North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 2008
... 124.1 Patrick C. Ely a , Shawn P. Young a & J. Jeffery Isely b pages 827-831. ...... more ... 124.1 Patrick C. Ely a , Shawn P. Young a & J. Jeffery Isely b pages 827-831. ... “Family Clupeidae”. In Fishes of the western North Atlantic, part 3 Edited by: Olsen, YH 257–454. New Haven, Connecticut: Sears Foundation for Marine Research, Yale University. View all references). ...
... About 7% of Alabama shad implanted with sonic transmitters apparently abandoned theirspawning... more ... About 7% of Alabama shad implanted with sonic transmitters apparently abandoned theirspawning migration. ... Leggett, WC 1976. The American shad Alosa sapidissima, with special reference to its migrations and population dynamics in the Connecticut River. Amer. Fish. Soc. ...
We estimated the population size of migrating Alabama shad Alosa alabamae below Jim Woodruff Lock... more We estimated the population size of migrating Alabama shad Alosa alabamae below Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam in the Apalachicola River (located in the central panhandle of northwestern Florida) using mark–recapture and relative abundance techniques. After adjustment for tag loss, emigration, and mortality, the population size was estimated as 25,935 (95% confidence interval, 17,715–39,535) in 2005, 2,767 (838–5,031) in 2006, and 8,511 (5,211–14,674) in 2007. The cumulative catch rate from boat electrofishing averaged 20.47 Alabama shad per hour in 2005, 6.10 per hour in 2006, and 13.17 per hour in 2007. The relationship between population size (N) and electrofishing catch per unit effort (CPUE) was modeled by the equation N = −9008.2 + (electrofishing CPUE × 1616.4). Additionally, in 2007 the hook-and-line catch rate averaged 1.94 Alabama shad per rod hour. A predictive model relating the population size and hook-and-line CPUE of spawning American shad A. sapidissima was applied to Alabama shad hook-and-line CPUE and produced satisfactory results. Recent spawning populations of Alabama shad in the Apalachicola River are low relative to American shad populations in other southeastern U.S. rivers.
In 2005, a pilot study was initiated to evaluate the potential use of the navigation lock at Jim ... more In 2005, a pilot study was initiated to evaluate the potential use of the navigation lock at Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam (JWLD), Florida, as a means for fish passage. The focal species was the Alabama shad Alosa alabamae. The Apalachicola River population is one of the last-remaining, extant self-sustaining populations, estimated adult spawning returns ranging from lows of 5,211 to 14,674 individuals in 2007 to highs of 51,417 to 127,251 individuals in 2010. We estimated the passage of migrating Alabama shad during spawning migrations during March–May 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2011. During 2005, 23 of 36 Alabama shad that were implanted with transmitters successfully passed from the lock into the reservoir 1–7 d after release, for a passage rate of 64% (95% CI = 48–80%). Advancing on the promising results from 2005, voluntary passage was evaluated during spring 2007, 2010, and 2011. During these years, 63–100% of implanted shad were relocated at the lock at least once, and voluntary passage ranged from 33% to 45%. Voluntary passage occurred 3–39 d post-implanting, most shad passing < 28 d after initial capture. Implanted Alabama shad were subsequently relocated upstream in both the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers. Based on these results, the navigation lock at JWLD was an effective means to pass migrating Alabama shad. Increased passage could be achieved by maximizing attraction flow near the lock entrance and increasing the time the upper gates are open during an afternoon locking cycle. By coupling passage and population estimates, the total number of shad that migrated through JWLD ranged from 2,137 in 2007 to 57,262 in 2010.
Intersex fish are increasingly being reported worldwide, primarily in rivers that receive treated... more Intersex fish are increasingly being reported worldwide, primarily in rivers that receive treated wastewater, but few studies have investigated intersex in waters that do not receive wastewater. In a recent reconnaissance survey of intersex fish in North America, a high rate of intersex was reported for Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides in some southeastern U.S. rivers; however, the occurrence of intersex in impoundments has not been well described, especially on a statewide scale. Therefore, our objective for this project was to survey the occurrence of intersex Largemouth Bass in a variety of impoundment habitats across Georgia. Largemouth Bass were collected from 11 impoundments without direct municipal or agricultural wastewater inputs. Gonads from all male Largemouth Bass were evaluated for the incidence and severity of the intersex condition based on presence and arrangement of testicular oocytes. Overall 48% of male Largemouth Bass collected from impoundments were intersex, which was found in 9 of the 11 impoundments. Among impoundments, incidence of intersex ranged from 0 to 82% of the males sampled and surface area of the impoundment was a significant predictor of intersex incidence. Intersex fish were smaller than normal males, but population-level effects of intersex and causative factors of endocrine disruption in the impoundments remain unknown. The high incidence of intersex males in small impoundments demonstrates that the condition is not confined to rivers and suggests that factors other than those previously associated with intersex (i.e., municipal wastewater) may be involved.
