Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Web ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Standing Crop ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Fish Prey ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Southern Florida

<em>Abstract</em>.—Growth and survival of stocked fish are positively influenced by the availability of suitably sized prey fish. We examined relationships among juvenile largemouth bass <em>Micropterus salmoides </em>size structure, occurrence of piscivory, and biomass relative to fish prey size structure and biomass across Florida’s latitudinal gradient to evaluate potential fish prey availability across a broad spatial scale of lakes. We sampled the 2003 and 2004 largemouth bass year-classes and potential fish prey in April/May (i.e., spring) and in June/July (i.e., summer) in six study lakes distributed from northern to southern Florida. Available prey to predator ratios (AP:P) decreased with increased fish size but indicated that prey resources were not limiting at any lake during either year (all AP:P > 8). We used a biomass-based food web model for our lake with the lowest AP:P we measured (~9) to determine if bioenergetics-based predictions agreed with AP:P metric indications of the system’s potential to support a higher standing crop of largemouth bass. Food web simulations showed potential to increase the standing crop of adult largemouth bass population by up to 30% at high stocking rates (i.e., 150 fish/ha), but stocking at high rates resulted in decreases to the natural portion of the adult population. Available prey metrics and simulations can provide information on the potential for stocking success, which could be used to improve the efficacy of stocking programs.

scholarly journals Eco-evolutionary feedbacks link prey adaptation to predator performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 20190626 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Fryxell ◽  
Zachary T. Wood ◽  
Rebecca Robinson ◽  
Michael T. Kinnison ◽  
Eric P. Palkovacs
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Gambusia Affinis ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Introduced Populations ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Average Body

Eco-evolutionary feedbacks may determine the outcome of predator–prey interactions in nature, but little work has been done to quantify the feedback effect of short-term prey adaptation on predator performance. We tested the effects of prey availability and recent (less than 100 years) prey adaptation on the feeding and growth rate of largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ), foraging on western mosquitofish ( Gambusia affinis ). Field surveys showed higher densities and larger average body sizes of mosquitofish in recently introduced populations without bass. Over a six-week mesocosm experiment, bass were presented with either a high or low availability of mosquitofish prey from recently established populations either naive or experienced with bass. Naive mosquitofish were larger, less cryptic and more vulnerable to bass predation compared to their experienced counterparts. Bass consumed more naive prey, grew more quickly with naive prey, and grew more quickly per unit biomass of naive prey consumed. The effect of mosquitofish history with the bass on bass growth was similar in magnitude to the effect of mosquitofish availability. In showing that recently derived predation-related prey phenotypes strongly affect predator performance, this study supports the presence of reciprocal predator–prey trait feedbacks in nature.

scholarly journals Some like it hot, hungry tunas do not! Implications of temperature and plankton food web dynamics on growth and diet of tropical tuna larvae

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miram R Gleiber ◽  
Su Sponaugle ◽  
Robert K Cowen
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Larval Fish ◽  
Individual Growth ◽  
Calanoid Copepods ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Straits Of Florida ◽  
Food Web Dynamics ◽  
Tropical Tuna

Abstract Restricted to low-productivity environments near their thermal maxima, larval tunas may be threatened by warming global temperatures, yet our understanding of how they are constrained is limited. We examined blackfin tuna (Thunnus atlanticus, presumptive) diet and growth in the context of their prey and predators in the Straits of Florida in 2 years with contrasting summer conditions: low temperature (26.7–28.3°C)–high prey and high temperature (28.4–29.0°C)–low prey. In the cooler, high-prey conditions, larvae had 30% faster growth (0.45 mm d−1), fuller guts from predominantly feeding on calanoid copepods, and were 10× more abundant, dominating the larval fish assemblage. In contrast, in warm, low-prey conditions fewer, younger, and slower-growing (0.35 mm d−1) T. atlanticus fed predominantly on nauplii and had less full guts. Modelling individual growth across years revealed that growth peaked at an optimum of 28.5°C (5°C below known thermal maxima in the field) and high densities of predators selectively consumed slower-growing larvae. Low-prey availability may reduce the thermal optima of larvae, as growth and survival are diminished when low prey and high temperature coincide. Our results illustrate the importance of considering food web dynamics with temperature when predicting the response of organisms to ecosystem variability, particularly ongoing climate change.

