Publication Date
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Committee Members
Stephen Jacquemin (Advisor), Thomas Rooney (Committee Member), Yvonne Vadeboncoeur (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
A myriad of factors have been shown to affect the morphology of freshwater fish. Despite the growing base of ecomorphology literature there is little information available exploring how these factors relate to body morphology of Centrarchidae, specifically in the Lepomis genera. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe variation in body morphology of Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) across Grand Lake St. Mary’s watershed area and test for covariation of morphology with size, sex, and habitat. Geometric morphometric methods were used to assess variation among individuals and general linear models were used to test for covariation of morphology with size, sex, and habitat. Analyses indicated that body size was the strongest driver of morphological variation followed by sex, habitat, and interactions - indicating the presence of allometry, sexual dimorphism, and the potential for habitat induced plasticity. Broader applications of these findings can link to evolutionary ecology, management, and conservation.
Page Count
49
Department or Program
Department of Biological Sciences
Year Degree Awarded
2016
Copyright
Copyright 2016, all rights reserved. My ETD will be available under the "Fair Use" terms of copyright law.
