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Fine sediment affects on survival to emergence of robust redhorse

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Abstract

Robust redhorse (Moxostoma robustum) is a rare riverine sucker for which life history information is scarce. Spawning occurs over loose gravel substrate and eggs and larvae may be adversely affected by fine sediments among the gravel. A 2-year study was conducted to determine the threshold at which fine sediments are detrimental to successful egg incubation and larval emergence. Year 1 gravel treatments contained 0, 25, 50, and 75% fine sediments. Mean survival during Year 1 ranged from 63.5% in the 0% fine sediment treatment to 0% in the 75% fine sediment treatment. The results also indicated an adverse affect threshold between 0 and 25% fine sediment. Year 2 gravel treatments contained 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25% fine sediments. Mean survival during Year 2 ranged from 69.8% in the 0% treatment to 9.1% in the 25% treatment. Year 2 results also identified the 15% fine sediment treatment as the threshold at which survival began to decline. Substrates at one known spawning area used by robust redhorse typically contain 25 to 50% fine sediment, but the spawning act cleans some fines from the egg pocket. Whether the “cleaning” that results from the spawning act reduces the fines sufficiently to avoid adverse effects is unknown. According to our results, survival rates of robust redhorse eggs and larvae are predicted to be about 8.0% or less when fine sediment is >25%.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded by Georgia Power Company. The Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Wildlife Management Institute, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the University of Georgia. We thank Don Dennerline, Brent Hess and Matt Lichtenwalner for technical assistance.

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  1. Erik W. Dilts

    Present address: CenterPoint Energy, 525 Milam Street, Shreveport, LA, 71101, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. U. S. Geological Survey, Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, D.B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Cecil A. Jennings

  2. D. B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Erik W. Dilts & James L. Shelton Jr.

  3. Georgia Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, D. B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    Rebecca Cull Peterson

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  1. Cecil A. Jennings
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  2. Erik W. Dilts
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  3. James L. Shelton Jr.
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  4. Rebecca Cull Peterson
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Correspondence to Cecil A. Jennings.

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Jennings, C.A., Dilts, E.W., Shelton, J.L. et al. Fine sediment affects on survival to emergence of robust redhorse. Environ Biol Fish 87, 43–53 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-009-9561-9

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