Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus
The American lobster, Homarus americanus, forms an important fishery in Atlantic Canada and New England. As such, a plethora of information exists on the biology of the larval dispersal phases, as well as that of the adult lobster. However, comparatively less is known about the behaviour and physiol...
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Memorial University of Newfoundland
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ftmemorialuniv:oai:research.library.mun.ca:11651 2023-10-01T03:57:37+02:00 Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus Nielsen, Travis Vagn James 2015-06 application/pdf https://research.library.mun.ca/11651/ https://research.library.mun.ca/11651/1/thesis.pdf en eng Memorial University of Newfoundland https://research.library.mun.ca/11651/1/thesis.pdf Nielsen, Travis Vagn James <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Nielsen=3ATravis_Vagn_James=3A=3A.html> (2015) Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland. thesis_license Thesis NonPeerReviewed 2015 ftmemorialuniv 2023-09-03T06:48:22Z The American lobster, Homarus americanus, forms an important fishery in Atlantic Canada and New England. As such, a plethora of information exists on the biology of the larval dispersal phases, as well as that of the adult lobster. However, comparatively less is known about the behaviour and physiology of the juvenile stages. The juvenile phase is a critical period of life, characterized by high levels of mortality. As a result, population parameters such as abundance and distribution can be significantly influenced by events occurring during the juvenile phase. Newfoundland is the northern most range limit for H. americanus, and associated low temperatures may affect foraging and sheltering behaviours. Laboratory experiments showed that juveniles preferred temperatures of ~18°C and were most active between 10-20°C. Heat stroke occurred above 30°C, while basal activity stopped at ~2.0°C and reactions to sensory stimuli ceased at ~-1°C. Although juvenile lobsters preferred water of 18゚C, they would choose thermal regimes below their preference range if shelter or food was available. When shelter was present, the juveniles increased activity levels to maintain the shelter. Because juveniles are vulnerable to predation the acquisition of shelter appeared to override both thermal preferences and foraging behaviour. Although shelter may protect against predation, the use of sub-optimal thermal habitats will influence metabolism and reduce potential for growth in juvenile lobsters. Thesis Newfoundland Memorial University of Newfoundland: Research Repository Canada |
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Memorial University of Newfoundland: Research Repository |
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The American lobster, Homarus americanus, forms an important fishery in Atlantic Canada and New England. As such, a plethora of information exists on the biology of the larval dispersal phases, as well as that of the adult lobster. However, comparatively less is known about the behaviour and physiology of the juvenile stages. The juvenile phase is a critical period of life, characterized by high levels of mortality. As a result, population parameters such as abundance and distribution can be significantly influenced by events occurring during the juvenile phase. Newfoundland is the northern most range limit for H. americanus, and associated low temperatures may affect foraging and sheltering behaviours. Laboratory experiments showed that juveniles preferred temperatures of ~18°C and were most active between 10-20°C. Heat stroke occurred above 30°C, while basal activity stopped at ~2.0°C and reactions to sensory stimuli ceased at ~-1°C. Although juvenile lobsters preferred water of 18゚C, they would choose thermal regimes below their preference range if shelter or food was available. When shelter was present, the juveniles increased activity levels to maintain the shelter. Because juveniles are vulnerable to predation the acquisition of shelter appeared to override both thermal preferences and foraging behaviour. Although shelter may protect against predation, the use of sub-optimal thermal habitats will influence metabolism and reduce potential for growth in juvenile lobsters. |
format |
Thesis |
author |
Nielsen, Travis Vagn James |
spellingShingle |
Nielsen, Travis Vagn James Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus |
author_facet |
Nielsen, Travis Vagn James |
author_sort |
Nielsen, Travis Vagn James |
title |
Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus |
title_short |
Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus |
title_full |
Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus |
title_fullStr |
Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus |
title_full_unstemmed |
Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus |
title_sort |
characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile american lobster, homarus americanus |
publisher |
Memorial University of Newfoundland |
publishDate |
2015 |
url |
https://research.library.mun.ca/11651/ https://research.library.mun.ca/11651/1/thesis.pdf |
geographic |
Canada |
geographic_facet |
Canada |
genre |
Newfoundland |
genre_facet |
Newfoundland |
op_relation |
https://research.library.mun.ca/11651/1/thesis.pdf Nielsen, Travis Vagn James <https://research.library.mun.ca/view/creator_az/Nielsen=3ATravis_Vagn_James=3A=3A.html> (2015) Characterizing thermoregulatory trade-off behavior in juvenile American lobster, Homarus americanus. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland. |
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thesis_license |
_version_ |
1778529429561016320 |