capt . aarin-conrad allen
Research Biologist at Florida International University
research biologist florida international university
Florida International University
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Miami, Florida, United States
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Research Biologist
Marine Mammal, Research, Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release
Florida, USA; Belize, C.A.
Marine Biologist
USCG Merchant Marine Captain - Near Coastal
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Florida, United States
Captain
NAUI Worldwide
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National Association of Underwater Instructors - Instructor #52540
Florida, United States
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SCUBA Instructor
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
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Tequesta, FL
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Marine Mammal Biologist
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
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Bradenton, FL
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Staff Biologist
Graduate Certificate
Natural Resource Policy and Administration
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University of Florida
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Master of Science (M.Sc.)
Marine Biology and Coastal Zone Management
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Nova Southeastern University
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Bachelor of Science (BS)
Biochemistry, minor in Spanish
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The University of Akron
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Society of Marine Mammalogy
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Investigating the long-term fluctuations of the feeding ecology of megaherbivores such as sirenians is important, as any changes could be indicative of shifts in resource availability. The Indian River Lagoon, eastern Florida, USA, is a critical habitat for the Florida manatee. However, the IRL has experienced a substantial decline in seagrass due to the persistence of several harmful algal blooms. Using microhistological analysis, we examined the diet of manatees over a discontinuous sampling period spanning over 38 years using stomach contents collected from carcasses recovered in the IRL. Samples collected between 2013–2015 (post-seagrass die-off, n = 90) were compared to archived stomach samples collected between 1977–1989 (pre-seagrass die-off, n = 103). Samples analyzed from 1977–1989 contained primarily seagrasses (61.7%), followed by algae (28.4%) and vascular plants (1.7%). In contrast, stomach samples from the post-seagrass die-off primarily contained algae (49.5%), followed by seagrasses (34%) and vascular plants (2.7%). Between 1977–1989 and 2013–2015, manatees in the IRL experienced a 44.9% decline in seagrass consumption, and a 74.3% increase in algal consumption. This dietary shift was not influenced by body length, a proxy of age, or sex. Our results indicate that the dietary shift experienced by manatees is due to the decline of available seagrass forage in the IRL, and highlight the dietary plasticity of manatees in the face of changes in resource availability. However, the individual health and population-level consequences of this dietary shift are unknown. An increase in mortality due to undetermined causes in this region since 2012 can be associated with deteriorating body conditions of manatees in the IRL, possibly resulting from a lack of seagrass diet. Future research should further investigate behavioral changes affecting manatees in relation to seagrass decline in the IRL, including the energetic costs of this dietary change.
Evidence of a dietary shift by the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in the Indian River Lagoon inferred from stomach content analyses
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771422000488
Belize contains important habitat for Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) and provides refuge for the highest known population density of this subspecies. As these animals face impending threats, knowledge of their dietary habits can be used to interpret resource utilization. The contents of 13 mouth, six digestive tract (stomach, duodenum and colon) and 124 faecal samples were microscopically examined using a modified point technique detection protocol to identify key plant species consumed by manatees at two important aggregation sites in Belize: Southern Lagoon and the Drowned Cayes. Overall, 15 different items were identified in samples from manatees in Belize. Five species of seagrasses (Halodule wrightii, Thalassia testudinum, Ruppia maritima, Syringodium filiforme and Halophila sp.) made up the highest percentage of items. The red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) was also identified as an important food item. Algae (Ulva sp., Chara sp., Lyngbya sp.) and a small amount of invertebrates (including sponges) were also consumed. Variation in the percentage of seagrasses, other vascular plants and algae consumption was analysed as a 4-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) with main effects and interactions for locality, sex, size classification and season. While sex and season did not influence diet composition, differences for locality and size classification were observed. These results suggest that analysis of diet composition of Antillean manatees may help to determine critical habitat and use of associated food resources which, in turn, can be used to aid conservation efforts in Belize.
Diet of the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) in Belize, Central America
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315417000182
The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) is an invasive predatory marine fish that has rapidly expanded its presence in the Western Hemisphere. We collected 214 invasive red lionfish samples from nine countries and territories, including seven unpublished locations. To more comprehensively evaluate connectivity, we compiled our d-loop sequence data with 846 published sequences, resulting in 1,060 samples from 14 locations. We found low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.003) and moderate haplotype diversity (h = 0.59). Using haplotype population pairwise ΦST tests, we analyzed possible phylogeographic breaks that were previously proposed based on other reef organisms. We found support for the Bahamas/Turks/Caicos versus Caribbean break (ΦST = 0.12) but not for the Northwestern Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, or US East Coast versus Bahamas breaks. The Northern Region had higher variation and more haplotypes, supporting introductions of at least five haplotypes to the region. Our wide-ranging samples showed that a lower-frequency haplotype in the Northern Region dominated the Southern Region and suggested multiple introductions, possibly to the south. We tested multiple scenarios of phylogeographic structure with analyses of molecular variance and found support for a Northern and Southern Region split at the Bahamas/Turks/Caicos versus Caribbean break (percentage of variation among regions = 8.49 %). We found that Puerto Rico clustered with the Southern Region more strongly than with the Northern Region, as opposed to previous reports. We also found the rare haplotype H03 for the first time in the southern Caribbean (Panama), indicating that either secondary releases occurred or that the low frequency haplotypes have had time to disperse to extreme southern Caribbean locations.
