scholarly journals Effects of Air Exposure on Survival of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Angled from a Stream with Warm Water Temperatures

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 509-516
Author(s):  
Darcy K. McCarrick ◽  
Curtis J. Roth ◽  
Daniel J. Schill ◽  
Brett High ◽  
Michael C. Quist
Keyword(s):  
Cold Water ◽  
Relative Survival ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Warm Water ◽  
Water Stream ◽  
Air Exposure ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Exposed Fish ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Elevated Water

Abstract We evaluated the effects of air exposure on Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri caught and released in a cold-water stream with elevated water temperatures (i.e., > 14°C) in southeastern Idaho. Anglers caught fish in a 2.3-km section of Fall Creek, Idaho, during August 2018. Sampled fish remained underwater while we measured and then tagged them with T-bar anchor tags. We exposed fish to air for 0, 30, or 60 s and then released them at the point of capture. We continuously monitored temperature during the study period. Water temperatures during the study varied from 10.0 to 19.7°C and averaged 14.9°C (SE = 0.08). In total, anglers caught 161 Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout over 10 d. Of those fish, we did not expose 54 to air; we exposed 54 to air for 30 s, and 53 for 60 s. We used electrofishing to recapture tagged fish and estimate relative survival. Relative survival was highest for fish exposed to air for 60 s (0.40 [SE = 0.25]) followed by 0 s (0.35 [SE = 0.25]) and 30 s (0.30 [SE = 0.27]), but differences were not statistically significant. Results from this study are consistent with other air-exposure studies suggesting that air exposure of 60 s or less is not likely a concern in Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout fisheries. Releasing fish as quickly as possible is always encouraged, but management regulations restricting air exposure seem unnecessary given the collective body of field-based research on air exposure. Nevertheless, similar studies on other systems and species are warranted.

Metabolic performance and thermal preference of Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi and non-native trout across an ecologically relevant range of temperatures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille J. Macnaughton ◽  
Travis C. Durhack ◽  
Neil J. Mochnacz ◽  
Eva C. Enders
Keyword(s):  
Brook Trout ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Intermittent Flow ◽  
Performance Curve ◽  
Westslope Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Thermal Niche ◽  
Preferred Temperatures ◽  
Metabolic Performance

The physiology and behaviour of fish are strongly affected by ambient water temperature. Physiological traits related to metabolism, such as aerobic scope (AS), can be measured across temperature gradients and the resulting performance curve reflects the thermal niche that fish can occupy. We measured AS of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 22°C and compared temperature preference (Tpref) of the species to non-native Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Rainbow Trout. Intermittent-flow respirometry experiments demonstrated that metabolic performance of Westslope Cutthroat Trout was optimal at ~15 °C and decreased substantially beyond this temperature, until lethal temperatures at ~25 °C. Adjusted preferred temperatures across species (Tpref) were comparatively high, ranging from 17.8-19.9 °C, with the highest Tpref observed for Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Results suggest that although Westslope Cutthroat Trout is considered a cold-water species, they do not prefer or perform as well in cold water (≤ 10°C), thus, can occupy a warmer thermal niche than previously thought. The metabolic performance curve (AS) can be used to develop species‐specific thermal criteria to delineate important thermal habitats and guide conservation and recovery actions for Westslope Cutthroat Trout.

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.

The interactive effects of stream temperature, stream size, and non-native species on Yellowstone cutthroat trout

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Al-Chokhachy ◽  
Mike Lien ◽  
Bradley B. Shepard ◽  
Brett High
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Stream Temperature ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Stream Size ◽  
Native Salmonids

Climate change and non-native species are considered two of the biggest threats to native salmonids in North America. We evaluated how non-native salmonids and stream temperature and discharge were associated with Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) distribution, abundance, and body size, to gain a more complete understanding of the existing threats to native populations. Allopatric Yellowstone cutthroat trout were distributed across a wide range of average August temperatures (3.2 to 17.7ºC), but occurrence significantly declined at colder temperatures (<10 ºC) with increasing numbers of non-natives. At warmer temperatures occurrence remained high, despite sympatry with non-natives. Yellowstone cutthroat trout relative abundance was significantly reduced with increasing abundance of non-natives, with the greatest impacts at colder temperatures. Body sizes of large Yellowstone cutthroat trout (90th percentile) significantly increased with warming temperatures and larger stream size, highlighting the importance of access to these more productive stream segments. Considering multiple population-level attributes demonstrates the complexities of how native salmonids (such as Yellowstone cutthroat trout) are likely to be affected by shifting climates.

