Non-intrusive monitoring of otters (Lutra lutra) using infrared technology

Remote, non-intrusive monitoring of elusive mammals remains problematic, particularly in running waters. The utility of using submerged infrared counters for monitoring non-intrusively the activity of Eurasian otters Lutra lutra was assessed in three tributaries of the River Dee (Beltie, Cattie, Feardar; Scotland) during 2003–2004. Otters passing through the infrared counters were strongly nocturnal and displayed a bimodal diel activity pattern. Seasonal activity indices varied fourfold between tributaries and peaked during the salmonid breeding season. The median time elapsing between consecutive night visits was 2.02±0.79 days and did not differ between tributaries. The median head–body length of adult otters was estimated at 75.0±1.1 cm, whereas median upstream swimming speed was calculated at 0.97±0.01 m s⁻¹. Minimum census estimates revealed the activity of at least two adults in the Beltie, two adults and three juveniles in the Cattie, and two adults with one juvenile in the Feardar. Our study indicates that, under suitable conditions, infrared technology can be used effectively to examine non-intrusively the activity of free-ranging otters in running waters, offering some advantages over previous, more intrusive techniques that relied on the collection of spraints, the use of radioisotopes or the tracking of marked individuals.     

Spatial and temporal variation of the ichthyoplankton in a subtropical river in Brazil

Studies that assess reproduction dynamics and ichthyoplankton distributions are scarce for the upper Uruguay River, especially in environments such as tributary mouths. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate: (i) ichthyoplankton composition; (ii) spatial and temporal variation in ichthyoplankton abundance; and (iii) relationships between environmental variables and the abundance of ichthyoplankton during one annual cycle in this region. Monthly samples were collected from September 2001 to August 2002 in 48 h cycles at 6 h intervals between each sampling. Samples of eggs and larvae were collected from three of the main tributaries of the region (Ligeiro, Palomas and Chapecó rivers) and from three stretches of the Uruguay River near the confluence of these tributaries. Surface samples were collected with a 0.5 mm mesh cylindro-conical net. In general, reproductive seasonality was well-defined between October and February. It was most intense from November to January, when the photoperiod reached its highest values, flow was decreased, and the water temperature was increased. Based on egg and larval distributions, we found that spawning occurred mainly in the Ligeiro and Chapecó tributaries and in the Uruguay/Chapecó section. In contrast, fish spawning in the sites downstream of dams was more restricted. Finally, a difference was observed between the egg and larval distributions of the main river and its tributaries: the greatest reproductive activity in the tributaries occurred during periods of high flow and increased water temperature, while in the main river, more eggs and larvae were observed when the flow decreased and the water temperature increased.     

Metabolic background for establishment of the subpopulation structure in early ontogenesis in the Atlantic salmon (the case of energy of carbohydrate metabolism)

The activity of some enzymes involved in energy and carbohydrate metabolism was studied in Atlantic salmon embryos at the eyed egg stage and in salmon fingerlings (0+) from two trophic–ecological groups: the Varzuga River bed and two tributaries, the Pyatka and Sobachii rivers (Kola Peninsula). It has been demonstrated that heterogeneity of embryos was most evident in the case of cytochrome c oxidase (CO), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), glycerol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (G1PDH), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), while the lowest level of heterogeneity was observed for lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aldolase. A positive correlation was revealed between the activities of CO, LDH, MDH, and G1PDH. It was noted that G6PDH showed a negative correlation with almost all enzymes under study. It was found that salmon juveniles inhabiting the tributaries were characterized by high LDH, aldolase, and G1PDH activity and lower activity of G6PDH compared to the juveniles inhabiting the main river bed. Notably, the differences in the activity of the enzymes involved in aerobic metabolism between the two groups of fingerlings under analysis were observed only in the autumn.     

Distribution of Peltoperla arcuata Needham (Ins., Plecoptera) in a Small Woodland Stream

The distribution of Peltoperla arcuata in a first-order stream and its two ephemeral tributaries was studied between March and April, 1977. Overall, the distribution was highly contagious (clumped) with most nymphs concentrated in the lower reaches of the tributaries. The most reasonable explanations for aggregation in tributaries were: 1) higher food quantity and quality in early fall, 2) minimization of downstream transport by erosion of leaf packets and 3) diversion to the tributaries of upstream movement in the mainstream by obstacles (e. g., logs and boulders) in the channel.     

