Habitat Selection By Size Classes of Largemouth Bass

Habitat selection and intraspecific competition for habitats by size classes of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) was studied in a manipulative experiment and with a radio-telemetry field study. Largemouth bass ("small" and "large") were studied in artificial pools with three equal-area structure (PVC pipe stand, concrete block, and artificial grass) and pools with no structure. Habitat selection was compared among three treatments: 1) no-structure vs. structured habitats, 2) small vs. large fish size, and 3) alone vs. paired. In pools with structure, small fish preferred the concrete blocks while larger fish preferred the artificial grass regardless of whether alone or paired with an opposite size class fish. In pool without structure, fish of both sizes preferred the same area when alone, but only the large fish remained in this area when paired with a smaller conspecific. The field results contained only data from two fish (one small and one large) in which a non-statistical comparison of home ranges were made. The small fish had a larger home range than that of the larger conspecific.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Biology

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biology

Year

1995

Author dc:creator

• Long, James M

Contributors dc:contributor

• Daniel Beckman

• Biology

Statement dc:rights

• © James M Long

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/53

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1054