Riverine catostomids can show a wide range of interspecific variation in life-history characteris... more Riverine catostomids can show a wide range of interspecific variation in life-history characteristics. Understanding these differences is an important consideration in evaluating the sensitivity of these fishes to disturbance and in formulating effective conservation strategies, particularly when dealing with an assemblage consisting of multiple species within a watershed. We collected Apalachicola redhorse Moxostoma n. sp. cf. poecilurum (n = 125), spotted sucker Minytrema melanops (n = 94), and quillback Carpiodes cyprinus (n = 94) to determine age, growth, and reproductive biology of spawning catostomids in the Apalachicola River, Florida, during 2007. Quillback was the smallest in total length at age; longest-lived; most fecund; and produced the smallest eggs. Apalachicola redhorse was the largest in body size; had an intermediate life span; and produced the fewest yet largest eggs. Spotted sucker was more similar to Apalachicola redhorse in most characteristics. Growth during ages 1–3 in all three species seemed to be negatively related to the proportion of observations of extreme flow, both high (Q90) and low (Q10), per year and a positive response in growth rate to high flows (>Q75 but < Q90). However, Apalachicola redhorse and spotted sucker growth was more sensitive to flow conditions than that of quillback. Our results suggest the life histories and ecological response of Apalachicola River catostomids to flow regulation are important components for developing strategies that incorporate the needs of these fishery resources into an ecosystem-based management approach.
We document the discovery of Highfin Carpsucker in the Apalachicola River, FL. Three specimens we... more We document the discovery of Highfin Carpsucker in the Apalachicola River, FL. Three specimens were captured between river kilometer 170–171 on the Apalachicola River in the vicinity of Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam during spring 2007. The specimens were captured within a reach 0.5–1.0 km downstream from the dam and just upstream from a major spawning area for several other catostomids. This is the first record of the species east of the Choctawhatchee River, FL–AL, and is a range extension of 185 km eastward into the Florida Panhandle region of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Coast.
North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 2008
... 124.1 Patrick C. Ely a , Shawn P. Young a &amp;amp; J. Jeffery Isely b pages 827-831. ...... more ... 124.1 Patrick C. Ely a , Shawn P. Young a &amp;amp; J. Jeffery Isely b pages 827-831. ... “Family Clupeidae”. In Fishes of the western North Atlantic, part 3 Edited by: Olsen, YH 257–454. New Haven, Connecticut: Sears Foundation for Marine Research, Yale University. View all references). ...
... About 7% of Alabama shad implanted with sonic transmitters apparently abandoned theirspawning... more ... About 7% of Alabama shad implanted with sonic transmitters apparently abandoned theirspawning migration. ... Leggett, WC 1976. The American shad Alosa sapidissima, with special reference to its migrations and population dynamics in the Connecticut River. Amer. Fish. Soc. ...
We estimated the population size of migrating Alabama shad Alosa alabamae below Jim Woodruff Lock... more We estimated the population size of migrating Alabama shad Alosa alabamae below Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam in the Apalachicola River (located in the central panhandle of northwestern Florida) using mark–recapture and relative abundance techniques. After adjustment for tag loss, emigration, and mortality, the population size was estimated as 25,935 (95% confidence interval, 17,715–39,535) in 2005, 2,767 (838–5,031) in 2006, and 8,511 (5,211–14,674) in 2007. The cumulative catch rate from boat electrofishing averaged 20.47 Alabama shad per hour in 2005, 6.10 per hour in 2006, and 13.17 per hour in 2007. The relationship between population size (N) and electrofishing catch per unit effort (CPUE) was modeled by the equation N = −9008.2 + (electrofishing CPUE × 1616.4). Additionally, in 2007 the hook-and-line catch rate averaged 1.94 Alabama shad per rod hour. A predictive model relating the population size and hook-and-line CPUE of spawning American shad A. sapidissima was applied to Alabama shad hook-and-line CPUE and produced satisfactory results. Recent spawning populations of Alabama shad in the Apalachicola River are low relative to American shad populations in other southeastern U.S. rivers.