Specific features of the feeding of juvenile atlantic salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis> L.) in the subarctic varzuga river and its small tributaries (Kola Peninsula)

An analysis of the spectrum and intensity of salmon parr feeding and the structure and abundance of zoobenthos in the main channel of the river and its small tributaries has been made. It has been shown that young salmon in small tributaries feed more intensively. The biomass of the main food objects of juvenile salmon in the tributaries was significantly higher than in the main channel. In small tributaries, thus, feeding conditions are more favorable for the growth of juvenile salmon.     

Geometry of biodiversity patterning: assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates at tributary confluences

We assessed whether tributaries in upland catchments (=watersheds) affected assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates in mainstems, as has been reported in northern hemisphere systems. Eight confluences of small to medium streams (stream orders 1–4, 2.2–10.8 m wide) were studied in the Acheron River basin in Victoria, Australia. For each confluence, two transects were sampled at each of five zones relative to the confluence: two zones upstream in the mainstem, one zone upstream in the tributary, one zone at the confluence and one zone downstream in the mainstem. Surveys were conducted in both high-flow and low-flow conditions. In mainstems, there was no change in macroinvertebrate density, taxonomic richness or functional feeding group composition downstream relative to upstream of the confluences. While tributaries statistically had distinctive benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages compared to mainstems, these distinctions were small. In low flows, densities in tributaries were substantially lower than in mainstems, but densities during high flows were more similar (albeit only about one-third as high as in low flow) in tributaries and mainstems. An inverse pattern was evident for taxonomic richness, where richness in tributaries and mainstems was similar in low flows but was greater in mainstems than in tributaries in high flows. We found little evidence of tributary effects in macroinvertebrate assemblages in this basin, which is at odds with some previous results from other continents. To explain this divergence, we suggest a conceptual model outlining factors that control variation in effects of tributaries on assemblages of benthic macroinvertebrates in mainstems.     

The migration of spawning stocks of graylingThymallus thymallus, in Lake Mjøsa, Norway

Synopsis The migration of grayling was studied in Lake Mjøsa and 13 of its tributaries in which grayling spawn. The study demonstrate that grayling spawn in creeks in May/June and leave for Lake Mjøsa shortly after spawning to return the next spring. Once mature, the grayling spawn every year. Grayling mix in the lake and are found at a mean distance of 11.9 km from the estuary of their spawning creek in September. Grayling embryos hatch in June and the juveniles stay in the tributaries until September/October. Grayling spend the winter months in the lake. Out of 1599 grayling tagged in tributaries during the spawning season, 240 of 284 recaptures (84.5%) were made in subsequent spawning seasons in the same tributary in which they were first tagged. Forty-four grayling were recaptured in adjacent tributaries. These results demonstrate that, despite the fact that all grayling leave the tributaries and mix in the lake, there is a high precision of homing. It is suggested that the grayling population in lake Mjøsa is composed of stocks using specific tributaries for spawning.     

Abiotic factors associated with the occurrence of introduced rainbow trout in the Atsuta River

To infer the distribution pattern of introduced rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, we compared abiotic factors among tributaries with and without rainbow trout in the Atsuta River, Hokkaido, Japan. Rainbow trout were present in 10 of the 24 tributaries. Stepwise logistic regression analysis indicated that the occurrence of rainbow trout was more likely in low-gradient tributaries and was negatively correlated with elevation. Our results indicate that the successful establishment of rainbow trout can be predicted using abiotic factors, including elevation and gradient.     

Trematode fauna of prosobranch snails of the genus Semisulcospira in Lake Biwa and the connected drainage system

The parasite fauna of prosobranch snails of the genus Semisulcospira was surveyed in Lake Biwa and the adjacent water system. One aspidogastrean and 28 digenetic trematode taxa were detected in 19209 snails consisting of 10 morphological species. There was no trematode species peculiar to members of the subgenus Biwamelania that is endemic to the Lake Biwa water system. However, one species, Notocotylus magniovatus, was found only in the non-endemic subgenus Semisulcospira. Of 23 digenean taxa detected in more than one host, 13 were distributed in both the lake and the tributaries. Seven of these had host taxa, more than 1% of which were infected with the parasite in both the lake and the tributaries, four had such hosts only in the tributaries, and two had no such hosts. Three species detected only in Lake Biwa were previously reported from other rivers in Japan. In the seven species detected only in the tributaries, two species had life cycles that could be maintained only in rivers. These results indicate that the core areas for the distribution of parasites of Semisulcospira are tributaries, and the lake is a sink for these species. These results contradict the expectation that the parasite fauna should be richer in the lake than in tributaries because the lake is a stable habitat over a geological time scale and has more divergent freshwater animals than the adjacent water system.     

