Abstract
Florida bass (Micropterus floridanus) have been introduced throughout much of the southern U.S. over the past 50 years. This species readily hybridizes with the extant largemouth bass (M. salmoides). Within Arkansas, the Florida bass is currently stocked in the southern half of the state. Previous studies of a northern Arkansas hatchery and a reservoir revealed the existence of Florida bass alleles in each. Other studies in Oklahoma and Texas have revealed the presence of Florida bass alleles in stream systems proximal to lakes stocked. Our goal was to investigate, using microsatellite analysis of 7 diagnostic loci, the presence of Florida bass alleles in 8 northeastern Arkansas streams to determine if Florida bass or hybrids had escaped from private farm ponds as compared to stocked reservoirs. We found rare instances of Florida bass alleles in most drainages, consistent with previous studies demonstrating a lack of containment of Florida bass once stocked. In Cane Creek, which flows adjacent to privately stocked farm ponds, one-third of the individuals had Florida bass alleles.
Recommended Citation
Brockway, W. J. and Johnson, Ronald L.
(2015)
"Introduction of Florida Bass Alleles into Largemouth Bass Inhabiting NortheastArkansas Stream Systems,"
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 69, Article 8.
DOI: 10.54119/jaas.2015.6902
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol69/iss1/8
