Mentor/s
LaTina Steele
Participation Type
Poster
Abstract
Allelopathic Interactions between Duncanopsammia axifuga and Ulva lactuca
Naeema Kandawala and Dr. LaTina Steele
Biology Department, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT 06825
Abstract
Coral reefs are a diverse and complex ecosystem that provide important food, livelihood, and services. Algae are prominently associated with coral reef degradation. Invasive algae are known to overtake coral-dominated habitats by tactics of poisoning, smothering, and shading, causing a reduction in coral cover. The study was conducted to determine the allelopathic interactions between the ubiquitous macroalga Ulva lactuca and the Indo-Pacific coral Duncanopsammia axifuga. We conducted a lab experiment with a randomized block design with one replicate of each treatment group (control, algae, mimic) in each of five tanks. The study was conducted for a duration of three weeks. The weight and bleached area measurement of D. axifuga were obtained each week. Data were analyzed each week to determine if significant changes in bleaching and weight occurred among treatments. However, only the data from the final week are presented. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference in the change in weight of D. axifuga between the different treatment groups after three weeks. Friedman’s test also revealed no significant difference in the change in percent bleached of D. axifuga between the different treatment groups after three weeks. The findings indicated that there were no allelopathic interactions or effects of physical contact between U. lactuca and D. axifuga. Further studies can help determine algal impacts on coral reef degradation and resilience since some algae produce more potentially allelopathic chemicals than others.
College and Major available
Biology
Location
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building
Start Day/Time
4-29-2022 1:00 PM
End Day/Time
4-29-2022 4:00 PM
Prize Categories
Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Best Visuals, Most Creative
Allelopathic Interactions between Duncanopsammia axifuga and Ulva lactuca
Digital Commons & West Campus West Building
Allelopathic Interactions between Duncanopsammia axifuga and Ulva lactuca
Naeema Kandawala and Dr. LaTina Steele
Biology Department, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT 06825
Abstract
Coral reefs are a diverse and complex ecosystem that provide important food, livelihood, and services. Algae are prominently associated with coral reef degradation. Invasive algae are known to overtake coral-dominated habitats by tactics of poisoning, smothering, and shading, causing a reduction in coral cover. The study was conducted to determine the allelopathic interactions between the ubiquitous macroalga Ulva lactuca and the Indo-Pacific coral Duncanopsammia axifuga. We conducted a lab experiment with a randomized block design with one replicate of each treatment group (control, algae, mimic) in each of five tanks. The study was conducted for a duration of three weeks. The weight and bleached area measurement of D. axifuga were obtained each week. Data were analyzed each week to determine if significant changes in bleaching and weight occurred among treatments. However, only the data from the final week are presented. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference in the change in weight of D. axifuga between the different treatment groups after three weeks. Friedman’s test also revealed no significant difference in the change in percent bleached of D. axifuga between the different treatment groups after three weeks. The findings indicated that there were no allelopathic interactions or effects of physical contact between U. lactuca and D. axifuga. Further studies can help determine algal impacts on coral reef degradation and resilience since some algae produce more potentially allelopathic chemicals than others.
Students' Information
Naeema Kandawala - Biology, 2022
Honorable mention, Dean's Prize: College of Arts & Sciences 2022 award.