Animal Sciences Commons^™

Teeth That Tell Time: Elemental Analysis From Shark Teeth, Gisele-Elizabeth Perez

Posters - 2026

Sharks (Chondrichthyes) have hunted in the oceans for over 400 million years, their teeth leaving history behind, constantly becoming a part of the fossilization process (Worm et al. 2013). Their survival throughout 5 major extinctions is due to their ability to adapt easily with slow metabolism, a wide range of diet, and an efficient physiology. Shark teeth are vital to the hunting and consumption of their prey, making it a point for scientists to study them. Their tooth minerals contain fluorapatite in their enameloid, and dentin in the “root” of the tooth, with extinct species containing dentin and hydroxyapatite in …

Fisheries Research Report No. 358 - Recreational Fishing For Blue Swimmer Crab In Cockburn Sound: Estimates Of Effort And Catch In 2024/25, Alissa C. Tate, Claire B. Smallwood, Eva K M Lai

Fisheries Research Reports

The Cockburn Sound Blue Swimmer Crab (Portunus armatus) fishery was reopened to recreational fishing in December 2024 following a 10-year closure. Monitoring was essential to assess fishing effort and catch for this species.

A boat ramp (bus route) survey at four key access points (Leeuwin, Woodman Point, Palm Beach, and Point Peron) and shore-based roving creel survey (Fremantle South Mole to Point Peron) were used to collect data from December 2024 to May 2025. These surveys provide estimates of fishing effort, total catch (kept and released), harvest and catch rates for Blue Swimmer Crab in Cockburn Sound.

A total of …

Emerald Bowfin Amia Ocellicauda Ecology In Three Minnesota Lakes: Abundance, Age Analysis, Diet Composition, And Stable Isotope Food Web, Griffin Blegen

Biology Graduate Theses

The Emerald Bowfin Amia ocellicauda is a predatory fish species native to Minnesota that has often been discriminated against. This research expands ecological knowledge of Bowfin in Minnesota and provides population data to guide future management. Bowfin were sampled in the spring of 2024 and 2025 and a multi-census mark–recapture model was used to estimate abundance in three lakes. Estimated populations were 196 individuals in Little Toad Lake (95% CI: 116, 242) or 4.4 fish/littoral ha (95% CI: 2.7,5.7), 657 in Lake Sarah (95% CI: 436, 1014) or 4.2 fish/littoral ha (95% CI: 3.0, 6.7), and 612 in Gun Lake …

Just Unmasking Knowledge? A Critical Interpretation Of Fluctuating Jellyfish Populations For A Mass Media Audience, Wrenne R. Grone

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Projects

While podcasts may not be the most popular form of mass media, they are growing in their accessibility and prevalence in educational discourse. My creative work, in the form of a podcast, unmasks scientific knowledge in an untraditional, mass-media form and will use podcast techniques, such as music transitions and storytelling techniques, to maintain engagement. Additionally, my podcast aims to transpose academic knowledge into a comprehensible, interesting form for a non-academic audience. Jellyfish have no brains, no heart, no blood, and no bones and yet, they have survived for millions of years. The goal of my podcast is to educate …

Dietary Oil From Hermetia Illucens L. Larvae Promotes Weight Gain And Alters Leukocyte Profiles In Mus Musculus L, Rudy Agung Nugroho Ran, Reni Kurniati, Widya Putri Ambar Sari, Reynaldo Imanuel Sompotan, Retno Aryani, Hetty Manurung, Rudianto Rudianto

Makara Journal of Science

The escalating global demand for high-quality animal-derived proteins has driven the search for sustainable alternatives. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL; Hermetia illucens L.) oil presents a promising option, by addressing organic waste management while providing nutrient-rich feed. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with BSFL oil on growth performance, hematological characteristics, and blood lipid profiles in mice (Mus musculus). Male mice were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 5): positive control (fish oil, 5 mL/kg body weight [BW]), negative control (Aquadest, 5 mL/kg BW), and three treatment groups receiving BSFL oil at 2.5, 5, and …

Comparison Of Sampling Methods For Estimation Of Aquatic Insect Diversity And Abundance Across Seasonal Gradients In A Southern U.S. River System, Albert Henry Gasperecz

LSU Master's Theses

Determination of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage composition plays a vital role in assessment and management of lotic systems throughout the U.S. However, the validity of biomonitoring programs depends on accurate and precise measures of macroinvertebrate abundance, which in turn are dependent on sampling gears and protocols. The goal of this project was to assess how gear selection influences estimates of aquatic insect abundance and diversity, and how this selection can affect biological monitoring practices. I used 4 different gears in 3 southern Mississippi streams to aquatically and terrestrially collect aquatic insects seasonally throughout 2024. I identified and recorded all genera present …

