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At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources

Relationship of trout growth to frequent electrofishing and diet collection in a headwater stream

Research on fishes sometimes requires that individual fish be captured and subjected to invasive procedures multiple times over a relatively short time span. Electrofishing is one of the most common techniques used to capture fish, and it is known to cause injury to fish under certain circumstances. We evaluated the relationship of growth rates in Columbia River Redband Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri to the number of times that they were captured via electrofishing and gastrically lavaged during the summer of 2018 in a mountainous, headwater stream. We captured fish between two and seven times over the course of 86 d using continuous (smooth) DC backpack electrofishing. We observed no relationship between the growth rate of Columbia River Redband Trout and the number of times that they were captured or gastrically lavaged. Although these findings contrast with hatchery electrofishing experiments, they may represent the greater resiliency of wild fish. It appears that researchers can use electrofishing and gastric lavage in cold waters at least once per month, and potentially up to twice per month, without greatly affecting the growth of wild Columbia River Redband Trout.

Montana↗

Effects of dam removal on brook trout in a Wisconsin stream

Dams create barriers to fish migration and dispersal in drainage basins, and the removal of dams is often viewed as a means of increasing habitat availability and restoring migratory routes of several fish species. However, these barriers can also isolate and protect native taxa from aggressive downstream invaders. We examined fish community composition two years prior to and two years after the removal of a pair of low-head dams from Boulder Creek, Wisconsin, U.S.A. in 2003 to determine if removal of these potential barriers affected the resident population of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). Despite the presence of other taxa in the downstream reaches, and in other similar streams adjacent to the Boulder Creek (including the brown trout, Salmo trutta), no new species had colonized the Boulder Creek in the two years following dam removal. The adults catch per unit effort (CPUE) was lower and the young-of-the-year catch per unit effort (YOY CPUE) was higher in 2005 than in 2001 in all reaches, but the magnitude of these changes was substantially larger in the two dam-affected sample reaches relative to an upstream reference reach, indicating a localized effect of the removal. Total length of the adults and the YOY and the adult body condition did not vary between years or among reaches. Thus, despite changes in numbers of adults and the YOYs in some sections of the stream, the lack of new fish species invading Boulder Creek and the limited extent of population change in brook trout indicate that dam removal had a minor effect on these native salmonids in the first two years of the post-removal. Copyright ?? 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

River Research and Applications↗

Effects of climate-related stream factors on patterns of individual summer growth of Cutthroat Trout

Coldwater fishes are sensitive to abiotic and biotic stream factors, which can be influenced by climate. Distributions of inland salmonids in North America have declined significantly, with many of the current strongholds located in small headwater systems that may serve as important refugia as climate change progresses. We investigated the effects of discharge, stream temperature, trout biomass, and food availability on summer growth of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri , a species of concern with significant ecological value. Individual size, stream discharge, sample section biomass, and temperature were all associated with growth, but had differing effects on energy allocation. Stream discharge had a positive relationship with growth rates in length and mass; greater rates of prey delivery at higher discharges probably enabled trout to accumulate reserve tissues in addition to structural growth. Temperature effects were positive but not significant, and support in growth models was limited, likely due to the cold thermal regimes of the study area. The strength of the discharge effect on growth suggests that climate adaptation strategies for coldwater fishes that focus solely on thermal characteristics may be misleading and highlights the importance of considering multiple factors, including hydrologic regimes, in conservation planning.

Montana, Wyoming↗

Neutral genetic and phenotypic variation within and among isolated headwater Brook Trout populations

