Sager, D.R., C.H. Hocutt, and J.R. Stauffer, 2000. Base and Stressed Ventilation Rates for Leiostomus xanthurus Lacepede and Morone americana (Gmelin) Exposed to Strobe Lights, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Reprinted with Permission from Journal of Applied Ichthyology (2000) 16(3): 89-97
Reprinted by permission of Blackwell Wissenschafts-Verlag Berlin, GmbH

Base and Stressed Ventilation Rates for Leiostomus xanthurus Lacepede and Morone americana (Gmelin) Exposed to Strobe Lights

Summary 
A biomonitoring system interfaced with a microcomputer was used to monitor ventilation rates for white perch (Morone americana) and spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) under baseline and stressed conditions caused by strobe lights. Tests were con- ducted on light- and dark-acclimated specimens. These two estuarine species have been found to exhibit avoidance behavior to strobe lights. Potential accommodation to the strobe light stimulus was explored over a 24 h period. The biomonitoring system successfully recorded ventilation rates under baseline and stressed conditions. Baseline mean ventilation rates for 0.5 h intervals ranged from 1 count per minute (cpm) to 97 cpm for light-acclimated white perch with an overall mean for 24 h (x) of 41 cpm. Mean stressed rates ranged from 1 to 100 cpm with an overall mean of 44cpm. Baseline rates for dark- acclimated white perch ranged from 1 to 79 cpm (x = 35 cpm), with stressed rates from 2 to 83 cpm (x = 30 cpm). Light- acclimated spot had baseline ventilation rates ranging from 3 to 146 cpm (x = 42 cpm), while stressed rates ranged from 2 to 134 cpm (x = 36 cpm). Mean baseline rates for dark-acclimated spot ranged from 1 to 94cpm (x = 40 cpm), and stressed rates ranged from 1 to 72 cpm (x = 25 cpm). The difference in ventilation rates between base and stressed conditions (as absolute values) for light-acclimated white perch over the 24 h experiments ranged from 0 to 43 cpm (x = 11.01 cpm). Dark- acclimated white perch had differences ranging from 0 to 78 cpm (x = 11.13 cpm). Light-acclimated spot had differences ranging from 0 to 101 cpm (X = 14.68 cpm). Dark-acclimated spot had differences ranging from 0 to 70cpm (x = 20.56cpm). Ventilation rates varied between species and among individuals within a species. Ventilation rates were generally lower for dark- acclimated specimens. For both species under all conditions, the base and stressed rates were significantly (P < 0.05) different during the 24 h period. However, dark-acclimated specimens exhibited a more distinct difference than light-acclimated specimens. The lack of accommodation to strobe light and a stronger reaction under dark conditions indicate that strobe lights continue to offer potential as behavioral guidance systems for these species.

Contact: David Sager, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744
Key Words: White_perch, Basic_biology, Physical_control
Product Type: Research, Basic_biology
User Type: General