Stock Structure of Walleye in Norris
Reservoir, Tennessee
Christopher L. Centracchio and Christopher J. OBara,
Center for the Management, Utilization and Protection of Water Resources, Tennessee
Technological University, P.O. Box 5033, Cookeville, Tennessee 38505; Voice 931-372-3753;
FAX 931-372-6346; E-Mail clc5027@tntech.edu, cobara@tntech.edu
Keywords: walleye, biochemical genetic analysis,
fatty acid composition
The stock structure of walleye Stizostedion vitreum
vitreum in Norris Reservoir, Tennessee is uncertain due to introductions from numerous
sources. Since 1994, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has primarily stocked walleye
obtained from Greers Ferry Reservoir, Arkansas. Genetic analysis using starch gel
electrophoresis and fatty acid analysis using total percent lipids and weight percent
fatty acids were used to determine stock structure. Sample sites in Norris Reservoir
included the upper Clinch River, upper Powell River, and random reservoir sites. Two
secondary study sites, Cherokee Reservoir, Tennessee and Greers Ferry Reservoir, Arkansas,
were used as controls for genetic and lipid analysis. Collections were made in March and
April of 1997 using standard pulsed DC boat electrofishing and gill-netting techniques.
Genetic analysis revealed two polymorphic loci, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and malate
dehydrogenase (MDH). Genetic distinction of the walleye stocks in Norris Reservoir was not
possible due to finding northern alleles in the Greers Ferry Reservoir sample. However,
fatty acid analysis using linoleic (18:2n-6), linolenic (18:3n-3), arachidonic (20:4n-6),
and docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) fatty acids provided information about stock structure.
Principal component analysis, using weight percent fatty acids and total percent lipids,
revealed that Norris Reservoir walleye were not clearly segregated, but overlapped both
Cherokee Reservoir and Greers Ferry Reservoir walleye, which were clearly segregated.
Quadratic discriminant analysis revealed that 23% of the walleye collected from Norris
Reservoir were classified as Greers Ferry Reservoir stock. The majority (70%) of the
walleye classified as Greers Ferry stock were age-1 or 2 and 90% were males. Overall, 33%
of age-1 and 2 walleye from the Norris Reservoir sample were classified as Greers Ferry
Reservoir stock, and 11% of age-3 and up walleye were classified as Greers Ferry Reservoir
stock. The walleye classified as Greers Ferry Reservoir stock showed no significant
differences in growth, total percent lipids, or relative weight when compared with Norris
Reservoir walleye.
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