A BioBlitz is a rapid and intensive survey of specific geographic area that brings together experts often lay participants to assess biodiversity, typically macrobiota are easily observed identifiable on-site. This concept has become popular across taxonomic fields, attracting interest globally increase knowledge local biodiversity. Inspired by the success approach, we undertook 'ParasiteBlitz' at an unexplored locality (Stono Preserve, Charleston, South Carolina, USA) determine its...

Parasites can exert strong effects on population to ecosystem level processes, but data parasites are limited for many global regions, especially tropical marine systems. Characterizing parasite diversity and distributions the first steps towards understanding potential impacts of parasites. The Panama Canal serves as an interesting location examine distribution, it is a conduit between two oceans hub international trade. We examined metazoan protistan associated with ten oyster species...

Determining the relative importance of sexual and asexual reproduction is critical for determining how genetic diversity partitioned within among populations. Macroalgae exhibit reproductive system variability, with many species capable both reproduction. Thus, rates fragmentation (asexual) versus sporic recruitment (sexual) must be quantified. This during range expansions when shifts to uniparental are common. Chondria tumulosa a cryptogenic red alga that was discovered forming thick mats...

The coquina, Donax variabilis , is a known intermediate host of monorchiid and gymnophallid digeneans. Limited morphological criteria for the digeneans’ larval stages have caused confusion in records. Herein, identities coquinas from United States (US) Atlantic coast were verified molecularly. We demonstrate that current GenBank sequences D. are erroneous, with US sequence referring to fossor . Two cercariae three metacercariae previously described Gulf Mexico one new cercaria identified...

Kudoa inornata is a myxosporean parasite that develops in the somatic muscle of spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus, an economically and ecologically important fish estuaries harbors southeastern North America. In South Carolina (SC), USA, over 90% wild adult are infected. To inform potential mitigation strategies, we conducted 3 experiments using naïve sentinel infectious stages K. naturally present raw water from Charleston Harbor, SC, to determine (1) if infection follows seasonal...

The ocean represents the largest biome on earth; however, we have only begun to understand diversity and function of marine microbial inhabitants their interactions with macroalgal species. Macroalgae play an integral role in overall health serve both as major primary producers foundation species ecosystem. Previous studies been limited, focusing microbiome a single algal or its interaction selected microbes. This project aimed biodiversity communities associated five common determine...

For many taxa, including isomorphic haplodiplontic macroalgae, determining sex and ploidy is challenging, thereby limiting the scope of some population demographic genetic studies. Here, we used double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD-seq) to identify sex-linked molecular markers in widespread red alga Agarophyton vermiculophyllum. In ddRAD-seq library, included 10 female gametophytes, male 16 tetrasporophytes from one native non-native site (N = 40 gametophytes N 32...

The invasive nematode Anguillicoloides crassus parasitizes the swim bladder of eels, including that American eel, Anguilla rostrata. Despite its potential devastating effects on eel populations, however, intermediate host(s) is/are unknown in North America. goal this study was to determine whether An. could infect copepods collected wild from Goose Creek Reservoir South Carolina, U.S.A., where is known occur. Cyclopoid copepods, identified morphologically as belonging Acanthocyclops...

Abstract Neonates of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae), Sphyrna lewini (Griffith and Smith, 1834), the sympatric cryptic species, gilberti Quattro et al ., 2013, their hybrids were captured in western North Atlantic, along coast South Carolina, USA, between 2018 2019 examined for gill monogenoids. Parasites identified redescribed from gills 79 neonates, DNA sequences partial fragments nuclear 28S ribosomal RNA (rDNA) cytochrome c oxidase I mitochondrial (COI) genes generated to confirm species...

Molecular-based community profiles often overestimate species richness and diversity as they are incapable of distinguishing DNA signals derived from extracellular or moribund sources that viable organisms. Propidium monoazide (PMA), a double stranded DNA-binding dye, was used to selectively isolate the genetic signature diatoms marine cultures environmental samples. Upon optimization photoactivation time using 600-W halogen lamp, PMA concentrations, number treatments, compromised...

A new genus and species within the family Polymorphidae Meyer, 1931 were erected to accommodate cystacanths recovered from mesentery of individuals a non-native population red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard), collected South Carolina (USA). Morphological characteristics specimens included in both sexes spindle-shaped body with slender hindtrunk, two fields markedly different sized spines on foretrunk, presence middle row smaller scythe-shaped hooks proboscis armed 19-20...

Three juvenile Atlantic tripletail Lobotes surinamensis caught opportunistically in Charleston Harbor (South Carolina, USA) and maintained captivity for over three months displayed an altered swimming behavior. While no direct causation can be demonstrated herein, fish were infected their brain by strigeid trematode larvae (metacercariae) of Cardiocephaloides medioconiger, which identified via ITS2 28S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Histology showed nonencysted metacercariae within the...

Marine microbes provide the backbone for pelagic ecosystems by cycling and fixing nutrients establishing base of food webs. Microbial communities are often assumed to be highly connected genetically mixed, with localized environmental filters driving minor changes in structure. Our study applied high-throughput Illumina 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing on whole-community bacterial samples characterize geographic, environmental, stochastic drivers community diversity. DNA was...

Benthic microalgae are of great significance to coastal productivity and nutrient cycling, yet determinants their biogeography community assembly remain unclear. We identified compared spatial environmental mechanisms that shape beach diatom diversity at regional scales. sampled various scales (from 10 cm 120 km) from 4 barrier island beaches in South Carolina, USA, characterized assemblages using DNA metabarcoding. Twelve variables sediments, adjacent waters, atmosphere were recorded....

Abstract Bacteria drive energy fluxes and geochemical processes in estuarine sediments. Deposit-feeding invertebrates alter the structure activity of microbial communities through sediment ingestion, gut passage, defecation. The eastern mud snail, Ilyanassa obsoleta, is native to estuaries northwestern Atlantic, ranging from Nova Scotia, Canada, Florida USA. Given extremely high densities, their deposit-feeding locomotory activities exert ecological influence on other microbes. Our aim was...

Abstract Understanding the combined effects of multi-parasite infections on their hosts is necessary for documenting parasite impacts and particularly important developing effective management strategies economically organisms. The white shrimp Penaeus setiferus supports recreational commercial fisheries along southeastern Gulf coasts United States occupies an ecological niche in estuarine offshore habitats throughout these regions. goal this study was to identify assess ontogenetic spatial...

Sebkha Imlili (Atlantic Sahara) is a salt flat with over 160 permanent holes of hypersaline water generated in the Holocene and inhabited by euryhaline organisms that are considered to be relics past, including cichlid fish Coptodon guineensis . We surveyed parasites four times one year, i) identify parasites, ii) determine possible seasonality infection patterns. Over 60% were infected three helminths: an acanthocephalan intestine two digenean metacercariae kidney, spleen, liver, muscle,...