Andrea Fritts, PhD
Andrea Fritts is a Research Fish Biologist with the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Her research program is focused on understanding the effects of invasive species on native ecosystems, with special emphasis on invasive carps. Her team uses acoustic telemetry to evaluate fish behavior and to understand the dynamics of fish passage at locks and dams to inform the design and deployment of deterrent technologies.
Professional Experience
2021 to present Research Fish Biologist, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603
2016 to 2021 Biologist, US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54603
2015 to 2016 Aquatic Ecologist, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, Havana, Illinois 62644
2013 to 2015 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois River Biological Station, Havana, Illinois 62644
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, August 2013
Dissertation: Investigation of freshwater mussel physiology and reproductive biology to inform conservation
M.S. Biology, Missouri State University, August 2009
Thesis: Factors affecting metamorphosis success of freshwater mussels
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 23
Lake Barkley BioAcoustic fish fence effectiveness study project status update Lake Barkley BioAcoustic fish fence effectiveness study project status update
No abstract available.
Authors
Rob Simmonds, Brent C. Knights, Andrea K. Fritts, Jessica C. Stanton, Marybeth K. Brey, Jonathan M. Vallazza
Real-time telemetry and multi-state modeling Real-time telemetry and multi-state modeling
This project will result in real-time data and other invasive carp movement information to inform realtime management decisions and refine the SEICarP model. FY 2022 funding will produce final transition probability estimates from the newly-developed Bayesian multi-state model, continue the maintenance of real-time telemetry to inform contingency actions, and produce a study plan to...
Authors
Marybeth K. Brey, Brent C. Knights, P. Ryan Jackson, Jessica C. Stanton, Douglas Appel, James J. Duncker, Andrea K. Fritts
Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps
Invasive carps are ecologically and economically problematic fish species in many large river basins in the United States and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout much of North America. Four species of invasive carps: black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)...
Authors
Aaron R. Cupp, Marybeth K. Brey, Robin D. Calfee, Duane Chapman, Richard A. Erickson, Jesse Robert Fischer, Andrea K. Fritts, Amy E. George, P. Ryan Jackson, Brent C. Knights, Gavin N. Saari, Patrick Kocovsky
Lock operations influence upstream passages of invasive and native fishes at a Mississippi River high-head dam Lock operations influence upstream passages of invasive and native fishes at a Mississippi River high-head dam
Asian carps continue to expand their range in North America, necessitating efforts to limit the spread and establishment of reproducing populations. Mississippi River Lock and Dam 19 is a high-head dam that represents a population ‘pinch-point’ as passage through the lock chamber is the only means by which fishes can complete upstream movement. As such, this location could be a pivotal...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Jessica C. Stanton, Amanda S. Milde, Jonathan M. Vallazza, Marybeth K. Brey, Sara J. Tripp, Thomas E. Devine, Wesley Sleeper, James T. Lamer, Kyle J. Mosel
Development of a quantitative PCR method for screening ichthyoplankton samples for bigheaded carps Development of a quantitative PCR method for screening ichthyoplankton samples for bigheaded carps
Monitoring ichthyoplankton is useful for identifying reproductive fronts and spawning locations of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). Unfortunately, sorting and identifying ichthyoplankton to monitor for bigheaded carp reproduction is time consuming and expensive. Traditional methods require frequent egg-larvae sampling, sorting of all samples to obtain presumptively identified...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, James H. Larson, Jon Amberg, Christopher M. Merkes, Tariq Tajjioui, Steven E. Butler, Matthew J. Diana, David H. Wahl, Michael J. Weber, John D. Waters
Evaluating potential effects of bigheaded carps on fatty acid profiles of multiple trophic levels in large rivers of the Midwest, USA Evaluating potential effects of bigheaded carps on fatty acid profiles of multiple trophic levels in large rivers of the Midwest, USA
Recent work indicates that the establishment of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) in the United States has led to a reduction in condition of native planktivores and may detrimentally affect other trophic levels by altering the base of aquatic food webs. We used fatty acids to evaluate potential effects of bigheaded carps on taxa from multiple trophic levels in the Upper...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Toben LaFrancois, Jonathan M. Vallazza, Lynn A. Bartsch, Michelle R. Bartsch, William B. Richardson, Sean Bailey, Rebecca M. Kreiling, Byron Karns
Stable isotope comparison between mantle and foot tissues of two freshwater unionids: Implications for food web studies Stable isotope comparison between mantle and foot tissues of two freshwater unionids: Implications for food web studies
Unionid mussels are a key taxon for stable isotope studies of aquatic food webs, often serving as the primary integrator of the pelagic baseline. Past isotope studies with mussels have commonly used either foot tissue or mantle tissue, but no study has yet to quantify the relation of both carbon and nitrogen isotopes between these two tissue sources. This makes it difficult to justify...
