Date of Award

Fall 12-2019

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Biological Sciences

Department

Biological Sciences

Major Professor

Bernard Rees

Second Advisor

Fernando Galvez

Third Advisor

Simon Lailvaux

Abstract

This research examined the effects of acclimation to lowered salinity, elevated temperature, and hypoxia on aerobic metabolism of the Gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, a common estuarine resident of the Gulf of Mexico. Standard metabolic rate (SMR), maximum metabolic rate (MMR), absolute aerobic scope (AAS), and critical oxygen tension (Pcrit) were each influenced by one or more acclimation treatments. Assessing the consistency of these traits measured in the same individuals over time, all were found to be significantly repeatable with no indication that the repeatability of any traits was affected by acclimation conditions. Significant correlations were found between SMR and Pcrit (positively correlated), between SMR and AAS (negatively correlated), between MMR and AAS (positive), and between AAS and Pcrit (negative). This study, therefore, documents the effects of acclimation on these traits, their repeatability, and correlations among them. It further suggests that repeatability of these traits is not context dependent.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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