Science and Products
Proceedings of the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Reporting Meeting to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program
Comparison of electrofishing and PIT antennas for detection of hatchery-reared Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta) stocked into a desert stream
What's in the hump of the humpback chub?
Viability of Razorback-Flannelmouth Sucker hybrids
An evaluation of sedatives for use in transport of juvenile endangered fishes in plastic bags
Geographic variation in the intensity of warming and phenological mismatch between Arctic shorebirds and invertebrates
What environmental conditions reduce predation vulnerability for juvenile Colorado River native fishes?
Are hatchery-reared Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout effective predators on juvenile native fish?
Effectiveness of ultrasonic imaging for evaluating presence and maturity of eggs in fishes in remote field locations
Key morphological features favor the success of nonnative fish species under reduced turbidity conditions in the lower Colorado River Basin
Can data from disparate long-term fish monitoring programs be used to increase our understanding of regional and continental trends in large river assemblages?
Does bioelectrical impedance analysis accurately estimate the condition of threatened and endangered desert fish species?
Eelgrass
Effects of Water Clarity on Survival of Endangered Humpback Chub
Laboratory Predation Data (various nonnative warm-water sport fishes), Arizona
Hatchery Trout Predation Data, Arizona
Bioelectrical impedance analysis for an endangered desert fishData
Colorado River Basin Projects
The Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Team has created an interactive map of USGS projects to highlight the integrated science currently conducted within the Colorado River Basin. These projects are not all inclusive of the work conducted by the USGS within the CRB, but highlight the broad range of integrated science currently conducted.
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 28
Proceedings of the Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Reporting Meeting to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program
(Hartwell) This report is prepared primarily to account for work conducted and products delivered in FY 2022 by GCMRC and to inform the Technical Work Group of science conducted by GCMRC and its cooperators in support of the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (GCDAMP). It includes a summary of accomplishments, modifications to work plans, results, and recommendations related to projects iAuthorsDavid Topping, Paul Grams, Emily C. Palmquist, Joel B. Sankey, Helen C. Fairley, Bridget Deemer, Charles Yackulic, Theodore Kennedy, Anya Metcalfe, Maria C. Dzul, David Ward, Mariah Aurelia Giardina, Lucas Bair, Thomas Gushue, Caitlin M. Andrews, Ronald E. Griffiths, David Dean, Keith Kohl, Michael J Moran, Nicholas Voichick, Thomas A. Sabol, Laura A. Tennant, Kimberly Dibble, Michael C. RungeComparison of electrofishing and PIT antennas for detection of hatchery-reared Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta) stocked into a desert stream
Stocking of rare native fishes for conservation purposes is a common practice in the southwestern United States. Monitoring typically occurs after hatchery-reared fish are released to assess post-stocking movement and survival. We conducted a two-year study, in which tow-barge electrofishing and portable, flat-bed passive integrated transponder (PIT) antennas were used to monitor PIT-tagged, hatchAuthorsLaura A. Tennant, David Ward, Alice C. GibbWhat's in the hump of the humpback chub?
The function of the nuchal hump on adult humpback chub (Gila cypha) has been the subject of longtime conjecture. Hypotheses about the purpose of the hump range from it being a feature that confers hydrodynamic advantages in swift water to speculation about how the hump may have reduced predation vulnerability to Colorado pikeminnows (Ptychocheilus lucius). We used comparative histology of the headAuthorsDavid Ward, Michael B. WardViability of Razorback-Flannelmouth Sucker hybrids
Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) and flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) live in sympatry in the Colorado River basin. Although morphological intermediates have been described since 1889, hybrids were seemingly rare. Rarity of hybrids was likely attributed to razorback suckers' ability to find conspecific mates throughout the basin. Dams have segmented the Colorado River, altering habiAuthorsPilar N. Wolters, David L. Rogowski, David Ward, Alice C. GibbAn evaluation of sedatives for use in transport of juvenile endangered fishes in plastic bags
Trucks and aircraft typically transport rare or endangered fishes in large unsealed tanks containing large volumes of water (typically hundreds of liters) during conservation efforts. Ornamental fishes, however, are commonly sent by mail in small sealed plastic bags filled with oxygen, minimal water, and a small amount of sedative to reduce weight and overall shipping costs. Our goal was to evaluaAuthorsLaura A. Tennant, Ben M. Vaage, David L. WardGeographic variation in the intensity of warming and phenological mismatch between Arctic shorebirds and invertebrates
Responses to climate change can vary across functional groups and trophic levels, leading to a temporal decoupling of trophic interactions or ‘phenological mismatches.’ Despite a growing number of single-species studies that identified phenological mismatches as a nearly universal consequence of climate change, we have a limited understanding of the spatial variation in the intensity of this phenoAuthorsEnubi Kwon, Emily L. Weiser, Richard B. Lanctot, Stephen C. Brown, H. River Gates, H. Grant Gilchrist, Steve J. Kendall, David B. Lank, Joseph R. Liebezeit, Laura McKinnon, Erica Nol, David C. Payer, Jennie Rausch, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Daniel J. Rinella, Nathan R. Senner, David Ward, Paul A. Smith, Robert C. Wissman, Brett K. SandercockWhat environmental conditions reduce predation vulnerability for juvenile Colorado River native fishes?
