Sampling Description
We captured snook using a boat-mounted, generator-powered electrofisher (two-anode, one cathode Smith-Root 9.0 unit) . Boat electrofishing is an effective sampling technique in freshwater habitats, including the Everglades, and has been used successfully to sample upper estuarine fish communities. We conducted three replicate electrofishing bouts (timed sampling transects) at fixed locations in each site, each 200 m apart. For each bout, we ran the boat at idle speed at a randomly-selected creek shoreline and applied power for 5 min of time, during which two netters captured all immobilized fishes. We standardize power output to 1500 Watts, given temperature and conductance conditions measured at the beginning of each bout.
Method Step
Description
We sampled diets via pulsed gastric lavage, a relatively non-lethal and effective sampling technique. We followed protocols found in IACUC Protocol #12-030.
Instrumentation
The gastric lavage was built in the lab using a 50 Gallon per hour bilge pump andpressure fitted tubing. The nossel tubing of the lavage is 3/8 inch in diameter.
Method Step
Description
We captured snook using a boat-mounted, generator-powered electrofisher (two-anode, one cathode Smith-Root 9.0 unit) . Boat electrofishing is an effective sampling technique in freshwater habitats, including the Everglades, and has been used successfully to sample upper estuarine fish communities. We conducted three replicate electrofishing bouts (timed sampling transects) at fixed locations in each site, each 200 m apart. For each bout, we ran the boat at idle speed at a randomly-selected creek shoreline and applied power for 5 min of time, during which two netters captured all immobilized fishes. We standardize power output to 1500 Watts, given temperature and conductance conditions measured at the beginning of each bout.
Instrumentation
21' Aluminum boat fitted with a generator and other electrofishing equipment (see citation 28)
Method Step
Description
Method Citations:
Boucek, Ross E., and Jennifer S. Rehage. “No Free Lunch: Displaced Marsh Consumers Regulate a Prey Subsidy to an Estuarine Consumer.” Oikos, vol. 122, no. 10, [Nordic Society Oikos, Wiley], 2013, pp. 1453–64, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24567377.
Young, Joy. Spatiotemporal dynamics of spawning aggregations of common snook on the east coast of Florida. Marine Ecology Press Series, 505: 227-240.
Quality Control
Employees, check entered data following standard QA/QC procedures.