scholarly journals Effects of Climate and Biotic Factors on Life History Characteristics and Vital Rates of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Spread Creek, Wyoming

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 160-174
Author(s):  
Patrick Uthe ◽  
Robert Al-Chokhachy
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Life History Patterns ◽  
Diversity Of Life

The Upper Snake River represents one of the largest remaining strongholds of Yellowstone cutthroat across its native range. Understanding the effects of restoration activities and the diversity of life-history patterns and factors influencing such patterns remains paramount for long-term conservation strategies. In 2011, we initiated a project to quantify the success of the removal of a historic barrier on Spread Creek and to evaluate the relative influence of different climate attributes on native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and non-native brook trout behavior and fitness. Our results to date have demonstrated the partial success of the dam removal with large, fluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout migrating up Spread Creek to spawn, thus reconnecting this population to the greater Snake River metapopulation. Early indications from mark-recapture data demonstrate considerable differences in life-history and demographic patterns across tributaries within the Spread Creek drainage. Our results highlight the diversity of life-history patterns of resident and fluvial Yellowstone cutthroat trout with considerable differences in seasonal and annual growth rates and behavior across populations. Continuing to understand the factors influencing such patterns will provide a template for prioritizing restoration activities in the context of future challenges to conservation (e.g., climate change).

scholarly journals The Interactions of Climate and Biotic Factors on Life History Characteristics and Vital Rates of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Spread Creek, WY

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 65-72
Author(s):  
Robert Al-Chokhachy ◽  
Jeffrey Kershner ◽  
Patrick Uthe
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Life History Characteristics ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Habitat degradation and introduction of non-native salmonids have caused substantial declines in abundance and distribution of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Additionally, global climate change is expected to exacerbate current threats through changes to thermal regimes, hydrology, stream productivity, and distributions of non-native species. Understanding how factors such as climate and local stressors (e.g., non-native species) interact to affect Yellowstone cutthroat trout is critical for developing management strategies to enhance future persistence. However, research investigating relationships among these factors and life history characteristics and vital rates of Yellowstone cutthroat trout is lacking. To address this need, we examined the influences of temperature, streamflow, food availability, and presence of brook trout on life history characteristics of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Spread Creek, Wyoming. We used passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and a combination of stationary and mobile PIT tag antennae within a capture-recapture framework to monitor growth, movement, and survival of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and brook trout throughout the Spread Creek drainage. Considerable differences existed in frequencies of movements between species and among tributaries. Significant differences existed among growth rates of trout in three tributary streams. Preliminary results suggest the observed differences were driven by the complex interactions of streamflows, fish densities, and prey abundances, rather than stream temperatures. We discuss our results in the context of maintaining diversity of life-history patterns within watersheds as a means to increase metapopulation resiliency. Our findings provide critical information needed to refine climate risk assessments and to better direct limited resources to ensure the long term persistence of the subspecies.

scholarly journals Two Ocean Pass: An Alternative Hypothesis for the Invasion of Yellowstone Lake by Lake Trout, and Implications for Future Invasions

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
Colleen R. Detjens ◽  
Alexander V. Zale
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
National Park ◽  
Lake Trout ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Yellowstone Lake ◽  
Yellowstone River ◽  
Continental Divide ◽  
Nonnative Fish ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Preventing the interbasin transfer of aquatic invasive species is a high priority for natural resource managers. Such transfers can be made by humans or can occur by dispersal through connected waterways. A natural surface water connection between the Atlantic and Pacific drainages in North America exists at Two Ocean Pass south of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri used this route to cross the Continental Divide and colonize the Yellowstone River from ancestral sources in the Snake River following glacial recession 14,000 bp. Nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush were stocked into lakes in the Snake River headwaters in 1890 and quickly dispersed downstream. Lake trout were discovered in Yellowstone Lake in 1994 and were assumed to have been illegally introduced. Recently, lake trout have demonstrated their ability to move widely through river systems and invade headwater lakes in Glacier National Park. Our objective was to determine if lake trout and other nonnative fish were present in the connected waters near Two Ocean Pass and could thereby colonize the Yellowstone River basin in the past or future. We used environmental DNA (eDNA), electrofishing, and angling to survey for lake trout and other fishes. Yellowstone cutthroat trout were detected at nearly all sites on both sides of the Continental Divide. Lake trout and invasive brook trout S. fontinalis were detected in Pacific Creek near its confluence with the Snake River. We conclude that invasive movements by lake trout from the Snake River over Two Ocean Pass may have resulted in their colonization of Yellowstone Lake. Moreover, Yellowstone Lake may be vulnerable to additional invasions because several other nonnative fish inhabit the upper Snake River. In the future, eDNA collected across smaller spatial intervals in Pacific Creek during flow conditions more conducive to lake trout movement may provide further insight into the extent of non-native fish invasions in this stream.

