Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Arkansas (7)
- Distribution (2)
- Reproduction (2)
- Bats (1)
- Bird (1)
-
- Black-bellied whistling duck (1)
- Breeding (1)
- Coypu (1)
- Dendrocygna (1)
- Dental (1)
- Elanoides (1)
- Fishes (1)
- Haemorhous mexicanus (1)
- House Finch (1)
- Lontra canadensis (1)
- Microsatellites (1)
- Nutria (1)
- Otter (1)
- Paternity analysis (1)
- Pathology (1)
- Platalea (1)
- Population genetics (1)
- Porphyrio martinica (1)
- Purple gallinule (1)
- Range expansion (1)
- Roseate Spoonbill (1)
- Spotted skunk (1)
- Swallow-tailed kite (1)
- Teeth (1)
- Trapping (1)
Articles 1 - 30 of 62
Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Distribution And Breeding Of The Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna Autumnalis) In Arkansas, With A Brief Chronology Of Distribution And Breeding In Southeastern United States, C. Renn Tumlison
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) was a rare bird first reported from Arkansas in 1982, when it was seen in Hempstead Co. in southwestern Arkansas. Observations surged in parts of the state about 2005, then again about 2016, and the bird is now fairly common seasonally in many parts of the state. By use of online sources for citizen science, we elucidate the history of occurrence and present analysis of seasonal distribution of this bird in Arkansas. Individuals occur in Arkansas throughout the year, but observations are most common and widely distributed from March-September, after which most individuals …
A Study Of Dental Pathology In River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) In Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, Jimmie Harper, Karson Grant
A Study Of Dental Pathology In River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) In Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, Jimmie Harper, Karson Grant
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
River otters (Lontra canadensis) consume a variety of foods, including mussels, fishes, and crayfishes. These foods have hard body parts that cause wear of the teeth as the predator ages and incurs more damaging feeding experiences. This can lead to exposure of the pulp cavity and possible abscess and resorption of bone around the alveolus. Further, strong bites against harder parts of prey sometimes results in mechanical breakage, which can lead to pulpitis and severe pathology leading to tooth loss. We investigated the frequency of different forms of dental issues in a sample of 178 skulls of river …
History, Distribution, And Reproduction By The Swallow-Tailed Kite (Elanoides Forficatus) In Arkansas, Grace Wills, C. Renn Tumlison
History, Distribution, And Reproduction By The Swallow-Tailed Kite (Elanoides Forficatus) In Arkansas, Grace Wills, C. Renn Tumlison
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus) is a rare bird in Arkansas, and its historical populations are believed to have declined over much of the last century due to loss of bottomland hardwood forests and associated wetlands. However, sightings have increased in the recent 2 decades. By use of online sources for citizen science, we elucidate the current distribution of this bird in Arkansas, and comment on the status of reproduction. Swallow-tailed Kites arrive in Arkansas as early as March and remain to mid-September, but numbers of reported sightings have a bimodal occurrence with peaks in May and August.
