Wild Brook Trout Research Articles

Water chemistry and fish community responses to episodic stream acidification in Pennsylvania, USA

Five streams were studied on the Northern Appalachian Plateau of Pennsylvania from October 1988 through June 1989 to determine chemical changes that occur during episodic storm run-off and the responses of fish to these events. These second-order streams flowed through undisturbed, wooded, sandstone bedrock catchments with surface areas ranging from 500 to 1000 hectares. Median pH of precipitations was about 4·2, and among streams it ranged from 5·0 to 6·2. During storm events, pH declined by as much as 1·2 units and peak concentrations of total monomeric Al ranged from <0·01 to 0·75 mg litre −1. Organically bound A1 was generally a minor component of total monomeric A1. Wild brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) were found in all streams, although only a remnant population existed in the most acidic stream. Sculpins ( Cottus bairdi or C. cognatus) were collected only in the two streams with the least severe episodes. Mortality of brook trout and sculpins in in situ bioassays ranged from 0 to about 80% among streams during acidic episodes and was positively related to concentrations of total dissolved Al. Radio-tagged brook trout moved downstream during episodes when Al reached toxic concentrations. Some displaced trout were found near groundwater seeps, where pH was higher and dissolved Al was lower than in the main channel.

Establishment of Reproducing Populations of Brook Trout after Stocking of Interstrain Hybrids in Precambrian Shield Lakes

Abstract Planted interstrain-hybrid and wild-strain brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis established self-propagating populations in four Precambrian Shield lakes in which earlier plantings of a domestic strain had failed to reproduce successfully. The purpose of this study was to document successful reproduction by interstrain-hybrid and wild brook trout and to suggest reasons why the domestic strain failed to reproduce. Nearly all brook trout were marked before stocking so that planted fish could be distinguished from lake-reared fish in gill-net catches. The tentative conclusion is that during its long period of domestication (more than 20 generations), the domestic strain had lost much of its ability to locate and use suitable spawning areas. A secondary factor was the poor survival to maturity of the domestic strain relative to the hybrid and wild strains.

Physiological Consequences of Overwintering in Streams: The Cost of Acclimitization?

Proximate body composition and hematological parameters of wild brook (Salvelinus fontinalis) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) from five sites were monitored over three winters. For both species, and for immature and mature fish, lipid levels were lowest (and water content highest) in winter. Lipid levels were most rapidly depleted (to between 2 and 4% wet weight) in early winter (November–December). Brown trout and immature brook trout appeared to suffer a second period of depletion in late winter (February–March) in contrast with spent brook trout. Protein and ash components were relatively stable between dates. Serum protein levels varied greatly but generally indicated a decline in early winter from high summer (August) values prior to increasing in May. Such trends were most obvious during the winter of 1983–84, the harshest of the three winters of study. In the winter, serum glucose concentrations peaked in November. These physiological relationships corroborate earlier findings that early winter is a stressful period of acclimatization to rapidly changing environmental conditions. Even the relatively stable discharge and temperature regimens of spring-fed tributaries are insufficient to offset the effects of early winter.

Use of Strontium as a Nutritional Marker for Farm-Reared Brook Trout

Abstract Strontium was tested as a nontoxic and inexpensive internal marker in fish. Six groups of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), 20-23 cm long, were fed a commercial feed enriched with strontium (Sr + +) over periods of 4 and 6 weeks. Calcium and magnesium levels remained stable, but the concentration of Sr + + increased in the newly formed portions of opercular bones. One of the diets (200 μg Sr + +/g feed, dry weight) resulted in an average concentration of 1,800 μg Sr + +/g dry weight of opercular bone after 6 weeks. This was significantly different from that measured in wild brook trout (270-445 μg/g) but comparable to concentrations found in wild brook trout raised in seawater as well as in several other saltwater species. The flesh of groups fed 200 and 400 μg Sr + +/g feed contained a level of strontium comparable to that of brook trout raised in seawater and five times that of the brook trout in the control group. Strontium appears to be a good marker for brook trout farm-raised for market....

