Animal Sciences Commons^™

The Feasibility Of Commercial Scale Culture Of Atlantic Sturgeon, Acipenser Oxyrhynchus, Christopher John Coffing

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Abstract unavailable.

Aspects Of Larval Ecology Of Squilla Empusa (Crustacea, Stomatopoda) In Chesapeake Bay, Steven G. Morgan

OES Faculty Publications

Larvae of Squilla empusa were collected from the plankton and were laboratory-reared in 16 combinations of temperature and salinity to determine their tolerances. Larvae survived longer and molted more frequently when reared at 25%, and 20° or 25° C, which corresponds to the natural conditions of Chesapeake Bay when the larvae were collected.

A 2 year planktonic survey conducted in the lower region of the bay by the Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences was compared with a survey made at the bay mouth in 1976. The seasonal occurrence of Squilla empusa larvae extended from the last week of July until …

Morphological Variation Among 14 Species Of Callogobius Bleeker (Pisces: Gobiidae), James Francis Mckinney

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A survey of the variation among the species of the Callogobius complex has been accomplished in order to determine if recognition of more than one genus is warranted for this assemblage of species. Emphasis has been placed on the osteological variation. Relationships among certain species within the Callogobius complex have been exposed. Although there are two well defined species groups within the complex, it is felt that inclusion of all of the examined species within the single genus Callogobius is the most parsimonious course of action.

Seasonal Feeding Habits Of The River Otter (Lutra Canadensis) In Ditches Of The Great Dismal Swamp, Ronnie M. Pierce

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

To determine the seasonal feeding habits of the river otter (Lutra canadensis) in the Great Dismal Swamp 209 scats were collected, from May 1977 to May 1978, and analyzed for content. Remains of crayfish were found with a frequency of occurrence of 82% while fish remains occurred in 62% of the scat. This is in direct contrast to previous studies (from other areas) which found fish with a greater frequency than crayfish. Fish consumption was believed to increase during periods of low water or low temperatures. Sunfish were represented most frequently and may be the preferred fish. Amphiuma remains …

Swimming As A Determinate To Immigration For Two Small Mammals In Coastal Virginia, Jeffrey Lewis Carter

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Small mammals were live trapped on the mainland and on an island located in the southeast corner of Virginia. The area was characterized by a mid-Atlantic coastal climate. White-footed mice (Perompsous fsucopus) were trapped on the mainland but not on the island, whereas meadow voles (Microtus psnnsylvimious) inhabited only the island. A series of swimming tests were performed in both the field and in the laboratory on both of these species to determine if swimming abilities could be the factor preventing Pszomysous from colonizing the island.

Both species of small mammals showed good swimming endurance in …

Development Of Pelagic Larvae And Postlarva Of Squilla Empusa (Crustacea, Stomatopoda), With An Assessment Of Larval Characters Within The Squillidae, Steven G. Morgan, Anthony J. Provenzano Jr.

OES Faculty Publications

Larvae of the predatory crustacean Squilla empusa were collected from the plankton in Chesapeake Bay and reared in the laboratory to permit description of the pelagic stages before the postlarval stage.

Characters such as rostral length and spinulation, carapace spinulation, relative size of telson, overall body size, and appearance probably are of more value for specific than for generic identification. The presence or absence of teeth on the dactylus of the second maxilliped, the presence or absence of a spine on the basis of the second maxilliped, and the number of epipods may be useful characters in determining generic alliances …

The Comparative Ecology Of Two Populations Of The Troglobitic Isopod Crustacean Lirceus Usdagalun (Asellidae), James Alexander Estes

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Aquatic communities of two caves in Lee Co., Virginia, were compared, and an examination was made of the life history phenomena of the troglobitic isopod Lirceus usdagalun. Measurements of physical and biological parameters were made in Thompson Cedar Cave and Gallohan Cave No. l. A contagious distribution was exhibited by populations of L. usdagalun in both caves and also by the population of another troglobitic isopod, Caecidotea recurvata, in Gallohan Cave No. 1. This distribution was attributed to aggregations of individuals which were considered to occur in areas of preference or optimal habitat patches. Lirceus usdagalun exhibited a …

