Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Genetically-marked Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) fingerlings with rare or unique genotypes were stocked into nursery ponds at Lake Conroe (8,484 ha) and Lake Gladewater (323 ha). Following grow-out, advancedsize individuals were stocked into respective reservoirs. We measured the contribution of stocked individuals to corresponding year classes in receiving reservoirs. Largemouth bass survival in nursery ponds at the end of the grow-out period was 15.6% at Lake Conroe and 20.9% at Lake Gladewater. A total of 2.8 fish/ha (mean total length = 138 mm) were stocked in Lake Conroe and 8.8 fish/ha (mean total length = 121 mm) were stocked in Lake Gladewater. Following reservoir stockings, largemouth bass populations were sampled with electrofishing gear in fall and spring and electrophoretic analysis was conducted to evaluate the contribution of stocked fish to corresponding year classes.

Electrical barriers were successful in blocking movements of gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum), golden shiners (Notemigonus crysoleucas), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), brown trout (Salmo trutta), and largemouth bass (Micropertus salmoides) stocked in a 24-m long canal during simulated modes of pumped hydropower operation. Blockage rates were highest during nongeneration (95%-97%) and generation (94%-97%), and lowest during pumping (83%-84%). These results indicate an electrical barrier may be useful in blocking fish from migrating into areas around hydropower projects where they are vulnerable to being entrained.

Poor water quality upstream of the Carolina Power and Light Company (CP&L) Walters Hydroelectric Project (WHP) resulted in establishment of a mitigation fund in lieu of immediate water releases as a condition of a new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. The negotiated agreement between state management agencies and CP&L includes provisions for future instream flow releases, but until that time, CP&L will make annual payments to the Pigeon River Fund (PRF). The PRF will grant money to nonprofit groups and government agencies for projects related to water quality, fish and wildlife habitat improvement, fishery management, and angler access outside the WHP boundaries. We suggest that agencies avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, or eliminate projects over time before considering monetary compensation as mitigation.

We conducted a screener telephone survey of 5,209 anglers in Mississippi to recruit participants for a statewide, 5-year, longitudinal angler survey that will administer a total of 10 surveys (waves), 2 per year. Of these 5,209 anglers, 4,393 agreed to participate in future surveys. Of these 4,393 anglers, 52% responded to a mail survey and 76% participated in a telephone survey. Twenty-four demographic and fishing preference variables were selected from the initial screener survey to compare data from respondents and nonrespondents. A greater percentage of respondents to both surveys were generally Caucasian, married, in higher income brackets, and tended to be employed full-time. A greater percentage of respondents to both surveys fished more days and preferred to fish for black bass (Micropterus spp.) than did the original screener population.

Anglers who fished Lake Fork Reservoir June 1994-May 1995 were intercepted during creel surveys conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and asked to participate in a follow-up, self-administered mail survey. Anglers were asked questions about their fishing activity at Lake Fork, and their motivations, satisfaction, and expenditures on the trip they were intercepted. Lake Fork anglers could be characterized as high specialization anglers, indicating they had been fishing in fresh water for an average of 28 years, and fishing an average of 62 days in the previous year. Additionally, 34% of anglers belonged to a fishing club, and 57% indicated they participated in fishing tournaments. Lake Fork anglers had an average of $13,174 invested in fishing equipment, twice as much as the average black bass (Micropterus spp.) angler in Texas. About 89% of anglers targeted largemouth bass (M. salmoides) on their trip which lasted an average of 1.74 days.

This study examined factors which can affect the quality of fluorescent oxytetracycline (OTC) marks on walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) otoliths. A 1 -time exposure to a strong ultraviolet (UV) light source, such as is done when viewing under a UV microscope, significantly decreased mean OTC mark qualities from an initial value of 2.8 (3.0 is maximum and 0.0 is no mark) to <1.0 3 months following the initial examination. Mark intensity continued to decrease over time (<0.5 after 6 months, 0.3 after 12 months). Otoliths that were stored in an unlit environment consistently had higher intensity marks over time than those stored in a lighted environment. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was examined as a possible potentiator to improve OTC mark intensity. Otoliths that were marked by immersion in 200 ppm OTC and 0.81 % DMSO did not exhibit higher quality marks than those which were immersed only in 200 ppm OTC.

