[Coral-List] Sea Urchins eating iron cannons
Seven Seas Ltd - Henry E. Tonnemacher
go7seas at hotmail.com
Fri Jan 11 14:36:08 EST 2013
Within the boundries of the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve in St. Croix, VI are a pile of about 9 cannons and mortars in shallow water that have been heavily bio-eroded and even colonized by sea urchins, most likely Echinometra spp. The area is usually too rough to snorkel in but has been photographed and video taped for the NPS on a number of occasions. I have personally seen and photographed individual sea urchins in burrows/holes in the iron cannons. Although I have seen no conclusive proof that the Echinometra have in fact "eaten" into the iron cannons, their almost perfect fit inside the holes in the cannons is at least highly suspect.
Henry "Hank" Tonnemacher, Environmental Biologist
Seven Seas Ltd.
> From: coral-list-request at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: Coral-List Digest, Vol 53, Issue 13
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:50:26 -0500
>
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> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons and granite
> blocks... (Dennis Hubbard)
> 2. Re: Inquiry to the Coral-l list.... (mtupper)
> 3. Re: Steel and granite boring by sea urchins (Walter Goldberg)
> 4. Re: Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons and granite
> blocks... (H?ctor Reyes Bonilla)
> 5. Re: Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons and granite
> blocks... (Bill Allison)
> 6. Re: Inquiry to the Coral-l list.... (Bill Allison)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:54:32 -0500
> From: Dennis Hubbard <dennis.hubbard at oberlin.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons
> and granite blocks...
> To: boc <boc at aquafact.ie>
> Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, David Evans
> <davidjevans1818 at yahoo.com>, rookerj at tamug.edu,
> maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> Message-ID:
> <CAFjCZNZuPG8AauEODi-gjDw5+f_-+M6tDJ3WZTcA_bCTjMufUw at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Interesting observations. I spent two field seasons on Easter Island and
> observed what looks like *Diadema* boring into the lava substrate (oriented
> both vertical and horizontal). This is all the more interesting as the wave
> energy is so high on this side of the island that corals cannot recruit.
> Basalt is softer than granite, but harder than limestone. Steel is another
> issue.... wow!
>
> On the observation of their covering themselves, this sounds similar to the
> bahavior of *Tripneustes* in the Caribbean. Way back when I was still at
> West Indies Lab, one of our students tackled the question of why they
> covered themselves with trash. I'm a geologist, so this is outside my job
> description but my sense is that this is typically attributed to defense as
> an urchin covered with grass litter will blend in better.
>
> Anyway, the student cut up a sheet of polarizing material to approximate
> seagrass and put it into an in-situ enclosure with urchins. The urchins
> picked up the polarizing strips just like grass - I guess you work with
> what you have available. The interesting thing is that urchins are made of
> high-magnesium calcite that nucleates in one direction only: the c-axis of
> crystallographic growth. It turned out that the urchins were oprienting the
> strips perpendicular to that axis, in effect cross-polarizing the light..
> The result would have been a total blocking of light. The student concluded
> that this "uber-shading" reflected a strategy to reduce heat (or some other
> factor directly related to light) rather than affecting camouflage or just
> looking "new wave".
>
> Nature never ceases to surprise us.
>
> Dennis
>
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 4:49 AM, boc <boc at aquafact.ie> wrote:
>
> > Hello to all.
> >
> > I live on the west coast of Ireland where our local small urchin,
> > Paracentrotus lividus which occurs over much of the southwest and west
> > coasts, creates pits in intertidal pools on limestone pavement in which
> > they
> > then live. They cover themselves in pieces of shell under which Amphipholis
> > squamata can be found. Never thought urchins would work their way through
> > granite and steel though!
> >
> > BOC
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of David Evans
> > Sent: 10 January 2013 20:49
> > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov; rookerj at tamug.edu
> > Cc: maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> > Subject: [Coral-List] Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons and
> > granite blocks...
> >
> > Hello All,
> >
> > Happy New Year!
