Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
5-2006
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Thomas F. Laughlin
Committee Members
John H. Kalbfleisch, Lev Yampolsky
Abstract
Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is commonly thought to be a predictor of environmental stress. However, the relationship between FA and established indicators for environmental stress has received little attention. In this study, 10-38 specimens of the freshwater fish Rhinichthys atratulus were collected from 15 natural populations under varying amounts of environmental stress. Asymmetry measurements in three bilateral characters of the specimens were used to investigate the relationship between FA and established indicators of environmental stress. Significant differences in the magnitude of FA were observed between sampling locations. However, the relationship between estimates of FA and established indicators produced varying results. The present study concludes with a discussion on the usefulness of FA as a bioindicator for environmental stress and implications for future studies.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Shotwell, Matthew Stephen, "Fluctuating Asymmetry and Its Relationship to Established Indicators of Environmental Stress." (2006). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2182. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2182
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.