Patterns of the aquatic macrophyte cover in Cachoeira Dourada Reservoir (GO-MG).

The relationship between the aquatic macrophyte cover in upper segments of tributaries and this cover in these tributaries but near the reservoir's main body was tested. Sixteen taxa belonging to 12 families of aquatic macrophytes were recorded in Cachoeira Dourada Reservoir. The most frequent species were Eichhornia azurea (frequency of occurrence=92%; n=37 sites) and E. crassipes (44%). Upper segments of the tributaries were the main areas colonized by these aquatic macrophytes. The positive relationship between the aquatic macrophyte cover between the upper and lower segments of tributaries indicates the importance of dispersion in the colonization of the arms and the reservoir's main body.     

Composition and abundance of phytoplankton in tributaries of the lower Colorado river,Grand Canyon region

Phytoplankton distribution and abundance in eleven tributaries of the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon were investigated from April, 1975 to June, 1976. During this period a total of 56 genera and 156 species of phytoplankton was identified. Phytoplankton species of the individual tributaries were quite distinct, with only four diatom species, Diatoma vulgare, Navicula tripunctata, Nitzschia linearis and Synedra ulna, common to all the tributaries. Bright Angel Creek, Shinumo Creek and Elves Chasm were the tributaries with the most diverse algal flora, whereas Vaseys Paradise, Tapeats Creek, Deer Creek and Havasu Creek showed the lowest species richness. Elves Chasm and Diamond Creek had the highest phytoplankton numbers. Phytoplankton abundance and species richness appeared to be influenced by high turbidity, current velocity, fluctuating water levels and age of the water. Some of the dominant algal species, Biddulphia laevis, Cocconeis pediculus, Cymbella ventricosa, Epithemia sorex, Gomphonema parvulum and Synedra ulna, showed significant correlations with specific physico-chemical characteristics of the tributaries.Grand Canyon National Park Colorado River Research Series Contribution No. 66. This research was supported by the National Park Service, U. S. Department of the Interior.     

Genetic characteristics of coastal cutthroat trout inhabiting an urban watershed

Watersheds in urban areas are often heavily degraded due to human activity, which can have negative impacts on freshwater fishes. Monitoring the genetic characteristics of urban populations can provide insights into the impact of development on aquatic ecosystems. We performed a genetic analysis of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii) inhabiting urban tributaries in Portland, OR. By analyzing nuclear microsatellite genotypes, we were able to assess population structure, genetic diversity, and effective population size for six locations across two tributaries on opposite sides of the Willamette River. Genetic diversity was generally equivalent across all sampling locations, although populations from smaller tributaries higher in the stream network had lower levels. Levels of effective population size were low but within expected ranges for small salmonid populations. As anticipated, smaller populations had higher levels of inter-individual relatedness. The primary genetic structure divided populations on opposite sides of the Willamette River, although there was evidence of dispersal between the two groups. Our results suggest that cutthroat trout inhabiting metropolitan areas are not necessarily genetically impoverished and may exhibit characteristics typical of populations in more ‘natural’ environments. Understanding how fish, especially anadromous species, respond to urban environments is essential to evaluating the value of these areas for conservation planning.     

Increased straying by adult steelhead trout,Salmo gairdneri,following the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens

Synopsis This paper describes the magnitude and geographic dispersion of adult steelhead trout, Salmo gairdneri, diverted from Columbia River tributaries which were impacted by the 1980 volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens. Compelling circumstantial evidence suggests that for 1–3 yr after the eruption, large numbers of adult steelhead migrating toward affected tributaries entered two non-affected tributaries flowing into the Columbia River upstream of natal streams. Streams downstream of affected tributaries did not appear to receive substantial numbers of displaced fish. I estimated that the percentage of non-natal steelhead migrating into the lower portions of the nearest upstream river increased from 16% pre-eruption to 45% post-eruption. Winter-run steelhead strays probably originated from both the Cowlitz and Toutle rivers, whereas summer-run strays originated predominantly from the Toutle River. Increased natural production in tributaries resulting from the infusion of large numbers of strays was of insufficient magnitude to be detected by the methods of this study.     