The Fall And Winter Food Habits Of The Black Bear (Ursus Americanus) In The Great Dismal Swamp Of Virginia, Francis Leonard Daniel

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A study was conducted on the food habits of the black bear (Ursus americanus) in the Great Dismal Swamp of Virginia. A total of four stomachs and 42 scats were analyzed. Four samples were collected from September and October of 1975, and the remainder of the samples were collected from September 1976 to February 1977. The study was conducted to obtain information vital to the management of this species in the Great Dismal Swamp. Vitis spp. was the primary food item during the fall comprising 43% of the total diet, followed by fruits of Diospyros virginiana and Asimina triloba, each …

Mercury, Copper, And Zinc In Selected Ichthyofauna Of Lower Chesapeake Bay And Hampton Roads, Virginia, W. Bruce Aitenhead

OES Theses and Dissertations

Anchovys, croaker, spat, summer flounder and hogchokers were collected monthly to seasonally from November 1972 to October 1973 at three locations in the southern Chesapeake Bay region of Virginia.

The concentrations of mercury, copper and zinc were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in whole fishes. Metal concentration varied with species and location. Anchovys had the highest mean concentrations of mercury and zinc while hog- chokers had the highest mean copper concentration. Mercury levels exceeding O.5 ppm were observed in species from all three loca- tions, but maximum heavy metal concentrations per species were highest in Craney Island fishes.

Temporal variations …

Experiments In Attempted Interspecific And Interpopulational Hybridzation Of Grass Shrimp Of The Genus Palaemonetes (Caridea Palaemonidae), Mark Andrew Boston

OES Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigates the interfertility of Palaemonetes populations, Interspecific crosses were attempted between representatives of sympatric :populations of P. pugio, P. vulgaris, and P. intermedius, Intraspecific crosses were undertaken between geographically separated :populations of P. pugio. Laboratory conditions of 25°c, 25°/oo, and 14.5 hour photoperiod per day were maintained for all breeding attempts, Under these conditions interspecific hybridization of Palaemonetes pugio and P. vulgaris was not feasible. P. intermedius could not be hybridized with P. pugio and P. vulgaris. At 40 days of age P. pugio juveniles were significantly larger than P. vulgaris juveniles of …

The Reproductive Cycle Of Microtus Ochrogaster In Eastern Kansas, Robert K. Rose, Michael S. Gaines

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

About 800 Microtus ochrogaster were live—trapped at biweekly intervals from May 1971 through March 1973 in 3 grassland study areas in eastern Kansas, USA. Details of reproduction were determined by autopsy. Population density increased through the first winter, reached a peak in April 1972, then declined sharply during that summer and beyond. Body length, but not body mass, tended to be positively related to density. Both sexes matured at about the same weight; development was somewhat prolonged during the winter months, especially in the winter preceding the population peak. Pregnancy rates were high, approaching maximal iteroparity, throughout the study, with …

Description Of The Larval Development Of Squilla Empusa Say (Crustacea Stomatopoda) With Aspects Of Larval Ecology In Chesapeake Bay, Steven Gaines Morgan

OES Theses and Dissertations

Larvae of Sguilla empusa were collected from the plankton and were reared in the laboratory to describe the pelagic larval development and the postlarval stage. Nine pelagic stages are passed through before the postlarval stage is attained.

The larvae reared for descriptive purposes were subjected to sixteen combinations of temperature and salinity to determine their tolerance to the two parameters. Larvae survived longer and molted more frequently when reared at 25°/oo and 20°C or 25°C, which corresponds to the natural conditions of the Chesapeake Bay when the larvae were collected.

