Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

Fetal counts of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) yielded an average of 2.97 ± 1.06 fetuses per litter (range: 1 to 5). Placental scars averaged 7.97 ± 4.34 per breeding female (range: 1 to 22) and indicated production of 2.7 litters per breeding female per year. Corpora lutea counts disclosed that litter sizes ranged from I to 7, averaged 3.54 ± 1. 15, and differed significantly from fetal counts. Litter size as determined by lodge surveys (i = 2.18 ± 0.25) was less than that determined by fetal counts and represented post-partum mortality. Mortality estimates indicated a loss of 16.1% between ovulation and fetal counts; an 18.5% loss occurred between the time fetal counts were made and the time that muskrats reached the 1- to 5-day age class. Subsequent losses of 7.4%,5.4%,9.9%, and 9.4% occurred between 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20, and 21-24 day old age classes, respectively.

The quality of spring hunting for eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) gobblers may decline with increased road access. A questionnaire mailed to turkey hunters assessed response to road closures for walk-in hunting on a Mississippi wildlife management area during spring 1986. Because hunters felt road closures improved hunting quality and reduced interference from other hunters, they strongly supported (92%) walk-in turkey hunting. Hunters who disapproved of road closures were significantly older than those who approved. Hunter involvement in the road closure decision likely was important to its success.

In 1984 North Carolina opened the first tundra swan (Cygnus columbianus) hunting season in modern times in the Atlantic Flyway. During this first season, 1,000 permits were issued. Subsequently, 6,000 permits/year were allowed and issued. A 4-year study using aerial, ground, and hunter surveys was established in 1984 to monitor this hunting season. Estimated total annual kill beginning with the 1984-85 season was 334, 2,783, 2,579, and 3,007 for each year of the study, respectively. The harvest averaged slightly over 5% of the state's and about 3% of the Flyway's midwinter population. The ratio of permits issued to swans harvested was 2.2, and was comparable to results reported from Utah. Crippling rates (x = 11.3) were less in the North Carolina season than those reported elsewhere. Hunter success rates were not related to immature/adult ratios.

A 1985-86 project in southeastern Georgia was conducted in an effort to study the effectiveness of several methods of applying a sardine bait-station technique for indexing black bears (Ursus americanus). A total of 120 stations were set out in 20 lOO-ha experimental replicates during each of 3 months (May, July, and November) with random sampling of equal numbers of stations according to method of hanging baits (hanging or nailing) as well as equal numbers of stations being checked after 4, 8, and 12 days. Chi-square analysis indicated that a bear visit to a bait-station was not dependent on method of presentation. Overall visitation rates were proportionally higher though not statistically different for stations checked after 8 and 12 days than for stations checked after 4 days. Analysis by month sampled indicated significantly more bear visits during May than during July or November.

Selected characteristics of forest industry hunt-lease programs were determined for II southern states. Mail surveys were obtained from 77 of 109 (71 %) delivered questionnaires that were completed and returned. Respondents reported owning a total of more than 9.4 million ha within the study area in 1984. Most (83%) charged hunters for access to corporate lands. A majority of respondents indicated that non-monetary benefits were gained from hunt-lease programs. Annual lease fees ranged from $2.47 to $26.88/ha and varied by state, timber type and location. Administration was the highest corporate cost of hunt-lease programs. Local tradition of free public hunting was the most frequent reason for not leasing hunting rights on forest industry lands.

Movements of coyotes (Canis latrans) (N = 6) and bobcats (Felis rufus) (N = 4) on the La Copita Research Area in southern Texas were determined by radio-telemetry from April 1985 through September 1986. Mean home range sizes of resident individuals were 3.04 km2 for coyotes and 2.88 km2 for bobcats. These predators frequently traveled outside their home ranges and exhibited extensive interspecific home range overlap. Frequent travel outside the home range seemed related to subsequent dispersal. Several individuals captured on La Copita proved to be non-residents or temporary residents of the ranch. Thickets and drainages were important habitat types in bobcat home ranges. Coyotes were less selective in their habitat use patterns. Drainages were used as travel corridors by both coyotes and bobcats.

