Penaeid Shrimp Salinity Gradient Tank Study 2005-2008

We designed an experimental gradient tank to examine salinity preferences of juvenile brown shrimp and white shrimp. Although no strong pattern of salinity avoidance was apparent, brown shrimp showed a general preference for salinities from 17-35 psu, and exhibited avoidance at the extreme low salinities along the gradient. Results for white shrimp were not statistically significant, but white shrimp did not appear to avoid lower salinities (18 psu) as brown shrimp did. There was no effect of water temperature on the observed selection patterns for either species. Results suggest that although both species show salinity preferences, strong distribution trends often associated with salinity gradients in estuaries are likely caused by other environmental factors.

To experimentally examine salinity selection by brown shrimp and white shrimp.

Location Of The Main Office Of The South East Fisheries Science Center

Available to fishery scientists and qualified researchers upon request.

The data will be available from a public web server once an access methodology has been developed.

None

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) does not approve, recommend, or endorse any proprietary product or proprietary material contained in this data set. The NMFS Galveston Laboratory Fishery Ecology Branch compiled these data sets in order to develop a scientific basis for refining essential fish habitat designations for future amendments to fishery management plans. NMFS is not responsible for any uses of these data sets beyond those for which they were intended, and NMFS makes no claims regarding the accuracy of any data provided by agencies or individuals outside NMFS.

Each sample was assigned a unique identification code. Field collected samples were tagged redundantly (e.g. one label inside of the collection vessel and a matching label attached to the outside of the vessel). The identifier and its associated information (e.g. date, location, habitat) was recorded on field data sheets. Once a sample arrived at the laboratory, the label remained with the sample throughout the various stages of sample processing. After data were entered into an Excel spreadsheet or similar database file, the information was printed out and compared against the field data sheets by two biologists. Corrections were made at this time and saved. The electronic file was also sorted and examined by the Lab Supervisor or other project personnel in a variety of ways to look for outliers, missing data, and other potential errors.

N/A

The archival process is currently under development.

The data resides on a secure government network requiring multi-factor authentication for network access.