Why is the Multispecies Research Group studying the fecundity of Atlantic Menhaden?
Understanding the fecundity of fish species is a vital part of fish stock management. Estimates of population-level fecundity offer improved measures of reproductive potential relative to spawning stock biomass.
Objectives
- Collect female Atlantic Menhaden over all seasons & from throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight
- Process ovaries using standard histological techniques. Information on maturity stages, spawning mode, seasonality & frequency.
- Count ova based on histological findings
- Model fecundity as a function of size & age.
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Sample Area

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Laboratory Processing & Supplies:
Laboratory processing of each fish includes: fork length, whole & eviscerated weight, sex, macroscopic maturity classification, paired ovary weight, scale and otolith removal.
Laboratory Processing Supplies:
- Analytical Balance - minimum of 0.001 g to a maximum of 410 g
- Fish Measuring Board
- Hubco labels
- Soil sample bags – ovary preservation
- Screw top vials – otolith storage
- Sample envelopes – Fish Scales
- Scalpel + blades
- Tissue Processing Embedding Cassettes
- Tissue-Tek Marking Pencils
- Plastic 1 gallon jugs for sample storage
- Chemicals used for preservation:
- Normalin
- 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin
- 70% Ethanol
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Histology Laboratory Supplies:
- Lab tissue processor - Thermo Excelsior ES
- Ethanol
- Xylene
- Paraffin Wax
- HistoStar™ Embedding Workstation
- Histology embedding molds
- Razor scraper
- Tanner Scientific TN6000 Manual Precision Microtome
- High Profile disposable Microtome Blades
- Sharps container
- Lighted tissue flotation water bath
- Gelatin
- Styrofoam Tray
- Crushed Ice
- Frosted microscope slides
- Forceps
- Paint brushes
- Slide drying rack
- Slide warmer
- Kimtech wipes
- Microscope slide boxes
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Staining Supplies:

- Lab Coat
- Nitrile Gloves
- Shandon Varistain Gemini automatic stainer
- Chemicals for staining:
- Xylene
- 100% ethanol
- 95% ethanol
- Hematoxylin
- Acid Alcohol
- NaHCO2
- Eosin Y
- Laboratory Fume Hood
- Glass coverslips
- Permount Mounting Medium
- Kimtech wipes
- Cotton Swabs
- Aluminum slide trays
- Drying Oven
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Histological Interpretation Supplies:
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- Analytical Balance - minimum of 0.001 g to a max. of 410 g
- Spoonula
- Custom made grid for counting / measuring eggs
- Glycerin to separate eggs
- Compound microscope
- NIS Elements software
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