Monitoring at MacMillan Wharf, Provincetown, MA

Monitoring at MacMillan Wharf, Provincetown, MA
Marine Invasive Species (MIS) Monitoring at MacMillan Wharf, Provincetown, MA.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Monitoring Review 2015-17

Highlights of the MacMillan Pier Visits

A few years ago during a monitoring trip to Provincetown, I took a tour of the 250 ft Pilgrim Monument (350 ft above the harbor) and climbed to the top to discover an outstanding view of the marina and harbor that gave a different perspective on the monitoring site.  The outer harbor has a deep channel 50 to 70 ft deep that curves around the west end of the Cape (Lands End), making Provincetown one of the deepest marine fishing harbors along the north Atlantic coast.  The inner harbor is formed by a 2,500 foot long stone breakwater built by the Army Corps of Engineers in the early 1970's about 835 ft off the end of the Provincetown Wharf complex. 

View of Provincetown Harbor from Pilgrim Monument
View of Provincetown Harbor and Wharf from the Pilgrim Monument.  MacMillan Pier on the left, Fisherman's Wharf on the right.  The stone breakbeakwater is seen beyond the end of the piers.  Truro is seen a few miles across the harbor in the far background.  The tip of Lands End is shown on the right.

View of MacMillan Pier from Pilgrim Monument
MacMillan Pier showing the docks, fishing vessels, and tour boats.  View from the Pilgrim Monument looking south.  On the east side (left), two floating dock complexes are closest to shore followed by two finger piers near the end of the main pier.  On the west side (right), a long row of tour boats line the pier.  The ferry terminal to Boston is located at the end of the pier on the west side (right).  

Both floating dock complexes are monitored each July and August for invasive species. The salinity and temperature are recorded and photographs are taken to document salient features.  Salinity is typically fairly high and ranged from 31 to 35 parts per thousand between 2012 and 2017.  Temperatures ranged from 22 to 27 degrees C (approximately 70 to 80 degrees F).


Measuring Salinity on the North Floating Dock
Holding a refractometer toward the light to make a reading.  Ready for monitoring with my checklist, thermometer, refractometer, camera, jeweler's loupes for magnifying, buckets, shallow pan for documentation, and small net for capturing crustaceans.

Ascidians
During the 2015-2017 summer seasons, the docks were inspected for invasive species in the MIMIC program (Coast Watch 2011, Coast Watch 2012).  The most abundant attached species were the colonial ascidians Botryllus, Botrylloides, Didemnum, and Diplosoma, and the solitary ascidian Styela.  The one exception to the general abundance of ascidians was the rare ocurence of the solitary species Ascidiella aspersa, which has been periodically seen at low frequency in Provincetown (several years only 1 specimen), but not seen in 2017.  Interestingly, the translucent solitary species Ciona intestinalis and Molgula manhattensis, cryptogenic species not included in the survey have also been observed at low frequency whereas the colonial species and the solitary Styela are common all over the marina.  Perhaps these three translucent species are out-competed and crowded out by the colonial species which spread throughout the marina in the summer.  Interestingly, Molgula manhattensis is abundant in Wellfleet marina, a location with very low species diversity and few colonial species of any kind. 

Crustaceans
The skeleton shrimp Caprella mutica and the European rock shrimp Paleomon elegans were seen with low frequency.  The skeleton shrimp prefers hydroids and algae like Ulva in the more protected waters near the pier and has been consistently observed since its disappearance after Hurricane Irene in August 2011.  

The rock shrimp Paleomon is easiest seen in late summer when they have grown larger than Paleomonetes shrimp and the blue bands on their legs are prominently displayed.  Unlike the other species in the program, Paleomon requires an active search for individuals by running a net along the sides of the floating docks where algae and hydroids are numerous and closely inspecting the shrimp for morphological features.  

Algae
The Asian red alga Grateloupia has been a consistent member of the floating dock community albeit at relatively low frequency in comparison to other invasives.  It is usually found on the same docks where Codium is located near the pilings that hold the docks in place.  An analysis of of the MIMIC data presented on the MORIS website for the distribution of Grateloupia along the MA/NH/ME coast indicates that it has not yet been reported yet at MIMIC sites north of Boston and has remained in southern New England since it was first observed in the Gulf of Maine in 2007.  Other MA sites where it has been observed include the east end of the Cape Cod Canal at Sandwich, Onset and New Bedford on Buzzards Bay, and Fall River on the upper Naragansett Bay.  

Codium fragile on Floating Dock 
A large clump of Codium fragile growing at the waterline on a polystyrene float under one of the secondary docks, Provincetown, July, 2016.  The attachment site is clearly shown and there are no epiphytes growing on its surface.  

