@article{craig_huebert_rose_rice_brady_2023, title={Searching for Oxygen: Dynamic Movement Responses of Juvenile Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) in an Intermittently Hypoxic Estuary}, ISSN={["1559-2731"]}, DOI={10.1007/s12237-022-01167-6}, journal={ESTUARIES AND COASTS}, author={Craig, J. Kevin and Huebert, Klaus B. and Rose, Kenneth A. and Rice, James A. and Brady, Damian C.}, year={2023}, month={Jan} }
 @article{honeycutt_deck_miller_severance_atkins_luckenbach_buckel_daniels_rice_borski_et al._2019, title={Warmer waters masculinize wild populations of a fish with temperature-dependent sex determination}, volume={9}, ISSN={2045-2322}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-42944-x}, DOI={10.1038/s41598-019-42944-x}, abstractNote={AbstractSouthern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) exhibit environmental sex determination (ESD), where environmental factors can influence phenotypic sex during early juvenile development but only in the presumed XX female genotype. Warm and cold temperatures masculinize fish with mid-range conditions producing at most 50% females. Due to sexually dimorphic growth, southern flounder fisheries are dependent upon larger females. Wild populations could be at risk of masculinization from ESD due to globally increasing water temperatures. We evaluated the effects of habitat and temperature on wild populations of juvenile southern flounder in North Carolina, USA. While northern habitats averaged temperatures near 23 °C and produced the greatest proportion of females, more southerly habitats exhibited warmer temperatures (>27 °C) and consistently produced male-biased sex ratios (up to 94% male). Rearing flounder in the laboratory under temperature regimes mimicking those of natural habitats recapitulated sex ratio differences observed across the wild populations, providing strong evidence that temperature is a key factor influencing sex ratios in nursery habitats. These studies provide evidence of habitat conditions interacting with ESD to affect a key demographic parameter in an economically important fishery. The temperature ranges that yield male-biased sex ratios are within the scope of predicted increases in ocean temperature under climate change.}, number={1}, journal={Scientific Reports}, publisher={Springer Nature}, author={Honeycutt, J. L. and Deck, C. A. and Miller, S. C. and Severance, M. E. and Atkins, E. B. and Luckenbach, J. A. and Buckel, J. A. and Daniels, H. V. and Rice, J. A. and Borski, R. J. and et al.}, year={2019}, month={Apr} }
 @article{henson_aday_rice_layman_2018, title={Assessing the Influence of Tilapia on Sport Fish Species in North Carolina Reservoirs}, volume={147}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1002/tafs.10031}, abstractNote={AbstractRedbelly Tilapia Tilapia zilli and Blue Tilapia Oreochromus aureus are indigenous to Africa and the Middle East, but now occur throughout the southeastern United States. It is fairly well understood that foraging flexibility and wide salinity, oxygen, and temperature tolerances have led to general invasion success for most tilapia species. Conflicting empirical information about the influence of tilapia on native sport fish species, however, leaves natural resource managers unable to anticipate and prevent further introductions and potential associated risks to native sport fishes. This investigation focused on two North Carolina reservoirs with tilapia populations: Hyco Lake, a large reservoir in northcentral North Carolina and Lake Julian, a small impoundment in western North Carolina. These reservoirs receive heated effluent from power generation, which is assumed to provide winter refuge for tilapia at a time when temperatures would otherwise lead to mortality. We assessed relative abundances of the tilapias and native sport species (Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, black basses Micropterus spp., and Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus) in these systems and examined their trophic interactions via diet and stable isotope analyses in both lakes. In Hyco Lake we assessed potential spatial interactions and influences on relative abundance using a priori candidate models and model selection via Akaike's information criterion (AIC). These analyses indicated little evidence of tilapias influencing the relative abundances of the sport species in Hyco Lake. In both lakes, however, we did find substantial diet overlap between the tilapias and Bluegill along with isotopic niche overlap between Blue Tilapia and Bluegill in Lake Julian and Redbelly Tilapia and Bluegill in Hyco Lake. Due to the omnivorous and flexible diet of all three species these interactions were not surprising, but the ultimate influence on Bluegill growth and size structure is unknown. Overall, our results suggest that tilapia are exploiting trophic niches that are not used by the sport fishes of interest in these two very different reservoir systems and that their direct impact on sport species is not substantial.}, number={2}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Henson, Mary Nell and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A. and Layman, Craig A.}, year={2018}, month={Mar}, pages={350–362} }
 @article{bradley_rice_aday_hightower_rock_lincoln_2018, title={Juvenile and Adult Striped Bass Mortality and Distribution in an Unrecovered Coastal Population}, volume={38}, ISSN={["1548-8675"]}, DOI={10.1002/nafm.10036}, abstractNote={AbstractStriped Bass Morone saxatilis fisheries have been important in the eastern United States since the 1700s, but many populations have declined from historic levels. Enhancement programs, harvest reduction, water quality improvements, and habitat restoration have led to successful recoveries for specific stocks. However, these efforts have not been successful for the Striped Bass population in the Neuse River of North Carolina. Possible mechanisms inhibiting recovery of this population include overharvest, high discard mortality, poor water quality, and altered flow regimes. These mechanisms and their impacts on the Neuse River population are unclear; therefore, to gain insight, we estimated mortality and distribution of the population. Specifically, we tagged 100 hatchery‐reared phase II juveniles (202–227 mm TL) and 111 resident adults (349–923 mm TL) with acoustic transmitters (a subset of 50 adults was also tagged with external high‐reward tags). We used telemetry to monitor movement and seasonal distribution from December 2013 until September 2015. Telemetry and tag reporting data informed mortality models, and we estimated that annual discrete total mortality of phase II stocked juveniles was 66.3% (95% credible interval [CI] = 47.4–82.4%). Annual discrete total mortality of adults was 54.0% (95% CI = 41.5–65.4%). Adult discrete natural mortality was 20.1% (95% CI = 8.7–39.1%), and neither juvenile nor adult natural mortality was correlated with seasonal variation in dissolved oxygen, temperature, or salinity. These results show that poststocking mortality is significant and that juvenile mortality should be considered when establishing stocking goals. Additionally, adult natural mortality is within the range predicted by maximum age and by previous studies; however, adult total mortality is higher than targeted rates. These results can help to inform management decisions and develop measures to rebuild depressed Striped Bass populations like that in the Neuse River.}, number={1}, journal={NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT}, author={Bradley, Caitlin E. and Rice, James A. and Aday, D. Derek and Hightower, Joseph E. and Rock, Jason and Lincoln, Kelsey L.}, year={2018}, month={Feb}, pages={104–119} }
 @article{bradley_rice_aday_2018, title={Modeling the Effects of Vital Rate Manipulation and Management Scenarios to Predict the Population Impact of Restoration Programs on an Unrecovered Coastal Population of Striped Bass}, volume={38}, ISSN={["1548-8675"]}, DOI={10.1002/nafm.10062}, abstractNote={AbstractStriped Bass Morone saxatilis have supported important fisheries along the Atlantic coast of North America. However, the species experienced major declines due to overharvest, water quality degradation, and dam construction. Restoration efforts have been successful for specific stocks but unsuccessful for the Striped Bass population in the Neuse River of North Carolina. Ongoing research programs have estimated stage‐ and source‐specific mortality rates to identify mechanisms associated with the lack of recovery of the population. These demographic data are useful; however, they give little insight into the effectiveness of potential restoration programs. To develop effective management strategies, we used estimated mortality rates from the literature to build an age‐structured population model. We estimated that if vital rates remained constant, the Neuse River adult Striped Bass population would consist of 18,457 individuals (95% credible interval = 8,176–34,314). We then conducted a life stage simulation analysis to determine the adult population abundance and age structure that would result from a 50% decrease of the following: juvenile and adult natural mortality, recreational discard and harvest, and commercial discard and harvest. Finally, we simulated the potential impacts of six possible management scenarios on population abundance and age structure. We determined that the abundances of adults (age 3+) and older adults (age 6+) were most sensitive to natural mortality of juveniles and adults and next most sensitive to commercial harvest and discard. We further estimated that eliminating all fishing mortality would have the greatest impact on the population and would result in a 26‐fold increase in abundance of age‐6+ adults. Our results suggest that high mortality rates are preventing the development of a sufficient abundance of adult spawning stock. We recommend that managers use this model to identify the most effective management scenario—given specific goals and constraints—to help increase Striped Bass abundance in the Neuse River.}, number={3}, journal={NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT}, author={Bradley, Caitlin E. and Rice, James A. and Aday, D. Derek}, year={2018}, month={Jun}, pages={639–649} }
 @article{grieshaber_penland_kwak_cope_heise_law_shea_aday_rice_kullman_et al._2018, title={Relation of contaminants to fish intersex in riverine sport fishes}, volume={643}, ISSN={0048-9697}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2018.06.071}, DOI={10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.071}, abstractNote={Endocrine active compounds (EACs) are pollutants that have been recognized as an emerging and widespread threat to aquatic ecosystems globally. Intersex, the presence of female germ cells within a predominantly male gonad, is considered a biomarker of endocrine disruption caused by EACs. We measured a suite of EACs and assessed their associated impacts on fish intersex occurrence and severity in a large, regulated river system in North Carolina and South Carolina, USA. Our specific objective was to determine the relationship of contaminants in water, sediment, and fish tissue with the occurrence and severity of the intersex condition in wild, adult black bass (Micropterus), sunfish (Lepomis), and catfish (Ictaluridae) species at 11 sites located on the Yadkin-Pee Dee River. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ethinylestradiol (EE2), and heavy metals were the most prevalent contaminants that exceeded effect levels for the protection of aquatic organisms. Fish intersex condition was most frequently observed and most severe in black basses and was less frequently detected and less severe in sunfishes and catfishes. The occurrence of the intersex condition in fish showed site-related effects, rather than increasing longitudinal trends from upstream to downstream. Mean black bass and catfish tissue contaminant concentrations were higher than that of sunfish, likely because of the latter's lower trophic position in the food web. Principal component analysis identified waterborne PAHs as the most correlated environmental contaminant with intersex occurrence and severity in black bass and sunfish. As indicated by the intersex condition, EACs have adverse but often variable effects on the health of wild sport fishes in this river, likely due to fluctuations in EAC inputs and the dynamic nature of the riverine system. These findings enhance the understanding of the relationship between contaminants and fish health and provide information to guide ecologically comprehensive conservation and management decisions.}, journal={Science of The Total Environment}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Grieshaber, C.A. and Penland, T.N. and Kwak, T.J. and Cope, W.G. and Heise, R.J. and Law, J.M. and Shea, Damian and Aday, D.D. and Rice, J.A. and Kullman, S.W. and et al.}, year={2018}, month={Dec}, pages={73–89} }