Distribution And History Of The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea Ajaja) In Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, Grace Wills, Karen Rowe
Distribution And History Of The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea Ajaja) In Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, Grace Wills, Karen Rowe
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The Roseatte Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a rare bird in Arkansas and was not reported from the state until 1959, when it was seen in southwestern Arkansas. By use of online sources for citizen science, we elucidate the history of occurrence and present analysis of seasonal distribution of this bird in Arkansas. Individuals arrive in Arkansas as early as April, observations peak in August, and the birds may remain to late October when colder weather promotes southward migration. Most observations are of a few birds, but a maximum of 128 has been counted at one location and time. …
Vertebrate Natural History Notes From Arkansas, 2020, C. Renn Tumlison, Matt Connior, Blake Sasse, Henry Robison, Stan Trauth, S Higdon, L Baer, Z. Baer, R. Stinson, D. Carson, T. Inebnit, L. Lewis, Roger Perry, Ron Redman
Vertebrate Natural History Notes From Arkansas, 2020, C. Renn Tumlison, Matt Connior, Blake Sasse, Henry Robison, Stan Trauth, S Higdon, L Baer, Z. Baer, R. Stinson, D. Carson, T. Inebnit, L. Lewis, Roger Perry, Ron Redman
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Smaller details of natural history often go undocumented to science if those details are not parts of larger studies, but small details can provide insights that lead to interesting questions about ecological relationships or environmental change. We have compiled recent important observations of distribution and reproduction of fishes and mammals. Included are new distributional records of mammals, and observations of reproduction in several mammals for which few data exist in Arkansas. A rare record of the Long-tailed weasel, a special of special concern in Arkansas, is documented from Newton Co. We also provide evidence that Seminole bats likely reproduce in …
Distribution And Reproduction By The Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio Martinica) In Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, Terry L. Tumlison, Tamzen T. Bryant
Distribution And Reproduction By The Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio Martinica) In Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, Terry L. Tumlison, Tamzen T. Bryant
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) is a rare bird in Arkansas, and its populations likely have declined due to loss of marshy areas with emergent vegetation. By use of online sources for citizen science combined with a field study, we elucidate the current distribution of this bird in Arkansas, and document characteristics of reproduction and development. Purple Gallinules arrive in Arkansas as early as April and remain to late October. Nesting occurs from early May into July, and nests may represent second broods. Ontogenetic changes in hatchlings are described.
Plains Spotted Skunk Pelt Purchase Trends In The Ozarks And Ouachitas, 1943-1990, D. Blake Sasse
Plains Spotted Skunk Pelt Purchase Trends In The Ozarks And Ouachitas, 1943-1990, D. Blake Sasse
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The Plains spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius interrupta) is a small carnivore that has experienced population declines across much of its range and is currently being considered for listing as an endangered species. I utilized harvest data on pelts from the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas and the Ouachita mountains in Arkansas that were purchased by fur dealers from 1943-1990 to examine trends in harvest levels over time. Purchases in all three regions declined in the late 1940s and early 1950s, but purchases in the Arkansas returned to near or at historic levels in the early 1960s and the …
De Novo Development And Characterization Of Tetranucleotide Microsatellite Loci Markers From A Southeastern Population Of The House Finch (Haemorhous Mexicanus), Edgar E. Sanchez, J Dylan Maddox, Douglas G. Barron
De Novo Development And Characterization Of Tetranucleotide Microsatellite Loci Markers From A Southeastern Population Of The House Finch (Haemorhous Mexicanus), Edgar E. Sanchez, J Dylan Maddox, Douglas G. Barron
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Microsatellites are short tandem repeats (e.g. TAGATAGA) of base pairs in a species’ genome. High mutation rates in these regions produce variation in the number of repeats across individuals that can be utilized to study patterns of population- and landscape-level genetics and to determine parentage genetically. In this project our objective was to develop microsatellite markers for the House Finch, Haemorhous mexicanus. This species has become one of the most well-studied species of songbirds due to its unique geographical, evolutionary, and epidemiological history. Using mist-nets we captured birds on the Arkansas Tech University campus and collected blood samples to …
Acanthocephala Of Arkansas, Including New Host And Geographic Distribution Records From Fishes, C. T. Mcallister, D. J. Richardson, M. A. Barger, T. J. Fayton, H. W. Robison
Acanthocephala Of Arkansas, Including New Host And Geographic Distribution Records From Fishes, C. T. Mcallister, D. J. Richardson, M. A. Barger, T. J. Fayton, H. W. Robison
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Little is known about the spiny- or thorny-headed worms (Phylum Acanthocephala) of Arkansas and there are no summaries on the acanthocephalans of the state. Here, we provide a checklist of the 22 acanthocephalans that occur in Arkansas’ vertebrates based on previously published records and new data presented herein. In addition, we document a new state record as well as 13 new host records for some fish acanthocephalans.
