GPMB September 2011 Colloquium:
Abstracts of Poster Presentations
COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF TEMPERATE REEF FISH AS A FUNCTION OF REEF AGE: CASE STUDY USING LOW-RELIEF ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL REEFS
Altizer, C. (GPMB, College of Charleston), Reichert, M. (SCDNR), Ballenger, J. (SCDNR), Sancho, G. (College of Charleston) and Martore, R. (SCDNR)
Artificial reefs are used to enhance fish populations, provide new fishing opportunities, and mitigate habitat loss. Research has not determined conclusively, however, whether low-relief artificial reefs can mimic the fish communities of low-relief natural reefs or how long this process takes. This study will measure fish species richness, diversity, evenness, and abundance at three artificial reefs of differing ages (0 years, 4 years, and 14 years since deployment) and two neighboring live-bottom natural reefs in Charleston, South Carolina. Fish surveys will be conducted once per month on each reef from September-November 2011 and March-November 2012 using SCUBA and video point-counts. Species richness, diversity, evenness, and abundance will be analyzed using regressions and analyses of variance (ANOVA). Fish communities will be compared statistically using analyses of similarity (ANOSIM). The study predicts that species richness, diversity, evenness, and abundance increases with reef age and that the fish community of the 14-year old reef will be most similar to the natural reefs. This project will build on previous studies comparing artificial and natural reefs and expand the present knowledge of the effects of reef age on fish communities. This research has fisheries conservation and management implications. It is important to determine how long artificial reefs must be established before their fish communities resemble those of neighboring natural reefs to utilize them most effectively for habitat mitigation.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL GENETIC DIFFERENCES IN STRIPED BASS, MORONE SAXATILIS, IN FOUR SOUTH CAROLINA WATERSHEDS
Anderson, A. (GPMB, College of Charleston)
In order to properly manage a species over a large geographic area, it is necessary to understand the genetic connectivity both among and within river systems in order to identify appropriate management units. South Carolina’s striped bass populations, while native, have been supportively stocked since 1984. Previous studies provided some evidence of genetic differentiation within the Santee-Cooper system and between South Carolina watersheds and in response, State managers stopped stocking the ACE and Pee Dee systems and only currently stock striped bass in the Santee-Cooper system. While the previous studies did detect genetic differentiation, more powerful microsatellites have since been developed for striped bass and may provide greater resolution to our understanding of gene flow and diversity in striped bass populations than was previously available. My proposal will determine if the four watersheds of South Carolina currently contain genetically distinct striped bass populations; if there are currently distinct within-watershed populations in the Santee-Cooper drainage; and if these relationships have changed over time. Striped bass samples will be evaluated across three time periods: contemporary (2006-2011), recent historic (1999), historic (1990-1995). Populations will be compared across watersheds, across sections, and across time periods to determine patterns of genetic connectivity and the changes these populations have undergone. The project results will increase our understanding of striped bass population dynamics across South Carolina at multiple spatial scales, allowing improved management and restoration efforts for striped bass.
LOW-TEMPERATURE TOLERANCE OF AGE-0 SPOTTED SEATROUT, CYNOSCION NEBULOSUS, IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Anweiler, K. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and Denson, M. (SCDNR)
Mortality due to low temperatures impacts population dynamics by reducing total stock size, influencing recruitment, and differentially weakening annual cohort strength. In South Carolina, spotted seatrout are periodically affected by rapid changes in temperature during the winter. Spotted seatrout are vulnerable to winter kills when air temperature drops, causing the shallow water to chill rapidly. In these conditions, temperature changes are so sudden that fish may be immobilized and killed due to osmotic imbalance before they are able to escape the cold. Significant population declines have been observed in South Carolina following extreme low temperatures in the winter. In this study I will evaluate the effects of rate of temperature decline and exposure time on survival of age-0 spotted seatrout. The first experiment will use the chronic lethal method (CLM) to determine the upper and lower bounds of low temperatures that result in 100% survival and 0% survival by subjecting spotted seatrout to a -1° C/day change in temperature. The range of temperatures found to affect seatrout survival will determine the test temperatures to be used in subsequent experiments. Experiment 2 will use the acclimated chronic exposure (ACE) method to determine the relationship between exposure time and survival at three different test temperatures representing varying winter severities. Experiment 3 will repeat experiment 2 at a slower rate of decline.