The influence of sex and spawning on levels of tryptophan, serotonin and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the brains of wild brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis

Levels of tryptophan (TP), serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) have been determined in the brains of wild brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Immediately prior to spawning, adult female brook trout exhibit higher levels of 5HT in the brain than adult males, immature brook trout and immature brown trout. After spawning, the highest levels of TP are found in spent males, which also have higher levels of 5HT in the brain than spent females and immature brook trout. Immature brook trout exhibit higher levels of 5HIAA than prespawning adults. This difference disappears after the spawning season. Serum protein levels and condition factors are lower in spent female brook trout; however, haematocrit values for both sexes remain unchanged after spawning.

RNA‐DNA ratio as an index to growth in salmonid fishes in the laboratory and in streams contaminated by carbaryl

Free nucleotides, RNA, and DNA were extracted from fish white muscle and analysed by a two‐wavelength ultraviolet (UV) absorbance technique to determine their relation to growth rates in brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, and Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. In the laboratory, fish given ample feed had higher growth rates than fish on restricted rations, and these growth rates were significantly correlated with RNA‐DNA ratios. Wild brook trout from natural streams had higher average RNA‐DNA ratios than those in the laboratory. Exposure of brook trout in one of the streams to low levels of the insecticide carbaryl (Sevin) that drifted from the spraying of nearby forests did not reduce RNA‐DNA ratios.

Influence of Hatchery Experience on Growth and Behavior of Juvenile Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Within Allopatric and Sympatric Stream Populations

Hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), wild Atlantic salmon and brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) (0+ year-class fish) were observed in allopatric or paired sympatric populations using stream tanks at the Matamek Research Station, Quebec. Hatchery-reared salmon maintained a position just off the substrate, a position intermediate to that occupied by wild salmon (bottom) and trout (midwater). Growth rates of hatchery-reared and wild salmon were not statistically different. Neither type had an interactive advantage. It is concluded that the behavioral pattern of hatchery-reared salmon was intermediate to that of wild salmon and trout. This behavioral shift may account for poor survival of planted Atlantic salmon juveniles, a phenomenon suggesting the need for a reexamination of present live release programs using juvenile hatchery-reared salmon.Key words: behavior, hatchery-rearing effects, growth, interspecific interactions, stream tank study, juvenile Atlantic salmon, juvenile brook trout

Experimental sea ranching of brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill

An experiment to induce anadromy in a population of wild brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, was conducted near Sept‐Iles, Quebec, in 1978–1979. Brook trout were captured from the Matamek River, tagged and transported to the Matamek River estuary during late spring and early summer, and allowed free movement between an impassable waterfall 0.7 km upstream and the sea. Fish were recaptured in autumn as they returned to fresh water. Over two years, 34.0% of the released fish were recaptured. Best returns were in the 2+ and 3+ age classes with 38.0 and 62.1% recaptured, respectively. Straying of transplanted fish appeared to be &lt;1%. All age classes included sea run brook trout (sea trout) but the largest percentages of sea trout occurred in older fish. Growth was better in sea trout than in fish which did not develop anadromy, presumably a function of an increased food supply at sea. Severe tagging effects stunted growth and probably suppressed anadromy, especially among younger fish. Sexual characteristics of recaptured fish indicated suppressed maturation of gonads in sea trout compared to fish remaining in fresh water and there was a shift to a larger percentage of females in the sea trout. Comparisons between our results and data on other anadromous Salvelinus species underscore the potential for sea‐ranching of trout and char as a moderate effort, high yield aquaculture technique.

Transmission of Bacterial Kidney Disease from Wild to Stocked Hatchery Trout

Natural, horizontal transmission of bacterial kidney disease (BKD) from infected wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) to newly stocked hatchery brook trout, brown trout (Salmo trutta), and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) was shown in a small lake and stream system in southeastern Wyoming, USA. Stocked trout were infected naturally and died in 9 mo or less after exposure to infected wild fish. Dead and live fish collected from each of three stations were necropsied. Fluorescent antibody techniques (FAT) were used to detect the BKD organism in all samples. Low severity infections were often detected by FAT at a higher rate when feces were examined as compared to kidney tissues from the same fish. Because other known pathogens were essentially absent, BKD was diagnosed as the cause of all deaths in both stocked hatchery fish and wild fish. Rainbow trout were found to be the most refractory species.Key words: bacterial kidney disease, natural disease transmission, wild trout, brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, epizootics

