Rhinichthys Cataractae Research Articles

Changing Fish Faunas in Two Reaches of the Rio Grande in the Albuquerque Basin

Abstract We intensively sampled fishes from two reaches of the Rio Grande within the Albuquerque Basin (Albuquerque and Belen valleys) during 1998–2001, compared our findings with those from 1984, and compiled a list of all fishes known from the two reaches. Structure of assemblages (richness, diversity, abundance distributions–taxon dominance versus rank abundance) was similar between reaches in 1998–2001, but the faunas had low taxonomic similarity. The nonnative white sucker (Catostomus commersonii), western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), and native red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) dominated the Albuquerque Valley. Faunal change in the Albuquerque Valley between 1984 and 1998–2001 indicated all native fishes besides the red shiner declined, particularly the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae). In contrast, the red shiner alone dominated the Belen Valley, nonnative fishes were less dominant, and aside from the Rio Grande silvery minnow and longnos...

Phylogeography of the longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) species group in northwestern North America — the origin and evolution of the Umpqua and Millicoma dace

The Umpqua and Millicoma dace are small cyprinid fishes endemic, respectively, to the Umpqua and Coos rivers on the central coast of Oregon. The origins and relationships of these dace are unclear; however, two hypotheses have been postulated that assume these dace had evolved from a longnose dace ( Rhinichthys cataractae (Valenciennes, 1842)) like ancestor, but from different modes of origin. The direct origin hypothesis postulates that each of these dace originated directly, but independently, from a common ancestor. In contrast, the indirect origin hypothesis postulates that the Umpqua dace originated from a R. cataractae like ancestor and that the Millicoma dace evolved from the Umpqua dace. We used mitochondrial (cytochrome b and control region) sequences to test the two hypotheses. Our maximum likelihood analysis supports the indirect origin hypothesis and argues that together the Umpqua and Millicoma dace form a distinctive Oregon coastal clade within the R. cataractae species group. We also attempt to reconcile this result with the observation that the geographic distribution of the morphologically divergent Umpqua dace is sandwiched between the geographic ranges of the morphologically similar Millicoma dace and longnose dace.

Basin‐wide impacts of compounds with estrogen‐like activity on longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) in two prairie rivers of Alberta, Canada

Environmental compounds with estrogen- or antiestrogen-like activity can enter rivers from multiple sources, including municipal wastewater and agricultural runoff. We used longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) to investigate exposure to compounds with estrogen-like activity, which we measured in water at multiple sites in the Oldman and Bow rivers (AB, Canada). We evaluated changes in vitellogenin mRNA with quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, then compared vitellogenin levels to sex ratios and fish performance indices to assess how exposure to compounds with estrogen-like activity affects longnose dace populations. Vitellogenin levels were elevated at least 59 to 110 km downstream of municipalities. In the Oldman River, increased vitellogenin expression and female-biased sex ratios suggest severe endocrine disruption, likely resulting from the combined impacts of municipal wastewater, agriculture, and large cattle operations within the basin. In the Bow River, municipal wastewater may be the major source of compounds with estrogen-like activity that affect longnose dace. The sex ratios were not heavily skewed, as in the more agriculturally influenced Oldman River. We detected organic contaminants in river samples at every site, but the highest concentrations were found downstream of municipalities and in areas with intense agriculture. Vitellogenin levels and sex ratios of longnose dace suggest basin-wide exposure to compounds with estrogen-like activity. Our results demonstrate that it is important to assess rivers at large spatial scales to detect fully the impacts of municipal wastewater and agriculture on fish populations.

Response of Fish Populations to Natural Channel Design Restoration in Streams of the Catskill Mountains, New York

AbstractMany streams and rivers throughout North America have been extensively straightened, widened, and hardened since the middle 1800s, but related effects on aquatic ecosystems have seldom been monitored, described, or published. Beginning in the early 1990s, reach‐level restoration efforts began to base projects on natural channel design (NCD) techniques and Rosgen's (1994b, 1996) river classification system in an effort to duplicate or mimic stable reference reach geomorphology. Four reaches in three streams of the Catskill Mountains, New York, were restored from 2000 to 2002 using NCD techniques to decrease bed and bank erosion rates, decrease sediment loads, and improve water quality. The effects of restoration on the health of fish assemblages were assessed through a before–after, control–impact (BACI) study design to quantify the net changes in population and community indices at treatment reaches relative to index changes at unaltered reference reaches from 1999 to 2004. After restoration, community richness and biomass at treatment reaches increased by more than one‐third. Changes in fish communities were caused mainly by shifts in dominant species populations; fish community biomass and total fish abundance were generally dominated by daces or daces and sculpins before restoration and by one or more salmonid species after restoration. Density and biomass of eastern blacknose dace Rhinichthys atratulus, longnose dace R. cataractae, and slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus did not change appreciably, whereas net salmonid density and biomass increased substantially after restoration. These changes were driven primarily by large increases in populations of brown trout Salmo trutta. The findings demonstrate that the structure, function, and ultimately the health of resident fish populations and communities can be improved, at least over the short term, through NCD restoration in perturbed streams of the Catskill Mountains.

Changes in Population, Growth, and Physiological Indices of Longnose Dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) in the Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada

The Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada is a prairie river that is impacted by the point-source input of Red Deer's municipal wastewater effluent and non-point- source agricultural runoff. We used population, growth, and physiological performance end points in longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), an endemic and abundant minnow, to evaluate changes in fish health over a 220 km section of the Red Deer River. Longnose dace immediately downstream of Red Deer had elevated catch per unit effort with larger body and liver sizes compared to upstream of Red Deer sites, likely due to elevated riverine productivity from Red Deer's wastewater effluent. Longnose dace immediately downstream of Red Deer showed depressed testosterone production capacity and elevated ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity, which is consistent with exposure to endocrine-disrupting compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons, respectively. Longnose dace 150-180 km downstream of Red Deer had reduced liver and gonad sizes, elevated EROD, and increased 11-ketotestosterone production capacity compared to upstream of Red Deer sites, possibly related to a non-point-source agricultural influence on water quality. Longnose dace populations at the most downstream sites were missing the oldest age classes and might reach sexual maturity faster than at upstream sites, which is consistent with a younger age structure. Our results highlight the importance of assessing multiple performance end points to reveal physiological or reproductive effects in natural fish populations. We have demonstrated how longnose dace populations change over a river impacted by municipal wastewater and agricultural runoff; further studies are required to determine if these changes will influence the long-term viability of longnose dace in the Red Deer River.

The impact of postglacial marine invasions on the genetic diversity of an obligate freshwater fish, the longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), on the Quebec peninsula

Postglacial seas are expected to have had significant effects on the genetic structure of populations of obligate freshwater fishes. To assess this influence, mitochondrial DNA variability was evaluated in 32 populations of longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) of the Quebec peninsula located within and outside of the maximum extent of marine invasions of the Champlain and Laflamme seas. Three clades of haplotypes diverging from one to two mutations were defined. Despite this low divergence, a clear and significant spatial genetic structure was observed outside of the extent of marine invasions. However, a higher genetic diversity was observed in populations located within the extent of marine invasions because of the admixture of these clades with an additional lineage restricted almost exclusively to those areas. The low genetic divergence between the main haplotypes suggests a single origin, despite the known presence of this species in various refuges. Marine invasions preventing entry to the peninsula, especially from Atlantic refuge, are proposed as a possible explanation to this particular result. This study is a relevant argument for integrating postglacial marine invasions into postglacial colonization models of freshwater species in the northeastern part of North America.

Characterization of microsatellite loci in longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) and interspecific amplification in five other Leuciscinae species

AbstractThe longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) appears as a relevant model to address environmental and ecological issues in an evolutionary perspective. Eleven microsatellite markers were characterized for this species. Eight of these loci were highly polymorphic for populations of this species. Between four to 10 loci were also successfully amplified in five closely related species. These markers are believed to be valuable tools for genetic analysis of populations of longnose dace and other Leuciscinae species.

Behavioral responses to sublethal cadmium exposure within an experimental aquatic food web

The foraging and predator-avoidance behaviors of mayfly (Baetis tricaudatus) nymphs and predator-prey interactions were investigated under differing combinations of cadmium concentration and predation risk. Predators consisted of stonefly (Kogotus nonus) nymphs, juvenile brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), either alone or in combination. Organisms were exposed to 0, 0.5, or 5.0 microg/L Cd for 7 d (invertebrates) or 30 d (vertebrates) prior to observation in artificial stream channels. Behavioral observations (20-min duration) were made both day and night over a 24-h period. Mayfly feeding rate was assessed by image analysis of grazed diatom mats cultured on ceramic tiles. Both predators and cadmium produced significant effects on the behavior of B. tricaudatus and K. nonus nymphs, with mayflies showing a hierarchical response in the presence of multiple predators. A significant increase in activity was observed in S. fontinalis exposed to 5.0 microg/L Cd, with significant decreases in capture efficiency of prey items apparent at 0.5 microg/L Cd. Conversely, the foraging behavior of R. cataractae was unaffected by cadmium, possibly as a result of species-specific cadmium tolerance. Such sublethal effects of a contaminant on the energy budgets of individuals and the interactions between species have implications for community structure in aquatic food webs.

Range extensions of Logperch, Perca caprodes, and Longnose Dace, Rhinichthys cataractae, in Newfoundland and Labrador

Range extensions of Logperch, Perca caprodes, and Longnose Dace, Rhinichthys cataractae, in Newfoundland and Labrador

Observations of the Distributions of Five Fish Species in a Small Appalachian Stream

Abstract The notion has been growing that resident stream fishes exhibit a greater capacity for movement than was previously thought. In this study, we recorded the distributions of four resident fish species (longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae, blacknose dace R. atratulus, mottled sculpin Cottus bairdi, and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) and one nonresident species (central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum) in Rock Creek, a small tributary of Cosby Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, over the period 1979-1995. During this study, 1,998 individuals of resident species were collected from stream sections considered to be within a common area of distribution for each species. Forty-five individuals of resident and nonresident species were captured upstream of these areas, and eight of these fish were considered to be larger than individuals considered typical for each species. Small mammal dispersal theory concepts were used to classify and describe fish movements outside of common areas of di...

Reproductive characteristics of female longnose dace in the Coweeta Creek drainage, North Carolina, USA

Abstract – We examined the reproductive characteristics of 38 female longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) from one of the southernmost populations of this species during two sampling periods in 1999 (ES=March 1999, LS=June 1999). Our data indicated that ES fish had not spawned, whereas LS fish had begun spawning. The smallest mature female captured was 56 mm SL (age 1+). Mean potential fecundity differed significantly between ES (mean±1 SD=1832±572 oocytes) and LS (mean±1 SD=775±415 oocytes) specimens. Potential fecundity was positively correlated with both standard length and somatic mass for both ES and LS specimens. Oocyte diameter frequency histograms indicated that ES specimens possessed two modes of oocytes, whereas LS fish contained two or three modes. Female longnose dace appeared to spawn more than once during a reproductive season. Oocyte number varied substantially both among individuals within periods and between periods. The number of Mode II oocytes in ES fish was positively correlated with both length and somatic mass. Female longnose dace appeared potentially capable of spawning 6+ clutches per year. GSI values for longnose dace ranged from a high of 21.4% (LS specimen) to 2.4% (ES specimen). Regression analysis demonstrated that there was no evidence of differential reproductive effort between longnose dace of different size in this population.

Multi‐scale effects of resource patchiness on foraging behaviour and habitat use by longnose dace, Rhinichthys cataractae

1. We examined the response of a predatory benthic fish, the longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), to patchiness in the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrates on cobbles at three hierarchical spatial scales during summer and autumn 1996, and spring 1997 in a southern Appalachian stream. 2. At the primary scale (four to five individual cobbles separated by <1 m), the intensity of foraging was not correlated with the biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates/cobble, regardless of season. 3. At the secondary scale (i.e. foraging patches <5 m in diameter) we found that benthic macroinvertebrates were patchily distributed in summer, but not in autumn or spring. Concomitantly, in summer, longnose dace foraged on cobbles with a significantly higher biomass of benthic macronvertebrates than nearby, randomly selected cobbles with similar physical conditions (i.e. longnose dace tended to avoid low‐prey foraging patches). In contrast, when benthic macroinvertebrates were distributed homogeneously (spring and autumn), dace did not select patches with a significantly higher biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates than that available on randomly selected cobbles. 4. At the tertiary scale (i.e. stream reaches 11–19 m long), the biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates (per cobble per reach) was patchily distributed (i.e. differed significantly among reaches) in all seasons. Among reaches with physical characteristics preferred by longnose dace, (i.e. erosional reaches dominated by cobble/boulder substratum and high current velocity), we detected a significant, positive correlation between the biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates/cobble and longnose dace density in all seasons. 5. Our results demonstrated that both spatial and temporal patchiness in resource availability influenced significantly the use of both foraging patches and stream reaches by longnose dace.

Abundance and Diversity of Fishes Migrating to a Hydroelectric Dam in Montana

Although many potamodromous fishes make extensive migrations, dams that block their upstream movements are not often mitigated with passage facilities. Over several months in 1998 and 1999 we studied the numbers of all fish species attempting to migrate beyond Milltown Dam, a hydroelectric dam on the Clark Fork River, Montana. Using a radial-gate raceway as a fish trap, we captured 13 fish species known to seasonally congregate below Milltown Dam. In 1998 we captured over 17,000 fish, representing 9 species; in 1999 we captured 12 species and more than twice the 1998 catch by sampling 6 weeks longer. Trapping in both years began on March 10 and was concluded November 17. In 1998 we found that spring migrations were related to spawning behavior for rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and largescale suckers Catostomus macrocheilus; and in 1999 we additionally noted the spawning-related migrations of westslope cutthroat trout O. clarki lewisi, longnose suckers C. catostomus, and northern pikeminnows Ptychocheilus oregonensis. In contrast, fall movements of northern pikeminnows were not spawning-related and were undertaken by immature individuals in both years. Migrations of largescale suckers in the fall were not related to spawning and are the first reported fall migration of these fish. Redside shiners Richardsonius balteatus, peamouths Mylocheilus caurinus, and longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae were also captured. Each year some individual fish remained at the dam for extended periods; they were exposed to high water temperatures and often developed injuries trying to ascend the dam. Although the reason for movements of some species is speculative, the spatial and temporal impacts of Milltown Dam on individuals and populations probably have important community level effects.

Hepatic mixed function oxygenase activity and vitellogenin induction in fish following a treatment of the lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM)

Recent laboratory studies with nontarget fish species have shown that the lampricide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) exhibits estrogenic activity through binding to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatic estrogen receptors and induction of vitellogenin in hepatocyte cultures. In addition, mixed function oxygenase (MFO) activity associated with exposure to field formulations has been attributed in part to the presence of chloro-nitro-trifluoromethyl-dibenzo-p-dioxin impurities. To investigate the environmental effects associated with these findings, the temporal and spatial patterns of MFO activity and vitellogenin induction were monitored in three nontarget fish species following a TFM field treatment. Elevated MFO activity was detected as early as 1 day in caged rainbow trout and activity in trout, wild white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), and longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) peaked 2 or 3 days after treatment. Highest activities were observed in fish exposed closest to lampricide application points and declined with increasing distance downstream. After 18 days, MFO activity was reduced but remained almost sevenfold reference values at several sites. Plasma vitellogenin was not detected in caged trout sampled 6 and 18 days post-treatment, and dioxin impurities were not detected in sediments after treatment. It was concluded that laboratory testing underestimated the duration of MFO activity under field conditions and that an assessment of formulation exposure during sensitive life stages represents an area for further study.

Experimental tests of intraspecific competition in stream riffles between juvenile and adult longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae)

This study was conducted to examine the role of intraspecific competition in size-specific habitat segregation by longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae). Previous studies indicate that adults use faster velocity areas and larger substrates than juveniles. An instream maze containing fast- (40-50 cm/s), medium- (25-35 cm/s), and slow-velocity (0-10 cm/s) habitats was used to examine the habitat preferences of both size classes. Cages provided with a single shelter were used to examine the effect of the presence of adults on shelter use by juveniles, and adults were removed from an enclosed riffle to examine the response of juveniles. Both adults and juveniles used the fast- and medium-velocity habitats within the maze and avoided the slow-velocity habitat. Juveniles reduced their use of the shelters in the presence of adults, and expanded their niches to include faster velocity areas of the riffle when adults were removed from the enclosed riffle. However, juveniles did not increase their use of larger substrates in the absence of adults. These results suggest that segregation of juvenile and adult longnose dace according to velocity is due to intraspecific competition for faster velocity areas within the riffle, while segregation according to substrate size may be due simply to an increasing preference for larger substrates as fish grow.

Variability of fish densities in a small catchment

Abstract— Temporal and spatial variability of fish communities were examined within a 91‐km2 catchment in central New York over four years. Riffle‐dwelling species, slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus, longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae, and young‐of‐the‐year brown trout Salmo trutta, were more strongly affected by flood and drought than pool‐adapted species, adult brown trout, blacknose dace Rhinichthys atratulus, white sucker Catostomus commersoni, and creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus. Canonical correspondence analysis using seven abiotic variables (mean width, residual pool depth, water surface slope, mean Froude number, variance in Froude number, maximum monthly discharge and minimum monthly discharge) separated fish communities among sites and years. The first axis represented a headwater‐to‐valley gradient; the second axis reflected habitat complexity, based on both geomorphic and hydraulic features. Temporal differences in fish densities were related to hydrological factors. Fish communities throughout the catchment showed similar responses to flood and drought.

Experimental tests of intraspecific competition in stream riffles between juvenile and adult longnose dace (<i>Rhinichthys cataractae</i>)

Experimental tests of intraspecific competition in stream riffles between juvenile and adult longnose dace (<i>Rhinichthys cataractae</i>)

Transferability of Habitat Suitability Curves for a Benthic Minnow, Rhinichthys cataractae

Physical Habitat Simulation (PHABSIM) is used to predict the impact of flow regime alterations on habitat availability of fish. Species-specific predictions of habitat availability for fish are often made by applying generic habitat suitability curves (HSC), thereby implicitly assuming that HSCs are fixed among rivers. We tested the hypothesis that HSCs for a widely-distributed North American minnow, the longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), were similar in two rivers in western Canada. Utilization curves differed between rivers for all three parameters, but the mechanism producing these differences was different. Although transferability tests provide an objective method of assessing whether an existing curve is applicable to a new river system, our findings indicated the tests often failed because the test statistic was not applicable to the raw data. R. cataractae populations displayed large variations in HSC for water depth, water velocity, and substratum composition between the study rivers and previously published data. We conclude that the ability of PHABSIM to predict available habitat for a forage fish such as R. cataractae will be low unless the HSC are generated in the river systems where the model is to be applied.

Predation on fish by cormorants and pelicans in a cold-water river: a field and modeling study

We studied diets of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) and American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) collected on the North Platte River, Wyoming, from May to August. Rainbow (Oncorhychus mykiss) and cutthroat (O. clarki) trout 10-16 cm long were stocked in late June - early July. Cormorants ate mainly suckers (Catastomus spp., 61% of numbers, 85% of fresh mass) before trout stocking; but trout consumed increased from 17% (12% of mass) in samples before stocking to 60% (82% of mass) after stocking. Pelicans ate mostly suckers (64% of numbers, 84% of mass) and minnows (Rhinichthys cataractae, Pimephales promelas; 21% of numbers, 1% of mass) throughout the study; trout were 1% (0.1% of mass) of the pelican diet before stocking, and 22% (14% of mass) after stocking. A bioenergetics model estimated that these birds consumed up to 80% of trout stocked in 1994. In August 1993, cormorants ate mostly trout (86% of numbers, 98% of mass), suggesting that many stocked trout survived until autumn. However, the much smaller fraction of trout eaten by cormorants in spring 1994 before stocking (mean 17% of numbers, 13% of mass) than after stocking (60% of numbers, 82% of mass) suggests that stocked trout declined substantially during winter. Because overwinter survival might have limited trout recruitment between years, it is unclear whether bird predation was additive or compensatory.

Size‐dependent flight initiation by a lotic mayfly in response to a predatory fish

1. Laboratory experiments were performed to determine whether flight initiation by lotic mayfly larvae of Baetistricaudatus exposed to the longnose dace (Rhinichthyscataractae) is affected by an individual’s size and its physiological state.2. We used a three factorial ANOVA design to test whether flight initiation distances (FIDs) were affected by Baetis size (small, large), starvation level (low, high), and the length of a predator‐free foraging period (short, long).3. FIDs were significantly affected by the interaction between Baetis size and starvation level, and the main level effects of starvation and Baetis size. FIDs of small larvae were unaffected by starvation level and the length of the predator‐free feeding period, whereas starvation reduced FIDs of large larvae 2‐fold.4. Subsequent experiments showed that size‐dependent differences in FIDs could not be attributed to size‐specific differences in the economics of rates of food intake or gut evacuation. For both small and large larvae, food intake rates declined with increasing time spent foraging and both small and large larvae consumed the majority (70–75%) of food within the first 3 h of the 12‐h feeding period. Similarly, gut evacuation declined with increasing starvation time and rates of evacuation did not differ between small and large larvae. These data suggest that size‐dependent differences in flight initiation by Baetis larvae do not involve the energetics of food intake or processing.