New Distributional Records Of The Ohio Shrimp, Macrobrachium Ohione Smith (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) In Arkansas, H. W. Robison, L. Lewis, C. Cox, G. Spooner, R. Adams, C. T. Mcallister
New Distributional Records Of The Ohio Shrimp, Macrobrachium Ohione Smith (Decapoda: Palaemonidae) In Arkansas, H. W. Robison, L. Lewis, C. Cox, G. Spooner, R. Adams, C. T. Mcallister
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The Ohio shrimp (Macrobrachium ohione) is a migratory (amphidromous) river shrimp that occurs in some Arkansas rivers. It is known from the Upper Missouri River from its mouth downstream to the Gulf of Mexico, but shrimp abundance has declined, particularly upstream of Louisiana. Ohio Shrimp has also been collected in the lower reach of the Missouri River not far from the confluence of the Mississippi River in St. Louis County. Dams and alterations in channel flow are hypothesized to have impacted upriver migrations of shrimp. Current range, abundance, and life history of Ohio shrimp is relatively unknown in the Mississippi …
Population Sampling Of Chelonians In An Urban Lake In Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas, J. D. Konvalina, C. S. Thigpen, S. E. Trauth
Population Sampling Of Chelonians In An Urban Lake In Jonesboro, Craighead County, Arkansas, J. D. Konvalina, C. S. Thigpen, S. E. Trauth
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
We conducted a mark-recapture survey for aquatic turtles in Craighead Forest Lake in Jonesboro (Craighead County, Arkansas). From July 2, 2015 to October 14, 2015, we set six hoop nets, baited with fish parts, at specific shoreline locations around the lake. Traps were set twice a week and checked 12 hours after they were set. Carapace length, carapace width, plastron length, and plastron width were measured for each individual. Each turtle was identified to species and its sex was recorded. We also placed a notch in one or more of its marginal scutes to aid in future identification. Finally, a …
The Ticks (Arachnida: Acari: Ixodida) Of Arkansas, C. T. Mcallister, L. A. Durden, H. W. Robison
The Ticks (Arachnida: Acari: Ixodida) Of Arkansas, C. T. Mcallister, L. A. Durden, H. W. Robison
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Although ticks are a nuisance to humans and other animals, they are an important part of the biota of North America. In addition, they are vectors of many tick-borne disease agents that can negatively affect higher vertebrates. In Arkansas, there have been no recent comprehensive summaries of the ticks (Acari: Ixodida) in the last 40+ yrs. Here, we provide a summary of the ticks of the state and note the disease agents they can transmit.
Long-Term Monitoring And Recovery Of A Population Of Alligator Snapping Turtles, Macrochelys Temminckii (Testudines: Chelydridae), From A Northeastern Arkansas Stream, S. E. Trauth, D. S. Siegel, M. L. Mccallum, D. H. Jamieson, A. Holt, J. B. Trauth, H. Hicks, J. W. Stanley, J. Elston, J. J. Kelly, J. D. Konvalina
Long-Term Monitoring And Recovery Of A Population Of Alligator Snapping Turtles, Macrochelys Temminckii (Testudines: Chelydridae), From A Northeastern Arkansas Stream, S. E. Trauth, D. S. Siegel, M. L. Mccallum, D. H. Jamieson, A. Holt, J. B. Trauth, H. Hicks, J. W. Stanley, J. Elston, J. J. Kelly, J. D. Konvalina
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
We conducted a mark-recapture study of Alligator Snapping Turtles, Macrochelys temminckii, on Salado Creek (Independence Co., Arkansas) during 10 trapping seasons, which spanned a 20-year period (1995–2015). We trapped a total of 163 Alligator Snapping Turtles during 416 trap nights and recorded a total of 35 recaptures during this study. Both the catch per unit effort (CPUE) and Jolly-Seber approaches demonstrated that this population benefitted from removal of harvest pressure, thus leading to an increase in abundance of Alligator Snapping Turtles in the lower ~5 km of the creek. The CPUE averaged slightly greater than 0.24 (317 trap nights) during …
