Student research projects

(Graduate, Honours, and Independent Project Students)

• Lydia Rockwell (2006 – present) — Ecotoxicology of aquatic organisms from the Sydney Tar Ponds; co-supervised by Dr. Ron Russell at Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS.
  
  
• Sylvia Dove (2007-08) —  Growth analysis of mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) from Cape Breton estuaries using otoliths
  
  
• Kelly McVarish (2007-08) —  The potential use of cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus)(Walbaum, 1792) as an Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) species for Sydney Harbour, Nova Scotia
  
  
• Jared Tomie (2007-08) — Evaluation of the green crab (Carcinus maenas) invasion in eastern Cape Breton
  
  
• Matt Bryden (2006–07) — Morphological identification of hybrids between Fundulus heteroclitus and Fundulus diaphanus within Cape Breton Island
  
  
• Cheryl Wall (2006–07) — Genetic determination of Fundulus heteroclitus and F. diaphanus and their possible hybrids using PCR analysis of microsatellite primers (Co-supervised with Dr. Michael Tanchak, Biology, CBU)
  
  
• Jennifer Cooper (2006) — Investigating potential intermediate hosts for MSX in the Bras d’Or Lakes (Co-supervised with Rod Beresford, Biology, CBU)
  
  
• Kyla Romard (2005–06) — Analysis of heavy metals in mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) from Cape Breton estuaries including the Sydney Tar Ponds
  
  
• Dawne MacLeod (2005-06) — Assessing the feasibility of using microsatellites to distinguish between Fundulus heteroclitus, Fundulus diaphanus and their possible hybrids
  
  
• Sana Kavanagh (2005) — Evaluating the potential existence of hybrid Fundulus heteroclitus x F. diaphanus (Cyprinodontiformes: Fundulidae) in Cape Breton estuaries.
  
  
• Ashley Parsons (2005) — Evaluation of extraction methods for detecting PCBs in the mummichog ( Fundulus heteroclitus) collected throughout Cape Breton estuaries (Co-supervised with Dr. Allen Britten, Chemistry, CBU)
  
  
• Vince McMullin (2004–05) — Development of Atlantic Canada’s Estuarine Field Manual as a user friendly, web-based identification tool for a large-scale estuarine biomonitoring project.

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Research programs

Sydney Tar Ponds

Fundulus heteroclitus x F. diaphanus hybrids around eastern Cape Breton

Potential intermediate hosts for the oyster parasite, MSX in the Bras d’Or Lakes

Invasive Alien Aquatic Species Research

Sydney Tar Ponds

The Sydney Tar Ponds comprise a shallow tidal estuary that is heavily contaminated with various industrial and municipal pollutants, including PAHs, PCBs, heavy metals, and until 2005, municipal sewage. Despite the common belief that the Tar Ponds are "lifeless, barren wastelands", our results suggest otherwise. The Tar Ponds were sampled with minnow traps during 2004-2006, and yielded over 800 fish representing nine species. These results were very similar to comparable estuaries, where a total of fourteen fish species were sampled.

Overall, all sites were dominated by a small prey fish commonly known as the mummichog. Several aspects of the Tar Ponds mummichogs were analysed, and we found that they have the same average length as four reference populations, they have the same body condition index as three reference populations, and they complete their life cycle in the Tar Ponds. Further analyses have shown that Tar Ponds mummichog bear high body burdens of PAHs, PCBs and heavy metals, and individuals also show signs of developmental stress such as asymmetrical body features, fin erosion, and deformities. However, individual mummichogs from other estuaries sometimes show similar problems.

A strong recommendation from these preliminary results is that more research needs to be done to follow the fate of Tar Ponds fish populations once remediation begins. Research priorities should include continuation of baseline surveys and the development of appropriate local bioindicators of ecosystem health.

Investigation of Fundulus heteroclitus x F. diaphanus hybrids in estuaries around eastern Cape Breton

As a result of sampling in summer 2004 for the estuary bioassessment project throughout eastern Cape Breton, a number of indeterminate Fundulus (Family Fundulidae) individuals were collected. These specimens are believed to be hybrid Fundulus heteroclitus x F. diaphanus.

The first objective of this research is to determine through the use of meristics, whether our indeterminate samples are hybrid F. heteroclitus x F. diaphanus. If hybrids exist, the second objective is to develop an efficient and reliable method of identifying hybrids in the field. The third objective is to survey additional sites in eastern Cape Breton that were not included in 2004 to collect more specimens to further investigate the possibility of hybrids in estuaries throughout this region.

