Biochemical Genetics of Crappie in Georgia

Project number: F-42
Study: V
Final Report Date:  August 1995
Period Covered: October 1992 March 1993
Authors: Rex A. Dunham, Julie DiBona, Ike Rachmatika, Kimberly G. Norgren, Aimee Emory, Michael Spencer, and Paul Loska

Study Objectives

To survey the biochemical variation of crappie in Georgia and determine if hybridization occurs between black and white crappie populations in Georgia.

Abstract

Isozyme variation at 42 loci was examined for black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, populations in Clarks Hill Reservoir, upper and lower Walter F. George Reservoir, Lake Blackshear, Satilla River, Ogeechee River, Lake Sinclair, Lake Seminole, Lake Tobesofkee, Lake Nottely, Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona and Carters Lake, and for white crappie, P. annularis, in Lake Blackshear.  As has been found in other Southeastern black and white crappie populations, isozyme variation was minimal.  All Southeastern populations of black crappie and white crappie examined, including Georgia crappie, are closely related.  However, several unique rare alleles were detected in Georgia populations that have not been observed in populations.  In 7 of 13 populations sampled, however, hybrid derived individuals were found indicating past hybridization and introgression of the black and white crappie genomes.  Although black crappie populations in Georgia are closely related, they can be divided into management subsets based on presence or absence of rare alleles or white crappie alleles.

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