William L. Shelton
Professor Emeritus of Biology
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
M.S., Oklahoma State University
B.A.., Oklahoma State University
wshelton@ou.edu
SH 306
Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
M.S., Oklahoma State University
B.A.., Oklahoma State University
wshelton@ou.edu
SH 306
My current research interests are in fish culture with particular emphasis on reproductive biology. Long-term international collaborative studies have been a particularly important component of my activities. Management of reproduction is vital to aquaculture, as many fishes of economic importance do not reproduce away from their natural habitat, therefore, spawning must be accomplished through induced means. A related consideration for some fishes is that reproduction may be unwanted or recruitment excessive, and therefore control is desirable. Examples include introduction of exotic species where prevention of naturalization is required or where recruitment of an otherwise viable culture species adversely affects individual growth.
These various problems have been addressed through hormone-induced spawning, steroid- induced sex reversal, interspecific hybridization, and/or chromosome manipulation at fertilization. These research activities have included four species of Chinese carps, several species of tilapia, and common carp, all of which are exotic fishes; native species have included striped bass, channel catfish, largemouth bass, paddlefish and sturgeon.
I have been active in more general fishery biology investigations, particularly reservoir and large river fisheries, including the evaluation of sampling techniques. Emphasis has been on predator/prey and growth relationships involving striped bass and largemouth bass with shads and bluegill.