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Characterization of Elasmobranch Community Dynamics in the Indian River Lagoon

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Date Issued:
2019
Abstract/Description:
Florida’s Indian River Lagoon (IRL) has experienced myriad anthropogenic impacts and knowledge on elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in the southern IRL is lacking. A fishery independent survey (longline/gillnet) was implemented to 1) assess the effects of bait type [striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) versus Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)] and mesh size (15.2 cm versus 20.3 cm stretch mesh) on elasmobranch species composition, catch-per-unit effort, and size distributions and 2) characterize elasmobranch abundance and distribution. From 2016 - 2018, 630 individuals (16 species) were captured, more often in the gillnet than the longline. Catch-per-unit-effort was significantly higher with mullet than mackerel. Species composition differed among gears. Although dependent on gear, there was evidence of seasonal and spatial patterns in abundance and species composition. This study provides the first baseline abundance indices for many elasmobranchs in the IRL and develops the capacity to understand how elasmobranchs may respond to changes in this highly modified estuary.
Title: Characterization of Elasmobranch Community Dynamics in the Indian River Lagoon.
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Name(s): Roskar, Amelia Grace, author
Ajemian, Matthew, Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Depament of Biological Sciences
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2019
Date Issued: 2019
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 135 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Florida’s Indian River Lagoon (IRL) has experienced myriad anthropogenic impacts and knowledge on elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in the southern IRL is lacking. A fishery independent survey (longline/gillnet) was implemented to 1) assess the effects of bait type [striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) versus Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)] and mesh size (15.2 cm versus 20.3 cm stretch mesh) on elasmobranch species composition, catch-per-unit effort, and size distributions and 2) characterize elasmobranch abundance and distribution. From 2016 - 2018, 630 individuals (16 species) were captured, more often in the gillnet than the longline. Catch-per-unit-effort was significantly higher with mullet than mackerel. Species composition differed among gears. Although dependent on gear, there was evidence of seasonal and spatial patterns in abundance and species composition. This study provides the first baseline abundance indices for many elasmobranchs in the IRL and develops the capacity to understand how elasmobranchs may respond to changes in this highly modified estuary.
Identifier: FA00013256 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Indian River (Fla : Lagoon)--Environmental conditions
Elasmobranchs
Sharks--Ecology
Rays (Fishes)--Ecology
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013256
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.