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PROTANDRIC SEX CHANGE IN CENTROPOMUS UNDECIMALIS, THE COMMON SNOOK

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Date Issued:
2020
Abstract/Description:
Otolith increment morphology of the protandric hermaphrodite Centropomus undecimalis (snook) was analyzed in relation to age and length for sex specific growth differences to retroactively determine the time of sex change. Growth spurts in the otoliths of female snook, the terminal sex, were identified between ages 4 and 8, corroborating the current understanding of when sex change occurs (between 3 and 8). No such growth increases were identified on the otoliths of male snook, the primary sex. Otolith growth, however, was found to decouple from length, so these growth spurts are not reflected in the length of the fish. This study marks the first time that a distinct growth pattern differentiating the primary and terminal sexes, similar to that seen in the protogynous transitional growth spurt hypothesis, has been identified on the otoliths of a protandric species.
Title: PROTANDRIC SEX CHANGE IN CENTROPOMUS UNDECIMALIS, THE COMMON SNOOK.
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Name(s): McKenna, Brent, author
Baldwin, John , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Department of Biological Sciences
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2020
Date Issued: 2020
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 37 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Otolith increment morphology of the protandric hermaphrodite Centropomus undecimalis (snook) was analyzed in relation to age and length for sex specific growth differences to retroactively determine the time of sex change. Growth spurts in the otoliths of female snook, the terminal sex, were identified between ages 4 and 8, corroborating the current understanding of when sex change occurs (between 3 and 8). No such growth increases were identified on the otoliths of male snook, the primary sex. Otolith growth, however, was found to decouple from length, so these growth spurts are not reflected in the length of the fish. This study marks the first time that a distinct growth pattern differentiating the primary and terminal sexes, similar to that seen in the protogynous transitional growth spurt hypothesis, has been identified on the otoliths of a protandric species.
Identifier: FA00013622 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2020.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Snook
Sex change
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013622
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.