EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 2-5, 2021
(Virtually the same conference, without elevators, airplane tickets, or hotel room keys)
5/24/2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM | SHELL COLLECTIONS AS TOOLS TO UNCOVER INTRA-GUILD DIVERSITY IN ELEMENTAL STORAGE | Virtual Platform
SHELL COLLECTIONS AS TOOLS TO UNCOVER INTRA-GUILD DIVERSITY IN ELEMENTAL STORAGE
Knowledge of species elemental composition empowers predictions regarding animal legacy effects in ecosystems. Ionomics characterizes elemental composition of organisms beyond C, N, and P (i.e., the ionome). Considering novel suites of elements as phenotypes increases the probability of linking elements in species’ biomass and ecosystem functions. Freshwater mussel (family: Unionidae) shells can remain in riverscapes across geological time, providing accessible and ecologically relevant morphological features to study animal legacy impacts on aspects of elemental cycles. Whether interspecific differences in life history traits and morphology influence shell elemental composition is not well understood. We quantified 11 elements and constructed nutrient balances for seven mussel species comprising diverse morphologies, life histories, and two reproductive strategies to test whether biological factors influence elemental relationships. Ionomes, traditional stoichiometry, and novel nutrient balances varied taxonomically and with conventional species traits. Shell P composition was negatively related to growth rates, while [C|P] and [C, Ca |P] were positively related to growth rates, suggesting P allocation is prioritized to soft tissue growth which mediates shell biomineralization. Overall, we uncovered intra-guild functional diversity and relationships among elements mediating traits influencing animal legacies via storage of understudied elements.
- Nutrient cycling
- Stoichiometry
- Biogeochemistry
Presentation:
This presentation has not yet been uploaded.
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Garrett Hopper
(), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, gwhopper@ua.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Gabriella Dickinson
(), Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, gabikdickinson@gmail.com;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Carla Atkinson
(), The University of Alabama, carla.l.atkinson@ua.edu;
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -