Marine Ecology Progress Series
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meps-ir.bsky.social
Marine Ecology Progress Series
@meps-ir.bsky.social
330 followers 6 following 90 posts
MEPS has been long established as the leading journal in marine ecology. It is known for its high-quality publication of cutting edge research articles.
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meps-ir.bsky.social
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In summer 2023, a shipboard imaging dataset captured an unusually high number of bivalve larvae in surface waters of the Chukchi Sea. This large multi-species spawning event provides new insight into Arctic bivalve reproductive behavior.
bit.ly/meps_773_43
Bivalve larvae from a single sample as viewed through the Imaging FlowCytobot data dashboard. Most individuals are dark and rounded, shell structure can be seen in some of the more developed larvae.
November 25, 2025 at 12:33 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
Rubble increases on reefs as disturbances do. We investigate how long it takes for loose rubble to bind together into a stable reef. We report the flow thresholds needed to break apart bound rubble. Our work can help estimate reef recovery times.
bit.ly/meps_773_1
On the left, a photo of two experimental meshes, each with 10 white rubble pairs tied to them, deployed on the sea floor in a bed of dead coral pieces (rubble bed). On the right, a photo of one of the deployed rubble pairs after it has been in the sea for 18 months. It is no longer white and has turned to pink and green with the growth of macroalgae and crustose coralline aglae, which has bound the rubble pieces in the pair together.
November 20, 2025 at 1:17 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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When heatwaves coincide with cool seawater, juvenile Pisaster ochraceus show reduced feeding, metabolism, and survival; yet warmer seawater can buffer these effects. Timing of heatwaves may alter keystone predation and intertidal communities.
bit.ly/meps_773_77
Juvenile ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) in Barkley Sound, BC.
November 19, 2025 at 1:42 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Larval dispersal is an inherently variable process. By adapting risk-management techniques from finance, this paper demonstrates that accounting for this variability can result in improved outcomes for ecosystem services and conservation.
bit.ly/meps_772_123
Diagrammatic representation of a simple system of three reefs, with reefs one and two supplying larvae to the third. Population sizes at reefs one and two have some correlation between themselves, as do their connectivity strengths to the third reef.
November 12, 2025 at 2:06 PM
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This study examines macrobenthic communities in eight deep sub-Arctic fjord basins of northern Norway, using taxonomic and biological trait data to characterize basin-specific ecological patterns and assess processes underlying community assembly.
bit.ly/meps_772_61
The figure is divided into three panels. The right one shows the map of the study area in Northern Norway. Eight basins were sampled in the Vestjord region; samples are indicated by symbols. The circles indicate the samples from the shallow-silled basins; the squares indicate the deep-silled basins. The specific basins are indicated by color: include Tysfjord Deep (gray squares), Tysfjord Middle (orange squares), Tysfjord Inner (dark green circles), Sørfolda (magenta squares), Mistfjord (light green circles), Saltfjord (red squares), Skjerstadfjord (cyan circles), and Nordfjord (blue circles). There were significant differences between deep-silled and shallow-silled basins in species community structure indicated by ordination diagram (non-metric multidimensional scaling) on the top right panel. Further, points on the ordination diagram are clustered together by basin color, indicating basin-specific communities. The bottom right panel summarises the results of the study in a proposed scheme of community assembly from a hypothetical pool of species. It highlights the role of dispersal mediated by sill depth and Atlantic Water inflow, low between-fjord connectivity, and possible role of stochastic factors, such as priority effects.
November 11, 2025 at 2:59 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Sea-level rise drives demand for marine sand in coastal protection—but at what cost to benthic life? Based on 34 years of data, our SDMs reveal key insights for sustainable marine management. Check out the study for more details.
bit.ly/meps_772_43
@jana-schultz.bsky.social
Common hermit crab on a sandy bottom.
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Lonati et al. found groups of endangered North Atlantic #rightwhales feeding in diverse oceanographic conditions in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. Time of day, month & depth were some variables that influenced what was on the menu!
bit.ly/meps_772_21
On the left, Calanus spp. (the preferred prey of North Atlantic right whales) and on the right a North Atlantic right whale in the Gulf of St. Lawrence taken via drone.
November 7, 2025 at 12:35 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Fish in the Curonian Lagoon (Baltic Sea) are maturing at smaller sizes as waters warm. Long-term data (1949–2023) show rapid, species-specific shifts in growth, supporting the temperature-size rule.
#ClimateChange #Fisheries #TSR #BalticSea #CuronianLagoon
bit.ly/meps_771_123
Line chart shows the decline in maturity size (L-fifty) of four fish species from nineteen fifty to twenty twenty. Each species is represented by a colored line and an illustration of the fish. The species shown, from top to bottom, are: Sander lucioperca, Abramis brama, Rutilus rutilus, and Perca fluviatilis. All lines slope downward, indicating a decrease in size at maturity over time. The x-axis represents years (nineteen fifty to twenty twenty), and the y-axis represents maturity size (L-fifty).
October 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Rare jelly-falls from appendicularians observed in an Arctic fjord! A hidden link between gelatinous plankton and the carbon cycle?
bit.ly/meps_771_71
An accumulation of discarded mucous houses of Oikopleura vanhoeffeni on the Arctic seafloor.
October 24, 2025 at 12:15 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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The herbivorous sea urchin Centrostephanus rodgersii removes macroalgae & creates barrens. Understanding density-dependent processes governing its abundance will assist with addressing the challenges it poses in some jurisdictions in south-eastern Australia.
bit.ly/meps_771_55
The herbivorous, dark-purple coloured long-spined sea urchin, Centrostephanus rodgersii.
