Predicting Long-Term Genetic Integration Following Stocking of Florida Bass (Micropterus salmoides) into an Arkansas Reservoir
Abstract: Management agencies within native largemouth bass (LMB; Micropterus nigricans) range across the United States regularly stock non-native pure Florida bass (FLB; Micropterus salmoides) or reciprocal LMB × FLB F1 hybrids to enhance angling opportunities based on public demand. Often, these stocked fish are introduced into waterbodies already occupied by LMB, which readily hybridize with FLB. This hybridization and resulting genetic integration of FLB alleles into the population is often considered the goal of stocking programs. However, managers have little...