Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Area of Concentration

Marine Biology

Abstract

Gorgonia ventalina, Cyphoma gibbosum have previously shared a predator/prey relationship. The relationship is hypothesized to be adapting with the introduction of Aspergillus sydowii into the marine environment, thereby becoming mutualistic. Cyphoma. gibbosum with its’ peripatetic behavior vectors A. sydowii and has evolved a defensive use for the Aspergillus fungus which infects G. ventalina. The gastropod ingests A. sydowii as it feeds on the coral and stores the toxin, making it non-palatable to many predators. This study surveyed behavior and location of C. gibbosum, Gorgonia ventalina (and other Gorgonian spp) and A. sydowii at Cayo Mejor, Honduras. Research sought to distinguish if C. gibbosum resided on corals with this disease or preferred healthy, uninfected sea fans. It is hypothesized that the gastropod aids the coral as it removes the fungus by lowering the exposure of the coral to the fungus, thereby allowing the sea fan to recover after infection. Current studies are finding possible immunity for the coral from future exposure to the fungus. Observations showed C. gibbosum on healthy, uninfected gorgonians less than 25% of the time and on coral with Aspergillosis more than 25 % of the time. It appears that C. gibbosum is attracted to G. ventalina infected with A. sydowii as much or more than uninfected coral. While still predatorial in nature, a more mutualistic relationship is forming as the coral now needs the gastropod to remove the pathogenic organism that could otherwise be deadly to the coral.

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