Exploring the Behaviour and Physiology of Juvenile Bonefish (Albula vulpes): Fundamental and Applied Perspectives

Coastal ecosystems, despite recent degradation, are home to many fish species, some of which are juveniles of economically important fish in recreational fisheries. Bonefish (Albula vulpes) are one such example of a recreationally important sport fish throughout the Caribbean; to date, most research has focused on adult bonefish, leaving the juvenile life stage poorly understood. Bonefish are currently listed as ‘near-threatened’ by the IUCN, calling for a shift in research priorities to consider more than adults. In Chapter 2, I experimentally assessed juvenile bonefish shoaling preference when given the opportunity to shoal with conspecifics and other nearshore juvenile fish. In Chapter 3, I analyzed the consequences of light pollution on the behaviour and physiology of juvenile bonefish. This research generated novel understanding on the basic ecology of juvenile bonefish, and information on potential impacts caused by a prevalent nearshore anthropogenic disturbance, thus providing a foundational basis for future work.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Grantor dc:publisher

Carleton University

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Szekeres, Petra

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © 2017 the author(s). Theses may be used for non-commercial research, educational, or related academic purposes only. Such uses include personal study, research, scholarship, and teaching. Theses may only be shared by linking to Carleton University Institutional Repository and no part may be used without proper attribution to the author. No part may be used for commercial purposes directly or indirectly via a for-profit platform; no adaptation or derivative works are permitted without consent from the copyright owner.

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

10.22215/etd/2017-11767

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:carleton.scholaris.ca:20.500.14718/39479