DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/43E8-7117
Defense Date
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Michael L. Fine
Abstract
The thesis contains two manuscripts- 1) Developmental changes in pectoral muscle fiber diameter and number in the Blue Catfish, Ictalurus furcatus and 2) Reduction in pectoral spine and girdle in domesticated Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus is likely caused by the absence of fish predators. The first study showed that fiber diameter increased linearly with fish size, whereas fiber number increases non linearly with fish size in the Blue Catfish correlated with dietary shift. The second study showed shorter spines in domesticated Channel Catfish as compared to wild Channel Catfish was a result of reduction in selection pressure during domestication in the absence of fish predators.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
August 2013