Recovery of fish populations in Lake 223 from experimental acidification

2000 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 192-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
K H Mills ◽  
S M Chalanchuk ◽  
D J Allan
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Annual Survival ◽  
Experimental Acidification

The fish populations of Lake 223, a lake previously acidified to pH 5.1, were monitored during 13 years of gradual pH recovery to preacidification pH 6.7. During acidification, recruitment ceased for all fish species in this lake and two were extirpated. During pH recovery, successful recruitment resumed for all fish species that remained in the lake. One of the extirpated species, fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), successfully colonized the lake. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) abundance decreased during acidification and remained low during pH recovery due to very low recruitment. Growth curves, condition factor, and annual survival of lake trout decreased during acidification and quickly increased to preacidification values during pH recovery. During the early years of pH recovery, white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) abundance increased to almost 10 times the number at the start of the experiment but decreased during the final years due to decreased annual survival and recruitment. Pearl dace (Margariscus margarita) became abundant during acidification and their abundance decreased during pH recovery as fathead minnow abundance increased. Other fish species that were caught infrequently prior to acidification, brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans), lake chub (Couesius plumbeus), and finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus), were caught frequently during pH recovery.

Responses of Fish Populations in Lake 223 to 8 Years of Experimental Acidification

1987 ◽  
Vol 44 (S1) ◽  
pp. s114-s125 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. H. Mills ◽  
S. M. Chalanchuk ◽  
L. C. Mohr ◽  
I. J. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Salvelinus Namaycush ◽  
Early Years ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Experimental Lakes Area ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Slimy Sculpin ◽  
Experimental Acidification

Lake 223 in the Experimental Lakes Area, northwestern Ontario, was experimentally acidified with sulfuric acid from 1976 (initial average pH 6.49) to 1981 (average pH 5.02), and then maintained at pH 5.02 to 5.13 from 1981 to 1983. Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) were abundant at the onset of acidification. A decline in the abundance of fathead minnow began in 1979 (pH 5.64), and was followed first by a rapid increase in number of pearl dace (Semotilus margarita) in 1980 (pH 5.59) and then a rapid decrease in 1982 (pH 5.09). The abundance of slimy sculpin decreased rapidly in 1979. Abundances of lake trout and white sucker increased during the early years of acidification, but declined following consecutive recruitment failures starting in 1980 for trout and in 1981 for white suckers. By 1982 recruitment had ceased for all Lake 223 fishes. Survival of lake trout [Formula: see text] age 1 decreased in 1982 and 1983, but no other changes in survival of fish [Formula: see text] age 1 were detected for lake trout or white sucker. By spring 1983 many lake trout were emaciated due to losses of the lake trout food organisms. No changes in growth of lake trout and white suckers occurred during the initial years of acidification, but growth of lake trout slowed in 1982 and growth of white sucker increased in 1979.

The Effect of Synthetic Estrogens on Fathead Minnow Populations

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Brent ◽  
Reem Abaza ◽  
Walid Aoude ◽  
Rebecca Arcieri ◽  
Olivia Bruce
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Fish ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Sewage Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Canadian Association ◽  
Synthetic Estrogens

The fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) is a freshwater fish with a wide distribution in lakes, streams, and ponds across North America, including Ontario. This species has been recognized as one of the most useful model organisms for freshwater toxicology monitoring, due to its tolerance of its range for aquatic conditions. Synthetic estrogens are excreted as a metabolic product in the urinary waste of women using oral contraceptives. Estrogens are not effectively filtered out by sewage treatment plants and are subsequently released into water effluents, affecting aquatic wildlife. In response to experimentally heightened estrogen concentrations, male and female fathead minnows have shown increases in vitellogenin protein, and females have displayed delayed ovarian development and increased numbers of underdeveloped ovarian follicles. Males also experienced lowered gonadosmatic indices, and some males had primary stage oocytes in their testes. As would be expected, synthetic estrogen additions influenced fathead minnow reproductive success, leading to a collapse of the experimental fish population. By taking a multi-disciplinary approach, this study looks to identify how synthetic estrogens are threatening local fish populations, and how this may eventually disrupt the freshwater food chain. Collaboration with The Canadian Association on Water Quality (Kingston), Ravensview Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the Catarqui Region Conservation Authority will provide a greater understanding of the hormonal content in Kingston’s wastewaters. Ultimately, this study will provide more insight on the level of risk faced by freshwater fish populations on a local scale, and propose a method to reduce estrogen deposition in freshwater environments.

