A new specimen ofAgorophius pygmaeus(Agorophiidae, Odontoceti, Cetacea) from the early Oligocene Ashley Formation of South Carolina, USA

The holotype partial skull ofAgorophius pygmaeus(the monotypic form for both the genusAgorophiusand the Family Agorophiidae) has been missing for approximately 140 years. Since the discovery ofAgorophius pygmaeus, many additional taxa and specimens have been placed in the Family Agorophiidae, only to be reclassified and removed later. This has created confusion as to what is and what is not an agorophiid and a lack of clarity as to what characteristics delimit the Agorophiidae. A newly discovered skull of an agorophiid recently collected from an underwater cliff face of the Ashley River, South Carolina, USA, is assigned toAgorophius pygmaeus. It derives from the base of the Ashley Formation (early Oligocene). The new specimen consists of most of the skull and periotics, which are well preserved and described for the first time in an agorophiid. The new specimen provides an opportunity to diagnose the Agorophiidae and place the genus and species within the phylogenetic context of the early odontocete radiation in the Oligocene, along with other taxa such as the Ashleycetidae, Mirocetidae, Patriocetidae, Simocetidae, Waipatiidae, and Xenorophidae. Based on this new understanding, Agorophiidae are known with certainty only from the early Oligocene of South Carolina, with other undescribed, potential agorophiid specimens from the Oligocene of the North Pacific region (Japan, Mexico, and Washington State).

Biology and Management of Inland Striped Bass and Hybrid Striped Bass

<em>Abstract</em>.—The emerging use of genetic markers for stock identification is advantageous as this technique utilizes an inherent permanent mark, it eliminates stress associated with conventional tagging methods, and mark recovery is nonlethal. In controlled experiments, increased accuracy and reliability have been demonstrated with genetic tags, as compared to other commonly used markers. While a variety of genetic markers exist for fish identification, microsatellites are preferred because of their polymorphic nature and versatile use, including identification of population structure, measures of genetic diversity, and parentage analysis. Microsatellites provide a cost-effective tool for a variety of applications, including their use in complex experimental designs, as well as responsible genetic population management. We provide examples of the use of microsatellites as genetic tags in South Carolina striped bass <em>Morone saxatilis</em>, describing an experimental restoration effort in the Ashley River and a large-scale stock enhancement effort for the Santee-Cooper reservoirs.