Marine Ecologist | Larval Fish Ecology | Oceanography | Genetics | Coral Reef and Pelagic Ecosystems Research @NOAAFish_PIFSC Tweets are my own.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Joined October 2019
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Humpback anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii) offshore of Hawaii. Adult females (~5”) can be 10x bigger than males and live as deep as 4000m! Bioluminescent lure, huge mouth and squishy skin allow them to swallow prey bigger than they are. #PelagicPortraits @NOAAFish_PIFSC
Here is the nisto stage of a ula pāpapa, Regal Slipper Lobster (Arctides regalis). First in new series #PelagicPortraits showcasing creatures of midwater habitats around Hawaii, from our recent @NOAAFish_PIFSC expedition investigating pelagic ecosystems on @NOAA ship Oscar Sette
Job alert! Our NOAA colleagues at SWFSC are recruiting a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate the ecology, evolution, & population dynamics of marine mammal, fishes, and invertebrates using eDNA. Join the growing NOAA 'Omics Network ow.ly/4vhX50SogH0
Job opportunity! Interested in bioinformatics, eDNA metabarcoding, and want to work in Hawaii?
3-year, Bioinformatics position (Postdoc/early Career Researcher) with CIMAR at @NOAAFish_PIFSC. Apply @ tinyurl.com/3yk72tv5 by 3/29 and join a growing network of eDNA researchers.
Our new genetic study shows that #ReefMantaRays in #Hawaii live in isolated, island-specific, and genetically distinct populations. Read the paper here rdcu.be/dgoqO published with @SpringerNature in @BMC_series Ecology & Evolution with @RR_Coleman @MarkDeakos #MantaRay
Small population size and low reproductive rates (1 pup every 1-7 years) make these and other island populations extremely vulnerable to human impact. Reef mantas face several threats including fishing line entanglement, boat strikes, and habitat loss. They need our protection.
ALT Reef manta ray with a missing cephalic fin, amputated by a fishing line entanglement in waters off Maui, Hawai’i. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos
Reef manta rays rely on healthy coral reefs. They visit reefs to get cleaned and meet up with other mantas. Coastal development can degrade coral reefs and embayments which are critical habitat for manta cleaning, socializing, breeding, and pupping.
ALT A reef manta ray visits a cleaning station on the Olowalu reef off Maui, Hawai’i, to get parasites removed. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos.
Genetics confirm findings from photoID and tagging research from HAMER #MantaPacific. #Mantarays are strong swimmers & could easily travel the few miles between islands. But these reef manta rays stay close to home and rarely cross the deep channels between islands.
We estimated the number of adult breeders (effective pop size) in each island at only ~104 on Hawaiʻi Island and ~129 throughout Maui Nui. With so few breeders, the loss of a single individual could have detrimental consequences to the resilience of #Hawaii #ReefMantaRays.
ALT A large adult female leading three adult males in a mating train at sunset over a reef in West Maui, Hawaiʻi. Credit: Hawaiʻi Association for Marine Education and Research/Mark Deakos
We provide the first genetic evidence that female #ReefMantaRays are strongly philopatric, and only reproduce on the island where they were born. Migration rates are equivalent to one female moving between island groups every 1,300 years and one male only about every 64 years.
ALT Photo of reef manta ray in Maui, Hawaii.
We show that Hawaii Island and Maui Nui are made up of only a few hundred rays each and should be considered separate. Small and isolated animal populations are vulnerable to disease and extinction. Islands may need targeted management strategies to ensure long-term stability.
ALT Map of collection sites in the Hawaiian Islands with inset highlighting position in the Pacific Ocean Basin and location within the Hawaiian Archipelago. Bathymetry shows contour lines at 500 m intervals. Red circles note tissue sample collection locations at aggregation sites on Maui Island and Hawaiʻi Island. Maui, Molokai, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe make up the 4-island complex of Maui Nui. Map credit: Joey Lecky.
Dr. Jonathan Whitney retweeted
Did you know that female reef mantas in Hawai‘i only reproduce at the island where they were born? 🤔The first genetic study of reef manta rays in Hawai‘i found that each island has separate and genetically distinct populations! Learn more: fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-s…
ALT Three reef manta rays swimming behind one another in Maui, Hawaiʻi.
Find out how Hawaiʻi fishers are helping @NOAAFish_PIFSC & @NOAAFish_PIRO learn about mahi diet including a new rewards program to thank contributors for their donations.
Mahimahi may be on your plate, but what’s on theirs? Young malu, ōpelu, & nūnū, to name a few! Find out how Hawaiʻi fishermen are helping @NOAAFisheries learn about mahi diet and the connection to local reefs: fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-s…
#CitizenScience #nomnom #sustainable #fishing
ALT Even though mahimahi have big mouths, they often eat small reef fish miles offshore. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Happy #UNWorldOceansDay! I’m celebrating by sharing stories of the amazing lives of baby fishes in the 'Oceanic Discoveries' segment (10:35am EDT) along with @Brian_Skerry, Mattie Rodrigue @oceanx, @DrAustinG, Nicole Yamase, and @natkelley. Livestream at UNWorldOceansDay.org
Dr. Jonathan Whitney retweeted
ONE MORE DAY! Join us tomorrow for #UNWorldOceansDay 🌊 The live stream will start at 10AM EDT on unworldoceansday.org - see you there! @SylviaEarle @Brian_Skerry @JMCousteau @AngelAlessandra @natkelley @oceanx @AmandaCerny @EarthGang @danniwashington @DavidDoubilet
The high seas cover nearly half of Earth's surface and hold great biodiversity (lots of #deepsea), BUT they remain the least-protected areas on our blue planet. Join me in signing the petition led by @RebeccaRHelm @DivaAmon and others to help protect high-seas biodiversity.
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Join me and the @UN @OceanicGlobal on Tuesday 10-5 EDT in celebrating #WorldOceansDay!
This year’s event will highlight the importance of the ocean for sustaining life and livelihoods.
unworldoceansday.org/2021
I’m thrilled to be speaking at this year’s @UNWorldOceansDay on June 8th! Join us for an all-day, virtual event exploring oceanic biodiversity, new ocean discoveries, and innovative solutions for our changing ocean. RSVP at UNWorldOceansDay.org/2021!
So excited to see larval fish featured in the @nytimes! Gorgeous and illuminating photography from @JeffMilisen and Steve Kovaks @ngfl3333 coupled with unparalleled taxonomic expertise of Bruce Mundy (my mentor), Ai Nonaka & Dave Johnson from @smithsonian nytimes.com/2021/03/30/scien…
Congrats to @JeffMilisen, Ai Nonaka, Bruce Mundy, and Dave Johnson on an awesome new larval fish paper! Highlights how blackwater diving offers invaluable insights and incredible images of these mysterious little monsters. Check out the open-access paper: doi.org/10.1643/i2019318
