Intrafragment riverscape conservation for an imperiled, small-bodied, pelagic-broadcast spawning minnow: speckled chub (Macrhybopsis aestivalis)

Abstract

Intrafragment ecology is little studied for imperiled riverine fishes although river fragmentation and habitat loss increasingly threaten sensitive species. A long-term population-monitoring program in the Pecos River, New Mexico, provided detailed data for 15 annual cohorts of speckled chub (Macrhybopsis aestivalis), which were used to assess intrafragment patterns in recruitment and year-class strength in relation to distributional patterns, flow-regime characteristics, and air temperature. Cohorts avoided a degraded upstream reach. Age-1 and older individuals had distributions consistently centered within a central, relict-ecosystem reach that contained high-quality habitat. Age-0 individuals were widespread within the relict-ecosystem reach and a channelized reach downstream. Distributional patterns suggested that some individuals that recruited in the channelized reach dispersed upstream into relict-ecosystem habitat thereafter. One cohort always numerically dominated the population because cohorts never lived beyond 2 years. Recruitment was density-independent and predicted year-class strength. No aspect of the flow regime explained variation in recruitment. Year-class strength was consistent among cohorts because of density-dependent mortality. High-quality habitat in a centralized location, potential for dispersal between channelized and relict-ecosystem reaches, and diffuse distribution of pelagic-broadcast propagules throughout both reaches combined to facilitate successful annual recruitment and population persistence.