Week 9: Group Research Projects

This week we all were hard at work on our group research projects. Here is what each group is up to:

Counting Pisaster

Katie E. and Joyce are looking at the prevalence of sea star wasting disease in Ochre Sea Stars (Pisaster ochraceus). They were looking for a link between wasting sea stars and hermit crabs (Pagurus spp.). This idea came from an observation during our sea star wasting surveys in the community ecology section.

Kelsey and Zach are measuring decomposition rates of rack algae. They are looking at 3 different species and are measuring the dry weight after multiple days.

Kristina and Kristi are looking at bleaching in four algae functional groups. They conducted surveys to quantify the amount of bleaching that is happening to each group. In the lab, they are exposing algae samples to light and heat to see how they respond.

Beautiful early morning at Cape Blanco

Measuring cover of bleached Phyllospadix spp.

Larkin and Nickolai are looking at spawning location preferences of shrimp (Crangon spp.) in the Yaquina Bay area.

Rachel, Mackenzie and Jake are testing regeneration rates of aggregating anemones (Anthopleura elegantissima) at different temperatures.

Jake, Mackenzie and Rachel feeding their regrowing anemones

Courtney, Celeste and Ashtyn are looking at the differences in percent cover and biodiversity of a native seagrass (Zostera marina) and an invasive seagrass (Zostera japonica) at different sites in Yaquina Bay.

Katie C. and Mike are testing sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus) habitat preference to see if they prefer canopy algal cover or bare rock.

Left: Fake algae cover  Right: Real algae cover

Britnee and Raine are looking at the population numbers of mud shrimp and comparing them to past data. They are also measuring the shrimp's burrowing density as well as the infestation intensity of  parasitic isopods.

Eric and Adam are testing sediment grain size preference for English Sole (Parophrys vetulus). 

How many English Sole can you find? Look closely!

Jordan and Tyler are testing food preferences of the nudibranch Rostanga pulchra.

Nudibranchs and their spongy food

Weighing nudibranchs

Now it's time to analyze data. We look forward to hearing everyone present their findings next Friday!