Seasonal meso- and microhabitat selection by the northern snakehead (Channa argus) in the Potomac river system

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 566-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. R. Lapointe ◽  
J. T. Thorson ◽  
P. L. Angermeier
Keyword(s):  
River System ◽  
Microhabitat Selection ◽  
Potomac River ◽  
Channa Argus

Proceedings of the First International Snakehead Symposium

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Perch ◽  
River System ◽  
Potomac River ◽  
Inland Fisheries ◽  
Channa Argus ◽  
Wet Weight ◽  
Virginia Department ◽  
Prey Items ◽  
Lentic Systems ◽  
Banded Killifish

<em>Abstract.</em>—The nonnative Northern Snakehead <em>Channa argus </em>was first documented in the Potomac River system in 2004. Since then, their range in Virginia has expanded to include other rivers and numerous lakes as a result of dispersal and illegal introductions. Most Northern Snakehead lake populations were discovered after 2012. Through 2017, nearly 4,000 Northern Snakehead were collected via Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) electrofishing surveys, resulting in a robust dataset. These collections provided an opportunity to investigate food habits of Northern Snakehead in both lotic and lentic systems which may assist with management and a better understanding of potential community effects. Incidence of identifiable prey items (<em>n </em>= 677) was evaluated since 2004, however wet weights (<em>n </em>= 370) were not recorded until 2014. A total of 30 prey types were identified from Northern Snakehead stomachs taken from rivers, whereas 7 prey types were identified from lakes. Banded Killifish, Bluegill, and crayfish were the most abundant prey types (in order) based on frequency of occurrence for Northern Snakehead collected from rivers; whereas Bluegill, frogs, and Yellow Perch were most common in Northern Snakehead collected from lakes. Most important food types (in order) based on % wet weight for Northern Snakehead collected from rivers were Bluegill, Gizzard Shad, and Banded Killifish; whereas Bluegill, Yellow Perch, and frogs contributed the most mass for Northern Snakehead from lakes.

Eels at the Edge: Science, Status, and Conservation Concerns

2009 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Temperature ◽  
Stream Flow ◽  
River System ◽  
Lunar Phase ◽  
Upstream Migration ◽  
Potomac River ◽  
River Drainage ◽  
Thermal Refuge ◽  
American Eels ◽  
Atlantic Coastal

<em>Abstract.—</em>Yellow-phase American eels <em>Anguilla rostrata </em>migrate upstream extensively in Atlantic coastal river systems. However, few studies have focused on movements of large yellow American eels near dams in upper watersheds of Atlantic coastal rivers. We examined relationships between environmental variables (stream flow, water temperature, and lunar phase) and movements of radio-tagged yellow American eels (518–810 mm TL) near Millville hydroelectric dam in the lower Shenandoah River drainage of the upper watershed of the Potomac River system, West Virginia. Movements of yellow American eels differed seasonally. Water temperature and stream flow were associated with upstream migration during spring. Downstream movements during fall coincided with decreasing water temperatures and darker nights near the new moon. Eels overwintered in thermal refuge areas near tributary mouths. Localized irregular upstream and downstream movements during summer occurred near dusk and dawn and possibly reflected crepuscular foraging. Our study in the Potomac River drainage suggests the need for upstream eel passage at hydroelectric facilities when spring water temperatures exceed 15°C.

Diet of non-native northern snakehead (Channa argus) compared to three co-occurring predators in the lower Potomac River, USA

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan K. Saylor ◽  
Nicolas W.R. Lapointe ◽  
Paul L. Angermeier
Keyword(s):  
Potomac River ◽  
Channa Argus

Northern Snakeheads in the Tidal Potomac River System

2005 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
pp. 1605-1609 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Odenkirk ◽  
Steve Owens
Keyword(s):  
River System ◽  
Potomac River

scholarly journals Genomic analyses of Northern snakehead (Channa argus) populations in North America

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlee A. Resh ◽  
Matthew P. Galaska ◽  
Andrew R. Mahon
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Hudson River ◽  
The United States ◽  
Aquatic Invasive Species ◽  
Potomac River ◽  
Potomac River Basin ◽  
Channa Argus

