Quarterly Research Newsletter Fall 2019

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS & UPCOMING PROJECTS

ON OUR COVER

Captured during the Coral Breeding & Restoration

Workshop at CEI, coral eggs and embryos are
examined through a microscope in our wetlabs.
Suspended in a one centimeter-wide droplet of water,
they were sampled to test fertilization success.

CEI COLLABORATES WITH SHEDD AQUARIUM FOR

A large isopod, likely a giant isopod Bathynomus DEEPWATER FISHERY RESEARCH
giganteus, captured in a trap at 900 m deep.
Brendan Talwar and Alexa Hoffman recently joined
the Shedd Aquarium and other collaborators for the
first deepwater fishery research ever conducted off
of New Providence, The Bahamas. They were a
part of a team that surveyed fish and invertebrate
communities between 250 and 1000 m deep to
support numerous projects while characterizing
the communities that vary with depth in the Tongue
of the Ocean. Some species were familiar to the
CEI team from past deepwater surveys in Exuma
Sound, while others were recognizable from past
work in the Gulf of Mexico, but had never been documented in this part of The Bahamas. At first
glance, the deepwater shark community may vary slightly between Exuma Sound and Tongue of
the Ocean. The species that caught our attention more than any other was a small sleeper shark
in the genus Centroscymnus, a shark that we’ve never documented off of our own coast here in
Eleuthera. We also pulled up a handful of deepwater crustaceans, including some isopods that are
either juvenile Bathynomus giganteus, the giant isopod, or a species that has yet to be described.
This work is incredibly important as The Bahamas continues to explore the potential for oil extraction
in its vast deep ocean habitats where most life remains a mystery.

BRINGING 3D SHARK MODELS TO LIFE

A rendering of the 3D model of a Caribbean reef shark.
Special-effects artists have been entertaining us for
years by creating realistic 3D models of everything
from aliens to robots, yet little did they realize how
the 3D imaging technology that they were inventing
would impact the world outside of film and TV. Using
tools and methodologies created by these special-
effects artists, we recently constructed an accurate
3D model of a Caribbean reef shark through
collaboration with Digital Life and OceanX. Models
such as this are not only valuable for providing a
realistic representation of marine species for movies
and computer games, but can also be used for
answering important scientific questions, 3D printing
and environmental education.
 CEI LAUNCHES SNAKE RESEARCH PROGRAM

Sebastian Hoefer recently joined our team at CEI as

a Research Assistant. Sebastian’s background is in
herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians)
and he will be spearheading a new research
program at CEI to monitor the snake populations
of Eleuthera. All four species of snakes found on
Eleuthera are harmless to humans and endemic
to The Bahamas, meaning that they live here and
A nowhere else! Snakes play a vital part in a functioning
ecosystem by controlling pests and thus regulating
disease transmission as well as being prey for other
animals. It is essential to monitor snake populations
and understand their dynamics to ensure stable and
healthy populations.

For our first snake project, we will collect dead

snakes on the road (DOR) to estimate the threat that
roadkill poses to these populations. Furthermore,
DOR’s will be dissected and tissue samples taken in
order to provide information on diet, biogeographic
B distribution and sexual reproduction.

Two of the four species of snakes found on Eleuthera. (A) We are eager to get this project underway to learn
Bahamian Boa (Chilabothrus strigilatus), (B) Bahamian Racer more about and protect these unique and often
(Cubophis vudii vudii). misunderstood creatures.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS BEGIN WORK WITH THE CAPE ELEUTHERA INSTITUTE
This fall, in collaboration with Michigan State University, a group of students joined the Cape Eleuthera
Institute for a two-month long study abroad program focused on marine ecology. This is the third year
that we have hosted this program, which provides participants with credit towards a minor in Marine
Ecosystem Management. Students take classes at MSU throughout the semester while gaining hands-on
field experience with the CEI Research teams.
Prior to their arrival on Eleuthera, these students From left to right: Alex Walus, Kathryn Waters,
dedicate an entire month to learning about Olivia Boeberitz, Kayla Crump and Dana Reeves
Bahamian culture and ecosystems as well as the
Cape Eleuthera Island School community. Each of
the four students, Olivia Boeberitz, Dana Reeves,
Kayla Crump and Kathryn Waters, was assigned
to a different research group within CEI, and they
are able to get an in-depth look at what field
research entails. From working with the lobster
research team to investigate the impacts of
fisheries discards to tagging sharks in the Exuma
Sound and restoring coral reefs, these students
are learning a wide array of skills and gaining
important knowledge and experience before
returning to Michigan for their final exams in late
November.
 NON-VISIBLE POLLUTANTS IN OUR OCEANS: HOW ARE HEAVY METALS AFFECTING SEA TURTLES?