Seven environmental parameters were estimated at each nest site and 2 or 3 (per nest) systematically selected control (non-nest) sites during pre-nesting (MarchApril) and post-nesting (May-July) 1983 and 1984 on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. Discriminant analysis revealed percentage of vegetation at the nest site was the only variable that differed between nests and control sites during pre-nesting and post-nesting periods for both years. Ground cover of water and water depth next to the nest differed from control sites during post-nesting 1983 and prenesting 1984. In 1984, an unusually dry year, the importance of standing water during post-nesting was reflected as a significant difference in bare ground. Foliage invertebrates were more abundant and diverse at nest sites.

Home range of the coyote (Canis latrans) was studied in western Tennessee during 1985 to 1987. Using standard radio-telemetry techniques, annual and seasonal home ranges were determined. Annual home ranges averaged 31 km2 for males and 60 km2 for females. Home range size varied across seasons for both sexes. Females had larger ranges than males during all periods except the breeding season. Long-distance travel of 70 km and 55 km was recorded for 2 individuals.

Herpetofaunal species richness and species-habitat associations were estimated by pitfall and funnel-trap sampling in a conventional clearcut, a bestmanagement- practices (BMP) clearcut, forest wildlife clearings, and a mature forest. Species richness was lowest in the mature forest. Slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus) were associated with steep slopes and dense shrub cover on clearcuts, redspotted newts (Notophthalamus viridescens, red eft form) with forest canopy, and American toads (Bufo americanus) with dense herbaceous cover in forest clearings. Pitfall and funnel-trap sampling did not effectively sample all herpetofaunal species.

Names and addresses of currently employed technicians were obtained from fish and wildlife agencies of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Surveys (N = 355) were mailed to these individuals; 185 (52%) were returned. This information was used to develop a profile of "the technician" employed by the surveyed states. Technicians were ≥36 years old (36%), had at least 1 educational degree beyond high school (57%), had previous agricultural experience prior to employment (68%), desired additional equipment operation and maintenance experience prior to employment (24%), desired additional biological or wildlife courses prior to employment (28%), had technician as their career goal (68%), earned ≥$18,OOO/year (47%), and were satisfied with their jobs (50%).

We assessed the accuracy of population estimates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) determined from track counts by comparing them with aerial mark-recapture estimates on 2 southern Texas areas. Track counts produced very conservative estimates in relation to mark-recapture methods and failed to detect a population increase on 1 area. However, they reflected a large difference in density between the 2 areas.

Fifty-two eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) gobblers were monitored by telemetry on Tallahala Wildlife Management Area, Bienville National Forest, Mississippi, from January 1986 to September 1987. Annual home range (HR) for 6 adults and 3 juveniles averaged 1,680 ha. Annual HR's averaged 1,409 ha when the very large HR (3,850 ha) of I juvenile was not included. Based on 79 seasonal HR's, average HR in spring 1986 was 812 ha, summer 688 ha, fall 447 ha, and winter 506 ha; and average HR for spring 1987 was 1,441 ha and for summer, 775 ha. Pre-hunting season HR's were not significantly different between harvested and non-harvested gobblers. Gobbler HR size during the 1986 hunting season (378 ha) was smaller (P < 0.05) than during the 1987 season (799 ha).

Waterbird use of managed and unmanaged brackish wetlands in coastal South Carolina was determined by 1,544 counts during a 19-month study. Significantly (P < 0.05) more individual birds and species used the managed sites in all seasons except summer. An unmanaged tidal impoundment was least used in all seasons. Multiple regression analysis indicated that bird use was inversely correlated to water level, particularly during spring. Shorebirds accounted for 53% of the use among managed sites follwed by waterfowl (27%), waders (14%) and other waterbirds (6%). The results have strong implications for multispecies management practices.