Dna Barcoding Of The First Recorded American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus Americanus, In Clark County, Arkansas, J. Kelly, T. Files, N. Reyna, B. Baley
Dna Barcoding Of The First Recorded American Burying Beetle, Nicrophorus Americanus, In Clark County, Arkansas, J. Kelly, T. Files, N. Reyna, B. Baley
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The American Burying Beetle (ABB), Nicrophorus americanus, is a red-listed endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We serendipitously recorded 3 individuals of this species during a forensic study in the summer of 2013. These specimens represent the first known records for Clark County, AR and the southeastern-most record in the State since the extirpation of the species from the region in the late 1800’s. Two males and one female were collected, photographed, sexed and measured. One male specimen was deceased upon discovery. The remaining two individuals were released. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service …
Gastrointestinal Parasites Of The Northern River Otter, Lontra Canadensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae), From Arkansas, C. T. Mcallister, A. Surf, R. Tumlison, C. R. Bursey, T. J. Fayton
Gastrointestinal Parasites Of The Northern River Otter, Lontra Canadensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae), From Arkansas, C. T. Mcallister, A. Surf, R. Tumlison, C. R. Bursey, T. J. Fayton
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
No abstract provided.
Occurrence Of Shoal Chub, Macrhybopsis Hyostoma (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) In Unusual Habitat In The Arkansas River System Of Arkansas: Could Direct Tributaries Be Refugia Allowing Persistence Despite Fragmentation Of Instream Habitat?, J. A. Brown, H. W. Robison, C. T. Mcallister
Occurrence Of Shoal Chub, Macrhybopsis Hyostoma (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) In Unusual Habitat In The Arkansas River System Of Arkansas: Could Direct Tributaries Be Refugia Allowing Persistence Despite Fragmentation Of Instream Habitat?, J. A. Brown, H. W. Robison, C. T. Mcallister
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
No abstract provided.
Impacts Of Man-Made Structures On Avian Community Metrics In 4 State Parks In Northwestern Arkansas, R. D. Keith, B. Grooms, R. E. Urbanek
Impacts Of Man-Made Structures On Avian Community Metrics In 4 State Parks In Northwestern Arkansas, R. D. Keith, B. Grooms, R. E. Urbanek
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Avian community metrics often differ between areas with no human disturbance and areas with high levels of human disturbance. However, the relationships between avian community metrics and smaller-scale disturbances are not as clear. Our goal was to investigate if avian abundance, richness, evenness, and diversity differed in areas with and without small-scale human developments. We used fixed-radius 50-m avian point counts to compare points which contained a man-made structure (n = 47), such as a picnic area, road, or campsite to those that did not contain a man-made structure (n = 181) at 4 state parks in Arkansas during 18 …
Reproductive Phenophases And Clutch Characteristics Of Selected Arkansas Amphibians, Stanley E. Trauth, Robert L. Cox Jr., Brian P. Butterfield, David A. Saugey, Walter E. Meshaka Jr.
Reproductive Phenophases And Clutch Characteristics Of Selected Arkansas Amphibians, Stanley E. Trauth, Robert L. Cox Jr., Brian P. Butterfield, David A. Saugey, Walter E. Meshaka Jr.
