Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Marine Science
College
College of Science
First Advisor
Derek P. Crane
Abstract/Description
While cleithra are the most popularly used calcified structure used to estimate age of Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy), the use of fin rays as an age estimation structure has been investigated as a nonlethal alternative. My objectives were to: (1) to compare the accuracy and precision of estimating age using first pelvic, second pelvic, and fourth anal rays from 46 known age Muskellunge and (2) to analyze a larger sample (n = 120) of fourth anal rays to estimate age. Ages were estimated blindly by three readers independently from all available structures. Different analyses of precision and accuracy had conflicting results, however, I would recommend the use of either the fourth anal ray or the second pelvic ray to estimate age.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Cornett, Marinda R., "Use of First Pelvic, Second Pelvic, and Fourth Anal Rays for Estimating Age of Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy)" (2017). Honors Theses. 1.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/honors-theses/1