Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Cook, Clayton B.

Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair

Brooks, W. Randy

Abstract

Coral bleaching involves the loss of symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) from reef corals and other cnidarians during periods of environmental stress, particularly elevated temperature. In this study the thermal bleaching responses of the zoanthid Palythoa caribaeorum from three populations along the southeast coast of Florida were compared. Winter (2002--2003) and summer (2003) samples from three geographically separate sites were exposed to increased temperatures and the loss of zooxanthellae was measured. Zooxanthellae populations were sampled and identified using PCR-DGGE. The results showed that samples of P. caribaeorum from reefs that experience smaller annual thermal ranges released the most zooxanthellae. Seasonal comparisons revealed winter samples experienced a greater amount of zooxanthellae loss than summer samples. P. caribaeorum was found to harbor two genetic strains of zooxanthellae, C1 and D1a. Colonies either contained monotypic populations of these, or a combination of both.

Extent

71 p.

Comments

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2003.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Identifier

FADT13053

Format

pdf

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