FISHES OF SAVANNAS PRESERVE STATE PARK
by
Kristy McKee
A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of
The Wilkes Honors College in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
with a Concentration in Marine Biology
Wilkes Honors College of
Florida Atlantic University
Jupiter, Florida
August 2007
FISHES OF SAVANNAS PRESERVE STATE PARK
by Kristy McKee
This thesis was prepared under the direction of the candidate’s thesis advisor, Dr. Jon Moore, and has been approved by the members of her/his supervisory committee. It was submitted to the faculty of The Honors College and was accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences.
SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE:
______Dr. Jon Moore
______Dr. William O’Brien
______Dean, Wilkes Honors College
______Date
ii Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Dr. Jon Moore, Andrea Gagaoudakis, Janny Peña, Kelley
McKee, Scott Moore, Carrie Goethel, Diego Arenas, Tony Uhl, Leslie Jacobson, and the
Port St. Lucie High School Science Club members for their assistance in the field and in
the laboratory; Kasey McKee for helping making the map; Dr. Jon Moore and Dr.
William O’Brien for their helpful comments and suggestions during the writing process;
Hank Smith for allowing me to embark on this project, assistance with acquiring permits,
past collecting information, and general information about Savannas Preserve State Park;
Greg Kaufman and Savannas Preserve State Park for passing on information about
exotics collected in the park; and the Florida Museum of Natural History and Harbor
Branch Oceanographic Institution for preserved specimens and catalog information from
past collections.
I would also like to thank Dr. Jon Moore and Hank Smith for encouraging me to
work in a freshwater habitat. Additionally, I would like to thank the professors at the
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution for preparing me for this project. Lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me throughout this process.
iii ABSTRACT
Author: Kristy McKee
Title: Fishes of Savannas Preserve State Park
Institution: Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Jon Moore
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Concentration: Marine Biology
Year: 2007
Freshwater marshes are a harsh wetland ecosystem classified by seasonal water level fluctuation. Dry down periods are common in some marshes, making life difficult for fish and other aquatic organisms. The goal of this study was to compile an updated species list of fishes inhabiting the freshwater marsh system within Savannas Preserve
State Park. Twenty-three fish species were collected between August 2005 and May
2007. This survey, along with past collections, and the current species list in the park’s management plan were used to make a new proposed species list. Three species of nonnative fishes were observed during the study, the first report of exotic fishes in the park. It is believed that abnormally high water levels for an extended period may have allowed the water in neighboring canals to connect to the marsh system and, as a result, new species were able become introduced in the park.
iv Table of Contents
List of Tables ………………………………………………………………………vi
List of Figures ……………………………………………………………………..vii
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………... 1
Materials and Methods ……………………………………………………………. 2
Study Area ………………………………………………………………… 2 Previous Collections……………………………………………………….. 4 Current Study Collection ………………………………………………….. 5
Results ……………………………………………………………………………... 6
Discussion………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Tables………………………………….…………………………………………..13
Figures..…………………………………………………………………………....22
Field Notes…………………………………………………………………………23
References………………………………………………………………………….27
v
List of Tables
Table A. Harrington Collection 1955……………………………………………… 13
Table B. Smith and Miller Collection 1994………………………………………... 14
Table C. Miller Collection 1995…………………………………………………… 15
Table D. Current Species List from the 2003 Management Plan (FDEP 2003)…… 16
Table E. Current Study Collection…………………………………………………. 17
Table F. Proposed Species List…………………………………………………….. 18
Table G. Comparison of Species Lists……………………………………………... 19
Table H. Current Study Collection Site Number and Method Used………………. 20
vi List of Figures
Figure 1. Map of Savannas Preserve State Park and surrounding areas…………… 22
vii Introduction
Wetlands make up a large portion of Florida’s environment. Of these wetlands,
one-third is composed of freshwater marshes (Hefner 1986) with the Everglades
representing the largest expanse of a freshwater marsh system in the state (Kushlan
1990). One of the most notable characteristics of a freshwater marsh in Florida is the
seasonal fluctuation of water levels. In some areas, rainfall and evaporation are the major
factors in determining surface water levels. Consequently, Florida’s dry season often
results in dry outs in much of the marsh habitat; however, the marsh may become fully
inundated with water in the following wet season (Kushlan 1990). In order to survive,
marsh inhabitants must be able to adapt to the changing water levels (Kushlan 1976).
When water levels drop, the fishes and other aquatic organisms are confined to depressions where the animals are then at higher risk of predation and the possibility of low oxygen (Kushlan 1990).
The purpose of this study is to survey the ichthyofauna of the freshwater marsh system in Savannas Preserve State Park located in southeastern Florida. Previous fish collections have been conducted in the park by three groups; however, the collections did not encompass a large portion of the wetlands. Results from the previous studies are utilized in this study in order to observe possible changes in the fish fauna at Savannas
Preserve. Prior to the current study, southern Florida experienced two successive years of very active hurricane seasons (2004 and 2005). During this time, the high level of precipitation caused unusually high water levels within the park that were maintained for a long period. This study will aid in giving insight into the effects of a very active wet season in the Savannas Preserve marsh system. The information from this study along
1 with information collected from previous studies in the park and the park’s management
plan will be used to compile a proposed species list.
