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Growth and Mortality of Ozark Bass (Ambloplites Constellatus) in Streams of the Ozark Highlands Ashley R

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Growth and Mortality of Ozark Bass (Ambloplites Constellatus) in Streams of the Ozark Highlands Ashley R Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences Volume 15 Article 11 Fall 2014 Growth and mortality of Ozark bass (Ambloplites constellatus) in streams of the Ozark Highlands Ashley R. Rodman University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Kristopher R. Brye University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/discoverymag Part of the Animal Studies Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons Recommended Citation Rodman, Ashley R. and Brye, Kristopher R. (2014) "Growth and mortality of Ozark bass (Ambloplites constellatus) in streams of the Ozark Highlands," Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 15:56-66. Available at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/discoverymag/vol15/iss1/11 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Discovery, The tudeS nt Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Growth and mortality of Ozark bass (Ambloplites constellatus) in streams of the Ozark Highlands Ashley R. Rodman* and Kristofor R. Brye† ABSTRACT The Ozark bass (Ambloplites constellatus) is endemic to the Upper White River Basin, and a lim- ited amount of information exists on the Ozark bass population, including growth and mortality characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine growth and mortality of Ozark bass in the Upper White River Basin, compare growth of Ozark bass to other Ambloplites species, and compare growth and mortality of Ozark bass between sample sites. Sampling occurred in Crooked Creek and in the Lower Wilderness Area (LWA) of the Buffalo River, with multiple col- lections from each body of water. Sampling occurred during summer 2013 via electroshocking from a boat. Length and weight data were recorded while sampling, and fish ages were determined through otolith retrieval. Ozark bass exhibited similar growth patterns to Shadow bass (Amblop- lites ariommus); however, Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) grew faster and larger. Growth of Ozark bass appeared to be similar between Crooked Creek and the LWA of the Buffalo River until 5 years of age. After age 5, the growth of fish collected from the LWA of the Buffalo River slowed compared to 5 and older fish collected from Crooked Creek. Ozark bass of the LWA of the Buffalo River had an overall greater mortality rate than those in Crooked Creek; however, one of two sites sampled on Crooked Creek had a comparable fish mortality rate to that measured in the LWA of the Buffalo River. Results indicated that size-selected mortality may have occurred in the LWA of the Buffalo River and at least one location sampled in Crooked Creek, possibly due to fishing mortality and angler popularity at the sites. Data collected in this study were part of a long-term attempt by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to gather baseline data on the Ozark bass population and to determine the efficacy of current harvest regulations for that species in the Upper White River Basin. Baseline data will be used in the future to determine whether local fish populations respond to climate change or other impacts to the watershed. * Ashley R. Rodman is a 2014 graduate with a major in Environmental, Soil, and Water Science and a minor in Wildlife Habitat. † Kristofor R. Brye is the faculty mentor and a professor in the Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences. 56 DISCOVERY • Vol. 15, Fall 2014 MEET THE STUDENT-AUTHOR Working in Yellowstone National Park the summer after gradu- ating from Viola High School sparked my interest in environmental issues. Becoming a charter member and president of an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Stream Team while attending Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH) contributed to my deci- sion to focus my education on water quality. After receiving my As- sociate of Arts Degree from ASUMH, I transferred to the University of Arkansas into the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences (CSES) Department to pursue a Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Environmental, Soil, and Water Science. Through the CSES Department, I have been able to compete in national competitions, become involved in the CSES Club, as well as receive college credit and research experience through an internship with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commis- sion. I will graduate with my B.S. this summer after returning from a study abroad trip to Mozambique, Africa where I will be conduct- ing water quality analyses to aid a local poultry operation. Soon after returning from Africa, I will begin my graduate studies in the CSES Department with Thad Scott, focusing on stream water quality. Ashley Rodman Numerous people have given me the guidance and encourage- ment to allow me to be where I am today, and I am truly grateful to each and every one of them. INTRODUCTION