A Reciprocal Transplant Study for the Comparison of Two Genetic Strains of Largemouth Bass in South Carolina

Jean Leitner and James Bulak
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, 1921 Vanboklen Road, E, Stover, South Carolina 29044, 803-353-8232, 803-353-8552(fax), JeanL@scdnr.state.sc.us

A statewide reciprocal transplant study was initiated to compare the performance of two strains of largemouth bass. South Carolina is located in the broad hybrid zone that exists between the ranges of the northern and Florida subspecies of largemouth bass. Allozyme surveys have shown South Carolina coastal largemouth bass populations possess 98% Florida alleles, while Piedmont populations possess as few as 36% Florida alleles. Thirty seven new or renovated farm ponds were stocked in 1994 and 1995 with fingerlings produced from either the coastal or Piedmont strain of largemouth bass. We characterized performance differences between the two strains by evaluating growth of original stocks at one and three years. We are also monitoring the change in allele frequencies over subsequent year classes. Selected water quality parameters were monitored to define productivity differences among ponds. Region (Coastal Plain or Piedmont), strain, and the interaction of region and strain were tested as predictors of growth rate for first year and third year growth. Differences between regions were significant (P=0.05) for growth at age-1 and at age-3, with fish stocked in the Coastal Plain growing faster. Differences due to strain and the region/strain interaction were not significant. Collection and genetic analysis of subsequent year classes are on going. A shift in allele frequencies over successive generations will provide direct evidence as to what genetic strains, if any, are selected for in each region.