Feeding habits and growth of young-of-the-year largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) near its northern limit, Nogies Creek, Ontario

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (7) ◽  
pp. 1431-1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
James G. Hamilton ◽  
P. M. Powles

Two hundred and twenty-three young-of-the-year (YOY) largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from Nogies Creek, Ontario, grew from 15 to 110 mm total length (TL) over June 1 to October 26, 1977. Growth was rapid through June and July but diminished after August 1. Growth increments formed a single stanza pattern closely fitting the von-Bertalanffy model, Lt = 85.8[1 − e−0.34(t−0.26)] and paralleling seasonal water temperatures.The summer condition index was lower for Nogies Creek YOY bass than populations reported from the United States. This was attributed in part to a shorter, cooler growing–feeding season, and some differences in diet.The most numerous food items were Cladocera. Amphipoda, Ephemeroptera, Chironomidae, and Teleostei, in order, were all of lesser importance. Cladocera, however, did not constitute as much total bulk in the diet as Ephemeroptera and Amphipoda. YOY bass selected the same variety, but larger prey, as they grew in size. Above average (length) YOY bass fed on larger food organisms than did their smaller cohorts for each month.

2018 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. García-Varela ◽  
C.D. Pinacho-Pinacho

AbstractMembers of the genusNeoechinorhynchusStiles & Hassall, 1905 are endoparasites of freshwater fishes, brackish water fishes, and freshwater turtles distributed worldwide. In North America, 33 species have been described. One of the most widely distributed species in the eastern United States and Canada isNeoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) cylindratus,a common acanthocephalan that infects centrarchid fishes. In the current study, adult specimens ofN. (N) cylindratuswere collected from largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) from the Purificación River in northern Mexico. In the same freshwater system, two additional congeneric species (Neoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) emyditoidesandNeoechinorhynchus (Neoechinorhynchus) panucensis) were collected and analysed. Sequences of the large subunit, internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and ITS2, 5.8S from nuclear DNA, and sequences of the cytochromecoxidase subunit I (cox1) from mitochondrial DNA were generated and aligned with other sequences obtained from GenBank. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses inferred for each dataset showed thatN. (N) panucensis,N. (N) emyditoidesandN. (N) cylindratuswere nested within several clades, indicating that these species do not share a common ancestor. Our phylogenies also revealed that the genusNeoechinorhynchusis paraphyletic, requiring further taxonomic revision using phylogenetic systematics and re-examination of morphological and ecological data. The presence of severalN. (N) cylindratusadults in northern Mexico allowed us to typify this species for the first time using a combination of morphological and molecular characteristics. The current record shows a wide distribution range ofN. (N) cylindratusacross Canada, the United States and Mexico in the Nearctic region.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 140-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Love ◽  
Mary Groves ◽  
Branson D. Williams

Abstract Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides is arguably the most popular sport fish of inland waters in the United States. The majority of anglers in the fishery practice catch and release. Catch-and-release guidelines aim to reduce negative impacts of angling on individual fish, though such impacts on populations are not widely reported. We hypothesized that a decline in the population size for Largemouth Bass from a catch-and-release fishery from the Potomac River resulted from a period of greater fishing mortality followed by habitat loss that reduced the recovery of the population. After we analyzed several years of fishery-dependent and independent data (1999–2015), it was determined that fishing mortality and relative exploitation were greater than average in the latter half of the 2000s than in previous years. Fishery-independent survey results suggested a loss of large fish and decline in population size. The relative abundance of juveniles subsequently declined possibly because the area of submerged aquatic vegetation used as nursery habitat had declined after tropical storms. For management purposes, we suggest that fishing mortality not exceed 28% for a sustainable fishery (assuming similar levels of natural mortality) in the Potomac River. Negative impacts to Largemouth Bass populations could be lessened by reduced harvest and widespread enforcement of catch-and-release guidelines, especially during times when angler effort is high, fish are highly accessible to anglers in the fishery, and habitat loss limits recruitment.


<em>Abstract</em>.—Largemouth Bass (LMB) <em>Micropterus salmoides</em> is one of the most popular sport fish in the United States and is intensively managed across much of its range. Beginning in 1989, Wisconsin implemented more restrictive harvest regulations for LMB, including greater minimum length limits, reduced bag limits, and a catch-and-release-only season during the spawning period across much of northern Wisconsin. We tested for trends in LMB relative abundance, growth, and angler catch and harvest in relation to LMB management policies from 1990 to 2011. We also tested for potential sport fish community responses to changes in LMB abundances using Walleye (WAE) <em>Sander vitreus</em> as an example. Angler catch rates and electrofishing catch per unit effort of LMB greater than 8 and 14 in increased significantly statewide. Mean length of age-6 LMB decreased significantly statewide. Release rates of LMB increased from about 80% in 1991 and then plateaued at more than 96% from 2005 to 2011. Concurrent with increases in LMB, adult WAE densities declined in lakes containing LMB. Ongoing research is being conducted to test for interactions between LMB and WAE and to test for additional environmental drivers, such as climate warming, that may be associated with increased LMB abundances. Largemouth Bass abundances have increased in Wisconsin, possibly in response to changes in harvest regulations, angler behavior, and potentially other environmental drivers. These increases in LMB abundances have had negative intraspecific effects on growth and may be negatively affecting WAE stocks. We recommend that management goals for LMB consider intra- and interspecific consequences, particularly in water bodies where multispecies fisheries are desired.


