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Behavior, Energetics, And Swimming Performance Of The American Paddlefish, Polyodon Spathula, In A Lower Mississippi River Oxbow, Bryan Andrew Cage

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Paddlefish often frequent oxbows and backwater habitats between periods of migration. Speculation as to the use and energetic savings associated with this seasonal residence has not been substantiated. This study used radio telemetry to track the seasonal movements and swim tunnel respirometry to estimate metabolic rates and swimming efficiency of paddlefish within an oxbow located just north of Clarksdale, Mississippi (Moon Lake). Paddlefish overwintered in the deepest portions of Moon Lake with little movement into shallower areas. Paddlefish swimming performance was measured at four swimming speeds (76.04, 91.27, 106.50, and 121.72 cm/s) to determine the cost of locomotion over season …