Fish utilization of submerged aquatic vegetation in the Pamlico River / by John M. Fitzgerald.
| Author/creator | FitzGerald, John M. author. |
| Other author | O'Rear, Charles W., degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of Biology. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Production | 1998. |
| Description | vi, 72 leaves : illustrations, maps ; 28 cm |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | The purpose of this research was to determine the fish utilization of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). The Pamlico River, North Carolina SAV was sampled during 1996 to determine the fish utilization of this resource. SAV was sampled with 4-m² pop nets at Blounts Bay and Indian Island. The pop nets were set in shallow vegetated and unvegetated areas for comparison. A total of 5048 fish and 27 species were collected from the 158 (79 vegetated and 79 unvegetated) samples. Vegetation cores were taken at each vegetated pop net sample to compare the above ground biomass to the fish sampled. Comparisons were made at the significance level of p < .05 between the vegetated and unvegetated conditions at Blounts Bay and Indian Island. Data from Blounts Bay indicated that significantly more numbers of fish were found in the vegetated condition as compared to the unvegetated condition. There were also significantly more species of fish found in the vegetated condition at Blounts Bay and Indian Island as compared to unvegetated conditions. Of the total species sampled at Blounts Bay in the vegetated condition, there were six species of fish whose presence was significant. Those species were: Anguilla rostrata; Fundulas confluentus; Gambusia affinis; Lepomis gibbosus; Lepomis machrochirus; and Notemigonus crysoleucas. In the Blounts Bay unvegetated condition; one fish (Lepistosteus osseus) was found to be significant. The results at Indian Island indicated that four species of fish (Anguilla rostrata; Menidia menidia; Palaemonetes vulgaris; and Syngnathus louisianae) whose presence was significant in the vegetated condition. The Indian Island unvegetated condition had no significant species of fish. Over all the fish utilization of the Pamlico River SAV was found to be important. This study allows for an understanding of fish utilization of North Carolina riverine SAV, an area that is continuing to undergo growth and experience resource pressures. This understanding, along with future and past research, should be used to aid resource managers in making informed management decisions. |
| General note | Submitted to the faculty of the Department of Biology. |
| General note | Advisor: Charles O'Rear |
| Dissertation note | M.S. East Carolina University 1998 |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-54). |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Academic theses. |
| Genre/form | Thèses et écrits académiques. |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | University Archives | ASK AT SPECIAL COLLECTIONS DESK | ✔ Available | Request Material |
| Electronic Resources | Access Content Online | ✔ Available |