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Ecology of the barracudinas (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae), a ubiquitous but understudied mesopelagic predatory fish family, in the Gulf of Mexico

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 prompted an enormous survey effort to
assess the under-studied, deep-ocean ecosystems of the Gulf of Mexico. The resulting
samples and datasets afforded a unique opportunity to study the ecology of a poorly
known group of mesopelagic fishes, the barracudinas (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae).
Here we address several important data gaps regarding the ecology of the Paralepididae.
Our results indicate that a majority of barracudina species are efficient at avoiding
research-sized nets, suggesting that their overall abundance has been historically underestimated.
Notable differences in vertical distribution, seasonal abundances of sizes
classes, and diets were observed among the three major sub-groups of the family, with
potential implications to ecosystem-based management of deep-pelagic fisheries. This
thesis is dedicated to all the fish, squids, and shrimps that gave their lives to make these
data and to those that endured the hardship of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2018. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_40731
ContributorsJones, Richard (author), Moore, Jon (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
PublisherFlorida Atlantic University
Source SetsFlorida Atlantic University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text
Format209 p., application/pdf
RightsCopyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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