Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Brooks, W. Randy

Abstract

Predator-prey relationships were studied between the shrimps Latreutes fucorum and Leander tenuicornis and the predatory fishes Stephanolepis hispidus and Histrio histrio, all found within pelagic Sargassum communities. Average survival times of shrimps were compared in species, size/density, and habitat selection studies. The results showed that S. hispidus had a preference for prey species while H. histrio did not. 30 mm shrimp survived longer than the 10 mm shrimp for both S. hispidus and H. histrio. Density was a factor in the survival times of the 20 mm shrimps with S. hispidus only. L. tenuicornis survived longer in artificial Sargassum habitats with H. histrio. The larger shrimps survived longer in the artificial habitats than the smaller shrimps with S. hispidus. Both fish predators employ optimal foraging strategies with similarities and differences, the latter of which are likely related to behavioral differences in the these predator and prey.

Extent

44 p.

Comments

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2004.|Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2004.

Identifier

FADT13156

Format

pdf

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