During the fall 2019 semester, Laura St. Andrews, a

Laura St. Andrews holds a juvenile green sea turtle
during a field day.
Master’s student at Purdue University, will study the
levels of heavy metals found in juvenile green sea turtles
(Chelonia mydas) in the waters around Cape Eleuthera.
There are many heavy metals that occur naturally in
our oceans, but they are harmful (and even toxic) to
sea turtles when present at slightly abnormal levels.
Heavy metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium
are often spewed into the environment as industrial
and agricultural pollutants, but they can also come
from plastics, and they quickly accumulate in marine
ecosystems.

In order to better understand the health of our Eleutheran sea turtles, Laura is visiting a range of
tidal creeks around the Cape. Juvenile green turtles found in these creeks spend the majority of
their time in pristine, non-urban seagrass beds. By taking samples of turtles caught by boat or
seine net, and later analyzing these samples in a lab, results from this study will reveal how clean
our seagrass beds truly are for our beloved sea turtles! From this information, we can compare
what we find in our non-urban waters to juvenile green turtles around the world.

IMPROVING RESTORATION: TRANSLOCATING CORALS

For more than two weeks, CEI Associate

Researchers, Dr. Valeria Pizarro and Natalia
Hurtado, joined a research expedition to increase
genetic diversity of the critically endangered
species staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) on
board the research vessel R/V Coral Reef II. This
project, which is a collaboration between the
Shedd Aquarium and Perry Institute for Marine
Sciences, aims to increase staghorn coral genetic CEI interns and research assistants will be in charge of the
diversity within the populations and ensure the maintenance and measurements of the new coral tree nurseries
at Tunnel Rock in Eleuthera, under the supervision of Dr. Valeria
persistence of the species in The Bahamas. Pizarro and Natalia Hurtado.

During the expedition, 570 staghorn coral

fragments from 19 genotypes were collected
from Bimini, Nassau, Eleuthera, Cat Island and
Exumas and transported in “live wells” onboard
while travelling between islands. A total of 12 new
nurseries were installed: two in Bimini, Nassau
and Cat Island (respectively) and six in Eleuthera.
CEI will be responsible for the maintenance and
monitoring of the six nurseries, as we host the
triple of fragments of corals compared with other
Researchers from Shedd Aquarium, CEI/Perry Institute of Marine
islands. This project is part of the Reef Rescue Science, University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine &
Network and our Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub Atmospheric Science, University of South Florida, Hawai’i’s
Institute of Marine Biology aboard R/V Coral Reef II.
project!

Mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) setting, where gamete
bundles can be seen in the mouth of each polyp. Setting occurs
prior to bundles being released and is an indication that the coral is
ready to spawn. Photo by Liv Williamson.
Secore International’s workshop attendees, consisting of
Secore International hosts, CEI/PIMS research scientists
and interns, aquarist participants, and coral reef researchers
academic institutions.
Getting Our Spawn On!
The Bahamas Coral Innovation Hub at the Cape
Eleuthera Institute alongside the Perry Institute for
Marine Science hosted Secore International’s Coral
Spawning and Propagation Workshop for a variety
of aquarists and researchers. The workshop aimed
to educate aquarists working with corals about
innovative larval propagation technologies and
methods, focusing on the importance of increasing
genetic diversity in coral restoration.
We concentrated on the broadcast spawner
mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata), which
reproduces by releasing gamete bundles into the
water column. Fertilization occurs when these
bundles, containing sperm and eggs, burst at the
surface. Fertilized embryos ultimately develop into
swimming larvae. Since coral species synchronize
their spawning, the workshop attendees set out to
John Millar’s Blue Hole just after sunset on select
nights following the full moon. The team successfully
collected bundles during two of these night dives,
and gametes were cross-fertilized on site. From the
volume of gamete bundles collected, we estimate
that we had around 3 million embryos!

Once the embryos develop into larvae and start to swim, they search for somewhere to settle
and transform into a polyp. Ceramic and concrete substrates, preconditioned to have Crustose
Coralline Algae growth and a microbial biofilm known to promote larval settlement, were placed
in the two Secore International coral larval rearing pools stationed at the Cape Eleuthera Marina,
and some were kept in our wetlab facilities. Of the 3 million fertilized embryos, approximately
600,000 were placed in the pools and 400,000 in the CEI wetlab tanks. The remaining 2 million were
released in the sea.