Grateloupia turuturu on Floating Dock

A cluster of Grateloupia turuturu growing on a floating dock right below the water line, Provincetown, August 2017.

Bryozoans
During the last 2 years, the bryozoan Bugula neritina has remained a common species on the docks along with a newly identified invasive bryozoan Tricellaria inopinata.  The bryozoan Tricellaria was first identified in Massachusetts in 2010 in Eel Pond, Woods Hole, lower Cape Cod (Johnson et al, 2012) and was reported in the Gulf of Maine during the 2013 Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS), where it was given the common name "unexpected bryozoan".  I have seen Tricellaria since I started monitoring (unidentified beige bryozoan in my November 2012 Bugula neritina post (MIS Branching Bryozoan), but I only became aware that it was an invasive species in 2016.  On the floating docks, Bugula and Tricellaria grow in the same niche and frequently cohabitate together.  Last July, the colonies were typically only a few cm high and newly settled juveniles were common. Tricellaria has a distinctly different microscopic growth pattern from other native, beige Bugula species (zooids point toward the anterior whereas they are alternately opposed to each other in Bugula).  This pattern could be discerned in the lab under a dissecting microscope and can be seen at the docks with a 20x or 30x magnifying lens.  During the summer of 2017, Tricellaria was particularly abundant and overgrew other species like the green algae Ulva and Codium 

In contrast to the branching bryozoa, the encrusting bryozoan Membranipora membranacea has not been seen much in Provincetown despite the expectation that it might be seen on a floating dock. The rare times it has been seen has been on kelp growing on the dock or plastic dock trim that was submerged in the water.  The marina does not seem conducive to other encrusting bryozoans either, since the native encrusting broyzoans Electra pilosa and Schizoporella unicornis, are also rarely seen.


Bugula and Tricellaria Growing on Dock Float and Algae
Purple Bugula and light beige Tricellaria growing with green alga Ulva and orange chain tunicate BotrylloidesAugust, 2017.  Recently settled juvenile Tricellaria can be seen growing on the Ulva surfaces.  

Closer View of Bugula and Tricellaria
A clump of Bugula and Tricellaria growing out from the dock float on a mass of undergrowth.  The notched branches of Bugula, which represent alternating left and right facing zooids, can be discerned at the outer edges of the bush.

Tricellaria Overgowth on Codium
Tricellaria and Neosiphonia growing on Codium in an area of docks where Codium and Grateloupia are common, August 2017.  Heavy growth on the base of Codium obscurs the holdfast and lower branches. 

LINKS:
Marine Invasive Species in the MIMIC Program: Coast Watch 2011, Coast Watch 2012
Mathieson, AC, Dawes, CJ, Pederson, J, Gladych, RA, and Carlton, JT. The Asian red seaweed Grateloupia turuturu (Rhodophyta) invades the Gulf of Maine.  Biol. Invasions 10: 985-988, 2008.
Johnson, CH, Winston, JE, and Woollacott, RM. Western Atlantic introduction and persistence of the marine byrozoan Tricellaria inopinata.  Aquatic Invasions 7: 295-303, 2012.
Tricellaria Sighting in Provincetown, 2012: MIS Branching Bryozoan 

Monday, June 4, 2018

Native Ghost Anemone in Wellfleet

Diadumene leucolena on Docks in the North Marina

A few years ago, a second, larger anemone, Diadumene leucolena, appeared at the Wellfleet marina and has remained on the north dock joining Diadumene lineata. The north marina is a protected, shallow estuary at the end of a creek that has limited species diversity.  The north side of the dock sits on the tidal flat at low tide limiting marine growth to anemones like D. lineata and D. leucolena, the solitary tunicate Molgula manhattensis, and a few sponges and algae.  Specimens of Diadumene leucolena, commonly known as the ghost anemone, are a pale beige color and several times longer than wide without colored stripes. They also form social groups on their own or sometimes mixed among groups of D. lineata.


Diadumene leucolena on the North Dock at Wellfleet Marina
Live Diadumene leucolena photographed off the north side of the floating dock in the north marina.  Top, a group of 4 anemones right below the water line.  Bottom, an enlargement of an individual anemone showing details of the tentacles and translucent body.  

LINKS: 
"Diadumene leucolena is commonly known as the Ghost Anemone because of its translucent white color. It is native to the East Coast of North America spanning from Georgia, USA to New Brunswick, Canada.  It is known from estuaries and sheltered waters, where it grows on oysters, rocks, seaweeds, pilings, and floats. It can also occur in sheltered tide pools, and is especially tolerant of variable salinities."
Global Biodiversity Information Facility: Diadumene leucolena (Verrill, 1866)
Harbor Watch Sep. 2013 post: Striped Anemone's Life in Wellfleet.  In situ photos of Diadumene lineata.
Harbor Watch Dec. 2011 post: Striped Anemone at Wellfleet MarinaIn situ and dissecting microscopic views of D. lineata.  
YouTube Video of Diadumene leucolenaGhost Anemone (Diadumene leucolena). From Kevin Wilson.  A ghost anemone in Kevin's Chesapeake Bay Oyster Reef Biotope aquarium. 

