Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus is a commercially and ecologically important bottom-associated fish that occurs in marine and estuarine systems from Cape Cod, MA to Mexico. I documented the temporal and spatial variability in the diet of Atlantic croaker in Chesapeake Bay and found that in the summer fish, particularly bay anchovies Anchoa mitchilli, make up at least 20% of the diet of croaker by weight. The use of a pelagic food source seems unusual for a bottom-associated fish such as croaker, but appears to be a crepuscular…
Contents
CHAPTER 1 : RATIONALE
CHAPTER 2 : DISTRIBUTION AND DIET OF ATLANTIC CROAKER MICROPOGONIAS UNDULATUS IN CHESAPEAKE BAY
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Data collection
Spatial distribution
Diet analysis
Effect of environmental variables and diet on croaker presence and abundance
RESULTS
Spatial distribution
Diet Analysis
Effect of environmental variables and diet on croaker presence and abundance
DISCUSSION
CHAPTER 3 : THE EFFECT OF DIET VARIABILITY ON CONDITION OF ATLANTIC CROAKER MICROPOGONIAS UNDULATUS
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Laboratory Growth experiments
Field collection
Sample processing
Measures of Condition
Stomach Content Analysis
Statistical analyses
RESULTS
Laboratory growth experiments
Field Collection
DISCUSSION
CHAPTER 4 : DEVELOPMENT AND VERIFICATION OF A BIOENERGETIC MODEL OF ATLANTIC CROAKER MICROPOGONIAS UNDULATUS
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Consumption
Respiration
Energy content
Statistical fitting
Validation of the bioenergetic model
RESULTS
Consumption
Respiration
Validation of the bioenergetic model
DISCUSSION
CHAPTER 5 : POPULATION CONSUMPTION OF ATLANTIC CROAKER MICROPOGONIAS UNDULATUS IN CHESAPEAKE BAY: IMPLICATIONS FOR
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY ECOSYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
Field Sampling
Growth
Diet
Energy content
Water temperature
Population consumption
RESULTS
Growth
Population consumption
DISCUSSION
CHAPTER 6 : SUMMARY
WORKS CITED
Author: Nye, Janet Ashley
Source: University of Maryland
Download URL 2: Visit Now