Authors
Toben LaFrancois, Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Byron Karns
Spatial and temporal variance in fatty acid and stable isotope signatures across trophic levels in large river systems Spatial and temporal variance in fatty acid and stable isotope signatures across trophic levels in large river systems
Fatty acid and stable isotope signatures allow researchers to better understand food webs, food sources, and trophic relationships. Research in marine and lentic systems has indicated that the variance of these biomarkers can exhibit substantial differences across spatial and temporal scales, but this type of analysis has not been completed for large river systems. Our objectives were to...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Toben D. Lafrancois, Lynn A. Bartsch, Jonathan M. Vallazza, Michelle R. Bartsch, William B. Richardson, Byron N. Karns, Sean Bailey, Rebecca M. Kreiling
Evaluation of methods for assessing physiological biomarkers of stress in freshwater mussels Evaluation of methods for assessing physiological biomarkers of stress in freshwater mussels
Freshwater mussel populations are highly susceptible to environmental alterations because of their diminished numbers and primarily sessile behaviors; nonlethal biomonitoring programs are needed to evaluate the health of populations prior to mass mortality events. Our objectives were to determine (i) which biochemical parameters in freshwater mussel hemolymph could be consistently...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, James Peterson, Peter D. Hazelton, Robert B. Bringolf
Non-lethal assessment of freshwater mussel physiological response to changes in environmental factors Non-lethal assessment of freshwater mussel physiological response to changes in environmental factors
The development of effective nonlethal biomonitoring techniques is imperative for the preservation of imperiled freshwater mussel populations. Changes in hemolymph chemistry profiles and tissue glycogen are potential biomarkers for nonlethally monitoring stress in mussels. We sampled three species in the Flint River Basin over 2 years to evaluate how these hemolymph and tissue biomarkers...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, James Peterson, Jason M. Wisniewski, Robert B. Bringolf
Shifts in stable-isotope signatures confirm parasitic relationship of freshwater mussel glochidia attached to host fish Shifts in stable-isotope signatures confirm parasitic relationship of freshwater mussel glochidia attached to host fish
The parasitic nature of the association between glochidia of unionoidean bivalves and their host fish (i.e. the role of fish hosts in providing nutritional resources to the developing glochidia) is still uncertain. While previous work has provided descriptions of development of glochidia on fish hosts, earlier studies have not explicitly documented the flow of nutrition from the host...
Authors
Mark W. Fritts, Andrea K. Fritts, Scott A. Carleton, Robert B. Bringolf
Non-USGS Publications**
Fritts, A.K., M.W. Fritts, W.R. Haag, J.A. DeBoer, and A.F. Casper. 2017. Freshwater mussel shells (Unionidae) chronicle changes in a North American river over the past 1000 years. Science of the Total Environment 575: 199-206.
Fritts, M.W., J.A. DeBoer, A.K. Fritts, A.F. Casper, K. Kellock, and R.B. Bringolf. 2016. Survey of Intersex Occurrence in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) from the Upper Illinois River Waterway. American Midland Naturalist 176: 168-175.
Fritts, A.K., A.P. Stodola, S.A. Douglass, and R.M. Vinsel. 2016. Investigation of freshwater mussel glochidia presence on Asian carp and native fishes of the Illinois River. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 19: 22-28.
Fritts, A.K., J.T. Peterson, J.M. Wisniewski & R.B. Bringolf. 2015. Nonlethal assessment of freshwater mussel physiological response to changes in environmental factors. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 72(10): 1460-1468.
