DOCSLIB.ORG

Endangered Species Identification Along Corridors in WV Using GIS

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Endangered Species Identification Along Corridors in WV Using GIS Endangered Species Identification Along Corridors in WV using GIS Nick J. Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation Institute Marshall University Huntington, WV 25755 August 2006 Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. TRP 99-10 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date August 11, 2006 Endangered Species Identification Along Corridors in WV using GIS 6. Performing Organization Code 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. Dr. Mike Little 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) Nick J. Rahall Appalachian Transportation Institute 11. Contract or Grant No. 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered July 1, 2000-June 30, 2002 West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways 14. Sponsoring Agency Code 15. Supplementary Notes 16. Abstract Since the late 19th century, the exploitation of oil, gas, timber, and mineral resources in Appalachia has been associated with the production of an extensive transportation system and with a concurrent decline in the environmental quality of aquatic systems. This project will establish the infrastructure for a web delivered, interactive mapping system developed from satellite imagery and integrated with Geographical Information Systems that will locate all endemic, threatened, or endangered species relative to transportation systems in WV. The project will incorporate a detailed case study along the proposed Corridor H of the Appalachian Highway System to establish the interactive mapping system criteria and processes, The case study will also address the authentication of a specific rare Appalachian fish as an endangered species or a rare hybrid developed as a result of previous transportation related environmental disturbances in this area. The Cheat minnow, Rhinichthys bowersi, is a rare fish that has been reported almost exclusively from streams in the Monongahela River system of West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The status of the Cheat minnow is currently controversial. There have been reports that the Cheat minnow has unique genetic characters, is reproductively isolated from other minnows, has a limited distribution, and should be considered a valid species. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Environmental decline, Water ways 19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price DOT Form F 1700.7 Reproduction of completed page authorized 1 WEST VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DIVISION OF HIGHWAYS FORMAT REQUIREMENTS FOR A FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT • TITLE PAGE • TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE (USDOT FORM 1700.7) Microsoft Word Document • DISCLAIMER STATEMENT Microsoft Word Document • ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS • EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PAGE (IF APPROPRIATE) • TABLE OF CONTENTS (INCLUDING LIST OF TABLES, FIGURES AND APPENDICES) • INTRODUCTION (BACKGROUND, PROBLEM STATEMENT, HISTORY OF RELEVANT RESEARCH) • REPORT BODY (INCLUDING TABLES AND FIGURES) • CONCLUSIONS AND FINDINGS • RECOMMENDATIONS (INCLUDING SUGGESTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL RESEARCH) • PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR INCORPORATING RESEARCH FINDINGS INTO THE WVDOT OPERATIONS) • FOOTNOTES AND REFERENCES • APPENDICES 2 DISCLAIMER The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the information presented herein. This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program, in the interest of exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof. Disclaimer The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents of this report do not reflect the official views or policies of the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The use of trade names does not signify endorsement by the authors. FINAL REPORT Endangered Species Identification along Corridors in WV using GIS ATI TRP 99-10 by Dr. Mike Little Department of Integrated Science and Technology Morrow Library 116 Marshall University 1 John Marshall Drive Huntington, WV 25755 Nick J. Rahall II Appalachian Transportation Institute 1900 Third Avenue West Wing Huntington, WV 25703-1107 Mailing Address P.O. Box 5425 Huntington, WV 25703-0425 Prepared for the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, in cooperation with United States Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration. The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the information presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification or regulation. Trade or manufacturers’ names which may appear herein are cited only because they are considered essential to the objectives of this report. The United States Government and the State of West Virginia don’t endorse products or manufacturers. 