Taxonomic congruence in three populations of Quebec brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill)

The degree of taxonomic congruence between three methods of classification is examined for three Quebec populations of wild brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, from the Matamek–Moisie watersheds. The three methods utilize morphometric, meristic, and electrophoretic characters. Electrophoretic comparison is also made between the Quebec samples and brook trout from the Dorion Hatchery, Ontario. Using discriminant function analysis on data for the three Quebec populations, a subset of nine morphometric measurements was identified with between 84.0 and 92.6% correct classification, and a meristic subset of four characters, including mandibular pores, with between 72.5 and 95.0% correct classification. Electrophoretic analysis has identified a number of newly defined alleles at four loci, from five tissues. The meristic and electrophoretic analyses show congruence in the order of similarity and, therefore, are considered the most suitable methods for classification of the brook trout. Morphometric analysis provides an insight into localized adaptation particularly in response to habitat and resource utilization. An understanding of the taxonomic status of populations of brook trout requires not only a definition of individuals in terms of meristic and electrophoretic profiles, but also morphological characterization, to increase our understanding of their ecology and response to other faunal components.

Effects of Stocking on Genetics of Wild Brook Trout Populations

The study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term genetic impact of maintenance stocking upon wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) populations in Wisconsin. Trout were collected from streams of the Wolf and Fox River drainages and from the Osceola State Trout Hatchery. The stocking histories of the streams ranged from unstocked to heavily stocked for many years. The planted fish consisted primarily of fingerling and catchable brook and brown trout (Salmo trutta). Blood plasma and whole-eye homogenate samples were analyzed electrophoretically for transferrin (Tf) and lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh-B2) systems. Esterase was monomorphic in all samples, but Tf and LDH displayed genetic polymorphism. The occurrence of several Tf A/A phenotypes among wild fish is notable because previous genetic studies considered the combination to be lethal. The hatchery stock was genetically distinct from most wild populations at both loci. Variation of Tf allelic frequencies among wild populations suggested an undisturbed natural geographic pattern. There were significant correlations between Ldh-B2 allelic frequencies and stream stocking histories, however, with the wild type allele decreasing in importance as stocking intensity increased. This relationship does not seem to reflect interbreeding between wild and hatchery trout. Rather, it may indicate alteration of selective pressures induced by ecological interactions between the two stocks.

Methylated Mercury in Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis): Absence of an in vivo Methylating Process

Abstract The possibility of in vivo conversion of inorganic mercury to MeHg in brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) was tested by chronically exposing fish to mercury (from Hg(NO3 )2) at a concentration of 1 ng/ml, for 56 days, and then maintaining them at background levels for 294 days. The concentrations of inorganic and methylated mercury (MeHg) in several organs of control and test fish were periodically measured over this 50-wk period. The inorganic mercury levels in test fish increased rapidly during exposure. The MeHg concentrations in both control and test fish increased slowly and at the same rate, with final 350-day concentrations comparable to levels found in wild brook trout from an uncontaminated area. This information indicates that fish do not methylate inorganic mercury in vivo, and that approximately one-half of the MeHg body burdens in the fish was acquired via the food.

Genetic and Environmental Factors Involved in Increased Resistance of Brook Trout to Sulfuric Acid Solutions and Mine Acid Polluted Waters

Abstract Several strains of hatchery-reared brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis (Mitchill), were exposed to low pH in the laboratory (sulfuric acid solutions) and in the field (mine acid polluted waters). Wild brook trout were also used in some field tests. Tests were both acute and chronic (up to 2 mo). Pronounced strain differences in survival ability were detected among embryonic, juvenile, and adult brook trout in laboratory tests, and among juvenile brook trout in field tests. However, in one case a strain difference in resistance times detected in field tests was not evident in several laboratory studies. A single selection of NYSV strain brook trout for high resistance to sulfuric acid solutions did not yield F1 progeny of greater resistance. Prior exposure to nonlethal acidic conditions also did not enhance resistance of brook trout. In some cases, the fish actually became more sensitive to the low test pH after such a prior exposure. Fish had longer resistance times in sulfuric acid solutions and ...