 @article{henson_aday_rice_2018, title={Thermal Tolerance and Survival of Nile Tilapia and Blue Tilapia under Rapid and Natural Temperature Declination Rates}, volume={147}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1002/tafs.10023}, abstractNote={AbstractBlue Tilapia Oreochromis aureus and Nile Tilapia O. niloticus are indigenous to Africa and the Middle East but now are globally popular in aquaculture and for private and public stocking as forage fish for sport species and biological control for nuisance vegetation. The invasive nature of these species at a global scale and the lack of recent and applicably tested thermal tolerance methodology require research to assess the current potential for invasion risk in North Carolina and elsewhere. In this thermal tolerance experiment we focused on a moderate declination rate (1°C per 3 d) and a slow declination rate (1°C per week) in water temperature to assess the thermal minima of Blue Tilapia, common Nile Tilapia, and a “white” strain of Nile Tilapia. The moderate rate was used to compare results to previous literature, and the slow rate was used to mimic natural seasonal water temperature decline in North Carolina. As lineage and breeding history may vary by supplier, fish from multiple suppliers within each species group were tested. Our results indicate that in general, these tilapias cannot survive below 8°C. We did not observe differences in temperature at death or survival curves between species in the moderate rate treatment. Under the slow declination rate, we found significant differences in the mean temperatures at death of Blue Tilapia (9.5°C) and white Nile Tilapia (9.3°C) relative to the less‐cold‐tolerant common Nile Tilapia (10.8°C); this result was reflected in statistically different survival curves. In addition, although there was some variation in temperature at death among different supplier groups (0.0–0.6°C) within a species, all fish died at 8°C or above. Our results suggest that selective breeding of white Nile Tilapia may have resulted in increased thermal tolerance during the process of developing this color variant. Furthermore, the minimum lethal temperature of 8°C may explain why these tilapia species have been restricted to reservoirs with heated effluent in North Carolina.}, number={2}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Henson, Mary Nell and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A.}, year={2018}, month={Mar}, pages={278–286} }
 @article{campbell_rice_2017, title={Development and Field Application of a Model Predicting Effects of Episodic Hypoxia on Short-Term Growth of Spot}, volume={9}, ISSN={["1942-5120"]}, DOI={10.1080/19425120.2017.1362492}, abstractNote={AbstractIn North Carolina and elsewhere, there is concern that excessive nutrient loading and resulting hypoxic conditions in coastal ecosystems are adversely affecting the native fauna, but quantifying the effects on fish can be difficult. Hypoxia may reduce fish growth via direct exposure or indirectly (e.g., cost of low‐oxygen avoidance, reduced food availability, and density‐dependent effects in oxygenated refuges). Given the fine spatial and temporal scale of oxygen dynamics in estuarine habitats, evaluating the impacts of hypoxia on fish growth requires short‐term growth indicators that integrate the effects of rapidly changing environmental conditions. To address this need, we experimentally determined the sensitivity and response time of a suite of bioindicators of recent growth (RNA:DNA ratio and RNA concentration in muscle tissue; insulin‐like growth factor‐I messenger RNA expression in the liver; hepatosomatic index; and Fulton's condition factor K) to changes in the specific growth rate of juvenile Spot Leiostomus xanthurus. A model based on multiple bioindicators was better at estimating growth rate than models based on single indicators. We used this model to estimate recent growth rates of juvenile Spot collected from the Neuse River estuary and related them to recent dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions. Estimated growth rates of Spot collected after a week of good DO conditions were almost twice those of Spot collected after a week of poor DO conditions. Using these results and DO data from the Neuse River estuary in 2007–2010, we estimated that hypoxia dynamics reduced Spot growth over the summer by 6–18% in these years relative to growth under constant good DO conditions. This approach can be used to evaluate impacts of observed or modeled scenarios of water quality dynamics on growth of juvenile Spot and serves as a template for development of predictive growth models for other species.}, number={1}, journal={MARINE AND COASTAL FISHERIES}, author={Campbell, Lindsay A. and Rice, James A.}, year={2017}, pages={504–520} }
 @article{deslauriers_chipps_breck_rice_madenjian_2017, title={Fish Bioenergetics 4.0: An R-Based Modeling Application}, volume={42}, ISSN={0363-2415 1548-8446}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03632415.2017.1377558}, DOI={10.1080/03632415.2017.1377558}, abstractNote={Bioenergetics modeling is a widely used tool in fisheries management and research. Although popular, currently available software (i.e., Fish Bioenergetics 3.0) has not been updated in over 20 years and is incompatible with newer operating systems (i.e., 64‐bit). Moreover, since the release of Fish Bioenergetics 3.0 in 1997, the number of published bioenergetics models has increased appreciably from 56 to 105 models representing 73 species. In this article, we provide an overview of Fish Bioenergetics 4.0 (FB4), a newly developed modeling application that consists of a graphical user interface (Shiny by RStudio) combined with a modeling package used in the R computing environment. While including the same capabilities as previous versions, Fish Bioenergetics 4.0 allows for timely updates and bug fixes and can be continuously improved based on feedback from users. In addition, users can add new or modified parameter sets for additional species and formulate and incorporate modifications such as habitat‐dependent functions (e.g., dissolved oxygen, salinity) that are not part of the default package. We hope that advances in the new modeling platform will attract a broad range of users while facilitating continued application of bioenergetics modeling to a wide spectrum of questions in fish biology, ecology, and management.}, number={11}, journal={Fisheries}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Deslauriers, David and Chipps, Steven R. and Breck, James E. and Rice, James A. and Madenjian, Charles P.}, year={2017}, month={Nov}, pages={586–596} }
 @article{bradley_rice_aday_hightower_rock_lincoln_2017, title={Juvenile and Adult Striped Bass Mortality and Distribution in an Unrecovered Coastal Population}, ISSN={0275-5947 1548-8675}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02755947.2017.1396270}, DOI={10.1080/02755947.2017.1396270}, journal={North American Journal of Fisheries Management}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Bradley, Caitlin E. and Rice, James A. and Aday, D. Derek and Hightower, Joseph E. and Rock, Jason and Lincoln, Kelsey L.}, year={2017}, month={Oct} }
 @article{owensby_rice_aday_2017, title={Mortality, Dispersal, and Habitat Use of Stocked Juvenile Muskellunge in Two Western North Carolina Rivers}, volume={37}, ISSN={["1548-8675"]}, DOI={10.1080/02755947.2016.1245222}, abstractNote={AbstractThe Muskellunge Esox masquinongy is a highly sought‐after sport fish that is native to the Tennessee River drainage of western North Carolina. After the extirpation of Muskellunge from North Carolina in the 1950s, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission began a stocking program to re‐establish the species and produce viable Muskellunge fisheries in North Carolina. Although stocking efforts have created a Muskellunge fishery in, for example, the French Broad River (where the species was native), there is little evidence of success in North Carolina sections of the New River (where the species was not native). Possible mechanisms inhibiting stocking success are unclear because there is relatively little information available on the juvenile life stage of the Muskellunge, especially in the southern portion of its distribution. We addressed the perceived differences in recruitment between the two fisheries by using telemetry to investigate dispersal, mortality, and habitat use by stocked juvenile Muskellunge. Fifty hatchery‐reared, age‐0 Muskellunge (282–307 mm TL) were tagged prior to stocking in the New River (fall 2013) and French Broad River (fall 2014). Three months after stocking, known survival of tagged fish was 4% in the New River and 29% in the French Broad River; the survival probability after 3 months was estimated at 9% (range = 4–17%) in the New River and 37% (range = 25–56%) in the French Broad River. Extended survival in the French Broad River was 14% at 252 d poststocking. High dispersal was observed, with maximum individual dispersal of 67.4 km in the New River and 55.5 km in the French Broad River. Habitat suitability analyses indicated that juvenile Muskellunge in the FBR selected shallow nearshore areas with low water velocity, fine substrate, and substantial cover in the form of woody debris and overhanging vegetation. Information on the survival and behavior of stocked Muskellunge can facilitate efforts to successfully manage these fisheries.Received December 4, 2015; accepted October 3, 2016Published online January 3, 2017}, number={1}, journal={NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT}, author={Owensby, Dylan P. and Rice, James A. and Aday, D. Derek}, year={2017}, pages={108–121} }
 @article{lee pow_tilahun_creech_law_cope_kwak_rice_aday_kullman_2017, title={Windows of Susceptibility and Consequences of Early Life Exposures to 17β–estradiol on Medaka (Oryzias latipes) Reproductive Success}, volume={51}, ISSN={0013-936X 1520-5851}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/ACS.EST.7B01568}, DOI={10.1021/ACS.EST.7B01568}, abstractNote={Estrogens and estrogen mimics are commonly found in surface waters and are associated with deleterious effects in fish populations. Impaired fertility and fecundity in fish following chronic exposures to estrogens and estrogen mimics during critical windows in development are well documented. However, information regarding differential reproductive effects of exposure within defined developmental stages remains sparse. In this study, reproductive capacity was assessed in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) after exposure to two concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2β; 2 ng/L and 50 ng/L) during four distinct stages of development: gonad development, gonad differentiation, development of secondary sex characteristics (SSC) and gametogenesis. Exposure to E2β did not adversely impact survival, hatch success, growth, or genotypic ratios. In contrast, exposure to 50 ng/L E2β during SSC development altered phenotypic ratios and SSC. Exposure to both E2β treatments reduced reproductive capacity (fertility, fecundity) by 7.3-57.4% in adult medaka breeding pairs, with hindrance of SSC development resulting in the largest disruption in breeding capacity (51.6-57.4% decrease) in the high concentration. This study documents differential effects among four critical stages of development and provides insight into factors (window of exposure, exposure concentration and duration of exposure period) contributing to reproductive disruption in fish.}, number={9}, journal={Environmental Science & Technology}, publisher={American Chemical Society (ACS)}, author={Lee Pow, Crystal S.D. and Tilahun, Kedamawit and Creech, Kari and Law, J. Mac and Cope, W. Gregory and Kwak, Thomas J. and Rice, James A. and Aday, D. Derek and Kullman, Seth W.}, year={2017}, month={Apr}, pages={5296–5305} }
 @article{lee pow_law_kwak_cope_rice_kullman_aday_2017, title={Endocrine active contaminants in aquatic systems and intersex in common sport fishes}, volume={36}, ISSN={0730-7268}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ETC.3607}, DOI={10.1002/ETC.3607}, abstractNote={AbstractMale fish are susceptible to developing intersex, a condition characterized by the presence of testicular oocytes. In the present study, the relationship between intersex and exposure to estrogenic endocrine active contaminants (EACs) was assessed for 2 genera of sport fish, Micropterus and Lepomis, at 20 riverine sites. Seasonal trends and relationships between EACs and intersex (prevalence and severity) were examined at varying putative sources of EACs throughout North Carolina, identified as point sources, nonpoint sources, and reference sites. Intersex was identified in both genera, which was documented for the first time in wild‐caught Lepomis. Intersex was more prevalent (59.8%) and more severe (1.6 mean rank) in Micropterus, which was highly correlation to EACs in sediment. In contrast, intersex was less common (9.9%) and less severe (0.2 mean rank) in Lepomis and was highly correlated to EACs in the water column. The authors found that concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, industrial EACs, and estrogens were highest at point source sites; however, no source type variation was identified in the prevalence or severity of intersex, nor were there seasonal trends in intersex or EAC concentrations. The authors’ results associate genus‐specific prevalence of intersex with specific EAC classes in common sport fishes having biological, ecological, and conservation implications. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:959–968. © 2016 SETAC}, number={4}, journal={Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Lee Pow, Crystal S.D. and Law, J. Mac and Kwak, Thomas J. and Cope, W. Gregory and Rice, James A. and Kullman, Seth W. and Aday, D. Derek}, year={2017}, month={Apr}, pages={959–968} }