DIET AND FEEDING SELECTIVITY OF ESTUARINE GOBIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA
D’Aguillo, M. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and Harold, A. (College of Charleston)
We propose to examine the diet of the naked goby (Gobiosoma bosc Lacepède, 1800) and other goby species encountered in Charleston harbor and vicinity, and investigate if selective feeding behavior occurs. Many benthic gobies feed by engulfing sand and filtering it with the gill rakers in search of potential food items. This behavior has been demonstrated to occur even in the absence of prey items, suggesting that gobies may be feeding indiscriminately on any potential food items available. Gobies also feed as visual predators of invertebrates. We will investigate whether G. bosc is targeting preferred food items while foraging, or feeding equally on all potential food items encountered in the environment. Feeding selectivity will be determined by comparing the relative abundance of identified items in the diet with that of the surrounding environment. G. bosc prefers structurally complex habitat such as oyster reefs, but is frequently encountered on soft bottom habitat as well. Therefore, G. bosc will be collected from a variety of habitat types, including both soft and hard-bottom substratum, to investigate variation in feeding selectivity. We also propose to investigate if diet and feeding selectivity vary ontogenetically, and if diet and feeding selectivity change in the presence of other goby species sharing the habitat.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND REPOPULATION RATES OF LIONFISH ON SOUTH CAROLINA ARTIFICIAL REEFS
Doty, S. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and Sancho, G. (College of Charleston)
The Indo-Pacific lionfish is an invasive fish that has become established in the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and western North Atlantic Ocean along the southeast coast of the United States within the last two decades. These prolific reef fishes have the potential of wreaking havoc on Atlantic fish populations and ecosystems. Previous studies have shown that lionfish are voracious, opportunistic predators, and can increase the mortality of groupers and snappers. Additionally, their long venomous spines along their dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins serve as a defense against predators. Though several studies have investigated the effects of the invasion on tropical reef systems in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, fewer studies have examined the ecological impacts of these invaders along the southeast U.S. coast. The bottom topography along the southeast coast of the U.S. is largely comprised of flat, sandy bottom spotted with rocky outcroppings and shelf ledges, where lionfish are found. To increase recreational and commercial fish recruitment, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has created several artificial reefs along the South Carolina continental shelf. Lionfish have recruited on these reefs and commonly inhabit them. This study will attempt to first determine the diet of lionfish found in artificial reefs. Secondly, through a lionfish removal experiment, the repopulation dynamics of lionfish to artificial reefs will be measured. These data will help understand the ecology of lionfish on artificial reefs and provide valuable information for future management decisions regarding this invasive species in South Carolina waters.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SYMBIODINIUM MICROADRIATICUM SPLICED LEADER RNA AND THE EFFECT OF HEAT AND CHEMICAL SHOCK ON THE RNA TRANS-SPLICING MECHANISM
Feltman, P. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and Van Dolah, F. (NOAA/NOS/CCEHBR)
Spliced leader (SL) mediated RNA trans-splicing has been identified in diverse dinoflagellate species, including the coral symbiont, Symbiodinium microadriaticum. During SL trans-splicing, first described in trypanosomes, all RNA messages are trans-spliced with an identical leader sequence at their 5' end, donated by an hnRNA called the spliced leader RNA. Under conditions of severe stress, trypanosome cells shut off transcription of the SL gene, a response termed spliced leader silencing (SLS). SLS leads to a reduction of SL trans-splicing and therefore, mRNA maturation and overall protein synthesis. This study sought to determine whether SLS is part of the stress response in dinoflagellates, using Symbiodinium as a model species. To characterize the SL RNA in Symbiodinium, the full-length SL transcript was amplified from total RNA using a multi-step approach, cloned, and sequenced. The Symbiodinium SL RNA is 58 nt in length, has a GC content of 50%, and 67% identity with published dinoflagellate SL RNA sequences. Modeling of the Symbiodinium SL RNA secondary structure revealed several unique characteristics that are shared among dinoflagellate SL RNAs, but unusual for SL RNAs in general. To identify if SLS occurs in Symbiodinium, a qPCR-based assay was developed to quantify SL expression. Using this assay, SL RNA levels were not significantly different between control cultures and cultures exposed to either sublethal heat shock (up to 48 hr exposure to 34° C) or sublethal reductive chemical stress (exposure to 4mM DTT). These results suggest that SLS is not a major contributor to stress responses in dinoflagellates.