Fritts, A.K., J.T. Peterson, P.D. Hazelton, and R.B. Bringolf. 2015. Evaluation of methods for assessing physiological biomarkers of stress in freshwater mussels. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 72(10): 1450-1459.
Fritts, A.K. and R.B. Bringolf. 2014. New host species confirmed for four federally endangered freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Basin. Walkerana 17(2): 51-59.
Fritts, A.K., M.C. Barnhart, M. Bradley, N. Liu, W.G. Cope, E. Hammer, and R.B. Bringolf. 2014. Assessment of toxicity test endpoints for freshwater mussel larvae (glochidia). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 33: 199-207.
Hazelton, P.D, B. Du, S.P. Haddad, A.K. Fritts, C.K. Chambliss, B.W. Brooks, and R.B. Bringolf. 2014. Chronic fluoxetine exposure alters movement and burrowing in adult freshwater mussels. Aquatic Toxicology 151: 27-35.
Fritts, M.W., A.K. Fritts, S.A. Carleton, and R.B. Bringolf. 2013. Shifts in stable isotope signatures confirm parasitic relationship of freshwater mussel glochidia attached to host fish. Journal of Molluscan Studies 79: 163-167.
Wisniewski, J.M., K.D. Bockrath, J.P. Wares, A.K. Fritts, and M.J. Hill. 2013. The mussel-fish relationship: a potential new twist in North America? Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 142: 642-648.
Fritts, A., M. Fritts, D. Peterson, D. Fox, and R. Bringolf. 2012. Critical linkage of imperiled species: Gulf sturgeon as hosts for purple bankclimber mussels. Freshwater Science 31(4): 1223-1232.
Fritts, A., B. Sietman, M. Hove, N. Rudh, M. Davis and D. Heath. 2012. Early life history and conservation status of Theliderma metanevra (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Walkerana 15(2): 99-112.
Johnson, J.A., J.M. Wisniewski, A.K. Fritts, and R.B. Bringolf. 2012. Host identification and glochidia morphology of freshwater mussels from the Altamaha River Basin. Southeastern Naturalist 11(4): 733-746.
Crane, A., A. Fritts, J. Lisek, A. Mathis and C. Barnhart. 2011. Do parasite-induced energetic demands affect the forageing and anti-predator behavior of rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum)? Animal Behaviour 82(4): 817-823.
**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.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 23
Lake Barkley BioAcoustic fish fence effectiveness study project status update Lake Barkley BioAcoustic fish fence effectiveness study project status update
No abstract available.
Authors
Rob Simmonds, Brent C. Knights, Andrea K. Fritts, Jessica C. Stanton, Marybeth K. Brey, Jonathan M. Vallazza
Real-time telemetry and multi-state modeling Real-time telemetry and multi-state modeling
This project will result in real-time data and other invasive carp movement information to inform realtime management decisions and refine the SEICarP model. FY 2022 funding will produce final transition probability estimates from the newly-developed Bayesian multi-state model, continue the maintenance of real-time telemetry to inform contingency actions, and produce a study plan to...
Authors
Marybeth K. Brey, Brent C. Knights, P. Ryan Jackson, Jessica C. Stanton, Douglas Appel, James J. Duncker, Andrea K. Fritts
Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps Emerging control strategies for integrated pest management of invasive carps
Invasive carps are ecologically and economically problematic fish species in many large river basins in the United States and pose a threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout much of North America. Four species of invasive carps: black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis)...