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Seasonal reproductive phenomena in 13 species of salamanders and 16 species of anurans from Arkansas were investigated. Most specimens were collected during a span of 6 years (1985-1990). Clutch characteristics, including mensural and meristic data, were determined from gravid females. In some species, the size of egg masses was also documented. Among the plethodontid salamanders, average clutch size (in parentheses) was greatest in Eurycea lucifuga (77.7) and smallest in Plethodon serratus (7.0). One of 2 ambystomatid salamanders (Ambystoma texanum) averaged 545.4 eggs per clutch; the other species (Ambystoma tigrinum) averaged 1 30.5. Siren intermedia nettingi (one of 3 large salamanders …
Age Assessment Of White Bass From Otoliths, Dorsal Spines And Scales, Raj V. Kilambi, Thoniot T. Prabhakaran
Age Assessment Of White Bass From Otoliths, Dorsal Spines And Scales, Raj V. Kilambi, Thoniot T. Prabhakaran
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Otoliths, dorsal spines, and scales of 85 white bass collected in1987 from a pre-spawning group were used forage assessment. Agreement between spine and otolith ages were 78.3%, between scale and otolith ages was 68.2%. Unlike spine ages, percent agreement of scale ages with otolith ages decreased from small to large fish. Length-frequency analysis in conjunction with ages assessed by the three calcified structures showed that dorsal spines and scales underestimated white bass ages compared to the otoliths. Clarity of the otolith annuli, even of the older fish, makes them a reliable source for white bass age assessment.
Dental Pathology In Selected Carnivores From Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, J. D. Wilhide, V. Rick Mcdaniel
Dental Pathology In Selected Carnivores From Arkansas, C. Renn Tumlison, J. D. Wilhide, V. Rick Mcdaniel
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
The occurrence and kinds of dental pathology in wild carnivore populations in Arkansas were investigated through examination of 1295 skulls of bobcat (Felis rufus), river otter (Lutra canadensis), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), coyote (Canis latrans), and raccoon (Procyon lotor). Pulpitis or abscesses in broken or otherwise exposed teeth were noted in all species, but bobcats had the fewest exposures while otter and gray foxhad the most. Osteomyelitis occurred in all species except the bobcat. Caries were noted in the coyote, raccoon, and gray fox. Otter and coyote had alveolar thinning, and coyote had enamel dysplasia and maxillary sinusitis.
Comments On Estimating Population Rate Of Increase From Age Frequency Data, C. Renn Tumlison, V. Rick Mcdaniel
Comments On Estimating Population Rate Of Increase From Age Frequency Data, C. Renn Tumlison, V. Rick Mcdaniel
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Although many papers have described assumptions and calculations of r from different kinds of data, none has compared estimates of r for the same real data set under different assumptions. We used the age distributions of gray foxes collected during six trapping seasons to estimate and compare r and lₓ series derived under different assumptions. Because trapped foxes are killed, they are believed by some to represent death history data. We found this treatment underestimates mortality so overestimates survivorship and leads to erroneous conclusions about the population. Use of a projection matrix allowed prediction of population size and thus allowed …
Reproductive Characteristics Of South Florida Sternotherus Odoratus And Kinosternon Baurii (Testudines: Kinosternidae), Walter E. Meshaka Jr.
Reproductive Characteristics Of South Florida Sternotherus Odoratus And Kinosternon Baurii (Testudines: Kinosternidae), Walter E. Meshaka Jr.
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
No abstract provided.
Forest Habitat Use By White-Tailed Deer In The Arkansas Coastal Plain, T. B. Wigley Jr., M. E. Garner
Forest Habitat Use By White-Tailed Deer In The Arkansas Coastal Plain, T. B. Wigley Jr., M. E. Garner
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Forest habitat use by five radio-equipped white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) was monitored in the Arkansas Coastal Plain during 1982-84. The deer were located 821 times. Use of forest types was compared to expected use as calculated from availability. The study area was also divided into 491 two-hectare cells for which timber characteristics and number of deer locations were determined. Pine sawtimber was the most heavily used forest type in all seasons and was used more often than expected during spring. Also used more than expected were brushy areas (clearcut but not site prepared) during spring, summer and fall and openings …
Mammalian Species Recovered From A Study Of Barn Owl, Tyto Alba, Pellets From Southwestern Arkansas, Tim W. Steward, J. D. Wilhide, V. Rick Mcdaniel, Daniel R. England
Mammalian Species Recovered From A Study Of Barn Owl, Tyto Alba, Pellets From Southwestern Arkansas, Tim W. Steward, J. D. Wilhide, V. Rick Mcdaniel, Daniel R. England
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
No abstract provided.