Materials and Methods
Study Area
Savannas Preserve State Park extends from Jensen Beach Boulevard in Jensen
Beach, Florida north to East Midway Road in Port St. Lucie, Florida (Figure 1). Although
the park includes seven different natural communities, as defined by the Florida
Department of Natural Resources, freshwater wetlands make up 45% of the land area in the park (FDEP 2003). The wetlands form a 700-hectare, north-south corridor on the western side of the Atlantic Coastal Ridge (Graves et al. 1998). Oligotrophic basin marshes, depression marshes, wet prairies, and marsh lakes comprise the wetlands found within the park (FDEP 2003).
Due to the topography of the area, many of these wetlands are controlled primarily by precipitation (FDEP 2003). One thing that makes this park unique is the
relative isolation of the freshwater marshes. Under normal circumstances, the marshes fill
exclusively from rainfall within the park itself and any excess water flows out of the park
via two small canals. Bordering the park there are two residential areas, and when
unusually heavy rain has fallen, the flow in those two canals can reverse so that water
from these residential areas can enter the park (Graves et al. 1998).
Similar to other marsh habitats, during periods of low rainfall the aquatic animals
in the park are forced to inhabit deeper areas including alligator ponds, marsh lakes, and
human-made dredged areas (Smith pers. comm. 2006, not referenced). During periods of
severe drought, large fish kills commonly occur (Kushlan 1974a in Loftus and Kushlan
2 1987). Because the main source of water in Savannas Preserve is rainfall within the park,
the natural condition of the water is acidic (with pH values as low as 4.3) due to the decomposition of plant matter within the marsh system (Graves et al. 1998). The acidic condition of the water may also have an effect on which fish species are able to live within the park.
Starting in late 2004 and continuing to 2007, the highly variable rainfall in the region featured several unusually extreme events of heavy rainfall followed by severe drought. In September 2004, two powerful hurricanes, Frances and Jeanne, hit Savannas
Preserve State Park. The precipitation from these storms caused the water levels to become persistently very high within the marsh. In October 2005, Savannas was hit again from the west by hurricane Wilma. This storm allowed for the high water levels in the park to remain for an extended period. By November 2005, water levels were still up to 1 m above normal. Normal marsh water levels were not achieved until March 2006.
The spring and summer of 2006 brought lower than average rainfall, especially when compared to the two previous years; consequently, water levels began to drop by
May and much of the marsh was dried out by October 2006. The dry out did not last long because the El Niño –Southern Oscillation began to show an effect in the fall and winter.
During El Niño events, Florida experiences an unusually high amount of rainfall during the dry season (Schmidt et al. 2001). This rainfall allowed the water to once again temporarily inundate the dry areas within Savannas Preserve State Park. However, the inundation did not last long and by early 2007 the marsh became dry again. In May 2007, the marsh was observed to be severely dry; most areas were completely dry except for a
3 few shallow puddles that remained in canals and alligator ponds (Jon Moore pers. obs
2007, not referenced).
Previous Collections
Robert Harrington Jr. collected fishes from many sites in southeast Florida in the
1950s, including along East Midway Road in June 1955 (Figure 1) during his investigation of the use of fishes for mosquito control (Atz 1977). Harrington’s
investigation was conducted over 20 years prior to the formation of the state park. As he traveled around the region, he used seine and dip nets to collect specimens from canals, lakes, and marshes. Some of Harrington’s preserved specimens were deposited at the
Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH) and at Harbor Branch Oceanographic
Institution (HBOI). Unsorted and unidentified specimens from Harrington’s collection were also obtained during this study from HBOI; these specimens were identified and added to the cataloged species to construct a complete list of Harrington’s collection from the future Savannas Preserve State Park (Table A). Although Harrington collected a significant amount of fishes from the region, his collections within the boundaries of
Savannas Preserve were limited to the northernmost extent of the park.
In July 1994, Hank Smith and JB Miller conducted a two-day survey of the park at five sites between the canoe launch and the park offices using seine nets (Hank Smith pers. comm. 2005, not referenced). The area sampled during their survey represents only a small portion of the wetlands within the park and consists primarily of basin marsh. We were also able to create a species list of the specimens collected during Smith and
Miller’s survey (Table B). Part of this list was compiled from cataloged specimens deposited at the Florida Museum of Natural History; the rest of the list was produced
4 from preserved specimens provided by Hank Smith that were identified in this study.
Miller also conducted another study in the park in November 1995; information from his study was also retrieved from the Florida Museum of Natural History (Table C). Smith and Miller’s survey, along with communications from anglers and park officials, helped to comprise the current ichthyofauna list found in the state park's most recent management plan (Smith pers. comm. 2005, not referenced, FDEP 2003); this species list can be found in Table D. The existence of Harrington’s fish collection was not known to
Savannas Preserve State Park personnel prior to the present study. The information collected from the previous studies and the information from the management plan were added to the list of fishes collected during the current study in order to create the
proposed species list (Table F).
