Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Life History Characteristics Of Alligator Gar, Atractosteus Spatual, In The Bayou Dularge Area Of Southcentral Louisiana, Kayla Cheree Dibenedetto

LSU Master's Theses

The alligator gar Atractosteus spatula is a large, long-lived, physostomous fish that inhabits aquatic habitats throughout the central U.S., ranging from Oklahoma southward to the Gulf of Mexico. Unfortunately, the alligator gar has declined significantly in abundance throughout much of its historic range and is now considered vulnerable to localized extirpation. The goal of this study was to provide basic data on the ecology and life history of a commercially-exploited alligator gar population in south Louisiana. This study also focused on age determination and alternate aging techniques such as sectioned otoliths and sectioned scales. From 10 April 2007 through 21 …