Authors
Aaron R. Cupp, Marybeth K. Brey, Robin D. Calfee, Duane Chapman, Richard A. Erickson, Jesse Robert Fischer, Andrea K. Fritts, Amy E. George, P. Ryan Jackson, Brent C. Knights, Gavin N. Saari, Patrick Kocovsky
Lock operations influence upstream passages of invasive and native fishes at a Mississippi River high-head dam Lock operations influence upstream passages of invasive and native fishes at a Mississippi River high-head dam
Asian carps continue to expand their range in North America, necessitating efforts to limit the spread and establishment of reproducing populations. Mississippi River Lock and Dam 19 is a high-head dam that represents a population ‘pinch-point’ as passage through the lock chamber is the only means by which fishes can complete upstream movement. As such, this location could be a pivotal...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Jessica C. Stanton, Amanda S. Milde, Jonathan M. Vallazza, Marybeth K. Brey, Sara J. Tripp, Thomas E. Devine, Wesley Sleeper, James T. Lamer, Kyle J. Mosel
Development of a quantitative PCR method for screening ichthyoplankton samples for bigheaded carps Development of a quantitative PCR method for screening ichthyoplankton samples for bigheaded carps
Monitoring ichthyoplankton is useful for identifying reproductive fronts and spawning locations of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.). Unfortunately, sorting and identifying ichthyoplankton to monitor for bigheaded carp reproduction is time consuming and expensive. Traditional methods require frequent egg-larvae sampling, sorting of all samples to obtain presumptively identified...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, James H. Larson, Jon Amberg, Christopher M. Merkes, Tariq Tajjioui, Steven E. Butler, Matthew J. Diana, David H. Wahl, Michael J. Weber, John D. Waters
Evaluating potential effects of bigheaded carps on fatty acid profiles of multiple trophic levels in large rivers of the Midwest, USA Evaluating potential effects of bigheaded carps on fatty acid profiles of multiple trophic levels in large rivers of the Midwest, USA
Recent work indicates that the establishment of bigheaded carps (Hypophthalmichthys spp.) in the United States has led to a reduction in condition of native planktivores and may detrimentally affect other trophic levels by altering the base of aquatic food webs. We used fatty acids to evaluate potential effects of bigheaded carps on taxa from multiple trophic levels in the Upper...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Toben LaFrancois, Jonathan M. Vallazza, Lynn A. Bartsch, Michelle R. Bartsch, William B. Richardson, Sean Bailey, Rebecca M. Kreiling, Byron Karns
Stable isotope comparison between mantle and foot tissues of two freshwater unionids: Implications for food web studies Stable isotope comparison between mantle and foot tissues of two freshwater unionids: Implications for food web studies
Unionid mussels are a key taxon for stable isotope studies of aquatic food webs, often serving as the primary integrator of the pelagic baseline. Past isotope studies with mussels have commonly used either foot tissue or mantle tissue, but no study has yet to quantify the relation of both carbon and nitrogen isotopes between these two tissue sources. This makes it difficult to justify...
Authors
Toben LaFrancois, Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Byron Karns
Spatial and temporal variance in fatty acid and stable isotope signatures across trophic levels in large river systems Spatial and temporal variance in fatty acid and stable isotope signatures across trophic levels in large river systems
Fatty acid and stable isotope signatures allow researchers to better understand food webs, food sources, and trophic relationships. Research in marine and lentic systems has indicated that the variance of these biomarkers can exhibit substantial differences across spatial and temporal scales, but this type of analysis has not been completed for large river systems. Our objectives were to...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, Brent C. Knights, Toben D. Lafrancois, Lynn A. Bartsch, Jonathan M. Vallazza, Michelle R. Bartsch, William B. Richardson, Byron N. Karns, Sean Bailey, Rebecca M. Kreiling
Evaluation of methods for assessing physiological biomarkers of stress in freshwater mussels Evaluation of methods for assessing physiological biomarkers of stress in freshwater mussels
Freshwater mussel populations are highly susceptible to environmental alterations because of their diminished numbers and primarily sessile behaviors; nonlethal biomonitoring programs are needed to evaluate the health of populations prior to mass mortality events. Our objectives were to determine (i) which biochemical parameters in freshwater mussel hemolymph could be consistently...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, James Peterson, Peter D. Hazelton, Robert B. Bringolf
Non-lethal assessment of freshwater mussel physiological response to changes in environmental factors Non-lethal assessment of freshwater mussel physiological response to changes in environmental factors
The development of effective nonlethal biomonitoring techniques is imperative for the preservation of imperiled freshwater mussel populations. Changes in hemolymph chemistry profiles and tissue glycogen are potential biomarkers for nonlethally monitoring stress in mussels. We sampled three species in the Flint River Basin over 2 years to evaluate how these hemolymph and tissue biomarkers...