Structuring of a Predator Population Through Temperature-Mediated Effects on Prey Availability

1982 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1175-1184 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Marshall Adams ◽  
R. B. McLean ◽  
M. M. Huffman
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Predator Population ◽  
Selective Mortality ◽  
Mediated Effects ◽  
Sufficient Energy

Temperature can control the structure of a predator population by regulating the abundance and size availability of prey. Relatively small differences in winter temperatures between years can have a major influence on largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) population structure because of the threshold relationship between temperature and the lower lethal limits of shad. The relationship between prey availability and predator growth and mortality was established through field measurements of consumed energy. Growth and consumption of largemouth bass in Watts Bar Reservoir, Tennessee, was lower in 1979 than in 1980 as a result of lower winter water temperature in 1979, which reduced the abundance and availability of adequate-sized prey. Depending on the severity of the winter, bass that do not attain 25 ± 5 cm by the end of their first growing season do not survive to annulus I formation because of the unavailability of appropriate-sized prey in the spring and the inability of small bass to store sufficient energy reserves. Selective mortality favoring survival of larger individuals in an age-class is operating in the Watts Bar largemouth bass population. This has significant implications for predator growth in ecosystems that experience large seasonal fluctuations in prey availability.Key words: predator population structure, prey availability, reservoir temperature, energy consumption, growth, largemouth bass, selective mortality, shad

Latitudinal variation in the geometric morphology of the largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (9) ◽  
pp. 1480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elijah S. Hall ◽  
Benjamin E. Martin ◽  
Kristen Brubaker ◽  
Christopher J. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Canonical Variate ◽  
Resource Utilisation ◽  
Eastern United States ◽  
Geometric Morphology

Geometric morphology can be influenced by several biotic and abiotic factors, including predator–prey interactions and habitat structure. We measured the external morphology of Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass, LMB) from two states in north-eastern United States, to assess the potential divergence of body shape. LMB varied in overall body shape (canonical variate analysis, P<0.001) between states, with Maine populations exhibiting shorter jaws (ANOVA, P<0.001) and thicker caudal peduncle depths (ANOVA, P<0.001) than the LMB in Pennsylvania. We propose that these observed differences in morphological traits suggest that jaw length may be influenced by prey availability and resource utilisation, whereas peduncle depth is better explained by surrounding habitat structure. These findings showed that body shape is variable and is influenced by a complex array of environmental factors, even over small latitudinal differences.

scholarly journals Indirect versus Direct Effects of Freshwater Browning on Larval Fish Foraging

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dina M. Leech ◽  
Troy L. Clift ◽  
Jessica L. Littlefield ◽  
Nicholas R. Ravagli ◽  
Jacob E. Spain
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Larval Fish ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Feeding Rates ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
Fish Spawning

ABSTRACTFish foraging and energy flow are both predicted to decline with freshwater ‘browning’ due to reductions in light availability. Studies investigating these predictions have focused on juveniles and adults; however, the larval stage represents a ‘critical period’ in fish development. We investigated the indirect versus direct effects of browning on zooplankton-larval fish interactions by altering water color with SuperHume (absorbance at 440 nm = 1.6 – 10.8 m−1). Phytoplankton and zooplankton densities were monitored across experimental tanks in the laboratory for one month leading up to fish spawning. Larval largemouth bass were then introduced to assess indirect effects on fish feeding rates and growth. Direct effects on foraging of largemouth bass and bluegill were determined with separate short-term feeding experiments. Browning did not directly alter the ability of larval fish to capture prey. However, significant indirect effects on larval fish foraging, growth, and survival were observed as phytoplankton and zooplankton decreased with increased browning. Our data suggest lake browning will reduce energy transfer to larval fish due to a reduction in prey availability but not visual foraging.

scholarly journals Importance of Canals for Florida Largemouth Bass: Lake Griffin, Florida

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68
Author(s):  
Scott M. Bisping ◽  
Brandon C. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Entire Body ◽  
High Reward ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Canal Systems ◽  
Main Lake ◽  
Catch Rates