0 Acknowledgments This research project was completed with the assistance of many individuals. The investigator wishes to express sincere gratitude to the parties identified herein. Appreciation is expressed to the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, and the Federal Highway Administration for the funding provided to complete this effort. Specific thanks to those who helped monitor this project and to those who supported the work of graduate students Gilbert Wesley Gladwell II and Brooke Schlenker who completed the work. Acknowledgements for Graduate Student, Wes Gladwell: Graduate committee members, Dr. Charles C. Somerville and Dr. Tom Jones, for their suggestions on the preparation of this manuscript. I would like to give special thanks to my family and acknowledgment to my wife, Sharon Westfall Gladwell, and dad, Gilbert Gladwell, for their help in collecting fish specimens as part of my study. Thanks to Dan Cincotta of the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources for his time and information about the species on which I focused my study. Thanks to Douglas Chambers, Terry Messenger, and other colleagues of the United States Geological Survey who helped with shocking various streams to collect fish specimens. And, to Kirk Barnett and other graduate students who helped with the specimen collection. Acknowledgements for Graduate Student, Brooke Schlenker: Thanks to my Advisor, Dr. Michael Little, committee members Drs. James Brumfield and Ralph Oberly and for Andrew Gooding for technical advice on this document. Special thanks to those at the Rahall Transportation Institute who assisted in technical and administrative support for this project. This study was funded, and therefore made possible, by the Nick J. Rahall, II, Appalachian Transportation Institute (RTI), Grant No. ATI TRP 99-10. 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Cheat minnow, Rhinichthys bowersi, has been designated a species of concern by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. Mitochondrial DNA analysis (Gladwell 2002) supports the origin of R. bowersi from hybridization between cyprinids R. cataractae and Nocomis micropogon. The Cheat Minnow, which has been designated as a species of concern by both Federal and State agencies, is found in streams along the direct, proposed routes for construction of Corridor H. In addition, the Cheat Minnow has a unique relationship to the environment and to the influences of transportation and associated extraction industries. Previous investigators have hypothesized a relationship between fish hybridization and environmental disturbance. The habitat of R. bowersi has experienced severe environmental degradation from mineral and timber extraction and associated transportation systems. In this study, environmental quality was compared between stream systems in which parental species of R. bowersi were found with and without resulting hybridization and an extensive analysis of mitochondrial DNA was conducted to determine whether or not the Cheat Minnow was a distinct species or merely a hybrid between two cyprinid species. In this study, environmental quality indicators included biotic diversity and stream structure indices. Data from this analysis were expressed in a geospatial model and analyzed for significant differences. No significant pattern of differences were found between streams with or without the presence of Cheat Minnows, and the data did not support the hypothesis that relates hybridization frequency and production of R. bowersi to environmental disturbance. An intermediate level of disturbance with slightly elevated levels of biodiversity was found in watersheds yielding the Cheat minnow. Mitochondrial DNA analysis indicated that the Cheat Minnow is a hybrid between two cyprinid, parental species. Because hybridization within Cyprinidae similar to that which produced the Cheat Minnow is relatively common, and there is no evidence of a distinct reproductive population of R. bowersi, the status of the Cheat Minnow as a reproductively viable species is suspect. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ 4 LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... 4 LIST OF SYMBOLS / NOMENCLATURE
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Influence of Non-Native Trout on Native Non-Game Fish in Nebraska Headwater Streams" (2014)
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Dissertations & Theses in Natural Resources Natural Resources, School of 5-2014 Influence of Non-Native Trout on Native Non- Game Fish in Nebraska Headwater Streams Kelly C. Turek University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/natresdiss Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons Turek, Kelly C., "Influence of Non-Native Trout on Native Non-Game Fish in Nebraska Headwater Streams" (2014). Dissertations & Theses in Natural Resources. 90. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/natresdiss/90 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Natural Resources, School of at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations & Theses in Natural Resources by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. INFLUENCE OF NON-NATIVE TROUT ON NATIVE NON-GAME FISH IN NEBRASKA HEADWATER STREAMS By Kelly C. Turek A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science Major: Natural Resource Sciences Under the Supervision of Professors Mark A. Pegg and Kevin L. Pope Lincoln, Nebraska May, 2014 INFLUENCE OF NON-NATIVE TROUT ON NATIVE NON-GAME FISH IN NEBRASKA HEADWATER STREAMS Kelly C. Turek, M.S. University of Nebraska, 2014 Advisors: Mark A. Pegg and Kevin L. Pope Introduced, non-native trout may have detrimental competitive or predatory interactions with native fishes. However, few studies have experimentally examined interactions between introduced trout and native non-game species.