> >
> > I was made aware of an interesting observation from a Marine Archaeology
> > list. I thought it would be useful to pass it on here for any further
> > input.
> > Dr. Simon Spooner of the Anglo~Danish Maritime Archaeological Team (ADMAT;
> > www.admat.org.uk ) posted this observation on the Sub-Arch List server (
> > SUB-ARCH at ASU.EDU ) about bio-eroding sea urchins ( Reb Rock Boring Sea
> > Urchin *echinometre lucunter*) on a shipwreck off the Dominican Republic,
> > boring holes into granite blocks and iron canon cargo at the wreck site.. He
> > was asking if anyone has experience encountering something similar. I will
> > post an excerpt here:
> >
> > .... a shipwreck off Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic...
> >
> > .... we noted an interesting biologic factor and wanted to know if anyone
> > on
> > the list has encountered such on their surveys.
> >
> > During the survey we noted that some of the granite blocks (over 60 of them
> > part of the cargo) which were in the shallows, less than 3 meters depth,
> > water temp arround 80 deg F, had holes "drilled" in them. In addition iron
> > cannons which appear to have been new cannons with the touche-holes not
> > drilled, also had holes in them. We have proved that these holes were made
> > by a particular type of sea urchin, the Reb Rock Boring Sea Urchin or
> > Echinometre Lucunter.
> >
> > -->Has anyone conducted a survey where they have encountered this,
> > -->either in cargo or on iron cannons?<--
> >
> > [additionally: "ADMAT is intending to return to the wreck site this summer
> > and i hope we can get some further research on these things as there are a
> > number of interesting questions they throw up, like how long to burrow a
> > hole and how fast to they breed?"]
> >
> > Many thanks
> > Simon
> > Dr. Simon Q. Spooner, BSc, MRICS, PhD, MIfA.
> > maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> > Anglo~Danish Maritime Archaeological Team www.admat.org.uk
> >
> > \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ END EXCERPTS///////////
> >
> > I was sure some folks on the NOAA Coral list may have some input.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > David J. Evans
> >
> > Bending Light
> > www.refractum.blogspot.com
> > davidjevans1818 at yahoo.com
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Dennis Hubbard
> Dept of Geology-Oberlin College Oberlin OH 44074
> (440) 775-8346
>
> * "When you get on the wrong train.... every stop is the wrong stop"*
> Benjamin Stein: "*Ludes, A Ballad of the Drug and the Dream*"
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 08:11:49 -0800 (PST)
> From: mtupper <mtupper at coastal-resources.org>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Inquiry to the Coral-l list....
> To: "List, Coral-list" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>, "J. Michael
> Nolan" <mnolan at rainforestandreef.org>
> Message-ID:
> <426510826.109599.1357920709899.JavaMail.open-xchange at emailmg.ipage.com>
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> Hi Mike and List,
>
> One thing I have often heard from reef aquarium hobbyists is that they sometimes
> remove live rock from their tanks and boil it to kill off any unwanted organisms
> that might compete with the coral species they plan on stocking. Several people
> have posted warnings on reef aquarium blogs to be very careful when boiling live
> rock containing zooanthids, because the fumes are highly toxic and "someone
> almost died" from inhaling the fumes. The fact the person who almost died was
> always nameless and referred to in the singular led me to believe this was just
> an urban legend, but perhaps someone with more reef aquarium experience than I
> would know better.
>
> Cheers,
> Mark
>
> Dr. Mark Tupper
> Coastal Resources Association
> 207-10822 City Parkway, Surrey, BC, Canada V3T 0C2
> www.coastal-resources.org
> Email: mtupper at coastal-resources.org
> Tel. 1-604-588-1674; Mobile: 1-604-961-2022
>
> Philippines Office:
> Poblacion, Sagay, Camiguin, Philippines 9103
> Tel. 63-927-921-9915
>
> On January 11, 2013 at 7:43 AM "J. Michael Nolan" <mnolan at rainforestandreef..org>
> wrote:
> > List Members...
