Keywords
Dasyatis sabina, Indian River Lagoon (Florida), Vertebral centrum growth rings, Tetracycline ageing marker, Tag-recapture movement patterns
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
Pages
95 pages
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; Stingrays; Fishes--Age determination; Marine fishes--Age; Fishes--Growth; Fishes--Reproduction--Age factors
STARS Citation
Schmid, Thomas Henry, "Age, growth, and movement patterns of the atlantic stingray, dasyatis sabina, in a Florida coastal lagoon system" (1988). Retrospective Theses and Dissertations. 4335.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/rtd/4335
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