SEMINAR: SEMINAR MBF 602 DWIGHT EBANKS- FRIDAY 25 FEB 2011, 1 PM, MSC 343

["Dwight A. Ebanks" <debanks@rsmas.miami.edu>]

The influence of increased CO2 on the respiration of cobia, Rachycentron
canadum during different early life stages

Since the pre-industrial period atmospheric CO2 levels have increased from
280 ppm to 379 ppm, which has led to a decrease in oceanic pH of 0.1 as of
2005 with continued projected decreases to 0.14 - 0.35 over the course of
the 21st century according to the 2007 report by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).  Studies on the effects of these abiotic
environmental changes on marine teleosts are warranted due to anticipated
near-future changes; however this is an understudied area.  Therefore, the
goal of my research is to assess the impact of projected changes in CO2 on
the early reproductive dynamics of cobia, Rachycentron canadum.  Cobia are
widely distributed marine teleosts (Shaffer & Nakamura 1989, Fowler 1944),
which typically hatch in ca. 24 h (Feeley et al. 2007).  Respiration rates
of cobia spermatozoa, fertilized eggs, and yolk-sac larvae for the year
2100 CO2 level (800-870 ppm) as forecasted by IPCC were assessed. 
Preliminary data of individual respiration rates displayed an increase at
the elevated CO2 level relative to control values for both spermatozoa
(0.65 to 1.55 pmol O2/h/spermatozoa) and yolk-sac larvae (12.5 to 16.3
µmol O2/h/larva).  However, the individual respiration rate for fertilized
eggs decreased from 4.25 to 1.86 µmol O2/h/egg at the year 2100
projection. Experimental trials will be repeated as the operating
procedures are refined.


Dwight A. Ebanks
BS in Marine Biology, Savannah State University, 1998
MS in Marine Sciences, Savannah State University, 2005
Entered Ph.D. program in MBF in Fall 2007
Co-Advisors: Dr. Nelson Ehrhardt & Dr. Daniel Benetti












---------------------------------------------------------------------
Seminars and symposia at RSMAS

To unsubscribe, e-mail: seminar-unsubscribe@lists.rsmas.miami.edu
For additional commands, e-mail: seminar-help@lists.rsmas.miami.edu
Post to: seminar@rsmas.miami.edu