A fossil record of colonization and response of lacustrine fish populations to climate change

2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
pp. 1807-1816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael G Newbrey ◽  
Allan C Ashworth
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Deciduous Forest ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Environmental Perturbations ◽  
Relative Water ◽  
Lake Deposits

To study fish species colonization and the response of populations to climate change, we reexamined a well-preserved late Pleistocene to early Holocene fossil fish assemblage from lake deposits on the Missouri Coteau, North Dakota. The fossil fishes in the assemblage include complete specimens of yellow perch (Perca flavescens), brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni), blacknose shiner (Notropis heterolepis), banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus), and brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans). The sequence of colonization is explained by individual thermal and relative water velocity tolerances for each species. There are six peaks in fish abundance during approximately 1000 years, indicating a response to environmental perturbations. Charcoal deposition from fires is inferred to represent episodic droughts during which nutrient levels were reduced and fish abundance declined. The fluctuations follow an overall trend of increased fish abundance during a time when lake-marginal vegetation changed from a spruce to a deciduous forest in response to climatic warming. This study provides insight into the complex effects of a changing climate on fish populations and demonstrates the potential of using fossils to examine the long-term abundance patterns of contemporary fish species.

Laboratory survival of four prey in the presence of northern pike

1989 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 418-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford L. K. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Perca Flavescens ◽  
Relative Survival ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Northern Pike ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Predator Interactions ◽  
Brook Stickleback

I determined experimentally the relative survival of similar-sized yellow perch (Perca flavescens), brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), and finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus), individually and in all possible species combinations, in the presence of northern pike (Esox lucius). Overall, perch showed the highest, sticklebacks and dace the intermediate, and fatheads the lowest relative survival. Differential laboratory survival of prey demonstrates the utility of single species experiments in predicting the results of multiple prey and predator interactions. The results also support the hypothesis that piscivory can maintain the distinctness of assemblages of predation-tolerant and piscivorous species versus assemblages of predation-intolerant species.

scholarly journals Range extensions for Northern Redbelly Dace (Chrosomus eos), Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas), and Iowa Darter (Etheostoma exile) in Ontario, Canada

2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek E. Goertz ◽  
R. Dean Phoenix
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Hudson Bay ◽  
Small Fish ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Hudson Bay Lowlands ◽  
Far North ◽  
Species Occurrences

Relatively little is known of the distribution of small fish in the far north of Ontario, Canada, particularly in the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Between 2009 and 2014, we sampled 81 locations across six study areas in Ontario’s far north to determine the extent of species occurrences beyond their reported ranges. We used galvanized minnow traps and a standardized effort as well as incidental sampling that included dip and seine netting. We documented 25 fish species across the region, including three species beyond their known geographic ranges: Northern Redbelly Dace (Chrosomus eos, Cyprinidae), Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas, Cyprinidae), and Iowa Darter (Etheostoma exile, Percidae).

Risk of Predation and Its Influence on the Relative Competitive Abilities of Two Species of Freshwater Fishes

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 1629-1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark V. Abrahams
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Perch ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Turbid Water ◽  
Feeding Rates ◽  
Culaea Inconstans ◽  
Risk Of Predation ◽  
Brook Stickleback ◽  
Competitive Abilities ◽  
Two Parameters