Oak decline is a complex disease involving interactions between initiating environmental or biological stresses and subsequent attack by normally secondary pests. It causes crown dieback, reduced radial growth and tree mortality, which in tum, influences wildlife habitat. In upland hardwood stands, oaks (Quercus spp.) are affected most while other species infrequently show crown symptoms or mortality. Recent surveys of declining stands in the southeastern United States show that 80% of the dominant and codominant trees are affected. Species in the red oak group are damaged more than those in the white oak group, with black (Q. velutina) and scarlet (Q. coccinea) oaks most prone to mortality. The annual increase in newly symptomatic trees is estimated at 6.5%. Potential wildlife habitat impacts include reduced mast yield and quality, reduced oak regeneration capacity, and altered species composition in subsequent stands.

A joint project was conducted between the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Service and Tennessee Valley Authority to establish 3 landowner demonstration cooperatives in northeast Mississippi. The objective of the project was to illustrate to nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) landowners the benefits of joining their lands with their neighbors to manage and market the wildlife and forest resources. A total of 62 landowners with combined land of 3,698 ha participated. Landowners were shown how to organize a cooperative, informed of different management and marketing objectives, given general management recommendations, and directed toward sources of technical management and marketing assistance. Cooperatives illustrate an approach by which adjoining landowners can manage and use existing wildlife and forest resources to increase profit from their lands.

We modified top-rope and lead-climbing techniques to develop safe, efficient methods for climbing trees. Two individuals, the climber and belayer, were required for each technique. An ll-mm belay rope, tree pruners saddle, tree climbing gaffs, adjustable lineman's pole strap, and 2.54-cm tubular webbing were required. Top-rope climbing was favored over lead-climbing, and was preceived as substantially safer. Bark characteristics of tree species affected climbing difficulty. Both climbing techniques have application in forestry, botany, and wildlife research.

To assess the taxonomic status of coyotes (Canis tatrans) and domestic dogs (C. jamiliaris) in the southeastern United States, 380 skulls of unknown canids were compared to known skulls of these taxa. Twenty-four cranial characters were employed in a discriminant function analysis to separate statistically unknown canids as to coyote or dog. Hybridization between taxa was minimal. Our results indicate that the predominant wild canid occurring in the southeastern United States is coyote. The method of distinguishing coyotes from dogs based on a ratio of 2 skull features (length of the upper molar tooth row divided by palatal width between the upper first premolars) appears to be useful for separating these taxa.

We quantified diurnal time activity budgets of 4 waterfowl species and American coots (Fulica americana), using catfish ponds in the Delta Region of Mississippi from November to March 1983-84 and 1984-85. Within each species, activity budgets were similar (P > 0.05) between seasons (1983-84 vs. 1984-85). Primary activities of lesser scaup (Aythya ajfinis) included foraging (34.6%) and resting (27.7%). Shovelers, (Anas clypeata) mostly foraged (69.0%) and courtship and interaction activities increased in late winter. Primary activities of ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris) were foraging (35.9%) and resting (33.7%). Ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) mostly rested (58.4%) and foraged (23.9%), while American coots spent much of their time foraging (47.9%) and in locomotion (35.6%). Time budgets of shovelers and ring-necked ducks were each jointly dependent (P < 0.05) on month, time of day, and sex and those of coots were dependent on month and time of day.

In the spring of 1979 an individual from Fort Worth, Texas, circulated a flier throughout Arkansas which advertised an electronic catfish unit that could catch more catfish than hoop nets, gill nets, trammel nets, fish traps, trot lines, snag lines, or most any other fishing devices. He further stated that as with anything that catches a lot of fish, the units are illegal in Texas, and are sold with the intention that they are used only on private lakes or stock tanks. What this individual has done, with the exception of making himself wealthy, is create a device capable of completely wiping out 2 species of catfish and an enforcement nightmare.

A difficult land management problem facing wildlife agencies today is the use of and demand for areas to utilize off-road vehicles (ORVs). Problems arising from conflicts between ORV users and other recreationists on the Cherokee National ForesUWildlife Management Area are discussed. The impacts of ORV use on soil, water, wildlife, and fisheries resources are described. Difficulties faced by law enforcement officials relative to ORV use and ways to solve those problems are presented.

