Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Degree Granting Department
Biology (Integrative Biology)
Major Professor
Bradford Gemmell, Ph.D.
Committee Member
John Everett Parkinson, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Kendra Daly, Ph.D.
Keywords
Copepods, Escape Response, Heterotrophy, Particle Image Velocimetry
Abstract
Reef-building corals obtain nutrients through two primary means: autotrophy (via mutualism with photosynthetic zooxanthellae) and heterotrophy (via feeding). The latter form of resource acquisition is understudied and many aspects of predator-prey interactions between coral and naturally occurring prey species remain unexplored. In this thesis, I elucidate the role of branching coral morphology in shaping the colony’s local hydrodynamic environment and describe how this environment impacts prey capture, particularly among evasive and hydrodynamically sensitive, but highly abundant prey such as copepods. I used acrylic cylinders of three sizes in aquaria to model the structure of coral branches across the range of natural branch diameters. I used high-speed, high-resolution video recordings to measure interactions between coral models and introduced prey, using physical contact as a proxy for prey capture. I found that coral models captured evasive copepods at higher rates than passive prey at all branch diameters and flow speeds. Particle image velocimetry data on flow characteristics showed that branching creates fluid shear and turbulence patterns that promotes contact of evasive copepods on downstream branches. These results suggest that branching coral morphology may have evolved in part to enhance passive capture of evasive prey in reef habitats, with implications for coral restoration and bleaching recovery efforts.
Scholar Commons Citation
Daniels, Kelsey, "Branching Corals Modulate their Hydrodynamic Environment, Enhancing Capture Rates of Evasive Prey" (2025). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10854