PREDICTING IMPACTS OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE NORTHWEST ATLANTIC LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE (CARETTA CARETTA) POPULATION: LOCOMOTOR RESPONSES OF HATCHLINGS TO DIFFERING INCUBATION TEMPERATURES
Fisher, L. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and Owens, D. (College of Charleston)
Sea turtles have a temperature-based sex determination system. For the Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), a major concern of rapid climate change is that increasing sand temperatures on nesting beaches are female-skewing the hatchling sex ratio. Apparent population-wide female-biased hatchling sex ratios contrast with observations of juvenile populations, where sex ratios have remained constantly female-biased at about 2 to 1 over the past 30 years. It has been suggested that some unknown factor is affecting loggerhead survival resulting in an unexplained differential loss of ~60% of female hatchlings per year. The principle theory to explain this hatchling mortality is that incubation temperature affects traits that influence survival. Previous studies on hatchling performance have not tested the upper or lower limits of incubation temperature, and fitness consequences remain untested or unconfirmed. In this study, laboratory experiments will be conducted to test for an effect of incubation temperature on performance of loggerhead hatchlings. The initial hatchling dispersal period will be simulated in a controlled laboratory setting, and various performance and locomotor variables will be tested over a 24-hour period. Differences in performance that may be seen from hatchlings incubated at high temperatures are important in light of increased sand temperatures, and could indicate increased mortality from incubation temperature effects. Preliminary performance data will be presented. By conducting controlled laboratory experiments on hatchlings, the results will support or refute incubation temperature as a significant variable affecting loggerhead hatchling survival.
EFFECTS OF HYPOXIA AND LOW PH ON MOSQUITO CONTROL PESTICIDE TOXICITY IN TWO COMMERCIAL SHELLFISH SPECIES
Garcia, R. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and DeLorenzo, M. (NOAA)
Pesticides are a commonly used agent against disease-carrying mosquitoes. Mosquito control pesticides are classified by the target life stage (larvicides and adulticides) and their chemical class (commonly organophosphates and pyrethroids). Pyrethroids are the most widely used class today for mosquitoes and other pests. Concerns surrounding the outdoor use of pyrethroid pesticides for mosquito control include known toxicity to fishes and marine invertebrates, contamination of aquatic areas via pesticide spraying, and the lack of knowledge on the combined effects of pyrethroids and estuarine stressors. To determine the effects of pyrethroids on commercial shellfish species, the median lethal concentration (LC50) will be determined in the larval and juvenile stages of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and the hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, using the pyrethroids resmethrin and permethrin. Sublethal effects of these pesticides on growth will be determined in juvenile clams and oysters. This study will also examine the multistressor effects of hypoxia, low pH, and a combination of the two with and without pesticide exposure to determine interactive effects on shellfish survival. Preliminary work has determined that the 96 h LC50 for resmethrin and larval oysters is within the range of 100-1000 μg/L. A 96 h LC50 of 1924 μg/L (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1543-2400 μg/L) was determined for resmethrin with larval clams. The results of this study will be used to assess whether shellfish early life stages are at risk from pesticide applications, and whether abiotic stressors such as pH and oxygen modify pesticide toxicity.