In the weeks following the workshop, the CEI

Coral Team checked the substrates for coral
settlers/recruits. More than 1,000 substrates
with approximately 77,000 corals have been
outplanted at Bamboo (impaired reef condition)
and John Millar’s Blue Hole (fair reef condition)
with the help of the Island School community.
A subsample of 60 outplanted tetrapods, each
with 20 to 100 coral recruits, will be monitored
into the future as a proxy for overall settlement
survivorship. The success of this project provides
key insights into the use of larval propagation Gamete bundles flowing through a collector into a jar
during a night dive. Photo by Liv Williamson.
techniques as an effective method of coral reef
restoration.
THE BAHAMAS IS BEING EXCLUDED FROM CLIMATE
RESEARCH WHEN WE NEED IT MOST

By Dr. Nick Higgs

Echoing Prime Minister Hubert Ingram’s recent speech

at the United Nations, Cape Eleuthera Institute’s
Director, Dr. Nick Higgs, recently called on the global
scientific community to support the participation
of small island developing states (SIDS) like The
Bahamas in research projects to tackle climate change
and support sustainable development. Writing in the
leading scientific journal Nature, he points out that
The Bahamas and other SIDS are being excluded
from accessing research and development funding
because of a statistical loophole. This is particularly
unfair because these countries are the ones suffering
the effects of climate change the most.
Believe it or not, The Bahamas is classed as a ‘high income country’ by the World Bank. Our
population is so small that our Gross National Income per person is comparatively high. This means
that economic powerhouses such as China, Brazil and India are eligible for aid and development
funding, while small island developing states like The Bahamas are excluded. This obvious injustice
is even starker in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, as our country starts to clean up and rebuild.

While there is an urgent need for assistance in recovery efforts, we must also try and tackle the
systemic injustices that lead to disasters like Dorian. On the environmental side, we know this
kind of storm will become more frequent as climate change ramps up. Without further research to
understand the effects of climate change we will continue to find ourselves in the same position. The
exclusion of SIDS from development and research funding hinders our ability to adapt and respond
to these challenges.

To read the full article and learn more about how this statistical loophole is preventing research
funding from getting to small island states, please read Dr. Higgs article in Nature.

We recently said farewell to Dr. Nathan Robinson. Nathan came to CEI as a Research
Associate in 2017, working on the ecology of sea turtles. In 2018, he was promoted to
Director, serving in this role for over a year. During his tenure, Nathan worked tirelessly to
reform and build-up CEI, as well as undertake exceptional science on the behaviour of
sea turtles. He leaves behind an expanded and thriving CEI, including an ongoing turtle
research program as a testament to his dedication. Nathan has been a mentor and
friend to many in our community and will be greatly missed. He will remain affiliated with
CEI as an Adjunct Scientist, helping to guide our future sea turtle research.

Dr. Nick Higgs took over as Director of CEI in August of this year, after working alongside
Nathan as Assistant Director since last fall. Nick is a Bahamian marine biologist whose
research is focussed on the sustainability of the spiny lobster fisheries. This is an exciting
time at CEI, with an expanding research portfolio and several new projects starting.
We are also increasing the research element of our Island School curriculum to further
integrate research into education affecting change. At a time when The Bahamas is
facing unprecedented challenges and environmental changes, CEI aims to be an asset
to the country, providing the information needed to ensure a sustainable future for The
Bahamas.
Recent Publications
Higgs, N (2019) Small island states excluded from climate research when they need it most. Nature,
574:333.

Majewska R, Bosak S, Frankovich TA, Ashworth MP, Sullivan MJ, Robinson NJ, Lazo-Wasem EA,
Pinou T, Nel R, Manning SR, Van de Vijver B (2019) Six new epibiotic Proschkinia (Bacillariophyta)
species and new insights into the genus phylogeny. European Journal of Phycology 25:1-23.

Pinou T, Domenech F, Lazo-Wasem EA, Majewska R, Pfaller JB, Zardus JD, Robinson NJ (2019)
Standardizing sea turtle epibiont sampling: outcomes of the Epibiont Workshop at the 37th International
Sea Turtle Symposium. Marine Turtle Newsletter 157:22-32.

Robinson NJ, Lazo-Wasem E, Butler BO, Lazo-Wasem EA, Zardus JD, Pinou T (2019) Spatial
distribution of epibionts on olive ridley sea turtles at Playa Ostional, Costa Rica. PLoS ONE
14:e0218838.

S. Clay Steell, Travis E. Van Leeuwen, Jacob W. Brownscombe, Steven J. Cooke, Erika J. Eliason
(2019) An appetite for invasion: digestive physiology, thermal performance and food intake in lionfish
(Pterois spp.). Journal of Experimental Biology, 222 (19):jeb209437.

Williamson SA, Evans RG, Robinson NJ, Reina RD (2019) Synchronised nesting aggregations are
associated with enhanced capacity for extended embryonic arrest in olive ridley sea turtles. Scientific
reports. 9:9783.

For a more complete list of recent and past publications, please visit our website!

Our Team

Nick Higgs, PhD. Nathan Robinson, PhD. Edd Brooks, PhD. Valeria Pizarro, Ph.D. Brendan Talwar, MSc. Eric Schneider, MSc.

Natalia Hurtado, MSc. Candice Brittain Candace Fields Hannah Lochan Sebastian Hoeffer Natasha Hinojosa

Follow along with us on social media or our blog!

@ceibahamas @capeeleutherainstitute ceibahamas.org/news