Abstract

Populations of the asteroid Phataria unifascialis were sampled subtidally in the Gulf of California at Loreto, well within the species' distribution, and at Bahia de los Angeles (the Bay of LA), at the northern end of its distribution on several occasions between 1989 and 1991 to determine the influence of water temperature on species' physiology at each location. The starfish was much more abundant at Loreto, and though both locations had similar indices of pyloric caeca and gonad development, the population at Loreto was distinctly separated by depth into a shallow reproducing population and a deeper feeding population. No such distinct reproducing population was found at the Bay of LA. In addition, the Bay of LA population was relatively depauperate in the smaller size classes. The low winter temperatures in the Bay of LA result in reduced rates of activity and aerobic metabolism. This suggests that the lower temperatures of the Bay of LA may be in part directly responsible for the lower success there.

LLU Discipline

Biology

Department

Biology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

David L. Cowles

Second Advisor

Joseph G. Galusha

Third Advisor

Ernest R. Schwab

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Year Degree Awarded

1992

Date (Title Page)

6-1992

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Starfishes -- Physiological aspects; Temperature -- Physiological effect; Starfishes -- Mexico -- California, Gulf of (Mexico)

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vi; 61

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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