丹江口库区滩涂与入库支流植被与土壤种子库: 水传播潜力探讨

为了探索库区滩涂与入库支流土壤种子库与植被的关系, 以及物种通过水传播扩散的潜力, 对丹江口库区内4条支流及其入库滩涂的地表植被和土壤种子库进行了调查。结果显示, 支流地表植被和种子库的物种多样性高于库区滩涂, 汉江库区滩涂和支流的地表植被与种子库均有较高的物种相似性。DCA排序和TWINSPAN聚类可以明显地将支流的植被和种子库样方与滩涂的植被和种子库样方分到不同的样方组, 结合物种排序图可以清楚地发现, 流入汉江库区支流的植被和种子库的物种组成与滩涂的植被和种子库的物种组成有密切联系。汉江库区滩涂0-15 cm的土层内都有种子萌发, 而丹江库区种子库中只有狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)一种植物, 且仅存在于0-5 cm土层。研究结果表明, 繁殖体通过支流向滩涂的水传播作用对植被建立有积极贡献。     

Location and timing of Asian carp spawning in the Lower Missouri River

We sampled for eggs of Asian carps, (bighead carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis, silver carp H. molitrix, and grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella) in 12 sites on the Lower Missouri River and in six tributaries from the months of May through July 2005 and May through June 2006 to examine the spatial and temporal dynamics of spawning activity. We categorized eggs into thirty developmental stages, but usually they could not be identified to species. We estimated spawning times and locations based on developmental stage, temperature dependent rate of development and water velocity. Spawning rate was higher in the daytime between 05:00 and 21:00 h than at night. Spawning was not limited to a few sites, as has been reported for the Yangtze River, where these fishes are native, but more eggs were spawned in areas of high sinuosity. We employ a sediment transport model to estimate vertical egg concentration profiles and total egg fluxes during spawning periods on the Missouri River. We did not identify substantial spawning activity within tributaries or at tributary confluences examined in this study.     

Fragmentation of riverine systems: the genetic effects of dams on bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Clark Fork River system

Migratory bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) historically spawned in tributaries of the Clark Fork River, Montana and inhabited Lake Pend Oreille as subadult and adult fish. However, in 1952 Cabinet Gorge Dam was constructed without fish passage facilities disrupting the connectivity of this system. Since the construction of this dam, bull trout populations in upstream tributaries have been in decline. Each year adult bull trout return to the base of Cabinet Gorge Dam when most migratory bull trout begin their spawning migration. However, the origin of these fish is uncertain. We used eight microsatellite loci to compare bull trout collected at the base of Cabinet Gorge Dam to fish sampled from both above and further downstream from the dam. Our data indicate that Cabinet Gorge bull trout are most likely individuals that hatched in above-dam tributaries, reared in Lake Pend Oreille, and could not return to their natal tributaries to spawn. This suggests that the risk of outbreeding depression associated with passing adults over dams in the Clark Fork system is minimal compared to the potential genetic and demographic benefits to populations located above the dams.     

Development of the bacterial compartment along the Danube River: a continuum despite local influences