Searching for potential intermediate hosts for the oyster parasite, MSX in the Bras d’Or Lakes

This research is part of a multi-disciplinary research initiative (e.g. NRC-Halifax, UPEI, NSAC) that investigates the dynamics of the oyster parasite, multinucleated spherical X (MSX; Haplosporidium nelsoni) throughout the Bras d’Or Lakes. MSX was first diagnosed in the Bras d’Or Lakes in 2002 and has since had a significant economic impact on oyster leaseholders in this region.

I will be surveying the benthic and nektonic invertebrate and fish communities at MSX-positive and MSX-negative sites as a preliminary investigation into potential intermediate hosts. Much of the life cycle of MSX is unknown to date, even in Delaware Bay where the first recorded outbreak occurred in 1957.

Invasive Alien Aquatic Species Research

This summer my research team, in collaboration with Atlantic Coastal Action Program Cape Breton (ACAP CB) plans on focusing part of our monitoring program on invasive alien aquatic species in our local estuaries. We are especially interested in population dynamics of the invasive green crab, Carcinus maenas. Green crabs are voracious predators of mussels, clams and other benthic invertebrates, and may outcompete native crab species for resources. In addition, they are active burrowers and displace seagrasses by causing them to uproot during storm events.

We are also interested in collecting preliminary information about tunicate (sea squirt) threats in our estuaries throughout Industrial Cape Breton, the Sydney Harbour, and the Bras d’Or Lakes. We are devising a sampling strategy that would be complementary to ongoing tunicate studies conducted by Department of Fisheries and Oceans throughout Nova Scotia. There are five tunicates that fisheries officials are most concerned about in our regional waters, including the Clubbed, Sea Vase, Violet, and Golden Star tunicates, as well as Didemnum species that is currently confined to a small area on George’s Bank. Tunicates form mat-like colonies that compete for space with native species, and hinder the feeding of other bottom dwelling organisms such as sea urchins, mussels and lobsters. They lack native predators in part because their tissue is acidic. My research team recorded the presence of colonies of the Golden Star tunicate in various parts of the Bras d’Or Lakes in 2006.

Recent research funding provided by:

Cape Breton University Research Policy Grants

Canadian Foundation for Innovation

Sydney Tar Ponds Agency

Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program

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Selected peer-reviewed publications

• Able, K.W., K.M.M. Jones, and D.A. Fox (accepted with revisions). Large nektonic fishes in the nearshore and marsh creek habitats in the Delaware Bay estuary: distribution and abundance. Northeastern Naturalist. December 2007.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2006) Distribution of behaviours and species interactions within home range contours in five Caribbean reef fish species (Family Labridae). Environmental Biology of Fishes, Online First: Friday, July 28, 2006.
  
  
• Jones , K.M.M. (2005) The effect of territorial damselfish (Family Pomacentridae) on the space use and behavior of the coral reef fish, Halichoeres bivittatus ( Bloch 1791)(Family Labridae). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 324:99-111.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2005). Home range areas and activity centers in six species of Caribbean wrasses (Family Labridae). J. Fish Biol. 66: 150-166.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2003). An aging reference undergoes extensive reconstruction. A book review of the updated edition of Bigelow and Schroeder’s "Fishes of the Gulf of Maine". (B.B. Collette, and G. Klein-MacPhee, eds.). Env. Biol. Fish. 66: 401-403.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2002). Behavioural overlap in six Caribbean labrid species: intra- and interspecific similarities. Env. Biol. of Fish. 65: 71-81.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M., Sale, P.F. and D.G. Fitzgerald. (2002). Comparative ecology of marine fish communities. In: Handbook of Fish and Fisheries, Vol. 1. (P.J.B. Hart and J.D. Reynolds, eds.) Blackwell, UK, pp. 341-358.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. and E.G. Boulding. (1999). Condition-dependent habitat selection in an intertidal snail: the costs of selecting a physically stressful microhabitat. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 242: 149-177.

Technical reports

•  Jones, K.M.M., Deveaux, S., Dove S., and Tomie, J. (2007) Asymmetries in skeletal elements of mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) as indicators of ecosystem stress. Proceedings of the 34th Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, Halifax, October 1-3. 
  
  
• Ingraham, D., McVeigh R., Power J., Yurchesyn, C., Jonah, D., and Jones, M. (2007) Increase capacity of web-based biogeographical database for the Sydney Tar Ponds and Muggah Creek Ecosystem. Final report submitted to the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency. 
  
