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phenomenon resulting from environmental changes caused by human-induced <br />reductions in habitat diversity and measurable changes in environmental <br />variables such as turbidity, flow regimes, and substrate types (Carlson et al. <br />1985). A recent study by Keenlyne et al. (1993) concluded that hybridization <br />may be occurring in half of the river reaches within the range of pallid <br />sturgeon and that hybrids may represent a high proportion of remaining <br />sturgeon stocks. <br />Hybridization is thought to be related to environmental degradation. <br />Presumedly, the loss of habitat diversity caused by human-induced <br />environmental changes inhibits reproductive isolating mechanisms naturally. <br />occurring among fish species.- Also, the loss of total available spawning. <br />habitat forces sharing of suitable habitat areas by similar species, resulting <br />in increased hybridization. <br />Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) <br />15 <br />