A basic outline is provided to aid and encourage wildlife officers with disseminating timely local area information utilizing the print media.

Fatty acid profiles of cultured hybrid striped bass and red drum were compared to their diets. Correlation coefficients were 0.94 and 0.98, respectively. Of the fatty acids examined, linoleic acid (18:2n6) levels were particularly high in cultured fish due to various dietary sources and extremely low in wild fishes. Such differences may be suitable to distinguish cultured from wild fish and may become another biochemical tool for use by law enforcement agencies involved in the protection and conservation of natural resources.

Wildlife law enforcement operations cover vast areas of a state. Aerial surveillance, using small aircraft, is an excellent aid to the ground-based wildlife enforcement officer in locating potential violations. Such aircraft have a deterrent effect on violators and can also be used by the Agency's other divisions.

"Deer jacking" is an illegal form of deer hunting. The poacher temporarily blinds a deer with a spotlight thereby incapacitating it and then shoots the animal. This research analyzes over 200 offenders involved in about 100 episodes of deer jacking from 1977 to 1987 in southwest Georgia. Data were extracted from field citations written by officers of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Deer jacking is primarily a white young male phenomenon, often carried out in groups. Information on offender profiles, co-offending, and dispositions constitutes the bulk of the paper.

In 1986 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Law Enforcement Section (GDNRlLE) began developing a comprehensive 5 year plan. A major thrust of that plan was to infuse scientific research procedures into agency operations. One critical component of the plan was the critical review of select agency data collection methods and analysis related to officer productivity. This study found that officer characteristics and activity and productivity measures can serve to support agency management policy making. Suggestions for future data collection and analysis are proposed.

Too few supervisors are present in conservation agencies to adequately oversee and motivate conservation officers. In order to properly manage these officers, self-management techniques need to be implemented. To initiate selfmanagement, the supervisor must learn what motivates an employee; give the employee some responsibility; show him the importance of his job; provide proper equipment, training, recognition, and pay raises when applicable; and allow the employee to participate in the decision making process. The supervisor must also be trustworthy, honest, promote positive attitudes, and exhibit interest in the employee. By utilizing these techniques, we will not only get the most out of our employees, but also improve conservation of wildlife resources.

This paper qualitatively analyzes the variables affecting accidents to determine the impacts of mandatory hunter education. The similarities and differences in the 2 study states, Alabama and Arkansas, were determined as were the factors influencing accidents in these states. It was found that problem areas must be pinpointed and hunter education programs be modified to address these areas.

Over the course of 3 years, the hunter education program in Virginia was evaluated to determine its performance, strengths, and weaknesses and to develop recommendations for improvement. Students gained about 16% in knowledge of hunting and hunting safety from the 6-hour course. Observations of dove hunters with and without hunter education training suggested that the hunter education program had no significant impact on hunter behavior. A naturalistic inquiry evaluation of the program, involving analysis of interviews with 57 persons involved in hunter education, indicated program administration, program delivery, and course content could be strengthened. In the years since completion of the evaluation, the hunter education coordinator and his staff have implemented approximately 80% of the 43 suggestions.

Most landowners have an inadequate knowledge about how to improve habitat for wildlife on their properties. A Backyard Wildlife Habitat Model was developed to teach landowners how to create a natural home for wildlife in their backyards.

Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) comprised 35.9% of the 92,823 trawl-caught fish at 8 stations in the vicinity of a power plant on the Cape Fear River estuary, North Carolina. Monthly length frequency determinations of trawl-caught spot showed the major size mode progressed from about 4 to 10 cm from April 1975 to December 1975. The highest catches per unit of effort during the 2-year study were in the intake canal of the power plant. Of 982 spot tagged in the intake canal, 161 were returned and 9.4% of these were impinged on intake screens. The rate of impingement was highest for those released nearest to the intake structure and least for those released at greater distances.