Isolated populations are challenging to manage and conserve as they are particularly vulnerable to genetic drift, allelic fixation, inbreeding, and may express markedly reduced phenotypic variability. We sought to improve our understanding of how spatial isolation, occupancy range, and restricted gene flow influence contemporary phenotypic variation within and among native populations of Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis by examining the neutral genetic and phenotypic characteristics of 35 isolated headwater populations from Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Across a suite of 13 neutral microsatellite loci, we observed high levels of allelic fixation and considerable genetic differentiation among populations, subwatersheds, and watersheds that were consistent with patterns of isolation. We observed significant, positive correlations between allelic diversity and estimates of effective population sizes. In contrast, we observed considerably less phenotypic structure among streams, subwatersheds, and watersheds. Much of the phenotypic variation observed occurred among individuals within populations. Pairwise Mann‐Whitney tests revealed no significant phenotypic differences among the populations of Brook Trout we examined. Similarly, we observed no significant relationship between the amount of phenotypic variation within populations and any of the examined measures of genetic diversity or the amount of occupied habitat sampled, which suggests that unmeasured variables may be influencing morphometric and meristic variation within isolated populations. The observed patterns of isolation, genetic drift, and allelic fixation highlight the importance of enhancing population connectivity, but also suggest considerable phenotypic variability may persist within small, fragmented populations. Our results elucidate some challenges associated with managing and conserving isolated populations of Brook Trout, and reinforce the importance of conducting genetic studies on fragmented populations to inform management decisions.

Transactions of the American Fisheries Society↗

Exploring the contemporary relationship between predator and prey in a significant, reintroduced Lahontan Cutthroat Trout population

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) Oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi have experienced some of the most marked reductions in abundance and distribution among Cutthroat Trout subspecies. The population of LCT in Pyramid Lake, Nevada has returned from the brink of extirpation, and although it is highly managed via stocking, the population is thriving and has recently started to reproduce naturally. Our objectives were to determine (1) whether predator and prey remain tightly coupled, (2) whether LCT are food limited, and (3) the status of the LCT population with regard to the potential prey-based contemporary carrying capacity. We used a multifaceted approach, including intensive field sampling of fish, bioenergetics modeling, cohort reconstruction, and comparisons of prey availability to consumption. We estimated that the average population of LCT in Pyramid Lake is 1.2 million, average annual stocking is 650,000, and the number of fish angled ranges from 5,000 to 14,000 per year, with a 90% release rate. Driven by seasonal and size variation in consumption, individual annual consumption by LCT varied from 667 to 992 g/year for small LCT (200–400 mm TL) and from 2,388 to 3,057 g/year for large LCT (>400 mm TL). Lahontan Cutthroat Trout are consuming, on average, 14–63% of the standing crop of Tui Chub Siphateles bicolor annually, indicating that LCT are currently not exceeding their prey-based carrying capacity. The LCT in Pyramid Lake remain tightly coupled to their primary native prey, Tui Chub, despite considerable changes to the ecosystem; therefore, managing for a robust population of LCT translates largely to managing for forage fish. This supply-versus-demand issue is of particular concern for Pyramid Lake given that the density of Tui Chub may be declining concordant with declining lake elevation. Given the conservation importance of this LCT population, careful monitoring is critical; however, “predation inertia” indicates that effective short-term management in response to fluctuations in forage fishes is likely possible.

Nevada↗

Population reproductive structure of Rainbow Trout determined by histology and advancing methods to assign sex and assess spawning capability

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss have been intensively studied and gametogenesis has been described, but the use of reproductive indices in field studies has not been widely applied when assessing variability in growth or recruitment dynamics. We integrated descriptions for gametogenesis within the framework of standardized terminology for reproductive development in teleosts to develop sex-specific criteria for assignment of reproductive phases. We used these descriptions and histological analysis of gonad tissue collected from Rainbow Trout in the Colorado River downstream from Glen Canyon Dam to quantify season-, size-, and sex-specific variation in population reproductive structure. The accuracy of nonlethal methods (manual expression and ultrasonography) was evaluated for assigning sex by comparing estimates with those determined by histology. Rainbow Trout were sampled through an annual spawning cycle from October 2018 to April 2019. Spawning capable males were available across the entire period, with a higher proportion earlier in the season compared to later. Females were spawning capable in October, with a peak in February; by April, they were in the early developing phase, indicating that spawning had ended. Elevated levels of atresia (19% for fall spawners) and evidence for delayed maturation were identified, suggesting energetic limitations on the reproductive potential of the population. For both sexes, the probability of being spawning capable increased with fork length, with minimum sizes of ≥283 mm for females and ≥187 mm for males. Sex assignment using ultrasonography was more accurate (46%) than manual expression of gametes (9%), as only a small proportion of males and females expressed gametes. Probabilities of correct sex assignment using ultrasonography were strongly influenced by reproductive phase, with spawning capable fish (females: 100%; males: 77%) having significantly higher probabilities of correct sex assignment compared to immature fish. Furthermore, probabilities of correct sex assignment increased with fish size and were higher for females than for males. Results provide a framework for quantifying spawning capability and population reproductive structure in ongoing research to better understand the drivers of recruitment variability in aquatic ecosystems.

