Clerkin, P. J. Movement of sub-adult striped bass (Morone saxatilis) within an estuarine ecosystem, Poster Presentation, National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Conference, Rutgers University Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, New Brunswick, New Jersey, August 2006.

Abstract

 I compared the movements of sub-adult striped bass, Morone saxatilis with those of adults in the Great Bay estuary of the Jacque Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve in southern New Jersey.  I used ultrasonic telemetry to track fish tagged with surgically implanted acoustic transmitters. The movement of sub-adult bass was dissimilar to that of adults. Although both age groups occupied areas of similar temperature and salinity, the two groups remained in separated regions, suggesting that segregation is based on behavioral rather than physiological factors.  Competitive exclusion of sub-adults from prime feeding territory might effectively separate the species into two habitat-utilization patterns based on age.

I did this research in the summer of 2006 as a National Science Foundation Research Intern in Marine Biology at the Rutgers University Marine Field Station & Jacques Cousteau National Research Laboratory.  My Internship was sponsored by the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience  for Undergraduates program.