CHARLOTTE MCCRACKEN AND CHRISTOPHER O’BARA, Tennessee Technological University, Center for the Management, Utilization, and Protection of Water Resources, Cookeville, Tennessee, USA

The concern of natural hybridization between striped bass Morone saxatilis and white bass Morone chrysops occurring at Norris and Cherokee reservoirs resulted in an investigation of these two important sportfish. Anglers and biologists have both noted the presence of Morone spp. physically resembling the hybrid (Cherokee bass). Standard biochemical genetic techniques, fatty acid composition analysis, and an evaluation of parasite infection rates of the nematode Eustrongylides were used to determine if natural hybridization was occurring. We found no evidence of hybridization in Norris Reservoir. Individuals resembling Cherokee bass were found to be striped bass. The possibility that hatchery reared fish were the result of backcrossing of F_x individuals is still being investigated. Hybrid Morone were found in Cherokee Reservoir. Their presence was attributed to either natural hybridization or escapement from an adjacent hatchery. The percent lipid of striped bass, white bass or Cherokee bass was not significantly different and no reservoirs effects were determined. Infection rates of the nematode showed no preference between striped bass or Cherokee bass.