COMPARATIVE IMPACT OF THE INVASIVE PARASITIC SPECIES, ANGUILLICOLOIDES CRASSUS ON THE AMERICAN EEL POPULATIONS BETWEEN THE ACE BASIN AND NORTH INLET NERRS AND THE COOPER RIVER
Hein, J. (MES Program, College of Charleston), Arnott, S. (SCDNR), de Buron, I. (College of Charleston), Roumillat, W.A. (SCDNR) and Upchurch, S. (SCDNR)
Reports of eel populations in South Carolina (SC) estuaries have shown a decline since at least 2001. The invasive swimbladder parasite, Anguillicoloides (Anguillicola) crassus, is considered one potential reason for this decline. Since contaminants are known to negatively affect the ability of eels to resist infection by this parasite, we hypothesized that American eels from the ACE and North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERRs will be less infected than those from a heavily polluted habitat (Cooper River). During this study, prevalence, intensities, and abundances of A. crassus over one year (Jan-Dec 2011) will be recorded to determine spatial and temporal variations of this infection in these three populations of eels. Results will be mapped using GIS. Investigations to determine if infection by A. crassus is associated with eel health will be made using splenosomatic and hepatosomatic indices. The validity of a noninvasive diagnostic tool (vent color) will be evaluated to determine infection levels. Preliminary results from 79 eels showed 52% prevalence of infection overall (North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR 50%, N= 40, Cooper River 58%, N=33 and the ACE Basin NERR 33%, N=6). Results also indicate that the percent infection is highest in the summer (72%, N=25), followed by spring (55%, N=29) and winter (43%, N=23).
DISTRIBUTION AND HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF RED DRUM, SCIAENOPS OCELLATUS, EXHIBITING EXTERNAL LESIONS WITHIN SOUTH CAROLINA ESTUARIES
Meadors, W. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and Arnott, S. (SCDNR)
Over the last decade a high prevalence of severe skin lesions has been observed on red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, in Winyah Bay, SC primarily during the winter months. Positive identification of the causative agent is difficult due to the known association of multiple pathogens with fish skin lesions and a high degree of secondary infection by opportunistic pathogens. The extent to which the red drum lesions affect their overall health is unknown, although several studies on other species have reported an inverse relationship between lesion occurrence and health parameters, particularly in contaminated habitats such as Winyah Bay. This study aims to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of symptomatic red drum throughout SC estuaries. The presence and identity of putative pathogens will be explored by histological examination and by microbial culture of lesion biopsy samples. Hematology and blood chemistry will be used to assess general health parameters and make comparisons between (i) condition of fish with and without lesions, (ii) fish captured in a contaminated location (Winyah Bay) vs. fish from an uncontaminated location (ACE Basin), and (iii) fish caught in different seasons.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY IN RED PORGY, PAGRUS PAGRUS, IN THE SOUTH ATLANTIC BIGHT
Murray, D.C. (GPMB, College of Charleston)
Red porgy, Pagrus pagrus, is a protogynous hermaphrodite reef fish that associates with hard-bottom habitats in temperate waters. Red porgy has been a recreational and commercially important species over the past 30 years, and is managed as a single species under the SAFMC S/G complex. During the early 1980s, increased fishing pressure began to significantly reduce the population in the South Atlantic Bight (Cape Hatteras, NC to Cape Canaveral, FL) resulting in a moratorium being enacted in 1999 due to a combination of low population size and high fishing mortality. The aim of this study is to determine how fishing pressure over the past 30 years has affected the genetic diversity of the population in the South Atlantic Bight. Nuclear DNA will be extracted from historical samples, otoliths and fin clips, and genotyped using 12 microsatellite loci. An initial spatial evaluation of genetic diversity within the South Atlantic Bight will be used to verify the previously identified lack of genetic structure using more robust sampling and marker designs. Genetic data coupled with life history data will allow for a temporal comparison of allelic diversity, heterozygosity, and
effective population size. The results of this study should provide fisheries managers with critical information to allow for better preservation of genetic diversity of populations undergoing overfishing, as well as realistic considerations for rebuilding a population that is overfished.
ASSESSMENT OF POPULATION GENETIC STRUCTURE IN THE SPOTTED EAGLE RAY (AETOBATUS NARINARI) FOUND SEASONALLY OFF COASTAL SARASOTA, FL
Newby, J. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and Shedlock, A. (College of Charleston)
Recent global declines in chondrichthyan populations have risen as a major concern due to amplified pressure from fisheries. The spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari, is a cosmopolitan myliobatoid recognized as near-threatened by the World Conservation Union, however, is not protected in U.S. federal waters (IUCN 2010). A decreasing population trend, K-selected life history and primarily inshore, coastal habitat renders this species particularly susceptible to over-exploitation by targeted fisheries, drift netting, and capture as bycatch. Since 2009 large seasonal aggregations have been observed in the nearshore, Gulf waters of Sarasota, FL. Modest baseline ecological and/or demographic information is available on A. narinari but almost no studies of fine-scale genetic structure exist. My aim is to investigate the genetic and social structure of this A. narinari population using fin clips collected through Mote Marine Lab, FL from Apr-Aug 2011. Genotypes of allele frequencies for up to 10 independent eagle ray-specific microsatellite loci will be employed to resolve the population genetic architecture in a sample of 50 individuals. Tests for Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium, null alleles and linkage disequilibrium, as well as population-specific patterns (STRUCTURE) and allelic migration (MIGRATE), will help further characterize the genetic variation present. Mating success and social structure will be evaluated through paternity analysis (CERVUS) and estimates of relatedness among pairs (Kinship). Synthesis of baseline molecular data from the present study and comparisons of Sarasota material to subpopulations in the Central Atlantic are expected to advance our understanding of A. narinari vulnerabilities.