A Long-Term Evaluation of Trout Habitat Development and Its Relation to Improving Management-Related Research

Responses of a wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) population to instream habitat development in a 0.7 km reach of Lawrence Creek were monitored for 7 years and compared to population data for the 3-year period prior to development. Mean annual biomass of trout, mean annual number of trout over 15 cm (legal size), and annual production increased significantly during the 3 years following development, but more impressive responses were observed during the second 3 years. Maximum number and biomass and number of legal trout did not occur until 5 years after completion of development. The peak number of brook trout over 20 cm was reached the sixth year after development. Where long-term studies of aquatic systems are needed to evaluate effects of environmental perturbations, it may be desirable to deliberately delay collection of posttreatment data. Such a start-pause-finish sequence of research would provide more valid and less costly evaluations and utilize the time of researchers more efficiently.

Wild Brook Trout with Two Anal Fins

Wild Brook Trout with Two Anal Fins

Movement, Growth, and Survival in a Stream Population of Wild Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) During a Period of Removal of Non-Trout Species

No well-defined changes in growth and survival rates of native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were detected during a 13-yr period when non-trout species were removed from a small Adirondack Mountain stream using fixed traps located throughout the system. The catch of non-trout species was about 124,000 weighing 2000 kg, and of trout, 13,000, weighing 500 kg. Slow growth characterized the population through this time, with mean lengths of 13.2, 17.3, and 21.3 cm at ages I+, II+, and III+, respectively. The weighted annual survival rate for ages II–V was 18%, with most deaths due to natural causes. The most striking observation was virtual cessation of movement of both trout and non-trout species after 7 yr, suggesting that the removal program had an effect on population behavior, even if it was not reflected in an improvement in trout growth.

Persistence of Headwater Check Dams in a Trout Stream

The condition of a series of small dams constructed in 1957 in the headwaters of Sagehen Creek, California, was determined in 1969. Changes in a population of brook trout ( Salvelinus fontinalis) introduced into the new ponds were also assessed. After a 12-year period, about half of the dams were in good to excellent condition. Average depth of the ponds decreased from 16 to 10 inches, but holes 9-13 inches deep were created below the dams. The standing crop of trout of catchable sizes ( )100 mm in length) was estimated to be 93 trout weighing 9.6 pounds ( equivalent to 394 trout per acre weighing 41 pounds). This is comparable to the standing crop in 6 miles of stream below the headwaters of Sagehen Creek. The cost of constructing the dams and introducing the trout was $154, or $12.80 per year over the 12-year period. PERSISTENCE OF CHECK DAMS * Gard 1363 STEEL, R. G. D., AND J. H. TORRIE. 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics with special reference to the biological sciences. McCrawHill Book Company, Inc., New York, Nexv York and Toronto. 481pp. TOTH, S. J., AND P. MCLEAN [MCLAIN]. 1961. Soils in pine barrens can grow good cereal crops. New Jersey Agr. 43(1):4-7. , , AND L. G. MAcNAMAnA. 1964. Fertilization of burnet for game food on Lakewood sand soils. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 28 ( 4 ): 840-845. , A. L. PRINCE, A. WALLACE, AND D. S. MIKK;LSEN. 1948. Rapid quantitative determination of eight mineral elements in plant tissue by a systematic procedure involving use of a flame photometer. Soil Sci. 66(6):459466. Received for publication December 10, 1971. LITERATURE CITED FLANNERY, R., AND D. MARKUS. 1969. Simultaneous determination of P, K, Ca and Mg in soil extracts by auto analyzer. Technicon Internatl. Congr. 29-37. MARTIN, A. C., H. S. ZIM, AND A. L. NELSON. 1951. American wildlife & plants. Dover Publications, Inc., New York. 500pp. MORRISON, F. B. 1956. Feeds and feeding: a handbook for the student and stockman. 22nd ed., unabridged. The Morrison Publishing Company, Ithaca, New York. 1165pp. PURVIS, E. R., AND M. W. M. LEO. 1961. Nitrogen availability in soils: rapid procedure for estimating potentially available soil nitrogen under greenhouse conditions. J. Agr. and Food Chem. 9 ( 1 ) :15-17. RIENIER, D. N., AND S. J. TOTH. 1968. A survey of the chemical composition of aquatic plants in New Jersey. New Jersey Agr. Expt. Sta. BU11. 820:1-14. In July 1957, a series of log or rock dams 1 to 2 feet in height was constructed in the headwaters of Sagehen Creek in east-central California. Because no trout lived in the shallow headwaters at that time, 128 wild brook trout from lower in the drainage were introduced into the new ponds. Changes in the physical habitat and bottom fauna and survival of the trout population through 1960 were reported by Gard (1961). The purpose of the present paper is to describe the changes in the dams, ponds, and trout population that occurred by 1969. The 3,600-foot section of stream under study originates from two springs ( temperature 3748 F) at an elevation of about 7,400 feet and winds through three small meadows separated by patches of forest. Although severaI feet of snow cover the study area in winter, the stream nlay beThis content downloaded from 157.55.39.0 on Sat, 30 Jul 2016 06:05:39 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 1364 lournal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 36, No. 4, October 1972 live box until the second sweep was completed. The trout were weighed, measured to total length, and returned to the stream. In 1969, a similar procedure was carried out except that trout caught during the first sweep were marked by removing a pelvic fin and returned at random to the creek. The sampling operation was repeated 3 days later, and marked trout were noted. A Petersen estimate of population abundance was calculated using Formula 3.7 given by Ricker (1958:84).