 @article{lincoln_aday_rice_2016, title={Seasonal Mortality and Movement Patterns of White Bass in a Southeastern US Reservoir}, volume={145}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1080/00028487.2016.1195444}, abstractNote={AbstractLittle is known about the fundamental aspects of the life history, ecology, and population dynamics of White Bass Morone chrysops in southern U.S. reservoirs, making management of this species difficult. Recent concerns from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission regarding potential population declines in North Carolina prompted an effort to expand the knowledge base of White Bass in reservoirs. Our study aimed to address mortality (fishing mortality, F, and natural mortality, M) as one potential mechanism related to their population declines and to assess seasonal movement and habitat patterns of reservoir White Bass throughout the year using telemetry. We implanted acoustic transmitters into 50 White Bass in spring 2012 and into 25 White Bass in spring 2013. B. Everett Jordan Reservoir, a relatively shallow and eutrophic reservoir located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, was separated into four different subbasins that were surveyed each month for tagged fish. Fish were monitored using an array of passive receivers and monthly active tracking surveys. A monthly capture history was used as the input for a multistate capture–recapture model in a Bayesian framework to estimate instantaneous monthly mortality rates. Total annual mortality was 76%. The annual exploitation rate (60%) was greater than the natural mortality rate (15%); however, both F and M exhibited seasonal variation and peaked during spring months in 2012 and 2013. White Bass did not use any specific habitat type but were located relatively far from shore and in deep water during cooler months. The use of subbasins in the system was not equal; other than during the spawning run White Bass concentrated in several areas within the two deepest subbasins of the reservoir. Overall, the high F observed in the spring suggests that adjusting the current liberal harvest limits will help mitigate mortality and aid in the management of reservoir White Bass populations.Received January 21, 2016; accepted May 4, 2016 Published online August 5, 2016}, number={5}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Lincoln, Kelsey J. and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A.}, year={2016}, pages={1035–1046} }
 @article{brown_rice_suski_aday_2015, title={Dispersal Patterns of Coastal Largemouth Bass in Response to Tournament Displacement}, volume={35}, ISSN={["1548-8675"]}, DOI={10.1080/02755947.2015.1009660}, abstractNote={AbstractTournament displacement, stockpiling near release points, and handling stress are major concerns for managers of sport fisheries in the southeastern USA. We examined the effects of transport distance and tournament handling stress on dispersal of 40 Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides via telemetry from May 2012 to September 2013 in the Albemarle Sound system of eastern North Carolina. Largemouth Bass were captured from four tributaries of Albemarle Sound and transported 16.5–45 km to a central release point before being acoustically tagged and released. Movement data from an array of passive receivers was used to calculate rates of dispersal from the release point, emigration from the study area and return to capture location over time. Blood cortisol concentration, collected from our tagged Largemouth Bass and those captured in an actual tournament, was used to determine the effect of stress on potential postrelease movement and survival. Our findings indicate little evidence of long‐term stockpiling (i.e., fish remaining close to release point; Richardson‐Heft et al. 2000); 57% of displaced Largemouth Bass dispersed more than 500 m from the release point within 7 d and 87% within 21 d postrelease. Half of those that emigrated from Edenton Bay returned to their capture location. However, no Largemouth Bass displaced 35–45 km returned to their capture locations, suggesting that long‐distance displacement inhibits return. Fishing (2.8%) and nonharvest mortality (0.5%) were low throughout this study except for peaks observed during late spring (42.9%) and early summer (25.1%) of 2013. Mean cortisol concentrations were similar in Largemouth Bass collected during our simulated tournament (126.7 ng/mL) and an actual tournament (118.4 ng/mL). However, cortisol concentrations were unrelated to survival, postrelease dispersal, or return of tagged individuals to their capture location. Largemouth Bass appear to be able to cope with current tournament practices; however, restrictions on displacement distance may increase return rates.Received August 26, 2014; accepted January 14, 2015}, number={3}, journal={NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT}, author={Brown, Daniel T. and Rice, James A. and Suski, Cory D. and Aday, D. Derek}, year={2015}, pages={431–439} }
 @article{brown_aday_rice_2015, title={Responses of Coastal Largemouth Bass to Episodic Hypoxia}, volume={144}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1080/00028487.2015.1024801}, abstractNote={AbstractThe river systems inhabited by coastal populations of Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides in North Carolina and along the Atlantic and Gulf coast regions exhibit episodic (i.e., several times per year) fluctuations in environmental conditions (e.g., dissolved oxygen [DO]). Laboratory studies have documented the effects of low DO (hypoxia) on Largemouth Bass, yet few field studies have examined these effects in open systems. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of episodic hypoxia on Largemouth Bass distribution, survival, and feeding success in an open coastal system. We collected 45 Largemouth Bass from four tributaries of the Chowan River and tagged them with acoustic transmitters. Fish movements were monitored using active tracking and passive receivers, and these data were compared with DO levels recorded in the tributaries and main‐stem Chowan River. We found that tagged Largemouth Bass exhibited avoidance behavior at DO concentrations below 1.8 mg/L, with some seeking higher DO in the main stem or near tributary mouths during hypoxic events in the tributaries. The natural mortality rate of Largemouth Bass was low compared with rates reported in other studies, indicating that Largemouth Bass in coastal systems are able to survive hypoxic events. Analysis of stomach contents collected during hypoxic and non‐hypoxic periods indicated that Largemouth Bass had less food in their stomachs under hypoxic conditions; however, the CPUE (fish/h of pedal time) of potential prey fishes was not lower during hypoxic periods relative to non‐hypoxic periods, and thus a change in foraging opportunities did not appear to drive Largemouth Bass movement.}, number={4}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Brown, Daniel T. and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A.}, year={2015}, pages={655–666} }
 @article{sackett_pow_rubino_aday_cope_kullman_rice_kwak_law_2015, title={Sources of endocrine-disrupting compounds in North Carolina waterways: A geographic information systems approach}, volume={34}, ISSN={0730-7268}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ETC.2797}, DOI={10.1002/etc.2797}, abstractNote={AbstractThe presence of endocrine‐disrupting compounds (EDCs), particularly estrogenic compounds, in the environment has drawn public attention across the globe, yet a clear understanding of the extent and distribution of estrogenic EDCs in surface waters and their relationship to potential sources is lacking. The objective of the present study was to identify and examine the potential input of estrogenic EDC sources in North Carolina water bodies using a geographic information system (GIS) mapping and analysis approach. Existing data from state and federal agencies were used to create point and nonpoint source maps depicting the cumulative contribution of potential sources of estrogenic EDCs to North Carolina surface waters. Water was collected from 33 sites (12 associated with potential point sources, 12 associated with potential nonpoint sources, and 9 reference), to validate the predictive results of the GIS analysis. Estrogenicity (measured as 17β‐estradiol equivalence) ranged from 0.06 ng/L to 56.9 ng/L. However, the majority of sites (88%) had water 17β‐estradiol concentrations below 1 ng/L. Sites associated with point and nonpoint sources had significantly higher 17β‐estradiol levels than reference sites. The results suggested that water 17β‐estradiol was reflective of GIS predictions, confirming the relevance of landscape‐level influences on water quality and validating the GIS approach to characterize such relationships. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;9999:1–9. © 2014 SETAC}, number={2}, journal={Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry}, publisher={Wiley}, author={Sackett, Dana K. and Pow, Crystal Lee and Rubino, Matthew J. and Aday, D. Derek and Cope, W. Gregory and Kullman, Seth and Rice, James A. and Kwak, Thomas J. and Law, Mac}, year={2015}, month={Jan}, pages={437–445} }
 @article{campbell_rice_2014, title={Effects of hypoxia-induced habitat compression on growth of juvenile fish in the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, USA}, volume={497}, ISSN={["1616-1599"]}, DOI={10.3354/meps10607}, abstractNote={Hypoxia is thought to have negative effects on fish in coastal ecosystems, but quan- tifying those effects can be difficult. Direct exposure to hypoxia can reduce fish growth or survival, but fish can also rapidly detect and avoid low dissolved oxygen levels. However, avoidance behavior may result in indirect effects that reduce fish growth. For example, when hypoxic condi- tions expand, fish densities may increase in nearshore oxygenated refuges, potentially causing density-dependent reductions in growth. We evaluated this hypothesis for juvenile demersal fish species (primarily spot Leiostomus xanthurus and Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus). By monitoring water quality and fish density across the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, USA, under varying water quality conditions during summer 2007, we showed that fish effectively avoided hypoxia despite rapidly changing conditions (minutes to hours), moving away from incur- sions of hypoxic water and then rapidly redistributing into affected areas after these events passed. Fish densities in nearshore oxygenated refuges increased nearly 2-fold when habitat was compressed by hypoxic waters. Spot in compressed refuges also had significantly less food in their stomachs during June. Based on published estimates of density-dependent spot growth, we esti- mated that average spot growth rate was reduced 17% during habitat compression events, which occurred 21.5% of the time, translating into an average reduction in growth rate of 4% over the summer. This likely is a conservative estimate of indirect hypoxia effects on growth, as hypoxia was relatively mild in 2007, and density dependence is only one indirect mechanism by which hypoxia may potentially reduce growth.}, journal={MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES}, author={Campbell, Lindsay A. and Rice, James A.}, year={2014}, pages={199–213} }
 @article{cerino_overton_rice_morris_2013, title={Bioenergetics and Trophic Impacts of the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish}, volume={142}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1080/00028487.2013.811098}, abstractNote={AbstractIndo‐Pacific lionfish, the Red Lionfish Pterois volitans and the Devil Firefish P. miles, are nonnative marine fish that have invaded the western North Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. Rapid population growth of this invasive predator threatens native fish communities. A bioenergetics model was developed for lionfish (i.e., both species) and then applied to estimate the potential impact of these predators on a reef fish community. We conducted a series of laboratory trials to evaluate consumption and respiration rates between 14°C and 32°C for lionfish weighing from 20 to 400 g. Water temperature greatly influenced consumption; mean daily consumption rates increased from 14°C to 29.7°C and declined at 32.5°C. Energy density of the prey was the most sensitive parameter in the model and estimates of food consumption corresponded with empirical and laboratory estimates. To realize population‐level impacts, we applied the bioenergetics model to a size‐structured virtual population of 393 lionfish/ha on a reef in the Bahamas. Model simulations estimated that this population would annually consume 929 kg of prey/ha when feeding at 60% of maximum consumption. This model provides the first comprehensive assessment of lionfish bioenergetics accounting for the effects of size and temperature on prey consumption and improves the capacity to evaluate the trophic impacts of lionfish in the Atlantic Ocean.}, number={6}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Cerino, David and Overton, Anthony S. and Rice, James A. and Morris, James A., Jr.}, year={2013}, month={Nov}, pages={1522–1534} }