A total of 230 otoliths was used for age and growth analysis of Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Male fish in the sample ranged from ages 0 to 6, whercas females were 0 to 4 years old. Females exhibited faster growth than did males. Von Bertalanffy growth equations were: males L = 552( I - e -0'''''+ 16h,), and females L = 604(1 - e 04'" ")751). Growth equations from this study showed that both sexes grew at significantly slower rates than did Spanish mackerel in south Florida waters. Age-frequency distributions showed a differential pattern of mortality between the sexes from ages I through 4. Females showed a 50% decline in numbers bctween ages I and 2, whereas males exhibited a decline of 80% between ages 2 and 3. The differential growth and age specific mortality patterns imply that males and females entcr the fishery at different ages and that the fishery is contributing noticeably to total mortality.

A trawl shrimp cage I (TSC), which was a modification of the cod end of a conventional wingnet, was evaluated for its ability to reduce the bycatch associated with shrimping. The webbing of the cod end was stretched around a box-like aluminum frame. This prevented the webbing in the cod end from collapsing under the weight of water pressure and cod end contents, thus releasing undersized shrimp and finfish directly into water. The TSC was evaluated between 6 June 1985 and 13 August 1985 in the estuarine marshes of eastern Louisiana. A 6.4-m aluminum flat bottom boat was outfitted with a conventional wingnet on I side and wingnet rigged with the TSC on the other. Although the TSC caught less shrimp overall, it retained approximately the same number of the larger, more valued shrimp « I04/kg heads on) as the conventional wingnet. The TSC reduced the finfish catch by an average of 75%.

Relative survival rates for phase II (150- to 250-mm total length) striped bass hybrids (Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops) were 23, 200 and 137 times greater than phase 1 (30- to 45-mm total length) fish for the 1983, 1984 and 1985 year classes, respectively. Mean condition factors of phase I fish collected in the field were significantly higher than phase II fish for all 3 year classes. Mean total lengths of phase I fish were significantly greater than phase II fish for the 1983 year class and for the 1984 fish collected in the spring of 1986. However, 1985 phase II fish collected during the summer of 1986 were significantly larger than 1985 phase I fish. Phase II fish made up 35% and 48% of the estimated striped bass hybrid harvest during the 1984-85 and 1985-86 creel periods, respectively. Stocking of tagged phase II fish was a useful technique in evaluating fingerling survival.

The establishment of a striped bass (Morone saxatilis) fishery in Lake Wateree, South Carolina, did not detrimentally influence largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) growth, abundance, or condition. There was no evidence striped bass introduction altered the clupeid, primarily Dorosoma spp., or the Lepomis ,Ipp. prey base. An important fishery was added, however, to the reservoir. The authors suggest care in applying results to other less fertile, prey deficient reservoirs.

Fingerling Morone hybrids were stocked into Storm Creek Lake, Phillips County, Arkansas, to control a nuisance gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) population and diversify the sport fishery. The lake, a 169.7-ha shallow, warmwater impoundment, was stocked with 31,000 hybrids during a 4-year period (1982, 1984, 1985, and 1987). Growth during their first 3 years was rapid (age 1-325 mm; age 11-428 mm; age III-591 mm). Number of age IV fish (602 mm) declined over time. Due to high water temperatures, low dissolved oxygen levels, and shallow nature of the lake, hybrid populations were not concentrated in deep, aerated areas, but were dispersed in shallow coves over the entire lake during summer and fall. Observation of hybrid stomach contents indicated use of shad (Dorosoma spp.) ranging in size from 178 to 229 mm. Population levels of young of the year and adult largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) were not affected by the introduction of Morone hybrids.

