Unit Leader - Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Dr. Long grew up in the Ozarks of southwest Missouri and received a PhD from Oklahoma State University in 2000. Afterward, he went to South Carolina as a Fisheries Research Biologist investigating fish community structure in tidal freshwater wetlands. From 2002 to 2009, Dr. Long worked with the National Park Service as the Fishery Biologist for the southeast region. In 2009, Dr. Long moved back to Oklahoma as an Assistant Unit Leader and become Unit Leader in 2016. Dr. Long's research focuses on management-driven questions related to the process of fisheries management, social dimensions, early-life history of fishes, and effects of invasive species on aquatic communities. Over the past decade, Dr. Long has been particularly engaged in issues related to black bass diversity, highlighting the conservation needs of these endemic and iconic species. Dr. Long uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and side-scan sonar technology to address research needs in a wide variety of aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Long is also actively engaged in applying novel tools to better understand otolith morphology and composition to elucidate age, growth, and development in fishes. Dr. Long teaches a graduate level course in Social Dimensions in Aquatic Ecology.
Professional Experience
Unit Leader, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2019-
Assistant Unit Leader, Oklahoma Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, 2009-2019
Education and Certifications
PhD, Oklahoma State University, 1996
MS, Missouri State University, 1993
BS, Missouri State University, 1987
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 81
A conservation-oriented SNP panel for Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), with emphasis on Interior Highlands lineages
The Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu; SMB) is a widely distributed black bass species, but the southwestern edge of the species range within the Interior Highlands contains some of the most divergent ecotypes. The Neosho subspecies (M. d. velox) inhabits tributaries of the Arkansas River within the Ozark Mountains and a second lineage is reported from drainages of the Ouachita Mountains. We s
Estimating the effects of fish quality and size on the economic value of fishing in Oklahoma streams and rivers: A revealed preference and contingent behavior approach
Fishing in Oklahoma’s rivers and streams provides a unique experience for anglers in the state. Despite its popularity, information on total demand and economic benefits associated with stream fishing is limited in the state. Research on the role of site quality indicators, such as fish size and quantity, on recreational fishing has shown mixed results. Whether fish size or quantity plays an impor
Spatial and temporal variation in length-weight relationships of age-0 Scaphirhynchus sturgeon in the lower Missouri River
Length-weight relationships can be useful tools for assessing fish condition. We developed these equations (W = aLb) for wild-caught age-0 (4.1–12.0 cm) Scaphirhynchus sturgeon from eight reaches spanning over 750 river km of the lower Missouri River from 2014 to 2017. We used nonlinear modeling to estimate the constant (a) and exponent (b) of the LW equation for each reach to assess potential spa
Environmental conditions associated with occurrences of the threatened Yaqui Catfish in the Yaqui River Basin, Mexico
The Yaqui Catfish Ictalurus pricei is an understudied species, with limited information available on its ecology, distribution, and local habitat use. Native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, Yaqui Catfish populations are declining, which has prompted listing of the species as threatened in the United States and as a species of concern in Mexico. Water overallocation, habi
Morphology and composition of Goldeye (Hiodontidae; Hiodon alosoides) otoliths
We provide up-to-date morphological and compositional data on otoliths of the osteoglossomorph Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides). Using computed tomography (CT) X-ray, we documented the location of each of the three pairs of otoliths (lapilli, sagittae, and asterisci) in relation to the swim bladder, which extended forward in close proximity to the sagittae and asterisci. The lappili were the largest oto
Variation in black bass angler characteristics by stream size and accessibility in Oklahoma’s Ozark Highland streams
Fishing in streams and rivers is a popular outdoor recreation activity in eastern Oklahoma, where most anglers target black bass (Micropterus) species. Since the early 1990s, when the last assessment of black bass fishing in the region was conducted, broadscale factors such as harvesting behavior, state fishery regulations, and bass population dynamics have changed. In 2018, we conducted creel and
Estimating the invasion extent of Asian swamp eel (Monopterus: Synbranchidae) in an altered river of the south-eastern United States
