BODY-WATER CONTENT OVER A RANGE OF AMBIENT SALINITIES IN THE SHEEPSHEAD MINNOW

Body water content was determined on groups of Cyprinodon variegatus a fter sequential acclimation to ambient salinities in the range from fr esh water to 100 parts per thousand. A multiple linear regression mode l applied to the data included body mass (M) of individuals and acclim ation salinity (S) as independent variables, and body water content (W ) as the dependent variable. The model that described the relationship was W(g)=0.059+0.723 M (g)-0.001 S (parts per thousand). Converting v alues of body water content to percent of wet body mass produced a ran ge of values From 74.5% in fresh water to 72.0% at 100 parts per thous and only a 2.5% difference in body water content over this wide range of ambient salinities. (C) 1995 The Fisheries Society of the British I sles.