C. D. Wells

Investigating the impact of introduced crabs on the distribution and morphology of littorinid snails: Implications for the survival of the snail Littorina saxatilis

This study examines how introduced crabs affect the distribution and morphology of littorinid snails, finding that smaller snails are more vulnerable to predation, with Littorina saxatilis being the most at risk.

Grazers and predators mediate the post-settlement bottleneck in Caribbean octocoral forests

The paper examines how grazers and predators affect octocoral recruitment in Caribbean reefs, finding that grazing reduces survival while turf algae positively correlates with recruitment.

Reconstitution of renal cyst formation in 3D culture reveals a role for AMOT and Yap1 in determining cyst size.

The paper shows that Cadherin 8 and YAP1 drive cyst initiation and expansion, respectively, in 3D kidney cultures, with AMOTL1 inhibiting expansion.

DNA metabarcoding provides insights into the diverse diet of a dominant suspension feeder, the giant plumose anemone Metridium farcimen

This study uses DNA metabarcoding to analyze the diet of the giant plumose anemone, revealing a broader range of prey than previously known and highlighting terrestrial input into marine food webs.

Polyp bailout and reattachment of the abundant Caribbean octocoral Eunicea flexuosa

The paper observes polyp bailout and reattachment in the Caribbean octocoral Eunicea flexuosa after aerial exposure, showing some polyps can reattach but not resume feeding.

Welcome to the jungle: Algal turf negatively affects recruitment of a Caribbean octocoral

This study shows that high algal turf cover reduces octocoral recruitment survival but not settlement rates, contributing to octocoral resilience in Caribbean reefs.

Alternative transcription cycle for bacterial RNA polymerase

The paper observes bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) remaining bound to DNA after termination and restarting transcription in reverse, producing antisense transcripts, using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and genome-wide RNA sequencing.