Using pectoral fin rays as a non-lethal aging structure for smallmouth bass: precision with otolith age estimates and the importance of reader experience

Rude, Neil P.; Hintz, William D.; Norman, Jacob D.; Kanczuzewski, Kenson L.; Yung, Andrew J.; Hofer, Keith D.; Whitledge, Gregory W.

doi:10.1080/02705060.2012.738253

Cited by 10 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Although otoliths were not used, ageing precision results from scales used in this study were similar to other studies of black bass that used otoliths (from 0.04% to 15.8%; Besler, ; Long & Fisher, ; Maceina & Sammons, ; Taylor & Weyl, ; Rude et al., ; Sotola et al., ). By contrast, accuracy of scales from shoal bass in the upper Chattahoochee River basin was poor (57%) compared to what has been reported for otoliths from other black bass species [from 92% to 100% (Buckmeier & Howells, ; Heidinger & Clodfelter, ; Klein et al., ); but see Howells, Betsill and Prentice () who reported accuracy from 39% to 47% for known‐age 6–8‐year‐old largemouth bass].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Evaluation of ageing accuracy with complementary non‐lethal methods for slow‐growing, northern populations of shoal bass

Long

Holley

Taylor

2018

Fisheries Management Eco

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In the upper Chattahoochee River basin, where some populations of shoal bass, Micropterus cataractae Williams & Burgess, are imperilled, age and growth data are lacking. Age and growth of shoal bass in this basin were assessed with non‐lethal means using scales and mark–recapture. Mark–recapture data allowed for estimation of accuracy and determination of effects of any scale‐based inaccuracies on growth models. Scale‐based age estimates were accurate for 57% of the samples, and errors of 1 to 3 years included equal numbers of over‐ and underestimates of age. von Bertalanffy growth models based on scale ages were similar to those based on mark–recapture ages for ages 3–8 but noticeably divergent for younger and older fish. Scales provided estimates of longevity up to 12 years of age, and growth models produced from mark–recapture suggest scale ages underestimated age, especially for older fish. These populations of shoal bass live longer and grow slower than other populations, suggesting regional management strategies may be needed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Evaluation of ageing accuracy with complementary non‐lethal methods for slow‐growing, northern populations of shoal bass

Long

Holley

Taylor

2018

Fisheries Management Eco

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“…Validity of growth and mortality estimates depends on the accuracy of spotted bass ages estimated from fin ray annuli counts. Fin rays have been demonstrated to be suitable non‐lethal alternatives to otoliths for age estimation in some fishes (Cass & Beamish, ; Phelps, Edwards & Willis, ; Rude et al., ; Sikstrom, ; Walsh, Maloy & O'Brien, ). In this study, obtaining age estimates from sectioned fin rays from spotted bass proved problematic for some fish due to limited contrast among structural growth bands when viewing fin ray sections.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fin rays represent a nonlethal alternative to use of otoliths for elemental analysis when sacrificing fish for otolith removal is not appropriate due to conservation status or rarity of the species and sizes of fish being studied (Allen, Hobbs, Cech, Van Eenennaam & Doroshov, ; Clarke, Telmer & Mark, ; Phelps et al., ; Rude, Smith & Whitledge, ; Smith & Whitledge, ). Fin rays have also been used for non‐lethal age estimation of Micropterus species (Morehouse, Donabauer & Grier, ; Rude et al., ). This study used elemental composition of fin rays to infer natal environment and movement of spotted bass.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recruitment sources and spatial patterns of population demographics of spotted bass in a large river–tributary network

Abell

Oliver

Whitledge

2018

Fisheries Management Eco

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Understanding spatial patterns in population characteristics and the principal natal environments supporting riverine fish populations are important for fisheries management. Fin ray microchemistry was used to identify natal environment, and age estimates from sectioned fin rays were used to estimate growth and mortality rates for spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus (Rafinesque), in a segment of the Ohio River (Smithland Pool) and three tributaries. Differences in water Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca among the Ohio River and tributaries were reflected in fin ray edge Sr:Ca and Ba:Ca. Fourteen percent of spotted bass ≥ age 2 captured in the Ohio River originated in tributaries, whereas 10% captured in tributaries originated in the Ohio River. Spotted bass in the Ohio River reached larger maximum size (L∞ = 448.7) than conspecifics in tributaries (L∞ = 324.4), although mortality rates were not different. Although 86% of spotted bass were collected in their inferred natal environment, small tributaries may be a supplemental source of recruitment for the spotted bass stock in Smithland Pool.

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“…Less‐experienced readers were found to be more apt to underestimate Smallmouth Bass ages derived from pectoral fin rays compared with otolith age estimates (Rude et al. ). Similarly, novice readers were found to underestimate the ages of Yellow Perch Perca flavescens relative to more experienced readers when estimating ages from anal spines (Vandergoot et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A multitude of structures have been used to estimate ages of black bass Micropterus spp., including but not limited to scales, otoliths, pectoral fin rays, anal fin spines, and dorsal fin spines (Maraldo and MacCrimmon ; Long and Fisher ; Rude et al. ; Morehouse et al. ; Klein et al.…”

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confidence: 99%

Evaluation of Anal Spines, Dorsal Spines, and Scales as Potential Nonlethal Surrogates to Otoliths for Estimating Ages of Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass

Blackwell¹,

Kaufman²,

Moos³

2019

N American J Fish Manag

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We compared the precision of age estimates from anal spines, dorsal spines, otoliths, and scales and evaluated the agreement of age estimates from nonlethal structures (i.e., anal spines, dorsal spines, and scales) to estimates obtained from otoliths for Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides and Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu collected in northeastern South Dakota glacial lakes. Reader agreement and coefficient of variation (CV) significantly differed across structures for both species. Otoliths had the highest complete and partial (i.e., at least two of three agree) reader agreement rates, while scales had the lowest for both species along with dorsal spines for Smallmouth Bass. Mean CV for otolith age estimates was 2.0% for Largemouth Bass and 2.3% for Smallmouth Bass; CV means for the nonlethal structures ranged from 8.0% to 15.2% for Largemouth Bass and from 10.0% to 10.7% for Smallmouth Bass. Age estimates derived from anal spines and dorsal spines underestimated ages of both species relative to otoliths. Otolith and scale age estimates were similar through age 9 for Largemouth Bass and through age 7 for Smallmouth Bass. Scale ages generally coincided with otolith ages for Largemouth Bass < 35 cm TL and for Smallmouth Bass < 31 cm TL. Neither anal spines nor dorsal spines proved to be a good nonlethal alternative for estimating ages, while scales may have utility for younger cohorts of both species. We recommend that otoliths be the standard structure for estimating Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass ages when sacrificing fish is acceptable. If sacrificing fish is a concern, then scales may be used as a surrogate for estimating ages of Largemouth Bass < 35 cm TL and Smallmouth Bass < 34 cm TL.

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Using pectoral fin rays as a non-lethal aging structure for smallmouth bass: precision with otolith age estimates and the importance of reader experience

Cited by 10 publications

References 33 publications

Evaluation of ageing accuracy with complementary non‐lethal methods for slow‐growing, northern populations of shoal bass

Evaluation of ageing accuracy with complementary non‐lethal methods for slow‐growing, northern populations of shoal bass

Recruitment sources and spatial patterns of population demographics of spotted bass in a large river–tributary network

Evaluation of Anal Spines, Dorsal Spines, and Scales as Potential Nonlethal Surrogates to Otoliths for Estimating Ages of Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass

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