Age, growth and population characteristics of the giant snake eel, ophichthus rex, in the gulf of mexico

Abstract

Giant snake eels, Ophichthus rex, were collected from the northern Gulf of Mexico employing commercial long-lining techniques. Samples of approximately 30 eels were taken monthly for 9 of the 12 months between March 1988 and February 1989. Age and growth parameters were estimated using sectioned otoliths read under a compound microscope. Age class on total length correlations and back-calculated lengths were computed. Periodicity of ring formation was evaluated using marginal increment analysis. A von Bertalanffy growth function equation was also determined. Eels captured ranged in length from 83.0 cm to 212.0 cm and in age from age class 4 to 30. The sex ratio was in favor of females by a factor of 5.6:1. Regression of total length on age class yielded an r2- value of 0.53. Some age classes showed substantial variation in minimum and maximum total lengths. Marginal increment analysis was equivocal; however, it suggested that rings were laid down twice annually, once in middle summer to early fall and again in late winter to early spring.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1989

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Snelson, Franklin F.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Biological Sciences

Format

PDF

Pages

73 p.

Language

English

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0026644

Subjects

Arts and Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic; Dissertations, Academic -- Arts and Sciences

Accessibility Status

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