Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve

12 Feb, 09 AM - 14 Feb, 09 AM

This project involves searching for and collecting small samples (baseball size) of ripe Cabezon, Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, eggs. During the winter months, cabezon lay large nests of eggs. The eggs are only about 1 mm in diameter but the egg masses are often very large, sometimes reaching half a meter in diameter. The incubation of these nests takes about two to three weeks and the nests are usually guarded by the male. The eggs are orange to red in the early stage of development and golden brown to green a few days before hatching. Most nests have been seen on rocky outcrops, piers, or pylons. We are hoping to collect samples of cabezon egg masses from southern and central California for a study to determine the level of connectivity between populations. It is very important that we collect these eggs at their later stage of development. We are analyzing these eggs for their trace metal composition, so it is best if the eggs are removed with a non metal object, placed in a ziplock, and frozen.

Visit #990 @Kenneth S. Norris Rancho Marino Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 853 | Research

PISCO - Marine Science Institute

research_assistant - University of California, Santa Barbara

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 3 Research Assistant (non-student/faculty/postdoc) Feb 12 - 14, 2003 (3 days)

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