All Publications

  • Co-creating intergenerational knowledge about Hawaiian moi (Polydactylus sexfilis) reproductive cycles in a changing climate. Proceedings. Biological sciences Poepoe, K., Springer, S. K., Luccioni, M. D., Goo, N., Lind, P., Kawelo, H., Mae-Huihui, W., Kaupu, L., Gregg, M., Alapai, K., Alapai-Hashimoto, K., Lind, K., Kahoʻokaulana, A., Connelly, A. P. 2025; 292 (2061)

    Abstract

    Moi (Polydactylus sexfilis) is a highly valued resource species in Hawai'i, traditionally monitored by lawai'a (fishers) and konohiki (managers of ahupua'a land divisions). Moi experienced significant declines in the mid-20th century, prompting a seasonal fishing ban aligned with then-recorded spawning periods. Master lawai'a and konohiki, Uncle Mac Poepoe, recently observed spawning season changes, likely due to habitat degradation and environmental stressors, indicating that the ban is not effective for protecting moi during extended spawning periods. In response, Uncle Mac formed Nā Kai 'Ewalu, a collective of lawai'a, to study these changes across islands. This paper details the research process, priorities and methodologies rooted in Indigenous knowledge and driven by Kanaka 'Ōiwi (Native Hawaiians). Here we showcase our approach: a synchronized lawai'a monitoring network and trans-disciplinary collaboration to inform effective fishing regulations and adaptive management in the face of an uncertain climate and human coastal impact. Our Indigenous-led research uses traditional knowledge and conventional biology to steward biocultural resources, offering a model for fisheries management globally.

    View details for DOI 10.1098/rspb.2025.2028

    View details for PubMedID 41538037

  • Diet and chemical defenses of the Sonoran Desert toad. PloS one Luccioni, M. D., Wyman, J. T., Espinoza, E. O., O'Connell, L. A. 2025; 20 (11): e0335661

    Abstract

    The Sonoran Desert toad (Incilius alvarius) is the only animal known to secrete the psychedelic compound 5-MeO-DMT as a chemical defense, but the source of 5-MeO-DMT in I. alvarius remains unknown. Some amphibians produce chemical defenses endogenously or through symbiotic interactions, while others acquire them from specialized diets. In this study we analyzed toxin gland secretions and diet profiles from wild I. alvarius and sympatric anurans from native and urban habitats around Tucson, Arizona to explore possible links between diet and 5-MeO-DMT production. All I. alvarius secreted high concentrations of 5-MeO-DMT, whereas other sympatric toads did not. The diet of I. alvarius was similar to that of sympatric anurans, indicating that I. alvarius does not exhibit relative dietary specialization. We found slight dietary differences between I. alvarius in native and urbanized habitats. Taken together, these lines of evidence suggest that diet is not directly linked to 5-MeO-DMT production and support the alternative hypotheses that I. alvarius synthesizes 5-MeO-DMT endogenously or via a microbial symbiont.

    View details for DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0335661

    View details for PubMedID 41212884

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC12599970

  • Microclimatic Effects of Ko (Sugarcane, <i>Saccharum officinarum</i>) Row Planting in the Leeward Kohala Field System, Hawai'i Island PACIFIC SCIENCE Burnett, M. W., Coleman, D., Saiz, G., Bacasen, K., Luccioni, M., Marshall, K., Vitousek, P. M. 2023; 77 (2-3): 163-175

    View details for DOI 10.2984/77.2.3

    View details for Web of Science ID 001416132000003

  • The plant terpenoid carvone is a chemotaxis repellent for C. elegans. microPublication. Biology Ellington, C., Hayden, A., LaGrange, Z., Luccioni, M., Osman, M., Ramlan, L., Vogt, M., Guha, S., Goodman, M., O'Connell, L. 2020; 2020

    View details for DOI 10.17912/micropub.biology.000231

    View details for PubMedID 32550506

  • Enabling community-based metrology for wood-degrading fungi. Fungal biology and biotechnology Perez, R., Luccioni, M., Kamakaka, R., Clamons, S., Gaut, N., Stirling, F., Adamala, K. P., Silver, P. A., Endy, D. 2020; 7: 2

    Abstract

    Background: Lignocellulosic biomass could support a greatly-expanded bioeconomy. Current strategies for using biomass typically rely on single-cell organisms and extensive ancillary equipment to produce precursors for downstream manufacturing processes. Alternative forms of bioproduction based on solid-state fermentation and wood-degrading fungi could enable more direct means of manufacture. However, basic methods for cultivating wood-degrading fungi are often ad hoc and not readily reproducible. Here, we developed standard reference strains, substrates, measurements, and methods sufficient to begin to enable reliable reuse of mycological materials and products in simple laboratory settings.Results: We show that a widely-available and globally-regularized consumer product (Pringles) can support the growth of wood-degrading fungi, and that growth on Pringles-broth can be correlated with growth on media made from a fully-traceable and compositionally characterized substrate (National Institute of Standards and Technology Reference Material 8492 Eastern Cottonwood Whole Biomass Feedstock). We also establish a Relative Extension Unit (REU) framework that is designed to reduce variation in quantification of radial growth measurements. So enabled, we demonstrate that five laboratories were able to compare measurements of wood-fungus performance via a simple radial extension growth rate assay, and that our REU-based approach reduced variation in reported measurements by up to~75%.Conclusions: Reliable reuse of materials, measures, and methods is necessary to enable distributed bioproduction processes that can be adopted at all scales, from local to industrial. Our community-based measurement methods incentivize practitioners to coordinate the reuse of standard materials, methods, strains, and to share information supporting work with wood-degrading fungi.

    View details for DOI 10.1186/s40694-020-00092-2

    View details for PubMedID 32206323

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6613-0815