Garssections 2011 - WARNING: Graphic Images
- Thread starter E_americanus
- Start date
E_americanus;4948900; said:hey Conner, yeah the otolith stuff is pretty crazy. i would say, however, that i WISH they were 1/2" across! these otoliths are a good amount smaller...i haven't dealt with SW fish otos, but i do know the shapes and sizes are quite variable. trout/salmon are a major pain because the structures are tiny for even large fish.
i was also extracting branchiostegal rays, which we also used for age comparison. i haven't messed with giant grenadiers, but i'd definitely be willing to try as fish smells really don't phase me any more...it's more the frustration if the oto goes into the brain case!!! (as i am sure you know)
--solomon
Yeah, the otoliths were very different between species. Some of them were tiny (like looking for a sliver of bone), while others were huge and impossible to miss. And nothing like digging around in a fish brain looking for a chunk of bone.
The grenadier's are nasty in that they don't just smell bad, but because they are deepwater fish, they basically turn to jelly once they're hauled up on the boat. Trying to pick one up is like trying to pick up a fish made of jello. They just come apart in your hands, and get all over you and your equipment.
Now try doing it on a boat in the middle of the ocean rolling on 20 foot waves with dozens of 20-50kg fish sliding around your ankles. Its definitely an experience, that's for sure.
mrwinkle;4949165; said:Me either
hopefully Madding is correct and things will be back up and running soon. if bandwidth is an issue, i would imagine things like extensive signature photos/videos aren't helping either. that being said, there are tons and tons of photos on this site, so if we are near the limit i am sure the powers that be are at work on the issue and it will be resolved soon.
i'll hold off on more pics until i hear that we are back in business. for those of you on facebook, you can look me up as i post several field and lab photos there--
--solomon
Ancient_Fish_Master;4954168; said:
sure, just had one pic up so far - i thought they had fixed the glitch, however, it looks like the original photo is gone. re-attaching with this post--
--solomon
PS-- more to come next week (heading off on vacation for a few days!)
JoeTurner14;4954183; said:Is this dissertation taking place at University? If so what Uni, and what course are you doing?
this dissection work is part of my dissertation research (PhD) at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment. the overall research deals with conservation of biodiversity, specifically conservation of peripheral populations of species (populations at the edge of the species range) - using the spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) as the model species.
a bit more info (needs a little updating) here:
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/srdavid/home
and brief video clips here:
[YT]9fuaJ7UeLj4&tracker=False[/YT]
[YT]-3eGafwlBaI&tracker=False[/YT]
