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Publications

Browse publications authored by our scientists.  Publications available are: USGS-authored journal articles, series reports, book chapters, other government publications, and more. **Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.

Filter Total Items: 5011

Environment affects sucker catch rate, size structure, species composition, and precision in boat electrofishing samples Environment affects sucker catch rate, size structure, species composition, and precision in boat electrofishing samples

Catostomidae (catostomids) are suckers of the order Cypriniformes, and the majority of species are native to North America; however, species in this group are understudied and rarely managed. The popularity in bowfishing and gigging for suckers in the United States has increased concerns related to overfishing. Little information exists about the relative gear effectiveness for sampling
Authors
Douglas L. Zentner, Shannon K. Brewer, D. E. Shoup

Investing in a nest egg: Intraspecific variation in the timing of egg laying across a latitudinal gradient Investing in a nest egg: Intraspecific variation in the timing of egg laying across a latitudinal gradient

Avian reproductive strategies vary widely, and many studies of life-history variation have focused on the incubation and hatching stages of nesting. Birds make proximate decisions regarding reproductive investment during the laying stage, and these decisions likely constrain and tradeoff with other traits and subsequent behaviors. However, we know relatively little about egg-laying stage...
Authors
Carl G. Lundblad, Courtney J. Conway

Fish functional gradients along a reservoir cascade Fish functional gradients along a reservoir cascade

1.The transformations of fish assemblages caused by reservoir cascades can be severe at the reach scale, but basin-scale effects are less clear. However, prevailing river concepts provide a framework for predicting basin-scale effects. 2. To determine if predictions made by the River Continuum Concept relative to the function of fish assemblages are sustained in a temperate river...
Authors
Jordan C. Besson, Joshua J. Neary, Joshua D. Stafford, Corey Garland Dunn, Leandro E. Miranda

Estimates of predator densities using mobile DIDSON surveys: Implications for survival of Central Valley Chinook Salmon Estimates of predator densities using mobile DIDSON surveys: Implications for survival of Central Valley Chinook Salmon

The Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta (hereafter, “the Delta”) is one of the estuaries with the most invasive species in the world, and nonnative predators may be a major factor in the observed decline of Central Valley Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha over recent decades. In order for managers to take actions that might reduce predation-related mortality for these ecologically...
Authors
Mark J. Henderson, Chris Loomis, Cyril Michel, Joe Smith, Ilysa Iglesias, Brendan Lehman, David Huff

A Fisherman's Tale: An unusual observation of the Ozark Cavefish, Troglichthys (= Amblyopsis) Rosae (Eigenmann) A Fisherman's Tale: An unusual observation of the Ozark Cavefish, Troglichthys (= Amblyopsis) Rosae (Eigenmann)

Troglichthys (= Amblyopsis) rosae (Ozark Cavefish) is currently known from 83 locations within the Ozark Highlands ecoregion. We found a cavefish at a new location in the Grand Lake O' the Cherokees on the western side of the Neosho River (Delaware County, OK), which is on the northwest periphery of the Ozark Cavefish range. Examination of the mitochondrial ND2 gene supports that the...
Authors
Joshua. B. Mouser, Josh Johnston, Matthew L. Niemiller, Shannon K. Brewer

Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries Evaluating regional length limits in freshwater fisheries

Length limits are often used in recreational fisheries management to prevent overharvest and manipulate fish size distributions. These regulations are ideally customized to meet water-specific stock dynamics and fishery objectives. However, in districts with numerous discrete waters, fisheries are commonly managed with a universal regional regulation. Evaluating alternative regional...
Authors
Andrew C. Shamaskin, Michael E. Colvin, Leandro E. Miranda

Climate change risks to freshwater subsistence fisheries in Arctic Alaska: Insights and uncertainty from broad whitefish Coregonus nasus Climate change risks to freshwater subsistence fisheries in Arctic Alaska: Insights and uncertainty from broad whitefish Coregonus nasus

Arctic freshwater ecosystems and fish populations are largely shaped by seasonal and long-term watershed hydrology. In this paper, we hypothesize how changing air temperature and precipitation will alter freeze and thaw processes, hydrology, and instream habitat to assess potential indirect effects, such as the change to the foraging and behavioral ecology, on Arctic fishes, using Broad...
Authors
Jason C. Leppi, Daniel J. Rinella, Mark S. Wipfli, Anna K. Liljedahl, Andrew C. Seitz, Jeffrey A. Falke

Migrating mule deer compensate en route for phenological mismatches Migrating mule deer compensate en route for phenological mismatches

Billions of animals migrate to track seasonal pulses in resources. Optimally timing migration is a key strategy, yet the ability of animals to compensate for phenological mismatches en route is largely unknown. Using GPS movement data collected from 72 adult female deer over a 10-year duration, we study a population of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) in Wyoming that lack reliable cues on...
Authors
Anna C. Ortega, Ellen O. Aikens, Jerod A. Merkle, Kevin L. Monteith, Matthew Kauffman

Laying sequence and oceanographic factors affect egg size in Scripps's Murrelets Synthliboramphus scrippsi at Santa Barbara Island Laying sequence and oceanographic factors affect egg size in Scripps's Murrelets Synthliboramphus scrippsi at Santa Barbara Island

Egg size is an important avian life history parameter, with larger eggs indicating greater investment of resources in the chick. Prey availability can affect such investment. We investigated the effects of oceanographic conditions and laying sequence on Scripps's Murrelet Synthliboramphus scrippsi egg size at Santa Barbara Island, California during 2009-2017. We evaluated oceanographic...
Authors
Marcela I. Todd Zaragoza, Amelia J. DuVall, Jim A. Howard, David M. Mazurkiewicz, Sarah J. Converse

Effects of large-scale disturbance on animal space use: Functional responses by greater sage-grouse after megafire Effects of large-scale disturbance on animal space use: Functional responses by greater sage-grouse after megafire

Global change has altered the nature of disturbance regimes, and megafire events are increasingly common. Megafires result in immediate changes to habitat available to terrestrial wildlife over broad landscapes, yet we know surprisingly little about how such changes shape space use of sensitive species in habitat that remains. Functional responses provide a framework for understanding...
Authors
Bryan S. Stevens, Shane Roberts, Courtney J. Conway, Devin K. Engelstead

Impact of wastewater treatment plant effluent on the winter thermal regime of two urban Colorado South Platte tributaries Impact of wastewater treatment plant effluent on the winter thermal regime of two urban Colorado South Platte tributaries

Wastewater treatment plant effluent can increase stream water temperature from near freezing to 5°C–12°C in winter months. Recent research in the South Platte River Basin in Colorado showed that this warming alters the reproductive timing of some fishes. However, the spatial extent and magnitude of this warming are unknown. Thus, we created winter water temperature models both upstream...
Authors
Catherine M. Adams, Dana L. Winkelman, Ryan M. Fitzpatrick
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