The first reported invasion of Asian swamp eels (Monopterus albus, ASE) in the continental United States was in the state of Georgia in 1994. This population was first discovered within several ponds on a private nature centre, but the ponds drained via an outflow pipe into marsh habitats along the Chattahoochee River. Our objective was to delineate the current invasion extent of ASE in the Chatta
Perceived ecological threats and economic benefits of non-native black bass in the United States
Black bass Micropterus spp. are highly sought-after sport fish and, where introduced, are emblematic of the tradeoffs between ensuring productive fisheries and conserving native biodiversity. To disentangle these potentially conflicting interests, we administered a survey of fisheries biologists in the United States to assess perceptions regarding ecological and economic impacts of non-native blac
Sibship reconstruction with SNPs illuminates the scope of a cryptic invasion of Asian Swamp Eels (Monopterus albus) in Georgia, USA
Cryptic invasive species are particularly problematic to study, manage, and control because of the difficulty detecting these species within their invaded habitats. Such is the case of the Asian Swamp Eel (Monopterus albus; ASE) where it is established in vegetated marshes along the Chattahoochee River, Georgia. Adult eels have been nearly impossible to detect or quantify with traditional sampling
Complex patterns of genetic and morphological differentiation in the Smallmouth Bass subspecies (Micropterus dolomieu dolomieu and M. d. velox) of the Central Interior Highlands
Due to geologic processes and recent anthropogenic introductions, patterns of genetic and morphological diversity within the Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), which are endemic to the central and eastern United States (USA), are poorly understood. We assessed genetic and morphological differentiation between the widespread Northern Smallmouth Bass (M. d. dolomieu) and the more restricted Neo
Differences in macronutrient content of common aquatic macroinvertebrates available as prey for young-of-the-year Scaphirhynchus sturgeons in the lower Missouri River
Nutrient availability in prey items can have important consequences for the growth, reproduction, survival, and recruitment into adulthood of juvenile fish. For young of the year sturgeon, which are highly dependent on macroinvertebrates as prey, knowing the nutritional content across various prey items within their habitats can help managers during habitat restoration. The objective of this study
Feeding ecology of age-0 gar at Lake Texoma inferred from analysis of stable isotopes
Conservation and restoration of gar (Lepisosteidae) populations in North America are increasingly of interest to fisheries managers. Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula are being stocked as age-0 fish in efforts to re-establish extirpated populations. However, gars are known to be highly cannibalistic in hatcheries, suggesting that age-0 Alligator Gar introduced into natural habitats may face preda
Daily ages of young-of-year Silver Chub from western Lake Erie, 2017-2018
Daily ages of young-of-year Silver Chub were estimated from counts of rings in lapilli otoliths. Lapilli were mounted to glass slides with thermoplastic cement and sanded to the core with 2000 grit sandpaper to expose daily rings. To improve clarity, sanded otoliths were polished with 0.3 μm alumina powder and a polishing cloth prior to viewing. To estimate daily age, counts of rings in otoliths w
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 81
A conservation-oriented SNP panel for Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), with emphasis on Interior Highlands lineages
The Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu; SMB) is a widely distributed black bass species, but the southwestern edge of the species range within the Interior Highlands contains some of the most divergent ecotypes. The Neosho subspecies (M. d. velox) inhabits tributaries of the Arkansas River within the Ozark Mountains and a second lineage is reported from drainages of the Ouachita Mountains. We sEstimating the effects of fish quality and size on the economic value of fishing in Oklahoma streams and rivers: A revealed preference and contingent behavior approach
Fishing in Oklahoma’s rivers and streams provides a unique experience for anglers in the state. Despite its popularity, information on total demand and economic benefits associated with stream fishing is limited in the state. Research on the role of site quality indicators, such as fish size and quantity, on recreational fishing has shown mixed results. Whether fish size or quantity plays an imporSpatial and temporal variation in length-weight relationships of age-0 Scaphirhynchus sturgeon in the lower Missouri River
Length-weight relationships can be useful tools for assessing fish condition. We developed these equations (W = aLb) for wild-caught age-0 (4.1–12.0 cm) Scaphirhynchus sturgeon from eight reaches spanning over 750 river km of the lower Missouri River from 2014 to 2017. We used nonlinear modeling to estimate the constant (a) and exponent (b) of the LW equation for each reach to assess potential spaEnvironmental conditions associated with occurrences of the threatened Yaqui Catfish in the Yaqui River Basin, Mexico