Sex Ratios In Bobcat Populations, C. Renn Tumlison, V. Rick Mcdaniel
Sex Ratios In Bobcat Populations, C. Renn Tumlison, V. Rick Mcdaniel
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Reported sex ratios in bobcat populations have suggested great variation ranging from strong male bias to strong female bias. Explanations offered for these observations have included factors of mobility, activity, behavior, inaccurate data collection, hunting pressure, and population density. Ratios are probably most representative during the winter, when females are no longer under constraints of parental care. Sex determination should be made by experienced observers and preferably through internal examination. The most productive direction for interpretation of validated ratios appears to be in terms of population density, hunting pressure, and the timing of harvest.
Tagging And Marking Crawfish (Procambarus Clarkii) In A Population Estimation Study, Frank Meriweather
Tagging And Marking Crawfish (Procambarus Clarkii) In A Population Estimation Study, Frank Meriweather
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) were tagged with enumerated plastic streamers and released in 0.1-ha ponds to observe recapture frequency in stand-up traps. Also, crawfish were marked by a uropod punch, released and recaptured in 0.1-ha ponds for population estimation. Survival of streamer-tagged crawfish in indoor tanks averaged 46.7% after 25 days, indicating that tagging caused stress leading to mortality, especially during molt. Recapture frequencies of tagged crawfish indicated sampling bias which obviated use of the tagging method in population assessments. Short term (3-day) survival of marked crawfish (92%) and retention of the mark after molt indicated potential application in population assessment …
Comparison Of The Symbiotic Fauna Of The Family Plethodontidae In The Ouachita Mountains Of Western Arkansas, Douglas A. Winter, Wojciech M. Zawada, Arthur A. Johnson
Comparison Of The Symbiotic Fauna Of The Family Plethodontidae In The Ouachita Mountains Of Western Arkansas, Douglas A. Winter, Wojciech M. Zawada, Arthur A. Johnson
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
During the spring of 1985, 101 salamanders representing six host species (29 Plethodon ouachitae, 25 P. caddoensis, 6 P. fourchensis, 23 P. serratus, 13 Desmognathus brimleyorum, and 5 P. glutinosus glutinosus) were collected from six localities in three counties in Arkansas (Polk, Scott, and Montgomery) and examined for symbionts. With the exception of Hannemania dunni, all symbionts recovered from the first five species listed constitute new host records, and the endoparasitic fauna in all species establish new locality records. Examinations revealed one or more species of parasites in 82% of the hosts. Eight species of symbionts (3 nematode, 1 trematode, …
Population Trends Of The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) In Arkansas, Fred L. Burnside Jr., William M. Shepherd
Population Trends Of The Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius Ludovicianus) In Arkansas, Fred L. Burnside Jr., William M. Shepherd
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
No abstract provided.
Flow Reduction May Explain Sporadic Occurrence Of Craspedacusta Sowerbyi (Trachylina) Medusae, Peter P. Brussock, Lawrence D. Willis, Arthur V. Brown
Flow Reduction May Explain Sporadic Occurrence Of Craspedacusta Sowerbyi (Trachylina) Medusae, Peter P. Brussock, Lawrence D. Willis, Arthur V. Brown
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
No abstract provided.
Heterogenity Of The Spawning Populations Of Surf Smelt In The State Of Washington, Raj V. Kilambi
Heterogenity Of The Spawning Populations Of Surf Smelt In The State Of Washington, Raj V. Kilambi
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science
Biometric comparisons of three spawning populations of surf smelt, one from Pacific Coast and two from Puget Sound, were made. The Puget Sound populations (Hood Canal and Utsaladdy) were more similar to each other compared to the ocean populations. The Hood Canal and Utsaladdy smelt exhibited least distance function, D^2 , and greater overlap of meristic characters compared to the Lapush fish. It was postulated that the Puget Sound smelt populations were derived from the ocean smelt some 13,000 or more years ago.