    [Show full text]
  • An Evaluation of the Wetland and Upland Habitats And
    AN EVALUATION OF THE WETLAND AND UPLAND HABITATS AND ASSOCIATED WILDLIFE RESOURCES IN SOUTHERN CANAAN VALLEY CANAAN VALLEY TASK FORCE SUBMl'l*IED BY: EDWIN D. MICHAEL, PH.D. PROFESSOR OF WILDLIFEMANAGEI\fENT DIVISION OF FORESTRY WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY MORGANTOWN, WV 26506 December 1993 TABLB OP' CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 INTRODUCTION 6 OBJECTIVES 6 PROCEDURES 6 THE STUDY AREA Canaan Valley .... ..... 7 Southern Canaan Valley .... 8 Development and Land Use 8 Existing Environment Hydrology ........ 9 Plant Communities .... 11 1. Northern hardwoods . 11 2. Conifers ... 11 3. Aspen groves . 11 4. Alder thickets 12 5. Ecotone 12 6. Shrub savannah 12 7. Spiraea 13 8. Krummholz 13 9. Bogs ..... 13 10. Beaver ponds 13 11. Agriculture . l4 Vegetation of Southern Canaan Valley Wetlands 14 Rare and Endangered Plant Species 16 Vertebrate Animals 16 1. Fishes .. 16 2. Amphibians 18 3. Reptiles 19 4. Birds 20 5. Mammals 24 Rare and Endangered Animal Species 25 Game Animals 27 Cultural Values 28 Aesthetic Values 31 1. Landform contrast 31 2. Land-use contrast 31 3. Wetland-type diversity 32 4. Internal wetland contrast 32 5. Wetland size ... 32 6. Landform diversity .... 32 DISCUSSION Streams 32 Springs and Spring Seeps 34 Lakes . 35 Wetland Habitats 35 ii Wildlife 36 Management Potential 38 Off-road Vehicle Use 42 Fragmentation . 42 Cultural Values 44 Educational Values SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AREA OF CONCERN FOR FULFILLMENT OF THE CANAAN VALLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 1979 EIS OBJECTIVES 46 CONCLUSIONS .. 47 LITERATURE CITED 52 TABLES 54 FIGURES 88 iii LIST OF TABLES 1. Property ownerships of Canaan Valley ... ..... 8 2.
    [Show full text]
  • The Presence of Salish Sucker and the Native Fish Fauna at Naval Radio Station Jim Creek, Washington
    STATE OF WASHINGTON October 2017 The Presence of Salish Sucker and the Native Fish Fauna at Naval Radio Station Jim Creek, Washington by Danny Garrett and Justin Spinelli Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Fish Program Fish Management FPT 17-11 The Presence of Salish Sucker and the Native Fish Fauna at Naval Radio Station Jim Creek, Washington Danny Garrett and Justin Spinelli Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Mill Creek, Washington Table of Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................. ii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... iii Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Materials and Methods ................................................................................................................................. 2 Study Area ................................................................................................................................................. 2 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Salish Sucker Presence Study ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Speckled Dace, Rhinichthys Osculus, in Canada, Prepared Under Contract with Environment and Climate Change Canada
    COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Speckled Dace Rhinichthys osculus in Canada ENDANGERED 2016 COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2016. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Speckled Dace Rhinichthys osculus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 51 pp. (http://www.registrelep-sararegistry.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=en&n=24F7211B-1). Previous report(s): COSEWIC 2006. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 27 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). COSEWIC 2002. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vi + 36 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). Peden, A. 2002. COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus in Canada, in COSEWIC assessment and update status report on the speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. 1-36 pp. Peden, A.E. 1980. COSEWIC status report on the speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. 1-13 pp. Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Andrea Smith (Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd.) for writing the status report on the Speckled Dace, Rhinichthys osculus, in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
