Identifying the Mechanism of Interaction Between Soil Moisture State and Summertime MCS Initiations in Weakly Forced Synoptic Environments Using Convective-Permitting Simulations.

This work aims to identify a mechanism of interaction between soil moisture (SM) state and the incidence of weakly forced synoptic scale MCS events during boreal summer by performing a sensitivity study using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model over the US Great Plains. A uniformly dry SM patch at a 5° × 5° scale is centered at the point of a documented MCS initiation to observe spatiotemporal changes of the simulated MCS events, totaling 97 cases between 2004 and 2017. A storm-centered composite analysis of SM at the location of simulated MCS events depicted SM heterogeneity [O(100) km] structured as significantly drier soils to the southwest (SW) transitioning to wetter soils northeast (NE) of the mean simulated initiation.

Small sharks, big problems: DNA analysis of small fins reveals trade regulation gaps and burgeoning trade in juvenile sharks.

Many shark species have been overexploited for international markets, including fins for shark fin soup in Southeast Asia. Previous studies highlighted the value of large, threatened shark species, regulated under CITES Appendix II. However, sampling biases may have overlooked small shark species.

Coral species-specific loss and physiological legacy effects are elicited by an extended marine heatwave.

Marine heatwaves are increasing in frequency and intensity, with potentially catastrophic consequences for marine ecosystems such as coral reefs. An extended heatwave and recovery time-series that incorporates multiple stressors and is environmentally realistic can provide enhanced predictive capacity for performance under climate change conditions. We exposed common reef-building corals in Hawai'i, Montipora capitata and Pocillopora acuta, to a 2-month period of high temperature and high PCO2 conditions or ambient conditions in a factorial design, followed by 2 months of ambient conditions.

Karyotypic changes and diversification time in Epinephelidae groupers (Perciformes). Implications on reproductive isolation.

Groupers (Epinephelidae and Serranidae) have attracted special attention to fish farming, and their species offer good opportunities for successful hybridizations. Cytogenetic data allow a better understanding of the role of karyotypic diversification in the acquisition of post-zygotic reproductive isolation (RI). Thus, chromosomal analyses were performed on E.

Pelagic Sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico driven by ocean currents and eddies.

Pelagic Sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) plays an important role in ocean biology and ecology, yet our knowledge of its origins and transport pathways is limited. Here, using satellite observations of Sargassum areal density and ocean surface currents between 2000 and 2023, we show that large amounts of Sargassum in the GoM can either originate from the northwestern GoM or be a result of physical transport from the northwestern Caribbean Sea, both with specific transport pathways. Sargassum of the northwestern GoM can be transported to the eastern GoM by ocean currents and eddies, eventually entering the Sargasso Sea.

Respirable Metals, Bacteria, and Fungi during a Saharan-Sahelian Dust Event in Houston, Texas.

Although airborne bacteria and fungi can impact human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health, very few studies have investigated the possible impact of their long-range transport in the context of more commonly measured aerosol species, especially those present in an urban environment. We report first-of-kind simultaneous measurements of the elemental and microbial composition of North American respirable airborne particulate matter concurrent with a Saharan-Sahelian dust episode. Comprehensive taxonomic and phylogenetic profiles of microbial communities obtained by 16S/18S/ITS rDNA sequencing identified hundreds of bacteria and fungi, including several cataloged in the World Health Organization's lists of global priority human pathogens along with numerous other animal and plant pathogens and (poly)extremophiles.

Global organic and inorganic aerosol hygroscopicity and its effect on radiative forcing.

The climate effects of atmospheric aerosol particles serving as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) depend on chemical composition and hygroscopicity, which are highly variable on spatial and temporal scales. Here we present global CCN measurements, covering diverse environments from pristine to highly polluted conditions. We show that the effective aerosol hygroscopicity, κ, can be derived accurately from the fine aerosol mass fractions of organic particulate matter (ϵ) and inorganic ions (ϵ) through a linear combination, κ = ϵ ⋅ κ + ϵ ⋅ κ.

Marine heatwaves threaten cryptic coral diversity and erode associations among coevolving partners.

Climate change-amplified marine heatwaves can drive extensive mortality in foundation species. However, a paucity of longitudinal genomic datasets has impeded understanding of how these rapid selection events alter cryptic genetic structure. Heatwave impacts may be exacerbated in species that engage in obligate symbioses, where the genetics of multiple coevolving taxa may be affected.

Near-term tropical cyclone risk and coupled Earth system model biases.

Most current climate models predict that the equatorial Pacific will evolve under greenhouse gas-induced warming to a more El Niño-like state over the next several decades, with a reduced zonal sea surface temperature gradient and weakened atmospheric Walker circulation. Yet, observations over the last 50 y show the opposite trend, toward a more La Niña-like state. Recent research provides evidence that the discrepancy cannot be dismissed as due to internal variability but rather that the models are incorrectly simulating the equatorial Pacific response to greenhouse gas warming.

Sea temperature influences accumulation of tetrodotoxin in British bivalve shellfish.

Tetrodotoxin (TTX), a potent neurotoxin mostly associated with pufferfish poisoning, is also found in bivalve shellfish. Recent studies into this emerging food safety threat reported TTX in a few, mainly estuarine, shellfish production areas in some European countries, including the United Kingdom. A pattern in occurrences has started to emerge, however the role of temperature on TTX has not been investigated in detail.