CHARACTERIZING THE GENETIC POPULATION STRUCTURE AND GENETIC INFLUENCES OF WINTER-KILL EVENTS IN SPOTTED SEATROUT (CYNOSCION NEBULOSUS) IN SOUTH CAROLINA
O’Donnell, T. (GPMB, College of Charleston)
Spotted seatrout are recreationally important fish that have been harvested in South Carolina for centuries. Spotted seatrout have recently suffered substantial population declines during the cold winters of 2000, 2009, and 2010 when water temperatures dropped below their tolerance threshold. These winter-kills appear to result in population bottlenecks and their repetitive occurrence over a short time scale has prompted the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to consider a stock enhancement program. Prior to implementation of any management tactics, a full
understanding of the population structure and how spotted seatrout populations are genetically influenced by winter-kills must be acquired. The first goal of my research is to determine the genetic population structure across three estuaries in South Carolina: Cape Romain, Charleston Harbor, and the ACE Basin using a suite of 15 microsatellite markers. Additionally, the diversity and effective population size of spotted seatrout from Charleston Harbor will be evaluated both before and after the recent winter-kill events. Spotted seatrout samples for genetic isolation have been provided by SCDNR’s trammel net survey and recreational anglers. The use of a powerful suite of markers will allow higher detection capability to assess the population structure of spotted seatrout in the Atlantic and calculate the first ever estimate of effective population size for any spotted seatrout population. The results of my research can be applied to all future management of spotted seatrout in South Carolina by justifying stocking strategies and providing a framework for how spotted seatrout may respond to climate variability.
DIETARY NICHE OVERLAP OF AN ESTUARINE PREDATOR COMMUNITY IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Shaw, A. (GPMB, College of Charleston), Sancho, G. (College of Charleston) and Frazier, B. (SCDNR)
Estuaries serve as habitats and nurseries for many recreationally and commercially important fishes. Understanding the trophic ecology of the fish populations within estuarine communities is essential to effectively managing these species under an ecosystem-based management scheme. Upper-level predatory fish are among the most sought-after fisheries species by commercial and recreational fishers in this highly productive ecosystem. Determining the trophic ecology and dietary niches of predatory species is important to infer interspecific competition, relationships among the estuarine fish community and niche partitioning. Dietary niche overlap of the predator community in the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge (specifically Bulls Bay and its surrounding tidal creeks) will be assessed using stable isotope analysis of muscle tissues. Fishes of up to 10 species will be collected via trammel nets, gillnets and longlines in the channels and along the banks of the estuary with cooperation of SCDNR. All fishes will sampled and then released unharmed. Tissue samples (approximately 60 mg) will be taken from the dorsal musculature with a 4 mm biopsy punch and frozen until analysis. Comparison of C and N isotopes will allow us to infer potential prey items, trophic level, and trophic niches of the analyzed species. Results may have implications for ecosystem-based management of the Cape Romain estuarine system that can be applicable to other estuaries in South Carolina.