Sunday, May 20, 2018

Floating Dock Videos

Bugula, Grateloupia, and Bryopsis:
Capturing Moving Targets with Greater Clarity 

During the summer of 2016, I tried my hand at making videos of species on the docks that are moving in time with the wave action.  The live observation of some species just didn't seem to be realistically captured by a static image.  I was surprised at the detail that was shown by a video in comparison to a photo, especially on a day when the water was choppy.  Two of these videos featuring the invasive bryozoan Bugula neritina, the invasive Asian red alga Grateloupia turuturu, and the native green alga Bryopsis plumosa are shown below.  Bugula, which occurs at relatively high frequency on the docks, and Grateloupia, which is seen at low frequency, have been consistent parts of the floating dock community since I started monitoring Provincetown.  

Bryozoa and Algae at the Waterline
Floating dock species growing along the waterline.  The purple bryozoan Bugula neritina (center) is flanked by the bryopsid green alga Bryopsis plumosa (left) and the red alga Grateloupia turuturu (right).  A single solitary ascidian Styela clava with open siphons is seen in the center background.  MacMillan Pier, 2016. 

Asian Red Alga Waving with the Water Action
Another group of the same species focusing on the movement of the Asian red alga Grateloupia turuturu. The soft, leafy structure of the fronds is displayed by its flexibility with the rhythmic surge of the water.  The alga is growing among the purple Bugula neritina and green Bryopsis plumosa.  Red and green algae compete with tunicates, bryozoa, mussels, and hydroids for space along the waterline.


Since taking these videos, I searched YouTube for videos of these species and found several outstanding microscopic videos of feeding bryozoan zooids and bryozoan reproduction and development.  These terrific videos are definitely worth viewing and are listed below the Links.

LINKS:
MIS Branching Bryozoan:  Bugula neritina
Branching Bryzoan and Red Alga:  Bugula neritina and Neosiphonia harveyi.  Includes more information about Bugula and a photo of Grateloupia turuturu from MacMillan Wharf.
Mathieson, A.C., Dawes, C.J., Pederson J., Gladych R.A. and Carlton J.T.   The Asian red seaweed Grateloupia turuturu (Rhodophyta) invades the Gulf of Maine. 
Coast Watch 2012:   Marine Invasives Overview.  Shows all 11 species on the MIMIC list including Bugula neritina and Grateloupia turuturu
Floating Dock Bryopsid Green Alga:  Bryopsis plumosa.


YOUTUBE VIDEOS:
Short Video of Bugula Zooids:  Briozous (Bugula neritina).  From Eric Badosa.  Microscopic close-ups of feeding zooids featuring upbeat music.
Excellent Video of Feeding Bugula Zooids:  Bugula.  From Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory.  Silent Video.
Educational Video Showing Development of Embryos:  Bugula neritina - the life cycle of a marine bryozoan.  From Alvaro Migotto.  Labeled, fast motion, microscopic live action featuring pleasant background music.
Sperm Release in a Bryozoid:  Through the tips of Tentacles.  From Alvaro Migotto.  Fascinating video showing ciliated tentacles and release of spermatozoa from the tips. 

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Microscopic Photo Acccessory

Cell Phone Macro Lens Attachment

In a previous post, I wrote about the advantages of using jeweler's loupes in the 20-40X range to identify species when anatomical structure cannot been determined with the naked eye.  Since then, I always have taken along my 20X and 30X lenses to view the microstructure of colonial ascidians, bryozoans, red algae, and small crustaceans.  One of the disadvantages of the jeweler's loupe is that, although they are terrific for identifying and recording, they do not provide satisfactory in-focus images for documentation. 

Last fall, I had the opportunity to try a macro lens mobile phone attachment for my iPhone 6s, the olloclip Macro for 6/6s, which offers a 7x, 14x, and 21x lens adapter.  It proved valuable for producing quality in-focus images worthy of cataloging with the caveat that numerous, multiple images need to be taken to get suitable photos.  The focal plane is fairly narrow, so the camera needs to be held at the exact distance from the object, and any movement will give an out-of-focus image.  Ideally, structures with three dimensional features will have in-focus features in the center and out-of-focus features around the periphery.  The seawater around the subject also needs to be shallow so the camera lens can get close enough to the object to obtain focus such as in a shallow tray.  It is best to have the subjects as close to the surface as possible without disrupting the smooth surface level. 

