DEEPEND makes a splash at the 15th Deep-Sea Biology Conference
Members of the DEEPEND Consortium presented their research at the 15th Deep-Sea Biology Symposium held in Monterey, CA September 9-14, 2018. This conference is held every three years and organized by the Deep-Sea Biology Society, brings deep-sea researchers from all over the world together to share their findings and discoveries. There were seven DEEPEND oral presentations and eight poster presentations. Our DEEPEND Consortium Director, Dr. Tracey Sutton (NSU), gave a plenary talk, entitled “On the importance of baselines in deep ocean stewardship” and also served as co-chair for the Pelagic Systems session occurring over two separate days. The Pelagic Systems session included oral presentations by Dr. Rosanna Milligan (NSU) on lanternfishes and NSU Master’s student, Ryan Bos, on microplastic ingestion by deep-sea fishes and shrimp. Other oral presentations were given by Drs. Bracken-Grissom and Danielle DeLeo (FIU; deep-sea shrimps), Drs. Joe Lopez and Cole Easson (NSU; bacterioplankton), Ph.D. candidate Travis Richards (TAMUG; deep-pelagic food webs), and M.S. student Sebastian Velez (FAU; pelagic habitat use of juvenile snappers). Poster presentations were given by Dr. Sutton (bathypelagic fish feeding; mesopelagic fish parasites), April Cook (NSU; dragonfish reproduction), Joe Lopez (NSU; bacterial symbionts of anglerfishes), and Dr. Heather Judkins (USF; cephalopods of the Gulf of Mexico).
Florida Atlantic University graduate student, Richard Jones, won two travel awards, which funded his travel to this conference. One award was granted by DEEPEND, using funds from provided by Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival. Proceeds from this event were donated back to the non-profit organizations (like DEEPEND), who participated in this educational and entertaining event. The other travel award was granted to Richard for winning Best Student Poster at the FAU Environmental Sciences Program retreat. We are very proud to announce that Richard’s poster presented in the Pelagic Systems session won Best Student Poster by the Judge’s Committee! The poster was entitled “Ecology of the barracudinas (Paralepididae) in the Gulf of Mexico.” The Deep-Sea Biology Society awarded him a one year membership and a £100 cash prize. You can read more about his experience on Richard’s blog here. You can read the abstracts for these posters on the Deep-Sea Biology Symposium website or go directly to the pdf here.
DEEPEND and C-Image collaborate to examine trophic links in the northern Gulf of Mexico
DEEPEND and C-Image researchers (T. Sutton, S. Murawski, H. Judkins, I. Romero and others) met in December to process pelagic fishes that were collected during a C-Image longline cruise that occurred in August in order to examine the possible linkages between these fast, deep-diving fishes to the midwater organisms that are the focus of DEEPEND research. Over 45 fish stomachs (including Lancetfish, Swordfish, Silky Shark, and others) were examined and contents were identified to the species level when possible. The stomach contents were in surprisingly good condition with many species successfully identified. There were multiple midwater fishes and cephalopods that were discovered which shows a strong link between the two groups by way of predator/prey interactions.
DEEPEND Co-PI coordinated the triennial Cephalopod Conference in November
Heather Judkins was thrilled to coordinate the triennial CIAC Conference in St. Petersburg, FL in November. CIAC (Cephalopod International Advisory Council Conference) was formed in 1983 to promote the sharing of cephalopod research around the world. This CIAC conference drew 230 scientists to the region for two-day practical application workshops as well as the five-day conference with over 100 oral presentations, 18 Lightning talks, and 150 Poster presentations. There were 30 countries represented at the event and attendees enjoyed a welcome reception at The Florida Aquarium, field trips around the region, and a final CIAC Celebration banquet in Gulfport, FL. During the week, Dr. Judkins was also elected the next CIAC president until 2021 at the next conference which will be held in Portugal. Overall, it was a great success! For more information about the conference or the CIAC organization, please visit https://cephalopoda.org/
Life Aboard a Research Ship
One of the DEEPEND team members, Dante Fenolio, our resident photographer, conducted a series of short videos during our recent cruise highlighting "Life Aboard a Research Ship" through his Facebook page. If you're interested about the many pieces it takes to make a research cruise successful, check out the 20 or so video clips! Many of the Point Sur crew and the DEEPEND science team discuss their roles while onboard. Enjoy!
Oceanic Ecology Lab Featured on the History Channel
On August 3rd, 2018 Dr. Tracey Sutton's Oceanic Ecology lab at Nova Southeastern University was featured on the new series "In Search Of" on the History Channel with host Zachary Quinto. Check out this episode about the deep sea!! You will learn about a new snaggletooth species (Astronesthes) discovered through DEEPEND's research!
Grad Student Richards Uses Fish Muscle Tissue to Explore Deep-Sea Food Web Structure
The deep-pelagic habitat (200 m depth to just above the seabed) is the largest habitat in the Gulf of Mexico, yet we know very little about it compared to coastal and shallow-water habitats. Our limited understanding of this major marine habitat makes it extremely difficult to assess the effects of disturbances such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Travis Richards seeks to better understand the structure of deep-pelagic food webs by tracing the energy flow from the food web base through higher trophic levels. His research will help expand our understanding of the deep-pelagic habitat and serve as a reference point for future studies and response efforts.
The GoMRI community embraces bright and dedicated students like Travis Richards and their important contributions. The GoMRI Scholars Program recognizes graduate students whose work focuses on GoMRI-funded projects and builds community for the next generation of ocean science professionals.
Travis's work is a feature story on the GoMRI website. Read about it here