In 2005, a pilot study was initiated to evaluate the potential use of the navigation lock at Jim ... more In 2005, a pilot study was initiated to evaluate the potential use of the navigation lock at Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam (JWLD), Florida, as a means for fish passage. The focal species was the Alabama shad Alosa alabamae. The Apalachicola River population is one of the last-remaining, extant self-sustaining populations, estimated adult spawning returns ranging from lows of 5,211 to 14,674 individuals in 2007 to highs of 51,417 to 127,251 individuals in 2010. We estimated the passage of migrating Alabama shad during spawning migrations during March–May 2005, 2007, 2010, and 2011. During 2005, 23 of 36 Alabama shad that were implanted with transmitters successfully passed from the lock into the reservoir 1–7 d after release, for a passage rate of 64% (95% CI = 48–80%). Advancing on the promising results from 2005, voluntary passage was evaluated during spring 2007, 2010, and 2011. During these years, 63–100% of implanted shad were relocated at the lock at least once, and voluntary passage ranged from 33% to 45%. Voluntary passage occurred 3–39 d post-implanting, most shad passing < 28 d after initial capture. Implanted Alabama shad were subsequently relocated upstream in both the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers. Based on these results, the navigation lock at JWLD was an effective means to pass migrating Alabama shad. Increased passage could be achieved by maximizing attraction flow near the lock entrance and increasing the time the upper gates are open during an afternoon locking cycle. By coupling passage and population estimates, the total number of shad that migrated through JWLD ranged from 2,137 in 2007 to 57,262 in 2010.
Intersex fish are increasingly being reported worldwide, primarily in rivers that receive treated... more Intersex fish are increasingly being reported worldwide, primarily in rivers that receive treated wastewater, but few studies have investigated intersex in waters that do not receive wastewater. In a recent reconnaissance survey of intersex fish in North America, a high rate of intersex was reported for Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides in some southeastern U.S. rivers; however, the occurrence of intersex in impoundments has not been well described, especially on a statewide scale. Therefore, our objective for this project was to survey the occurrence of intersex Largemouth Bass in a variety of impoundment habitats across Georgia. Largemouth Bass were collected from 11 impoundments without direct municipal or agricultural wastewater inputs. Gonads from all male Largemouth Bass were evaluated for the incidence and severity of the intersex condition based on presence and arrangement of testicular oocytes. Overall 48% of male Largemouth Bass collected from impoundments were intersex, which was found in 9 of the 11 impoundments. Among impoundments, incidence of intersex ranged from 0 to 82% of the males sampled and surface area of the impoundment was a significant predictor of intersex incidence. Intersex fish were smaller than normal males, but population-level effects of intersex and causative factors of endocrine disruption in the impoundments remain unknown. The high incidence of intersex males in small impoundments demonstrates that the condition is not confined to rivers and suggests that factors other than those previously associated with intersex (i.e., municipal wastewater) may be involved.
Riverine catostomids can show a wide range of interspecific variation in life-history characteris... more Riverine catostomids can show a wide range of interspecific variation in life-history characteristics. Understanding these differences is an important consideration in evaluating the sensitivity of these fishes to disturbance and in formulating effective conservation strategies, particularly when dealing with an assemblage consisting of multiple species within a watershed. We collected Apalachicola redhorse Moxostoma n. sp. cf. poecilurum (n = 125), spotted sucker Minytrema melanops (n = 94), and quillback Carpiodes cyprinus (n = 94) to determine age, growth, and reproductive biology of spawning catostomids in the Apalachicola River, Florida, during 2007. Quillback was the smallest in total length at age; longest-lived; most fecund; and produced the smallest eggs. Apalachicola redhorse was the largest in body size; had an intermediate life span; and produced the fewest yet largest eggs. Spotted sucker was more similar to Apalachicola redhorse in most characteristics. Growth during ages 1–3 in all three species seemed to be negatively related to the proportion of observations of extreme flow, both high (Q90) and low (Q10), per year and a positive response in growth rate to high flows (>Q75 but < Q90). However, Apalachicola redhorse and spotted sucker growth was more sensitive to flow conditions than that of quillback. Our results suggest the life histories and ecological response of Apalachicola River catostomids to flow regulation are important components for developing strategies that incorporate the needs of these fishery resources into an ecosystem-based management approach.
We document the discovery of Highfin Carpsucker in the Apalachicola River, FL. Three specimens we... more We document the discovery of Highfin Carpsucker in the Apalachicola River, FL. Three specimens were captured between river kilometer 170–171 on the Apalachicola River in the vicinity of Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam during spring 2007. The specimens were captured within a reach 0.5–1.0 km downstream from the dam and just upstream from a major spawning area for several other catostomids. This is the first record of the species east of the Choctawhatchee River, FL–AL, and is a range extension of 185 km eastward into the Florida Panhandle region of the Northern Gulf of Mexico Coast.
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