    [Show full text]
  • How to Use This Checklist
    How To Use This Checklist JAWLESS FISHES: SUPERCLASS AGNATHA Pikes: Family Esocidae LAMPREYS: CLASS CEPHALASPIDOMORPHI __ Grass Pickerel Esox americanus O Lampreys: Family Petromyzontidae __ Northern Pike Esox lucius O; Lake Erie and Hinckley Lake; The information presented in this checklist reflects our __ Silver Lamprey Ichthyomyzon unicuspis h current understanding of the status of fishes within Cleveland formerly common __ American brook Lamprey Lampetra appendix R; __ Muskellunge Esox masquinongy R; Lake Erie; Metroparks. You can add to our understanding by being a Chagrin River formerly common knowledgeable observer. Record your observations and __ *Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus O; Lake Erie; Minnows: Family Cyprinidae contact a naturalist if you find something that may be of formerly common; native to Atlantic Coast __ Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas C interest. JAWED FISHES: SUPERCLASS __ Redside Dace Clinostomus elongatus O GNATHOSTOMATA __ Southern Redbelly Dace Phoxinus erythrogaster R Species are listed taxonomically. Each species is listed with a BONY FISHES: CLASS OSTEICHTHYES __ Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus C common name, a scientific name and a note about its Sturgeons: Family Acipenseridae __ Hornyhead Chub Nocomis biguttatus h; formerly in occurrence within Cleveland Metroparks. Check off species __ Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens h; Lake Erie; Cuyahoga and Chagrin River drainages. that you identify in Cleveland Metroparks. Ohio endangered __ River Chub Nocomis micropogon C; Chagrin River; O Gars: Family
    [Show full text]
  • Brook Floater ( Alasmidonta Varicosa)
    COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Brook Floater Alasmidonta varicosa in Canada SPECIAL CONCERN 2009 COSEWIC status reports are working documents used in assigning the status of wildlife species suspected of being at risk. This report may be cited as follows: COSEWIC. 2009. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Brook Floater Alasmidonta varicosa in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. vii + 79 pp. (www.sararegistry.gc.ca/status/status_e.cfm). Production note: COSEWIC would like to acknowledge Katherine A. Bredin and André L. Martel for writing the status report on the Brook Floater Alasmidonta varicosa in Canada, prepared under contract with Environment Canada, overseen and edited by Janice Smith and Dr. Dwayne Lepitzki, COSEWIC Molluscs Specialist Subcommittee Co-chairs For additional copies contact: COSEWIC Secretariat c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Environment Canada Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3 Tel.: 819-953-3215 Fax: 819-994-3684 E-mail: COSEWIC/[email protected] http://www.cosewic.gc.ca Également disponible en français sous le titre Ếvaluation et Rapport de situation du COSEPAC sur l’alasmidonte renflée (Alasmidonta varicosa) au Canada. Cover photo: Brook Floater — Provided by the author. Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2009. Catalogue No. CW69-14/580-2009E-PDF ISBN 978-1-100-12944-0 Recycled paper COSEWIC Assessment Summary Assessment Summary – April 2009 Common name Brook Floater Scientific name Alasmidonta varicosa Status Special Concern Reason for designation A medium-sized freshwater mussel that is confined to 15 widely scattered watersheds in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. This mussel was never abundant, usually representing only 1-5% of the total freshwater mussel fauna present.