Background The introduction of northern snakehead (Channa argus; Anabantiformes: Channidae) and their subsequent expansion is one of many problematic biological invasions in the United States. This harmful aquatic invasive species has become established in various parts of the eastern United States, including the Potomac River basin, and has recently become established in the Mississippi River basin in Arkansas. Effective management of C. argus and prevention of its further spread depends upon knowledge of current population structure in the United States. Methods Novel methods for invasive species using whole genomic scans provide unprecedented levels of data, which are able to investigate fine scale differences between and within populations of organisms. In this study, we utilize 2b-RAD genomic sequencing to recover 1,007 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci from genomic DNA extracted from 165 C. argus individuals: 147 individuals sampled along the East Coast of the United States and 18 individuals sampled throughout Arkansas. Results Analysis of those SNP loci help to resolve existing population structure and recover five genetically distinct populations of C. argus in the United States. Additionally, information from the SNP loci enable us to begin to calculate the long-term effective population size ranges of this harmful aquatic invasive species. We estimate long-term Ne to be 1,840,000–18,400,000 for the Upper Hudson River basin, 4,537,500–45,375,000 for the Lower Hudson River basin, 3,422,500–34,225,000 for the Potomac River basin, 2,715,000–7,150,000 for Philadelphia, and 2,580,000–25,800,000 for Arkansas populations. Discussion and Conclusions This work provides evidence for the presence of more genetic populations than previously estimated and estimates population size, showing the invasive potential of C. argus in the United States. The valuable information gained from this study will allow effective management of the existing populations to avoid expansion and possibly enable future eradication efforts.

Mycobacterial infection in Northern snakehead (Channa argus) from the Potomac River catchment

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 771-775 ◽  
Author(s):  
C L Densmore ◽  
L R Iwanowicz ◽  
A P Henderson ◽  
D D Iwanowicz ◽  
J S Odenkirk
Keyword(s):  
Mycobacterial Infection ◽  
Potomac River ◽  
River Catchment ◽  
Channa Argus

Proceedings of the First International Snakehead Symposium

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Chesapeake Bay ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Federal Agencies ◽  
Potomac River ◽  
Fishing Mortality ◽  
Mark Recapture ◽  
Anacostia River ◽  
River Drainage ◽  
Chesapeake Bay Watershed ◽  
Channa Argus

<em>Abstract.</em>—Northern Snakehead <em>Channa argus</em>, a species native to parts of Asia, became established in the Potomac River drainage prior to 2004. Removals by agencies appeared to do little to control abundance or limit spread into new waterways. As such, Northern Snakehead has become widespread throughout much of the Potomac River drainage in addition to many other river systems throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. As abundance increased within the Potomac watershed, new recreational and commercial fisheries were developed by encouragement of state and federal agencies to increase harvest. A mark–recapture program to examine growth and movement of Northern Snakehead began in 2009, as population density appeared to be increasing. In 2013, tagging methods changed to allow population size of Northern Snakehead to be estimated within selected tributaries (Little Hunting Creek (LHC) and Upper Anacostia River (UA)). From 2009–2017 we used mark–recapture angler returns and agency sampling data to view population size in context with changes in fishing mortality. The UA population linearly declined with increasing fishing mortality, while the LHC population changed very little in response to fishing mortality except for 2016 which had the lowest population estimate and highest fishing mortality. We are cautiously optimistic that exploitation may help control population growth, but recreational fishing alone is unlikely to cause significant declines in Northern Snakehead populations. Furthermore, well-established populations are likely to require high (>25%) exploitation rates to be effective.

Proceedings of the First International Snakehead Symposium

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Participatory Management ◽  
Potomac River ◽  
Mutual Respect ◽  
Stakeholder Values ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Channa Argus ◽  
And Control

<em>Abstract.</em>—Although the origin, distribution, abundance, and spread of the Northern Snakehead <em>Channa argus </em>in the Potomac River have been studied, management and control plans for other invasive species are increasingly contested in social arenas where stakeholder values differ. Yet few investigations focus on social or ethical dimensions of the Northern Snakehead. Management actions for Northern Snakehead are currently limited to regulating possession, educating anglers, and encouraging harvest. In this paper, I examine ethical questions to guide future decisions and argue for ethical pragmatism and participatory management, which recognize stakeholder values, aim to reduce defensiveness, increases listening, and consciously cultivates a ground of mutual respect and trust among stakeholders, scientists, and managers.

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