Population dynamics of bowfin in a south Georgia reservoir: latitudinal comparisons of population structure, growth, and mortality

Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
By: , and 

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Abstract

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the population dynamics of bowfin (Amia calva) in Lake Lindsay Grace, Georgia, and to compare those dynamics to other bowfin populations. Relative abundance of bowfin sampled in 2010 in Lake Lindsay Grace was low and variable (mean±SD; 2.7±4.7 fish per hour of electrofishing). Total length (TL) of bowfin collected in Lake Lindsay Grace varied from 233–683 mm. Age of bowfin in Lake Lindsay Grace varied from 0–5 yr. Total annual mortality (A) was estimated at 68%. Both sexes appeared to be fully mature by age 2 with gonadosomatic index values above 8 for females and close to 1 for males. The majority of females were older, longer, and heavier than males. Bowfin in Lake Lindsay Grace had fast growth up to age 4 and higher total annual mortality than the other populations examined in this study. A chi-square test indicated that size structure of bowfin from Lake Lindsay Grace was different than those of a Louisiana population and two bowfin populations from the upper Mississippi River. To further assess bowfin size structure, we proposed standard length (i.e., TL) categories: stock (200 mm, 8 inches), quality (350 mm, 14 inches), preferred (460 mm, 18 inches), memorable (560 mm, 22, inches), and trophy (710 mm, 28 inches). Because our knowledge of bowfin ecology is limited, additional understanding of bowfin population dynamics provides important insight that can be used in management of bowfin across their distribution.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Population dynamics of bowfin in a south Georgia reservoir: latitudinal comparisons of population structure, growth, and mortality
Series title Journal of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Publisher location Maggie Valley, NC
Contributing office(s) Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Description 7 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Proceedings of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
First page 103
Last page 109
Country United States
State Georgia
Other Geospatial Lake Lindsay Grace
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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