EFFECTS OF LIGHT IRRADIANCE LEVELS ON THE EXPRESSION AND ABUNDANCE OF ICE-BINDING PROTEINS IN THE SEA ICE DIATOM, FRAGILARIOPSIS CYLINDRUS
Smith, J. (GPMB, College of Charleston), Janech, M. (MUSC), DiTullio, J. (College of Charleston), Lee, P. (College of Charleston) and Byrum, C. (College of Charleston)
Ice-binding proteins, which have been found in every unialgal population of Antarctic and Arctic ice-diatoms examined to date, have been shown to bind ice and have ice-pitting activity. Furthermore, these ice-binding proteins (IBPs) strongly inhibit the recrystallization of ice by inhibiting the growth of large crystal grains of ice in favor of smaller grains. The activity of these proteins favors both the growth of columnar ice, which itself can lead to an increased depth of the field of light extending into ice, and the retention of brine channels that act as the main scattering center for light in sea ice. Lowered light levels, indicative of increased ice cover, may act as a stimulus to the increased expression and abundance of these proteins in sea-ice diatoms and in particular in Fragilariopsis cylindrus. Previous studies have examined the roles of salinity, temperature or both on the expression of these proteins but have ignored light as an environmental stimulus. To investigate this possibility, ten ice-binding genes have been selected to determine the role low light levels (5 μEinsteins/m2/s) play in the expression and abundance of IBPs. It is hypothesized that low light stimulates an increase in mRNA levels as wells as an increase in the abundance of IBPs. Initial aims will investigate this possibility using quantitative PCR and tandem mass spectrometry with future studies looking at the possible role of light as an environmental cofactor in conjunction with lowered temperature.
EFFECTIVENESS AND COSTS OF HYPOXIA ACCLIMATION IN PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP, LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI
Tommerdahl, A. (GPMB, College of Charleston), Burnett, L. (College of Charleston) and Burnett, K. (College of Charleston)
As the size, intensity, and frequency of hypoxic zones continues to increase in nearshore marine habitats worldwide, it is important to understand the potential effects this will have on marine organisms, especially those of commercial importance. Litopenaeus vannamei provides a good model organism to study these effects, as it inhabits near shore habitats and is one of the most economically important shrimp species. Others have shown a 5-6% day-1 increase in hemocyanin concentration in the brown shrimp, Crangon crangon over two weeks in mild hypoxia. Work in our lab demonstrated a significant decrease in protein synthesis levels in muscle, but not hepatopancreas, tissue following 24 hour exposure to severe hypoxia (20% air saturation), but no later time points were tested. I will use performance as a quantifying measure of the extent to which this estuarine crustacean can acclimate to hypoxia, and how this acclimation interferes with normal metabolic function, as indicated by muscle and hepatopancreas protein synthesis rates. Specifically, goals of the study will be: 1) to quantify acclimation of L. vannamei after 96 hour hypoxia exposure; 2) to determine whether oxygen levels are a limiting factor in performance; and 3) to use protein synthesis rates to assess the metabolic costs of hypoxia acclimation.
GROWTH, DISTRIBUTION, AND SKELETAL STRUCTURE OF DEEP-WATER SCLERACTINIAN CORALS UNDER ‘ACIDIFIED’ OCEAN CONDITIONS IN THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BIGHT
Wickes, L. (GPMB, College of Charleston) and Etnoyer, P. (NOAA)
Deep-water scleractinian corals on seamounts in the Southern California Bight are likely exposed to corrosive upwelled water as the aragonite saturation horizon (ASH) shoals closer to the surface with increased anthropogenic CO2. The ASH has been found to be as shallow as 60-100 m in this region, which suggests corals at 200 m on these seamounts are at or below the saturation horizon. The primary objective of this study will be to conduct quantitative surveys to assess the distribution and condition of scleractinian corals in these acidified conditions. Surveys will use a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) rated to 500 m depth. Environmental parameters, including aragonite saturation, will be collected and analyzed using a CTD-O mounted on the ROV. The data will help to assess habitat preference with respect to coral health, abundance, size and diversity. These environmental parameters will also be used as a baseline for manipulative laboratory experiments to examine skeletal dissolution in acidified water. Collected coral samples will be used to analyze skeletal dissolution rates, morphology and composition and compared with samples from regions saturated with respect to aragonite (e.g. South Atlantic Bight). These sites also afford a unique opportunity to characterize habitat both within and outside a Cowcod Conservation Area (CCA). As an additional objective, this study will document lost fishing gear and its co-occurrence with corals to infer potential fisheries impacts. These data could contribute to the establishment of essential fish habitat with the potential to extend the boundaries of the CCA.