Viral predation pressure on coral reefs.

Background: Predation pressure and herbivory exert cascading effects on coral reef health and stability. However, the extent of these cascading effects can vary considerably across space and time. This variability is likely a result of the complex interactions between coral reefs' biotic and abiotic dimensions.

Development of Multiple Linear Regression Models for Predicting Chronic Iron Toxicity to Aquatic Organisms.

We developed multiple linear regression (MLR) models for predicting iron (Fe) toxicity to aquatic organisms for use in deriving site-specific water quality guidelines (WQGs). The effects of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), hardness, and pH on Fe toxicity to three representative taxa (Ceriodaphnia dubia, Pimephales promelas, and Raphidocelis subcapitata) were evaluated. Both DOC and pH were identified as toxicity-modifying factors (TMFs) for P.

Quantifying international and interstate contributions to primary ambient PM and PM in a complex metropolitan atmosphere.

We quantify the contributions of long-range and regionally transported aerosols to ambient primary PM and PM in a representative United States industrialized/urban atmosphere via detailed elemental analysis and chemical mass balance (CMB) modeling after identifying their presence using a variety of publicly available satellite data/information, software products, and synoptic-scale aerosol models. A year-long study in Houston, Texas identified North African dust as the principal long-range global source of primary particulate matter (PM). CMB estimated transatlantic dust from the Sahara-Sahel region to be dominant in the summer months contributing an average of 3.

A novel intrauterine satellite transmitter to identify parturition in large sharks.

Determining where and when animals give birth is critical for establishing effective conservation management that protects vulnerable life stages (e.g., pregnant females and newborns) and places (e.

Increased dominance of heat-tolerant symbionts creates resilient coral reefs in near-term ocean warming.

Climate change is radically altering coral reef ecosystems, mainly through increasingly frequent and severe bleaching events. Yet, some reefs have exhibited higher thermal tolerance after bleaching severely the first time. To understand changes in thermal tolerance in the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP), we compiled four decades of temperature, coral cover, coral bleaching, and mortality data, including three mass bleaching events during the 1982 to 1983, 1997 to 1998 and 2015 to 2016 El Niño heatwaves.

Effects of elevated CO on metabolic rate and nitrogenous waste handling in the early life stages of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares).

Ocean acidification is predicted to have a wide range of impacts on fish, but there has been little focus on broad-ranging pelagic fish species. Early life stages of fish are thought to be particularly susceptible to CO exposure, since acid-base regulatory faculties may not be fully developed. We obtained yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from a captive spawning broodstock population and exposed them to control or 1900 μatm CO through the first three days of development as embryos transitioned into yolk sac larvae.

A new species of (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Antipatharia, Schizopathidae) from the Red Sea and its phylogenetic position.

A black coral, Chimienti, is described from the Saudi Arabian coasts of the Gulf of Aqaba and north Red Sea (Neom area) using an integrated taxonomic approach. The morphological distinctiveness of the new species is confirmed by molecular analyses. The species thrives in warm and high salinity waters typical of the Red Sea at bathyal depths.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Reef Manta Ray, , from Hawaii.

We provide the complete mitochondrial genome of the reef manta ray, , using an ezRAD approach. The total length of the mitogenome was 18,166 bp and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and one non-coding control region. The gene organization and length are similar to other species.

Restoration and coral adaptation delay, but do not prevent, climate-driven reef framework erosion of an inshore site in the Florida Keys.

For reef framework to persist, calcium carbonate production by corals and other calcifiers needs to outpace loss due to physical, chemical, and biological erosion. This balance is both delicate and dynamic and is currently threatened by the effects of ocean warming and acidification. Although the protection and recovery of ecosystem functions are at the center of most restoration and conservation programs, decision makers are limited by the lack of predictive tools to forecast habitat persistence under different emission scenarios.

Evidence for a consistent use of external cues by marine fish larvae for orientation.

The larval stage is the main dispersive process of most marine teleost species. The degree to which larval behavior controls dispersal has been a subject of debate. Here, we apply a cross-species meta-analysis, focusing on the fundamental question of whether larval fish use external cues for directional movement (i.

Mitigation and adaptation emissions embedded in the broader climate transition.

Climate change necessitates a global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while adapting to increased climate risks. This broader climate transition will involve large-scale global interventions including renewable energy deployment, coastal protection and retreat, and enhanced space cooling, all of which will result in CO emissions from energy and materials use. Yet, the magnitude of the emissions embedded in these interventions remains unconstrained, opening the potential for underaccounting of emissions and conflicts or synergies between mitigation and adaptation goals.

Comparison of Multiple Linear Regression and Biotic Ligand Models for Predicting Acute and Chronic Zinc Toxicity to Freshwater Organisms.

Multiple linear regression (MLR) models for predicting zinc (Zn) toxicity to freshwater organisms were developed based on three toxicity-modifying factors: dissolved organic carbon (DOC), hardness, and pH. Species-specific, stepwise MLR models were developed to predict acute Zn toxicity to four invertebrates and two fish, and chronic toxicity to three invertebrates, a fish, and a green alga. Stepwise regression analyses found that hardness had the most consistent influence on Zn toxicity among species, whereas DOC and pH had a variable influence.