Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2014 Understanding the role of Stylochus ellipticus as a predator of Crassostrea virginica in Chesapeake Bay tributaries Marion Kensey Barker Virginia Commonwealth University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd Part of the Biology Commons © The Author Downloaded from https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/599 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at VCU Scholars Compass. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of VCU Scholars Compass. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. © Marion Kensey Barker May 2014 All Rights Reserved UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF STYLOCHUS ELLIPTICUS AS A PREDATOR OF CRASSOSTREA VIRGINICA IN CHESAPEAKE BAY TRIBUTARIES A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University by M. KENSEY BARKER B.S. Virginia Commonwealth University 2010 Director: Bonnie L. Brown, PhD, Department of Biology Committee: Edward L. Boone, PhD, Department of Statistical Sciences and Operations Research Alaina Hart Campbell, MS, Department of Biology J. M. Clint Turbeville, PhD, Department of Biology Karen M. Kester, PhD, Department of Biology Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia May 2014 Acknowledgement I am eternally grateful to the people in my life who have offered their guidance and support to me during this project. First of all, I thank my dear friend, roommate and cousin, Chelsea. Her support has been paramount to my success throughout this project. My advisor, Dr. Bonnie Brown, gave me the independence and intellectual stimulation I needed to find my bearings in academia.