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Thesis
ASSESSING CUMULATIVE THERMAL STRESS OF ASIAN SWAMP EEL, MONOPTERUS ALBUS (ZUIEW, 1793), EXPOSED TO COLD TEMPERATURES
University of West Florida
Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida
2013
Abstract
Asian swamp eel was initially discovered in Florida in 1997, yet little is known about its ability to disperse throughout the state or into neighboring states. Lack of cold tolerance is thought to limit swamp eel to south Florida similar to other sub-tropical non-native fishes. Laboratory chronic and critical temperature experiments were used to assess cold tolerance and parameterize the cold stress accumulation model. In turn, this model was used to estimate swamp eel thermal tolerance during exposure to simulated winter temperature regimes. Critical thermal minima indicated swamp eel is remarkably tolerant to acute temperature changes; however, chronic exposure trials suggested only brief resistance to temperatures less than or equal to 11.3 C. Cold stress accumulation model simulations predicted swamp eel can tolerate some, but not all, fluctuating regimes consistent with mean winter temperatures in the southeastern USA. Thus, potential over-wintering range could extend as far north as Victoria in Texas, coastal wetlands in Louisiana, and Jacksonville in Florida. Current management efforts should focus on mitigating impacts in peninsular Florida where it may threaten sensitive habitats in the Everglades.
Details
- Title
- ASSESSING CUMULATIVE THERMAL STRESS OF ASIAN SWAMP EEL, MONOPTERUS ALBUS (ZUIEW, 1793), EXPOSED TO COLD TEMPERATURES
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Publisher
- University of West Florida
- Format
- text
- Copyright
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
- Identifiers
- 99380090731406600
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Language
- English
- Awarding Institution
- University of West Florida; Master of Science (MS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), University of West Florida