Larval dispersal underlies demographically important inter-system connectivity in a Great Lakes yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) population

Reed M. Brodnik; Michael E. Fraker; Eric J. Anderson; Lucia Carreon-Martinez; Kristen M. DeVanna; Dan D. Heath; Julie M. Reichert; Edward F. Roseman; Stuart A. Ludsin

doi:10.1139/cjfas-2015-0161

USGS · 70162098

Larval dispersal underlies demographically important inter-system connectivity in a Great Lakes yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) population

Reed M. Brodnik·Michael E. Fraker·Eric J. Anderson·Lucia Carreon-Martinez·Kristen M. DeVanna·Dan D. Heath·Julie M. Reichert·Edward F. Roseman·Stuart A. Ludsin

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Ability to quantify connectivity among spawning subpopulations and their relative contribution of recruits to the broader population is a critical fisheries management need. By combining microsatellite and age information from larval yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) collected in the Lake St. Clair – Detroit River system (SC-DRS) and western Lake Erie with a hydrodynamic backtracking approach, we quantified subpopulation structure, connectivity, and contributions of recruits to the juvenile stage in western Lake Erie during 2006-2007. After finding weak (yet stable) genetic structure between the SC-DRS and two western Lake Erie subpopulations, microsatellites also revealed measurable recruitment of SC-DRS larvae to the juvenile stage in western Lake Erie (17-21% during 2006-2007). Consideration of pre-collection larval dispersal trajectories, using hydrodynamic backtracking, increased estimated contributions to 65% in 2006 and 57% in 2007. Our findings highlight the value of complementing subpopulation discrimination methods with hydrodynamic predictions of larval dispersal by revealing the SC-DRS as a source of recruits to western Lake Erie and also showing that connectivity through larval dispersal can affect the structure and dynamics of large-lake fish populations.

Explore related subjects

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 41.35207214451295° to 43.01268088642034° latitude; -83.56201171875° to -78.804931640625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

Reed M. Brodnik, Michael E. Fraker, Eric J. Anderson, Lucia Carreon-Martinez, Kristen M. DeVanna, Dan D. Heath, Julie M. Reichert, Edward F. Roseman, Stuart A. Ludsin. 2016. Larval dispersal underlies demographically important inter-system connectivity in a Great Lakes yellow perch ( Perca flavescens ) population. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2015-0161

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

A framework for estimating age and growth using sibship relationships inferred from genomic data

Pedigree reconstruction based on genomic data offers a novel approach for estimating age and growth in wild populations. However, frameworks that use reconstructed pedigrees to parameterize growth models have not been available. We developed a sibship age and growth framework and evaluated the approach using simulation and an empirical application to Sea Lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) age and growth analysis. Simulation research revealed that the framework may be widely applicable to semelparous fishes. Applicability to iteroparous fishes was constrained to scenarios in which the percentage of multi-age sibling groups was low. Age assignment using the framework was unbiased for sibling groups first captured at younger ages. Age assignment for sibling groups first captured at older ages (after growth rate had substantially slowed) was biased low due to the hierarchal approach that we adopted to estimate sibling group age-at-first capture. However, this did not result in biased growth parameter estimates. Model output allowed for identification of unreliable age assignments. Finally, the empirical application provided evidence that the framework could address knowledge gaps that have been challenging to address with established age and growth methods.

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences↗

USGS2026

Identifying overlap between native fish movements and a possible seasonal Grass Carp deterrent in the Sandusky River, Ohio, USA

Riverine fishes are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation caused by interrupted access to vital habitats. Fragmentation using artificial structures can be used to limit the spread of invasive fishes by inhibiting movement between critical habitats. Thus, tradeoffs exist between maintaining connectivity for native species and restricting movement of invasive fishes. A nonphysical deterrent has been proposed to prevent invasive Grass Carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) from reaching spawning habitats in the Sandusky River, a tributary to Lake Erie, during late spring–summer. However, this timing overlaps with spawning periods of a suite of native fishes. We used acoustic telemetry and ichthyoplankton surveys to examine movement and spawning activity of multiple native species and to assess potential impacts of deterrent operation on reproduction. All species used the proposed deterrent location during the Grass Carp spawning period, and their movements corresponded with larval fish collections, indicating upstream spawning. These findings suggest the deterrent could unintentionally restrict native species’ access to essential habitats. Balancing habitat connectivity and invasive species control will likely depend on species-specific responses and careful timing of deterrent operation.

Ohio↗

USGS2026

Availability of dark daytime refuge may limit mysid abundance in the Laurentian Great Lakes

The zooplankton Mysis diluviana is a major component of the Laurentian Great Lakes food web and has recently declined in abundance in both lakes Michigan and Huron. Drivers of these declines are not well understood. Here, we explore the hypothesis that recent increases in water clarity have contributed to the decline of M. diluviana (mysids) by limiting the availability of daytime dark refuge from visual predators. Using Secchi depth data from 1996 to 2021, we estimate that dark refuge has decreased substantially in lakes Michigan and Huron where mysids have declined, but dark refuge has remained more stable in lakes Ontario and Superior where mysid populations did not decline. Results from a 2021 uncrewed surface vessel hydroacoustic survey and lake-wide, net-based sampling in lakes Michigan and Huron revealed significantly more mysids in areas with dark refuge, such as Lake Michigan’s northern basin. Conversely, Lake Huron contains sparse dark refuge consistent with low mysid densities in that lake. Higher water clarity leading to increased predation may be a primary driver of mysid declines in the Great Lakes.

Laurentian Great Lakes↗