Estimating Change Over Time In Catfish Size As A Proxy For Prehistoric Resource Use At Cape Canaveral

Author

Otis Fields, University of Central FloridaFollow

Keywords

zooarchaeology; Ariopsis felis; Bagre marinus; allometry; faunal analysis; marine catfish

Abstract

The Ais who lived on Cape Canaveral are no longer present to tell their stories, but they left behind artifacts that can help us learn how they managed their environmental resources. Ongoing zooarchaeological analyses from multiple prehistoric sites at Cape Canaveral have revealed a heavy reliance on marine catfishes (Ariopsis felis and Bagre marinus). This study estimates the size and weight of catfish using allometric equations from measurements of dorsal and pectoral spines and otoliths. Analyses will identify potential changes in size over time and preference in size of fish that were kept to evaluate the sustainability of prehistoric fishing practices compared to those in use today.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

Zavodny, Emily

College

College of Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Thesis Discipline

Archaeology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

STARS Citation

Fields, Otis, "Estimating Change Over Time In Catfish Size As A Proxy For Prehistoric Resource Use At Cape Canaveral" (2024). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 177.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/hut2024/177