Abstract

Age, growth rates, and patterns of movement were studied in the Atlantic stingray, Dasyatis sabina, in the Indian River lagoon system in east central Florida. Age was estimated using the growth rings on the vertebral centrum and tretacycline marking. Tetracycline injections produced clear readable rings in all pups, but failed to be incorporated into the centra of adults. Females possess more centrum rings than males, but annual periodicity could not be verified. Growth rates were determined from aquarium held pups and adults and from tagged and recaptured animals. Males appeared to reach maturity in about two years, females in slightly less than three. Males and females probably reached mean size, 240 and 300 mm, respectively, in six to nine years. Movements of Dasyatis sabina were fairly restricted seasonally as well as annually; the majority (81%) of animals recaptured were taken at the release site. The general age and growth strategies for this species are consistent with those of most other elasmobranchs, characterized by rapid growth the first few years followed by slow adult growth.

Graduation Date

1988

Semester

Spring

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Format

PDF

Pages

95 p.

Language

English

Rights

Written permission granted by copyright holder to the University of Central Florida Libraries to digitize and distribute for nonprofit, educational purposes.

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0023665

Subjects

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

Accessibility Status

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