Seasonal selection of habitat by Spotted Bass and Shorthead Redhorse in a regulated river in the Midwest, USA

Seasonal selection of habitat by Spotted Bass and Shorthead Redhorse in a regulated river in the Midwest, USA

Riverine fish populations depend on habitats supporting their resource and life history needs. Dynamic streamflow caused by river regulation or natural events influences the distribution of downstream habitat characteristics. Through studying habitat selection, we can identify the most utilized and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:River research and applications Vol. 36; no. 7; pp. 1087 - 1096
Main Authors: Edge, Elisa N., Paukert, Craig P., Lobb, M. Delbert, Landwer, Brett H. P., Bonnot, Thomas W.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-09-2020
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Subjects:
Animal behavior
Bass
Bayesian analysis
Benthos
Downstream
Feeders
Fish
Fish populations
Habitat changes
Habitat selection
Habitats
Hydroelectric dams
Hydroelectric power
Indigenous species
Life history
Probability theory
Radio telemetry
regulated flow
Rivers
seasonal habitat
Seasons
Spring
Spring (season)
Stream discharge
Stream flow
Summer
Telemetry
Velocity
Water depth
Winter
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Summary:Riverine fish populations depend on habitats supporting their resource and life history needs. Dynamic streamflow caused by river regulation or natural events influences the distribution of downstream habitat characteristics. Through studying habitat selection, we can identify the most utilized and valuable habitats for the success of native fishes. We determined seasonal habitat selection of two common, native fish species on the Osage River downstream of Bagnell Dam, a hydroelectric dam in central Missouri, from April 2016 to June 2017 using radio telemetry. Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus) are nest‐guarders, sight feeders, and habitat generalists, whereas Shorthead Redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) are fluvial dependent, migratory, and benthic feeders. Bayesian discrete choice analyses determined that both species selected particular water depth, velocity, and presence of submerged cover in some or all seasons, even as available habitat changed. Spotted Bass selected water depths <4.0 m near submerged cover during all seasons, low velocity during spring and summer, and near‐bank habitat in all seasons except spring. Shorthead Redhorse used fast flowing habitat during spring, 0.4–1.1 m/s velocity during summer, and low velocity in fall and winter (0.1–0.5 m/s). Shorthead Redhorse used submerged cover in all seasons except summer and selected specific ranges of depth within spring (2.4–4.4 m), summer (3.3–6.7 m), and winter (1.1–2.3 m). Our findings suggest that maintaining habitats with cover and diverse water depths and velocities, particularly both low and high velocity habitats during spring, may promote resilience by providing beneficial habitats for native fishes.
Bibliography:Funding information
Missouri Department of Conservation Service
ISSN:1535-1459
1535-1467
DOI:10.1002/rra.3637