the calculation of growth and mortality rates (Ricker, 1975). Length-at-age is an estimate of mean size of fish at annual Prior to 1977, the Ozark bass, Rock bass, and Shadow increments. Sagittal otoliths have been used to determine bass were classified as a single fish species, Ambloplites the age of fish species due to ease of readability and ac- rupestris. In 1977, Ambloplites rupestris was split into curacy compared to other aging methods (Maceina et al., three different species, and the Ozark bass was renamed 2007). Otoliths increase in size with fish size and leave Ambloplites constellatus (Cashner and Suttkus, 1977). dense rings during periods of slow growth. These annular Minimal published data exist on growth or other popu- rings can be used to determine fish age (Jearld, 1985). lation characteristics due to the relatively recent species Conductivity, pH, water temperature, and dissolved split and the limited range of the Ozark bass. Whisenant oxygen are often measured in association with electro- and Maughan (1989) have reported some of the only shocking data collection. If differing growth or mortal- available information for the Ozark bass, including mean ity rates occur between sampled sites, measured water size at age. One of the objectives of the Whisenant and quality indicators could potentially disclose reasons for Maughan (1989) study was to collect baseline data for the conflicting results. Conductivity correlates with total dis- Ozark bass to see if increased recreational pressures and solved solids and nutrient availability (Uwidia and Uku- angling effort had impacted the sport fisheries of the Buf- lu, 2013). Nutrient availability is a determining factor in falo River. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission fish growth (Keller et al., 1990). Temperature also im- (AGFC) has collected electroshocking data on Ozark pacts growth rates due to the direct relationship between bass since 1992; however, to date, no age data have been temperature and chemical reaction rates (Whiteledge et collected (Stan Todd, Arkansas’ District 2 Fisheries Man- al., 2006). Extreme levels of dissolved oxygen and pHs agement Biologist, pers. comm.). that are too acidic or too basic can cause stress to fish, Growth and mortality rates are important metrics of causing more energy expenditure and less energy available any fish population and are useful for comparing differ- for growth (Breitburg et al., 1997; Magnuson et al., 1984). ent fish populations and evaluating harvest regulations According to Buchanan and Robison (1988), the Ozark (Ricker, 1975). Age distribution data are collected to aid bass is endemic to the Upper White River Basin. However, in the determination of length-at-age, which is required for the Upper White River Basin Foundation (UWRBF, 2012) The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences 57 Fig. 1. Location of Crooked Creek and the Lower Wilderness Area of the Buffalo River in Marion County, Ark. points out several concerns in the White River watershed, METHODS AND MATERIALS including the ease of groundwater contamination in the karst geology of the area, increased urbanization and al- Upper White River Basin Characteristics teration of watershed hydrology, and increasing confined The Upper White River Basin is located in southern animal feeding operations. Climate change models for the Missouri and in north central and northwestern Arkan- southeastern United States predict an increase in number sas over karst topography (UWRBF, 2012). Ozark bass and duration of droughts, greater mean annual temper- generally inhabit stream pools that have high dissolved ature, as well as heavy rain events with shorter durations oxygen, continuous flow, and low turbidity (Buchanan (USEPA, 2013). Changes in watershed hydrology, whether and Robison, 1988), all of which are characteristics pres- from increased urbanization or climate change, could po- ent in the Upper White River Basin. tentially alter stream morphology, and therefore impact The mean annual precipitation throughout northwest habitat of the Ozark bass and other endemic fish species. Arkansas is 126.6 cm (USGS, 2005; Climate Zone, 2013). Population data aid fisheries biologists in evaluating The mean annual air temperature is 16.6 °C, with mean current regulations to ensure that overfishing does not oc- summer-month temperatures as follows: 25.8 °C in June, cur. Recent limitations on harvest pertaining to other 27.7 °C in July, and 27.0 °C in August (USGS, 2005; Cli- sport fishes in Ozark Highland waterways may have in- mate Zone, 2013). creased harvest of the Ozark bass in some streams. Cur- rently, there is a creel limit of 10 fish and no size limit Fish Collection for Ozark bass, Rock bass, and Shadow bass combined (AGFC, 2013). Since the Ozark bass has a limited range, Ozark bass were collected by boat electroshocking monitoring current population characteristics of the Ozark in the Upper White River Basin, including in the Low- bass will be beneficial in evaluation of current and poten- er Wilderness Area (LWA) of the Buffalo River and in tial future impacts on the Ozark bass population.
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