Intersection of environment, behavior, and physiological traits on angling vulnerability

Recreational fishing can negatively impact fish populations through the removal of fish with specific heritable traits. The mechanism(s) defining why fish strike lures are unknown, as are how environmental factors influence capture, leaving knowledge gaps surrounding selection effects of capture and harvest. Objectives included how physiological and behavioral traits interacted with environmental contexts to influence angling vulnerability in three separate studies. Largemouth bass behavior assays and stress responsiveness were measured in a laboratory and followed by angling in ponds. Environmental contexts included food availability and the presence or absence of structure to test for variations in capture vulnerability. Results showed that behavior type did not influence capture, either on its own or across feeding or habitat contexts. Rather, prey availability only influenced capture rates across angling days. Results are further discussed within the framework of factors leading to fish captures, and how selective harvest may shape fish populations and aquatic ecosystems.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Res & Env Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2019

Author dc:creator

• Keiling, Toniann Danielle

Contributors dc:contributor

• Suski, Cory D.
• Stein, Jeffrey
• Bell, Alison

• fisheries
• angling vulnerability

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2019 Toniann Keiling

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/104865

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/104865