Keys Marine Lab apparrel

At long last we have KML shirts and hats available!

White Gildan 100% cotton short sleeved t-shirts with the official KML logo on the front and a stylized map of the Florida Keys on the back, sizes small, medium, large, and extra-large. The tan 100% cotton hats have an adjustable strap.

Either shirts or hats may be had for a suggested donation to KML of $15. Check it out the next time you stop by the Lab.

All KML apparel is also available online through the Wildlife Foundation of Florida
http://shop.wildlifeflorida.org

reef ball mangroves at KML

Mangrove Solutions Division:
Dr. Catherine Jadot - president
Ben Chisholm - project coordinator
http://www.mangrovesolutions.com

We are exploring yet another technique for planting mangroves out beyond the protection of the rip-rap. The Mangroves Solution Division is using KML as a beta test site here in the Keys.

The project:
To stabilize the seedlings (propagules) in the ocean, one proven method uses split encasement tubes driven into the sediment. This method protects against the wrack line, however, it doesn't alone promote the optimal growth of the seedling. A solution combining this wrack protection and Reef Ball technology has been developed to ensure the fastest, healthiest, and most protected growth of the mangrove tree. This solution is ideal for numerous applications including erosion efforts, enhancing aesthetical aspects of property and fertilizer runoff filtration.

Anchoring in high energy areas:
Suitable anchoring of the propagule is a common problem encountered. The Reef Ball Mangrove Planting Solution provides a steel anchor allowing a durable mooring.
Foundation Protection - Armored Cultivator Pot:
The concrete base of the device allows the propagule & roots to be protected from submerged debris. Available in a bio-degradable version, the solution has the ability to “wash away” as the mangrove matures and no longer needs assistance, leaving only a self sufficient, beautiful mangrove.
Wrack Protection - split PVC pipe:
Armored Cultivator Pot's stems will be shielded from waves, floating debris, wind, upland runoff, predation and UV, avoiding the troubles that most often cause plant failures in high energy zones
Enriched environment - fertilizer disk:
The Reef Ball Solution includes slow release fertilizer nutrients to optimize mangrove growth.


Putting it all together:
Mangrove propagules from the mangroves already on site were collected. The metal anchors were pounded into the hardbottom. The PVC wrack protectors were pounded over the stake. The armored cultivator pots were packed with peat and the bottom "sealed" with a fertilizer disk, then slid over the PVC pipe and stomped firmly into the muck on the bottom. The PVC pipes were filled with more peat to the mean high tide level and a propagule was dropped into the tube.



12 new mangroves planted at KML!
We will be watching for them to poke their noses out of the rack protectors in the next couple months as the reach for they sun.

















mangroves in armored pots at low tide

embryonic skeletal development in brittle star

guest submission by:

Mitch Ruzek, Ph.D. canidate

University Of South Florida (USF)

Tampa, FL

My colleagues and I in the Brian Livingston lab at USF are interested in mechanisms of control within cells that help to determine when and why certain cells take on certain fates at defined times in a developing embryo. We are specifically interested in the group of genes that is responsible for embryonic skeletal development in the brittle star Ophiocoma wendtii that is common in the Florida Keys. While utilizing the facilities at the Keys Marine Lab we collect brittle star specimens in ten to thirty feet of water around Long Key.

We carry out a great deal of our wet laboratory work directly on premise at the Keys Marine Lab. While staying in the dormitories on site we can spawn animals, collect fertilized eggs and developing embryos at various stages of development where the larval skeleton begins to form. We can preserve animals, extract both DNA and RNA as well as perform microscopic injection of embryos while at the KML.

Work continues on the embryos and genetic material collected while at KML when we return to Tampa. Once back at USF we work to determine what genes are responsible for the larval skeleton that is characteristic of the brittle star. Our work will help to contribute to a better understanding of the networks of genes found within all cells that function as groups to accomplish individual functions or tasks. Without the facilities and staff of the Keys Marine Lab our work with this fragile and difficult-to-transported species would be nearly impossible.

KML Marina is Open!

The long-awaited marina at KML is operational! Our boat ramp is officially open for use. Be sure to check with our Operations Manager and Staff for access and use guidelines.






We are docking KML boats on site once again. Many thanks to our Layton neighbors for offering us courtesy dock space at Zane Grey Marina across the street while the marina project was under way.



In the coming weeks we will be adding additional mooring spots along the new seawall as well as power and wash-down stations.

Thank you to all of our KML guests for your patience during our re-building efforts.