  
• Mugridge, A., Jones, K.M.M., Hatcher, B. (2007) Comparative biological analysis of hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) captured on the Scotian slope versus hagfish captured off the south coast of Newfoundland. Project H-2007-02 submitted to the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation. 
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2007) Condition analyses of mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus, from the Sydney Tar Ponds and reference estuaries. Final report submitted to the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency.
  
  
• Mugridge, A., Jones, K.M.M., and Hatcher, B. (2006) Experimental Fishing Gear Analysis for Year 2 of a Stage 1 offshore experimental license for the exploitation of Atlantic hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) on the Scotian slope, in NAFO zones 4Vs and 4W. Submitted to the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation.
  
  
• Mugridge, A., Chopin, F., Hatcher, B. and Jones, K.M.M. (2006) 2005 Draft Science Plan: for the prosecution of a Stage 1 offshore experimental fishing license for the exploitation of hagfish (Myxine glutinosa) on the Scotian slope, in NAFO zones 4Vs and 4W. Submitted to the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation.
  
  
• Able, K.W., and Jones, K.M.M. (2003). Monitoring Fish Predators in Restored and Reference Marsh Creeks. Public Service Enterprise Group - Estuarine Enhancement Project Annual Report (Year 2).
  
  
• Able, K.W., and Jones, K.M.M. (2002). Monitoring Fish Predators in Restored and Reference Marsh Creeks. Public Service Enterprise Group - Estuarine Enhancement Project Annual Report (Year 1).

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Selected Conference Presentations and Invited Talks

• A. Mugridge, K.M.M. Jones, and B. Hatcher. (2007). Science for sustainable management of hagfish resource on the NE Scotian Shelf. DFO Hagfish Workshop, Halifax, October 22-24. 
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M., S. Deveaux, S. Dove and J. Tomie (2007) “Asymmetries and deformities in skeletal elements as indicators of environmental stress in mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus).” Oral presentation at the Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, Halifax, N.S., October 1-3. 
  
  
• Fitzgerald, D.F., K.M.M. Jones, and J. Tetreault (2007) “Application of image analysis for age determination in fishes: advances, benefits, limitations.” Oral presentation by D.F. Fitzgerald at the Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, Halifax, N.S October 1-3. 
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2007) “Monitoring Creatures from the Black Lagoon II: Three years of aquatic research in the Sydney Tar Ponds.” Atlantic Canada Coastal and Estuarine Science Society (ACCESS) Conference 2007, CBU, May 16-18.
  
  
• Rockwell, L.S., K.M.M. Jones and R. Russell (2007) “Bioaccumulation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in biota of the Sydney Tar Ponds, Nova Scotia, Canada.” Poster presentation at the ACCESS Conference 2007, CBU, May 16-18. 
  
  
• Bryden, J.M., and K.M.M. Jones. (2007) “Assessing the use of morphological traits to elucidate hybrids between Fundulus diaphanus and F. heteroclitus within Cape Breton Island.” Oral presentation by M. Bryden at the Putting the Fun in Fundulus workshop, ACCESS 2007 Conference, CBU, May 16-18.
  
  
• Wall, C., K.M.M. Jones, and M.A. Tanchak. (2007) “Genetic determination of Fundulus heteroclitus and F. diaphanus and their possible hybrids using PCR analysis of microsatellite primers.” Oral presentation by C. Wall at the Putting the Fun in Fundulus workshop, ACCESS 2007 Conference, CBU, May 16-18.
  
  
• Deveaux, S., and K.M.M. Jones (2007) “Treading in Murky Water: Developing locally relevant bioindicators using mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus).” Oral presentation at the Putting the Fun in Fundulus workshop, ACCESS Conference, CBU, May 16-18.
  
  
• Paetzold, C., K. M.M. Jones, and S.M. Bard (2007) "Does P-glycoprotein contribute to contaminant resistance in killifish from the Sydney Tar Ponds, Nova Scotia, Canada?" APICS Atlantic University Aquaculture Conference, Saint John, N.B., March 2-4.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2007) Aquatic Research in the Sydney Tar Ponds: Monitoring Creatures from the Black Lagoon". Invited talk at the N.S. Dept. of Environment and Labour Science Forum on Water Resource Management, Sydney, N.S., February 21.
  
  
• Paetzold, C., K.M.M. Jones, and S. Bard. (2006) "Expression of p-glycoprotein in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) from the Sydney Tar Ponds, Nova Scotia, Canada". Poster presentation at the Aquatic Toxicity Workshop, Jasper, Alberta, October 1-4.
  