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 151 - Response To 2025 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Brett Crisafulli, Emily A. Fisher, Matias Braccini, Rubie Evans-Powell, Fabian I. Trinnie, Ainslie Denham, S. A. Hesp

Fisheries Occasional Publications

Consistent with national trends, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is transitioning to the globally recognised Stock Synthesis (SS) platform to support more robust, transparent, and internationally aligned assessments. To ensure this transition remains scientifically sound, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review in 2025, following a previous review in 2024. The 2025 review was conducted by Professor André Punt and focused on integrated models for three key WA fish stocks: red emperor in the Kimberley, WA dhufish in the southern West Coast Bioregion, and sandbar shark at the statewide level. This publication summarises the findings and recommendations …

Supplemental Data For Gulf Coast Walleye Edna Survey, Kevin W. Jones

Research Data

This file contains the full eDNA collection and amplification dataset for:

Jones, K.W. (2026). Development and application of an eDNA protocol for the detection of Gulf Coast Walleye (Sander vitreus) in Mississippi [Thesis submitted for publication]. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University.

Fenced And Feral: Farming And Spread Of Flowerhorn (Amphilophus Spp.) In Lake Sampaloc, Philippines, Janice A. Ragaza, Hannah Nicole Gasmen

Environmental Sustainability

This study examines the spread and ecological impact of invasive Flowerhorn cichlids (Amphilophus spp.) in Lake Sampaloc, Philippines, driven by both accidental release and intentional aquaculture practices. Field observations and literature reveal that these highly adaptable and aggressive fish outcompete native species, contributing to biodiversity decline amid increasing pollution, eutrophication, and microplastic contamination. Their phenotypic plasticity allows them to thrive in degraded environments, further exacerbating ecological imbalance. While local communities have begun utilizing Flowerhorns for ornamental trade and potential aquafeed production, such practices risk reinforcing their proliferation. The study highlights the need for integrated management strategies combining biosecurity, pollution control, …

Improvements To Fisheries Compensation Processes And Valuation Methodologies In Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Published Reports

This report has been prepared by the Compensation Working Group (WG) to provide advice to the Minister for Fisheries on improving Western Australia’s (WA) fisheries compensation processes under two key legislative frameworks:

• Fisheries adjustment schemes, under the Fisheries Adjustment Scheme Act 1987
• (FAS Act), and 
• Statutory compensation under Fishing and Related Industries Compensation (Marine Reserves) Act 1997 (FRICMA).

This work has been undertaken as a precursor to the larger scale adjustment and compensation processes that will be required as part of the implementation of several marine parks throughout the Kimberley and South Coast of WA.

Fisheries Occasional Publication No. 150 - Response To 2024 External Review Of Integrated Stock Assessments For Key Wa Demersal Indicator Stocks, Rubie Evans-Powell, S. A. Hesp, Ainslie Denham, Emily A. Fisher, Rachel Marks, Fabian I. Trinnie, Brett Crisafulli

Fisheries Occasional Publications

In Western Australia (WA), stock assessments for key demersal species, including snapper and red emperor, have traditionally used bespoke integrated models developed in-house by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). In line with other Australian jurisdictions, DPIRD is transitioning to Stock Synthesis (SS) as its primary platform for integrated stock assessments of WA finfish. To support this transition, DPIRD commissioned an independent expert review of recent integrated models applied to three demersal stocks. This publication responds to recommendations from Professor André Punt (University of Washington and CSIRO) in his 2024 review, which examined assessments for Pilbara red …

Trophic Structure And Mercury Bioaccumulation In Walleye And Yellow Perch In The Upper And Lower Red Lake Basins, Marissa Pribyl

Biology Graduate Theses

Mercury is a persistent global contaminant that biomagnifies through aquatic food webs, with dietary and environmental factors serving as the primary drivers of accumulation in fishes. Trophic structure and methylmercury dynamics in Walleye (ogaa; Sander vitreus) and Yellow Perch (asaawens; Perca flavescens) were investigated in the Upper and Lower Red Lake basins in Red Lake, Minnesota, during 2024-2025. Diets of Walleye and Yellow Perch were assessed through stomach dissections, and tissue samples from both species were analyzed for total mercury concentrations. Additional analyses included shiners (gigoozens; Notropis spp., Hudsonius spp.) along with a variety of freshwater fish and …

Linking Local Ecological Knowledge And Management Perspectives On Oyster Predation In Mississippi And Alabama, Cynthia Lupton, Eric Sparks, Mark Woodrey, James M. Drymon, Nigel Temple, Steven Scyphers

