Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1974

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Abstract

Dusky jawfish, Opistognathus whitehursti (Longley), excavate three types of burrows analogous to "open chamber", "under rock", and "erosion hole" burrows seen in 0. aurifrons. Burrow type is determined by substrate conditions at the burrow site. No burrows examined exceeded 15 cm in depth, and all entrance tunnels were lined with coral ruhble or shell fragments. Availability of material to reinforce tunnel and chamber walls is more important in burrow distribution than actual substrate particle size. Dusky jawfish initiate burrow construction using body trunk movements to form a small pit. Mouth burrowing begins when this pit reaches approximately one-third of the fish's body length. Burrows are completed in five to six hours. Within colonies, individuals maintain territories vigorously guarded from conspecifics and smaller fish. Defense actions may escalate through several steps to physical contact. A complex color change accompanies these defense actions. Female dusky jawfish produce egg masses bound together by threads arising on individual eggs.

Extent

117 p.

Comments

FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1974.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Identifier

FADT13674

Format

pdf

Download

Share

COinS