Arizona↗

In vitro toxicity and interactions of environmental contaminants (Arochlor 1254 and mercury) and immunomodulatory agents (lipopolysaccharide and cortisol) on thymocytes from lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush )

The immunotoxicity of chemical combinations commonly encountered by the lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) immune system was the focus of this study. It was hypothesised that combinations of an environmental contaminant (mercuric chloride or Aroclor 1254) and an immunomodulatory agent (bacterial endotoxin or cortisol) might interact to produce a greater toxicity than that of the environmental contaminant alone at concentrations typically encountered in piscine blood and other tissues. Thus lake trout thymocytes were isolated and treated with mercuric chloride or Aroclor 1254 in the presence and absence of cortisol or lipopolysaccharide. Incubations were performed for 6 or 20 h at 4° C or 10° C. Lipopolysaccharide did not affect the toxicity of either contaminant. In contrast, cortisol enhanced the toxicity of both environmental contaminants. Hence, stressors that lead to increased cortisol production, but not lipopolysaccharide directly, may increase the toxicity of mercury and Aroclor 1254 to lake trout thymocytes.

Fish and Shellfish Immunology↗

Accumulation, sublethal effects, and safe concentration of a refined oil as evaluated with cutthroat trout

Cutthroat trout ( Salmo clarki ) were exposed for 90 days in the laboratory to a refined oil collected from the North Platte River at a seepage site below the American Oil Company refinery at Casper, Wyoming. Fish were exposed to five concentrations and a control, and seven biological responses (survival, growth, gill pathology, liver pathology, caudal fin erosion, caudal fin pathology and swimming performance) were correlated with water concentration and tissue accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons. Fish in the highest water concentration, 183 μ g/L total oil, accumulated tissue concentrations of 4.6 μ g/g total naphthalenes and responded adversely to all seven biological measurements. Cutthroat trout in the lowest water concentration, 24 μ g/L total oil, had a mean tissue concentration of 1.2 μ g/g total naphthalenes, but their response was similar to that of the control fish to all seven biological responses. Fish exposed to 39 μ g/L water concentration accumulated tissue concentrations of 2.7 μ g/g and responded negatively to 2 of the 7 biological measurements. Therefore, the maximum safe limit for this oil and cutthroat trout is between 24 and 39 μ g/L.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

Fertilization of eggs of Lake Michigan lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in lake water: Effect of PCBs (Aroclor 1254)

Various studies indicate that PCBs appear to have an adverse effect on the viability of fertilized eggs and subsequent early life stages of lake trout and related species. Our tests detected no impairment of fertilization of lake trout eggs in PCB-dosed lake water. The concentration of PCBs in the fertilization medium that we used was more than 20 times as high as estimated ambient levels in southeastern Lake Michigan and it appears unlikley that ambient levels of PCBs in the water at fertilization would contribute significantly to the apparent widespread reproductive failure of lake trout there.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

Effects of acclimation on the toxicity of stream water contaminated with zinc and cadmium to juvenile cutthroat trout