Diets, food selection, and factors affecting feeding success of small (5-9 mm total length, TL), medium (10-19 mm TL), and large (20-29 mm TL) larval and early juvenile gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) were examined in 2 large Missouri reservoirs. Diets and food selection shifted from mainly copepod nauplii and cyclopoids to rotifers and phytoplankton as fish grew. Mean length of ingested zooplankton rose slightly as gizzard shad grew from the small to medium length groups and then decreased for the large length group. Feeding success (feeding incidence and mean gut fullness) increased with fish size. Feeding incidences of small and medium gizzard shad were significantly higher at an upstream site than at a downstream site in 1 reservoir, but not in the other. Feeding incidence and, to a lesser degree, mean gut fullness of small and medium gizzard shad usually increased with food abundance, although correlations were weak.

Diet and telemetry studies were conducted in La Plata Reservoir, Puerto Rico, to investigate potential interactions between largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and butterfly peacocks {Cichla ocellaris). Partitioning of food resources between the 2 species was evident and consistent over several size classes. Interspecific differences were observed in home range size, diel movement, and habitat preference during telemetry studies conducted on adults for up to 250 days. Maximum activity for both species corresponded with periods of elevated food consumption. Although the current studies were restricted to 1 reservoir, low overlap in diet and habitat preference indicates ecological compatibility in tropical reservoir systems.

Stomachs of 5,818 largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were examined from 10 north-central Florida lakes to determine differences in food habits of largemouth bass in lakes with abundant aquatic macrophytes (vegetated) and lakes nearly devoid of aquatic macrophytes (unvegetated). We found significant differences (P < 0.05) between stomach contents of 6 length groups of largemouth bass (range: 60-640 mm TL) from vegetated and unvegetated lakes. The 152- to 254-mm length group exhibited the greatest number of diet differences. Atherinids, decapods, and odonates were consumed more frequently (P < 0.05) by largemouth bass in vegetated lakes, while cichlids, clupeids, and dipterans were more common in the diet of largemouth bass from unvegetated lakes. Largemouth bass from unvegetated lakes were piscivorous by 60 mm TL; those from vegetated lakes did not become piscivorous until they were >120 mm TL.

Otoliths from 822 trophy (>4.5 kg) largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) caught by anglers in Florida were obtained from taxidermists during 1987-1993. The fish were harvested from 211 different water bodies. Longevity and mean growth exceeded those reported previously in Florida. Mean age of trophy largemouth bass statewide was 9.7 years and ranged from 4.0 to 16.5 years. Mean growth averaged 0.54 kg/year with a range of 0.28-1.27 kg/year. Growth rate of trophy largemouth bass increased from north to south Florida. Accelerated growth, longevity and strong year classes were important for trophy largemouth bass production in Florida. Fifty-six percent of the trophy fish were harvested by anglers during January-March. Peak months for trophy harvest were progressively later in the year from south to north Florida and coincided with the largemouth bass spawning season.

Surveys of shorebirds from a 13-year period were compiled from the T. E. Maxson wastewater treatment plant in Memphis, Tennessee, a site bordering the Mississippi River. The data represent one of the few long-term shorebird surveys from the Mississippi River valley. Data were used to produce a migrational chronology for species both in spring and fall based on mean abundance. Least sandpipers (Calidris minutilla), pectoral sandpipers (C. melanotos), killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), and lesser yellowlegs (Tringaflavipes) were the most abundant migratory species recorded. Fall migration occurred over a much longer period than did spring migration, and most species were more abundant during this time; however, shorebirds used the facility throughout the survey period of March to November. This information is useful in providing wetland management guidelines on timing and duration of flooding for migratory shorebird conservation.

Much of the original hardwood bottomland in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley is converted to crop lands. Land management agencies began restoring hardwood bottomland because of its importance to wildlife. To provide an initial evaluation of progress toward restoration, we used point counts to compare bird communities among plantations of 0 to 4, 7 to 15, and 21 to 27 years in age with natural sawtimber stands (>50 years in age) in the southern Delta region of Mississippi in 1994 and 1995. Mean number of species per point (species richness) increased with stand age (P < 0.05). Mean total abundance did not differ among age classes. Relative to bird communities of natural sawtimber forest at Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge and Delta National Forest, respectively, Morisita's index of similarity was 85.4% and 74.3% for 21- to 27-year-old plantations, 41.9% and 35.0% for 7- to 15-year-old plantations and 4.6%. and 2.6% for 0- to 4-year-old plantations.

Clearcutting has been reduced in frequency in national forests of Arkansas. This will affect populations of birds that require early successional forest habitat. I studied avian distribution, abundance, and reproductive success in young (i.e., 7 to 10 years post-harvest) and old (i.e., 17 to 19 years post-harvest) forest clearcuts from 1993 to 1995. The number of species was greater in young than old clearcuts, with abundance of 5 species, white-eyed vireo (Vireo griseus), common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), prairie warbler (Dendroica discolor), yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), and indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea) higher in young clearcuts. No difference in fledging success was detected between young and old clearcuts for any species; however, the ratio of hatching-year to after hatching-year birds captured in mist-nets was lower in older clearcuts for every species studied.

