The main objective of this research was to analyze how well my proposed Foundation Species Interaction model explained the benthic communities found on red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) prop roots. This research investigated the connections between the primary foundation species (mangroves), the dominant secondary foundations species (oysters, sponges, and barnacles), and the resulting biodiversity in order to understand the temporal and spatial variability of the ecosystems at different community levels. Chapter 1 was dedicated to explaining my change in ecological theory, the Foundation Species Interaction model. The interactions included in the model between the foundations species that were examined were the mutualistic (+, +), commensal (+, 0), and parasitic (+, -) interactions. Chapter 2 focused on exploration of the mangrove ecosystem in Southeast Florida and establishing where the secondary foundation species and prop root epibionts where found along the latitudinal gradient. The survey investigated the connections between mangroves, the dominant secondary foundations species (e.g. oysters, sponges, and barnacles), and the resulting biodiversity to understand the temporal and spatial variability of the ecosystems at different community levels. Chapter 3 was dedicated to testing the Foundation Species Interaction model’s ability to predict the biodiversity along the latitudinal gradient of the survey. The difference in mangrove prop root communities were largely explained by where the communities laid along the latitudinal gradient and by secondary foundation species presence. The shift from one foundation species to another had sizable effects on biodiversity. Chapter 4 combined the Foundation Species Interaction model with the established predation hypothesis and tested their abilities to explain biodiversity along the latitudinal gradient. This allowed for shifts in community structure to be examined for top-down and bottom-up influences. Predation effects changed along the latitudinal gradient, as the predation effects changed so did the effects of each of the individual foundation species. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) was a period of massive range contraction for numerous taxa, including the water-dispersed mangrove species, Rhizophora mangle L. Following the LGM, R. mangle expanded poleward via propagule transport by ocean currents. In this study, we use microsatellite loci to characterize the genetic structure of nine R. mangle populations and compare potential expansion pathways that resulted in the colonization of the Florida peninsula and Caribbean islands. Results show comparatively greater genetic connectivity between the Caribbean mainland and Florida, a similar pattern between West Africa and Caribbean islands, and substantial admixture on the island of San Salvador, the Bahamas. We conclude that Florida and Caribbean island R. mangle populations were likely recolonized via different expansion pathways. Estimates of recent migration rates are low and populations are structured into three regions (Caribbean mainland, Caribbean islands, Florida). These findings provide insight for future management and conservation initiatives. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Manguezais são considerados ecossistemas costeiros, localizados na transição entre os ambientes terrestre e marinho. Esse ambiente é característico de regiões tropicais e subtropicais, sendo encontrados em todo o mundo, principalmente no Brasil, Indonésia e Austrália. A ocorrência de grande quantidade de matéria orgânica potencializa o fato de que os microrganismos são importantíssimos na ciclagem de nutrientes nestes ambientes. Microrganismos endofíticos podem ser extremamente relevantes para os vegetais existentes em manguezais por habitarem o interior destes, em todo seu ciclo de vida ou somente em parte dele, sem prejudicá-lo ou causar qualquer dano aparente ao mesmo. Os endofíticos podem conferir ao seu hospedeiro características importantes, tais como, maior resistência a condições de estresse, suprimento de nutrientes e outros componentes de interesse biotecnológico (como enzimas, antibióticos e drogas de interesse farmacêutico). O presente estudo visou, assim, verificar a diversidade de bactérias diazotróficas endofíticas existentes em mangue vermelho (Rhizophora mangle) da Ilha do Cardoso (Cananéia SP) e estudar a biodiversidade funcional dos principais grupos e potencial biotecnológico. / Mangroves are considered a coastal ecosystem, located in the transition between the terrestrial and marine environments. This environment is typical of tropical and subtropical regions and is found throughout the world, mainly in Brazil, Indonesia and Australia. The occurrence of a large amount of organic matter enhances the fact that microorganisms are important in the cycling of nutrients in these environments. Endophytic microorganisms can be extremely relevant to the plant existing in mangrove swamps, because live in the interior of these, in its entire life cycle or only part of it, not harm him or cause any apparent damage to it. The endophytic can give to your host important characteristics such as greater resistance to conditions of stress, supply of nutrients and other components of biotechnological interest (such as enzymes, antibiotics and drugs of pharmaceutical interest). This paper therefore finds the diversity of endophytic diazotrophic bacteria exist in red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) of Ilha do Cardoso (Cananéia - SP) and study the functional biodiversity of the main groups and potential biotechnology.

Manguezais são considerados ecossistemas costeiros, localizados na transição entre os ambientes terrestre e marinho. Esse ambiente é característico de regiões tropicais e subtropicais, sendo encontrados em todo o mundo, principalmente no Brasil, Indonésia e Austrália. A ocorrência de grande quantidade de matéria orgânica potencializa o fato de que os microrganismos são importantíssimos na ciclagem de nutrientes nestes ambientes. Microrganismos endofíticos podem ser extremamente relevantes para os vegetais existentes em manguezais por habitarem o interior destes, em todo seu ciclo de vida ou somente em parte dele, sem prejudicá-lo ou causar qualquer dano aparente ao mesmo. Os endofíticos podem conferir ao seu hospedeiro características importantes, tais como, maior resistência a condições de estresse, suprimento de nutrientes e outros componentes de interesse biotecnológico (como enzimas, antibióticos e drogas de interesse farmacêutico). O presente estudo visou, assim, verificar a diversidade de bactérias diazotróficas endofíticas existentes em mangue vermelho (Rhizophora mangle) da Ilha do Cardoso (Cananéia SP) e estudar a biodiversidade funcional dos principais grupos e potencial biotecnológico. / Mangroves are considered a coastal ecosystem, located in the transition between the terrestrial and marine environments. This environment is typical of tropical and subtropical regions and is found throughout the world, mainly in Brazil, Indonesia and Australia. The occurrence of a large amount of organic matter enhances the fact that microorganisms are important in the cycling of nutrients in these environments. Endophytic microorganisms can be extremely relevant to the plant existing in mangrove swamps, because live in the interior of these, in its entire life cycle or only part of it, not harm him or cause any apparent damage to it. The endophytic can give to your host important characteristics such as greater resistance to conditions of stress, supply of nutrients and other components of biotechnological interest (such as enzymes, antibiotics and drugs of pharmaceutical interest). This paper therefore finds the diversity of endophytic diazotrophic bacteria exist in red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) of Ilha do Cardoso (Cananéia - SP) and study the functional biodiversity of the main groups and potential biotechnology.

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