We investigated the influence of acclimation on results of in situ bioassays with cutthroat trout in metal-contaminated streams. Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) were held for 21 days (1) in live containers at a reference or "clean" site having dissolved metals near detection limits (0.01 ??g/L cadmium [Cd] and 2.8 ??g/L zinc [Zn]; hardness 32 mg/L as CaCO3) and (2) at a site in a mining-impacted watershed having moderately increased metals (0.07 ??g/L Cd and 38 to 40 ??g/L Zn; hardness 50 mg/L as CaCO3). The 96-hour survival of each treatment group was then tested in situ at five sites from September 5 to 9, 2002, and each group exhibited a range of metal concentrations (0.44 to 39 ??g/L arsenic [As], 0.01 to 2.2 ??g/L Cd, and 0.49 to 856 ??g/L Zn). Survival was 100% at three sites for both treatments. However, a higher percentage of metal-acclimated fish survived at the site with the second highest concentrations of Cd and Zn (0.90 and 238 ??g/L, respectively) compared with fish acclimated at the reference site (100% vs. 55%, respectively). Survival was 65% for acclimated fish and 0% for metal-nai??ve fish at the site with the largest metal concentrations (2.2 ??g/L Cd and 856 ??g/L Zn). Water collected from the site with the largest concentrations of dissolved metals (on October 30, 2002) was used in a laboratory serial dilution to determine 96-hour LC50 values. The 96-hour LC50 estimates of nai??ve fish during the in situ and laboratory experiments were similar (0.60 ??g Cd/L and 226 ??g Zn/L for in situ and 0.64 ??g Cd/L and 201 ??g Zn/L for laboratory serial dilutions). However, mortality of nai??ve cutthroat trout tested under laboratory conditions was more rapid in dilutions of 100%, 75%, and 38% site water than in situ experiments. ?? 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

Environmental persistence and toxicity of weathered wildland fire retardants to rainbow trout

Long-term fire retardants are employed to combat and control wildfires by altering the way fuels burn, and they continue to decrease fire intensity after water in the retardant solution has evaporated. After application, fire retardants may persist on dry stream beds or in riparian habitats before precipitation events flush the retardant into intermittent streams. We exposed juvenile (30–60 days post swim-up) rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) to fire retardants weathered for 7–56 days on different substrates (duff, gravel, high organic content soil, and low organic content soil) under static conditions for 96 h to evaluate the potential toxicity of two current-use long-term fire-retardant (LC95A-R and MVP-Fx) products. Trout mortality was greater in LC95A-R treatments compared to MVP-Fx due to higher concentrations of LC95A-R in the applied product than MVP-Fx at the same application rate. Underlying substrate affected fire-retardant toxicity, with 31% higher average mortality for products applied to duff and gravel compared to soil. Differences in mortality across substrates and products after weathering may be attributed to differences in the mix ratio of applied product and interactions of product chemistries with underlying substrate. These interactions resulted in elevated ionic concentrations of the overlying water in duff and gravel treatments. Trout mortality decreased 15% for products weathered 56 days compared to 7 days. Our results suggest that long-term fire retardants may persist in the environment and that underlying substrate may alter the toxicity of these products upon entrance into an intermittent stream.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxico↗

Identification and regulatory analysis of rainbow trout tapasin and tapasin-related genes

Tapasin (TAPBP) is a key member of MHC class Ia antigen-loading complexes, bridging the class Ia molecule to the transporter associated with antigen presentation (TAP). As part of an ongoing study of MHC genomics in rainbow trout, we have identified two rainbow trout TAPBP genes (Onmy-TAPBP.a and .b) and a similar but distinct TAPBP-related gene (Onmy-TAPBP-R) that had previously only been described in mammals. Physical and genetic mapping indicate that Onmy-TAPBP.a is on chromosome 18 in the MHC class Ia region and that Onmy-TAPBP.b resides on chromosome 14 in the MHC class Ib region. There are also at least two copies of TAPBP-R, Onmy-TAPBP-R.a and Onmy-TAPBP-R.b, located on chromosomes 2 and 3, respectively. Due to the central role of TAPBP expression during acute viral infection, we have characterized the transcriptional profile and regulatory regions for both Onmy-TAPBP and Onmy-TAPBP-R. Transcription of both genes increased during acute infection with infectious hematapoeitic necrosis virus (IHNV) in a fashion indicative of interferon-mediated regulation. Promoter-reporter assays in STE-137 cells demonstrate that the trout TAPBP and TAPBP-R promoters respond to interferon regulatory factors, Onmy-IRF1 and Onmy-IRF2. Overall, TAPBP is expressed at higher levels than TAPBP-R in nai??ve tissues and TAPBP transcription is more responsive to viral infection and IRF1 and 2 binding. ?? Springer-Verlag 2006.