 @article{sackett_aday_rice_cope_2013, title={Maternally transferred mercury in wild largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides}, volume={178}, ISSN={0269-7491}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2013.03.046}, DOI={10.1016/j.envpol.2013.03.046}, abstractNote={Maternal transfer of mercury in fish represents a potential route of elimination for adult females and a risk to developing embryos. To better quantify maternal transfer, we measured Hg in female largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) muscle and eggs from six waterbodies. Mercury in eggs from two waterbodies exceeded a US federal screening level (0.3 μg g(-1)) and was likely high enough to cause adverse reproductive effects. We found a curvilinear relationship between female and egg Hg. Fish with <0.37 μg g(-1) Hg had low levels of Hg in eggs; those with Hg >0.37 μg g(-1) showed a direct relationship between egg and muscle Hg (Log10 egg Hg = -1.03 + 1.18 * log10 muscle tissue Hg + 2.15 * (log10 muscle tissue Hg + 0.35)(2)). We also report higher maternal transfer (0.2-13.2%) and higher ratios of egg to muscle tissue Hg (4-52%) and egg to whole body Hg concentrations (7-116%) than previously observed for teleost fish.}, journal={Environmental Pollution}, publisher={Elsevier BV}, author={Sackett, Dana K. and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A. and Cope, W. Gregory}, year={2013}, month={Jul}, pages={493–497} }
 @article{sackett_cope_rice_aday_2013, title={The Influence of Fish Length on Tissue Mercury Dynamics: Implications for Natural Resource Management and Human Health Risk}, volume={10}, ISSN={["1660-4601"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10020638}, DOI={10.3390/ijerph10020638}, abstractNote={Consumption of fish has well-known human health benefits, though some fish may contain elevated levels of mercury (Hg) that are especially harmful to developing children. Fish length is most often the basis for establishing fishery harvest regulations that determine which fish will ultimately be consumed by humans. It is, therefore, essential to quantify the relationship between fish length and Hg accumulation in regard to harvest regulations for effective fishery and public health policy. We examined this relationship for three sportfish from six lakes across North Carolina, USA. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) had the lowest Hg levels and only the very largest fish in the most contaminated site exceeded the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Hg screening level. Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) had an intermediate level of Hg and larger individuals exceeded the USEPA screening level; however, they tended not to exceed this level before reaching the harvest length limit. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exceeded the USEPA screening level at sizes below the fishery length limit in two lakes, leaving only higher risk fish for anglers to harvest and consume. Removing the effects of fish age and trophic position, we found strong positive correlations between Hg and fish length for largemouth bass and black crappie. We suggest public health officials and wildlife managers collaborate to structure fishery regulations and length-based fish consumption advisories that protect consumers from Hg exposure and communicate the relative risk of fish consumption.}, number={2}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH}, author={Sackett, Dana K. and Cope, W. Gregory and Rice, James A. and Aday, D. Derek}, year={2013}, month={Feb}, pages={638–659} }
 @inproceedings{rice_thompson_sykes_waters_2013, title={The role of metalimnetic hypoxia in striped bass summer kills: Consequences and management implications}, volume={80}, booktitle={Biology and management of inland striped bass and hybrid striped bass}, author={Rice, J. A. and Thompson, J. S. and Sykes, J. A. and Waters, C. T.}, year={2013}, pages={121–145} }
 @article{feiner_rice_bunch_aday_2013, title={Trophic Niche and Diet Overlap between Invasive White Perch and Resident White Bass in a Southeastern Reservoir}, volume={142}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1080/00028487.2013.788563}, abstractNote={AbstractThe White Bass Morone chrysops is a popular sport fish that appears to be negatively affected by invasions of White Perch M. americana and often declines or disappears from invaded systems. In 2008, the first discovery of White Perch in Lake James, North Carolina, provided a rare opportunity to investigate trophic overlap between White Perch and a robust population of White Bass near the onset of invasion. We investigated the potential for resource competition between White Perch and White Bass by assessing their relative abundance (CPUE), trophic position, niche size, diet breadth, and diet overlap across 2 years. White Perch were more abundant than White Bass and had wider diet breadth and trophic niche size across seasons. White Perch also occupied lower trophic positions than White Bass, indicating that White Bass maintain a more piscivorous diet. However, diet and stable isotope analysis showed a high overlap between juvenile White Bass and all sizes of White Perch. Thus, juvenile White Bass may be susceptible to competition with White Perch where resources are limited. Therefore, biologists should take steps to prevent White Perch introductions into systems with popular White Bass fisheries.}, number={4}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Feiner, Zachary S. and Rice, James A. and Bunch, Aaron J. and Aday, D. Derek}, year={2013}, month={Jul}, pages={912–919} }
 @article{feiner_rice_aday_2013, title={Trophic Niche of Invasive White Perch and Potential Interactions with Representative Reservoir Species}, volume={142}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1080/00028487.2013.763854}, abstractNote={AbstractThe trophic dynamics of invasive species can yield insights into the mechanisms of invasion success and aid in the prediction of potential impacts on established species. Additionally, the predicted effects of an invader may differ depending on how it integrates into the resident food web and whether its resource use changes throughout the invasion process. We investigated the trophic dynamics of populations of invasive White Perch Morone americana in three large North Carolina reservoirs and evaluated the potential for impacts on members of the resident fish community. Specifically, we used stable isotope and diet analyses to evaluate their trophic niche relative to three representative species in each reservoir chosen for their widespread range, potential overlaps with White Perch, recreational value, and representation of ecological guilds based on habitat and prey sources. The species were a native littoral generalist invertivore (Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus), native littoral piscivore (Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides), and stocked pelagic piscivore (Striped Bass Morone saxatilis or Walleye Sander vitreus, depending on their availability). Small (<70 mm TL), medium (120–170 mm TL), and large (>200 mm TL) White Perch occupied different trophic positions, and these positions were generally consistent among reservoirs relative to the representative species. Small and medium White Perch had the largest niche areas and high diet overlap with Bluegill in two of three lakes, whereas large White Perch had moderate diet overlap with Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Walleye. As a species, White Perch occupy a wide trophic niche, which may aid in successfully establishing invasive populations. However, White Perch use resources shared by other members of the fish community, which could lead to negative impacts on these species.}, number={3}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Feiner, Zachary S. and Rice, James A. and Aday, D. Derek}, year={2013}, month={May}, pages={628–641} }
 @article{sackett_aday_rice_cope_2013, title={Validation of a Predictive Model for Fish Tissue Mercury Concentrations}, volume={142}, ISSN={["0002-8487"]}, DOI={10.1080/00028487.2012.747990}, abstractNote={AbstractIn an effort to reconcile the extensive variability in fish tissue mercury (Hg) in North Carolina, we previously created a predictive model using data collected from 1990 to 2006. Our model identified four factors—fish trophic status, fish species, ecoregion, and water pH—that explained 81% of the variation in fish tissue Hg. Herein, we evaluate the performance of this model by using two independently collected data sets describing fish tissue Hg in North Carolina and Virginia. Our model explained 75% of the variation in independently collected tissue Hg data from North Carolina and 68% of the variation in data collected from the same ecoregion types in Virginia. Although the relationships were relatively strong, the model generally underestimated observed tissue Hg. Residual analysis indicated that at least some of the model bias was due to error in predictions for sites near (within 10 km of) coal‐fired power plants. The model was not significantly biased when sites near power plants were removed from the independent data set, suggesting that the model was best at predicting mean tissue Hg in adult fish collected from water bodies greater than 10 km from power plants; such sites constitute the majority of the landscape. Fortuitously, fish at sites near power plants have significantly less tissue Hg than fish at sites far from power plants and are therefore of less concern to public health officials. The validated model can serve as a fish tissue Hg screening tool for use by state and federal agencies because it was created to predict Hg levels in numerous species and systems, and it only requires data that are readily available or relatively simple and inexpensive to measure. Identification of specific systems that may have highly contaminated fish and would not otherwise be sampled due to limited resources will help to focus sampling and enhance efforts to protect fish consumers.}, number={2}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Sackett, Dana K. and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A. and Cope, W. Gregory}, year={2013}, month={Mar}, pages={380–387} }
 @article{bethke_rice_aday_2014, title={White Perch in Small North Carolina Reservoirs: What Explains Variation in Population Structure?}, volume={143}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1080/00028487.2013.830989}, abstractNote={AbstractWhite Perch Morone americana have been introduced into many inland systems throughout the United States. To determine factors affecting White Perch abundance and size structure, we compared White Perch growth, timing of maturity, and trophic level; the abundance of a predator (Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides); the abundance of an ecologically significant mid‐level omnivore (Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum); prey availability (chironomid and zooplankton abundances); and environmental variables (specific conductivity, Secchi depth, dissolved oxygen concentration, and temperature) among four reservoirs (two with high White Perch abundance and two with low abundance). White Perch size structure was closely tied to abundance, with truncated size structure as abundance increased. Among the other variables we tested, only Largemouth Bass abundance had a significant (negative) relationship with White Perch abundance. White Perch size structure appeared to be highly density dependent, and variables that commonly explain variation in abundance of introduced fishes did not explain differences in the four White Perch populations we studied. Further study of the competitive and predatory interactions of White Perch and Largemouth Bass over ontogeny could shed light on the mechanism(s) potentially shaping population structure of the two species where they coexist.}, number={1}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Bethke, Bethany J. and Rice, James A. and Aday, D. Derek}, year={2014}, month={Jan}, pages={77–84} }
 @article{feiner_aday_rice_2012, title={Phenotypic shifts in white perch life history strategy across stages of invasion}, volume={14}, ISSN={["1573-1464"]}, DOI={10.1007/s10530-012-0231-z}, number={11}, journal={BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS}, author={Feiner, Zachary S. and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A.}, year={2012}, month={Nov}, pages={2315–2329} }
 @article{morris_shertzer_rice_2011, title={A stage-based matrix population model of invasive lionfish with implications for control}, volume={13}, ISSN={["1387-3547"]}, DOI={10.1007/s10530-010-9786-8}, number={1}, journal={BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS}, author={Morris, James A., Jr. and Shertzer, Kyle W. and Rice, James A.}, year={2011}, month={Jan}, pages={7–12} }
