In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Master of Science in Biology

in the

School of Biological Sciences

Piper Rackley

Will defend her thesis

“Changes of community structure of seagrass-associated elasmobranchs and teleosts in Florida’s “Big Bend” ecosystem”

13, April, 2023

9:30 am

EBB Krone – 3029 Conference Room

https://zooatlanta.zoom.us/j/82306657349?pwd=aFMrbDU1MGtXOFZBQmFNdWxSZER1Zz09 

Thesis Advisor:

Dr. Michael Goodisman

School of Biological Sciences

Georgia Institute of Technology

Committee Members:

Dr. Joseph Mendelson

School of Biological Sciences

Georgia Institute of Technology

 Dr. Dean Grubbs

Florida State University

Abstract: Sharks play a significant ecological role as a predatory species in the world’s oceans. While they have been around for millions of years, they face many threats today, such as fishing and habitat destruction (via pollution and coastal development), that diminish their populations, and some species are on the verge of extinction. Over the past four decades, ocean water temperatures have risen significantly and have severely altered marine ecosystems. Florida’s “Big Bend” ecosystem is a diverse seagrass ecosystem and is characterized by the gradient of freshwater influence that enters the system from major rivers in its northern region. This study took place from 2009 to 2021 and covered four sections of the “Big Bend” that varied in abiotic factors, such as salinity, water clarity, temperature, etc. We hypothesize that the abundance and distribution of these elasmobranch and large teleost species are associated with differences in abiotic factors between our sampling sites. Specifically, salinities and water temperature will play a significant role in the habitat usage of these organisms, and we expect there to be significant impacts of these factors that indicate habitat preferences amongst these species.