Do you have Chaeto? Scientific study seeks your input!!

[Phycophila]

:bounce3:Hello RCers! I've spoken with the moderators and they've given the go-ahead for me to contact you all about an interesting project I'd like to involve the RC community in.

My name is Anna Simeon and I'm a graduate researcher (specializing in phycology) affiliated with the University of Guam as well as the government's Bureau of Statistics and Plans. In the last three years, Guam has experienced a problematic bloom of Chaetomorpha (also known as "chaeto" ) on our reef flats that is starting to overgrow and shade corals, and we are concerned this bloom will harm our already-stressed reef ecosystem. Chaeto blooms have also been reported in the Caribbean and in Australia.

In collaboration with NOAA and other international researchers, Dr. Tom Schils and I are in the process of starting a project to use genetics to determine if this is (1) an invasive species or (2) a native species that has bloomed because of some environmental factor. We already have wild samples of Chaetomorpha from all over the world, and we'd like to compare samples of what YOU keep in your aquariums to those in order to determine which strains are commonly kept in reef tanks and if those are being accidentally released and established in new regions.

We are asking the RC community to help by donating some of your Chaetomorpha for genetic analysis. We will ship you a small package with silica gel (a non-toxic substance for preservation), detailed instructions, a short survey, and a prepaid return shipping envelope (nothing that will be shipped is toxic, illegal, or requires any special customs consideration.) We need only a very small amount of each sample - a small bunch about 1/4" in diameter.

IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE please contact me here on RC or send an email to chaeto.project@gmail.com with the following information. Your information will of course be kept confidential.

- Name
- E-mail address
- Mailing Address
- Where you got your Chaeto (ebay, fellow aquarist, local store, etc.)

Thank you in advance for your contributions - I will keep you all updated on the study as more information becomes available.

Feel free to ask any questions - I look forward to hearing from you all

 

[Phycophila]

Here's a brief article about this issue on NOAA's national website: http://coralreef.noaa.gov/aboutcrcp/news/featuredstories/mar15/abloomguam.html#.VQDbWs9nyNc.facebook

 

[Savant]

Sounds cool

 

[Phycophila]

It really should be. When the final results come out, I'll be sure to post it on here. There's concern that Chaetomorpha may be the next "killer algae" since it spreads so easily. There's already a paper published about how to properly kill it before disposing of it...

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Email sent. Count me in!

 

[fredro]

Email sent. Happy to help!

 

[Phycophila]

CJ and Fred - just got both your emails. Thank you and spread the word!

 

[oscarinw]

E-mail sent. Thanks and good luck

 

[Phycophila]

Thanks Oscar - just got it.

 

[Oldude]

Email sent

 

[Sangheili]

We already have wild samples of Chaetomorpha from all over the world, and we'd like to compare samples of what YOU keep in your aquariums to those in order to determine which strains are commonly kept in reef tanks and if those are being accidentally released and established in new regions.

The possible implications from that conclusion (if asserted) are concerning to me. I would hate to see the aquarium trade negatively impacted by a study such as this.

 

[BrettH]

As opposed to our natural reefs....!?

I share your concern, but the hobby has to take a back seat.....assuming the results are accurate and unbiased.

 

[xcorallusx]

Do you have more pictures, the only one posted is not very clear, i think I see a little cheato in the bottom right corner? Wouldnt local scientists in guam already know if chaeto is local/natural to the area? I think this needs to be determined first. I agree a study like this will only fuel the fire for people trying to ban the aquarium industry. If you already have wild samples from all over the world, wouldnt you compare those to the local chaeto that is giving you problems in guam? Just because you collect samples from hobbyists doesnt mean they "accidently" released their cheato into the ocean. I cant picture anyone in their right mind putting cheato back into the ocean? I figure the chaeto is becoming a problem because of the reefs declining, just like you see more cyano? How are the local fish populations of guam?

 

[Phycophila]

Great discussion.

Wouldnt local scientists in guam already know if chaeto is local/natural to the area? I think this needs to be determined first.

You bring up a great point about how difficult algae taxonomy actually is. Yes, the genus Chaetomorpha is not new to Guam - it's found here in small quantities (usually). However, there are many species in the genus and they are nearly impossible to distinguish by morphology alone. Researchers are currently in the process of actually sorting out which Chaeto species are what worldwide - this requires a thorough genetic analysis using specimens from as many geographic locations as possible.

So, to answer your question, this study is doing just that - determining what species this is. The study includes the aquarium specimens because it allows us to get a more diverse group of specimens.

I cant picture anyone in their right mind putting cheato back into the ocean?

Unfortunately, this stuff is really resilient. It only takes a 1/4" of a single strand to be accidentally or intentionally introduced into the water to regenerate! There's actually a published study from last year that details exactly how to kill chaetomorpha (microwaving it, drying out, etc.) I can pass that pdf on to anyone who's interested.

I figure the chaeto is becoming a problem because of the reefs declining, just like you see more cyano? How are the local fish populations of guam?

That's probably part of the issue. Overall reef resilience is a hot topic right now, and we have to examine all reef stressors to preserve them...and basic taxonomic research is one of the necessary components of understanding these ecosystem changes.

Do you have more pictures, the only one posted is not very clear, i think I see a little cheato in the bottom right corner?

Do you mean the picture on the NOAA website? Nearly the entire frame is taken up by Chaetomorpha

 

[xcorallusx]

Thanks for answering my questions! I couldnt tell from the picture if that was string or hair algae and some chaeto in the corner? In my tanks cheato is usually very dense and an emerald green when healthy and growing. Are there many hobbyists in guam? I dont think suggesting chaeto was introduced to problem reefs by the aquarium industry is fair, considering where guam is I think any macroalgae can become invasive and damaging to corals, but its natures way of fixing things. Are the local fish eating the cheato?

Poor water quality linked to erosion on the steep hillsides and streambanks impacting the coral reefs. Wildland fires, feral animals, and off-roading vehicles have accelerated erosion. Sedimentation can have serious impacts to coral health by increasing susceptibility to disease, decreasing growth rates, and affecting coral settlement.

I know you probably dont have much control over this, but I would say stop these things and see if your chaeto problem persists.

 

[Phycophila]

We're not suggesting our chaeto problem was brought on by the aquarium trade (we don't have much of a reefkeeping contingent here anyway), but by understanding the genetic diversity we'll be able to tell if other blooms (present or future) are.

I know you probably dont have much control over this, but I would say stop these things and see if your chaeto problem persists.

Hahaha...as if it's that easy We resource managers on Guam have many long-standing programs to address all sorts of sedimentation, bleaching, and resilience issues. I shudder to think what our environment would look like here if that wasn't the case.

 

[saf1]

I would wager war hasn't helped the reefs much...

 

[doctorvu]

Just sent an email... happy to help. Good luck with your research.

 

[JWClark]

I'd be looking at increased nutrient levels as well--though I guess this is not the specialty of an algae systematist--assuming that is what your major professor does.

Maybe there is a link w/ the brown tree snake! Kidding, of course. Do you guys do any DNA barcoding (CO1 gene sequencing) of the algae? I oversee this for mosquitoes and we have generally found about 10% hidden diversity, on average--in some places more. Of course this may not be as reliable for plants w/ all their crazy genetic processes.

 

[mfinn]

sent you a pm.