Contributions to the life history of alligator gar, Atractosteus spatula (Lacepede), in Oklahoma

Abstract

opportunity to conduct this research but also for all his guidance throughout. Dr. Fisher has been an outstanding role model to me both personally and professionally during my time at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and I am forever grateful for his time and effort. I thank my committee members, Dr. Anthony A. Echelle and Dr. Daniel E. Shoup, whose input and advice not only improved the quality of my work but also made my stay at OSU more enjoyable. I am also grateful to Sheryl Lyon and Joyce Hufford of the Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (OCFWRU) for their assistance. I thank the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), and OCFWRU for funding this project, as well as the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Fisheries Society for providing me with a Jimmie Pigg Memorial Travel Scholarship. In particular, I would like to thank Brent Bristow and Kerry Graves of USFWS and Paul Mauck, Kurt Kuklinski and Jeff Boxrucker of ODWC for their assistance with