> >
> > A Biology Educator from NY State the following to me yesterday...."A man on
> > Long Island was just released from the hospital where he was in critical
> > day-to-day condition after having inhaled toxic venom fumes from coral in his
> > saltwater fishtank. There was a full description of his respiratory distress,
> > but I don't remember those details. This is now 3 weeks later, and he has just
> > come off oxygen."
> >
> > I looked on the web and could not find any References to it, she said there
> > were many links to the situation.
> >
> > Can any of the Coral Experts on the list tell me more? Please e-mail me
> > off-list and I will be pleased to summarize. I know a bit about Coral Biology,
> > but nothing like this.
> >
> > Thank you and have a great Friday.
> >
> > Mike Nolan
> >
> > ----------
> >
> > If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your number,
> > best time to return your call and your e-mail address.
> >
> > After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request.
> >
> > Sincerely,
> >
> > J. Michael Nolan, Director
> >
> > Rainforest and Reef
> >
> > ******************************************************************************************
> > "Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology"
> >
> > Destinations and Field Courses that we Specialize in:
> >
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> > Columbia, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park
> >
> > Caribbean....The Islands of Curacao and Dominica
> >
> > Central America....Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and
> > Panam?
> >
> > South America....Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and The Gal?pagos Islands and P?ru
> >
> > Mexico....The Baja Peninsula (especially during the Spring Whale Migration and
> > Breeding season)
> >
> > East Africa....Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island
> >
> > Australia and New Zealand
> >
> > Birding, Photography, Botanical Garden Tours are available upon request to
> > most Destinations that we offer.
> >
> > The following "Research Expeditions" are now also available upon
> > request...Endangered Species of Brazil; Macaws and Primates of the Peruvian
> > Amazon (Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone) and Endangered Sea Turtles of Costa
> > Rica (widecast.org).
> >
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> > found at our Website (http://rainforestandreef.org/comments.htm), many more
> > are available upon request.
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> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:28:40 +0000
> From: Walter Goldberg <goldberg at fiu.edu>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Steel and granite boring by sea urchins
> To: "coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID: <C5EB7310DD79E74D9113C3F52D45DD9E3E088BD4 at ditmbx01>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Simon, Although urchin boring into steel is rare, it is not unprecedented and appears to be facilitated by the mechanical removal of of the protective anti-corrosion layer that exposes the raw material to seawater (e.g,, the purple urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus- see Irwin M. 1953. Steelboring sea urchins. Pacific Discovery 4: 26-27). Likewise and equally rarely, some urchins are capable of boring into granite- see Fewkes WJ. 1890. On excavations made in rocks by sea-urchins. American Naturalist 24: 1-21.
> Walter M. Goldberg
> Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences
> Chair, Biological Sciences Honors Program
> Florida International University
> University Park Campus
> Miami, FL 33199
> email goldberg at fiu.edu
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of David Evans
> Sent: 10 January 2013 20:49
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov; rookerj at tamug.edu
> Cc: maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> Subject: [Coral-List] Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons and
> granite blocks...
> I was made aware of an interesting observation from a Marine Archaeology
> list. I thought it would be useful to pass it on here for any further input..
> Dr. Simon Spooner of the Anglo~Danish Maritime Archaeological Team (ADMAT;
> www.admat.org.uk ) posted this observation on the Sub-Arch List server (
> SUB-ARCH at ASU.EDU ) about bio-eroding sea urchins ( Reb Rock Boring Sea
> Urchin ?*echinometre lucunter*) on a shipwreck off the Dominican Republic,
> boring holes into granite blocks and iron canon cargo at the wreck site. He
> was asking if anyone has experience encountering something similar. I will
> post an excerpt here:
>
> ..... a shipwreck off Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic... ? ?
>
> ..... we noted an interesting biologic factor and wanted to know if anyone on
> the list has encountered such on their surveys.