Research Data

Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) provide critical ecosystem services, yet populations along the northern Gulf Coast are declining due to environmental stressors, such as water quality issues and predation. To evaluate how threats to oysters are perceived across stakeholder groups, we surveyed oyster Farmers and Resource professionals in Mississippi and Alabama about predator impacts, seasonal patterns, and mitigation strategies. Survey responses (n = 21) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s Exact tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and t-tests. Farmers and Resource professionals identified multiple predators as important sources of mortality, but their relative rankings differed across groups. Resource professionals consistently viewed southern …

Fisheries Management Paper No. 311: West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean Resource Harvest Strategy, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Fisheries Management Papers

Harvest strategies for Western Australia’s (WA) aquatic resources are formal documents developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD, the Department) to support decision-making processes that ensure the outcomes are consistent with the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD; Fletcher 2002a) and Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM; Fletcher et al. 2012). Harvest strategies are a key component of all contemporary fishery management systems and a requirement for certification under the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The objectives of ESD are reflected in the objectives of the Fish Resources Management Act 1994 (FRMA).

This West Coast Deep Sea Crustacean …

Anthelmintic Efficacy Of Rosemary Oil And Its Nanoemulsion Against The Monogenean Parasite, Zeuxapta Seriolae, In Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola Lalandi), Md Reaz Chaklader, Lindsey Woolley, Hosna Gholipour-Kanani, Masashi Maita, Gavin Partridge

Fisheries Research Articles

This study evaluated the anthelmintic efficacy of rosemary oil delivered as a nanoemulsion compared with regular rosemary oil against the monogenean parasite Zeuxapta seriolae in yellowtail kingfish (YTK; Seriola lalandi). A 20-day feeding trial tested three dietary treatments: two levels of regular rosemary oil (providing 0.85 and 1.7 g cineole·kg−1 feed) and a rosemary-oil nanoemulsion (providing 0.85 g cineole·kg−1 feed), against a control diet without rosemary oil. Juvenile fish (293 ± 5 g) were pre-exposed to Z. seriolae oncomiracidia before the trial, resulting in an initial mean parasite abundance of 97 ± 4 per fish. At trial completion, plasma …

Distribution Of Mussels In Two Intermittent Upland Streams Of The Arkansas Valley Ecoregion, A. A. Brady, K. B. Hecke, S. A. Drake, Z. R. Crain, K. Moles

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Freshwater mussels are facing an increasing need for conservation due to their declining populations. More data is needed on mussel distributions, especially in tributaries of large rivers to properly conserve and restore populations. Big Shoal Creek and Little Shoal Creek are two upland-tributaries of the Arkansas River (Lake Dardanelle) in which no records exist for freshwater mussel populations. We addressed this knowledge gap by sampling a total of 9 sites in Little Shoal Creek and 18 sites in Big Shoal Creek to determine the abundance and distribution of mussels in these streams. Mussels were sampled using a timed-search approach. A …

Largemouth Bass Diet Changes Through The Summer In Central Minnesota, Ethan Kunz

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans is one of the most widespread fish species in the world, due in part to human introduction for angling. Largemouth Bass are opportunistic predators that will consume the largest prey they can often find; however, it has been shown that their diet mainly consists of invertebrates such as crayfish, with less focus on other fish species. This research aimed to determine what the Largemouth Bass diets in Central Minnesota consist of, and how they may change from the beginning of summer through the beginning of fall. A total of 174 Largemouth Bass were sampled from late …

Relationship Between Ratio Of Hybrid Sunfish To Their Parent Species And Latitude, Maxwell Kattner

Journal of Earth and Life Science

Hybrid sunfish of the Lepomis genus make up a generally small but notable portion of the population of sunfish in Minnesota lakes. Hybrid sunfish play a significant role in freshwater ecosystems across the United States. They are both morphologically and behaviorally distinct in some ways and similar in other ways to their parent species, causing them to both fill and compete with their parent species for niches occupied by multiple Lepomis species. Despite this, the ratio of hybrid sunfish to their parent species has never been properly explored. This study observed if the ratio of hybrid sunfish to their parent …

Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus Kisutch) Response To Habitat Restoration Through Space And Time: Monitoring Growth, Survival, And Movement In A Restored Habitat Network, Carter Perez Adamson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Despite the decline of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Prairie Creek, a tributary of Redwood Creek in northern California, remains a coho salmon stronghold. The restoration of juvenile coho rearing habitat was identified as a recovery objective in this watershed by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Among the restoration projects addressing this objective are an ongoing project on Prairie Creek and its tributary Skunk Cabbage Creek, and a prior effort on Strawberry Creek (a tributary of Redwood Creek’s estuary). Standard monitoring methods for assessing project success have limitations and may be improved by measuring salmon use of restored habitats …

