Award: OCE-2243580

Main Objectives: Invetigate the microbial organisms and metabolites associated with the newstest Caribbean Sea Urchin outbreak and documents their demographic effects on population with contrasting environmental condtions

Specific objectives:1) Determine the microbiome associated changes (prokaryotic and eukaryotic) to the recent Diadema die-off 2) Identify characteristic molecular markers in diseased individuals thatcould be used to diagnose the disease. 3) Measure demographic parameters such as mortality, size structure, and density to identify the life-stages most affected by the disease. 4) Correlate abiotic variables such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and conductivity/salinity with urchin abundance and disease prevalence.

Accomplishments

Sea Urchin Collection: From March 23 to September 2023, 14 field trips were carried out to collect 36 individuals of Diadema antillarum, four water and sediment samples (Table 1; Figure 1). No diseased D. antillarum individuals were observed and, therefore, have been collected thus far. The population size structure and density of the sea urchin across all sites were also estimated during the field trips. Adverse weather conditions have prevented us from estimating the coral cover in northern sites during the late summer/early fall surveys. Nevertheless, we have successfully completed these estimates for eastern sites.The fieldwork was carried out by a dedicated team consisting of Carlos Toledo-Hernandez (CTH), Claudia P. Ruiz-Diaz (CPRD), Ruber Rodriguez-Barreras (RRB), Samuel Suleiman-Ramos (SSR), and Marcos A. Qui?ones (MAQ) and four volunteers.

DNA and Metabolites extration: DNA/Metabolites from the the collected individuals, plus the water and sediment samples have been extracted and storaged accordingly.The molecular and biochemical analyses must align with the completion of sample collection. This ensures that all the necessary samples, including sea urchin tissue, water, and sediment, are gathered before commencing these precise sequencing analyses. This approach minimizes the risk of errors and ensures accurate and reliable results. Lab work has been completed by Filipa Godoy-Vitorino (FGV) and Nataliya Chorna (NC), and Elif Kardas (EKA). Animal dissection for organs DNA extraction were conducted by RRB and EKA.

Outreach and Education: To effectively convey the complex issue surrounding Diadema antillarum die-off to a wider audience, MAQ is currently developing an interactive story map. The story-map could be accessed at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/40c072999aab4662b5fff6555a8c77b9.
An original research study titled "Uneven demographic consequences of the 2022 disease outbreak for the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in Puerto Rico" is currently undergoing rigorous peer review evaluation in the journal PeerJ. The demographic data presented in this paper has been instrumental in the creation of an esteemed award. Additionally, we are in the process of drafting another research paper entitled "Changes in the gut microbiota in Diadema antillarum specimens associated with disease status?" We anticipate submitting this manuscript late in October 2023. This forthcoming research will shed light on the intricate relationship between the gut microbiota and disease in Diadema antillarum, providing valuable insights for future study. Figure 3 shows some of the results to be published.CPRD delivered an oral talk titled "Taller Introductorio del Proyecto de Erizos de NSF&SAM" to the undergraduate Student Chapter of the Sociedad Ambiente Marino (CESAM) at the University of Puerto Rico. The aim of this presentation was to foster collaboration between undergraduates and the awarded grant. The talk, specifically tailored for biology and environmental science students, among other faculties, received an overwhelmingly positive response and surpassed expectations in terms of attendance. CPRD shared valuable scientific data that holds significant potential for enhancing the students' post-graduate studies.The announcement of the talk and the presentation can be found at https://www.facebook.com/100063643086369/posts/805337101597719/ In addition CPRD contributed in the dradting of a press release in local new paper explaning the current problematic and actions taken to understand the new sea urchin outbreak. Link of this document can be found in https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia-ambiente/flora-fauna/notas/nueva-enfermedad-afecta-a-los-erizos-en-el-caribe/. Also, an interview with CTH explaining the proposal objectives and the potential impacts of the project can be found at https://www.facebook.com/samprorg/videos/1433624660503725.

1.     Rodríguez-Barreras R, Ruiz-Diaz CP, Quiñones-Otero MA, Toledo-Hernández C. Uneven demographic consequences of the 2022 disease outbreak for the sea urchin Diadema antillarum in Puerto Rico. PeerJ. 2023 Dec 20;11:e16675. doi: 10.7717/peerj.16675. PMID: 38144189; PMCID: PMC10748467.

2.     Ruiz-Barrionuevo JM, Kardas E, Rodríguez-Barreras R, Quiñones-Otero MA, Ruiz-Diaz CP, Toledo-Hernández C, Godoy-Vitorino F. Shifts in the gut microbiota of sea urchin Diadema antillarum associated with the 2022 disease outbreak. Front Microbiol. 2024 Jul 29;15:1409729. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1409729. PMID: 39135877; PMCID: PMC11317302.

Last Modified: 10/01/2024
Modified by: Filipa Godoy-Vitorino