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effect of hydroperiod on the growth of the crayfish species Procambarus alleni and Procambarus fallax: Two keystone species in the Florida Everglades

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Date Issued:
2006
Summary:
The Everglades ecosystem is home to two species of freshwater crayfish: the Everglades crayfish Procambarus alleni and the slough crayfish Procambarus fallax. These species play a key ecological role by transporting energy from primary producers to higher trophic levels. Understanding the factors that regulate crayfish growth is an essential step in restoring their productivity in the Everglades ecosystem. In order to determine the effect of hydroperiod on crayfish growth, I collected crayfish from the Florida Everglades and subjected them to one of three hydroperiod treatments. The growth of both crayfish species in reduced hydroperiod treatments was significantly less than those in long hydroperiod treatments. Procambarus alleni had a significantly faster initial growth rate than P. fallax, which may give it a competitive advantage in shorter hydroperiod marshes and help explain the distributions of these two species. The results of this study indicate that lengthening hydroperiods in the Everglades ecosystem may have a positive effect on crayfish productivity.
Title: The effect of hydroperiod on the growth of the crayfish species Procambarus alleni and Procambarus fallax: Two keystone species in the Florida Everglades.
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Name(s): Gardner, Matthew D.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree Grantor
Volin, John C., Thesis Advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2006
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 50 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The Everglades ecosystem is home to two species of freshwater crayfish: the Everglades crayfish Procambarus alleni and the slough crayfish Procambarus fallax. These species play a key ecological role by transporting energy from primary producers to higher trophic levels. Understanding the factors that regulate crayfish growth is an essential step in restoring their productivity in the Everglades ecosystem. In order to determine the effect of hydroperiod on crayfish growth, I collected crayfish from the Florida Everglades and subjected them to one of three hydroperiod treatments. The growth of both crayfish species in reduced hydroperiod treatments was significantly less than those in long hydroperiod treatments. Procambarus alleni had a significantly faster initial growth rate than P. fallax, which may give it a competitive advantage in shorter hydroperiod marshes and help explain the distributions of these two species. The results of this study indicate that lengthening hydroperiods in the Everglades ecosystem may have a positive effect on crayfish productivity.
Identifier: 9780542664083 (isbn), 13361 (digitool), FADT13361 (IID), fau:10211 (fedora)
Note(s): Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2006.
Subject(s): Ecosystem management--Florida--Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park (Fla )
Crayfish--Habitat--Florida--Everglades National Park
Wetland ecology--Florida--Everglades National Park
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13361
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
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Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.