment
Collazo DL1, Torres F1, Hernández H2, Toledo D3, Weil E3, Lucas MQ1,2
1 Dept. Sci. & Tech., PO Box 4050, Inter American University, Arecibo, PR – 00614 USA
2 Caribbean Reef Life Conservation (CRLC Inc.) 741 Santana Arecibo, Puerto Rico USA
3 National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Coral Restoration, Aguadilla Field Office, PR USA
Status: MANUSCRIPT IN PREPARATION: A total of 1975 D. antillarum were counted in 80 randomly stratified (10 x 2 m) band-transects across five coral communities in north-central PR. The majority of urchins measured were medium-large sized (5-9 cm in test diameter) with small urchins (≤ 4.5 cm) also occurring at all sites indicating recruitment in the north-central region. Seed Fund Award $3000.00 Seagrant to MQ Lucas for field materials.
- Sustaining and expanding an ex-situ coral nursery for microfragmentation-fusion and reproduction of massive slow-growing coral species Orbicella faveolata, Pseudodiploria strigosa, and Dendrogyra cylindrus.
Award to Lucas MQ (2022) NOAA/DRNA Coastal Resilience $300,000.00.
Influence of Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease on the spatial distribution, demographics, and genetic diversity of the threatened pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) in Puerto Rico
Award to Jimenez N, Figuerola, M, Lucas MQ, E. Herndandez, E Weil (2022) $681,000.00.
- Utilizing microfragmentation – fusion in Orbicella faveolata and Dendrogrya cylindrus: scaling up restoration efforts in slow growing massive coral species in Puerto Rico Lucas MQ, 1,2
1 Dept. Sci. & Tech., PO Box 4050, Inter American University, Arecibo, PR – 00614 USA
- Bacterial 16S microbial communities in Dendrogrya cylindrus from north and south Puerto Rico
1 Dept. Sci. & Tech., PO Box 4050, Inter American University, Arecibo, PR – 00614 USA
Bacterial 16S microbial communities in Dendrogrya cylindrus from north and south Puerto Rico
Lucas MQ, Arun A2, Genesis Pérez Cartagena1, Toledo DA3, Weil E3, Schizas N3
1 Dept. Sci. & Tech., PO Box 4050, Inter American University, Arecibo, PR – 00614 USA
2 Dept. Sci. & Tech., PO Box 517, Inter American University, Barranquitas, PR – 00794 USA
3 Dept. Mar. Sci., PO Box 9000, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR – 00680 USA
Status: Dr. Nik Schizas and I have analyzed the initial results and will prepare a short research note to a peer-reviewed journal. The data shows no differences between microbial communities in D. cylindrus between north (Arecibo) and southern colonies (Parguera). DRNA permit ID: 2019-IC-025 (O-VS-PVS15-SJ-01030-22022019
- Morphological and genetic characterization of sea-squirts (chordata: tunicata) around the island of Puerto Rico
Toledo DA1, Lucas MQ2, N Schizas1
1 Dept. Mar. Sci., PO Box 9000, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR – 00680 USA
2 Dept. Sci. & Tech., PO Box 4050, Inter American University, Arecibo, PR – 00614 USA
Status: Collection permit submitted by DA Toledo. I am serving as DA Toledo’s ad honorem committee member; Dept. Mar. Sci., UPRM.
- Ecological characterization of corals and reef communities of north-central Puerto Rico
Toledo DA1 E Weil1 Lucas MQ2
1 Dept. Mar. Sci., PO Box 9000, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, PR – 00680 USA
2 Dept. Sci. & Tech., PO Box 4050, Inter American University, Arecibo, PR – 00614 USA
Status: To date, we have collected D. antillarum population data and preparing a manuscript for peer review. In March 2020, we will begin reef fish census using HD video cameras mounted to T-bars. I have also collected some preliminary data such as fish diversity, abundances, and benthic cover (%) from four of the six reefs (PLI method using randomly stratified transects across the reefs). For long-term monitoring purposes, permanent transects are being placed in different habitats in our six sites (on non-living substrate). To this end, Daniel Toledo from the DMS at UPRM is a masters student leading the coral cover and disease aspects of this project under the direction of Dr. Weil and myself.