Trends in the Distribution and Abundance of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Nonnative Trout in Idaho

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin A. Meyer ◽  
Erin I. Larson ◽  
Christopher L. Sullivan ◽  
Brett High
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Brown Trout ◽  
Brook Trout ◽  
Salmo Trutta ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Trout Population ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Over Time

Abstract The distribution and abundance of Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri across their native range is relatively well-known, but evaluations of trends in distribution and abundance over time are lacking. In 2010–2011, we resurveyed 74 stream reaches in the upper Snake River basin of Idaho that were sampled in the 1980s and again in 1999–2000 to evaluate changes in the distribution and abundance of Yellowstone cutthroat trout and nonnative trout over time. Yellowstone cutthroat trout occupied all 74 reaches in the 1980s, 70 reaches in 1999–2000, and 69 reaches in 2010–2011. In comparison, rainbow trout O. mykiss and rainbow × cutthroat hybrid occupancy increased from 23 reaches in the 1980s to 36 reaches in 1999–2000, and then declined back to 23 reaches in 2010–2011. The proportion of reaches occupied by brown trout Salmo trutta and brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis was largely unchanged across time periods. Yellowstone cutthroat trout abundance declined from a mean of 40.0 fish/100 linear meters of stream in the 1980s to 32.8 fish/100 m in 2010–2011. In contrast, estimates of abundance increased over time for all species of nonnative trout. Population growth rate (λ) was therefore below replacement for Yellowstone cutthroat trout (mean  =  0.98) and above replacement for rainbow trout (1.07), brown trout (1.08), and brook trout (1.04), but 90% confidence intervals overlapped unity for all species. However, λ differed statistically from 1.00 within some individual drainages for each species. More pronounced drought conditions in any given year resulted in lower Yellowstone cutthroat trout abundance 1 y later. Our results suggest that over a span of up to 32 y, the distribution and abundance of Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the upper Snake River basin of Idaho appears to be relatively stable, and nonnative trout do not currently appear to be expanding across the basin.

Life History Characteristics and Vital Rates of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in Two Headwater Basins

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1240-1253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Uthe ◽  
Robert Al-Chokhachy ◽  
Alexander V. Zale ◽  
Bradley B. Shepard ◽  
Thomas E. McMahon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Vital Rates ◽  
Life History Characteristics ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Headwater Basins

scholarly journals Hybridization of Snake River Cutthroat in the Lower Gros Ventre River

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 110-113
Author(s):  
Ryan Kovach ◽  
Lisa Eby
Keyword(s):  
Exotic Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarki ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Water Diversions ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Special Concern

The cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki is Wyoming's only native trout. The Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) is designated as a "species of special concern" by a number of agencies and conservation groups. Although the Yellowstone cutthroat trout has recently avoided federal listing because of robust headwater populations (USFWS 2006), they face continued threats across their range. The fine-spotted Snake River native trout is a morphologically divergent ecotype of the Yellowstone subspecies, although it is not genetically distinguishable (Allendorf and Leary 1988, Novak et al. 2005). The Gros Ventre, an important tributary of the Snake River located partially in Grand Teton National Park, historically supported robust populations of fine­ spotted Snake River cutthroat trout. Principal threats to Gros Ventre native trout, especially in the lower end of the drainage within the park boundaries, include both water diversions (loss of water and fish into irrigation ditches) and presence of exotic species.

scholarly journals Multiscale Genetic Structure of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in the Upper Snake River Basin

2006 ◽  
Vol 135 (3) ◽  
pp. 711-726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine C. Cegelski ◽  
Matthew R. Campbell ◽  
Kevin A. Meyer ◽  
Madison S. Powell
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
River Basin ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Snake River ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

Balancing Fisheries Management and Water Uses for Impounded River Systems

2008 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Stocking Density ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Natural Reproduction ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Catch Rates ◽  
Natural Recruitment

<em>Abstract</em>.—The Idaho Department of Fish and Game has stocked fingerling Yellowstone cutthroat trout <em>Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri</em>, hybrid trout (rainbow trout <em>O. mykiss</em> × Yellowstone cutthroat trout), and brook trout <em>Salvelinus fontinalis </em>(hereafter referred to collectively as trout) in Henrys Lake since the early 1900s to supplement natural recruitment and increase angler catch rates. Annual stocking rates have varied from 317 to 1,027 fingerling (approximately 75 mm) trout per hectare from 1971 to present. Stocking densities can influence angler catch rates but are limited by production constraints and costs associated with raising and transporting fish. By refining fingerling trout stocking densities, managers can optimize the fishery and minimize hatchery expenditures. To fully understand the effects of stocking density on angler catch rates in a lake with natural reproduction, we estimated the contribution of hatchery fish to the fishery by analyzing 6 years of marked fingerling stockings and found that natural recruitment added little to the adult population. We then explored the relationships among stocking densities, angler catch rates, and size of fish harvested by anglers to determine the optimal stocking density needed to achieve our management objectives of catch rates 0.7 fish per hour and 10% of harvested Yellowstone cutthroat trout exceeding 500 mm. We found increased catch rates following years when stocking densities were high. However, mean size of Yellowstone cutthroat trout harvested decreased following years of higher stocking densities. We estimate that approximately 737 fingerling trout per hectare are needed annually to achieve angler catch rates of 0.7 fish per hour. At this stocking density, we estimated that approximately 3% of harvested Yellowstone cutthroat trout would exceed 500 mm. This fell below our management objective of 10% of harvested Yellowstone cutthroat trout exceeding 500 mm and suggested that our current catch rate objective and size objective may be incompatible. This information should be combined with angler opinion data to formulate attainable goals for the fishery.

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