Vegetation Species And Bed Position May Drive Epifaunal But Not Nekton Habitat Use In Estuarine Submerged Vegetation In The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, Alabama, Steven Vroljik, Kathryn O'Shaughnessy, Ashley Mcdonald, Zoey Hendrickson, Bethany Kiley, Anna Reimer, Sierra Robertson, Samantha Smith, Edward Sullivan, Charles Martin

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) supports nekton and epifaunal macroinvertebrates, sustaining food webs and ecosystem services in estuaries. Invasive SAV can alter these dynamics by displacing native vegetation and restructuring communities. In Alabama’s Mobile-Tensaw Delta (MTD), Eurasian milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) is rapidly expanding and outcompeting native wild celery (Vallisneria americana). This study compared nekton and epifaunal assemblages between M. spicatum and V. americana, focusing on edge versus interior positions. Nekton surveys identified 22 taxa (M. spicatum, n = 13; V. americana, n = 18), but assemblages did not differ significantly between vegetation types …

Greenhouse Gas Report For Western Australian Wild-Catch Fisheries And Aquaculture 2004-2025, Christophe D'Abbadie, Johnny Machon, Dipesh Maharjan, Mark Goninon, Pia Dobson, Jason How, Rodney Duffy Dr., Ainslie Denham, Shaye Carman, Trina Anderson

Climate Science Published Reports

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Western Australian wild-catch fisheries and aquaculture for the fiscal years (FY) 2004/05 to 2024/25. These industries represent important components of the Western Australian primary production sector, with distinct emissions profiles and trends.

Key Findings:

Emissions from wild-catch fisheries have declined significantly over time, from approximately 0.341 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂e) in FY 2004/05 to 0.136 Mt CO₂e in FY 2024/25, a reduction of approximately 60%.

Emissions from aquaculture in FY 2024/25 were approximately 0.350 Mt CO₂e, reflecting substantial industry growth from near-negligible levels in …

Characterization Of A Coastwide Sheepshead (Archosargus Probatocephalus) Fishery Reveals Increased Fishing Pressure During Spawning Activity In Texas, Ethan T. Getz, Catherine M. Eckert, Charles Downey Iii

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) have been characterized as one of the most vulnerable species to overfishing in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) based on their reproductive strategy of spawning in aggregations. Here, we analyzed fishery—independent and dependent data (1983—2023) collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to assess Sheepshead populations and describe the fishery in Texas. Gill net sampling was used to describe Sheepshead abundance and distribution, while creel survey data and commercial landings were used to determine spatial and temporal characteristics of the fishery and evaluate targeted fishing activity during the spawning season. Sheepshead encountered in gill …

Fisheries Research Report No. 359: Metropolitan Monitoring Program 2025, Alissa Tate, Claire B. Smallwood, Karina L. Ryan, Troy Matthews

Fisheries Research Reports

Ongoing monitoring of recreational fisheries in the Perth Metropolitan zone is essential to ensure the sustainable use of fisheries resources. Surveys of shore- and boatbased recreational fishers within the Metropolitan zone of the West Coast bioregion provide information on human dimensions and catch-per-fisher as well as mean length and weight of key recreationally caught species. For shore-based fishers, estimates of fishing effort, catch and harvest are also presented for key nearshore species. This information is used to support ongoing assessments for key nearshore species and the development and evaluation of harvest strategies and other management actions, such as for Australian …

Using Genetic Analysis To Infer Familial Relationships Of Westslope Cutthroat Trout In The Lower Priest River, Idaho, Kolby Emtman

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

The Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus lewisi) is a native species of salmonid that holds both cultural and ecological significance in the Idaho Panhandle region of the United States. Within this region, the Priest River is a major contributor of migrant Westslope Cutthroat Trout to the Clark Fork Pend Oreille basin. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of juveniles that have at least one migrant parent, illustrate gene flow using juvenile half sibling relationships, and showcase varying levels of spawning success using juvenile full sibling relationships. Sampling of juvenile individuals occurred in 11 tributaries of the Priest River over …

Nanoparticle Carriers Enhance The Prophylactic Antiviral Effects Of Dsrna In Vitro And Ex Vivo, Shayne Oberhoffner, Stephanie Dewitte-Orr, Starla Richardson, Leah Haile, Dominique Daniels, Erin Cooper, Aizah Ijaz, Janet Velasquez Perez, Mathilde Peruzzi, Bertrand Collet, Paul Craig, Kristof Jenik