Eggs of striped bass and white bass were subjected to hydrostatic pressures of 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, and 8,000 PSI for a duration of 5 minutes (2.5 minutes for 8,000 PSI) at 29, 45, or 55 minutes after fertilization. The most effective pressures for producing tetraploidy in white bass were 5,000 and 6,000 PSI and for striped bass 7,000 and 8,000 PSI. Late in the spawning season, only 45- and 55-minute treatments were effective for producing tetraploidy. The relative hatch of eggs subjected to hydrostatic pressure for tetraploid induction was 55% of controls. Original and reciprocal striped bass x white bass hybrid eggs were subjected to hydrostatic pressures of 6,000, 7,000, and 8,000 PSI, applied 2 to 7 minutes after fertilization for durations of 2 to 5 minutes. Several treatments produced triploids; however, 8,000 PSI was the most effective pressure (50% triploid induction) when initiated 2 or 7 minutes after fertilization for a duration of 3 to 5 minutes.

Mortality of striped bass <20 inches total length (50.8 cm) captured by hook and line was investigated. Both artificial lures and baits were used with single and treble hooks. A control group of fish was captured by electrofishing and handled in a similar fashion. Fish (N = 683) were caught from a freshwater river and a small reservoir during 4 different months of the year (October, February, June, and August). After capture, test fish were transported to holding ponds and held 2 weeks to evaluate total (pre- and post-release) mortality. No fish died prior to release in the holding facilities. There were no significant differences in mortality between any of the groups comparing month and method of capture. Likewise, there were no significant monthly differences between treatments. There were significant differences within treatments for different months when compared separately.

Differences in growth rates between sexes were compared for Florida largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides floridanus) from 5 north-central Florida lakes using lengths back-calculated for the most recently formed annulus on otoliths. Growing rates of Ages 1-6 fish differed between sexes in all lakes. Males were larger than females before Age 1 in 3 of the 5 populations, but by Age 2 females were larger than males in all lakes. Female fish were larger than male fish of the same age when the females attained total lengths of from 243 to 292 mm. Based on the samples collected, female Florida largemouth bass lived longer and attained larger sizes than males. Similar trends have been shown for several populations of northern largemouth bass (M. s. salmoides) and for comparisons of the growth rates of the 2 largemouth bass subspecies. We recommend consideration of sex differences in evaluations of growth rate of Florida largemouth bass.

Stomach contents of flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) from the Flint River, Georgia, were examined to gain information on basic life history of this introduced species and to assess potential impacts on traditional fisheries. Acrylic tubes and a flexible claw retriever were effective for observing and collecting stomach contents which were then analyzed by frequency of occurrence, percent composition by number, and percent composition by weight. Young-of-the-year catfish contained primarily aquatic insects and began eating crayfish, sunfish (Lepomis sp.) fry, and darters (Etheostoma sp.) toward the end of their first year. Crayfish were the dominant food item by number and weight in flathead catfish shorter than 600 mrn. Flathead catfish, unidentified fish, and channel catfish were the primary teleost food items by weight in fish 301 to 600 mm in length.

Food habits of flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) in the Cape Fear River were determined through analysis of 184 stomachs collected during the spring and summer of 1986. Fish were collected with a 5-bar, hand-cranked telephone generator (magneto). The objective was to determine if frequency of occurrence and percent by numbers of individual food items in the diet of flathead catfish changed significantly between 1979 and 1986. Current data indicate ictalurids, clupeids, and centrarchids remain the primary food items in the diet of Cape Fear River flathead catfish; however, a shift from ictalurids to clupeids as the primary food item occurred between 1979 and 1986. Centrarchids occurred with equal frequency in flathead catfish stomachs during 1979 and 1986 but were less numerous in the 1986 samples. There is no evidence to support anglers> claims that flathead catfish may be responsible for the reputed decline in sunfish populations within the river.

Food selection of 209 alligator gar (Lepisosteus spatula) and 165 longnose gar (L. osseus) in Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas, was examined. Gar were collected with gill nets and jug lines during September and October 1986. Alligator gar were selective, primarily for bottom dwelling fishes, but not to as great an extent as longnose gar. Longnose gar selected small prey, primarily threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense). Both species will apparently shift to different prey depending on the species available.

