Comparison of abundances and diets between fish communities in two habitats in a nontidal Juncus roemerianus marsh / by Shaun Willson.

Author/creator Willson, Shaun author.
Other author Brinson, Mark M., degree supervisor.
Other author East Carolina University. Department of Biology.
Format Theses and dissertations
Production1992.
Description51 leaves : illustrations ; 28 cm
Supplemental ContentAccess via ScholarShip
Subjects

Summary From this background, the following questions emerge: Is the resident fish distribution related to distribution of microhabitats (wrack pools) on the marsh surface? This question is especially relevant considering the proposed habitat alterations by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which would include the creation of open pools at Cedar Island. Ross (1986) suggests that fish assemblages may be separated more by trophic ecology than by habitat differences, although the two are obviously linked. Therefore, if spatial resource partitioning occurs, could it be related to prey populations of the respective habitats? Work by Bakker-Dittus (1978) on sympatric Fundulus species revealed a high degree of diet overlap on fish occurring together in time and space while Marraro et al. (1991) stressed differences in the diets of related resident species. I addressed these questions through research at Cedar Island marsh. My objectives were to: (1) determine if differences in fish abundance were based on the most apparent differentiating characteristic, wrack pools, and (2) determine whether there are relationships between ingested food items and fish location. The specific hypotheses tested were to: (1) The abundance of resident fish differs between the Juncus and wrack pools. (2) The size distribution of these fish assemblages differs between habitats. (3) The species composition and abundance of the ingested prey items differs between habitats.
General noteSubmitted to the faculty of the Department of Biology.
General noteAdvisor: Mark M. Brinson
Dissertation noteM.S. East Carolina University 1992
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 46-48).
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formThèses et écrits académiques.

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner University Archives ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK ✔ Available Request Material
Joyner General Stacks QH541.5.S24 W54 1992 ✔ Available Place Hold
Electronic Resources Access Content Online ✔ Available