AUTHORS: Brittany L. Harried, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Wesley Fitzsimmons, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Kaelyn J. Fogelman, Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, Troy University, Troy, AL; Craig P. Paukert, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Jane S. Rogosch, U.S. Geological Survey, Texas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX; Jim A. Stoeckel, School of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL; Jacob T. Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
ABSTRACT: Aquatic organisms are experiencing impacts from anthropogenic influences (e.g. climate change), resulting in the loss of suitable habitat for many species. Consequently, it is imperative to improve our understanding of the thermal ecology of these organisms to predict how individual species may respond to changes in water temperature and habitat availability. This is particularly important for species of conservation concern and species on the periphery of their range which could experience greater impacts from climate change-related stressors. In this study, we examined the thermal ecology of hatchery-reared Topeka Shiners, and wild Blacknose Shiners, Ozark Shiners and Carmine Shiners from Missouri. Some of these species have restricted distributions or small populations while others have broader latitudinal ranges. We performed laboratory studies to assess multiple thermal metrics including 1) thermal preference, 2) acclimated chronic exposure, 3) respiratory enzyme thermal performance, and 4) critical thermal maximum. The laboratory study results were integrated with distribution models for these species, stream temperature models for Missouri, barriers to movement and migration, and watersheds where conservation is focused to estimate the adaptive capacity of these species and identify stream reaches that may serve as refugia or managed translocations in the face of climate change. Estimating multiple thermal metrics allows us to test for relationships among metrics within and across species and provides a more thorough understanding of the thermal ecology of these species to inform management decisions. Additionally, this provides insight into the most ecologically relevant thermal metrics for informing future, large-scale modelling efforts with other species.
