Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 14 of 14
Full-Text Articles in Animal Sciences
Ecology And Conservation Of Diamondback Terrapins In Virginia, Cypress Ambrose
Ecology And Conservation Of Diamondback Terrapins In Virginia, Cypress Ambrose
Undergraduate Honors Theses
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is the only turtle species native to North America with specific morphological and physiological adaptations to estuarine environments. Along with many other pressures contributing to population declines, terrapins frequently become trapped and drown as bycatch in crab pots used in the commercial and recreational blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) fishery. A wealth of evidence supports the use of inexpensive bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) that can be attached to the entrances of these traps, which leads to a marked decrease in terrapin bycatch while not reducing crab catch dramatically. Virginia is the only …
Ecosystem Services Of Restored Oyster Reefs In A Chesapeake Bay Tributary: Abundance And Foraging Of Estuarine Fishes, Bruce William Pfirrmann
Ecosystem Services Of Restored Oyster Reefs In A Chesapeake Bay Tributary: Abundance And Foraging Of Estuarine Fishes, Bruce William Pfirrmann
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Oyster reef restoration may enhance the production of ecologically or economically important fish species, an ecosystem service, by providing refuge and foraging habitat. Predicting the effects of oyster habitat restoration on fisheries production in Chesapeake Bay requires a better understanding of fish habitat use, trophic dynamics, and the processes leading to production on a habitat-scale. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the influence of restored subtidal oyster reefs on the abundance and foraging patterns of mobile estuarine fishes. Specifically, I compared the 1) abundance, 2) stomach fullness, 3) diet composition, and 4) daily consumption rate of fishes collected …
Influence Of Perkinsus Marinus Infection And Oyster Health On Levels Of Human-Pathogenic Vibrios In Oysters, Lydia M. Bienlien
Influence Of Perkinsus Marinus Infection And Oyster Health On Levels Of Human-Pathogenic Vibrios In Oysters, Lydia M. Bienlien
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
The eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica is an ecologically and commercially important species whose natural populations have been devastated by overharvesting, habitat destruction, and disease, but the rapid growth of oyster aquaculture has shown potential to restore the economic significance of this species. A key threat to the growth and sustainability of oyster aquaculture is the association of human-pathogenic Vibrio bacteria with product marketed for raw consumption. Two Vibrio species, Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, are the causes of the highest rates of seafood consumption-related mortality and gastrointestinal illness, respectively. Identification of the factors influencing V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus prevalence …
Influence Of Structural Complexity And Location On The Habitat Value Of Restored Oyster Reefs, Melissa Ann Karp
Influence Of Structural Complexity And Location On The Habitat Value Of Restored Oyster Reefs, Melissa Ann Karp
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
In the Chesapeake Bay, < 1% of the historic oyster population remains, and efforts have been increasing to restore oysters and the services they provide. Building reefs that successfully provide ecosystem services–especially habitat and foraging grounds–may require different restoration techniques than those previously used, and success may depend on reef morphology (complexity), location, and environmental conditions. Salinity and habitat complexity are two important factors that may interact to effect benthic communities and predator-prey interactions on restored reefs. The goals of this project were: (1) Characterize the benthic communities on restored oyster reefs in lower Chesapeake Bay, and (2) examine the effects of structural complexity and salinity on benthic communities and predator-prey interactions. A two-year field survey of restored reefs was carried out in four rivers in lower Chesapeake Bay to characterize faunal communities on restored reefs and to quantify the effect of reef complexity on faunal communities. A laboratory mesocosm experiment was conducted to examine the effect of reef complexity on predator foraging. In total, 61 macrofaunal species were identified among all samples, and restored reefs supported on average, 6,169 org/m2 and 67.88 g-AFDW/m2. There were significant differences in the community composition and diversity among the rivers, and salinity was the environmental factor that best explained the observed differences in species composition across the rivers. Salinity and rugosity (i.e., structural complexity) both positively affected diversity, while salinity negatively affected macrofaunal abundance and biomass. Oyster density and rugosity positively affected macrofaunal biomass, and oyster density positively affected mud crab, polychaete, and mussel densities. In the mesocosm experiment, predator foraging, measured by proportion and number of prey consumed, was significantly reduced in the presence of oyster shell structure. However, predators were able to consume more prey when prey density was increased, even in the presence of oyster shell structure. These results combine to enhance our understanding of the benefits of increased habitat complexity for both prey and predators on restored oyster reefs. Increasing complexity worked to increase the abundance, biomass, and diversity of organisms inhabiting restored reefs, and even though predator consumption was reduced in the presence of structure compared to non-structured habitat, predators were able to consume more prey individuals when prey density was increased. Therefore, increasing the structure of oyster reef habitat may benefit prey species by providing refuge habitat, and benefit predators by providing an increased abundance of available prey items.