October 23, 2025 at 12:24 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Investigating Raja Ampat marine lakes, we observed how higher temperatures and increased terrestrial runoff in coastal ecosystems can cause biodiversity loss and simpler food webs.
bit.ly/meps_771_15
A group of fish is foraging among the mangrove roots in a turbid marine lake.
October 17, 2025 at 11:10 AM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Dolphinfish tracked along Australia’s east coast showed high mobility, moving with temperature shifts. Strategically placed fish aggregation devices in optimal ocean conditions can boost fishing and reveal coastal movement patterns.
bit.ly/meps_770_155
A researcher at sea holding a tagged dolphinfish.
October 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Recruitment of the 2011 yr-class of Mesocentrotus nudus after the Tohoku Tsunami was high at max. tsunami height (northern Miyagi). Relative abundance was high due to the tsunami eliminating pre-2011 yr-classes. Highest growth rate was up to 1 yr old.
bit.ly/meps_770_99
High population density of the 2011 yr-class sea urchin at Kesennuma, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
October 8, 2025 at 12:39 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Predators shape ecosystems. In Sydney reefs, large male Eastern Blue Groper dominated Centrostephanus rodgersii predation across all urchin sizes. Restoring predator size and diversity may be key to managing urchin overgrazing.
bit.ly/meps_770_83
Our experimental setup showing a tethered urchin test left behind after predation, with a GoPro positioned in front to capture the event.
October 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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We examined kelp cover & urchin densities in relation to turf proliferation (Tasmanian temperate reefs). When kelps are lost, competitive release allows turfs to establish. However, turf persistence appears dependent on elevated urchin herbivory.
bit.ly/meps_770_15
The initial deployment of the experimental tiles in an urchin barren patch at Fortescue Bay, Tasmania in 2022. Five chained-together bisque tiles lay across a pile of bare rocks with surrounding algae.
October 6, 2025 at 12:08 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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Threats to seabirds span across international borders, and risk assessments must operate at the same scale. We use citizen science data from Canada and the US to assess risks from ship activity faced by coastal waterbirds in the Salish Sea.
bit.ly/meps_769_197
birdscanada.bsky.social
A flock of Surf Scoters forage along a rocky shore, with a large vessel passing by in the background.
September 30, 2025 at 1:31 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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How is partial migration maintained in Japanese seabass? Individual dietary specialization in river migrants may increase resource availability within contingents, supporting persistence in potential resource-limited river habitats.
bit.ly/meps_769_169
Illustration of Japanese seabass showing individual dietary specialization in river migrants and diet generalist in marine residents.
September 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM
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Climate change is shifting U.S. fisheries. Rising ocean temperatures are driving more warm-water species in catches, especially in the Northeast. Regional differences highlight the need for adaptive, place-based management.
bit.ly/meps_769_125
Artistic rendition by Luisa Rivera of the sun top left warming the ocean surface waters left driving a school of fish to cooler waters right.
September 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
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Results from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study show a striking 27-year increase in deep-sea fish larvae in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean, likely due to food web changes, and seasonal and developmental changes in fish assemblage composition.
bit.ly/meps_769_107
Image of a transforming-stage deep-sea fish, Cyclothone, on a black background.
September 25, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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Model analyses and observations suggest marine predator distributions in the Salish Sea are influenced by tidal dynamics and ocean conditions.
bit.ly/meps_769_23
Marine bird and mammal observers on survey transect.
September 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
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🦑 Illex argentinus, a key species in global squid fisheries, has distinct spawning groups revealed through statolith chemistry. Our research shows the need for international cooperation to manage this highly migratory species. #SquidScience #Fisheries
bit.ly/meps_769_073
Line drawing of statolith of Illex argentinus in place of the continent of South America, the Falkland Islands in black, and a drawing of Illex argentinus along with arrows indicating its migration to Falkland Island waters.
September 22, 2025 at 12:00 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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New study quantifies how body size and condition affect fasting endurance in right whales. Southern right whales can fast ~17 months, but a severely entangled North Atlantic right whale may only survive ~50 days. #RightWhales #MarineScience
bit.ly/meps_768_99
Two aerial photographs side by side. Left: a southern right whale in clear blue water, wide and rounded with smooth curves, showing healthy condition. Right: a thin North Atlantic right whale in darker water, spine visible, entangled in fishing rope that cuts into its body.
September 10, 2025 at 12:13 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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We assessed ecoacoustic indices (ACI & snap rate) across depths, sites & seasons in coral reefs around Okinawa Island 🐠🔊. Despite clear spatiotemporal patterns, links to fish & benthic functional groups were weak, limiting their use as ecosystem proxies.
bit.ly/meps_768_1
An underwater acoustic recorder deployed on a reef slope.
September 10, 2025 at 9:57 AM
meps-ir.bsky.social
🧪 We assessed ecoacoustic indices (ACI & snap rate) across depths, sites and seasons in coral reefs around Okinawa Island, Japan 🐠🔊. Despite clear spatiotemporal patterns, links to fish and benthic functional groups were weak, limiting their use as ecosystem proxies.
bit.ly/meps_768_1
An underwater acoustic recorder deployed on a reef slope.
September 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
meps-ir.bsky.social
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We assessed ecoacoustic indices (ACI & snap rate) across depths, sites & seasons in coral reefs around Okinawa Island, Japan 🐠🔊. Despite clear spatiotemporal patterns, links to fish & benthic functional groups were weak, limiting their use as ecosystem proxies.
bit.ly/meps_768_1
An underwater acoustic recorder deployed on a reef slope.
September 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM