Lake Ontario Drainage Research Articles

Genetic isolation and homogenization: Potential effects of landscape features on the population genetic structure of freshwater mussels

Dispersal, the movement of individuals from their natal population to their breeding population, has important ecological and evolutionary consequences. In lotic freshwater systems, landscape features such as barriers or connectors, can affect dispersal and thus gene flow. It is of special interest to characterize population genetic structure in the presence of impassable barriers because they can restrict dispersal and thus isolate populations. On the other hand, connectors such as man-made canals connect watersheds that would otherwise be isolated, thereby enhancing gene flow and potentially genetically homogenizing populations. Freshwater mussels (Order: Unionida), many of which are highly threatened, have a unique life history involving parasitism on host fish species for larval development and dispersal. Landscape features that affect fish passage will consequently affect mussel dispersal and the maintenance of populations and metapopulations. This manuscript explores how landscape features affect the population genetic structure and genetic diversity of the freshwater mussel species Lampsilis siliquoidea, Fatmucket, in the southwestern Lake Ontario drainage. Data from seven microsatellite loci revealed that 1) waterfalls act as barriers for gene flow between freshwater mussel populations within the same river, 2) populations above the barrier had lower genetic diversity, 3) there was no detectable effect of man-made canals on genetic diversity and, 4) populations that were not hydrologically connected by a canal were marginally more differentiated than the populations connected by a canal. Landscape features can alter the connectivity within and between drainages thus changing the scale at which management will be effective.

Chronology of Lake Ontario ecosystem and fisheries

The Lake Ontario drainage basin has been considered the most productive of all the deepwater Laurentian Great Lakes for fish production and extremely valuable for its historical commercial fisherie...

Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry analysis of copper-based artifacts from Southern Ontario and the chronology of the indirect contact period

Samples of copper-based artifacts from four components from three Late Iroquoian archaeological sites in southern Ontario were analysed using Laser Ablation-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Compositional analysis showed that the concentrations of Ni, Zn, As, Ag, Sn, Sb, Au, Bi, Co, In and Pb clearly differentiate North American native copper from European-introduced smelted copper and brass. Together with radiocarbon dates, this indicates the presence of trade metals on Iroquoian sites in the early to mid sixteenth century, well in advance of a European presence in the region. The small sample analysed suggests that red brass appears earlier than yellow brass, and trade metals may be found at sites in the Lake Ontario drainage before they are found in the southern Georgian Bay area.

First record of Ammocrypta pellucida (Agassiz, 1863) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) from the Lake Ontario drainage basin

The objective of this paper is to document the first occurrence of Ammocrypta pellucida in the Lake Ontario basin from samples collected in West Lake, Ontario (Canada) in 2013. Prior to this record, the known range of this imperilled species consisted of two disjunct elements in eastern North America separated by about 500 km. The new occurrence is in the middle of these two distributional elements and suggests that further inventory efforts are warranted in the intervening area.

First record of Ammocrypta pellucida (Agassiz, 1863) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) from the Lake Ontario drainage basin

First record of Ammocrypta pellucida (Agassiz, 1863) (Actinopterygii: Perciformes) from the Lake Ontario drainage basin

The Role of the Champlain Canal and Erie Canal as Putative Corridors for Colonization of Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario by Sea Lampreys

AbstractThe origin of populations of the landlocked Sea LampreyPetromyzon marinusin Lakes Champlain and Ontario, whether by artificial canals or by natural colonization following the last ice age, is controversial, in part because the related history and ecology had been poorly documented. This situation favored a native classification for the populations in both lakes based mainly on genetics. A native classification for the Lake Champlain population was predicated on either of two erroneous dates of first record, 1841 and 1894, whereas the correct date, 1929, was much more recent and strongly supports a nonnative classification. The detection of the Sea Lamprey in Lake Champlain occurred shortly after the opening in 1916 of the Champlain Barge Canal, which opened the upper Hudson River to fish passage. The case for a native Lake Ontario population did not account for a watershed breach in 1863 between the Susquehanna River, where the Sea Lamprey had been common, and the Lake Ontario drainage. Shortly after this canal‐related connection was made, Sea Lamprey populations became abundant, nearly simultaneously, in four locations in the Lake Ontario drainage, suggesting this breach was the entry point for the founding population. The genetic distances between the landlocked populations and the Atlantic Ocean population appear to have been caused by recent bottlenecks rather than long‐term residence; a recent genetic bottleneck was detected in the Lake Ontario population. Native classifications rested, in part, on extraordinary ecological scenarios, whereas nonnative classifications are consistent with experience in the upper Great Lakes and with well‐known vectors of range expansion (canals, dam openings, watershed breaches). These findings in aggregate favor a nonnative classification of the Sea Lamprey in both lakes.

Distribution of Lake Sturgeon in New York: 11 Years of Restoration Management

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) are native within the Lake Ontario drainage basin and listed as threatened by New York State. In 1995 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) initiated restoration management of lake sturgeon. This management included both protection of extant populations and stocking of uninhabited historic waters with juvenile sturgeon. A list compiled by NYSDEC of observations of lake sturgeon from New York State waters for the period encompassing 1800–2005 was combined with recent observations through 2008 and formatted (Geographic Information System) to allow mapping of sturgeon geographical distribution. Distributions of pre- and post-restoration sturgeon were examined by occurrence and type of observation. Distribution patterns indicated lakes and rivers with current sturgeon presence have increased from five to eight, which was the first-phase goal of the New York Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan. Lake sturgeon have started to expand into joining water to include the Indian R., Oneida R., Seneca R. and Oswego R. The protected historic populations in the Niagara R., Grasse R., St. Lawrence R., and Lakes Erie and Ontario continue to have low numbers of sturgeon observations. This summary of mapped lake sturgeon distribution information will help in guiding research assessments to waters containing substantial populations. These accessible reaches provide a generous advantage to the released juveniles as they move toward the next goal of restoration, spawning of sturgeon in targeted waters.

Juvenile Rainbow Trout Production in New York Tributaries of Lake Ontario: Implications for Atlantic Salmon Restoration

AbstractThree Pacific salmonid species Onchorynchus spp. have replaced the extirpated Atlantic salmon Salmo salar as the main migratory salmonid in the Lake Ontario drainage. One of those species, the nonnative rainbow trout O. mykiss, has become widely distributed within the historical Atlantic salmon habitat, occupying an ecological niche similar to that of juvenile Atlantic salmon. Consequently, both a tributary's carrying capacity for Atlantic salmon and competition from established nonnative species are important when considering the feasibility of Atlantic salmon restoration. Estimation of juvenile rainbow trout production will help evaluate the capacity of tributaries to produce salmonids that occupy similar niches. Geostatistical methods were applied to standardized and efficiency‐corrected electrofishing data from three of New York's best salmonid‐producing streams to precisely estimate juvenile rainbow trout populations. Results indicated that each study stream could produce 20,000–40,000 age‐0 and 4,000–10,000 age‐1 and older rainbow trout per year. Statistical interpolation indicated areas of significantly different production potential and points of significant changes in productivity. Closer examination of the niche similarity and competitive potential of these two species is needed to properly interpret these estimates with regard to Atlantic salmon restoration.

Mitochondrial DNA Analysis Indicates Sea Lampreys Are Indigenous to Lake Ontario

AbstractThe parasitic sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus occurs throughout North America's Great Lakes, where it has an immense economic impact on commercially and recreationally important fishes. Sea lampreys indisputably invaded Lake Erie and the upper Great Lakes from Lake Ontario in the mid‐1900s, but their official status as a nonnative species in Lake Ontario is based on circumstantial evidence and has long been subject to controversy. Presently, sea lampreys are considered by U.S. and Canadian government agencies to be an invasive species within the entire Great Lakes watershed, and millions of dollars are spent annually to suppress them. We sequenced 330 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA control region of 224 sea lampreys collected from 10 locations (3 within the Lake Ontario drainage, 2 within the Lake Superior drainage, and 5 rivers between Quebec and New York that are tributary to the Atlantic Ocean). Eighteen haplotypes were revealed, of which 17 occurred in specimens from Atlantic coast rivers, 6 in specimens from Lake Ontario, and 2 in specimens from Lake Superior tributaries. Haplotype frequencies were not significantly different (P > 0.05) within regions, indicating low or no homing fidelity. But when haplotype frequencies were grouped within regions and compared along the hypothesized colonization pathway, significant differences were seen. Pronounced differences in haplotype frequency patterns between Atlantic coast and Lake Ontario drainage collections, together with arguments against the viability of canal passage, strongly support the idea of post‐Pleistocene natural colonization by one of at least three hypothesized zoogeographic pathways. If sea lampreys are indigenous to Lake Ontario, management policies aimed toward intense suppression might need reevaluation.

A Seasonal Comparison of Suspended Sediment Filtration by Quagga ( Dreissena bugensis) and Zebra ( D. polymorpha) Mussels

Field evidence suggests a shift in the dreissenid population from zebra ( Dreissena polymorpha) to quagga ( D. bugensis) mussels is occurring within the lower Great Lakes. This laboratory study directly compared per-mussel and per-dry-weight filtration rates (volume per time) of both species, gauged by the clearance of resuspended natural sediments (1 to 12 mg/L) from gently mixed, 1-L static vessels. Mussels of 15- and 20-mm lengths were collected together from the Lake Ontario drainage basin at Oak Orchard Creek, Medina, NY, and maintained and tested in ambient Niagara River water. A 2 × 4 factorial design was employed, with species and season as independent factors. Season significantly influenced filtration rate of both size classes, and winter rates were about half those measured during the rest of the year. Species significantly influenced filtration of 20-mm mussels. Quagga mussels of this size filtered up to 37% faster than zebra mussels (data for spring: 309 vs. 226 mL/h/mussel, n = 18 and 20 individuals, respectively). Species was not a significant factor alone for 15-mm mussels, but a species x season interaction was significant. The zebra mussels employed here had 16 to 22% more ash-free dry weight (AFDW) than the quagga mussels, accentuating filtration differences when expressed per-mg-AFDW.

A Comparison of Photosynthate Allocation in Lakes

We compared the relationships between photosynthate allocation to protein, carbohydrate, lipid and low molecular weight (LMW) fractions and the variables daylength and water temperature in Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Ontario as well as three smaller headwater lakes in the Lake Ontario drainage. In all lakes investigated the allocation of recently produced photosynthate to carbohydrate was strongly related to daylength (% carbohydrate = −3.5 * daylength (hr) + 72.8; n = 59, r 2 = 0.56). The percentage of photosynthate allocated to protein was a function of water temperature in all lakes although the y-intercept for the protein-temperature relationship was much lower in the three headwater lakes and Lake Ontario (% protein = 0.50 * temperature (°C) + 6.1; n = 37, r 2 = 0.52) than in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan (% protein = 0.68 * temperature (°C) + 24.2; n = 23, r 2 = 0.49). The increase in allocation to protein was related to a decrease in allocation to low molecular weight material (% LMW = −1.1 * % protein + 57.13; n = 60, r 2 = 0.72). The percentages of photosynthate in lipid and LMW material were not related to any of the environmental variables measured. Assuming that photosynthate allocation is related to biochemical composition, the phytoplankton in Lakes Huron and Michigan were more protein rich for a given temperature than those in Lake Ontario and in the smaller inland lakes. The protein deficit was due to an increase in allocation to LMW material.

Selective Predation by Noturus insignis (Richardson) (Teleostei: Ictaluridae) in the Delaware River

-Stomach contents of 403 margined madtoms Noturus insignis (Richardson), collected several times throughout 1988 and 1989 were examined. Insects in the families Baetidae, Chironomidae and Simuliidae, all of which have nocturnal drift patterns, were present in stomach samples in proportions higher than those in the environment. Margined madtoms showed an activity peak (inferred from capture efficiency) at midnight in both years. Usually feeding began at dusk and its rate increased until 0400 h, as suggested by changes in stomach fullness over 24 h. Diel feeding periodicity was similar to that exhibited by other Noturus species. During 2 of the 4 samples days on which sizes of prey in the environment were compared to sizes in the diet, margined madtoms consumed organisms that were smaller, on average, than those collected from the substrate. On the other 2 days, the diet samples and environmental samples were not significantly different. Margined madtoms ate insects that were most active and most available between midnight and dawn. INTRODUCTION Noturus insignis, the margined madtom, is native to many Atlantic slope streams from Georgia to New York, parts of the Lake Ontario drainage and the upper Kanawha River system (Taylor, 1969; Rohde, 1980). Accidental introductions are presumably responsible for its occurrence in the upper Ohio River drainage, the Tennessee River system and the Merrimack River in New Hampshire (Taylor, 1969). The margined madtom is usually found in clear streams with moderate current and abundant gravel and rubble (Rohde, 1980). Margined madtoms live as long as 4 yr; females become sexually mature in their 3rd summer, whereas males mature a year earlier (Clugston and Cooper, 1960). Most growth occurs in July, August and September, after spawning has occurred. Bowman (1932) found that the stomachs of Noturus [Rabida] insignis collected during daylight hours were nearly empty or contained highly digested food items, whereas the stomachs of specimens collected at 0100 h contained relatively undigested prey items, implying nocturnal feeding. Through stomach content analysis, Bowman (1936) surmised that N. insignis feeds almost exclusively on aquatic insect larvae. Bowman did not systematically compare the relative abundances of prey items in the madtoms' diet to their relative abundances in the environment. Many have studied the feeding behavior of madtoms. Mayden and Burr (1981) speculated that since Noturus exilis Nelson is primarily a nocturnal species it feeds principally by taste (as observed in aquaria) rather than by sight. They made no direct comparisons, but noted chironomids appeared most abundant in N. exilis when chironomids were at their peak drift. Robison and Harp (1985) found that N. lachneri Taylor began feeding between 2090 min after sunset. Page and Smith (1971) reported that the riffle fishes Percina phoxcephala (Nelson) and P. sciera (Swain) fed on whatever food was available and palatable and that feeding patterns closely followed insect population cycles. Likewise, Starnes and Starnes (1985) found that gut contents of N. eleutherus Jordan shifted with the most abundant benthic taxa, most commonly baetids and chironomids. They speculated that since baetids and chironomids are nocturnally active their availability to madtoms might be increased. The objectives of our study were to determine-if a population of margined madtoms in

State of the Lake Ontario Ecosystem: Introduction to an Ecosystem Perspective on a Vital Resource

State of the Lake Ontario Ecosystem: Introduction to an Ecosystem Perspective on a Vital Resource

Systematics of Two Forms of Blacknose Dace, Rhinichthys atratulus (Pisces: Cyprinidae) in a Zone of Syntopy, with a Review of the Species Group

The Rhinichthys atratulus complex of eastern and central North America, including R. a. atratulus, R. a. obtusus and R. a. meleagris, is shown to be distinct from other Rhinichthys. Variation within R. atratulus is summarized, and the utility of characters that have been used to recognize subspecies is evaluated. Nuptial coloration of males and scale counts are useful for separation of R. a. obtusus from R. a. atratulus. Other characters that have been suggested to separate subspecies, e.g., melanophore patterns and nuptial tubercle pattern and development are consistently useful. No unequivocal characters are known that separate R. a. obtusus from R. a. meleagris. Reproductive behavior of R. a. obtusus is more variable than previously thought, and the different subspecies are distinct in such traits. Stream capture of a New River tributary by Meadow Creek, upper James River drainage, Virginia, has introduced R. a. obtusus into the range of R. a. atratulus, resulting in the only known zone of syntopy of the two forms. Within this overlap zone, nuptial coloration of males and individual morphometric and meristic characters indicate that substantial genetic exchange occurred between the two forms. Pending a suggested comprehensive analysis of the R. atratulus complex throughout its range, R. a. obtusus is tentatively retained as a subspecies. R HINICHTHYS atratulus (blacknose dace) is a common cyprinid in small streams over much of eastern and central North America. Its biology is well known (Noble, 1965; Tarter, 1968, 1969a, b, 1970; Bartnick, 1970; Bragg, 1978), and its larval development (Fuiman and Loos, 1977) and karyotype (Howell and Villa, 1976) have been described. In contrast, its relationships are well understood. Garman (1881) recognized four nominal Rhinichthys species and described three new species which are now allocated to R. atratulus. However, Jordan (1889) stated that Garman's diagnostic characters were not very reliable. Hubbs (1936) recognized four subspecies of R. atratulus. Of these, R. a. simus was effectively synonymized by Caldwell (1965) with R. a. obtusus, leaving three recognized subspecies: R. a. atratulus, an Atlantic slope form; and R. a. meleagris and R. a. obtusus, which occur largely west of the Atlantic-Ohio basin divide. Hubbs and Lagler (1958) suggested that R. a. atratulus and R. a. meleagris could be distinct species, and Hubbs and Brown (1929) stated that it would be a fine piece of work to determine their status in a zone of possible syntopy in the Lake Ontario drainage. In this paper we consider distinctiveness of R. atratulus from other Rhinichthys, review the confused taxonomic history of R. atratulus forms, discuss variation and utility of characters used in recognition of the forms, and analyze interbreeding between R. a. atratulus and R. a. obtusus in the upper James River drainage, Virginia, in their only known zone of syntopy.

A climatonomic study of the Lake Ontario drainage basin

An evapotranspiration climatonomy model (Lettau and Baradas, 1973) designed to compute monthly runoff, actual evapotranspiration, exchangeable moisture level, and stored moisture change, and incorporating seasonally varying parameter values was applied to the Lake Ontario drainage basin and to subbasins within it. The model was refined and improved by using a ‘direct search’ optimization technique (Rosenbrock, 1960) to obtain monthly values of the set of prescribed parameters. The parameters were calibrated using data for 1969–1971 inclusive and for long‐term means. They were then applied to relevant 1972 data as an independent test of the validity of the model. The results were consistent and reasonably reliable by comparison with others. The parameter values are physically justifiable and in accord with comparable parameter values reported in the literature. Computed monthly runoffs are within 1.4% of observed streamflow in the unregulated subbasins and within 6.0% in one that is regulated. For the Lake Ontario basin as a whole, computed monthly runoff is within 7.0% of measured outflow adjusted for lake level changes. The agreement is within 3.5% in the case of annual values. Computed monthly actual evapotranspiration is in excellent agreement with other studies. It is concluded that the model, with a calibrated set of seasonally varying parameter values, is a viable approach for the study of the moisture regimes of catchments.

Subspecies and Breeding Behavior of the Cyprinid Fish Notropis procne (Cope)

THE northern swallowtail shiner, Notropis procne procne (Cope), is a small species that apparently reaches its northern limit in Catherine Creek, the inlet of Seneca Lake, Lake Ontario drainage, New York. Its presence here has been attributed by Greeley (1928: 98) to a former canal connection with the Susquehanna system to the south. The use of the southern outlet of glacial Seneca Lake in the late Pleistocene is here considered an equally valid possible explanation. It is also found in the Delaware and Susquehanna of New York and ranges southward in Atlantic Coast streams to the James River in Virginia. It is represented from the Roanoke River system in Virginia southward to the Santee drainage in South Carolina by Notropis procne longiceps (Cope). A detailed diagnosis of procne and related species has been prepared by Hubbs and Raney (1947). A key to the subspecies of procne appears below. Most of the differences are only average ones but the two usually can be separated by the summation of characters.

The Early Life History of the Bridled Shiner, Notropis bifrenatus (Cope)

T URING the course of observations on the hitherto unknown breeding behavior of the bridled shiner, Notropis bifrenatus, the author obtained fertile eggs readily by artificial means. The brief incubation period, less than three days, rather long spawning period, roughly from the last week of May to mid-July, and small maximum size of this species, less than 21/2 inches in total length, suggest its possible value as a subject for the experimentalist. An account of the breeding behavior and life cycle of this species will appear elsewhere. The known range of Notropis bifrenatus extends through the Atlantic coastal drainage from southern Maine and New Hampshire south to the Potomac River system of Virginia and westward through Lake Champlain, the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario drainage (Hubbs and Lagler, 1941: 60). It inhabits small ponds and large lakes, small streams and large rivers, but only the shallows with still or slowly flowing water. In streams, it is restricted usually to the lower portions as it is a weak swimmer. Generally found over mud, silt, or detritus, it prefers moderate to abundant vegetation.