Date of Award
1980
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Abstract
The sound producing mechanisms of Chilara taylori (Girard) and Ophidion grayi (Fowler) are sexually dimorphic. These mechanisms involve the airbladder, a modified anterior axial skeleton and three pairs of muscles; all have an enlarged first vertebra and a pair of similarly modified and enlarged first ribs. In the male Chilara taylori, two thin convex bones are embedded in the anterior face of the airbladder. Slits are present in the lateral wall of the airbladder just behind the embedded bones. The male Ophidion grayi has a very rigid airbladder. Highly modified third ribs shaped like inverted ram's horns are embedded in the airbladder wall. These ribs encircle a membranous area in the anterior of the airbladder in which a median rocker bone is embedded. The sound producing mechanisms of the females of both species lack specialized bones associated with the airbladder. Their sound producing mechanisms are not as well developed as in the male.
Extent
78 p.
Recommended Citation
RITTGERS, NANCY GOLDCAMP, "COMPARATIVE MORPHOLOGY OF SOUND PRODUCING MECHANISMS IN TWO SPECIES OF OPHIDIID FISHES" (1980). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 1980 - 1989. 7.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_3/7
Identifier
FADT14020
Comments
Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1980.|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1980.