An Assessment of the Thiamine Status of Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) in the Susquehanna River Watershed

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Spooner ◽  
Dale C. Honeyfield ◽  
Kristin Boggs ◽  
Dustin Shull ◽  
Tim Wertz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
River Watershed ◽  
Susquehanna River

scholarly journals Hyperpigmented melanistic skin lesions of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu from the Chesapeake Bay watershed

2020 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 199-212
Author(s):  
VS Blazer ◽  
KT Young ◽  
GD Smith ◽  
AJ Sperry ◽  
LR Iwanowicz
Keyword(s):  
Chesapeake Bay ◽  
Normal Skin ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Fish Health ◽  
Susquehanna River ◽  
Chesapeake Bay Watershed ◽  
Viral Helicase

Hyperpigmented melanistic skin lesions (HPMLs) of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu are observed in the Potomac and Susquehanna rivers, Chesapeake Bay watershed, USA. Routine, nonlethal population surveys were conducted at 8 sites on the mainstem Susquehanna River and 9 on the Juniata River, a tributary of the Susquehanna River, between 2012 and 2018, and the prevalence of HPMLs was documented. A total of 4078 smallmouth bass were collected from the mainstem Susquehanna River and 6478 from the Juniata River. Lesions were primarily seen in bass greater than 200 mm, and prevalence in the Susquehanna River (8%) was higher (p < 0.001) than in the Juniata River (2%). As part of ongoing fish health monitoring projects, smallmouth bass were collected at additional sites, primarily tributaries of the Susquehanna (n = 758) and Potomac (n = 545) rivers between 2013 and 2018. Prevalence in the Susquehanna River (13%) was higher (p < 0.001) than the Potomac (3%). Microscopically, HPMLs were characterized by an increased number of melanocytes in the epidermis or within the dermis and epidermis. RNAseq analyses of normal and melanistic skin identified 3 unique sequences in HPMLs. Two were unidentified and the third was a viral helicase (E1). Transcript abundance in 16 normal skin samples and 16 HPMLs showed upregulation of genes associated with melanogenesis and cell proliferation in HPMLs. The E1 transcript was detected in 12 of the 16 melanistic areas but in no samples from normal skin. Further research will be necessary to identify the putative new virus and determine its role in melanocyte proliferation.

Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Susquehanna River ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Multiple Pathogens

<em>Abstract.</em>—In recent years, wide-scale mortality of young-of-year (YOY) Smallmouth Bass <em>Micropterus dolomieu</em> has affected recruitment in the Susquehanna River and a number of its tributaries. Investigations have determined that these mortality events are associated with changes in various components of water quality in the presence of multiple pathogens. Outbreaks have been characterized by lesions colonized by several species of bacteria, including motile <em>Aeromonas</em> spp., <em>Flavobacterium columnaris</em>, and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>. Further, the myxozoan parasite <em>Myxobolus inornatus</em> and trematode metacercariae have been documented in affected fish. Many of the specimens submitted for analysis have also been infected by Largemouth Bass virus. However, the relationship between any particular pathogen and the mortalities remains unclear. Histological analysis of adult bass has demonstrated frequent and severe cases of intersex (i.e., testicular oocytes) and measurable plasma concentrations of vitellogenin in male Smallmouth Bass, suggesting the presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds in the system. It is uncertain what compounds are present or how these compounds may contribute to immunosuppression of YOY Smallmouth Bass, allowing for bacterial and parasite colonization. A complex relationship of several, sublethal stressors are contributing to repeated occurrence of disease outbreaks. Although the Smallmouth Bass is not native to the Susquehanna system, it could be used as a case study as to how changes in water quality and multiple pathogens could pose a threat to conservation of populations of black bass species with low densities and limited distribution.