>
> During the survey we noted that some of the granite blocks (over 60 of them
> part of the cargo) which were in the shallows, less than 3 meters depth,
> water temp arround 80 deg F, had holes "drilled" in them. In addition iron
> cannons which appear to have been new cannons with the touche-holes not
> drilled, also had holes in them. We have proved that these holes were made
> by a particular type of sea urchin, the Reb Rock Boring Sea Urchin or
> Echinometre Lucunter.
>
> -->Has anyone conducted a survey where they have encountered this,
> -->either in cargo or on iron cannons?<--
>
> [additionally: "ADMAT is intending to return to the wreck site this summer
> and i hope we can get some further research on these things as there are a
> number of interesting questions they throw up, like how long to burrow a
> hole and how fast to they breed?"]
>
> Many thanks
> Simon
> Dr. Simon Q. Spooner, BSc, MRICS, PhD, MIfA.
> maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> Anglo~Danish Maritime Archaeological Team www.admat.org.uk
>
> \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ END EXCERPTS///////////
>
> I was sure some folks on the NOAA Coral list may have some input.
> Thanks!
> David J. Evans
> Bending Light
> www.refractum.blogspot.com
> davidjevans1818 at yahoo.com
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:33:35 -0700
> From: H?ctor Reyes Bonilla <hreyes at uabcs.mx>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons
> and granite blocks...
> To: boc <boc at aquafact.ie>
> Cc: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov, David Evans
> <davidjevans1818 at yahoo.com>, rookerj at tamug.edu,
> maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> Message-ID:
> <CADHKcUvpZJ_brGz_ejQCjjBWmY3gY_OV=yLg99P3wYv-JhcTpA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> hello everyone.
>
> at the southernmost Baja California peninsula, Echinometra vanbrunti
> occurs in the first few meters below the surface, and the large local
> population (easily more than 10 urchins/sq m), is happily eroding the
> granitic rocks of the famous arc and surrounding areas since the 1980s
> (the first time that I saw them there). the urchins bore from small
> depressions to big holes (4 to 5 cm deep). At the Revillagigedo
> Islands, Echinometra oblonga do similar things, but on volcanic rock.
>
> I always thought that this was normal!
>
> Hector Reyes
> UABCS, La Paz
>
>
>
> 2013/1/11 boc <boc at aquafact.ie>:
> > Hello to all.
> >
> > I live on the west coast of Ireland where our local small urchin,
> > Paracentrotus lividus which occurs over much of the southwest and west
> > coasts, creates pits in intertidal pools on limestone pavement in which they
> > then live. They cover themselves in pieces of shell under which Amphipholis
> > squamata can be found. Never thought urchins would work their way through
> > granite and steel though!
> >
> > BOC
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of David Evans
> > Sent: 10 January 2013 20:49
> > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov; rookerj at tamug.edu
> > Cc: maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> > Subject: [Coral-List] Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons and
> > granite blocks...
> >
> > Hello All,
> >
> > Happy New Year!
> >
> > I was made aware of an interesting observation from a Marine Archaeology
> > list. I thought it would be useful to pass it on here for any further input.
> > Dr. Simon Spooner of the Anglo~Danish Maritime Archaeological Team (ADMAT;
> > www.admat.org.uk ) posted this observation on the Sub-Arch List server (
> > SUB-ARCH at ASU.EDU ) about bio-eroding sea urchins ( Reb Rock Boring Sea
> > Urchin *echinometre lucunter*) on a shipwreck off the Dominican Republic,
> > boring holes into granite blocks and iron canon cargo at the wreck site.. He
> > was asking if anyone has experience encountering something similar. I will
> > post an excerpt here:
> >
> > .... a shipwreck off Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic...
> >
> > .... we noted an interesting biologic factor and wanted to know if anyone on
> > the list has encountered such on their surveys.
