Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Brooks, W. Randy

Abstract

The pinnotherid Tunicotheres moseri (Rathbun, 1918) is a common symbiont with various solitary ascidians throughout its reported range of Jamaica, Venezuela, and West Florida. Cues affecting host use and host recognition in the West Florida population were the focus ofthis study. T. moseri responded to conspecific and host generated chemical cues in the water column. Although host generated chemical cues were recognized by T. moseri, tactile cues triggered much stronger responses to host ascidians. Results of conditioning trials suggest that T. moseri is a generalist in host use and accepts novel host species after conditioning with Molgula occidentalis and Phallusia nigra. However, T. moseri prefers S. plicata after conditioning with novel host species. The results of this study suggest that any genetic divergence existing between geographically disjunct populations of T. moseri are probably due to limited dispersal potential rather than population specific host fidelity and host use characteristics.

Extent

36 p.

Comments

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science|Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Identifier

FA00000724

Format

pdf

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