Three taxa of cave bats in Arkansas are listed as endangered: the gray bat {Myotis grisescens), the Indiana bat (M. sodalis) and the Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens). All occur primarily in the Ozark Plateau region of the northwestern and northcentral portion of the state. Population monitoring and ecological studies of endangered bats inhabiting important hibernation, summer, and transient caves were conducted annually since 1978. Through the efforts of several federal, state, and private agencies and organizations, as well as numerous private landowners, 14 caves important to bats were gated or fenced to protect colonies of bats from disturbance by humans. Several additional caves were afforded protection by intrusion alarm systems, control of access roads and cooperative management agreements.

A survey of red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) was conducted on Goethe State Forest, Levy County, Florida, in 1994 and 1995. Four hundred fifty-one living cavity trees, active and inactive, were located. The majority of living cavity trees (97%) were longleaf pines (Pinus palustris). Mean age of cavity trees was 123.6 years (N = 108). One hundred ninety-seven living cavity trees occurred in 26 clusters, and 25 of these clusters were active in 1995. Nestling production was confirmed in 73% and 65% of the active clusters monitored in 1994 and 1995, respectively. To maintain the red-cockaded woodpecker population at its current status, management activities should focus on improving habitat quality in active clusters, establishing replacement stands to provide future nesting and roosting habitat, and providing adequate foraging habitat.

The alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemys temminckii) occurs throughout most of the southeastern United States, but concern exists regarding possible decline in populations throughout the range of the species. Little is known about the alligator snapping turtle in Arkansas. The species was previously documented from only 20 counties in the state. We sampled 1,905 net nights with baited hoop nets and captured 445 alligator snapping turtles in 56 counties. Captures in 41 counties were new records. We failed to capture an alligator snapping turtle in 5 counties where the species was previously reported. The alligator snapping turtles that we captured averaged 338 mm in carapace length. Catch rates were higher in counties that were previously open to commercial turtling than in counties not previously open to commercial harvest. There was no difference in average size of turtles between counties with and without a history of commercial harvest.

A survey of northern pine snake occurrences (Pituophis m. melanoleucus) was completed in North Carolina in 1990 to determine the distribution and habitat of this state-listed species of special concern. A total of 196 snakes at 163 locations was mapped and visited. Most of the snakes were killed by vehicular traffic. Sixteen pine snakes were recorded at 12 sites in 3 mountain counties, a single snake from each of 2 sites in 1 foothill county, and 26 snakes at 24 sites in 2 coastal counties. However, the majority of the snakes (78% of total) were recorded at 119 sites in 7 contiguous counties in the sandhills of central North Carolina. Most snakes were recorded in the vicinity of sandy soils, but several (N = 12) were observed in bottomlands. Data were recorded on several habitat variables at snake locations. The present study confirmed that northern pine snakes still have 3 population centers in North Carolina.

We compared rat, mouse, and museum special snap traps to determine if differences existed in capture efficiency of small mammals and whether type of trap affected indices of richness, evenness, and diversity. Small mammals were trapped in 57 streamside study areas in 1990 to 1995 in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas. Efficiency of mouse traps was equal to or greater than that of museum special traps in capturing all small mammal species. Rat traps were most efficient for capturing the 2 largest small mammal species recorded, the eastern wood rat (Neotoma floridana) and the cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus). We found no difference among the types of traps in their susceptibility to being inadvertently sprung by extrinsic factors such as rain. Mean species richness, evenness, and diversity did not differ among trap types. A combination of mouse and rat traps increased species richness and diversity over mouse traps alone.

This paper summarizes the issuance of federal depredation permits to commercial aquaculture facilities in the Southeast Region by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1989 to 1996. Data were evaluated from 1,103 depredation permits issued to individual aquaculture facilities allowing lethal take of fish-eating birds. The take of 21 species of birds comprised of waders, fliers, and swimmers was permitted. In the 9 states where permits were authorized, the number of facilities receiving permits increased from 54 in 1989 to 228 in 1996. The number of birds allowed in the take increased from 7,401 in 1989 to 28,991 in 1996. Sixty percent of the birds permitted for take at aquaculture facilities were reported taken. The double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) was the species most often requested for taking (N = 70,888). Most depredation permits were issued to aquaculture sites in Mississippi (N=459) and Arkansas (TV = 448).

