The effect of seagrass blade length and patch size on the growth and survivorship of Argopecten irradians / by Beth A. Orlando.

Author/creator Orlando, Beth A. author.
Other author Ambrose, William G., Jr. (William Gerald), 1954- degree supervisor.
Other author East Carolina University. Department of Biology.
Format Theses and dissertations
Production1995.
Descriptionviii, 95 leaves : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm
Supplemental ContentAccess via ScholarShip
Subjects
Bay scallop--Growth.
Bay scallop--Habitat.
Seagrasses.

Variant title Abstract title: Effect of seagrass blade height and patch size on the growth and survivorship of Argopecten irradians
Summary Two series of experiments were conducted to determine the effects of seagrass blade height and patch size on the growth and survivorship of the bay scallop, Argopecten itradians. In the first experiment, I manipulated seagrass blade length at 2 sites in Back Sound, North Carolina, U.S.A. The grass in three, 4-m² plots at each site was cut short (7 cm) while the grass in three other plots remained at natural lengths ([approximately equal]11.7 cm). Fifty juvenile scallops were glued to mock seagrass blades and placed in each plot. For the 4- month period of December 1992 - April 1993, scallop growth and survivorship were recorded at 4-week time intervals. No significant effects of blade height on scallop growth or survivorship were detected for any time period. In the spring of 1993, the same experiment was repeated at one of the sites. In this experiment, seagrass blade height again did not have a significant effect on scallop growth. Scallop mortality, however, was shown to be significantly higher in the short-seagrass plots than in the long seagrass plots. In the second experiment, I investigated the effect of seagrass patch size on scallop growth and survivorship for 3 different patch sizes (1 m, 4-5 m, and >8 m in diameter). Eight replicate patches of each size class were chosen at Oscar Shoals, Back Sound, North Carolina U.S.A. and a 0.75 m X 0.75 m quadrat was established in the middle of each. Within each of the quadrats, I placed 25 juvenile scallops attached to mock seagrass blades. Analysis of the survivorship data did not detect any significant differences among patch size classes. Growth was affected by patch size after 3 and 7 weeks with greater growth in larger patches. Seven week individuals in small patches grew 32% less than those in large patches.
General noteSubmitted to the faculty of the Department of Biology.
General noteAdvisor: William G. Ambrose, Jr.
Dissertation noteM.S. East Carolina University 1995
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (leaves 88-95).
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formAcademic theses.
Genre/formThèses et écrits académiques.

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