Ninety-eight thousand walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) x sauger (S. canadense) hybrid (saugeye) fingerlings were stocked in Thunderbird Reservoir, Oklahoma, in May 1985, and 129,400 fingerlings were introduced in April 1986 to evaluate the possibilities of a superior put, grow, and take fishery where previous walleye fry stockings have failed. Saugeye showed rapid growth rates; age-0 fish attained a mean length of 270.8 ± 8.2 mm (mean ± 95% CL) by October 1985, and 256.1 ± 11.2 mm by October 1986. Both year classes preferred inland silversides (Menidia beryllina) as a forage species, with 75% of the stomachs sampled containing inland silversides. Although ≤200 mm largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) also utilize inland silversides, they do so only during periods when other forage species are limited. Therefore, competitive interaction during saugeye early life history is not suspected.

Within-bank disposal of dredged material has detrimentally impacted natural habitats and gamefish of the Apalachicola River. Between 1947 and 1980 40 km of natural bank habitat has been altered by disposal of dredged material resulting from navigational maintenance activities by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Gamefish catch per unit of effort (CPUE) values from natural bank habitats were significantly greater (P < .05) than those from "new," "recent," and "old" disposal sites. Gamefish CPUE values measured on "new," "recent," and "old" disposal sites were 75%,66%, and 50% less than gamefish CPUE values on natural bank habitats.

Parasite loads of 4 larval fish species in a lower Mississippi River overflow pond were compared. Differences in parasite loads appeared to be related to adult spawning locations and larval fish habitat preferences. Allacanthochasmus sp. was the only parasite found in larval fishes, with maximum infestations of I metacercarial cyst in bluegill and 2 cysts in shad and inland silverside. No parasitism was observed in crappie. Total percent parasitism was highest in silverside (mean ± SE, 2.2 ± 0.5%), followed by bluegill (0.9 ± 0.2%) and shad (0.9 ± 0.3%). Results indicated that adult reproductive tactics, larval fish habitat preferences, and cercarial development of Allacanthochasmus sp. may influence rates of parasitism in larval fishes.

Relationships between fish abundance and diversity and stream pH and alkalinity were assessed to evaluate potential impacts of acidic precipitation on fish assemblages of southern Appalachian Mountain headwater streams. Data were obtained from first- and third-order reaches of 12 stream systems during spring and fall 1983 and spring 1984. Assemblages exhibited low diversity and typically had low biomass. All streams were slightly acidic (mean pH = 6.62; range 6.25-7.00) and very poorly buffered (mean total alkalinity = 58 /µeq/liter; range 16-33), indicating extreme chemical sensitivity to acidification. However, statistically significant relationships between fish biomass or diversity and stream sensitivity were not consistently detected. The absence of such relationships suggests that acidification probably has not had a substantial impact on fish populations in headwater streams of the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Channel catfish (lctalurus punctatus) were obtained from 3 lakes in southeastern Louisiana during the fall of 1986. A truss network of morphological measurements was developed, resulting in 10 variables measured on each individual fish. Morphological variables were adjusted to remove the effect of standard length through least-squares regression. Multivariate analysis of variance of adjusted variables yielded significant (P < 0.01) differences among lakes. Factor analysis of the partial correlation matrix of adjusted variables yielded 4 non-orthogonal dimensions descriptive of body shape variation, interpretable as: I) overall depth of body, 2) length of posterior portion of body, 3) caudal peduncle depth and location of anal and adipose fin insertions, and 4) location of dorsal fin insertion. Univariate analysis of factor scores showed significant (P < 0.05) differences among lake populations only on the first factor.

Stress due to confinement in a net caused higher mortalities in largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides salmoides which were extensively-reared in ponds on zooplankton and other invertebrates than in those which were intensively-reared in raceways on pelleted food. Fish that were intensively-reared weighed more than the fish reared in ponds, although both groups were sorted with the same bar-grader. Intensively-reared fish exhibited 3% and 9% mortalities after 13- and 16-hour net confinements, respectively, compared to 34% and 38% for those fish reared in ponds. Fish reared intensively may be better able to tolerate the stress of harvest, handling, and transportation than extensively-reared fish.