    [Show full text]
  • Rio Grande Chub (Gila Pandora) UNDER the ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
    PETITION TO LIST THE Rio Grande Chub (Gila pandora) UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT Photo of Rio Grande Chub (Gila pandora) by Chad Thomas, Texas State University – San Marcos Petition Submitted to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Petitioner: WildEarth Guardians 1536 Wynkoop Street, Suite 301 Denver, Colorado 80202 505-490-5141 Address correspondence to: Taylor Jones [email protected] September 27, 2013 Petition prepared by: Kevin Blake, Michael Daugherty, Michael Howard, and Brian O’Neill, Student Attorneys, and Michael C. Soules, Supervising Attorney Getches-Green Natural Resources and Environmental Law Clinic University of Colorado Law School Wolf Law Building, UCB 404 Boulder, CO 80309-0404 I. INTRODUCTION WildEarth Guardians (“Guardians”) respectfully requests that the Secretary of Interior, acting through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”), list the Rio Grande Chub (Gila pandora) (“Chub”) as “threatened” or “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”). See 16 U.S.C. §§ 1531-1544. Guardians also requests that FWS designate critical habitat throughout the species’ historical range. The Chub is a small fish located primarily in the Rio Grande Basin in Colorado and New Mexico, with an isolated population in Texas. Rees et al. 2005 at 9. Its historic range has been reduced by 75%. Id. Having been extirpated from the main stem of the Rio Grande, the Chub lives only in a few select tributaries. Id. The species is at high risk for future population declines; isolated populations are more susceptible to catastrophic events because recolonization from nearby populations is unlikely.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 2E - Revised Baseline Ecological Risk Assessment Hudson River Pcbs Reassessment
    PHASE 2 REPORT FURTHER SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND ANALYSIS VOLUME 2E - REVISED BASELINE ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT HUDSON RIVER PCBS REASSESSMENT NOVEMBER 2000 For U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Kansas City District Book 2 of 2 Tables, Figures and Plates TAMS Consultants, Inc. Menzie-Cura & Associates, Inc. PHASE 2 REPORT FURTHER SITE CHARACTERIZATION AND ANALYSIS VOLUME 2E- REVISED BASELINE ECOLOGICAL RISK ASSESSMENT HUDSON RIVER PCBs REASSESSMENT RI/FS CONTENTS Volume 2E (Book 1 of 2) Page TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................ i LIST OF TABLES ........................................................... xiii LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................... xxv LIST OF PLATES .......................................................... xxvi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................ES-1 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................1 1.1 Purpose of Report .................................................1 1.2 Site History ......................................................2 1.2.1 Summary of PCB Sources to the Upper and Lower Hudson River ......4 1.2.2 Summary of Phase 2 Geochemical Analyses .......................5 1.2.3 Extent of Contamination in the Upper Hudson River ................5 1.2.3.1 PCBs in Sediment .....................................5 1.2.3.2 PCBs in the Water Column ..............................6 1.2.3.3 PCBs in Fish .........................................7
    [Show full text]
  • KEY to the FRESHWATER FISHES of MARYLAND Updated
    KEY TO THE FRESHWATER FISHES OF MARYLAND Updated December 2009 KEY TO THE FRESHWATER FISHES OF MARYLAND Compiled by P.F. Kazyak; R.L. Raesly Graphics by D.A. Neely This key to the freshwater fishes of Maryland was prepared for the Maryland Biological Stream Survey to support field and laboratory identifications of fishes known to occur or potentially occurring in Maryland waters. A number of existing taxonomic keys were used to prepare the initial version of this key to provide a more complete set of identifiable features for each species and minimize the possibility of incorrectly identifying new or newly introduced species. Since that time, we have attempted to remove less useful information from the key and have enriched the key by adding illustrations. Users of this key should be aware of the possibility of taking a fish species not listed, especially in areas near the head-of- tide. Glossary of anatomical terms Ammocoete - Larval lamprey. Lateral field - Area of scales between anterior and posterior fields. Basal - Toward the base or body of an object. Mandible - Lower jaw. Branchial groove - Horizontal groove along which the gill openings are aligned in lampreys. Mandibular pores - Series of pores on the ventral surface of mandible. Branchiostegal membranes - Membranes extending below the opercles and connecting at the throat. Maxillary - Upper jaw. Branchiostegal ray - Splint-like bone in the branchiostegal Myomeres - Dorsoventrally oriented muscle bundle on side of fish. membranes. Myoseptum - Juncture between myomeres. Caudal peduncle - Slender part of body between anal and caudal fin. Palatine teeth - Small teeth just posterior or lateral to the medial vomer.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogeography of Rhinichthys Cataractae (Teleostei
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Texas A&M University PHYLOGEOGRAPHY OF RHINICHTHYS CATARACTAE (TELEOSTEI: CYPRINIDAE): PRE-GLACIAL COLONIZATION ACROSS THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE AND PLEISTOCENE DIVERSIFICATION WITHIN THE RIO GRANDE DRAINAGE A Thesis by DAE-MIN KIM Submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies of Texas A&M University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Chair of Committee, Kevin W. Conway Committee Members, Gary P. Garrett John R. Gold Gary Voelker Head of Department, Michael Masser December 2013 Major Subject: Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Copyright 2013 Dae-Min Kim ABSTRACT The longnose dace, Rhinichthys cataractae, is a primary freshwater fish inhibiting riffle habitats in small headwater rivers and streams across the North American continent, including drainages east and west of the Continental Divide. Phylogenetic analyses of 1140 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b gene and 2298-2346 bp of the nuclear-encoded genes S7 and RAG1 were obtained from 87 individuals of R. cataractae (collected throughout its range) and from several close relatives recovered a monophyletic R. cataractae species-group that contained R. evermanni, R. sp ―Millicoma dace‖ and R. cataractae; a monophyletic R. cataractae was not recovered. Within the R. cataractae species-group, two well-supported clades were identified, including a western clade (containing R. evermanni, R. sp. ―Millicoma dace‖ and individuals of R. cataractae from Pacific slope drainages) and an eastern clade (containing individuals of R. cataractae from Arctic, Atlantic, and Gulf slope drainages). Within the eastern clade of R.