> >
> > During the survey we noted that some of the granite blocks (over 60 of them
> > part of the cargo) which were in the shallows, less than 3 meters depth,
> > water temp arround 80 deg F, had holes "drilled" in them. In addition iron
> > cannons which appear to have been new cannons with the touche-holes not
> > drilled, also had holes in them. We have proved that these holes were made
> > by a particular type of sea urchin, the Reb Rock Boring Sea Urchin or
> > Echinometre Lucunter.
> >
> > -->Has anyone conducted a survey where they have encountered this,
> > -->either in cargo or on iron cannons?<--
> >
> > [additionally: "ADMAT is intending to return to the wreck site this summer
> > and i hope we can get some further research on these things as there are a
> > number of interesting questions they throw up, like how long to burrow a
> > hole and how fast to they breed?"]
> >
> > Many thanks
> > Simon
> > Dr. Simon Q. Spooner, BSc, MRICS, PhD, MIfA.
> > maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> > Anglo~Danish Maritime Archaeological Team www.admat.org.uk
> >
> > \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ END EXCERPTS///////////
> >
> > I was sure some folks on the NOAA Coral list may have some input.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > David J. Evans
> >
> > Bending Light
> > www.refractum.blogspot.com
> > davidjevans1818 at yahoo.com
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>
>
>
> --
> H?ctor Reyes Bonilla
> Departamento Acad?mico de Biolog?a Marina
> Universidad Aut?noma de Baja California Sur
> Carretera al sur km 5.5. Col. El Calandrio
> La Paz, B.C.S., C.P. 23080.
> Tel. (52-612) 123-8800, ext. 4160
> Fax (52-612) 123-8819.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:37:39 -0500
> From: Bill Allison <allison.billiam at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons
> and granite blocks...
> To: Dennis Hubbard <dennis.hubbard at oberlin.edu>
> Cc: David Evans <davidjevans1818 at yahoo.com>,
> maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk, rookerj at tamug.edu,
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Message-ID:
> <CAFBKy3+77vdGx+kx=4_pParp1j8CaaO7BYjUAfS6T-1f0CmTTQ at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> That an interesting investigation Dennis. I see a lot of such behaviour
> with seagrass blades in growth position used in addition to loose debris
> and assumed it also contributes to stability vs wave action in shallow
> water. Related to solar radiation:
> Adams, N. L. (2001). "UV radiation evokes negative phototaxis and covering
> behavior in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis." MEPS 213:
> 87-95.
> Abstract
> Intertidal and subtidal Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis (M?ller) often
> hide among rocks or cover themselves with debris, including macroalgae,
> mussel shells, and pebbles. Similar reactions in other species of sea
> urchins have been interpreted as a response to bright sunlight. This study
> examined the response of S. droebachiensis specifically to ultraviolet
> radiation (UVR). In laboratory studies using artificial irradiation, S.
> droebachiensis exposed to UVR (290 to 400 nm) and photosynthetically active
> radiation (PAR, 400 to 700 nm) sought shade and covered themselves
> significantly more frequently than those exposed only to PAR. In outdoor
> aquaria, individuals were exposed to ambient solar radiation that was
> filtered to create 4 treatments (dark, PAR, PAR + UVA, or PAR + UVA + UVB)
> and observed for 6 h as total solar irradiance changed with time of day.
> Sea urchins covered themselves with significantly more material when
> exposed to PAR + UVA + UVB than in all other treatments, and in response to
> total irradiance. The amount of covering by sea urchins exposed to PAR +
> UVA (320 to 400 nm) varied over the course of the day, but were typically
> less than those exposed to UVB (295 to 320 nm). These sea urchins covered
> themselves more than those exposed to PAR alone or held in the dark. Sea
> urchins exposed to PAR alone did not differ in the amount of covering from
> those held in the dark, regardless of time of day. The amount of covering
> correlated significantly with UVB and UVA irradiance independently, but not
> PAR irradiance. This study does not rule out that multiple cues may cause
> the covering response, but it demonstrates that S. droebachiensis seeks
> shelter and covers itself in response to UVR, primarily UVB wavelengths or
> a combination of UVA and UVB, presumably to avoid UV-induced damage.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 10:54 AM, Dennis Hubbard <dennis.hubbard at oberlin.edu
> > wrote:
>
> > Interesting observations. I spent two field seasons on Easter Island and
> > observed what looks like *Diadema* boring into the lava substrate (oriented
> > both vertical and horizontal). This is all the more interesting as the wave
> > energy is so high on this side of the island that corals cannot recruit..