 @article{sackett_aday_rice_cope_buchwalter_2010, title={Does proximity to coal-fired power plants influence fish tissue mercury?}, volume={19}, ISSN={["1573-3017"]}, DOI={10.1007/s10646-010-0545-5}, abstractNote={Much of the mercury contamination in aquatic biota originates from coal-fired power plants, point sources that release mercury into the atmosphere. Understanding mercury dynamics is primarily important because of the toxic threat mercury poses to wildlife and humans through the consumption of contaminated fish. In this study, we quantified the relative importance of proximity to coal-fired power plants on mercury accumulation in two fish species of different trophic positions. Fish, water and sediment were collected and analyzed from 14 lakes, seven near to (<10 km) and seven far from (>30 km) coal-fired power plants. Lower tissue mercury and higher tissue selenium concentrations were measured in fish collected near power plants. Moreover, mercury accumulation in fish was driven by biotic characteristics (e.g., trophic position, total length, age), waterbody characteristics (e.g., pH, dissolved organic carbon and sulfate) and distance from power plants. Proximity to an atmospheric point-source of mercury and selenium, such as a coal-fired power plant, affects the quantities of mercury and selenium accumulated in fish tissue. Differences in accumulation are hypothesized to be driven in part by selenium-mitigated reductions in fish tissue mercury near power plants. Although reduced fish tissue mercury in systems near power plants may decrease mercury-specific risks to human consumers, these benefits are highly localized and the relatively high selenium associated with these tissues may compromise ecological health.}, number={8}, journal={ECOTOXICOLOGY}, author={Sackett, Dana K. and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A. and Cope, W. Gregory and Buchwalter, David}, year={2010}, month={Nov}, pages={1601–1611} }
 @article{thompson_rice_waters_2010, title={Striped Bass Habitat Selection Rules in Reservoirs without Suitable Summer Habitat Offer Insight into Consequences for Growth}, volume={139}, ISSN={["0002-8487"]}, DOI={10.1577/t09-140.1}, abstractNote={AbstractThe traditional view of habitat requirements for inland striped bass Morone saxatilis suggests that these fish need dissolved oxygen (DO) levels above 2–3 mg/L and temperatures below 25°C to thrive. However, striped bass are found in reservoirs where hypolimnetic hypoxia forces them into warm temperatures (27–30°C) for much of the summer, and contrary to expectations, these populations do not consistently experience poor growth or mortality. We used telemetry of adult striped bass in Badin Lake, North Carolina, to characterize habitat selection by striped bass in systems with unsuitable summer habitat. As summer stratification developed, striped bass selected preferred temperatures of 20–23°C as long as the DO was at least 2 mg/L. Once hypoxia forced striped bass into warmer water, the fish concentrated at the top of the oxycline (defined as the depth just above the largest decline in DO occurring over a 1‐m change in depth), which was 1–2°C warmer but had greater DO levels (4–8 mg/L) than the coolest water, with DO of 2 mg/L. Striped bass remained at the top of the oxycline into the fall, even after deeper water with preferred temperatures and a DO level of 2 mg/L became available. We suggest that these patterns, supported by observations in the literature, represent summer habitat selection rules for striped bass in reservoirs where all oxygenated habitat exceeds temperatures traditionally considered suitable for striped bass. We also show that the depth distribution of Badin Lake striped bass in response to physical habitat constraints causes them to overlap spatially with warmwater prey inhabiting shallow, warmwater depths both in the summer and early fall. Badin Lake striped bass continue to feed and grow over the summer, providing evidence that the availability of adequate prey resources can offset the costs of poor summer habitat. Warm, productive reservoirs without permanent thermal refuges may therefore provide better habitat for maintaining quality growth and condition than those systems where occupation of cooler temperatures segregates striped bass from their prey.}, number={5}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Thompson, Jessica S. and Rice, James A. and Waters, D. Scott}, year={2010}, month={Sep}, pages={1450–1464} }
 @article{sackett_aday_rice_cope_2009, title={A Statewide Assessment of Mercury Dynamics in North Carolina Water Bodies and Fish}, volume={138}, ISSN={["0002-8487"]}, DOI={10.1577/t08-178.1}, abstractNote={AbstractMercury contamination of aquatic systems has received much attention recently because of potential health effects on humans and wildlife. Although the factors affecting mercury deposition, its conversion to biologically active methylmercury, and its bioaccumulation in aquatic systems have been identified, equivocal results for particular species and systems have hampered policy making. Our study addresses this problem through a comprehensive, statewide synthesis of the available data on fish mercury contamination in North Carolina and the environmental factors associated with methylmercury formation and transport through aquatic food webs. Using data collected by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and others, we examined the relationships between a suite of biotic and abiotic factors and tissue mercury concentrations in fish from North Carolina water bodies. Multivariate tests were conducted to create predictive models relating environmental variables to mercury levels in fish, and Akaike's information criterion was used to examine the relative strengths of the candidate models. The best model in our analyses (R2 = 0.81) included species, fish trophic status, ecoregion, and pH. Other important drivers of mercury accumulation were land use patterns (the percentage of the subbasin that is agricultural) and site type (swamps versus lakes, rivers, and bays). Although previous investigations have indicated similar individual relationships, our study is unique in that we examined the relative importance of a large number of biotic and abiotic variables across a range of environments, ecosystems, and species. The results of these analyses should help policymakers in making risk assessment decisions and serve as a template for future investigations.}, number={6}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Sackett, Dana K. and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A. and Cope, W. Gregory}, year={2009}, month={Nov}, pages={1328–1341} }
 @article{godbout_aday_rice_bangs_quattro_2009, title={Morphological Models for Identifying Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, and Largemouth Bass X Spotted Bass Hybrids}, volume={29}, ISSN={["1548-8675"]}, DOI={10.1577/M08-253.1}, abstractNote={AbstractHybridization is common among many closely related fishes, such as the largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and spotted bass M. punctulatus. Although these species are common members of the sport fish community in midwestern and southeastern U.S. reservoirs, fairly little is known about their ecological interactions or the potential for the introduction of one species to influence the other species. To address these ecological questions and develop appropriate management strategies, reliable field and laboratory identification of each parental species and their hybrid is required. To that end, we collected juvenile (n = 60) and adult (n = 78) largemouth bass, spotted bass, and largemouth bass × spotted bass hybrids from Lake Norman, North Carolina, a system with a historically strong largemouth bass fishery that recently experienced a spotted bass introduction. We recorded a suite of morphological traits on each individual and correlated those observations with DNA sequences from one mitochondrial marker and three nuclear DNA markers in an attempt to develop morphological field and laboratory methods for identifying individuals of the parental species and their hybrid. After confirming that largemouth bass and spotted bass were hybridizing in Lake Norman, we used classification tree analyses to form dichotomous keys for field and laboratory identification of parental individuals and hybrids at juvenile (50–100 mm total length) and adult (300–500 mm) life stages. These keys should provide fishery biologists and managers with a tool to identify these two species, which commonly interact and closely resemble one another. In addition, these keys should be useful in providing evidence that largemouth bass and spotted bass are hybridizing before more expensive techniques like DNA sequencing are pursued.}, number={5}, journal={NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT}, author={Godbout, Jason D. and Aday, D. Derek and Rice, James A. and Bangs, Max R. and Quattro, Joseph M.}, year={2009}, month={Oct}, pages={1425–1437} }
 @inproceedings{breitburg_craig_fulford_rose_boynton_brady_ciotti_diaz_friedland_hagy_et al._2009, title={Nutrient enrichment and fisheries exploitation: Interactive effects on estuarine living resources and their management}, volume={629}, number={1}, booktitle={Hydrobiologia}, author={Breitburg, D. L. and Craig, J. K. and Fulford, R. S. and Rose, K. A. and Boynton, W. R. and Brady, D. C. and Ciotti, B. J. and Diaz, R. J. and Friedland, K. D. and Hagy, J. D. and et al.}, year={2009}, pages={31–47} }
 @article{breitburg_craig_fulford_rose_boynton_brady_ciotti_diaz_friedland_hagy_et al._2009, title={Nutrient enrichment and fisheries exploitation: interactive effects on estuarine living resources and their management}, volume={629}, ISSN={0018-8158 1573-5117}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-9762-4}, DOI={10.1007/s10750-009-9762-4}, number={1}, journal={Hydrobiologia}, publisher={Springer Science and Business Media LLC}, author={Breitburg, D. L. and Craig, J. K. and Fulford, R. S. and Rose, K. A. and Boynton, W. R. and Brady, D. C. and Ciotti, B. J. and Diaz, R. J. and Friedland, K. D. and Hagy, J. D., III and et al.}, year={2009}, month={Apr}, pages={31–47} }
 @article{cope_bringolf_mosher_rice_noble_edwards_2008, title={Controlling nitrogen release from farm ponds with a subsurface outflow device: Implications for improved water quality in receiving streams}, volume={95}, ISSN={["0378-3774"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.agwat.2008.01.015}, abstractNote={Abstract The retention of nutrients in farm ponds has many potential benefits, including reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus (promoters of eutrophication) in receiving streams. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial subsurface pond outflow control device (Pond Management System™) on nutrient retention in farm ponds. Four ponds of similar size and water chemistry in the upper Tar River basin of North Carolina, USA were studied; three were equipped with the pond outflow control device and one was retained without a device (normal surface outflow) that served as a reference site. Water samples were collected monthly from each pond at 0.3 m intervals from the surface to 2.1 m at a fixed station adjacent to the pond standpipe and from the pond outflow pipe from March to October 2005. The water samples were analyzed for total Kjeldahl nitrogen (N), total phosphorus (P), chlorophyll a, and a suite of other physicochemical variables. In ponds with the subsurface outflow device, the mean N concentrations in the outflow were substantially less (6.2–20.7%) than concentrations at the pond surface. Concentrations of N in the outflow were similar to N concentrations at intermediate pond depths (0.9–1.5 m), the depth of the outflow devices, indicating water was drawn from these depths and that N was being retained in the surface layers of the pond. Also, mean water temperatures were 1.1–1.9 °C cooler at intermediate depths compared to the surface, suggesting potential application of the outflow device for minimizing warm water outflows to receiving streams. These results provide evidence that under these conditions a subsurface pond outflow device can reduce nutrient release to receiving streams, thereby increasing overall stream water quality.}, number={6}, journal={AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT}, author={Cope, W. Gregory and Bringolf, Robert B. and Mosher, Shad and Rice, James A. and Noble, Richard L. and Edwards, H. Clifton}, year={2008}, month={Jun}, pages={737–742} }