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Aquaculture now outpaces traditional capture fisheries as the world population and demand for sustainable protein sources increases. Wild and farmed species are increasingly susceptible to pathogen spread as global temperatures rise and stocking densities increase. Despite the devastating losses experienced by aquaculture due to viral infections, there remain few effective prophylactic antiviral therapeutics. Long double-stranded (ds)RNA is a uniquely viral molecule produced by nearly all viruses during their replication cycle, and its detection by salmonids like rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytsha) leads to the establishment of a defensive antiviral state. Previous in vitro studies demonstrated a …

Retention Time Of Microplastics In The Purple Sea Urchin (Arbacia Punctulata), Alexandra Shore

Honors Theses and Capstones

Marine ecosystems around the world are facing the problem of plastic pollution. Large pieces of plastic eventually degrade into smaller microplastics that are suspended in the water column and sink to the seabed. Sea urchins are exposed to microplastics as they graze on the sea floor and can accidentally consume these pollutants. Sea urchins are ecologically important animals because they physically alter their ecosystem via grazing and are integral part of marine food webs. To better understand how sea urchins interact with microplastics, purple sea urchins were exposed to microfibers and microspheres in a laboratory setting, and the retention time …

Impacts Of Offshore Wind Energy Development On The Commercial Sea Scallop Fishery, Sarah Borsetti, Daphne M. Munroe, John M. Klinck, Andrew M. Scheld, Eileen E. Hofmann, Eric N. Powell, David B. Rudders

CCPO Publications

The Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) fishery on the Northeast U.S. continental shelf generates approximately USD 500 million ex-vessel revenues annually, making it one of the most valuable single species fisheries in the United States. Wind energy development is planned for key areas on the U.S. Mid-Atlantic shelf where the Atlantic sea scallop fishery operates, creating novel challenges in managing trade-offs between traditional users like fisheries and new users like offshore wind energy. An agent-based modeling framework that integrates spatial dynamics in Atlantic sea scallop stock biology, fishing fleet behavior, and federal management decisions, was implemented to investigate …

Foundations For Trojan-Y Chromosome Development In Sacramento Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus Grandis): A Novel Strategy For Invasive Species Management In The Eel River, Ca, Raven Mcadams

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The Sacramento Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis), an invasive predator in California’s Eel River, contributes to predation pressure on native salmonid populations despite ongoing suppression programs. This study assessed the feasibility of hormonal sex reversal as an initial step toward implementing the Trojan Y Chromosome (TYC) strategy as a novel tool for managing invasive Sacramento Pikeminnow populations in the Eel River, CA. Objectives were to 1) determine the size when gonadal differentiation occurs 2) identify an effective estradiol dosage for producing phenotypic XY females, and 3) identify sex-reversed fish using a sex-specific genetic marker.  Histological examination of juvenile fish was …

Integrating Multi-Method Monitoring To Characterize Seasonal Habitat Use Of Green Sturgeon (Acipenser Medirostris) In Humboldt County, California, Olivia S. Boeberitz

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) are a long-lived, anadromous, iteroparous species that spawns in large West Coast North American rivers but ranges widely in the coastal ocean. For coastal California Native American Tribes, green sturgeon are a vital part of their cultural heritage and traditions, and central to their food security. Two genetically distinct population segments (DPSs) of green sturgeon are recognized in the United States, Canada, and Mexico; the southern DPS is listed as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act and the northern DPS is considered of “conservation concern.” Although green sturgeon are known to use large estuaries …

The Depuration Of Microplastic Pollution In Aquacultured Indian River Lagoon Oysters, Lee Nguyen

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Plastics are widely used in consumer goods and industrial manufacturing, and their degradation into microplastics (MP, size < 5 mm) has created an emergent environmental pollutant. Plastics readily enter aquatic environments, where they accumulate additional contaminants and bioaccumulate in organisms. While MP contamination in marine ecosystems is well documented, less is known about MP presence in aquacultured shellfish. Depuration, the process of purging contaminants from shellfish, is conducted in sterile seawater without food, which may cause oyster starvation and death. To date, MP depuration has not been examined in the aquacultured eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in published studies. This study had 3 goals: 1) evaluate the effects of algal feed on oyster survival during depuration, 2) determine the effect of algal feed on depuration effectiveness, and 3) investigate the effect of a ten-day depuration on MP concentration in aquacultured C. virginica soft tissue. MP were quantified in oyster tissues, biodeposits, and in industrial algal feed. Tissues were digested using alkaline solutions, manually examined via microscopy, and analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate MP polymer …