Although endothermy is one of the most significant evolutionary developments in the vertebrates, its origins among extinct taxa have traditionally been difficult to determine. Endothermy is primarily an attribute of the "soft anatomy," and its key features, such as complex lungs, elevated blood oxygen carrying capacity and mitochondrial density, do...
Scleractinian corals, like many other cnidarians, engage in intracellular symbiosis with
dinoflagellates belonging to the genus Symbiodinium. This association makes
invaluable structural and energetic contributions to the marine environment and to the
coral reef ecosystem in particular. While many aspects of the cnidarian-dinoflagellate
relationship have been well studied, nothing is...
This dissertation focuses on science relevant to the design and implementation of marine reserves. The chapters explore a range of topics related to among-site variation in population, community, and ecosystem dynamics. My results demonstrate the value and feasibility of integrating this knowledge into more comprehensive conservation and management approaches. While...