 @article{craig_rice_crowder_nadeau_2007, title={Density-dependent growth and mortality in an estuary-dependent fish: an experimental approach with juvenile spot Leiostomus xanthurus}, volume={343}, ISSN={["1616-1599"]}, DOI={10.3354/meps06864}, abstractNote={The abundance of demersal marine fishes is a function of both pre-settlement processes that influence recruitment to benthic juvenile habitats, as well as post-settlement density-dependent processes that act during the juvenile stage. Few studies have investigated density-dependence for fishes that spawn offshore and recruit to inshore estuaries for the juvenile stage prior to returning to offshore waters as adults (i.e. estuary-dependent). We conducted 2 replicated experiments at differ- ent spatial scales to test for density-dependent growth and mortality in juvenile spot Leiostomus xan- thurus, a common estuary-dependent species. In the small-scale experiment, we stocked spot in 1 m 2 cages in a marsh creek at densities of 2, 5, and 10 fish m -2 and determined their growth and mortal- ity after 51 d. In the large-scale experiment, we stocked spot in 79 m 2 pond sections at 2, 5, and 10 fish m -2 and determined their growth and mortality after 52 d. We sampled benthic infauna at the end of the pond experiment to determine if prey availability mediated the effects of density on spot growth and mortality. Average spot growth rates decreased 83 to 97% and mortality increased 2- to 4-fold as density increased from 2 to 10 fish m -2 . The density of benthic infauna at the end of the pond exper- iment was inversely related to spot density, consistent with competition for food as the underlying mechanism. Estimates of spot density compiled from the literature indicate that the density-depen- dent effects we observed occurred within the range of reported field densities. Our results provide strong experimental support for the hypothesis that density-dependent processes during the demer- sal juvenile stage in estuaries can modify patterns in the abundance of spot, and perhaps other estu- ary-dependent species, that are established prior to settlement.}, journal={MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES}, author={Craig, J. Kevin and Rice, James A. and Crowder, Larry B. and Nadeau, David A.}, year={2007}, pages={251–262} }
 @article{pine_kwak_rice_2007, title={Modeling management scenarios and the effects of an introduced apex predator on a coastal riverine fish community}, volume={136}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1577/T05-249.1}, abstractNote={AbstractThe flathead catfishPylodictis olivaris, a carnivorous fish species native to most of the central interior basin of North America, has been introduced into at least 13 U.S. states and 1 Canadian province. Concurrent declines in abundance of native fishes have been reported in aquatic systems where flathead catfish have been introduced. To evaluate the potential impact of this invasive species on the native fish community we developed an ecosystem simulation model (including flathead catfish) based on empirical data collected from a North Carolina coastal river. The model results suggest that flathead catfish suppress native fish community biomass by 5–50% through both predatory and competitive interactions. However, our model suggests these reductions could be mitigated through sustained exploitation of flathead catfish by recreational or commercial fishers at rates equivalent to those for native flathead catfish populations (annual exploitation = 6–25%). These findings demonstrate the potential for using directed harvest of an invasive species to assist in restoring native communities.}, number={1}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Pine, William E., III and Kwak, Thomas J. and Rice, James A.}, year={2007}, month={Jan}, pages={105–120} }
 @article{thompson_waters_rice_hightower_2007, title={Seasonal natural and fishing mortality of striped bass in a southeastern reservoir}, volume={27}, ISSN={["0275-5947"]}, DOI={10.1577/M06-088.1}, abstractNote={AbstractReliable estimates of natural and fishing mortality are important for management of exploited fish populations, but these components of the total mortality rate can be difficult to determine by traditional fisheries methods. We used telemetry data to determine seasonal instantaneous fishing (F) and natural mortality (M) rates of subadult and adult striped bassMorone saxatilisin Badin Lake, North Carolina. Our analyses were based on the fates of 64 fish implanted with sonic transmitters and released and tracked for 2 years. Natural mortality was low and constant during the course of the study (M± SE = 0.10 ± 0.01) and was similar to estimates for other reservoir populations of striped bass. A natural mortality rate of 0.09–0.16 may be a reasonable approximation for populations across the southeastern United States. Fishing mortality varied seasonally and was highest in the spring and summer of 2002 and the summer and fall of 2003; annual fishing mortality (F± SE) was 0.65 ± 0.08 in 2002 and 0.77 ± 0.08 in 2003. Due to these high harvest rates, estimated annual survival rates were low for the Badin Lake population (47% in 2002; 42% in 2003). Results of a yield‐per‐recruit model suggest that harvest of older, larger individuals can be increased in Badin Lake with a decrease in fishing mortality or a moderate increase in the minimum size limit, even when the effect of catch‐and‐release mortality of fish below the size limit is considered. Our results also indicate important considerations for researchers using this method in the future, including the need to estimate downstream emigration and delay the inclusion of newly tagged fish in analysis to avoid biasing estimates of fishing mortality.}, number={2}, journal={NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES MANAGEMENT}, author={Thompson, Jessica S. and Waters, D. Scott and Rice, James A. and Hightower, Joseph E.}, year={2007}, month={May}, pages={681–694} }
 @article{fulford_rice_miller_binkowski_2006, title={Elucidating patterns of size-dependent predation on larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Michigan: an experimental and modeling approach}, volume={63}, ISSN={["1205-7533"]}, DOI={10.1139/F05-195}, abstractNote={ Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Michigan have experienced sustained recruitment failure since 1990 as a result of increased mortality during the pelagic larval phase. Increased mortality of larval yellow perch has been tied indirectly to increased alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) predation, but effects of predation on larval survival variability must be better understood. We compared the relative importance of predation by alewife and two other fish predators to larval survival in laboratory experiments and developed an individual-based predation model (IBM) to examine patterns in size-dependent predation vulnerability. Simulations exposing larval perch to predation by all predators suggest that larval mortality resulting from alewife predation is more size-dependent than mortality resulting from the other two predators, and the range of sizes vulnerable to alewife is smaller. Alewife predation may not be an important mortality source for larval yellow perch in Lake Michigan at present because of the narrow range of vulnerable sizes and low densities of larval perch in the open lake. Predation is more likely to be important in smaller, more productive systems where other predators are abundant. Modeling results also indicate IBM analysis of date of hatch distributions of surviving larvae is a valuable tool for identifying factors most important to larval survival. }, number={1}, journal={CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES}, author={Fulford, RS and Rice, JA and Miller, TJ and Binkowski, FP}, year={2006}, month={Jan}, pages={11–27} }
 @article{fulford_rice_binkowski_2006, title={Examination of sampling bias for larval yellow perch in southern Lake Michigan}, volume={32}, ISSN={["0380-1330"]}, DOI={10.3394/0380-1330(2006)32[434:EOSBFL]2.0.CO;2}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT Evidence suggests larval yellow perch, Perca flavescens, utilize nearshore and offshore habitat during the 30–40 day period between hatch and transition from pelagic to demersal habitat. In a large, open system like Lake Michigan this represents a significant increase in available habitat and it is important to understand how this increase may impact our ability to sample larval yellow perch in an unbiased manner. We measured the vertical distribution of larval yellow perch in southern Lake Michigan as a function of size, age, and diel period. Larval yellow perch were collected from two zones (surface and epilimnion) from 1 to 32 km from shore in 2001 during the day; on four dates surface samples were also collected at night. Results indicate larval perch are more abundant at the surface at night than during the day. Larval yellow perch < 15 mm total length (TL) and younger than 18 days post hatch were found in both surface and epilimnion habitat during the day, but larvae > 15 mm TL were captured only in the epilimnion and farther than 5 km from shore, which suggests a different spatial distribution for larger, older larvae. Diel differences in larval abundance and size at the surface suggest more and larger larvae will be caught for a similar effort at night as compared to daytime sampling. Observed differences in larval distribution with size and age also suggest that sampling concentrated nearshore and/or at the surface has the potential to under-sample larger/older yellow perch larvae in Lake Michigan.}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH}, author={Fulford, Richard S. and Rice, James A. and Binkowski, Fred P.}, year={2006}, pages={434–441} }
 @article{bestgen_beyers_rice_haines_2006, title={Factors affecting recruitment of young Colorado pikeminnow: Synthesis of predation experiments, field studies, and individual-based modeling}, volume={135}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1577/T05-171.1}, abstractNote={AbstractPredation experiments, field studies, and individual‐based‐model (IBM) simulations revealed factors that affected the survival and recruitment of early life stages of endangered Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius in the Green River basin, Utah and Colorado. Small‐bodied, nonnative red shiners Cyprinella lutrensis attacked Colorado pikeminnow larvae an average of once per minute, and predation success approached 30% in laboratory aquaria. Attack rate was also high in mesocosm experiments; turbidity and alternative prey reduced predation success. Distributions of hatching dates derived from otolith daily increment analysis showed that large cohorts of Colorado pikeminnow larvae that hatched in the Green River in early summer had low survival to autumn and that the few survivors were fast growing. Larvae hatched in midsummer or later had higher survival. Autumn juveniles grew 12–73% faster than summer juveniles, which suggested differential mortality of slow‐growing fish. The IBM simulations integrated size‐dependent predator–prey relationships, Colorado pikeminnow life history information, temperature‐dependent pikeminnow growth, Green River predator size‐structure dynamics, seasonally variable Green River water temperatures, and turbidity and alternative prey availability effects; the simulations showed that red shiner predation interacting with environmental variables may significantly reduce age‐0 pikeminnow recruitment in autumn. Recruitment and growth patterns from simulations and field observations were consistent and suggested that the IBM is useful in evaluating management scenarios. Experiments, field studies, and predictive modeling provided consistent evidence that interacting effects of predation and environmental variables, including flow fluctuations, may structure intra‐annual growth and recruitment patterns of age‐0 Colorado pikeminnow. Flow management to benefit growth and survival of young pikeminnow, particularly early hatching ones, and reduced nonnative predator abundance in Green River backwaters may enhance the Colorado pikeminnow populations.}, number={6}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Bestgen, K. R. and Beyers, D. W. and Rice, J. A. and Haines, G. B.}, year={2006}, month={Nov}, pages={1722–1742} }
 @article{fulford_rice_miller_binkowski_dettmers_belonger_2006, title={Foraging selectivity by larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens): implications for understanding recruitment in small and large lakes}, volume={63}, ISSN={["1205-7533"]}, DOI={10.1139/F05-196}, abstractNote={ Growth and survivorship of larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens) have been examined in many systems but can conclusions from well-studied perch populations in smaller lakes be applied to populations in meso-oceanic systems like Lake Michigan, USA? Laboratory experiments were conducted with yellow perch (hatch to 35 mm total length) to develop an empirical selectivity function based on Chesson's α to describe larval diet as a function of changes in prey community composition. This function was used in an individual-based foraging and growth model (IBM) to describe changes in foraging decisions resulting from changes in prey composition between different systems. Larval perch made three selective transitions during ontogeny. Initial positive selection for rotifers and the relative selectivity for cladocerans vs. copepods in late-stage larvae were both dependent on prey composition. Larvae exposed to prey assemblages differing only in composition had different diets. The empirically based IBM accurately predicted these dietary differences and resulting differences in larval growth and likelihood of starvation between systems at equal prey density. The importance of feeding behavior to larval survival will differ between Lake Michigan and smaller lakes, and these results are important for comparisons of recruitment dynamics between large and small systems. }, number={1}, journal={CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES}, author={Fulford, RS and Rice, JA and Miller, TJ and Binkowski, FP and Dettmers, JM and Belonger, B}, year={2006}, month={Jan}, pages={28–42} }
