2025 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference

AUTHORS: Brittany L. Harried, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO; Jacob T. Westhoff, U.S. Geological Survey, Missouri Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

ABSTRACT: The Bluestripe Darter (Percina cymatotaenia) is endemic to Missouri, is a species of conservation concern, and has been petitioned for listing under the Endangered Species Act. We conducted a study to evaluate the species’ threats, genetic diversity, and population trends. Objectives for this study were to: 1) duplicate Bluestripe Darter sampling effort from past sites and observe trends in population status, and 2) assess the range-wide geographic patterns of genetic variation within Bluestripe Darter. Sampling efforts from 2000-2002 were duplicated during June-August 2024 for 46 sites across five rivers in southern Missouri using seining methods that targeted small-bodied benthic fishes. Furthermore, limited environmental covariate and habitat data were collected and additional sampling in a spatially replicated occupancy framework was completed to estimate occupancy and detection at each site. Up to 20 fin clips and vouchers were collected per river to estimate effective population sizes, geographic structure of genetic variation within and between drainages, and contemporary short-term migration rates. Photos of each voucher specimen were also taken to assess external ecomorphology. We detected Bluestripe Darter at 9 out of 46 sites in 2024, which was well below the 23 out of 46 sites where it was detected by surveys from 2000-2002. Results from this study will inform the Species Status Assessment and listing decision for Bluestripe Darter, and will also benefit Heritage reviews, Wildlife Collector Permit reviews, conservation planning, and priority for on-the ground management projects related to identified population threats.

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.

AUTHORS: Jenna Ruoss, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Christopher Pullano, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Mark Pegg, School of Natural Resources - University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Jonathan Spurgeon, U.S. Geological Survey, Nebraska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit; Kirk Steffensen, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

ABSTRACT: Pallid Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus is a long-lived species that occupy the lower Mississippi River and the mainstem Missouri River, along with its major tributaries. In 1990, Pallid Sturgeon was listed as federally endangered, stemming from anthropogenic activities including habitat alterations and overharvesting leading to population declines. Conservation efforts and studies have primarily focused on understanding life-history requirements, population dynamics, habitat use, and productivity in the mainstem Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Limited information exists on the potential role of tributaries for Pallid Sturgeon recovery. Previous studies documented that Pallid Sturgeon occupy the lower Platte River, a large tributary to the Missouri River, year-round. Nevertheless, the environmental cues that trigger movement into and out of the Platte River are not fully understood. Therefore, our objective was to assess potential environmental cues for immigration and emigration between the Platte and Missouri rivers using acoustic telemetry. We implanted 29 acoustic transmitters and recorded an additional 64 unique Pallid Sturgeon, previously tagged by other agencies in the mainstem Missouri River, throughout 2022-2023 in the Platte River. Pallid Sturgeon were assigned to one of three migratory statuses (e.g., immigration, emigration, or individual occurrence). We used generalized linear models to investigate the additive effects of mean discharge, mean temperature, and photoperiod for Pallid Sturgeon immigration and emigration at the Platte River confluence with the Missouri River. We determined that the global model with the additive effects of mean discharge, mean temperature, and photoperiod was the highest-ranking model for predicting the probability of immigration. In contrast, mean temperature was identified as the best candidate model for predicting the probability of emigration. Our findings provide important insights concerning Pallid Sturgeon migration between river systems. The high affinity that Pallid Sturgeon displayed for the Platte River could suggest that the tributary plays an important role in fulfilling their life-history.

AUTHORS: Maxwell D. Majinska, Quantitative Fisheries Center, Michigan State University; Christopher L. Cahill, Quantitative Fisheries Center, Michigan State University; Christopher S. Vandergoot, Great Lake Acoustic Telemetry Obersvation System

ABSTRACT: Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens reintroduction efforts are underway throughout the Great Lakes, often through the stocking juvenile fish. However, little is known about juvenile life-history and system-specific behaviors due to historical population declines prior to detailed scientific study, complicating effective management. Due to late maturation (15-25 years) and natal homing behavior of adults, understanding movement patterns of juveniles may provide useful data for evaluating reintroduction goals.

In 2017, the Saginaw River Basin was selected by the Lake Huron Lake Sturgeon Working Group for reintroduction after being functionally extirpated. Age-0 sturgeon are stocked in four rivers: the Cass, Flint, Shiawassee, and Tittabawassee. Natal streamside rearing is not currently proposed for this system; therefore, fish are sourced from the Black River Streamside Rearing Facility (BRSF, Onaway, MI) and the Genoa National Fish Hatchery (GNFH, Genoa, WI). Paired stocking provides a unique opportunity to compare the behavior of fish reared in different settings – non-natal streamside versus traditional groundwater – while using fish from the same genetic unit.

Our study evaluated movement patterns of stocked juvenile sturgeon released in 2022 and 2023 using passive acoustic telemetry. Fish (n = 80) from each hatchery were surgically implanted with InnovaSea V7 or V7D transmitters and stocked proportionally by tag type and hatchery origin among the four tributaries annually. Movement patterns were assessed by measuring total distance traveled, time to first detection, river residence time, and last known location. Preliminary results suggest BRSF fish begin moving downstream later; however, both hatcheries exhibit similar residence time and total travel distance.