Thesis (M.S.)--Joint Program in Physical Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2006. / Bibliography: p. 74-75.

Grass pickerel were collected in rivers and streams throughout Indiana for diet analysis. Frequency of occurrence, mean percent volume, and relative importance index were calculated for diet from all grass pickerel stomachs containing food. Grass pickerel were divided into three size classes (57-95mm, 96-150mm, >150mm) and stomach contents were divided into four groups (insects, fish, crayfish, and other). Grass pickerel in the small size class consumed mostly fish and crayfish while in the largest size class mostly crayfish were ingested. In addition, habitat selection was identified for grass pickerel. Macro and microhabitat were evaluated and described using the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index and visual assessment. Grass pickerel selected habitat with slow moving water and instream cover of either logs/woody debris or aquatic macrophytes. / Department of Biology

Thesis (S.M. in Oceanographic Engineering)--Joint Program in Ocean Engineering/Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-75). / Mean maximum start-up accelerations and velocities achieved by the fast-start specialist, northern pike, are reported at 120 ms-2 and 4 ms-1, respectively (Harper and Blake, 1990). In this thesis, a simple mechanical system was created to closely mimic the startle response that produces these extreme acceleration events. The system consisted of a thin metal beam covered by a urethane rubber fish body. The mechanical fish was held in curvature by a restraining line and released by a pneumatic cutting mechanism. The potential energy in the beam was transferred into the fluid, thereby accelerating the fish. The fish motion was recorded and the kinematics analyzed while using a number of different tail shapes and materials. Performance of the mechanical fish was determined by maximum acceleration, peak and averaged maximum velocity, and hydrodynamic efficiency. Maximum start-up acceleration was calculated at 48 ms-2. Peak and averaged maximum velocity was calculated at 0.96 ms-1 and 0.8 ms-1, respectively. The hydrodynamic efficiency of the fish, calculated by the transfer of energy, was 11%. Flow visualization of the mechanical fast-start wake was also analyzed. The visualization uncovered two specific vortex-shedding patterns; a single and a double-vortex pattern are described. / by Matthew Nicholas Watts. / S.M.