 @article{craig_burke_crowder_rice_2006, title={Prey growth and size-dependent predation in juvenile estuarine fishes: Experimental and model analyses}, volume={87}, ISSN={["0012-9658"]}, DOI={10.1890/0012-9658(2006)87[2366:pgaspi]2.0.co;2}, abstractNote={The outcome of predation interactions between growing, size-structured predator and prey cohorts is difficult to predict. We manipulated the food resources available to juvenile spot subject to predation from southern flounder in a 60-day replicated pond experiment to test the hypothesis that spot growing slowly would experience higher predation mortality and stronger selection against small individuals than those growing rapidly. A nearly threefold difference in average growth rate between fast- and slow-growth treatments led to twofold higher predation mortality of slow-growing spot. Relative to no-flounder controls, larger spot were overrepresented at the end of the experiment in both treatments, but the magnitude of flounder size selection was much greater in the slow-growth treatment. The experimental results agreed qualitatively, but not quantitatively, with predictions from a prior size-dependent foraging model. In particular, the model significantly underestimated observed shifts in spot size structure to larger sizes. We hypothesized that competitive release and associated increases in spot growth due to thinning by flounder might reconcile this difference, and extended the model to incorporate this process. We then used the model to estimate the relative contribution of these two confounded predator effects (size-selective predation and thinning) to observed shifts in spot size structure. Model simulations indicated that the combined effects of size-selective predation and thinning could account for nearly all of the observed shift in spot size structure, but that thinning was the more important process. Our results highlight the utility of combining experimental and modeling approaches to unravel the complexities underlying interactions between growing, size-structured predator and prey cohorts.}, number={9}, journal={ECOLOGY}, author={Craig, J. Kevin and Burke, Brian J. and Crowder, Larry B. and Rice, James A.}, year={2006}, month={Sep}, pages={2366–2377} }
 @article{pine_kwak_waters_rice_2005, title={Diet selectivity of introduced flathead catfish in coastal rivers}, volume={134}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1577/T04-166.1}, abstractNote={AbstractIn two coastal North Carolina rivers (Contentnea Creek and the Northeast Cape Fear River), we found the food habits of introduced flathead catfish Pylodictis olivaris to be primarily piscivorous, which could restructure or suppress native fish communities through direct predation. Fish or crayfish contributed more than 50% of the stomach contents by percent occurrence, percent by number, and percent by weight in both rivers during each of 2 years. Significant differences in diet composition (percent by number) were found between rivers and between years in the Northeast Cape Fear River but not between years within Contentnea Creek. Chesson's selectivity index values and trends in relative abundances of fish availability relative to those occurring in the diet suggest that flathead catfish feeding is generally random, indicating that these introduced flathead catfish do not selectively feed on prey species with which they did not coevolve. Our research represents the first assessment of prey selectivity by an introduced ictalurid population and provides evidence of the potential impact on native fish communities through their piscivorous food habits.}, number={4}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Pine, WE and Kwak, TJ and Waters, DS and Rice, JA}, year={2005}, month={Jul}, pages={901–909} }
 @article{shimps_rice_osborne_2005, title={Hypoxia tolerance in two juvenile estuary-dependent fishes}, volume={325}, ISSN={["1879-1697"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jembe.2005.04.026}, abstractNote={Hypoxia events, or low dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions, occur frequently in North Carolina estuaries during the summer. These events may have harmful effects on important fish stocks, including spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) and Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), but their consequences are not well understood. We investigated direct mortality due to hypoxia in juvenile spot and Atlantic menhaden to determine how the extent of mortality varies with the severity of hypoxia and the duration of exposure, and to explore how vulnerability to hypoxia changes across species, fish size, and temperature. Atlantic menhaden and spot were tested at two temperatures, 25 and 30 °C, and three dissolved oxygen concentrations, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 ppm. Survival analyses were performed on the data relating survival rate of each species to dissolved oxygen concentration, duration of exposure, fish size, and temperature. The data were analyzed using an LC50 approach for comparative purposes, and 12-h LC50 estimates ranged from 0.9 to 1.1 ppm O2. Spot and menhaden exposed to 1.2 ppm O2 showed no mortality in 24 h at 25 °C, and only 30–40% mortality at 30 °C. In contrast, both species experienced 100% mortality in 2–6 h at 0.6 ppm O2. There was an effect of size on hypoxia tolerance, with small spot being less tolerant than large spot, while the converse size effect was observed for menhaden. Spot were consistently less tolerant to hypoxia than menhaden and both species were less tolerant to hypoxia at 30 °C than at 25 °C. Preliminary experiments showed a 24-h acclimation to sublethal levels of hypoxia significantly reduced mortality upon subsequent exposure to lethal hypoxia concentrations. Our results indicate that direct mortality due to hypoxia will vary with species, size, and temperature, but will likely only be substantial when these species are exposed to oxygen concentrations less than about 1 ppm O2. Given the severity of hypoxia necessary to cause mortality and the ability of fish to behaviorally avoid hypoxia, direct mortality due to hypoxia may have limited impacts on fish population dynamics. Therefore, the greatest effects due to hypoxia may be caused by the stress imposed by sublethal hypoxic conditions alone or in concert with other stressors, or by indirect effects incurred by avoiding hypoxic areas.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY}, author={Shimps, EL and Rice, JA and Osborne, JA}, year={2005}, month={Nov}, pages={146–162} }
 @article{mcnatt_rice_2004, title={Hypoxia-induced growth rate reduction in two juvenile estuary-dependent fishes}, volume={311}, ISSN={["0022-0981"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.jembe.2004.05.006}, abstractNote={As eutrophication of coastal waters increases, water quality issues such as hypoxia have come to the forefront of environmental concerns for many estuarine systems. Chronic hypoxia during the summer has become a common occurrence in numerous estuaries, degrading nursery habitat and increasing the potential for exposure of juvenile fish to low levels of dissolved oxygen (DO). We conducted a laboratory study to investigate how hypoxic conditions and temperature affect growth rates of two juvenile estuary-dependent fish: the Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) and spot (Leiostomus xanthurus). For a 2-week period, we exposed the fish to one of four constant DO levels (6.0, 4.0, 2.0 or 1.5 mg O2 l−1), at one of two temperatures (25 or 30 °C). A fifth DO treatment, included for spot at 30 °C, allowed DO to fluctuate from 10.0 mg O2 l−1 during the day, to 2.0 mg O2 l−1 at night. This diel fluctuation approximated the natural DO cycle in tidal estuarine creeks. Size measurements were recorded at the beginning, middle and end of experiments. Growth rates were generally unaffected by low DO until concentrations dropped to 1.5 mg O2 l−1, resulting in 31–89% growth reductions. Our results suggest that DO levels must be severely depressed, and in fact, approaching lethal limits, to negatively impact growth of juvenile spot and Atlantic menhaden.}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY}, author={McNatt, RA and Rice, JA}, year={2004}, month={Nov}, pages={147–156} }
 @misc{pine_pollock_hightower_kwak_rice_2003, title={A review of tagging methods for estimating fish population size and components of mortality}, volume={28}, ISSN={["1548-8446"]}, DOI={10.1577/1548-8446(2003)28[10:AROTMF]2.0.CO;2}, abstractNote={Abstract Techniques to improve estimation of animal population size and mortality from tagging studies have received substantial attention from terrestrial biologists and statisticians during the last 20 years. However, these techniques have received little notice from fisheries biologists, despite the widespread applicability to fisheries research, the wide variety of tag types used in fisheries research (from traditional fin clips to telemetry tags), and the development of new computer software to assist with analyses. We present a brief review of population models based on recaptures, returns, or telemetry relocations of tagged fish that can be used to estimate population size, total mortality, and components of mortality (i.e., fishing and natural) that are frequently of interest to fisheries biologists. Recommended strategies include (1) use closed population models (e.g., Lincoln-Peterson) to estimate population size for short term studies where closure assumption can be met, (2) use the robust desi...}, number={10}, journal={FISHERIES}, author={Pine, WE and Pollock, KH and Hightower, JE and Kwak, TJ and Rice, JA}, year={2003}, month={Oct}, pages={10–23} }
 @article{burke_rice_2002, title={A linked foraging and bioenergetics model for southern flounder}, volume={131}, ISSN={["1548-8659"]}, DOI={10.1577/1548-8659(2002)131<0120:alfabm>2.0.co;2}, abstractNote={Abstract Few predation models that simulate effects on prey survival and size structure also predict the corresponding effects on predator growth and size structure. To make this link, we parameterized a bioenergetics model for southern flounder Paralichthys lethostigma by conducting a series of respiration and feeding experiments as well as obtaining values from the literature. We then linked the bioenergetics model to an existing size-dependent foraging model for southern flounder feeding on spot Leiostomus xanthurus and tested it using data from a pond experiment. Integrating these two models allowed us to investigate the effects of size-dependent interactions on predator growth by making predator growth a function of size-dependent foraging success. The linked model predicts spot effects as well as the original foraging model does, but the accuracy of flounder growth predictions were size-dependent. Predictions of prey survival and size structure were robust and were not greatly affected by slight cha...}, number={1}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Burke, BJ and Rice, JA}, year={2002}, month={Jan}, pages={120–131} }
 @article{heyer_miller_binkowski_caldarone_rice_2001, title={Maternal effects as a recruitment mechanism in Lake Michigan yellow perch (Perca flavescens)}, volume={58}, ISSN={["0706-652X"]}, DOI={10.1139/cjfas-58-7-1477}, abstractNote={Changes that occurred in the distribution of adult Lake Michigan yellow perch (Perca flavescens) phenotypic traits suggest that maternal effects on larval traits may be substantially influencing the recruitment of this heavily exploited species. We investigated maternal effects on yellow perch larvae at hatching in 10 maternal lines to test the null hypothesis of no effect of maternal phenotype on offspring phenotype and condition. Analyses lead to a rejection of the null hypothesis and indicated that the observed maternal effects likely resulted from differences among females in size, age, gonadosomatic index, and egg production. The observed maternal effects were expressed in the offspring by differences in larval total length, yolk volume, dry weight, and DNA quantity. Older, larger females were found to have high fecundity, yet low gonadosomatic index. Furthermore, older, larger females produced offspring that were, on average, short with large yolk sacs and high quantities of body reserves, as measured by dry weight and total DNA content. We conclude that the distribution of Lake Michigan yellow perch larval traits at hatching is linked to maternal influences and that this linkage may provide a mechanism through which managers can help rebuild the population.}, number={7}, journal={CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES}, author={Heyer, CJ and Miller, TJ and Binkowski, FP and Caldarone, EM and Rice, JA}, year={2001}, month={Jul}, pages={1477–1487} }
