Seasonal use distributions and migrations of blue sucker in the Middle Missouri River

• Published in: Ecology of freshwater fish Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 437 - 444
• Main Authors: Neely, B.C, Pegg, M.A, Mestl, G.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2009; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: blue sucker; Cycleptus elongatus; Freshwater; seasonal; telemetry; use distribution; USA, Missouri R
• ISSN: 0906-6691; 1600-0633
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0633.2009.00360.x

Blue suckers, Cycleptus elongatus, are a highly mobile species speculated to have spring spawning migrations. However, previous studies have not quantified seasonal migrations of blue suckers. Use distributions were calculated at 90% and 50% for three seasons to identify geographic space-use requirements of blue suckers. Mean 90% use distributions (±SE) varied from 8.1 km (±5.3 km) in summer to 78.6 km (±9.9 km) in fall to 174.9 km (±13.1 km) in spring. The great space-use requirements of blue suckers in fall and spring indicate that the species makes substantial upstream migrations in fall and also preceding spawning in spring, then return to a core area postspawning. The broad geographical range occupied by blue suckers throughout their life-history cycle emphasises the need for interjurisdictional management of the species and highlights potential detrimental effects of blocking fish passage.