To investigate the potential for using the symbiotic sea anemone, Anthopleura elegantissima as an indicator of salinity stress. The specific purpose of these studies is to begin to understand how changes in environmental conditions affect the relationship between A. elegantissima and its symbiotic zooxanthellae, with the ultimate goal being to develop a bioindicator to measure freshwater influx into coastal subtidal marine communities. The importance of abiotic factors in shaping species distributions and community structure is well known.
Hyposaline conditions are of particular concern in southern California.
Southern California is also highly populated, and there are a number of wastewater treatment plants releasing hyposaline effluent to the ocean. Thus symbiotic marine invertebrates with quantifiable responses to stress, have potential for use as indicators of changing environmental conditions. A number of short-term laboratory experiments to examine the response of A. elegantissima to a range of decreased salinities under various environmental conditions. In situ microcosm experiments to test whether the bleaching response in the lab is similar to that in the field. The experimental design will consist of anemones attached to plates with rock-like texture, enclosed in a clear plastic structure, weighted and attached to the substrate.