Using Rock Bass' (Ambloplites Rupestris) Diet to Explain Competition of Limited Resources Between Non Native and Native Species in the Spring River and Shoal Creek of Southeast
Category
Sciences and Technology
Department
Biology
Student Status
Undergraduate
Research Advisor
Dr. James Whitney
Document Type
Event
Location
Kansas 2
Start Date
10-4-2025 8:50 AM
End Date
10-4-2025 9:10 AM
Description
Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) are a nonnative species that negatively impact native species in Southeast Kansas streams due to competition of limited resources, such as food. A diet study was conducted on 26 collected rock bass to assess their impact on Kansas streams, which indirectly affects native fish. Rock bass were collected at three different sites in shoal creek: below Shermerhorn, Quapaw nation lands, and at Shermerhorn, as well as from two sites on the Spring River: Baxter Springs and below the Empire Lake. Rock bass were collected by the Pittsburg State Fisheries Management fall 2024 class using backpack electrofishing and seining. Each rock bass was dissected by the Fisheries Management class in order to see what each fish's diet was composed of. Studies showed that the majority of rock bass consisted of a diet of crayfish (Orconectes) (39%), hellgrammites (Corydalus) (35%), and cactus fly larvae (Copestylum) (23%). From our studies, we can infer that nonnative species such as rock bass are competing for limited resources with imperiled native species such as Redspot Chubs (Nocomis asper).
Using Rock Bass' (Ambloplites Rupestris) Diet to Explain Competition of Limited Resources Between Non Native and Native Species in the Spring River and Shoal Creek of Southeast
Kansas 2
Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) are a nonnative species that negatively impact native species in Southeast Kansas streams due to competition of limited resources, such as food. A diet study was conducted on 26 collected rock bass to assess their impact on Kansas streams, which indirectly affects native fish. Rock bass were collected at three different sites in shoal creek: below Shermerhorn, Quapaw nation lands, and at Shermerhorn, as well as from two sites on the Spring River: Baxter Springs and below the Empire Lake. Rock bass were collected by the Pittsburg State Fisheries Management fall 2024 class using backpack electrofishing and seining. Each rock bass was dissected by the Fisheries Management class in order to see what each fish's diet was composed of. Studies showed that the majority of rock bass consisted of a diet of crayfish (Orconectes) (39%), hellgrammites (Corydalus) (35%), and cactus fly larvae (Copestylum) (23%). From our studies, we can infer that nonnative species such as rock bass are competing for limited resources with imperiled native species such as Redspot Chubs (Nocomis asper).