1981 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 1715-1723 ◽  
Author(s):  
David P. Philipp ◽  
William F. Childers ◽  
Gregory S. Whitt

Genetic differences exist among 90 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) populations from different geographic regions of the United States. Genetic variation at 28 loci was determined through the use of vertical starch gel electrophoretic analyses. Allelic polymorphism was observed at 16 of these loci. Marked differences in allele frequencies at six of these loci exist among the populations. Distinct north–south clinal distributions of the alleles at the MDH-B, SOD-A, IDH-B, and AAT-B loci suggest a possible involvement of the associated enzymes in the thermal tolerance/preference limits for this species.We conclude that one or more of these enzymes may be directly involved in temperature tolerance/preference or indirectly associated with temperature-related effects. In either instance, selection (if occurring) may be acting upon the enzyme locus or genes closely linked to it. Through a combination of ecological and genetic principles, it is becoming increasingly feasible to select or construct specific populations of marine or freshwater fish optimally suited for specific environments. Fisheries management programs would benefit from the application of these principles. Multidisciplinary approaches of this nature are essential to maximize the successful conservation and management of our natural resources.Key words: largemouth bass, allele, loci, polymorphism, selection, population


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Hong Yao ◽  
Yan-He Li ◽  
Yong-Jiang Xu ◽  
Xu-Fa Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Although largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides has shown its extremely economic, ecological, and aquacultural significances throughout the North American and Asian continents, systematic evaluation of genetic variation and structure of wild and cultured populations of the species is yet to be documented. In this study, we investigated the genetic structure of M. salmoides from 20 wild populations and five cultured stocks across the United States and China using eight microsatellite loci, which are standard genetic markers for population genetic analysis. Our major findings are as follows: (1) the result of Fst showed largemouth bass had high genetic differentiation, and the gene flow indicated the genetic exchange among wild populations is difficult; (2) AMOVA showed that 14.05% of the variation was among populations, and 85.95% of the variation was within populations; (3) The majority of largemouth bass populations had a significant heterozygosity excess, which is likely to indicate a previous population bottleneck; (4) Allelic richness was lower among cultured populations than among wild populations; (5) Effective population size in hatcheries could promote high levels of genetic variation among individuals and minimize loss of genetic diversity; China’s largemouth bass originated from northern largemouth bass of USA. The information provides valuable basis for development of appropriate conservation policies for fisheries and aquaculture genetic breeding programs in largemouth bass.


2018 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 733-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric J. Pedersen ◽  
Daisuke Goto ◽  
Jereme W. Gaeta ◽  
Gretchen J.A. Hansen ◽  
Greg G. Sass ◽  
...  

Walleye (Sander vitreus) populations are declining in Wisconsin and neighboring regions, motivating broader interest in walleye biology amidst ecological change. In fishes, growth integrates variation in ecological drivers and provides a signal of changing ecological conditions. We used a 23-year data set of length-at-age from 353 walleye populations across Wisconsin to test whether walleye growth rates changed over time and what ecological factors best predicted these changes. Using hierarchical models, we tested whether spatiotemporal variation in walleye growth was related to adult walleye density (density-dependent effects), water temperature, and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) catch per unit effort (CPUE; predator or competitor effects). The average length of young walleye increased over time, and as a result, time to reach harvestable size declined significantly. In contrast, average lengths of older walleye have remained relatively constant over time. Juvenile walleye length-at-age was positively correlated with largemouth bass CPUE and surface water temperatures, but negatively correlated with adult walleye density. Our finding of widespread and long-term changes in walleye growth rates provides additional insights into how inland fisheries are responding to environmental change.


1980 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Toneys ◽  
Daniel W. Coble

In laboratory experiments young-of-the-year green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, and yellow perch, Perca flavescens, were held for 4 mo under simulated winter conditions (2–4 °C; photoperiod of 9 h light: 15 h dark) in solutions of various osmotic strengths, from 90% distilled water to 1.0% NaCl. Mortality in three of five experiments often was greater in salt solutions, indicating that NaCl did not increase survival. Survival was greater for larger yellow perch than smaller but was not related to size in the other species. Hematocrit was depressed below control levels in all solutions at the end of experiments. The fish generally were able to regulate plasma osmotic concentration in all solutions except the highest NaCl concentrations, where plasma osmolality was often significantly higher than in the control at the end of experiments. Plasma Na+ and Cl− typically decreased and then recovered at low temperatures. Presence of Na+ and Cl− in the external medium tended to alleviate their loss from plasma. Changes in plasma Na+ and Cl− were not related to mortality in hypoionic solutions but usually did correspond to changes in plasma osmolality. Fat content of survivors declined and water content increased for all species, but the losses and gains were not related to osmolality of solutions. Low fat content probably was not a cause of death.Key words: Mortality, electrolyte regulation, osmolality, hematocrit, fat depletion, winter conditions, green sunfish, largemouth bass, brook trout, yellow perch, sodium, chloride


Author(s):  
Brock M. Huntsman ◽  
Frederick Feyrer ◽  
Matthew J. Young ◽  
James A. Hobbs ◽  
Shawn Acuña ◽  
...  

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, LMB) recruitment is limited by a critical developmental period during early life-stages, but this mechanism may be less significant within non-native habitats. We conducted boat electrofishing surveys in four tidal lakes of California’s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (SSJD) from 2010-2011 to describe introduced LMB recruitment dynamics. We evaluated growth, proximate composition, and health indices of young-of-the-year (YOY) LMB among tidal lakes and developed an integrated count model to determine how factors known to affect LMB recruitment shape SSJD population structure. Our results show a mismatch between growth, nutrition, and YOY abundance, where the tidal lake with the most abundant and fastest growing LMB had the poorest nutritional status. The warm winter water temperatures and lack of a hatching-cohort growth advantage suggests overwinter starvation plays a less significant role in SSJD LMB recruitment than many native LMB habitats. Collectively, our results suggest that habitat characteristics (submerged aquatic vegetation) and not overwinter mortality shapes SSJD LMB population structure, a mechanism consistent with contemporary hypotheses about the altered fish community structure of the SSJD.


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