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Abstract FROM LARVAE TO LINEAGES: INVESTIGATIONS OF SHOREFISH DIVERSITY IN THE TROPICAL ATLANTIC. Carole C. Baldwin, David G. Smith, and Lee A.
Weigt The identities of pelagic larval stages constitute the largest
gap in our knowledge of the coral-reef fish fauna of the tropical
Atlantic. This fundamental taxonomic information is necessary before
larvae can be used in studies of, for example, evolution, fisheries
biology, and ecology. Over the past 15 years, we have identified
larvae of numerous Belizean fishes by rearing net-collected larvae
at the Smithsonian’s marine station at Carrie Bow Cay. More
recently, we have begun matching larvae to adults using mitochondrial
cytochrome oxidase 1 sequences (DNA Barcodes). As well as greatly
enhancing our ability to provide species identifications of larvae,
the molecular data from Belizean fishes reveal more species diversity
in many genera than our present classifications suggest. Because
much of the Belizean fish fauna is believed to occur throughout
the Caribbean and other areas of the tropical Atlantic, we are expanding
our DNA barcoding efforts to other geographical areas. In addition
to re-analyzing species diversity of cryptic reef fishes throughout
the tropical Atlantic, the ultimate goals of our work include reconstructing
species-level phylogenies of a diversity of tropical Atlantic shorefish
genera, from which we can investigate patterns of morphological
divergence and speciation. THE OCEAN HALL: COMING SOON TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Carole C. Baldwin, Brian T. Huber, Jill Johnson,
Michael Vecchione A new permanent exhibition about the ocean—the largest ever produced by the Museum—opens September 2008. The 23,000-square-foot hall emphasizes the ocean as a global system that is essential to all life on Earth. Using hundreds of fossil and modern specimens and ethnographic artifacts from the Museum’s vast collections, high-definition underwater video footage and other media, the exhibit explores the vast, ancient, diverse, and constantly changing nature of the ocean, the long historical connections humans have had with it, and ways in which we are impacting the ocean today. Stories entitled “How Do We Know?” tie scientific research to information presented in the exhibit. Highlights of the hall include a spectacular entrance display of the diversity of ocean life; NOAA’s Science on a Sphere; an ocean-news kiosk for broadcasting current ocean issues and stories; a “Journey Through Time” gallery that explores ancient-ocean life; a full-scale model of a known female North Atlantic right whale suspended from the ceiling; a preserved 36-ft. giant squid; and a preserved modern coelacanth. A gallery devoted to exploring the vertical water column of the open ocean features a deep-ocean expedition theater. Another gallery provides comparisons of underwater polar ecosystems and a survey of the diversity of coastal ecosystems, the latter including a 1500-gallon aquarium supporting Indo-Pacific coral-reef species. Stories of human connections to the ocean are featured throughout the exhibit, and two computer-interactive programs challenge visitors to make decisions that impact our global climate and marine fisheries. Salmon fishing societies of the North Pacific are explored in cases set beneath a 26-ft. canoe being commissioned for the hall and hand carved by a Northwest coast Tlingit carver. Developed in partnership with NOAA, the ocean exhibit is part of a larger National Museum of Natural History ocean initiative. |