    [Show full text]
  • Oral Presentations
    Organizing Societies American Elasmobranch Society 33rd Annual Meeting President: Dean Grubbs Treasurer: Cathy Walsh Secretary: Jennifer Wyffels Editor and Webmaster: David Shiffman Immediate Past President: Chris Lowe American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists 97th Annual Meeting President: Carole Baldwin President Elect: Brian Crother Past President: Maureen A. Donnelly Prior Past President: Larry G. Allen Treasurer: F. Douglas Martin Secretary: Prosanta Chakrabarty Editor: Christopher Beachy Herpetologists’ League 75th Annual Meeting President: David M. Green Immediate Past President: James Spotila Vice-President: David Sever Treasurer: Laurie Mauger Secretary: Renata Platenburg Publications Secretary: Ken Cabarle Communications Secretary: Wendy Palin Herpetologica Editor: Stephen Mullin Herpetological Monographs Editor: Michael Harvey Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles 60th Annual Meeting President: Richard Shine President-Elect: Marty Crump Immediate Past-President: Aaron Bauer Secretary: Marion R. Preest Treasurer: Kim Lovich Publications Secretary: Cari-Ann Hickerson Thank you to our generous sponsor We would like to thank the following: Local Hosts David Hillis, University of Texas at Austin, LHC Chair Dean Hendrickson, University of Texas at Austin Becca Tarvin, University of Texas at Austin Anne Chambers, University of Texas at Austin Christopher Peterson, University of Texas at Austin Volunteers We wish to thank the following volunteers who have helped make the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
    [Show full text]
  • Longnose Dace
    Maine 2015 Wildlife Action Plan Revision Report Date: January 13, 2016 Rhinichthys cataractae (Longnose Dace) Priority 3 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes) Order: Cypriniformes (Carps, Minnows, Loaches And Allies) Family: Cyprinidae (Carps And Minnows) General comments: none Species Conservation Range Maps for Longnose Dace: Town Map: Rhinichthys cataractae_Towns.pdf Subwatershed Map: Rhinichthys cataractae_HUC12.pdf SGCN Priority Ranking - Designation Criteria: Risk of Extirpation: NA State Special Concern or NMFS Species of Concern: Rhinichthys cataractae is listed as a species of Special Concern in Maine. Recent Significant Declines: NA Regional Endemic: NA High Regional Conservation Priority: NA High Climate Change Vulnerability: NA Understudied rare taxa: Recently documented or poorly surveyed rare species for which risk of extirpation is potentially high (e.g. few known occurrences) but insufficient data exist to conclusively assess distribution and status. *criteria only qualifies for Priority 3 level SGCN* Notes: very few ME occurrences; distribution and status not well understood Historical: NA Culturally Significant: NA Habitats Assigned to Longnose Dace: Formation Name Freshwater Aquatic Macrogroup Name Lakes and Ponds Habitat System Name: Mesotrophic or Intermediate Habitat System Name: Oligotrophic Macrogroup Name Rivers and Streams Habitat System Name: Headwaters and Creeks Habitat System Name: Medium River Habitat System Name: Small River Stressors Assigned to Longnose
    [Show full text]