The Yaqui Catfish Ictalurus pricei is an understudied species, with limited information available on its ecology, distribution, and local habitat use. Native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, Yaqui Catfish populations are declining, which has prompted listing of the species as threatened in the United States and as a species of concern in Mexico. Water overallocation, habiMorphology and composition of Goldeye (Hiodontidae; Hiodon alosoides) otoliths
We provide up-to-date morphological and compositional data on otoliths of the osteoglossomorph Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides). Using computed tomography (CT) X-ray, we documented the location of each of the three pairs of otoliths (lapilli, sagittae, and asterisci) in relation to the swim bladder, which extended forward in close proximity to the sagittae and asterisci. The lappili were the largest otoVariation in black bass angler characteristics by stream size and accessibility in Oklahoma’s Ozark Highland streams
Fishing in streams and rivers is a popular outdoor recreation activity in eastern Oklahoma, where most anglers target black bass (Micropterus) species. Since the early 1990s, when the last assessment of black bass fishing in the region was conducted, broadscale factors such as harvesting behavior, state fishery regulations, and bass population dynamics have changed. In 2018, we conducted creel andEstimating the invasion extent of Asian swamp eel (Monopterus: Synbranchidae) in an altered river of the south-eastern United States
The first reported invasion of Asian swamp eels (Monopterus albus, ASE) in the continental United States was in the state of Georgia in 1994. This population was first discovered within several ponds on a private nature centre, but the ponds drained via an outflow pipe into marsh habitats along the Chattahoochee River. Our objective was to delineate the current invasion extent of ASE in the ChattaPerceived ecological threats and economic benefits of non-native black bass in the United States
Black bass Micropterus spp. are highly sought-after sport fish and, where introduced, are emblematic of the tradeoffs between ensuring productive fisheries and conserving native biodiversity. To disentangle these potentially conflicting interests, we administered a survey of fisheries biologists in the United States to assess perceptions regarding ecological and economic impacts of non-native blacSibship reconstruction with SNPs illuminates the scope of a cryptic invasion of Asian Swamp Eels (Monopterus albus) in Georgia, USA
Cryptic invasive species are particularly problematic to study, manage, and control because of the difficulty detecting these species within their invaded habitats. Such is the case of the Asian Swamp Eel (Monopterus albus; ASE) where it is established in vegetated marshes along the Chattahoochee River, Georgia. Adult eels have been nearly impossible to detect or quantify with traditional samplingComplex patterns of genetic and morphological differentiation in the Smallmouth Bass subspecies (Micropterus dolomieu dolomieu and M. d. velox) of the Central Interior Highlands
Due to geologic processes and recent anthropogenic introductions, patterns of genetic and morphological diversity within the Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu), which are endemic to the central and eastern United States (USA), are poorly understood. We assessed genetic and morphological differentiation between the widespread Northern Smallmouth Bass (M. d. dolomieu) and the more restricted NeoDifferences in macronutrient content of common aquatic macroinvertebrates available as prey for young-of-the-year Scaphirhynchus sturgeons in the lower Missouri River
Nutrient availability in prey items can have important consequences for the growth, reproduction, survival, and recruitment into adulthood of juvenile fish. For young of the year sturgeon, which are highly dependent on macroinvertebrates as prey, knowing the nutritional content across various prey items within their habitats can help managers during habitat restoration. The objective of this studyFeeding ecology of age-0 gar at Lake Texoma inferred from analysis of stable isotopes
Conservation and restoration of gar (Lepisosteidae) populations in North America are increasingly of interest to fisheries managers. Alligator Gar Atractosteus spatula are being stocked as age-0 fish in efforts to re-establish extirpated populations. However, gars are known to be highly cannibalistic in hatcheries, suggesting that age-0 Alligator Gar introduced into natural habitats may face preda - Data
Daily ages of young-of-year Silver Chub from western Lake Erie, 2017-2018
Daily ages of young-of-year Silver Chub were estimated from counts of rings in lapilli otoliths. Lapilli were mounted to glass slides with thermoplastic cement and sanded to the core with 2000 grit sandpaper to expose daily rings. To improve clarity, sanded otoliths were polished with 0.3 μm alumina powder and a polishing cloth prior to viewing. To estimate daily age, counts of rings in otoliths w