> > Basalt is softer than granite, but harder than limestone. Steel is another
> > issue.... wow!
> >
> > On the observation of their covering themselves, this sounds similar to the
> > bahavior of *Tripneustes* in the Caribbean. Way back when I was still at
> > West Indies Lab, one of our students tackled the question of why they
> > covered themselves with trash. I'm a geologist, so this is outside my job
> > description but my sense is that this is typically attributed to defense as
> > an urchin covered with grass litter will blend in better.
> >
> > Anyway, the student cut up a sheet of polarizing material to approximate
> > seagrass and put it into an in-situ enclosure with urchins. The urchins
> > picked up the polarizing strips just like grass - I guess you work with
> > what you have available. The interesting thing is that urchins are made of
> > high-magnesium calcite that nucleates in one direction only: the c-axis of
> > crystallographic growth. It turned out that the urchins were oprienting the
> > strips perpendicular to that axis, in effect cross-polarizing the light.
> > The result would have been a total blocking of light. The student concluded
> > that this "uber-shading" reflected a strategy to reduce heat (or some other
> > factor directly related to light) rather than affecting camouflage or just
> > looking "new wave".
> >
> > Nature never ceases to surprise us.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
> > On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 4:49 AM, boc <boc at aquafact.ie> wrote:
> >
> > > Hello to all.
> > >
> > > I live on the west coast of Ireland where our local small urchin,
> > > Paracentrotus lividus which occurs over much of the southwest and west
> > > coasts, creates pits in intertidal pools on limestone pavement in which
> > > they
> > > then live. They cover themselves in pieces of shell under which
> > Amphipholis
> > > squamata can be found. Never thought urchins would work their way through
> > > granite and steel though!
> > >
> > > BOC
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > > [mailto:coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov] On Behalf Of David Evans
> > > Sent: 10 January 2013 20:49
> > > To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov; rookerj at tamug.edu
> > > Cc: maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> > > Subject: [Coral-List] Fw: ADMAT - Sea Urchins eating iron cannons and
> > > granite blocks...
> > >
> > > Hello All,
> > >
> > > Happy New Year!
> > >
> > > I was made aware of an interesting observation from a Marine Archaeology
> > > list. I thought it would be useful to pass it on here for any further
> > > input.
> > > Dr. Simon Spooner of the Anglo~Danish Maritime Archaeological Team
> > (ADMAT;
> > > www.admat.org.uk ) posted this observation on the Sub-Arch List server (
> > > SUB-ARCH at ASU.EDU ) about bio-eroding sea urchins ( Reb Rock Boring Sea
> > > Urchin *echinometre lucunter*) on a shipwreck off the Dominican
> > Republic,
> > > boring holes into granite blocks and iron canon cargo at the wreck site..
> > He
> > > was asking if anyone has experience encountering something similar. I
> > will
> > > post an excerpt here:
> > >
> > > .... a shipwreck off Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic...
> > >
> > > .... we noted an interesting biologic factor and wanted to know if anyone
> > > on
> > > the list has encountered such on their surveys.
> > >
> > > During the survey we noted that some of the granite blocks (over 60 of
> > them
> > > part of the cargo) which were in the shallows, less than 3 meters depth,
> > > water temp arround 80 deg F, had holes "drilled" in them. In addition
> > iron
> > > cannons which appear to have been new cannons with the touche-holes not
> > > drilled, also had holes in them. We have proved that these holes were
> > made
> > > by a particular type of sea urchin, the Reb Rock Boring Sea Urchin or
> > > Echinometre Lucunter.
