Managing Centrarchid Fisheries in Rivers and Streams

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Kilpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Rate Function ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
High Flows ◽  
Basic Biology ◽  
Flint River ◽  
Annual Mortality

<em>Abstract.</em>—Black bass <em> Micropterus </em>spp. are important components of river fisheries in the southeastern U.S., but little is known about their basic life history and population characteristics in these systems. Largemouth Bass <em> M. salmoides </em>and Shoal Bass <em> M. cataractae </em>were collected from three areas in the Flint River on multiple occasions from 2005 through 2013. Collections were taken from the undammed section of the Flint River above Lake Blackshear, within Lake Blackshear, and the regulated reach of river below Lake Blackshear. Shoal Bass do not occur in Lake Blackshear, so only Largemouth Bass were collected. Population and life history data such as body condition, growth, mortality, and recruitment variability were examined for these species in all three areas. Shoal Bass and Largemouth Bass appeared to have similar scopes of growth in this system, reaching similar maximum sizes. However, Largemouth Bass grew slower than Shoal Bass in both river sections. Growth of both species was slower in the upper versus lower area of the river; growth of Largemouth Bass was similar between the lower Flint River and Lake Blackshear. Female Largemouth Bass grew faster than males in both sections of the river; whereas, growth of Shoal Bass was similar between sexes. Longevity of Largemouth Bass appeared to be slightly higher than Shoal Bass, with correspondingly lower annual mortality. Age frequencies and annual mortality was similar between the sexes for both species in all areas. Recruitment of Largemouth Bass was negatively affected by high flows in the spring in the upper Flint River and Lake Blackshear; whereas, Shoal Bass recruitment in the upper Flint River was not correlated to any flow measure. The opposite pattern was found in the lower Flint River, with recruitment of Largemouth Bass unaffected by flow but Shoal Bass recruitment negatively affected by high flows. Shoal Bass exhibited numerous differences from Largemouth Bass in the Flint River, including growth, mortality, and recruitment, demonstrating the danger in applying rate function data or basic biology concepts from one species to another closely related one. Results from this study will help biologists better understand the potential and limitations of black bass fisheries in rivers, and thereby enable more effective management.

Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Growth Parameter ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Age And Growth ◽  
Minimum Length ◽  
Parameter Estimates ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Annual Total ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flint River

<em>Abstract</em>.—The largest native population of Shoal Bass <em>Micropterus cataractae</em> inhabits the Flint River, Georgia and remains relatively unstudied. We examined demographic characteristics of the population in the lower Flint River that is bounded by reservoirs during 2009–2011. We anchor tagged 741 Shoal Bass to evaluate the percentage of caught fish that were harvested. Shoal bass (<em>n</em> = 187) were sacrificed for age and growth analysis. Ages of sampled fish ranged from age 1 to 11. Von Bertalanffy growth parameter estimates were <EM>L</EM><sub>∞</sub> = 564 mm, <EM>K</EM> = 0.312, and<em> t</em><sub>0</sub> = –0.089. Male and female growth rates were similar, with the mean Shoal Bass requiring 2.4 years to reach 305 mm and 5.1 years to reach 457 mm. Growth rates of Shoal Bass were greater than those of previously studied populations and Largemouth Bass <em>M. salmoides</em> in the Flint River and an impoundment bounding the upper end of the study site. Annual total pooled mortality was 49%. Forty-one percent of caught Shoal Bass were harvested by anglers (range 31–60%). Our results suggest that with current population characteristics, an increase in the minimum length limit would not increase yield to the recreational fishery.

Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Variable Recruitment ◽  
Sport Fish ◽  
Annual Mortality

