Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Baldwin, John D.

Abstract

This study investigated variations m body condition of brown hoplos (Hoplosternum littorale) refuging in ponds in the Big Cypress region of southern Florida. During the dry season environmental parameters fluctuated, water depth and dissolved oxygen decreased, while temperature and conductivity increased. Standard lengths and wet weights of 675 juvenile brown hoplos were measured from seven populations. Body condition was compared between populations and through time (early vs. late dry season) using length-weight relationship and Fulton's condition factor. The only significant spatia-temporal variations in body condition occurred in the deepest refuges. One population demonstrated an unexpected positive change in body condition, while another (a deep culvert pond) showed negative changes in body condition over time. Smaller fish (≤S65mmSL) found in these deep-water refuges demonstrated the most change in body condition. Almost all populations exhibited isometric growth but the culvert pond population had variable regression slopes (slopes ≠ 3 for both samples).

Extent

80 p.

Comments

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Identifier

FA00000817

Format

pdf

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