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<br />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 /> <br />Hybridization is thought to be related to environmental degradation. <br />Presumedly, the loss of habitat diversi.ty 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 /> <br /> <br />Channel Catfish (Icta7urus punctatus) <br /> <br />15 <br />