Wide-ranging phylogeographic structure of invasive red lionfish in the Western Atlantic and Greater Caribbean
Marine Biology
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-015-2623-y
West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus L.) are opportunistic, herbivorous aquatic mammals that occupy the warm, shallow coastal waters throughout the southeastern United States. Manatees are known to feed on large quantities of diverse plant types. Presently within the state of Florida, manatees are an endangered species facing environmental and anthropogenic threats. Several different organizations work to rescue and rehabilitate these animals for an eventual return to the wild. Also within Florida, invasive aquatic plants are becoming increasingly problematic, creating both negative economic and environmental impacts. Each year, efforts are made to control these exotic plant species through several different methods. However, physical, mechanical, chemical and biological means to contain nonindigenous plants each have their drawbacks. There is a need for a natural,integrated approach to invasive aquatic plant management. The opportunity for manatees to control exotic plant species within the Florida ecosystem exists, but is improbable because of inadequate population densities. This study builds on this potential examining the use of manatees held in captivity as a tool for management by utilizing the physical collection of targeted nonindigenous plants to supplement the diet of rehabilitated manatees. Provisions are augmented with nutrients that manatees may not obtain from other sources typically found in captive diets. Early introduction of natural plants may allow for an easier transition to normal feeding patterns upon release and may condition animals to continue consumption of exotic plants in the wild. Each step has the potential to contribute to the reduction of invasive aquatic plants in Florida, and presents a cost-effective feeding alternative for manatee rehabilitation facilities. This method promotes a native Florida species as a natural solution to the problem.
Using the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) as a mechanism for invasive aquatic plant management in Florida
Journal of Aquatic Plant Management
http://nsuworks.nova.edu/occ_facarticles/478/
Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) are a tropical species endemic at their northernmost habitat range within the southeastern United States. Manatees face a thermoregulatory requirement during winter months and follow a seasonal migration to warm water sources. To avoid cold stress syndrome (CSS), manatees utilize the warmth from artificial sources such as power plant discharge canals or natural sources such as artesian springs. Already endangered, this species nonetheless continually faces an ever-growing threat from human impact within these important locations. This paper reviews the past and present laws protecting manatees in Florida, chronicles the impacts manatees are facing presently and in the future, and details the increasing need for the application of protection from a management standpoint. With the correct management plan in place, manatees and humans can cooperatively coexist together in a shared environment.
The People vs. the Florida manatee: A review of the laws protecting Florida's endangered marine mammal and need for application
Ocean and Coastal Management
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964569114002610
The Manatees’ Winter Vacation
Sources: The Journal of Underwater Education
SOURCES: The Journal of Underwater Education. Fourth Quarter 2011,Volume 25, Issue 4
Captive Dolphins: A Balanced View
Sources: The Journal of Underwater Education
DataCamp
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Introduction to R
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NAUI Worldwide
52540
SCUBA Instructor
Divers Alert Network
AED/CPR/First Aid/Emergency Oxygen Instructor
U.S. Coast Guard
National Master 50/OUPV Captain
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Hollywood, FL
Joy Castro
Environmental Scientist
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Boca Raton, FL
Nicole Sharp, P.E.
Coastal Restoration & Modeling Program Manager at APTIM
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Fort Lauderdale, FL
Anna Ulianova
Staff Scientist
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San Juan
María Díaz
Maestra de Historia en Academia María Reina
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Puerto Rico
Camille Lloret
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Denver Metropolitan Area
Janis Carrasquel-Hernández
Preschool Teacher at Denver Public Schools
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Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Maria Estefania Colón
VSA Academy Ambassador & Client Education Coordinator at Latinx Veterinary Medical Association.
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San Juan
Lauren Klumper, CPA
Lead Senior Associate at Financial Oversight & Management Board for Puerto Rico
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San Juan
Lissy Alamo-Pagan
Director of Sales at Miramar Brewing, Certified Cicerone®
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Puerto Rico
Maria Cristina Arroyo-Pont
Senior Associate at Red Ventures Puerto Rico
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New York City Metropolitan Area
Wydnne Cadena, MBA
Research Finance Manager at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
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United States
Ricardo Pabón Esq. LL.M.
President and CEO at Pabon Deglans & Associates, LLC
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Miami-Fort Lauderdale Area
Nilka Medina
Sr Quality Systems Manager at Medtronic
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Puerto Rico
Cristina Colom Diez, CPA
Commercial Relationship Officer at Banco Popular de Puerto Rico
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Belize
Nicole Auil Gomez
Belize Country Program Director at Wildlife Conservation Society
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United States
AMASIAS SPA
Un Oasis de Belleza
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Guaynabo
Rafael Roman
Especialista en Respuestas a Emergencias y Administracion de Desastres
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San Juan
Melisa Valencia
Team Lead - Supervisor at ASICS Corporation, Charlotte russe
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Gainesville, FL
Mulubrhan Gebremikael
Research Coordinator at the University of Florida
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Very happy to see this paper published today and led by our very own Aarin Conrad Allen, PhD student in my lab: Evidence of a dietary shift by the…
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NOAA Research
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