Date of Award
9-1987
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Dr. William S. Woolcott
Second Advisor
Professor Janet M. Nolin
Third Advisor
Dr. Joseph C. Mitchell
Abstract
A study of the age and growth of black crappie, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, was conducted in Lake Anna, Virginia, a cooling impoundment for Virginia Power's North Anna Power Station. Growth of the population in the reservoir was compared to that of the population in North Anna's Waste Heat Treatment Facility. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using age as the covariate indicated the growth rate of the two populations did not differ significantly at the .05 level. The populations were combined and tests were conducted to determine differences in growth rates between the sexes. ANCOVA indicated the growth rates of males and females differed significantly; however, frequency distributions indicated there was no substantial difference in growth of the sexes. Growth of the black crappie population in Lake Anna was then compared to similar populations in Virginia and surrounding states. The Lake Anna population grew at a slower rate than was reported for other populations. Habitat availability, lake characteristics, and food availability were discussed as factors which may have limited the growth rate of the Lake Anna population.
Recommended Citation
Daniels, Robert Mason, "Age and growth of black crappie pomoxis nigromaculatus in Lake Anna, a Virginia Power cooling impoundment" (1987). Master's Theses. 537.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/537