Experiments were conducted with fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) and brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) to determine whether their relative feeding rates were affected by risk of predation. Six groups of both species were observed foraging for food provided by an automated feeder while two parameters were manipulated: the presence or absence of a predator, yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and clear or turbid water. It was hypothesized that the armour and spines of brook stickleback would be of greatest benefit during a direct encounter with a predator. I attempted to simulate this condition with turbid water and predator present. Feeding rates of the two species were significantly different, with fathead minnow feeding at a greater rate than brook stickleback in the absence of a predator. In the presence of a predator the feeding rate of fathead minnow declined significantly whereas that of brook stickleback was unaffected. This resulted in similar feeding rates for the two species in the presence of a predator. Results demonstrate that risk of predation can alter the relative competitive abilities of two species in situations where one species possesses a morphological adaptation against predation. In the absence of predators, these traits may be detrimental in interspecific competition for food.

scholarly journals Direct and indirect responses of a freshwater food web to a potent synthetic oestrogen

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1656) ◽  
pp. 20130578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen A. Kidd ◽  
Michael J. Paterson ◽  
Michael D. Rennie ◽  
Cheryl L. Podemski ◽  
Dave L. Findlay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Direct Effects ◽  
Experimental Lakes Area

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in municipal effluents directly affect the sexual development and reproductive success of fishes, but indirect effects on invertebrate prey or fish predators through reduced predation or prey availability, respectively, are unknown. At the Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario, Canada, a long-term, whole-lake experiment was conducted using a before-after-control-impact design to determine both direct and indirect effects of the synthetic oestrogen used in the birth control pill, 17α-ethynyloestradiol (EE2). Algal, microbial, zooplankton and benthic invertebrate communities showed no declines in abundance during three summers of EE2 additions (5–6 ng l −1 ), indicating no direct toxic effects. Recruitment of fathead minnow ( Pimephales promelas ) failed, leading to a near-extirpation of this species both 2 years during (young-of-year, YOY) and 2 years following (adults and YOY) EE2 additions. Body condition of male lake trout ( Salvelinus namaycush ) and male and female white sucker ( Catostomus commersonii ) declined before changes in prey abundance, suggesting direct effects of EE2 on this endpoint. Evidence of indirect effects of EE2 was also observed. Increases in zooplankton, Chaoborus , and emerging insects were observed after 2 or 3 years of EE2 additions, strongly suggesting indirect effects mediated through the reduced abundance of several small-bodied fishes. Biomass of top predator lake trout declined by 23–42% during and after EE2 additions, most probably an indirect effect from the loss of its prey species, the fathead minnow and slimy sculpin ( Cottus cognatus ). Our results demonstrate that small-scale studies focusing solely on direct effects are likely to underestimate the true environmental impacts of oestrogens in municipal wastewaters and provide further evidence of the value of whole-ecosystem experiments for understanding indirect effects of EDCs and other aquatic stressors.

Responses in a Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) Lifecycle Test and in Wild White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) Exposed to a Canadian Bleached Kraft Mill Effluent

2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne L. Parrott ◽  
L. Mark Hewitt ◽  
Tibor G. Kovacs ◽  
Deborah L. MacLatchy ◽  
Pierre H. Martel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Fathead Minnow ◽  
Pimephales Promelas ◽  
Fish Reproduction ◽  
White Sucker ◽  
Catostomus Commersoni ◽  
Liver Size ◽  
Paper Mill Effluent ◽  
Kraft Mill Effluent ◽  
Kraft Mill

Abstract To evaluate currently available bioassays for their use in investigating the causes of pulp and paper mill effluent effects on fish reproduction, the responses of wild white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) collected from the receiving environment at the bleached kraft mill at La Tuque, Quebec, were compared with responses of fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) exposed to effluent in a laboratory lifecycle test. White sucker collected at effluent exposed sites had increased liver size but none of the reproductive effects that had been documented in earlier field studies at this site. Exposure to 1, 3, 10, 30, and 100% bleached kraft mill effluent (BKME) in the lab led to significantly decreased length, but increased weight and liver size in male fathead minnow. Female length was also decreased and liver size was increased at high effluent exposures. Most effluent concentrations (1 to 30%) significantly increased egg production compared with controls. The fathead minnow lifecycle assay mirrored the effects seen in wild fish captured downstream of the BKME discharge. These results will be used to select short-term fish tests for investigating the causes of and solutions to the effects of mill effluents on fish reproduction.

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