<em>Abstract</em>.—We conducted a stock assessment of Shoal Bass <em>Micropterus cataractae</em> in the upper Chipola River in Jackson and Calhoun counties, Florida from 2007 to 2012 to aid in the species’ conservation. Shoal Bass are currently listed as a species of special concern by the American Fisheries Society and are a recreational sport fish species in Florida. Previous Shoal Bass research in Florida was limited in terms of quantified habitat use or population abundance. Although one of the potential threats to Shoal Bass in the Chipola River has been described as sedimentation, little information existed regarding abundance, growth, mortality, or fishing effort. Shoal Bass and sympatric Largemouth Bass <em>M. salmoides</em> were collected by electrofishing from three study reaches. Modified Schnabel population estimates from mark– recaptured fish were used to describe abundance in 2009, 2010, and 2011. A roving creel survey was conducted in 2010 and 2011 to provide effort, total catch, catch per unit effort (fish caught per angler-hour), and harvest estimates. Mean total length at age was described by von Bertalanffy growth curves for Shoal Bass collected in 2008 and 2010, and growth differed between years. Total annual mortality (<EM>A</EM>) for Shoal Bass averaged 57% and was greater than total annual mortality for Largemouth Bass (<EM>A </EM>= 32%, <EM>P </EM>= 0.009) at this system. Missing or underrepresented year-classes from the 2008 and 2010 Shoal Bass age samples suggested highly variable recruitment. Strong Shoal Bass year-classes were associated with low median flows and low flow variation in spring and summer. An abundant population of Shoal Bass exists in the Chipola River, and the fishery received low angling harvest and directed effort. However, Shoal Bass remain potentially threatened by sedimentation, variable hydrologic events, and its confined range and habitat requirements.

Managing Centrarchid Fisheries in Rivers and Streams

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Rivers And Streams ◽  
Major Tributary ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Spotted Bass ◽  
Coastal River ◽  
Choctawhatchee River ◽  
Regulation Changes

<em>Abstract.</em>—The Choctaw Bass <em> Micropterus cf. punctulatus </em>is an undescribed black bass found in coastal river systems of northwest Florida and southern Alabama. The Choctaw Bass is morphologically similar to the Spotted Bass <em> M. punctulatus</em>. Prior to this study, there was no published life history information specific to this black bass. The need to address these information gaps was further influenced by the popularity of black bass fishing and potential statewide black bass regulation changes in Florida. Our research examined relative abundance, age, mortality, growth, and diet of Choctaw Bass collected from the Choctawhatchee River, Florida and Holmes Creek, a major tributary of the Choctawhatchee River in fall 2012 and 2013. Choctaw Bass were compared to sympatric Largemouth Bass <em> M. salmoides </em>× Florida Bass <em> M. floridanus </em>intergrades. Relative abundance was lower for Choctaw Bass than Largemouth Bass in both the Choctawhatchee River and Holmes Creek. The oldest Choctaw Bass from the Choctawhatchee River was age-5 and the oldest Choctaw Bass from Holmes Creek was age-11. Total instantaneous mortality of Choctaw Bass was statistically similar between the study areas. Total instantaneous mortality for Choctaw Bass from Holmes Creek was also similar to sympatric Largemouth Bass. Growth differed for Choctawhatchee River and Holmes Creek Choctaw Bass. Diets of Choctaw Bass collected from the Choctawhatchee River consisted primarily of fish while diets of Choctaw Bass and Largemouth Bass collected from Holmes Creek consisted primarily of crayfish. The observed restricted distribution, limited abundance relative to Largemouth Bass, limited number of Choctaw Bass collected greater than 406 mm TL, and the lack of Choctaw Bass older than age-5 in the Choctawhatchee River led to the recommendation that Choctaw Bass be managed separately from Largemouth Bass.

scholarly journals Effect of Discharge on Hatching and Growth of Age-0 Black Bass in Two Southeastern U.S. Rivers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Sammons ◽  
Laurie A. Earley ◽  
Matthew R. Goclowski
Keyword(s):  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
Generalist Species ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Discharge Variation ◽  
Habitat Generalist ◽  
Flint River ◽  
Redeye Bass ◽  
Large Discharge

Abstract We examined the influence of variable discharge on hatching and age-0 growth for fluvial specialist and habitat generalist species of black bass Micropterus spp. in two southeastern U.S. rivers, the Flint River, Georgia (unregulated), and the Tallapoosa River, Alabama (regulated by several hydropower dams). Between 2008 and 2010, we collected 285 Largemouth Bass M. salmoides (generalist) and 254 Shoal Bass M. cataractae (specialist) from two reaches of the Flint River. In 2010–2011, we collected 309 Alabama Bass M. henshalli (generalist) and 216 Redeye Bass M. coosae (specialist) from two regulated reaches and one unregulated reach of the Tallapoosa River. Successful hatching of black bass in both rivers generally occurred from late March to early June when water levels were low and stable. Hatching distributions of all black bass were generally unimodal with little evidence of spawning disruption, except for Alabama Bass in the most-regulated reach of the Tallapoosa River, which appeared to be disrupted by large discharge events. Mean growth of both species in the Flint River varied from 0.64 to 0.82 mm/d across reaches and years; Shoal Bass generally grew faster than Largemouth Bass in all reach–year combinations. Largemouth Bass growth was inversely correlated to discharge variation in one reach, but Shoal Bass growth was not correlated to discharge variation in either reach. Alabama Bass and Redeye Bass growth rates in the Tallapoosa River were similar to rates observed for congeners in the Flint River; Alabama Bass grew faster than Redeye Bass. Growth of both species was inversely related to discharge variation in five of six reach–species combinations; the only exception was for Redeye Bass in the less-regulated reach. Results from this study suggest that variable discharge has less influence on successful reproduction of black bass than was reported for other fishes, but growth may be more affected by discharges resulting from anthropogenic sources than those associated with the natural regime.