Abstract Canal systems are commonly found across the country and are rarely constructed to increase fish habitat or angling opportunities. From 2009 to 2011, we assessed the benefits of canals to the fishery at Lake Griffin, Florida, by measuring and comparing the Florida Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus population and angler use to the main lake. We used electrofishing, angler creel surveys, and a high-reward tagging study. Results from electrofishing surveys revealed a high relative abundance of Florida Largemouth Bass in the canals, with similar electrofishing catch rates and size structure to those in the main lake. The canal creel showed that anglers used canals throughout the study, with peak use during the spawning season. The tagging study revealed anglers caught Florida Largemouth Bass in canals throughout the 12-mo study and that Florida Largemouth Bass migrated between the lake and canals. We conclude that the canals support a significant portion of the overall angler effort for the Lake Griffin fishery. Failing to consider the canals at Lake Griffin results in substantial underestimates of fish populations, angler use, and the fishery's economic impact. Our data suggest, however, that monitoring only the lake section still may represent trends occurring throughout the entire body of water, resulting in lowering sampling time and financial requirements. Fishery managers can identify any impacts canal systems or other lake sections may have to the fishery by including additional sections of a body of water into their sampling protocol.

scholarly journals Overwinter growth and survival of age-0 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides): revisiting the role of body size

1998 ◽  
Vol 55 (11) ◽  
pp. 2414-2424 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E Garvey ◽  
Russell A Wright ◽  
Roy A Stein
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Predation Intensity ◽  
Energetic Condition ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Summer Growth

How large size affects overwinter growth and survival of age-0 fish may vary as a function of food, predation, and energetic condition. During two winters in Ohio, we assessed how these factors affected growth and survival of varying sizes of age-0 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) by combining a field survey (N = 2 reservoirs) with multiscale experiments (reservoirs, ponds, outdoor pools). In our survey, more small (< 100 mm total length) individuals died by spring in one reservoir than in the other. Similarly, when we stocked two reservoirs with marked age-0 largemouth bass in fall, mortality of small individuals was higher in one system overwinter, potentially due to differences in predation intensity. In ponds during two winters, size-selective mortality of small largemouth bass occurred in only two of eight ponds, potentially as a function of cannibalism. Varying ration in pools (starved, 0.5× maintenance, or 1.5× maintenance) did not affect survival, even though starved individuals lost substantial wet weight and energy content. Only when predators were present did small individuals die at high rates, although energy depletion may have contributed to predatory mortality. To increase the probability of overwinter survival, managers should seek to improve first-summer growth, reduce winter predation, and increase winter forage.

Effects of Graded Levels of Carbohydrate on Growth and Survival of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides

2008 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akua Amoah ◽  
Shawn D. Coyle ◽  
Carl D. Webster ◽  
Robert M. Durborow ◽  
Leigh Anne Bright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Growth And Survival

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Bluegill Growth in Small Kansas Impoundments

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-129
Author(s):  
Ben C. Neely ◽  
Jeff D. Koch ◽  
Keith B. Gido ◽  
Connor J. Chance-Ossowski ◽  
Elizabeth A. Renner
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Lepomis Macrochirus ◽  
Information Criterion ◽  
Weighted Averaging ◽  
Gizzard Shad ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Model Set

Abstract We evaluated growth of Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus in 24 small Kansas impoundments to understand variability in populations statewide. We assigned ages to 1,323 Bluegill, and when combined, growth parameters using the Ogle–Isermann parameterization of the von Bertalanffy growth model were: L∞ = 228 mm, K = 0.25, and t152 = 3.10 y. Growth was variable among the 24 populations and t152 (time to reach 152 mm total length) ranged from 1.56 to 4.87 y. We selected four representative limnological variables (latitude, maximum depth, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus) and four representative catch variables (catch-per-effort [CPE] of Bluegill, proportional size distribution of 178-mm Bluegill, CPE of stock-length Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, and CPE of Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum) to elucidate mechanisms that explained t152 in Bluegill populations. We fit all subset candidate models using the eight variables to predict t152. Top candidate models (corrected Akaike's information criterion scores within two units of the most parsimonious model) comprised a confidence model set, and we used model-weighted averaging to calculate parameter estimates with 95% confidence intervals for each independent variable present in the confidence model set to develop a single explanatory model. The final model suggested that Bluegill size structure, latitude, and CPE of stock-length Largemouth Bass affected Bluegill growth, whereas a smaller effect was attributed to CPE of Gizzard Shad. Combined, these variables explained 40% of variation in observed Bluegill growth rate. Results from this study summarize Bluegill growth in Kansas and highlight variation in growth rates across small impoundments. Further, they suggest that Bluegill size structure, latitude, and relative abundance of stock-length Largemouth Bass are important factors regulating Bluegill growth in small Kansas impoundments.

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