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Measuring Fish and Recording Data in the Field and Laboratory: A Microcomputer Application
Author(s) -
Bayley Peter B.,
Illyes Robert F.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(1988)013<0015:mfardi>2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - calipers , microcomputer , vernier scale , fish <actinopterygii> , potentiometer , accuracy and precision , mathematics , computer science , statistics , engineering , electrical engineering , optics , telecommunications , fishery , physics , biology , chip , geometry , voltage
A portable microcomputer‐based system is described that allows rapid measuring and recording on diskette of fish lengths and weights in the field or laboratory. A simple, rugged, electronic caliper utilizing a precision potentiometer permits lengths to be measured with the same accuracy as a measuring board marked in millimeters. Software was developed to control information from the caliper and from an electronic balance supplying individual weights via a serial port. The package, based on an Apple IIc, optionally runs on batteries for use in the field. No significant difference (P = 0.05) was observed between variances of fish length using the electronic caliper and a measuring board. Precisionof a 9.2‐cm caliper, based on independent measurements of 36 fish by three persons, was ± 1.3 mm with 99% confidence, compared with ± 1.1 mm using a measuring board. The mean difference between fish measurements using the measuring board and electronic caliper was only 0.36 mm. Measurements of fish using a vernier caliper were more variable. All instruments were much more precise when hard objects rather than fish were measured.