Immunogenetics↗

Genetic structure of restored Brook Trout populations in the Southern Appalachian Mountains indicates successful reintroductions

Wildlife reintroduction is an important conservation tool for threatened species, yet identifying appropriate source populations poses a challenge. In particular, the possibility of outbreeding depression is cited as a constraint limiting the range of candidate source populations for translocation. When multiple source lineages are mixed during reintroduction, genetic monitoring is necessary to evaluate whether sources contribute equally to subsequent generations and whether they are interbreeding as expected. Moreover, statistical analysis of genetic data should account for complex life histories that might affect the timescale of admixture and genetic drift. Here, we use samples collected over a 23-year period and a stochastic age-structured model to analyze the genetic mixing process in reintroduced Brook Trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis ) populations in the Southern Appalachians. Each restored population was seeded with two to three source populations. Previous research inferred reproductive isolation between source populations leading to a proposal of splitting the species into multiple taxa. In contrast, we found patterns of ancestry that were consistent with random mating and no advantage for one source lineage over any other. Brook Trout from different source streams are mixing as expected in the restoration sites. This result does not support the hypothesis that Brook Trout in the Southern Appalachian Mountains includes several distinct species. Mixing different sources from the same watershed seems to be an effective way to increase genetic diversity of reintroduced populations while minimizing risk to source populations.

North Carolina, Tennessee↗

A physiological approach to quantifying thermal habitat quality for redband rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) in the south Fork John Day River, Oregon

We examined tissue-specific levels of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70) and whole body lipid levels in juvenile redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri) from the South Fork of the John Day River (SFJD), Oregon, with the goal of determining if these measures could be used as physiological indicators of thermal habitat quality for juvenile redband trout. Our objectives were to determine the hsp70 induction temperature in liver, fin, and white muscle tissue and characterize the relation between whole body lipids and hsp70 for fish in the SFJD. We found significant increases in hsp70 levels between 19 and 22??C in fin, liver, and white muscle tissue. Maximum hsp70 levels in liver, fin, and white muscle tissue occurred when mean weekly maximum temperatures (MWMT) exceeded 20-22??C. In general, the estimated hsp70 induction temperature for fin and white muscle tissue was higher than liver tissue. Whole body lipid levels began to decrease when MWMT exceeded 20. 4??C. There was a significant interaction between temperature and hsp70 in fin and white muscle tissue, but not liver tissue. Collectively, these results suggest that increased hsp70 levels in juvenile redband trout are symptomatic of thermal stress, and that energy storage capacity decreases with this stress. The possible decrease in growth potential and fitness for thermally stressed individuals emphasizes the physiological justification for thermal management criteria in salmon-bearing streams. ?? Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.

Environmental Biology of Fishes↗

Effects of prey and tissue type on δ13C and δ15N discrimination and turnover rates of rainbow trout