> > >
> > > -->Has anyone conducted a survey where they have encountered this,
> > > -->either in cargo or on iron cannons?<--
> > >
> > > [additionally: "ADMAT is intending to return to the wreck site this
> > summer
> > > and i hope we can get some further research on these things as there are
> > a
> > > number of interesting questions they throw up, like how long to burrow a
> > > hole and how fast to they breed?"]
> > >
> > > Many thanks
> > > Simon
> > > Dr. Simon Q. Spooner, BSc, MRICS, PhD, MIfA.
> > > maritime_archaeology at yahoo.co.uk
> > > Anglo~Danish Maritime Archaeological Team www.admat.org.uk
> > >
> > > \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ END EXCERPTS///////////
> > >
> > > I was sure some folks on the NOAA Coral list may have some input.
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > > David J. Evans
> > >
> > > Bending Light
> > > www.refractum.blogspot.com
> > > davidjevans1818 at yahoo.com
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Coral-List mailing list
> > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Coral-List mailing list
> > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Dennis Hubbard
> > Dept of Geology-Oberlin College Oberlin OH 44074
> > (440) 775-8346
> >
> > * "When you get on the wrong train.... every stop is the wrong stop"*
> > Benjamin Stein: "*Ludes, A Ballad of the Drug and the Dream*"
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
>
>
>
> --
> ________________________________
> "... the earth is, always has been, and always will be more beautiful than
> it is useful."
> William Ophuls, 1977. The Politics of Scarcity
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:41:41 -0500
> From: Bill Allison <allison.billiam at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Inquiry to the Coral-l list....
> To: mtupper <mtupper at coastal-resources.org>
> Cc: "List, Coral-list" <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
> Message-ID:
> <CAFBKy3LD9X9dt8p0HXkXBgZbxURGC8s2_LuUu1=K71vTPfr67A at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
> That may have a basis in fact:
> Moore, R. E. and P. J. Scheuer (1971). "Palytoxin: A New Marine Toxin from
> a Coelenterate." Science 172(3982): 495-498.
> abst
> Palytoxin has been isolated from the zoanthids "limu-make-o-Hana"
> (Tentatively identified as Palythoa sp.) as a noncrystalline,
> chromatographically pure entity. Apart from polypeptide and protein toxins,
> it is the most highly toxic substance known, with a lethal dose (LD$_{59}$)
> in mice of 0.15 microgram per kilogram by intravenous injection. Unlike the
> potent toxins batrachotoxin, saxitoxin, and tetrodotoxin which have
> molecular weights of 500 or less, playtoxin has an estimated molecular
> weight of 3300 and contains no repetitive amino acid or sugar units.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 11, 2013 at 11:11 AM, mtupper <mtupper at coastal-resources.org>wrote:
>
> > Hi Mike and List,
> >
> > One thing I have often heard from reef aquarium hobbyists is that they
> > sometimes
> > remove live rock from their tanks and boil it to kill off any unwanted
> > organisms
> > that might compete with the coral species they plan on stocking. Several
> > people
> > have posted warnings on reef aquarium blogs to be very careful when
> > boiling live
> > rock containing zooanthids, because the fumes are highly toxic and "someone
> > almost died" from inhaling the fumes. The fact the person who almost died
> > was
> > always nameless and referred to in the singular led me to believe this was
> > just
> > an urban legend, but perhaps someone with more reef aquarium experience
> > than I
> > would know better.
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Mark
> >
> > Dr. Mark Tupper
> > Coastal Resources Association
> > 207-10822 City Parkway, Surrey, BC, Canada V3T 0C2
> > www.coastal-resources.org
> > Email: mtupper at coastal-resources.org
> > Tel. 1-604-588-1674; Mobile: 1-604-961-2022
> >
> > Philippines Office:
> > Poblacion, Sagay, Camiguin, Philippines 9103
> > Tel. 63-927-921-9915
> >
> > On January 11, 2013 at 7:43 AM "J. Michael Nolan"
> > <mnolan at rainforestandreef..org>
> > wrote:
> > > List Members...