Life history and population characteristics of the Antarctic starfish, Anasterias antarctica Lütken, 1856 (Asteroidea: Forcipulatida: Asteriidae) around the Falkland Islands

Polar Biology ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Laptikhovsky ◽  
Paul Brickle ◽  
Marta Söffker ◽  
Deborah Davidson ◽  
Marie-Julie Roux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Falkland Islands ◽  
The Antarctic

scholarly journals Life history characteristics of a cave isopod (Mesoniscus graniger Friv.)

ZooKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 801 ◽  
pp. 359-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dávid Derbák ◽  
László Dányi ◽  
Elisabeth Hornung
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Size Distribution ◽  
Body Length ◽  
Reproductive Strategy ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Female Dominance ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Offspring Number

The special environmental conditions of caves provide habitat for several endemic and relict species, among them terrestrial isopods. The Baradla Cave system (north-eastern Hungary) hosts Mesoniscusgraniger (Frivaldszky, 1865) (Oniscidea, Microcheta, Mesoniscidae), a pygmy, blind, fragile troglophile woodlice species. Its stable environment can be characterised by the lack of light, high relative humidity (96%), low and constant temperature (about 10 °C). We explored the population characteristics (sex ratio, size distribution) and life history traits of the species (e.g. longevity, reproductive strategy, offspring number, and size). Sex ratio and size distribution of the individuals (head-width measurements) were estimated based on a yearly pooled pitfall-trap data set (N = 677). We studied the species’ reproductive strategy under natural conditions (Baradla Cave, Aggtelek National Park). Model populations were set up in the cave and checked monthly between March and October, 2016 (15 replicates, each with 12 randomly chosen adult individuals; ΣN = 180). Digital photos were taken of the live animals and their length was estimated based on the photos by using ImageJ software (average body length: 6.56 ± 0.79 mm). The results showed female dominance in the population [(male:female = 0.43:0.57); p &lt; 0.001 (GLM)]. Female head width (0.87 ± 0.18 mm) was significantly greater than that of males [0.79 ± 0.08 mm; p &lt; 0.001 (t-test)]. Based on our present data we assume that the offspring number per single female is low (3–5), and new-borns have a relatively large size (body length: 4.22 ± 0.53 mm) compared to the adults. The probability of reproduction was continuous by monthly intervals (binomial test) and longevity exceeds one year. Our results suggest that the species follows a stenodynamic life history.

scholarly journals Evidence Dorsal Spine Removal is Nonlethal and Unharmful for Largemouth Bass in Florida

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Summer Lindelien ◽  
Andrew C. Dutterer ◽  
Paul Schueller ◽  
Chris C. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Largemouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Research Management ◽  
Dorsal Spine ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
New Research ◽  
Sport Fish ◽  
Management And Conservation

Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides, Florida Bass M. floridanus, and their intergrade are socially and economically valuable sport fish. In the southeastern United States, it is customary to age black bass (Micropterus) spp. using sagittal otoliths which requires killing the fish. Presently, fisheries managers and black bass anglers show reluctance to sacrifice large individuals. Development of a nonlethal ageing technique would not only allay concerns of sacrificing large black bass, but it could offer a pathway for new research, management, and conservation. We excised dorsal spines III–V from Largemouth Bass in Florida varying from 30–57 cm total length to evaluate the effects of the procedure on survival over 35 days. No mortalities were observed for fish with excised dorsal spines, and experiment-wide survival was 0.94 (0.87–1.00; 95% confidence interval). No significant differences in survival, weight change, or incidence of external injuries were observed between control and excised fish. The areas of spine excision healed with no visible infection or inflammation at the conclusion of the experiment. Therefore, dorsal spine removal offers managers a nonlethal option for collecting ageing structures of adult Largemouth Bass in Florida, including large individuals, and this result likely extends to other Micropterus spp. as well.

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