Two Distinct, Geographically Overlapping Lineages of the Corallimorpharian Ricordea Florida (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia: Ricordeidae)

We examined the genetic variation of the corallimorpharian Ricordea florida; it is distributed throughout the Caribbean region and is heavily harvested for the marine aquarium trade. Eighty-four distinct individuals of R. florida were sequenced from four geographically distant Caribbean locations (Curaçao, Florida, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico). Analysis of the ribosomal nuclear region (ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2) uncovered two geographically partially overlapping genetic lineages in R. florida, probably representing two cryptic species. Lineage 1 was found in Florida and Puerto Rico, and Lineage 2 was found in Florida, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe, and Curaçao. Because of the multi-allelic nature of the ITS region, four individuals from Lineage 1 and six from Lineage 2 were cloned to evaluate the levels of hidden intra-individual variability. Pairwise genetic comparisons indicated that the levels of intra-individual and intra-lineage variability (\u3c1%) were approximately an order of magnitude lower than the divergence (~9%) observed between the two lineages. The fishery regulations of the aquarium trade regard R. florida as one species. More refined regulations should take into account the presence of two genetic lineages, and they should be managed separately in order to preserve the long-term evolutionary potential of this corallimorpharian. The discovery of two distinct lineages in R. florida illustrates the importance of evaluating genetic variability in harvested species prior to the implementation of management policies

Water resources data for Alachua, Bradford, Clay, and Union Counties, Florida

A study of the water resources of Alachua, Bradford, Clay, and Union counties, Florida (fig. 1), was made by the Water Resources Division of the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Florida Geological Survey during the period 1957-61. The results of this study will be published by the Florida Geological Survey in the following reports by William E. Clark, Rufus H. Musgrove, Clarence G. Menke, and Joseph W. Cagle, Jr.: "Interim Report on the Water Resources of Alachua, Bradford, Clay, and Union Counties, Florida," "Water Resources of Alachua, Bradford, Clay, and Union Counties, Florida," and "Hydrology of Brooklyn Lake, near Keystone Heights, Florida." (Document has 161 pages.

New and old mosquito records for extreme southern Florida (Diptera: Culicidae)

New locality records for Culiseta inornata (Williston) are reported from Big Pine Key, Grassy Key, and No Name Key in Monroe County, Florida. Five specimens were collected in dry ice-baited light traps. An old, previously unrecognized record for Anopheles grabhamii Theobald from Miami, Dade County, Florida, is reported based on specimens found in the Florida State Collection of Arthropods

Ground-water records of Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties, Florida

An investigation of the geology] and ground-water resources of Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns counties, Florida, was made during the period November 1955 through 1958 by the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Florida Geological Survey. The results of this investigation have been published by the Florida Geological Survey in the following reports: Information Circular 13 entitled, "Interim Report on the Ground-Water Resources of Flagler County, Florida," by Boris J. Bermes; Information Circular 14 entitled, "Interim Report on the Ground- Water Resources of St. Johns County, Florida," by George R. Tarver; Information Circular 15 entitled, "Interim Report on the Ground-Water Resources of Putnam County, Florida," by Gilbert W. Leve; and Report of Investigations 32 entitled, "Geology and Ground-Water Resources of Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns counties, Florida," by B. J. Bermes, G. W. Leve, and George R. Tarver. Report of Investigations 32 includes most of the information contained in the interim reports and in addition includes the results of the full period of investigation covering the entire area. The tabular material presented herewith contains all of the records that were not included in Report of Investigations 32. (Document contains 97 pages.

Miscellaneous studies

MISCELLANEOUS STUDIES, which includes the following papers: "Geology of the Area in and Around the Jim Woodruff Reservoir" by Charles W. Hendry, Jr. and J. William Yon, Jr.; "Phosphate Concentrations near Bird Rookeries in South Florida" by Dr. Ernest H. Lund, Department of Geology, Florida State University; and "An Analysis of Ochlockonee River Channel Sediments" by Dr. Ernest H. Lund, Associate Professor and Patrick C. Haley, Graduate Assistant, Department of Geology, Florida State University. (PDF contains 81 pages

Protecting Natural Resources - Forever: The Obligations of State Officials to Uphold Forever Constitutional Provisions

This Article analyzes the attacks on a state constitutional conservation lands program since the election of a governor and state legislature opposed to environmental regulation in 2010 – a precursor to current happenings at the federal level under the Trump administration. Former Florida Governor Rick Scott and his administration have spent an average of over $40 million a year in taxpayer money to defend and, in most cases, pay judgments, in lawsuits challenging mandates of the Florida Constitution. I examine this issue of ignoring or deliberately violating constitutional requirements through the lens of state constitutional provisions that protect natural resources, focusing on Florida and New York. Both states have explicit and specific protections for conservation and forest lands, which differ from constitutional provisions in other states that establish policies and delegate implementation authority to state legislatures. New York adopted its Forever Wild constitutional provision in 1894, and the text of that provision has remained intact, despite attempts to amend the provision or to pass legislation that would violate it. In Florida, there are two constitutional provisions that protect conservation lands under the Florida Forever program. This program has widespread public support and, at its inception, had non-partisan political support as well, until Rick Scott was elected to be governor. During his tenure, there have been repeated attempts to sell or trade conservation lands protected under the Florida Constitution. Instead of spending taxpayer money to defend violations of these constitutional provisions, Florida state officials should uphold the oaths they made to “support, protect, and defend” the state constitution. Natural resource protections in the Florida and New York constitutions provide noteworthy guidance for other states to initiate constitutional amendments for similar protections. In addition, there should be personal repercussions for state officials who willfully violate these state constitutional commands and restitution of taxpayer money spent to defend unlawful behavior

New Distribution Records of Scolytidae From Indiana and Florida

Twenty-three new state records are provided for Florida and Indiana Scolytidae; 92 species are now known from Indiana, 112 from Florida

Submarine groundwater discharge: an unseen yet potentially important coastal phenomenon

In collaboration with researchers from Florida State University, Florida Sea Grant introduces an important but poorly known topic: submarine groundwater discharge. Although nearly invisible, submarine groundwater discharge influences coastal systems. This brochure helps explain this important phenomenon. (8pp.

Giving in Florida, 2015

Florida is home to a vibrant and growing grantmaking community addressing issues ranging from the arts to medical research to the sciences at the local, national, and even international level. This report outlines the state of giving in Florida and includes key findings, a broad variety of information detailing the philanthropic landscape of the state, and predictions for the future of giving in Florida