Impacts of road access on lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) populations: regional scale effects of overexploitation and the introduction of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott D. Kaufman ◽  
Ed Snucins ◽  
John M. Gunn ◽  
Wayne Selinger
Keyword(s):  
Lake Trout ◽  
Scale Effects ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Excessive Pressure ◽  
Fishing Activity ◽  
Remote Lakes

In lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) lakes of northeastern Ontario, Canada, aerial surveys of fishing activity on individual lakes (N = 589) and quantitative gillnet surveys (N = 65) were used to assess the effects of road access on angling effort and the presence of introduced smallmouth bass ( Micropterus dolomieu ). Angling effort, particularly during the open-water season, was highest and often exceeded estimated sustainable levels on lakes with good road access. Approximately 25% of the remote lakes also received excessive pressure during the winter season. Angler numerical responses to lake trout abundance were detected in remote lakes, but not in road-accessible lakes. Smallmouth bass were more prevalent in lakes with road access and human settlement (either cottages or lodges), supporting the theory that they were introduced into these lakes. Lake trout populations were depleted throughout much of the study range. Even without road access or smallmouth bass, lake trout abundance was still 47% lower than in unexploited reference lakes. When bass and (or) road access were present, lake trout abundance decreased by 77%. Remote lake trout populations in this area are clearly vulnerable to the negative impacts of improved access, a vector for both overexploitation and species introductions.

scholarly journals River Otter, Lontra canadensis, Food Habits in the Missouri Ozarks

2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan M. Roberts ◽  
Charles F. Rabeni ◽  
John S. Stanovick ◽  
David A. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Lontra Canadensis ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
River Otters ◽  
Lepomis Megalotis ◽  
Rock Bass ◽  
Longear Sunfish ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ambloplites Rupestris

The reintroduction of River Otters (Lontra canadensis) between 1982 and 1992 resulted in widespread occurrence of the species throughout the Missouri Ozarks. This study examined otter diets from the vicinity of two Ozark streams in relation to seasonal and spatial trends. Otter scats (N = 4750) were collected and analyzed from the Osage Fork River and Big Piney River during the summer and winter seasons of 2001 and 2002. During the winter (January-March), fish occurred in 86% of the samples. During the summer (June–August), occurrence of fish dropped to approximately 15% for both rivers. Seven families of fish were identified in the diets, with Centrarchidae being most common regardless of river or season. Within the Centrarchidae, the genus Lepomis (mostly Longear Sunfish, Lepomis megalotis) was most common, with Micropterus (mostly Smallmouth Bass, Micropterus dolomieu) and Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) also well represented. The mean age of Ambloplites consumed (mean = 3.3 years) was consistently older than that of either Micropterus (mean = 2.54 years) or Lepomis (mean = 2.78 years). Crayfish were recovered from a mean of 85.2% of scats in the winter and 99% in the summer. Smaller fish and crayfish were more common from the upper reaches of the streams while larger fish were prevalent in the lower reaches.

Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Smallmouth Bass ◽  
Micropterus Dolomieu ◽  
Spawning Period ◽  
Sampling Gear ◽  
Gray Literature ◽  
Black Bass ◽  
Effective Conservation ◽  
Conservation And Management

<em>Abstract</em>.—We reviewed the published and gray literature associated with Neosho Smallmouth Bass <em>Micropterus dolomieu velox</em> and the genetically distinct Ouachita lineage. Substantial interstream variation appears to occur among these populations, particularly related to age. The Neosho subspecies is more abundant, grows faster, and lives longer than the genetically distinct Ouachita lineage. Recruitment is highly variable among streams for both populations and appears to be related to some undescribed aspects of hydrology but also likely reflect bias due to sampling gear. Information on annual and seasonal trends is lacking for the Neosho subspecies and the Ouachita lineages, particularly as related to the spawning period. Conservation efforts for these lineages might benefit from agencies partnering to achieve goals that extend beyond a particular agency’s responsibilities and state boundaries. Recognition of spatial and temporal considerations, combined with a better understanding of the population dynamics as related to abundance, growth, mortality and reproduction, would benefit the creation of more effective conservation and management strategies for genetically distinct populations of Smallmouth Bass <em>M. dolomieu</em>.

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