A three year planktonic survey conducted in the lower region …

The Effects Of Temperature And Salinity On The Larval Development Of The Grass Shrimp, Palaemonetes Pugio Holthuis Reared In The Laboratory, William Ray Floyd Iii

OES Theses and Dissertations

Palaemonetes pugio larvae, obtained by induced breeding of adults collected in the late fall of 1975 from the Lafayette River, Norfolk, Virginia, were reared in the laboratory using a six temperature by seven salinity factorial design in order to determine the effects of these factors on larval development. Test conditions involved temperature levels ranging from 10°C to 32.5°C and salinity levels from 5°/oo to 35°/oo. At each temperature-salinity condition, 36 larvae were reared individually in 25 ml of artificial seawater containing 25 mg/kg of polyethylene oxide. Food consisted of Artemia nauplii at a concentration of 30/ml of culture water. From …

Temperature And Salinity Tolerance Of The Larvae Of The Sand Shrimp, Crangon Septemspinosa (Say), Karen Lyttle Hinsman

OES Theses and Dissertations

The effects of temperature and salinity on the larval development of the sand shrimp, Crangon septemspinosa, were investigated in the laboratory using 30 combinations of temperature and salinity in a five by six factorial experiment. The five temperatures were 5°c, 10°c, 15°c, 20°c, and 25°c and the six salinities were 10°/oo, 15°/oo, 20°/oo, 25°/oo, 30°/oo and 35°/oo. Thirty-six larvae were used for each temperature-salinity combination. Temperature and salinity produced significant differences (1% level) in survival and the duration of larval development. Highest survival occurred at 15°c and 20°/oo. At optimum temperatures (15°c to 20°c) larvae exhibited the broadest tolerance …

Duck Plague Virus An Investigation Of Cytopathic Effects, In-Vitro Host Range, And Inhibition By Phosphonoacetic Acid, Ronald Attanasio

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Duck plague is a hemorrhagic, necrotic disease found exclusively in the order Anseriformes, family Anatidae (ducks, geese, swans). The etiologic agent has been reported to be a herpes-like virus. The Holland strain of duck plague was found to induce cytopathic effects in cell culture (perinuclear vacuolation followed by lysis). A simple reproducible plaque assay for quantitating the virus was developed. Under conditions of the plaque assay, one-hit kinetics were observed. The host range of duck plague virus in cell culture was found to include the order Galliformes, family Phasianidae (pheasants, quails and partridges). Duck plague virus-induced cell culture cytopathic effects …

Live Trap Preference Among Grassland Mammals, Robert K. Rose, Norman A. Slade, James H. Honacki

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

In two independent studies, small mammals of grassland communities in eastern Kansas, when given a choice, preferred Fitch to Sherman live traps. Except for the harvest mice in the demographic study, the type of preferred trap and magnitude of selection was remarkably comparable, with microtines showing slight, and cricetines strong, preferences overall. The merits of each type of trap are compared, and related to season, weather, prior experience, and trap-associated mortality.

A Comparative Study Of A Salt Water Impoundment With Its Adjacent Tidal Creek Pertinent To Culture Of Crassostrea Virginica (Gmelin), William D. Anderson Iii

OES Theses and Dissertations

Certain physical, chemical and biological characteristics associated with the culture of subtidal Crassostrea virginica were assessed in a salt water impoundment and its adjacent tidal feeder creek. Large seed oysters (initial y = 57.3 mm) were transferred from a somewhat polluted estuary of Charleston Harbor to floating, mid-water, and bottom hardware cloth trays (200/tray) in a four hectare pond. Identical trays at comparable depths were placed in the tidal creek and each location was sampled monthly for growth and survival. Surface and bottom water samples were collected weekly throughout the study and hourly during four seasonal 25 hour stations. Standard …

The Food Habits Of Ictalurus Natalis, Centrarchus Macropterus And Perca Flavescens In Lake Drummond In The Dismal Swamp Of Virginia, Steven C. Russell

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The food habits of yellow bullhead catfish (Ictalurus natalis), yellow perch (Perea flavescens), and fliers (Centrarchus macropterus) in Lake Drummond in the Dismal Swamp were examined. Seventy yellow bullheads (42 mm to 255 mm), 136 yellow perch (41 mm to 280 mm), and 110 fliers (81 mm to 140 mm), were collected with gill nets, traps, seins, and electro-fishing gear from June through November of 1975. Frequency of occurrence and volumentric data were used to evaluate the relative importance of food items. Spearman's rank correlation coef­ficient was determined from the data to test differences …

Improved Techniques For Marking, Night-Viewing, And Aging White-Tailed Deer, Odocoileus Virginianus, Barnard Hodge Powell

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

These studies were concerned with the development of methods to assist investigators of wildlife population research. Specifically they involve the description of (1) A device which enables an investigator to mark deer at medium range using specially modified darts fired by conventional tranquilizer rifles, (2) Construction of infrared viewers and light sources using surplus equipment and (3) Studies to develop a method of making permanent deer dental impressions under field conditions.