Authors
Andrea K. Fritts, James Peterson, Jason M. Wisniewski, Robert B. Bringolf
Shifts in stable-isotope signatures confirm parasitic relationship of freshwater mussel glochidia attached to host fish Shifts in stable-isotope signatures confirm parasitic relationship of freshwater mussel glochidia attached to host fish
The parasitic nature of the association between glochidia of unionoidean bivalves and their host fish (i.e. the role of fish hosts in providing nutritional resources to the developing glochidia) is still uncertain. While previous work has provided descriptions of development of glochidia on fish hosts, earlier studies have not explicitly documented the flow of nutrition from the host...
Authors
Mark W. Fritts, Andrea K. Fritts, Scott A. Carleton, Robert B. Bringolf
Non-USGS Publications**
Fritts, A.K., M.W. Fritts, W.R. Haag, J.A. DeBoer, and A.F. Casper. 2017. Freshwater mussel shells (Unionidae) chronicle changes in a North American river over the past 1000 years. Science of the Total Environment 575: 199-206.
Fritts, M.W., J.A. DeBoer, A.K. Fritts, A.F. Casper, K. Kellock, and R.B. Bringolf. 2016. Survey of Intersex Occurrence in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) from the Upper Illinois River Waterway. American Midland Naturalist 176: 168-175.
Fritts, A.K., A.P. Stodola, S.A. Douglass, and R.M. Vinsel. 2016. Investigation of freshwater mussel glochidia presence on Asian carp and native fishes of the Illinois River. Freshwater Mollusk Biology and Conservation 19: 22-28.
Fritts, A.K., J.T. Peterson, J.M. Wisniewski & R.B. Bringolf. 2015. Nonlethal assessment of freshwater mussel physiological response to changes in environmental factors. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 72(10): 1460-1468.
Fritts, A.K., J.T. Peterson, P.D. Hazelton, and R.B. Bringolf. 2015. Evaluation of methods for assessing physiological biomarkers of stress in freshwater mussels. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 72(10): 1450-1459.
Fritts, A.K. and R.B. Bringolf. 2014. New host species confirmed for four federally endangered freshwater mussels (Unionidae) in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Basin. Walkerana 17(2): 51-59.
Fritts, A.K., M.C. Barnhart, M. Bradley, N. Liu, W.G. Cope, E. Hammer, and R.B. Bringolf. 2014. Assessment of toxicity test endpoints for freshwater mussel larvae (glochidia). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 33: 199-207.
Hazelton, P.D, B. Du, S.P. Haddad, A.K. Fritts, C.K. Chambliss, B.W. Brooks, and R.B. Bringolf. 2014. Chronic fluoxetine exposure alters movement and burrowing in adult freshwater mussels. Aquatic Toxicology 151: 27-35.
Fritts, M.W., A.K. Fritts, S.A. Carleton, and R.B. Bringolf. 2013. Shifts in stable isotope signatures confirm parasitic relationship of freshwater mussel glochidia attached to host fish. Journal of Molluscan Studies 79: 163-167.
Wisniewski, J.M., K.D. Bockrath, J.P. Wares, A.K. Fritts, and M.J. Hill. 2013. The mussel-fish relationship: a potential new twist in North America? Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 142: 642-648.
Fritts, A., M. Fritts, D. Peterson, D. Fox, and R. Bringolf. 2012. Critical linkage of imperiled species: Gulf sturgeon as hosts for purple bankclimber mussels. Freshwater Science 31(4): 1223-1232.
Fritts, A., B. Sietman, M. Hove, N. Rudh, M. Davis and D. Heath. 2012. Early life history and conservation status of Theliderma metanevra (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Walkerana 15(2): 99-112.
Johnson, J.A., J.M. Wisniewski, A.K. Fritts, and R.B. Bringolf. 2012. Host identification and glochidia morphology of freshwater mussels from the Altamaha River Basin. Southeastern Naturalist 11(4): 733-746.
Crane, A., A. Fritts, J. Lisek, A. Mathis and C. Barnhart. 2011. Do parasite-induced energetic demands affect the forageing and anti-predator behavior of rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum)? Animal Behaviour 82(4): 817-823.
**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.