Mercury Reduces Avian Reproductive Success Through Direct Embryotoxicity Rather Than Altered Parental Behavior, Stephanie Yen Chin
Mercury Reduces Avian Reproductive Success Through Direct Embryotoxicity Rather Than Altered Parental Behavior, Stephanie Yen Chin
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Unprecedented Restoration Of A Native Oyster Metapopulation, David M. Schulte
Unprecedented Restoration Of A Native Oyster Metapopulation, David M. Schulte
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
The Influence Of Golf Course Landscapes On The Occupancy And Reproductive Success Of Eastern Bluebirds, Marie Louise Pitts
The Influence Of Golf Course Landscapes On The Occupancy And Reproductive Success Of Eastern Bluebirds, Marie Louise Pitts
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Alternative Substrates As A Native Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) Reef Restoration Strategy In Chesapeake Bay, Russell Paul Burke
Alternative Substrates As A Native Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica) Reef Restoration Strategy In Chesapeake Bay, Russell Paul Burke
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Oyster shell for native oyster reef restoration is scarce in Chesapeake Bay and other estuaries (Chapter 1). Consequently, alternative substrates merit consideration in oyster restoration. This dissertation examines the suitability of shell alternatives, including granite, concrete, limestone marl, concrete modules and reefballs with reef surveys and experiments in the Rappahannock and Lynnhaven Rivers of Chesapeake Bay. Oyster recruitment, growth, survival, density, biomass, condition, and disease stress, as well as reef accretion and persistence, were measured. In the Lynnhaven River, intertidal riprap had a mean density of 978 oysters m-2 (165 g AFDM m-2) and peak densities > 2000 oysters m-2 (Chapter …
Mercury Levels In Newly Independent Songbirds, Anne Moire Condon
Mercury Levels In Newly Independent Songbirds, Anne Moire Condon
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Distribution, Abundance, And Home Range Of The Whip-Poor-Will (Caprimulgus Vociferus) In A Managed Forest Landscape, Michael Daniel Wilson
Distribution, Abundance, And Home Range Of The Whip-Poor-Will (Caprimulgus Vociferus) In A Managed Forest Landscape, Michael Daniel Wilson
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
The Habitat Utilization Of Juvenile Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys Imbricata) At Buck Island Reef National Monument, St Croix, U.S Virgin Islands, Roy A. Pemberton
The Habitat Utilization Of Juvenile Hawksbill Sea Turtles (Eretmochelys Imbricata) At Buck Island Reef National Monument, St Croix, U.S Virgin Islands, Roy A. Pemberton
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
Physical Parameters Affecting Incubating Temperatures In Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Caretta Caretta, In Virginia, William Mason Jones
Physical Parameters Affecting Incubating Temperatures In Loggerhead Sea Turtles, Caretta Caretta, In Virginia, William Mason Jones
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
Detailed physical profile of eight transplanted loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, nests were obtained from Virginia and northeastern North Carolina and reburied in Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (BBNWR), Virginia Beach, Virginia during the summers of 1987, '88, and '89 to determine if the physical location of the egg within the nest had an affect on sex determination. Transplanted nests were reburied in sandy substrate at a depth of 15-60 em on south facing dunes, and a Campbell Scientific data-logger logged synchronously environmental data. The following data were collected: temperatures at various locations within a nest, net absorbed radiation, ambient …
Shoreline Habitat Selection By Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) In A Non-Breeding Eagle Concentration-Area On The James River, Virginia, Kennedy H. Clark
Shoreline Habitat Selection By Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) In A Non-Breeding Eagle Concentration-Area On The James River, Virginia, Kennedy H. Clark
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.
The Peregrine Falcon In Virginia: Survey Of Historic Eyries And Reintroduction Effort, Johannes Kurt Gabler
The Peregrine Falcon In Virginia: Survey Of Historic Eyries And Reintroduction Effort, Johannes Kurt Gabler
Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects
No abstract provided.