Population Dynamics Of Microtus Ochrogaster In Eastern Kansas, Michael S. Gaines, Robert K. Rose

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Four eastern Kansas populations of the prairie vole, Microtus ochrogaster were live trapped from 1970—73 to gain insight into the population regulation of this species. All four populations exhibited a 2—yr cycle in numbers with peak densities generally occurring in June 1972. Peak densities were followed by a decline in numbers, a recovery, and a population crash in spring 1973. Reproductive parameters changed dramatically as density rose and fell. The summer breeding season in the crash year of 1973 was shortened by at least 3 mo. A reduction in breeding activity occurred during the summer of every year of the …

Osteology Of Trypauchenichthys Sumatrensis Hardenburg, Christine Parrish Baer

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The osteology of a Malaysian goby was examined in detail and compared to other gobioids. Results indicated that Trypauaheniahthys sumatrensis is a specialized, but definite member of the Gobioidei. Some osteological characteristics of a related fish, Trypauchen vagina, were also discussed.

Feeding And Food Preferences By Three Sympatric Species Of Cyprinodontid Fishes, Lawrence J. Baer

OES Theses and Dissertations

The feeding and food utilization by three sympatric species of cyprinodontid fishes was examined using a modified Ivlev Electivity Co-efficient. Results indicated that although Fundulus heteroalitus and Fundulus majalis are sympatric in the area examined,their usage of the available food source varied noticeably. The third investigated species, Cyprinodon variegatus, fed mainly upon a vegetal detritus food source varied by the consumption of invertebrate and vertebrate food items. Slight intra-specific variances of diet between crespuscular periods was also discussed.

Food And Feeding Of Fishes From Magothy Bay, Virginia, Joseph J. Kimmel

OES Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Simulation Model Of Peromyscus Leucopus In An Area Of The Great Dismal Swamp, James E. Paschal Jr.

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A computer simulation model was developed to explain the population dynamics of the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) in an area of the Great Dismal Swamp. The model was designed to provide an experimental base for future studies. The model indicates relationships between food availability, home range size, competition with Peromyscus nuttali habitat selection and reproduction.

White-footed mice were trapped in the Old Dismal Town site during each season from April, 1972 through March, 1973. The age-sex structure of the population was determined, and was compared with the simulated structure. Although there were significant discrepancies between the comparisons, the …

Morphologic Time Series From A Submarine Sand Ridge On The South Virginia Coast, John F. Mchone Jr.

OES Theses and Dissertations

Submarine sand ridges several km long locally merge southward into the U. S. Atlantic coastline. Shallow (< 8m) observations of -such a ridge at False Cape, Virginia, favor a modern hydraulic origin. Time series maps show the ridge to be paralleled by a landward trough of approximately equal volume. Ridge flanks are usually steeper on the trough side.

Northeasterly winds and waves generate a coast-parallel current which funnels southward into the trough scouring it out and providing sediments for ridge aggradation. The current may be organized as a helical flow cell or cells. Bottom currents converge southward along the ridge crest causing landward transport of traction load along the crest. The trough current eventually breaches the confining ridge at the head of the trough, cutting saddles with steeper seaward slopes and producing outlying sediment fans.

The ridge and trough rest obliquely …

Trap Manifested Behavior Trap Reflected Density Trap Reflected Distribution And Foods Consumed By Raccoons (Procyon Lotor L.) In Two Natural Areas Of Virginia, Elton L. Winslow

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A study was undertaken comparing populations of raccoons (Procyon lotor L.) in two natural areas of Virginia, one in the Piedmont physiographic province at Montpelier and the other in the coastal plain at Newport News. Comparisons were made with respect to differences in: (1) capture and recapture success, (2) relative trap reflected density, (3) trap reflected distribution with respect to aquatic habitat, and (4) in food consumption. Comparison of capture data indicated that capture success per 100 trap nights was much higher at Newport News (1.58) than at Montpelier (.76). However a similar comparison of recapture success per …