Trout intestinal alkaline phosphatases. I. Some physical-chemical characteristics.

AbstractFour electrophoretic zones of trout intestinal alkaline phosphatase are described on the basis of charge and molecular weight heterogeneity. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the intestinal phosphatase complement suggest three basic phenotypes, which are exemplified by the isozyme patterns of wild brook trout, hatchery brook trout, and lake trout.The partially purified and separated trout phosphatase zones have been characterized physically and chemically. The data presented clearly place these enzymes in the category of the non‐specific alkaline phosphomonoesterases. In common with this group of enzymes, trout phosphatases catalyze the hydrolysis of a wide variety of phosphomonoesters and pyrophosphates, as well as transphosphorylation reactions.

Biased Harvest Estimates from a Postal Survey of a Sport Fishery

Abstract A partial creel census and a postal card survey were simultaneously employed to determine the harvest of wild brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) from several ponds. A comparison of the catch per effort ratios (c/e) from interviews and postcards revealed a positive bias in the estimates obained from returned postcards. The c/e ratios from postcards were double the c/e ratios from interviews. This discrepancy was partly due to the reluctance of unsuccessful anglers to return postcards. There was a significantly higher proportion of unsuccessful anglers from interviews than from postcard returns. Positive errors in the c/e ratios also resulted from a nonresponse of successful anglers and from more than one fisherman reporting on a single card. Estimates of fishing success from postcards seriously overestimated the season's harvest of trout and the exploitation rates.

Polymorphisms for LDH and Transferrin Loci in Brook Trout Populations

Abstract Seven hatchery populations and seven of eight wild populations of brook trout sampled were polymorphic for both the LDH-B and the transferrin loci. The degree of variations of allele frequencies as well as of the amount of heterozygosity was generally greater among hatchery fish than those from natural populations. Calculations of interpopulation heterogeneities of allele frequency differences permitted distinguishing all of the hatchery strains, but not all of the small wild populations, from each other. While gross intra-population heterogeneity was found, an assessment of the breeding structure of wild brook trout in a stream was not possible. Electrophoretic variants were found in wild populations for two other LDH polypeptides and for one other serum protein. From assumptions that five loci were polymorphic in 13 total loci studied, the estimate of proportion of polymorphic loci in wild brook trout is 38.4%. The similar estimate for hatchery strains is 15.4%.