AFS Publications

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Molecular phylogenetic and population genetic relationships of a putative species of sucker (Catostomus sp.) from Surprise Valley in the Great Basin, USA

The Wall Canyon Sucker is of high conservation concern, but is undescribed taxonomically and unlisted due to a lack of biological data. Authors here provide molecular phylogenetic and the first population genetic analyses that can be used to for conservation of this putative species. Suckers represent about one quarter of fish species diversity in the Great Basin, with the Wall Canyon Sucker a potential species.

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Evaluation of Population Characteristic Differences between the Largemouth Bass and Its Backcross Following a Long-Term Florida Bass Stocking Effort

Management agencies throughout the southern United States widely stock Florida Bass (FLB) Micropterus floridanus into extant Largemouth Bass (LMB) Micropterus salmoides populations with the intent of increasing the trophy potential of those waterbodies. These stockings commonly lead to a shift in the system-wide genetic composition towards a population dominated by hybrids which are predominantly LMB with low levels of FLB alleles (FX-LMB). This investigation is the most rigorous approach yet taken to evaluate the effects of stocking FLB within a system and provides managers evidence that hybrids created through stocking programs may not be less fit than native LMB. These results have important implications regionally across the southern United States where FLB have been widely introduced, as well as nationally and internationally where FLB and LMB populations have been introduced and mixed.

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Can thermal refuges save salmonids? Simulation of cold-pool benefits to salmonid populations

A simulation experiment indicates that pools cooled by groundwater can let salmonid populations persist under substantial warming, but population size can be limited by the area of refuges and their food and risk conditions. Results suggest that research and management should pay attention not only to refuge availability and temperature but also to growth and predation risk conditions in refuges; and that refuge use can be as important at night as in daytime.

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Simulated effects of imperfect sterile sport fish stocking on persistence of fertile fish in new exploited populations

This simulation study explores key biological processes and potential risks for managers to consider regarding developing new fisheries using triploid Walleye (or other triploid sport fishes) with imperfect induction to help reconcile competing demands for native fish conservation and angler desire for nonnative predatory sport fish. It also outlines key research needs to advance our understanding of sterile fish dynamics to guide policy on their use in sensitive locations. Lastly, our modeling framework could be refined or adapted to other triploid sport fishes.

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Improving electronic reporting rates in the U.S. recreational fishery for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Effectively estimating the number of fish caught by recreational anglers is key for sustainably managing fishery resources, and electronic self-reporting approaches such as smartphone apps could help managers better monitor catch. However, these tools depend on high levels of participation by anglers. This paper offers key insight on strategies to improve the accuracy and precision of data collected from the recreational sector, which has long been a major challenge for managers across a broad range of fisheries.