Stable isotope analysis is used often in ecological studies to examine dietary patterns of consumers and food web structure, yet we still know little regarding some underlying assumptions, including for well-studied species like rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss . We assessed δ 13 C and δ 15 N discrimination (∆) and turnover rates in blood, liver and white muscle of rainbow trout fed natural prey items (sculpin and chironomids). Liver had the fastest turnover rates for both δ 15 N and δ 13 C (4–6 months), followed by blood (4–7 months) and white muscle (7–9 months). Metabolism accounted for more isotopic turnover (82–93%) than growth, with the exception of δ13C in the blood of rainbow trout fed chironomids (33% of isotopic turnover was metabolic). Discrimination factors differed by tissue and diet, with ∆δ 15 N showing highest enrichment in white muscle (3.8‰; 95% CI 3.3–4.3), followed by blood (2.9‰; 95% CI 2.4–3.4) and liver (2.5‰; 95% CI 1.9–3.1) compared to the hatchery diet. The ∆δ 13 C of liver showed higher enrichment (1.9‰; 95% CI 1.7–2.1) than white muscle (1.7‰; 95% CI 1.4–2.0) and blood (1.5‰; 95% CI 1.3–1.7). It is crucial that future models incorporate species-specific tissue turnover and discrimination factors to enable drawing strong inferences and improve accuracy of model predictions.

Hydrobiologia↗

Assessment of lupin flour as a diet ingredient for rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

Studies were conducted to determine the value of lupin flour as a replacement for full-fat soybean meal (FFSM) in the diet of rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ). Energy and digestibility values for lupin were determined using a metabolism chamber and it was found that trout utilize lupin well. The gross energy, metabolizable energy, and the percent digestibilities of protein and energy for lupin were found to be 4757 kcal/kg, 2797 kcal/kg, 85.2%, and 66.1%, respectively. When plant protein (either FFSM or lupin flour) was used as a supplemental dietary protein source to fish meal, or when the plant protein was the primary dietary protein source, fish fed diets where lupin completely replaced FFSM gained 99–106% of the weight of those fed the FFSM and had statistically equal feed efficiency ratios ranging from 80 to 83%. Although some minor dietary alterations may be needed (e.g., lowering the fat content of the diet) to maintain the economic advantage of lupin over soybean meal, lupin appears to be a useful source of protein for trout and may represent another economical plant protein alternative to fish meal.

Aquaculture↗

Biological effects of dietary T-2 toxin on rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri

A 16-wk feeding study was conducted to evaluate the chronic toxicity of graded levels (0, 1.0, 2.5.5, 10 and 15 mg/kg of chemically pure dietary T-2 toxin (4,15-diacetoxy-8-(3-methylbutyryloxy)-12,13-epoxy-Δ 9 -tricothecen-3-ol) in 1-g rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri , held in 9°C single-passage well water. Levels of T-2 toxin > 2.5 mg/kg depressed growth, efficiency of feed use, hematocrit, blood hemoglobin concentration and feed acceptance, and caused a transitory edema in a dose-dependent manner. Growth of trout fed a semipurified diet containing the toxin was described by the function: Y = 0.265 + 142.075 e (0.029 X 1 − 1.554x 2 3.7 ), where Y = gain as percentage starting weight per wk; X 1 is time in wk and 0 ⩽ X 1 ⩽16; and X 2 is T-2 content of diet in mg/kgand 0⩽ X 2 ⩽15. Exposure of fish to T-2 toxin did not affect activity of intestinal lumen chymoirypsin or trypsin, nitrogen digestibility or metabolizabte energy. Feeding of 15 mg/kg T-2 toxin to adult trout caused hemorrhaging in the intestines and regurgitation of subsequently intubated feed regardless of T-2 loxin content.

Aquatic Toxicology↗

Whole body and tissue blood volumes of two strains of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss )

1. Estimates of apparent packed cell, plasma and total blood volumes for the whole body and for 13 selected tissues were compared between Kamloops and Wytheville strains of rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) by the simultaneous injection of two vascular tracers, radiolabeled trout erythrocytes ( 51 Cr-RBC) and radioiodated bovine serum albumin ( 125 I-BSA). 2. Whole body total blood volume, plasma volume and packed cell volume were slightly, but not significantly greater in the Wytheville trout, whereas, the apparent plasma volumes and total blood volumes in 4 of 13 tissues were significantly greater in the Kamloops strain. 3. Differences were most pronounced in highly perfused organs, such as the liver and kidney and in organs of digestion such as the stomach and intestines. 4. Differences in blood volumes between the two strains may be related to the greater permeability of the vascular membranes in the Kamloops strain fish.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A: M↗