Cutthroat Trout: Evolutionary Biology and Taxonomy

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Westslope Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Coastal Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Museum Samples ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout ◽  
The 1960S

<em>Abstract</em>.—There has been considerable interest in the systematics and classification of Cutthroat Trout since the 1800s. Cutthroat Trout native to western North America (currently classified as <em>Oncorhynchus clarkii</em>) have historically been grouped or separated using many different classification schemes. Since the 1960s, Robert Behnke has been a leader in these efforts. Introductions of nonnative trout (other forms of Cutthroat Trout, and Rainbow Trout <em>O. mykiss</em>) have obscured some historical patterns of distribution and differentiation. Morphological and meristic analyses have often grouped the various forms of Cutthroat Trout together based on the shared presence of the “cutthroat mark,” high scale counts along the lateral line, and the presence of basibranchial teeth. Spotting patterns and counts of gill rakers and pyloric caeca have in some cases been helpful in differentiation of groups (e.g., Coastal Cutthroat Trout <em>O. c. clarkii</em>, Lahontan Cutthroat Trout <em>O. c. henshawi</em>, and Westslope Cutthroat Trout <em>O. c. lewisi</em>) currently classified as subspecies. The historical genetic methods of allozyme genotyping through protein electrophoresis and chromosome analyses were often helpful in differentiating the various subspecies of Cutthroat Trout. Allozyme genotyping allowed four major groups to be readily recognized (Coastal Cutthroat Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, the Lahontan Cutthroat Trout subspecies complex, and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout <em>O. c. bouvieri </em>subspecies complex) while chromosome analyses showed similarity between the Lahontan and Yellowstone Cutthroat trout subspecies complex trout (possibly reflecting shared ancestral type) and differentiated the Coastal and Westslope Cutthroat trouts from each other and those two groups. DNA results may yield higher resolution of evolutionary relationships of Cutthroat Trout and allow incorporation of ancient museum samples. Accurate resolution of taxonomic differences among various Cutthroat Trout lineages, and hybridization assessments, requires several approaches and will aid in conservation of these charismatic and increasingly rare native fishes.

Cold tolerance performance of westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and its potential role in influencing interspecific hybridization

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (9) ◽  
pp. 777-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Yau ◽  
E.B. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Acclimation Temperature ◽  
Westslope Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Differential Adaptation

Hybridization between rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792)) and westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi (Girard, 1856)) occurs commonly when rainbow trout are introduced into the range of westslope cutthroat trout. Typically, hybridization is most common in warmer, lower elevation habitats, but much less common in colder, higher elevation habitats. We assessed the tolerance to cold water temperature (i.e., critical thermal minimum, CTMin) in juvenile rainbow trout and westslope cutthroat trout to test the hypothesis that westslope cutthroat trout better tolerate low water temperature, which may explain the lower prevalence of rainbow trout and interspecific hybrids in higher elevation, cold-water habitats (i.e., the “elevation refuge hypothesis”). All fish had significantly lower CTMin values (i.e., were better able to tolerate low temperatures) when they were acclimated to 15 °C (mean CTMin = 1.37 °C) versus 18 °C (mean CTMin = 1.91 °C; p < 0.001). Westslope cutthroat trout tended to have lower CTMin than rainbow trout from two populations, second–generation (F2) hybrids between two rainbow trout populations, and backcrossed rainbow trout at 15 °C (cross type × acclimation temperature interaction; p = 0.018). Differential adaptation to cold water temperatures may play a role in influencing the spatial distribution of hybridization between sympatric species of 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.

Morphological and swimming stamina differences between Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and their hybrids

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M Seiler ◽  
Ernest R Keeley
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
Cutthroat Trout ◽  
Swimming Velocity ◽  
Swimming Ability ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Oncorhynchus Clarkii ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout

We hypothesized that body shape differences between Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and their hybrids may influence swimming ability and thus play an important role in the invasion of nonnative rainbow trout and hybrid trout into native cutthroat trout populations. We reared Yellowstone cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and reciprocal hybrid crosses in a common environment and conducted sustained swimming trials in order to test for genetically based morphological and swimming stamina differences. Linear and geometric morphometric analyses identified differences in body shape, with cutthroat trout having slender bodies and small caudal peduncles and rainbow trout having deep bodies and long caudal peduncles. Hybrid crosses were morphologically intermediate to the parental genotypes, with a considerable maternal effect. Consistent with morphological differences, cutthroat trout had the lowest sustained swimming velocity and rainbow trout had the highest sustained swimming velocity. Sustained swimming ability of hybrid genotypes was not different from that of rainbow trout. Our results suggest that introduced rainbow trout and cutthroat-rainbow trout hybrids potentially out-compete native Yellowstone cutthroat trout through higher sustained swimming ability.

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