J. Whitaker

Introgression of Florida Largemouth Bass Introduced into Northern Largemouth Bass Populations in Oklahoma Reservoirs

Fisheries Outstanding Technical Paper

Populations of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in Oklahoma reservoirs were sampled in 1986 and 1987 to determine the degree of introgression of Florida largemouth bass (M. s. floridanus), introduced over a 16-year period, into populations of native northern largemouth bass (M. s. salmoides). Florida subspecific alleles were present in 28 of 30 populations (93%) and were found in >50% of the fish from 8 (27%) reservoirs. Correlations with selected physical and biological parameters indicated that the percentage of bass with Florida alleles increased as the size of fish stocked...