Browsing by Author "Bologna, Paul"

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Assessing the Biological Control of Atlantic Bay Nettles (Chrysaora chesapeakei) by Nudibranchs
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2020-01-08) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John; Restiano, Dana
Assessing the Biological Control of Atlantic Bay Nettles (Chrysaora chesapeakei) by Nudibranchs: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2020-09) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, Jack; Restaino, Dena
A multi-year study was conducted to assess nudibranch predation as a means of controlling Atlantic Bay Nettle (Chrysaora chesapeakei) and other cnidarian polyps, which can successively mitigate the production and abundance of adult medusae in coastal waters. Nudibranchs collected from Barnegat Bay and the Shrewsbury Rive demonstrated selective predation and consumption of C. chesapeakei polyps in laboratory and field settings, though several factors may influence their effectiveness in controlling populations. Laboratory studies indicate that while complete predation of polyps did occur, incomplete or partial predation of polyps was also common. Under the latter conditions, nudibranchs consumed polyp tentacles, but failed to consume whole individuals. Another extenuating factor in nudibranch control of polyps is predation by nudibranchs on sea anemones observed in choice experiments. In the laboratory, predation potential was investigated using bay nettle polyps and the non-native sea anemone Diadumene lineata, a co-inhabitant of the man-made structures preferred for settlement by C. chesapeakei. The results showed a significant predation preference for C. chesapeakei. However, nudibranchs may be limited in their ability to act as efficient predators on bay nettle polyps if D. lineata are present in high numbers. The presence of other cnidarian species comprised in the diet of wild aeolid nudibranchs was also assessed. Nudibranch cerata were collected and 16S rDNA sequences of cnidarian DNA amplified from grouped individuals. Results showed that cnidarian DNA was present in over half of the samples with positive identification of Obelia bidentata, Moerisia spp., and C. chesapeakei. While nudibranchs possess the potential to control C. chesapeakei polyps, substantial aquaculture of individuals would be needed to seed coastal communities sufficiently to act as an effective biological means of managing cnidarian populations.
Assessing the impacts of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station and its Closure on Gelatinous Zooplankton and Planktonic Community Structure
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2023-04) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John; Meredith, Robert; Schuler, Matthew
For the last decade we have been monitoring and investigating the gelatinous zooplankton community in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. During this time frame, Barnegat Bay was severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy, which directly impacted the density of the top predator the Bay Nettle (Chrysaora chesapeakei), allowing a more diverse community of gelatinous zooplankton species to flourish after the storm. In addition, the operation of the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station (OCNGS) has put significant stresses on the health of Barnegat Bay for over 50 years through direct destruction of planktonic organisms, redirection of water flow used in cooling the plant, and a chronic thermal stress. This research looked at determining the changes associated with the closure of the plant on the zooplankton community to assess whether the closure resulted in improved ecological conditions to support the recovery of Barnegat Bay after this chronic stress.
Assessment of clinging jellyfish Gonionemus vertens populations in New Jersey 2016 - 2020
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, 2022-05-03) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John; Restaino, Dena; Rigby, Matthew
Gonionemus vertens (Clinging Jellyfish) is a species of small hydrozoan native to the Pacific Ocean. In 2016, it appeared in New Jersey with the first individual being documented from the Manasquan Canal and subsequent individuals collected in the Shrewsbury River Estuary. Research regarding the distribution of G. vertens was conducted during the summers of 2016 and 2017 in northern Barnegat Bay, the Manasquan River, and the Shrewsbury River Estuary. While the first individual G. vertens confirmed was from the Manasquan Inlet, no other individuals were ever collected from this region nor in the northern reaches of Barnegat Bay. All individuals, including recruiting polyps, were identified from the Shrewsbury River Estuary (54 individual G. vertens medusae were collected in 2016 and 218 collected in 2017). In both years, individual polyps were collected on JADs (Jellyfish Attracting Devices), but no large-scale larval recruitment of polyps was observed, as only one single individual polyp was on a JAD during 2016 and 2017. Subsequent laboratory observations of polyp development from larvae suggest it often takes 3 to 4 months for polyps to fully develop, so it is probable that the polyps from the field JADs likely had merely climbed onto the JAD surface and were not actively recruiting there. It is clear that a well-defined population exists in the Shrewsbury River and continued blooms in the late spring and early summer are expected in the future. Since no other individuals were collected in the Manasquan and Barnegat Bay estuaries after the first individual was observed, it is unclear as to whether that observation was anomalous or whether another population remains in this area, but is not actively blooming. During surveys of the Manasquan River a large, viable eelgrass (Zostera marina) bed was identified near the original collection site of the first G. vertens, so the preferred habitat for G. vertens is present, however the abundant populations in the Shrewsbury River are using macroalgae as habitat, so both algae and seagrass are viable habitat for G. vertens.
Assessment of the Distribution and Abundance of Stinging Sea Nettles (Jellyfish) in Barnegat Bay
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, 2013) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John
During the 2012 field season, we collected samples from 16 sites in Barnegat Bay to assess the distribution of gelatinous zooplankton, with emphasis on all life history stages of sea nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) and potential impacts on the pelagic zooplankton communities. During the research, 384 plankton tow samples were collected, 1152 filtered water samples were collected, and approximately 1394 lift net samples were collected during eight sampling events commencing in May and concluding in September.
Impacts of Invasive Sea Nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) and Ctenophores on Planktonic Community Structure and Bloom Prediction of Sea Nettles Using Molecular Techniques : Final Project Report
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, 2016-02) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John; Meredith, Robert
Impacts of Invasive Sea Nettles (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) and Ctenophores on Planktonic Community Structure and Bloom Prediction of Sea Nettles Using Molecular Techniques : Final Report 2013
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, 2015-06) Bologna, Paul; Gaynor, John; Meredith, Robert