The incompatibility of native Colorado River fishes and nonnative warm-water sport fishes is well documented with predation by nonnative species causing rapid declines and even extirpation of native species in most locations. In a few rare instances native fishes are able to survive and recruit despite the presence of nonnative warm water predators, indicating that specific environmental conditionAuthorsDavid L. Ward, Benjamin VaageAre hatchery-reared Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout effective predators on juvenile native fish?
Hatchery‐reared Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Brown Trout Salmo trutta are typically fed exclusively on commercially prepared pelleted feeds and have no experience catching or consuming live fish at the time of stocking. Despite this lack of predation experience, it is commonly assumed that stocked Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout will adversely impact native fish populations by preying uponAuthorsDavid L. Ward, Rylan Morton-Starner, Benjamin VaageEffectiveness of ultrasonic imaging for evaluating presence and maturity of eggs in fishes in remote field locations
Ultrasonic imaging is an effective, nonlethal method used to determine sex and maturity in a variety of fishes. However, many previous studies of this technique have been performed in laboratory environments. Using Common Carp Cyprinus carpio, we developed a standardized method for ultrasonically scanning cyprinids, and we accurately sexed 78% (N = 58) of those individuals. We then applied this meAuthorsMorgan E. Brizendine, David Ward, Scott A. BonarKey morphological features favor the success of nonnative fish species under reduced turbidity conditions in the lower Colorado River Basin
As a result of anthropomorphic alterations to the lower Colorado River basin and other southwestern rivers, water turbidity has been greatly reduced and introduced, nonnative fishes thrive in these waterways. To quantify key morphological features that may allow nonnative fishes to displace native fishes, we compared eye diameter (a proxy for visual acuity) and maximum anatomical gape (a proxy forAuthorsClinton J. Moran, David L. Ward, Alice C. GibbCan data from disparate long-term fish monitoring programs be used to increase our understanding of regional and continental trends in large river assemblages?
Understanding trends in the diverse resources provided by large rivers will help balance tradeoffs among stakeholders and inform strategies to mitigate the effects of landscape scale stressors such as climate change and invasive species. Absent a cohesive coordinated effort to assess trends in important large river resources, a logical starting point is to assess our ability to draw inferences froAuthorsTimothy D. Counihan, Ian R. Waite, Andrew F. Casper, David L. Ward, Jennifer S. Sauer, Elise R. Irwin, Colin G. Chapman, Brian Ickes, Craig P. Paukert, John J. Kosovich, Jennifer M. BayerByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Species Management Research Program, Oregon Water Science Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Western Fisheries Research Center, Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL)Does bioelectrical impedance analysis accurately estimate the condition of threatened and endangered desert fish species?
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a nonlethal tool with which to estimate the physiological condition of animals that has potential value in research on endangered species. However, the effectiveness of BIA varies by species, the methodology continues to be refined, and incidental mortality rates are unknown. Under laboratory conditions we tested the value of using BIA in addition to morphAuthorsKimberly L. Dibble, Micheal D. Yard, David L. Ward, Charles B. Yackulic - Science
Eelgrass
Eelgrass is the predominant aquatic plant within embayments of southwestern Alaska and provides an important habitat for birds, fish, and invertebrates. The USGS has conducted extensive research on the status, trends, and use of eelgrass by migratory birds in southwestern Alaska primarily at the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge.Effects of Water Clarity on Survival of Endangered Humpback Chub
Introduced rainbow trout and brown trout are considered a threat to the endangered humpback chub in the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. These introduced species eat native fish, but impacts are difficult to assess because predation vulnerability depends on the physical conditions under which predation takes place. We studied how predation vulnerability of juvenile humpback chub changes in response... - Data
Laboratory Predation Data (various nonnative warm-water sport fishes), Arizona
These data were compiled to evaluate the potential impact various environmental conditions may have on native fish populaitons through predation. Introduced warm-water sport fishes present a high predation risk for juvenile native fishes, but observations of juvenile native fish surviving and recruiting in some rare cases led us to question what environmental conditions might be responsible for thHatchery Trout Predation Data, Arizona
These data were compiled to evaluate the potential adverse impacts that stocked trout may have on native fish populaitons through predation. Hatchery-reared rainbow and brown trout are typically fed exclusively on commercially prepared pelleted feeds and have no experience catching or consuming life fish at the time of stocking and yet stocked fish are percieved to present a high predation risk foBioelectrical impedance analysis for an endangered desert fishData
These data were used to examine the effectiveness of a non-lethal tool (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, "BIA") to estimate the physiological condition of endangered and threatened fishes in the Colorado River Basin. We conducted laboratory trials using hatchery-raised Humpback Chub and Bonytail and wild-captured Roundtail Chub, where fish were subjected to different feeding trials to elucidate a - Web Tools
Colorado River Basin Projects
The Colorado River Basin Actionable and Strategic Integrated Science and Technology Team has created an interactive map of USGS projects to highlight the integrated science currently conducted within the Colorado River Basin. These projects are not all inclusive of the work conducted by the USGS within the CRB, but highlight the broad range of integrated science currently conducted.