In the lab you can research various type of things, conduct experiments, and find new discoveries beneficial to the science community!
Project Abstracts
Is Bigger Better: Algal capture rates in the marine invader, Crepidula fornicata.
Kevin Marino1,Sumaiya Chowdhury1, Dr. Dianna K. Padilla2, Dr. Rebecca Grella1
1 Brentwood High School, 2 Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University
ABSTRACT
Introduction of nonnative species through human transportation has resulted in the competition for food and space between nonnative and native species. To understand how the snail, Crepidula fornicata, an invasive species in Europe, functions in aquatic environments, the particle removal rate was studied. Because C. fornicata is a suspension feeder, consuming algae in the plankton, research has shown the potential for C. fornicata to impact native and aquaculture species where it has been introduced and its ability to impact water quality in its native habitat. Laboratory experiments were used to assess whether the particle removal rate of C. fornicata in different algal concentrations had a relationship with shell size. To further understand particle removal rate in response to the gill function, the area of the ctenidium was measured. Data was collected from 120 snails (1 mm to 32 mm) in four different algal concentrations: 20,000 cells/mL, 40,000 cells/mL, 60,000 cells/mL, and 80,000 cells/mL. An increase in shell length resulted in the increase of particle removal rate, however, data also showed that the maximum intake capacity for snails was reached at algal concentrations of 60,000 cells/mL. The increase in ctenidium area in respect to snail size indicates that gill area determines particle capture rates.
Kevin Marino1,Sumaiya Chowdhury1, Dr. Dianna K. Padilla2, Dr. Rebecca Grella1
1 Brentwood High School, 2 Department of Ecology and Evolution, Stony Brook University
ABSTRACT
Introduction of nonnative species through human transportation has resulted in the competition for food and space between nonnative and native species. To understand how the snail, Crepidula fornicata, an invasive species in Europe, functions in aquatic environments, the particle removal rate was studied. Because C. fornicata is a suspension feeder, consuming algae in the plankton, research has shown the potential for C. fornicata to impact native and aquaculture species where it has been introduced and its ability to impact water quality in its native habitat. Laboratory experiments were used to assess whether the particle removal rate of C. fornicata in different algal concentrations had a relationship with shell size. To further understand particle removal rate in response to the gill function, the area of the ctenidium was measured. Data was collected from 120 snails (1 mm to 32 mm) in four different algal concentrations: 20,000 cells/mL, 40,000 cells/mL, 60,000 cells/mL, and 80,000 cells/mL. An increase in shell length resulted in the increase of particle removal rate, however, data also showed that the maximum intake capacity for snails was reached at algal concentrations of 60,000 cells/mL. The increase in ctenidium area in respect to snail size indicates that gill area determines particle capture rates.