Olloclip Macro Lens Attachment
 
These images show the Olloclip Macro lens attachments for the iPhone 7/8 Series.  The adapter has a 2 piece 7x and 14x (7x + 2x) lens on one side, and a single 21x objective lens on the other side (a single 15x Macro lens is available for the iPhone X).  Note that the case must be removed in order to place the adapter on the camera lens.   These lenses were useful for approximating images possible by a stereoscopic light microscope.  

Macro Images of Botrylloides violaceus
Macro images of Botrylloides violaceus collected from the floating docks at MacMillan Pier, November, 2017 showing chains of orange zooids against a contrasting dark background.  Numerous incurrent siphons and several shared excurrent siphons are evident. Also shown are orange ampullae of the blood vessel system in the common tunic.  Images were edited with Photoshop by cropping and slightly adjusting brightness and contrast.

Enlarged Macro Images of Botrylloides violaceus
Enlarged macro images of Botrylloides violaceus collected from the floating docks at MacMillan Pier.  In the upper photo, the solid orange endostyle can be discerned on a few zooids.  These photos were more cropped and resized, giving an enlargement effect. 

LINKS:  
Olloclip Macro Lens for iPhone available from Apple or online retailers:  Apple adapter for iPhone 7/8. Adapter for iPhone 6/6s being phased out.  A 10x + 15x macro lens pair also available as part of a 4-in-1 lens.
Olloclip Macro Lens for iPhone X:  Fisheye + Macro 15x Lens
Review of the Olloclip 4-in-1 Wide-Angle/Macro Lens:  https://9to5mac.com/2014/12/22/review-olloclip-4-in-1-lens-for-iphone-6/.
Olloclip Macro Lens Introduced:  Macro 3-in-1 lens.
Helpful Monitoring Accessories:  Jeweler's Loupe for Specimen Identification.
Tunicarium:  Microscopic images of Botrylloides violaceus.

Friday, April 20, 2018

Spring 2018 at MacMillan Pier

Overwintering Floating docks


Farewell to the Winter of 2017-18.  My blog has been on break since January 2014, but summer monitoring in Provincetown and Wellfleet has continued each year on schedule.  In the months ahead, I'll review the highlights of the last few seasons and discuss some of the current issues being considered for the marine invasives program.  In early April, I visited the McMillan Pier and was able to photograph some of the changes in the configuration of the floating docks during winter's off-season.  Below is a series of photos of the two floating dock complexes and a third finger pier on the east side of the main pier.  


First Floating Dock Out of Service
Floating dock complex nearest shore on the east side of the Pier.  Most of the seasonal docks on the north side (including the dinghy dock), which have no securing pilings, have been removed or moved parallel to the main dock.  No commercial vessels moor on this side of the dock, which is reserved for small boats and skiffs. Several of the secondary docks for the berths on the south side as well as the gangway from the pier have been removed (see below), preventing vessels from docking.

Several Secondary Docks Removed During Winter
Several secondary docks on the south side of the primary dock have been removed leaving their securing pilings behind.  While out of the water, the polyethylene floats can be thoroughly cleaned, which will provide a clean surface for settling plants and animals once the docks are back in the water.  The docks sit fairly low in the water so the the sides of the floats on docks still in the water can also be cleaned in place.  In April, the docks were home to numerous seagulls, so there will be plenty of clean-up to perform in preparation for the summer fishing and boating season.

Second Floating Dock Complex In Service
Second floating dock complex, which has berthing spaces on both sides of the main floating dock, has most of the secondary docks in place (a few are missing on the south side) and a functional gangway from the pier (see below).   During the summer, invasive seaweeds are common on these docks (the green alga Codium and red alga Grateloupe).

Finger Pier with No Floating Docks
The first of two finger piers on the east side of MacMillan pier is a permanent structure at the same height as the main pier and has no floating docks.  It is reserved for larger commercial vessels in the marina.  Access to the vessels is gained by wood ladders on the side of the pier.  This dock is not monitored for invasives, which are attached to the pilings below the low tide level and are accessible only by diving.   

ADDITIONAL IMAGES:
Satellite View of Pier Similar to April Visit

Missing Gangway to First Floating Dock

Gangway to Second Floating Dock

(See also MacMillan Pier Images in the Sidebar).

LINKS:
Summer at MacMillan Pier:  Photos of Floating Dock Complexes
Winter at MacMillan Pier:  I am Provincetown
Town of Provincetown Harbor and Pier Website: Harbor and Pier Homepage.
Town of Provincetown Harbor Rgulations and Documents:  Harbor, MacMillan Pier, and Mooring Regulations.