East Carolina University : Research and Creative Achievement Week 2011
Spatial and Temporal Changes in the Biogeography of Fishes along Intertidal Sandflats in Pamlico Sound, North Carolina, Michael Mabe, Anthony Overton, Joey Powers, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 Fish distribution along estuarine systems can be influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors and can be system dependent. Some of the most important factors are temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Maintaining biodiversity is important to prevent loss of estuarine services such as economically important fish. Fish were collected bi-monthly from August through November in 2009 and 2010 using an 18.3m long beach seine. Fish were identified in the field, counted, and released. Water quality was measured using an YSI-Pro and a 1L water sample was collected at nine selected sites. Statistical analysis was calculated using PRIMER-6 software. In all 73,828 fish were counted representing 43 species. Five species (Anchoa mitchilli, Menidia menidia, Brevoortia tyrranus, Leiostomus xanthurus, and Lagodon rhomboides) accounted for more than 97% of the total catch. Using the ANOSIM function in PRIMER the data show that there is a significant difference in water quality and fish assemblage among the western, central and eastern sections of river. The SIMPER function was used to determine the contribution of each species to the structuring of fish assemblage. Key taxa are those accounting for over 90% of the similarity among sections. No one species accounted for 90% of the similarity, however, Anchoa mitchilli, Menidia menidia, and Leiostomus xanthurus together accounted for over 90% of the similarity at all three sections. The data show intertidal sandflats are important habitat for fish in Pamlico River estuary and they should be included in the delimitation of essential fish habitat.
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Asymmetric development of the female reproductive tract in elasmobranchs: a comparativeanalysis of modes of reproduction and life history traits. Lyndell Bade, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 Elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) exhibit diverse reproductive modes, including internal fertilization, and either oviparity with external development or internal development via viviparity or ovoviviparity. For example, in many batoid species, the eggs are held internally, develop in the egg sac, and then the fetuses are fed through the excretion of a uterine fluid. Asymmetric reproductive tract development in the female is exhibited across many taxa, predominantly with leftsided functionality and vestigiality of the right side of the uterine tract. This is remarkably similar to birds, where it is viewed as a flight adaptation. It is conceivable that this is a load-lightening adaptation in elasmobranch species that travel long distances. A literature review will be used to identify reproductive modes and life history traits across elasmobranch diversity. Comparative analysis will be used to relate asymmetric development of the reproductive tract with reproductive mode and ecomorphology, as well as ecological traits such as migratory habit, migration distance, natal dispersal pattern, and habitat type. The study of reproductive anatomy of elasmobranchs is at a
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