  
• Peters, T.M., M. Tanchak, and K.M.M. Jones. (2006) "Assessing the use of amplified microsatellite DNA to detect differences in genetic variation between populations of Fundulus heteroclitus". Oral presentation by Trina Peters at the ACCESS Conference, UNB Fredericton. May 16-18.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2006) "The Sydney Tar Ponds: Creatures of the Black Lagoon". Oral presentation at the ACCESS Conference, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. May 16-18.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2006) "Biomonitoring in the Atlantic Region: Needs, Gaps and Opportunities". Invited seminar at the EMAN Nearshore Marine Ecological Monitoring Workshop, Bedford, N.S. February 7–9.
  
  
• McMullin, V.A., K.M.M. Jones, and D.V. Ingraham. (2006) "Atlantic Canada’s Estuarine Field Manual (www.acefm.ca)". Poster presentation by K.M.M. Jones at the EMAN Nearshore Marine Ecological Monitoring Workshop. Bedford, N.S. February 7–9.
   
• Cooper, J., and K.M.M. Jones. (2005) "Bioindication (A look at wildlife in the Sydney Tar Ponds)". Poster presentation by K.M.M. Jones at the EMAN Nearshore Marine Ecological Monitoring Workshop. Bedford, N.S. February 7–9.
  
  
• Fox, D.A., K.M.M. Jones and K.W. Able. (2005) "Dietary analysis of piscivorous predators in marsh creeks throughout Delaware Bay, New Jersey". Oral presentation by D.A. Fox at the Estuarine Research Federation Conference, Norfolk, VA., October 16–18.
  
  
• Cooper, J., and K.M.M. Jones. (2005) "Bioindication". Poster presentation by J. Cooper at the CASTS Conference 2005, "Spirit of the East", Membertou First Nations within Sydney, N.S., September 22–24.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2005) "Biologically evaluating Tar Ponds remediation". Oral presentation at the CASTS Conference 2005, "Spirit of the East", Membertou First Nations within Sydney, N.S., September 22–24.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2005) "Resuscitating the heart of a city: Biological assessment of Tar Ponds remediation". Invited talk at the Canadian Colleges Environmental Network (CCEN) Conference at Cape Breton University, Sydney, June 20–21.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2005) "Effects of marsh restoration on the distribution, abundance, diet and movement of large fishes throughout Alloway Creek, Delaware Bay, N.J." Invited seminar at the Estuary Enhancement Program Advisory Committee (EEPAC), Newark, Delaware, June 1–2.
  
  
• Parsons, A., A. Britten and K.M.M. Jones . (2005) " Analysis of Fundulus heteroclitus for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Polychlorinated Biphenyls". Poster Presentation by A. Parsons at the APICS Chemistry Conference, St. John’s, Nfld. May 14–15.
  
  
• McMullin, V.A., K.M.M. Jones , and D.V. Ingraham. (2005) "ACEFM – Interactive tool for managing aquaculture resources in the Bras d’Or Lakes". Oral presentation by D.V. Ingraham at the Industrial Engineering/CORS Conference on Programming Productivity, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, May 16–18.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. ( 2005) "Evaluating the effects of environmental remediation in Muggah Creek including the Sydney Tar Ponds". Poster presentation at the ACCESS Conference, Moncton, NB, May 4–5.
  
  
• McMullin, V.A., K.M.M. Jones, and D.V. Ingraham. (2005) "Atlantic Canada’s Estuarine Field Manual (ACEFM): Developing a management tool for estuarine ecosystems". Oral presentation by K.M.M. Jones at the ACCESS Conference, Moncton, NB, May 4–5.
  
  
• McMullin, V.A., K. M.M. Jones, and D.V. Ingraham. (2005) "Development of Atlantic Canada’s Estuarine Field Manual (ACEFM): addition of a biogeographical mapping component. Oral presentation by V. McMullin at the Atlantic Universities Aquaculture Conference, St. F.X. University, Antigonish.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. (2004) "Evaluating the effects of environmental remediation in Muggah Creek including the Sydney Tar Ponds". Poster presentation at the 1 st Annual Environmental Research Symposium at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, November 2004.
  
  
• Jones, K.M.M. and K.W. Able. (2004) "Effects of marsh restoration on the distribution, abundance, diet, and movement of large fishes throughout Alloway Creek, Delaware Bay, New Jersey". Oral presentation by K.M.M. Jones at the Ecological Restoration under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act: Issues in Implementation, American Fisheries Society, Madison, WI, August 2004.

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