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Reproductive Development of Female Bonefish (Albula spp.) from the Bahamas

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Date Issued:
2018
Abstract/Description:
Bonefish (Albula spp.) support an economically important sport fishery, yet little is known regarding the reproductive biology of this genus. Analysis of oocytes histology and sex hormone levels was conducted on wild female bonefish sampled during and outside the spawning season in Grand Bahama, Central Andros, and South Andros, The Bahamas to assess reproductive state. Bonefish are commonly found along shallow water flats, or in pre-spawn aggregations (PSA) during spawning months. 17β-estradiol levels suggest vitellogenic consistency between habitats. However, fish are more reproductively developed at PSA based on the occurrence of larger, more prevalent vitellogenic oocytes and evidence of final maturation. Variability in hormone levels and spawning readiness existed between Grand Bahama and Andros PSAs, suggesting peak spawning may differ by region. Findings from this study will contribute baseline data to the captive bonefish restoration project at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and to the limited ecological data regarding bonefish reproduction.
Title: Reproductive Development of Female Bonefish (Albula spp.) from the Bahamas.
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Name(s): Luck, Cameron Alexander, author
Ajemian, Matthew J., Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Biological Sciences
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2018
Date Issued: 2018
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 88 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Bonefish (Albula spp.) support an economically important sport fishery, yet little is known regarding the reproductive biology of this genus. Analysis of oocytes histology and sex hormone levels was conducted on wild female bonefish sampled during and outside the spawning season in Grand Bahama, Central Andros, and South Andros, The Bahamas to assess reproductive state. Bonefish are commonly found along shallow water flats, or in pre-spawn aggregations (PSA) during spawning months. 17β-estradiol levels suggest vitellogenic consistency between habitats. However, fish are more reproductively developed at PSA based on the occurrence of larger, more prevalent vitellogenic oocytes and evidence of final maturation. Variability in hormone levels and spawning readiness existed between Grand Bahama and Andros PSAs, suggesting peak spawning may differ by region. Findings from this study will contribute baseline data to the captive bonefish restoration project at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and to the limited ecological data regarding bonefish reproduction.
Identifier: FA00013133 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Bonefish
Bahamas
Fishes--Reproduction
Fishes--Spawning
Reproductive biology
Albula
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013133
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.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.