Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Community Structure Of The Macrobenthos In Back Bay, Virginia, Michael F. Lane

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

A study of the subtidal macrobenthos in Back Bay, Virginia was conducted to examine community structure in relation to sedimentary and water quality characteristics. Samples were collected in August and November of 1987 and February and May of 1988 at ten stations.

Three site groups and three temporal groups were identified by cluster analyses of species abundance. Species composition between site groups was relatively homogeneous and eight species accounted for most of the variation between site groups. A comparison of plots of the biological and physical data in discriminant space suggested that variations in the biological data between site groups …

The Identification, Distribution, And Status Of The Threatened Dismal Swamp Shrew (Sorex Longirostris Fisheri), Thomas M. Padgett

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Southeastern shrews (Sorex longirostris) were trapped throughout southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina to determine if any morphological characters could

be identified that would aid in the identification and distribution of the threatened subspecies Sorex l._ fisheri, endemic to the Great Dismal Swamp, the more upland nominate subspecies Sorex l. longirostris, and possible intergrades between the two subspecies. Animals were classified a priori into three groups, based on their location of capture. Animals collected from the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge (GDSNWR) and associated bottomland habitats were designated as "fisheri", animals collected farthest from the Swamp as "longirostris", and …

Factors Affecting Survival Of Early Life Stages Of Striped Bass, John Clarke Mcgovern

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

In 1988 laboratory presentations, bay anchovy, and Atlantic menhaden tested positive as potential predators. Consumption of striped bass larvae by bay anchovy increased at higher prey densities to a maximum of 42 larvae/h at prey densities of 1,650/m&\sp3&. Examination of 229 stomachs of bay anchovy collected during peak spawning in 1988 and 1989 provided direct evidence of predation on striped bass eggs and larvae. The relationship between patterns of survival inferred from the back-calculation of juvenile hatchdates were compared with data sets describing predator and prey fields, egg production, food abundance, and changing environmental conditions during the 1988 and 1989 …

Vegetation Ecology Of Tidal Freshwater Swamps Of The Lower Chesapeake Bay, United States Of America, Richard D. Rheinhardt

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Woody and herbaceous vegetation were sampled in 23 tidal swamps along a tidal freshwater tributary of lower Chesapeake Bay. Four vegetative categories were ordinated with Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DECORANA). Species distribution patterns of each strata were compared with respect to edaphic factors, a wetness index, and mean water table depth. Woody species are restricted to hummocks (topographic highs). Hummocks drain as quickly as the tide drops and so are partially inundated for only short periods each day. Although low in canopy diversity, tidal swamps are floristically rich in herbaceous and woody understory species, ranking them among the most speciose in …

Nutrient Standing Stocks And Partitioning In A Forested Coastal Plain Watershed: Groundwater, Stream And Marsh Creek, Sandra A. Hartenstine

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.

Limnology Of Two New Lakes, Mount St. Helens, Wa, Valerie Jean Kelly

Dissertations and Theses

Coldwater Lake and Castle Lake are two new lakes which were formed in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption of Mount St . Helens, WA in May, 1980. This research describes the limnology of these lakes ten years later, and includes physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The two lakes are compared and contrasted. Previous research on the eruption and its aftermath, as well as earlier studies of the lakes are described.

Stock Enhancement Of Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus Argus Latrielle, Using Artificial Shelters: Patterns Of Survival And Dynamics Of Shelter Selection, David Bryan Eggleston

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Field tethering experiments in seagrass beds of Bahia de la Ascension, Mexico examined the impact of different-sized artificial shelters upon survival of three juvenile size-classes of the Caribbean spiny lobster, Panulirus argus. The artificial shelters were concrete structures (casitas) that simulate lobster dens. In the tethering experiments, spiny lobster survival was generally higher in smaller than larger casitas, though the effect depended upon the relationship between lobster and shelter size. Thus, spiny lobster survival depends not only upon the availability of shelter, but also on the scaling between shelter size and lobster size. These results suggest that placement of appropriately-scaled …

Ecology Of Estuarine Fish Assemblages In Patos Lagoon, Brazil (32 Degrees S), And York River, Usa (37 Degrees N), With Review Of Zoogeography Of Fishes In Western Atlantic Warm-Temperate And Tropical Estuaries, Joao P. Vieira

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The first two chapters of this study examine faunal composition and latitudinal patterns in diversity of fishes in warm-temperate and tropical estuarine waters of the western Atlantic from La Plata River (35&\sp\circ&S), Argentina, to Chesapeake Bay (37&\sp\circ&N), USA (33 faunal reports). Species distributions generally corresponded with previously recognized marine zoogeographic regions, and cluster analyses also showed that faunal similarity among estuarine sampling sites was related to the type of sampling gear used and to the type of habitat that was sampled in each estuary. The total number of fish species reported is positively related to the size of the area …