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Fluorescent proteins (FPs) are ubiquitous tools in research, yet their endogenous functions in nature are poorly understood. In this work, we describe a combination of functions for FPs in a clade of intertidal sea anemones whose FPs control a genetic color polymorphism together with the ability to combat oxidative stress. Focusing on the underlying genetics of a fluorescent green "Neon" color morph, we show that allelic differences in a single FP gene generate its strong and vibrant color, by increasing both molecular brightness and FP gene expression level. Natural variation in FP sequences also produces differences in antioxidant capacity. We demonstrate that these FPs are strong antioxidants that can protect live cells against oxidative stress. Finally, based on structural modeling of the responsible amino acids, we propose a model for FP antioxidant function that is driven by molecular surface charge. Together, our findings shed light on the multifaceted functions that can co-occur within a single FP and provide a framework for studying the evolution of fluorescence as it balances spectral and physiological functions in nature.

The tranquillity in national parks worldwide is currently under threat from intrusion of anthropogenic noise of a growing tourism industry and activity related to park management. This was addressed by creating informative tranquillity maps, where perceived tranquillity can be considered a key indicator of soundscape quality in natural areas. Tranquillity of an area can be assessed using TRAPT (Tranquillity Rating Prediction Tool), that has been developed and refined for assessing urban green spaces, national parks and wilderness areas in the United Kingdom. The subjective response to helicopter noise levels of a sample group of 35 people representing the general New Zealand population was obtained, based on visual and audio stimuli that were collected in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. These results were used to produce a revised TRAPT equation. It was discovered that levels under 32 dBA correspond to an excellent level of tranquillity. This threshold was used to produce a noise level exposure calculation for two national parks using noise prediction model AEDT (Aviation Environmental Development Tool). Contours representing tranquillity duration were then calculated and plotted, to serve as a planning tool for use by the Department of Conservation. A similar approach could be used for other national parks worldwide.

This project examines whether rocky intertidal nudibranchs (brightly colored shallow-water mollusks also known as sea slugs) can be used as fine-scale indicators of inter-annual and decadal-scale climate variability. As part of this research, biologists offer a partial explanation for an observed decline in sea slugs off Central California, and document the climate-induced range shift of one particularly aggressive predatory “killer” sea slug and its effect on intertidal ecology at Duxbury Reef in Marin County. Field studies have led to the discovery of two new species of sea slugs.

(1) The abundance, species richness, and community composition of nudibranchs in central California has changed significantly in the past 30 to 70 years.(2) The observed changes are consistent with those predicted by climate variability on interannual and decadal time scales. Specifically, during warm phases: (a) the proportional abundance and speciesrichness of southern species should increase, as northern species decline, and (b) geographic ranges should shift poleward. The reverse of these should occur during periods of cooling. Further, these changes should be apparent at multiple, widespread sites (otherwise, more localized environmentalfactors, and not broad scale climate factors, would be implicated as the cause).(3) Long-term, anthropogenic climate warming is superimposed on natural climate variation, and its biological signal (similar to that described above for natural periods of warming) should be apparent bycomparing the abundance, species richness, and community composition across (1) full cycles of natural decadal variation, preferably at multiple sites, and (2) across entire single phases of decadal variation.(4) While climate change may be the ultimate factor behind community changes we document, especially those related to shifts in geographic ranges, climatic impacts on ecologically important species could result in a cascade of indirect effects on other species. In 1977, the large aeolidnudibranch, Phidiana hiltoni, began spreading northward from Monterey, California. By 1992 it had reached Duxbury Reef, 100 km to the north, where other nudibranchs subsequently appeared todecline. We will also test the hypothesis that P. hiltoni attacks and consumes other species of nudibranchs and has caused these apparent declines.

During 2001-2003, we developed a rocky intertidal monitoring program to be used by NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary program on the west coast of the US. The goals were to 1) inform the public about the rocky intertidal habitat and the species that live there, 2) directly involve students (7th - 12th grade) and other volunteers in the field, and 3) collect and archive data that can be analyzed to detect changes in intertidal life over time.

The goal of this project is to develop a set of protocols for monitoring marine organisms living in the rocky intertidal habitats of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, an area that stretches from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco. What distinguishes this project, called the Seymour Intertidal Monitoring Program, from others is that it is being designed to be carried out by high school students—not just as a learning experience for their benefit but also as a real contribution to professional science.