Microbial food webs dominate heterotrophic food webs in large rivers with bacterial metabolism being a key component of carbon processing. Thus, analysis of bacterial population dynamics is critical to understanding patterns and mechanisms of material cycling and energy fluxes in large rivers. Within the frame of the Joint Danube Survey (JDS) 2007, the longitudinal development of the natural bacterial community in the Danube in terms of bacterial numbers, morphotype composition, and heterotrophic production of the suspended and particle-attached fractions was followed at a fine spatial resolution of approximately 30 km for the first time in such a large river along a 2,600-km stretch. Twenty-one major tributaries and branches were also included. This allowed us to investigate whether bacterial standing stock and production undergo continuous, linear changes or whether discontinuities and local processes like the merging of tributaries or the potential impact of sewage input drive the bacterial population in the Danube. The presented investigation revealed surprising continuous patterns of changes of bacterial parameters along the Danube River. Despite the presence of impoundments or hydropower plants, large municipalities, and the discharge of large tributaries, most bacterial parameters (standing stock, morphotype succession, and attached bacterial production) developed gradually, indicating that mainly broad-scale drivers and not local conditions shape and control the bacterial community in the midstream of this large river. As most important broad-scale drivers, nutrients (inorganic and organic) and changes in particle concentrations were identified. These data are also in remarkable accordance with the patterns of changes of the genetic bacterial community composition, observed during the first JDS (2001) 6 years before. In contrast, bacterial activity did not follow a continuous trend and was mainly controlled by the input of sewage from large cities in the middle section, leading to a bloom of phytoplankton. The observed patterns and the comparison between the Danube, its tributaries and other large rivers worldwide indicate that the bacterial community in rivers has a powerful indicator function for estimating the ecological status of large river ecosystems once enough information has been collected at various temporal and spatial scales.     

Geographic patterns of introgressive hybridization between native Yellowstone cutthroat trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri)</Emphasis> and introduced rainbow trout (<Emphasis Type="Italic">O. mykiss</Emphasis>) in the South Fork of the Snake River watershed,Idaho

Throughout its native range, the Yellowstone cutthroat trout (YCT), Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri, is declining dramatically in both abundance and distribution as a result of introgression with introduced rainbow trout (RBT), O. mykiss. We sampled over 1,200 trout from the South Fork of the Snake River (SFSR) watershed, in southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming, and measured the extent of introgression of RBT genes into native gene pools of YCT using seven species-specific, co-dominant nuclear genetic markers. We also used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype differences between the two parental trout species to determine the directionality of the hybridization. We found low levels of RBT introgression (only 7% of sampled individuals had one or more RBT alleles) into YCT gene pools, with the majority of hybrids (78%) occurring in mainstem localities of the SFSR and in lower elevation reaches of certain tributaries. Hybridization was bidirectional with respect to mtDNA haplotype, but the majority of hybrids (75%) had YCT maternal haplotypes, indicative of the greater proportion (90%) of YCT-genotypes in the SFSR watershed. The primary factor influencing the geographic distribution of RBT introgressed individuals was fluvial distance from localities of stocking origin. To a lesser extent, elevation, also influenced the distribution of hybrid genotypes, with several entire tributaries and all upper elevation reaches within tributaries harboring only YCT-genotypes. Important management implications of the study suggest targeting particular tributaries and upper reaches within tributaries for YCT protection and exclusion of RBT hybrid colonization.     

Seasonal movements and tributary-specific fidelity of blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus in a Southern Plains riverscape

This study used acoustic telemetry and a multistate Cormack–Jolly–Seber model to determine the seasonal movement patterns of blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus from 2015 to 2017. Several hypotheses were ranked using AIC_c, and it was determined that the movement patterns of blue suckers in a mainstem reach below a hydropower dam (i.e., tailwater) differed from those of blue suckers tagged in the major tributaries (perennial with stream order >3). This study estimated a low probability (≤0.13) blue suckers would leave the tailwater reach at any time during the study. Conversely, blue suckers tagged in the major tributaries had a high probability (≥0.88) of leaving after the spawning season (February–May). Blue suckers tagged in the major tributaries displayed a high probability (0.83) of returning to the tributaries in the spawning season of 2016 when discharges were high. Blue suckers also had a higher probability of fidelity to the tributary where they were tagged (0.65) rather than straying to different tributaries (0.18). The majority of tagged blue suckers that strayed selected the only undammed tributary in the study area. In 2017, spring discharges were low, and the probability of blue suckers returning to any major tributary was low (0.19), with little difference in the probability of displaying site fidelity (0.10) vs. straying (0.09).     

Avoidance experiments with homing shoals of minnows, Phoxinus phoxinus in a laboratory stream channel

In a laboratory stream channel consisting of two tributaries joining to form a 'river' it proved possible to establish three populations of minnows in separate home ranges. Minnows in the apparatus avoided water with low concentrations of dissolved oxygen but returned to the home range when aerated water was re-established. Concentrations of 4, 8 and 10 mg 1⁻¹ of phenol did not cause avoidance behaviors, in fact the highest concentration killed some fish, but activity levels were severely depressed and shoaling behaviors was also affected.