Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Award Date

2019

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Natural Resource Management

First Advisor

Michael Brown

Keywords

Black Bullheads, Food Habits, Gizzard Shad

Abstract

Managing fisheries requires balancing predators and prey. Prey stockings are often used when food sources may be limiting to support fish communities with multiple predators. Stocking of prey often results in increased predator size and could potentially lead to the consumption of nuisance species such as Black Bullheads Ameiurus melas. Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum are an often-stocked prey species and have been recently stocked into several small impoundments across South Dakota. One of the focuses of this study was to document the contribution of age-0 Gizzard Shad to predator fish food habits and growth. Gizzard Shad consumption varied between impoundments and predators, with shad primarily being consumed in western impoundments. Gizzard Shad made up to 50% of Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides and Walleye Sander vitreus. The absence of Gizzard Shad from several predator food habits resulted in either a reduced growth or little to no effect during bioenergetic simulations. Though Gizzard Shad were important to several predator food habits, the presence or absence does not seem to impact the growth of predators. Even with little impact on predator growth Black Bullheads were vulnerable to predation by these predators. However, relatively few bullheads were consumed by predators. The introduction of Gizzard Shad into impoundments seems to have limited impacts on both predator species and in turn no effect on the biological control of Black Bullheads. There is potential that future introductions will have similar results and that predator fish may not be enhanced and that there will be no biological control of Black Bullheads. There is still unknown information about the effects of Gizzard Shad introductions within these small impoundments and future research should focus on how other species are impacted. Additionally, future research should examine under what conditions Black Bullheads are selected for as prey.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Fishery management -- South Dakota.
Gizzard shad -- South Dakota.
Fish stocking -- South Dakota.
Fishes -- Food -- South Dakota.
Predation (Biology)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

112

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright