March Delicate Balance Of Nature- Sea Turtles, Manatees, and Whales

Marine megafauna are an evolutionary playground for microalgae. Whales, manatees and sea turtles host rich algal communities that live on their skin and other body parts. The “epizoic” algae consist of single-celled diatoms and turfs of specialized seaweeds. Many of these beautiful organisms are species that only live attached to their host. Being that these organisms are tied to their endangered hosts, they are also threatened by extinction. My presentation will introduce you to new worlds, many of which were only recently discovered, on the bodies of dolphins, sea turtles and Florida manatees.

From Tom:
I am a marine biologist and I study marine plants and algae. The algal communities I study are quite diverse and encompass a broad range of size and habitats from microscopic phytoplankton to macroscopic seaweeds and seagrasses and include unique environments such as the skin of manatees, sea turtles and whales. Most of my research is conducted in the estuaries of South Florida but I also collaborate with international scientists to study algal communities across the globe. Current research projects include phytoplankton and water quality monitoring in the St. Lucie estuary, seagrass and macroalgal dynamics in Everglades National Park, and the taxonomy of epizoic diatoms on marine vertebrates.
Research Associate Professor – Florida International University

The reception will begin at 6:30pm and the lecture will start promptly at 7:30pm. Join us via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82583264496