Kaitlin Schiller
Pronouns: she/they
Research Mentor(s): Karen Alofs
Research Mentor School/College/Department: School for Environment and Sustainability / SNRE
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors: Kaitlin Schiller, Karen Alofs
Abstract
We investigated the changes in body size and growth rates of pumpkinseed fish in Michigan lakes across several decades. In order to do this, we used museum specimens from the Institute of Fisheries Research and the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, measured them, and cataloged information about where, when, and how they were captured After this, fish were aged using the rings in their scales, in order to preserve the specimens for future research. Data from museum specimens was then compared to cataloged historical information in order to determine growth patterns and overall size at different ages and as a way to test the accuracy of using museum specimens to measure past growth and age. Historical data was also used to determine potential variables that could be impacting the changes in pumpkinseed growth rates and mean length. Pumpkinseed are small-bodied fish that are accustomed to warmer climates and we expected to see increases in juvenile pumpkinseed growth and decreases in adult pumpkinseed length overtime. Changes in growth are important to consider because in order to protect and preserve ecosystems and fisheries, we must understand the threats that they face with regards to climate change. Furthermore, if the museum specimens prove to be an accurate representation of historical growth data, this will be beneficial to future research, especially if the aging techniques are reliable.
