SAMARCO, Thomas, J; TURINGAN, Ralph, G; Florida Institute of Technology; Florida Institute of Technology: PREY CAPTURE KINEMATICS IN HATCHERY-REARED AND WILD RED DRUM, SCIAENOPS OCELLATUS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENHANCEMENT OF WILD POPULATIONS

Variation in environmental conditions may lead to morphological, physiological, biochemical, and behavioral differences among fish populations. In an attempt to explore the effects of rearing environments on prey capture performance in red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), prey capture kinematics while feeding on different prey types were compared between hatchery-reared and wild-caught juvenile red drum. Using high-speed videography, prey capture events were recorded and analyzed for maximum cranial excursions and timing variables. Wild-caught juvenile S. ocellatus when feeding on mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki had larger cranial excursions (maximum gape, premaxillary protrusion, and hyoid depression) relative to hatchery-reared conspecifics. However, time to reach maximum cranial excursions did not vary between hatchery-reared and wild-caught red drum. These results reveal that hatchery-reared S. ocellatus may not be as efficient a predator on wild prey as its wild conspecifics during initial introduction into the natural environment. The inefficiency of hatchery-reared S. ocellatus to capture wild prey upon release into the natural environment may cause high mortality. Further studies designed to pre-adapt hatchery-reared S. ocellatus to feed on prey organisms in the wild will be conducted in order to improve the prey capture performance of hatchery-reared fish before they are released into the natural environment for stock enhancement.