> > >
> > > A Biology Educator from NY State the following to me yesterday...."A man
> > on
> > > Long Island was just released from the hospital where he was in critical
> > > day-to-day condition after having inhaled toxic venom fumes from coral
> > in his
> > > saltwater fishtank. There was a full description of his respiratory
> > distress,
> > > but I don't remember those details. This is now 3 weeks later, and he
> > has just
> > > come off oxygen."
> > >
> > > I looked on the web and could not find any References to it, she said
> > there
> > > were many links to the situation.
> > >
> > > Can any of the Coral Experts on the list tell me more? Please e-mail me
> > > off-list and I will be pleased to summarize. I know a bit about Coral
> > Biology,
> > > but nothing like this.
> > >
> > > Thank you and have a great Friday.
> > >
> > > Mike Nolan
> > >
> > > ----------
> > >
> > > If we are on another line or away from the phone, please leave your
> > number,
> > > best time to return your call and your e-mail address.
> > >
> > > After hours and weekend phone appointments are available upon request..
> > >
> > > Sincerely,
> > >
> > > J. Michael Nolan, Director
> > >
> > > Rainforest and Reef
> > >
> > >
> > ******************************************************************************************
> > > "Outstanding-Affordable Field Courses in Rainforest & Marine Ecology"
> > >
> > > Destinations and Field Courses that we Specialize in:
> > >
> > > North America....Alaska (Southeast and the Interior), Hawaii, British
> > > Columbia, the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park
> > >
> > > Caribbean....The Islands of Curacao and Dominica
> > >
> > > Central America....Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and
> > > Panam?
> > >
> > > South America....Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador and The Gal?pagos Islands and
> > P?ru
> > >
> > > Mexico....The Baja Peninsula (especially during the Spring Whale
> > Migration and
> > > Breeding season)
> > >
> > > East Africa....Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar Island
> > >
> > > Australia and New Zealand
> > >
> > > Birding, Photography, Botanical Garden Tours are available upon request
> > to
> > > most Destinations that we offer.
> > >
> > > The following "Research Expeditions" are now also available upon
> > > request...Endangered Species of Brazil; Macaws and Primates of the
> > Peruvian
> > > Amazon (Tambopata-Candamo Reserve Zone) and Endangered Sea Turtles of
> > Costa
> > > Rica (widecast.org).
> > >
> > > Spanish/Cultural Immersion Programs are available in Costa Rica, Panam?,
> > > Ecuador, Per?, Bolivia and Spain.
> > >
> > > Sea Kayaking is available in British Columbia, Southeast Alaska, Baja
> > Mexico,
> > > Belize and The Gal?pagos Islands.
> > >
> > > References/Comments from past Group Leaders and Individual Participants
> > can be
> > > found at our Website (http://rainforestandreef.org/comments.htm), many
> > more
> > > are available upon request.
> > >
> > > Rainforest and Reef
> > > 161 Main St.
> > > Coopersville, MI 49404
> > > Local/International Phone: 1.616.604.0546
> > > Toll Free U.S. and Canada: 1.877.255.3721
> > > Fax: 1.616.604.0546
> > > Google Talk/MS IM/Skype: travelwithrandr
> > > AOL IM: buddythemacaw
> > > E-mail: mnolan at rainforestandreef.org and travelwithrandr at gmail.com
> > > Note: Please send inquiries to both e-mail addresses
> > > Web: http://rainforestandreef.org (under revision for 2013 and beyond)
> > >
> > ******************************************************************************************
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Coral-List mailing list
> > > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> > _______________________________________________
> > Coral-List mailing list
> > Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> > http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
> >
>
>
>
> --
> ________________________________
> "... the earth is, always has been, and always will be more beautiful than
> it is useful."
> William Ophuls, 1977. The Politics of Scarcity
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Coral-List mailing list
> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>
> End of Coral-List Digest, Vol 53, Issue 13
> ******************************************
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