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The Effect of the Invasive Species Caulerpa taxifolia among Native Species

The Effect of the Invasive Species Caulerpa taxifolia among Native Species. Lena Collins IROP 2007 Wollongong, Australia. Sydney Opera House. me. Wollongong, Australia. http://www.tourismwollongong.com/regions/wollongong_map.asp. Study Site: St. George’s Basin. Species of Interest.

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The Effect of the Invasive Species Caulerpa taxifolia among Native Species

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  1. The Effect of the Invasive Species Caulerpa taxifolia among Native Species Lena Collins IROP 2007 Wollongong, Australia

  2. Sydney Opera House me

  3. Wollongong, Australia http://www.tourismwollongong.com/regions/wollongong_map.asp

  4. Study Site: St. George’s Basin

  5. Species of Interest Anadara trapezia Caulerpa taxifolia

  6. Invasive Species • One the of largest environmental crises that we face today • Exotic species are considered the second greatest threat to imperiled species in the United States http://images.wri.org/photo_invasivespecies_print.jpg http://www.samab.org/Focus/Invasive/1PhotoGallery/photos.html

  7. Before …

  8. After …

  9. C.tax in St. George’s Basin http://www.fisheries.nsw.gov.au/threatened_species/general/species/caulerpa_st_georges_basin_aug_5

  10. Research Objectives: 1.Clam Recovery Experiment - C.taxifolia effect on predation - C.taxifolia effect on clam metrics 2.Parasite Study - Habitat effect on parasite damage - Habitat effect on clam metrics

  11. Part I: Clam RecoveryExperiment

  12. Predators: Octopus Blue Swimming Crab

  13. Experimental Design: Habitat: Caulerpa taxifolia Habitat: bare sediment

  14. Results: 22/240 clams missing 14 of 22 in closed cages • Significant effect of vegetation (p=0.0071) • Artifact of collection • Not the right season for predation study

  15. Results Continued: • Examine treatment effects on growth • No significant changes in length or mass detected • Bare and open treatment trended toward better growth • Evidence that cages may act like C.taxifolia but the effect is not additive

  16. Australia … ahhh

  17. Part II: Parasite Study

  18. Dipolydora spp.1

  19. Network Spot Borehole Blister

  20. Habitat Clam Metrics • Habitat significantly affected all clam metrics • Overall best growth occurs in unvegetated habitat

  21. Habitat Parasites • Controlled for clam metrics in this analysis • For most part, habitat did not affect variables • Interaction did play a role in • Network Damage • Borehole Damage

  22. Conclusions: • No mortality data significant, summer study may result in more insightful findings • Trend that cages are acting like C.taxifolia • Habitat significantly affects clam metrics • Habitat has minimal impact on parasites • Some evidence that network parasite is more prevalent in C.taxifolia

  23. Finally … • C. taxifolia is still at large … more questions unfold • Hard it is to unravel the mysterious of nature • Importance of wonder in our world

  24. CHEERS! • Dr. James E. Byers!! • Dr. Jeffery Wright • Anna, Darcy, and Finn • Collins family • Mark, my lifeline

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