 @article{wannamaker_rice_2000, title={Effects of hypoxia on movements and behavior of selected estuarine organisms from the southeastern United States}, volume={249}, ISSN={["0022-0981"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0022-0981(00)00160-X}, abstractNote={Hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen, remains a common occurrence in estuarine waters as human activity in coastal areas expands. Fish kills, probably the most recognized indicator of these and other water quality problems, have significantly increased in recent years in many Southeastern United States estuaries. While entire aquatic communities are impacted by changes in available oxygen, estuarine organisms serve as appropriate indicators of these changes as they exhibit complex physiological and behavioral responses to hypoxia. The consequences of hypoxia for these species depend on their ability to detect and avoid areas of low dissolved oxygen. We conducted a series of two-way, replicated choice experiments with juvenile spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus), white mullet (Mugil curema), mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), and brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) to determine their ability to detect and avoid specific levels of hypoxia. Additional data on organisms' movement patterns, aquatic surface respiration, and ventilation rates were collected. All species tested could detect and avoid 1 mgl(-1) dissolved oxygen. The hypoxia avoidance response differed among species, as some species exhibited an avoidance threshold while others exhibited a graded avoidance response. These data supply baseline information necessary to assess how some mobile estuarine organisms respond behaviorally to oxygen concentrations, and to understand how hypoxia more broadly impacts fish populations and estuarine community health.}, number={2}, journal={JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY}, author={Wannamaker, CM and Rice, JA}, year={2000}, month={Jun}, pages={145–163} }
 @article{ahrenholz_squires_rice_nixon_fitzhugh_2000, title={Periodicity of increment formation in otoliths of overwintering postlarval and prejuvenile Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus}, volume={98}, number={2}, journal={Fishery Bulletin (Washington, D.C.)}, author={Ahrenholz, D. W. and Squires, D. D. and Rice, J. A. and Nixon, S. W. and Fitzhugh, G. R.}, year={2000}, pages={421–426} }
 @article{rice_1999, title={Coping with uncertainty}, volume={24}, number={7}, journal={Fisheries}, author={Rice, J. A.}, year={1999}, pages={44} }
 @article{beyers_rice_clements_henry_1999, title={Estimating physiological cost of chemical exposure: integrating energetics and stress to quantify toxic effects in fish}, volume={56}, ISSN={["0706-652X"]}, DOI={10.1139/cjfas-56-5-814}, abstractNote={We present empirical support for a conceptual framework in which chemical contaminants are considered as sources of physiological stress to fish. Physiological stress was quantified in terms of energy by measuring routine metabolism, food consumption, activity, and growth rates of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exposed to the organochlorine pesticide dieldrin. Regression analysis was used to estimate models that describe the response of each endpoint as a function of dieldrin concentration and duration of exposure. Metabolic rate, consumption, and growth were influenced by chemical exposure. At short durations of exposure (1-4 days), metabolic rate of exposed fish was depressed compared with controls, but at a longer duration (16 days), metabolic rate increased as a function of concentration. Food consumption and growth rates of fish exposed for 16 days declined as dieldrin concentration increased. The response of each endpoint was consistent with predictions of the general adaptation syndrome. Energetic costs of contaminant-induced changes in metabolism and food consumption can be integrated with a bioenergetics model to demonstrate biological significance of chemical exposure in a natural environment.}, number={5}, journal={CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES}, author={Beyers, DW and Rice, JA and Clements, WH and Henry, CJ}, year={1999}, month={May}, pages={814–822} }
 @article{beyers_rice_clements_1999, title={Evaluating biological significance of chemical exposure to fish using a bioenergetics-based stressor-response model}, volume={56}, ISSN={["1205-7533"]}, DOI={10.1139/cjfas-56-5-823}, abstractNote={We demonstrate how contaminant exposure-response relationships can be integrated with a bioenergetics model to estimate the biological significance of sublethal exposure under fluctuating environmental conditions. The integrated bioenergetics-based stressor-response model (SRM) was evaluated by comparing observed and predicted growth of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) exposed to several dieldrin concentrations and by conducting sensitivity analyses. Predictions of the SRM suggest that energetic effects of exposure of largemouth bass to ambient concentrations of dieldrin in lakes at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge are not biologically significant because the amount of energy lost by resident fish is small compared with variation in food consumption. Furthermore, influence of dieldrin exposure is small compared with the effects of a natural stressor like water temperature. The SRM provides a general framework for integrating laboratory-derived exposure-response relationships with ecological processes to determine the biological significance of multiple stressors in a natural environment. Comparisons of relative effects of anthropogenic and natural stressors can be used to assess potential costs and benefits of alternative ecosystem management strategies.}, number={5}, journal={CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES}, author={Beyers, DW and Rice, JA and Clements, WH}, year={1999}, month={May}, pages={823–829} }
 @article{neal_rice_noble_1999, title={Evaluation of two sizes of hybrid striped bass for introduction into small ponds}, volume={61}, ISSN={["1548-8454"]}, DOI={10.1577/1548-8454(1999)061<0074:EOTSOH>2.0.CO;2}, abstractNote={Abstract Private recreational fisheries in small impoundments provide a potential new market for the growing industry producing hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis. We estimated growth, condition, and survival of hybrid striped bass (female striped bass × male white bass M. chrysops) in two small ponds with established fisheries for largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and bluegill Lepomis macrochirus that eventually experienced severe weather-induced fish kills 266 d and 348 d after stocking. Both ponds were stocked with 40 phase 2 (120–169 mm total length, TL) and 22 phase 3 (241–344 mm TL) hybrid striped bass/ha. Growth and condition were monitored from introduction until the occurrence of fish kills. Fish collections immediately following the kills allowed minimum estimates of survival for time at large before each event. Mean growth rates were near 0.35 mm/d for phase 2 hybrids and ranged from 0.13 to 0.21 mm/d for phase 3 hybrids. Mean relative weight (Wr ), which at the time of stocking was optim...}, number={1}, journal={NORTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF AQUACULTURE}, author={Neal, JW and Rice, JA and Noble, RL}, year={1999}, month={Jan}, pages={74–78} }
 @article{crowder_squires_rice_1997, title={Nonadditive effects of terrestrial and aquatic predators on juvenile estuarine fish}, volume={78}, DOI={10.1890/0012-9658(1997)078[1796:neotaa]2.0.co;2}, abstractNote={Small fish frequently avoid large fish predators by moving into shallow refuges, but this can increase encounters with terrestrial piscivores. In previous experiments, we documented that juvenile spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) respond to southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) by moving into shallow water. This might increase their risk of predation by birds. We conducted a pond-scale field experiment to test the hypothesis that predation by birds and flounder will have nonadditive effects on spot survival and size. We expected spot to have lower survival in the presence of both predators than expected based on their additive effects (i.e., facilitation among predators). The experiment was a 2 3 2 factorial with and without flounders and bird access. Flounder significantly reduced spot survival while birds did not, but there was a significant interaction effect. Spot survived better with both predators than expected based on adding separate predator effects. Mean spot growth rate was unaffected by treatment. Spot moved to shallow water in the presence of flounder and aggregated more tightly in the presence of birds. The observed nonadditive effects could have been due to interference between flounder and birds. However, because all the flounder in our experiments survived and their growth was unaffected by birds, we favor the idea that behavioral changes (increased aggregation) by spot to avoid bird pre- dation also further reduced their vulnerability to flounder. Our results suggest that modeling the effects of multiple predators will be more complicated than simply adding up the effects observed in experiments with single predators.}, number={6}, journal={Ecology (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.)}, author={Crowder, L. B. and Squires, D. D. and Rice, J. A.}, year={1997}, pages={1796–1804} }
 @inbook{rice_crowder_marschall_1997, title={Predation on juvenile fishes: Dynamic interactions between size-structured predators and prey}, volume={21}, booktitle={Early life history and recruitment in fish populations (Fish and Fisheries series #21)}, publisher={London: Chapman & Hall}, author={Rice, J. A. and Crowder, L. B. and Marschall, E. A.}, editor={R. C. Chambers and Trippel, E. A.Editors}, year={1997}, pages={333–356} }
 @article{letcher_rice_crowder_binkowski_1997, title={Size- and species dependent variability in consumption and growth rates of larvae and juveniles of three freshwater fishes}, volume={54}, ISSN={["0706-652X"]}, DOI={10.1139/cjfas-54-2-405}, number={2}, journal={CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES}, author={Letcher, BH and Rice, JA and Crowder, LB and Binkowski, FP}, year={1997}, month={Feb}, pages={405–414} }
 @article{fitzhugh_nixon_ahrenholz_rice_1997, title={Temperature effects on otolith microstructure and birth month estimation from otolith increment patterns in Atlantic menhaden}, volume={126}, ISSN={["0002-8487"]}, DOI={10.1577/1548-8659(1997)126<0579:TEOOMA>2.3.CO;2}, abstractNote={Abstract We demonstrate temperature-influenced increment spacing in the sagittal otoliths of juvenile Atlantic menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus reared at different temperatures and describe otolith increment patterns from wild juveniles born in different months. Tank-reared individuals completed metamorphosis a month earlier at 25°C than at ambient temperatures (10–14°C). We identified several patterns from the sectioned otoliths, including reduced time to metamorphosis, faster transition to the juvenile stage, and increased increment spacing after onset of metamorphosis for those individuals exposed to warmer temperatures. For wild individuals that could be accurately aged, mean otolith increment spacing in the zone from 70 to 80 increments increased 1–2 μm for fish born in November and December to more than 3 μm for fish born in February. The increase in increment spacing is consistent with the arrival of individuals across seasonally warming temperatures in the estuary. A discriminant analysis based on oto...}, number={4}, journal={TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY}, author={Fitzhugh, GR and Nixon, SW and Ahrenholz, DW and Rice, JA}, year={1997}, month={Jul}, pages={579–593} }
 @misc{miller_crowder_rice_marschall_1988, title={LARVAL SIZE AND RECRUITMENT MECHANISMS IN FISHES - TOWARD A CONCEPTUAL-FRAMEWORK}, volume={45}, ISSN={["1205-7533"]}, DOI={10.1139/f88-197}, abstractNote={ Understanding the mechanisms controlling recruitment in fishes is a major problem in fisheries science. Although the literature on recruitment mechanisms is large and growing rapidly, it is primarily species specific. There is no conceptual framework to integrate the existing information on larval fish ecology and its relationship to survival and recruitment. In this paper, we propose an integrating framework based on body size. Although all larval fish are small relative to adult fish, total length at hatching differs among species by an order of magnitude. As many of the factors critical to larval survival and growth are size dependent, substantially different expectations arise about which mechanisms might be most important to recruitment success. We examined the evidence for the importance of size to feeding and starvation, to activity and searching ability, and to risk of predation. Regressions based on data from 72 species of marine and freshwater species suggest that body size is an important factor that unifies many of the published observations. A conceptual framework based on body size has the potential to provide a useful integration of the available data on larval growth and survival and a focus for future studies of recruitment dynamics. }, number={9}, journal={CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES}, author={MILLER, TJ and CROWDER, LB and RICE, JA and MARSCHALL, EA}, year={1988}, month={Sep}, pages={1657–1670} }