We developed a Monte Carlo simulation approach to examine statistical power in analysis of population trend data. Our stepwise approach was to perform a regression analysis to test the null hypothesis that the slope of the time series regression line was equal to 0 (i.e., Ho:b = 0 for population count data collected over i years), to use Monte Carlo simulations to calculate the statistical power of the test of H0:b = 0 when Ho was not rejected, and to estimate sample size requirements within and across years to detect a population trend at a specified power, Type I error, and coefficient of variation. To demonstrate this approach and illustrate important considerations when conducting power analysis, we analyzed 5 sets of shorebird count data collected by a single observer in the International Shorebird Survey, Marco River, Florida, in 1975 and 1980 to 1987.

I tested the effectiveness of squirrel excluder devices (SQEDs) in deterring southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) from using artificial red-cockaded woodpecker {Picoides borealis) cavities by placing them on approximately one-half of the cavities in 14 inactive recruitment clusters on the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. SQEDs consisted of 2 pieces of 35.5-cm wide aluminum flashing placed 7.6 cm above and below the cavity entrance. Cavities with (/V = 37) and without (7V = 35) SQEDs were checked once per month from February 1995 to January 1996; all flying squirrels found in cavities were removed and destroyed. Cavities with and without SQEDs did not differ in cavity height (P = 0.70), distance to first branch >1 m in length (P = 0.09), distance to the nearest tree (P = 0.29), number of trees within 8 m (P = 0.82), or previous use by flying squirrels (P = 0.67).

We compared the response of herpetofaunal communities in 16 hardwood stands treated with a high-leave harvest (7 m2/ha residual basal area), low-leave harvest (3.5 m2/ha residual basal area), clearcut harvest or no-harvest prescription in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, from 1992 to 1996. Animals were captured with straight-line drift fences and pitfall traps. We sampled 800 trap nights and captured 24 species of amphibians (N = 1,363) and 12 species of reptiles (N = 163). Diversity of amphibians was lower in low-leave harvest stands after removal of timber than in noharvest stands (P < 0.05). Numerical abundance and species richness of reptiles were higher after timber removal in high-leave, low-leave, and clearcut harvest stands than in no-harvest stands (P < 0.05), and diversity of reptiles was higher after removal of timber in low-leave harvest stands than in no-harvest stands (P < 0.05).

Management of the flatwoods salamander (Ambystoma cingulatum), a species in decline throughout its range, is hindered by a lack of information on the habitat requirements of the species. Because Ambystomatids are generally philopatric, preservation of quality natal habitat is important for long-term population health and stability. Conservation of breeding sites in managed landscapes is impeded by insufficient knowledge of the habitat components required for successful larval development. We sampled 10 ponds known to be breeding sites of flatwoods salamanders in the winters of 1992 and 1993 to gather baseline information on the habitat and ecology of the larval amphibian assemblages present. Ornate chorus frog (Pseudacris ornata) larvae were the dominant amphibian in both years and exhibited biomass peaks in late winter. Leopard frog (Rana utricularia) larvae gained dominance in mid-spring as the ponds approached dry-down.

A 3-year study was conducted to evaluate the availability and use of cavity trees and snags in hardwood stands regenerated using the group selection method. A survey of cavity trees and snags was completed before and after group selection harvest in 16 2.9-ha plots in the Ozark National Forest, Arkansas. Cavity trees and snags were identified to species, and the height, dbh, state of decay, and number of visible cavities recorded. We marked and measured 66 cavity trees and 126 snags with cavities, and observed the use of these cavities by wildlife. Use of cavity trees was observed seasonally and before and after group selection harvest. Plots averaged 12.2 cavity trees/ha and 25.5 snags/ha before harvest. Densities did not vary between plots with northeast and south aspects. Species composition of cavity trees and snags did not reflect overall stand composition.

Direct-seeding is no longer commonly used for reforesting bottomland hardwood habitat because of low seedling survival due in part to predation of seeds by animals. We investigated the impact of seed predation by rodents on direct seeded willow oak (Quercus phellos). Acorns of willow oak were planted at a rate of 5,982 seeds/ha on low-lying farmland in the Ouachita Wildlife Management Area, Louisiana. A 200 live-trap grid and randomly placed seedling survival plots were used to study the relationship between density and activity of rodents, and predation rate of seeds and seedling survival. Rice (Oryzomys palustris) and cotton (Sigmodon hispidus) rats were the most likely acorn predators. Average survival rate of seedlings was negatively correlated with rodent activity. The phenological maturity of vegetation and the amount of vegetative cover was positively correlated with rodent activity.