The saugeye (Sander canadensis × vitreus) is a hybrid freshwater fish of walleye and sauger of the family Percidae.
| Saugeye | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Percidae |
| Subfamily: | Luciopercinae |
| Tribe: | Luciopercini |
| Genus: | Sander |
| Species: | |
Description
editThe color of saugeye varies between olive green to gold but most individuals exhibit distinct dark saddles extending across the body.[1] Additionally, saugeye exhibit distinct streaks across the dorsal fin that frequently have one to two rows of spots along the base. Sauger will have multiple rows of spots while walleye only exhibit indistinct crescents across the dorsal fin.[1] Saugeye are difficult to identify based on external characteristics alone due to their similarity with both parent species. For example, 27% of presumed walleye sampled in the Ohio River were later determined to be saugeye through genetic techniques.[2]
Diet
editLike walleye and sauger, saugeye are predominantly piscivorous. Prey consumed ultimately depends on location and prey availability, but saugeye diets primarily consist of centrarchids, cyprinids, and clupeids.[3][4] In many cases, saugeye are stocked to utilize abundant gizzard shad,[4] a prey item they readily consume.[5]
Reproduction
editSaugeye are produced by crossing the eggs from a female walleye and sperm from a male sauger.[3]
Management
editSaugeye are raised in hatcheries and stocked in the U.S. to provide an additional fishery opportunity for recreational anglers in reservoirs, rivers, and tailwaters. Some states that have stocked saugeye include Ohio, Tennessee, Colorado, and Nebraska.[6] Some saugeye stockings occur where habitat is considered too warm or eutrophic for walleye. [7]
In some waterbodies, saugeye occur naturally[8][9] and backcross with sauger or walleye.[10][11]
References
edit- ^ a b "Saugeye Management". Virginia Department of Wildlife Conservation. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ White; et al. (2003). "A Genetic Assessment of Ohio River Walleyes". Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 134: 661–665.
- ^ a b Lynch; et al. (1982). "Survival, Growth, and Food Habits of Walleye X Sauger Hybrids (Saugeye) in Ponds". North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 4: 381–387.
- ^ a b Sieber Denlinger; et al. (2005). "Seasonal Consumptive Demand and Prey Use by Stocked Saugeyes in Ohio Reservoirs". Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 135: 12–27.
- ^ Johnson; et al. (1988). "Habitat Preferences, Survival, Growth, Foods, and Harvests of Walleyes and Walleye X Sauger Hybrids". North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 8: 292–304.
- ^ "Sander canadensis × vitreus". U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Quist; et al. (2010). "An Evaluation of Angler Harvest of Walleye and Saugeye in a Kansas Reservoir". Journal of Freshwater Ecology. 25: 1–7.
- ^ Graeb; et al. (2010). "Age-Structured Assessment of Walleyes, Saugers, and Naturally Produced Hybrids in Three Missouri River Reservoirs". North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 30: 887–897.
- ^ "Comprehensive Fisheries Survey of Lake Wisconsin Columbia County, Wisconsin 2012" (PDF). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ Fiss; et al. (2011). "Reproduction among Saugeyes (Fx Hybrids) and Walleyes in Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee". North American Journal of Fisheries Management. 17: 215–219.
- ^ Graham; et al. (2020). "Spontaneous hybridization and introgression between walleye (Sander vitreus) and sauger (Sander canadensis) in two large reservoirs: Insights from genotyping by sequencing". Evolutionary Applications. 14: 965–982.