monitoring the fecudity of S. partitus
William Figueira
wff at duke.edu
Wed Apr 26 13:48:36 EDT 2000
I wish to estimate the total number of eggs received by an individual
male bicolor damselfish (S. partitus) during a reproductive period. I am
considering using the same technique used by Knapp who worked with the
same species, or Itzkowitz who worked with a very similar damselfish (S.
leucostictus). Both techniques involve setting out an artificial nesting
site for the male and then monitoring the amount of eggs received on that
nest site by tracing the perimeter of individual clutches onto acetate
sheets using a wax pen. The difference between the two techniques is
chiefly that Knapp used 13 cm diameter clay flower pots and Itzkowitz
used 4, 10 cm long by 7.5 cm diameter PVC pipes laid out in a cross
pattern as the artificial nest.
My questions are:
1. Do the damselfish lay eggs on the inside or outside of the nest
structure? I would guess inside however, if that is the case, how does
one manage to trace the outline of clutches in such confined spaces?
2. Does anybody have any other related or completely different techniques
that might work for this species? I have wondered if using some sort of
clear plastic insert into the nests would be possible. That way,
assuming that eggs are laid on the inside of the nest, it could be
removed and clutch outlines could be traced from the outside.
Any and all information is much appreciated. Thanks for your attention.
Cheers,
Will
____________________________________________________________________
Will Figueira email: wff at duke.edu
Duke University Marine Lab phone: (252)504-7572
135 Duke Marine Lab Rd fax : (252)504-7648
Beaufort, NC 28516 USA
http://www.env.duke.edu/marinelab/marine.html
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