Abstract

The ridgeback shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis, lives off of the west coast of North America along the shorelines of California, and Baja California and is a source of both revenue and food for residents of the area. The reproductive abilities of S. ingentis are crucial to the survival of the species. Vitellin (Vn) is an egg yolk protein found in the ovaries of reproductive shrimp and can also be seen in their hemolymph. This study examines temperature as a factor influencing the reproductive fitness of S. ingentis. The synthesis of Vitellin is a good indicator of reproductive fitness and the concentrations of the Vn protein can be found using an ELISA (enzyme linked immuno-sorbant assay). The difference in temperature from the cold water tank environment (11 C) to the warm water tank environment (14 C) can simulate the effects if global warming continues to persist; showing the harmful effects that this increase in temperature can have on marine species that depend on the cold ocean temperatures for survival.

Mentor

Brian Tsukimura

Lab site

California State University, Fresno (CSU Fresno)

Funding Acknowledgement

This material is based upon work supported by the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0952013. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation or the National Science Foundation. This project has also been made possible with support of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The STAR program is administered by the Cal Poly Center for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Education (CESaME) on behalf of the California State University (CSU).

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URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/star/269

 

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