Current Study Collections
During this study, multiple sites were surveyed within the park between
November 2005 and October 2006. The following sites were surveyed: Canoe Launch
and surrounding areas; Hawk's Bluff; Eden Lake; the canal by the park's offices; and
Henderson Pond (Figure 1). We also collected specimens just outside the park's boundaries on the north side of East Midway Road, and on the west side of Scenic Drive at Walton Road (Figure 1). The collection methods included a 30 foot seine net, a 10 foot seine net, a D-loop dip net, a cast net, and hook and line using worms as bait. The specimens were preserved on site and photographed prior to losing most of their coloration. Ten percent formalin was used to preserve the fishes and they were later stored in 70% ethanol. These fishes were identified in the biology laboratory at Florida
Atlantic University's MacArthur Campus in Jupiter, Florida. The Peterson Guide to
5 Freshwater Fishes (Page and Burr 1991) and The Atlas of North American Freshwater
Fishes (Lee et al. 1980) were used for species identification. Identification of juveniles from the genera Enneacanthus and Lepomis were confirmed using Loftus and Kushlan’s
(1987) key to juvenile sunfishes.
Results
A total of 23 fish species were collected during the present study. Of the 23 species listed in the park's 2003 management plan (FDEP 2003), 18 were collected during this survey (Table E). One native species not listed in the management plan,
Pomoxis nigromaculatus, black crappie, was also collected within the park's boundaries.
Two native species not listed, Poecilia latipinna, sailfin molly, and Notropis maculatus, taillight shiner, were found immediately outside the park's boundaries. A few juvenile
Lepomis sunfish species were considered unidentifiable and were categorized as Lepomis spp. Gambusia holbrooki, eastern mosquitofish, was one of the most abundant species in all collections and was collected at almost every site surveyed during this study. Lucania goodei, bluefin killifish, was very abundant in Harrington’s collection, but not very abundant in any of the other collections. Enneacanthus gloriosus, bluespotted sunfish, was the overall most abundant Centrarchidae species in each collection. Etheostoma fusiforme, swamp darter, was very abundant in the current collection, but was low in abundance in all the other collections.
Since the start of the present study, there have been three reports of exotic species within the park. In 2005, a walking catfish specimen, Clarias batrachus, was collected from a canal entering the park. This was noted during a period of unusually high water level following the hurricanes in 2004 and 2005 (Moore pers. comm. 2006, not
6 referenced). In May and July 2006, Dr. Jon Moore visually identified spotted tilapia,
Tilapia mariae, individuals protecting nests at the canoe launch. In March 2007, an angler reported catching multiple specimens of Hoplosternum littorale, brown hoplo, with a cast net in the dredged areas at the canoe launch (Moore pers. comm. 2007, not referenced). In May 2007, both C. batrachus and H. littorale were collected from an alligator hole at the canoe launch when the water levels were extremely low (see field notes). Tilapia mariae has yet to be observed in the marsh since the dry down in late
2006.
We were able to compile a new list of 31 fish species for the park by using the previous collections, the current species list, and information collected during this survey
(Table F). All species listed in the management plan are still assumed to be within the park.
Discussion
All the surveys used in this study have collected relatively the same species regardless of time gaps between the collections. This leads us to believe the majority of the fishes in Savannas Preserve State Park are stable and well adapted to the stressful environment. There is also an obvious sampling bias in the study, as all the surveys used similar collection methods and were unsuccessful in collecting a few species listed in the management plan. Keeping the sampling bias in mind, we believe that the species not collected are simply uncaptured with our methods for various reasons.
Over fifty species of exotic freshwater fishes have been introduced in south
Florida waters (Trexler et al. 2000) but, surprisingly, no exotic fishes have been documented in previous surveys of Savannas Preserve State Park. It is believed that
7 exotics often become introduced into a new habitat following a disturbance (Moyle and
Light 1996). As for this study, the unusually high water levels produced and maintained
by the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes was likely the cause of the introduction to Savannas
Preserve. Higher populations of nonnative species are found in canal systems when compared to natural habitats (Trexler et al. 2000). Graves et al. (1998) collected data on
storm water runoff in Savannas Preserve, two sites north of the canoe launch were noted
as being near the mouth of canals in which the water generally flowed away from the
park; however, when rainfall was high, the water in the canals reversed flow into the park. Because of the unusually persistently high water levels that occurred following the
2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, the canals were connected to the marsh for a prolonged period. We believe that these canals are the most likely point of introduction for the exotic species found in the park; the canals may also be responsible for new native species found as well.
Loftus and Kushlan (1987) observed that most of the exotic fishes in the
Everglades are unable to colonize the marsh areas. The fluctuations in water levels along with the colder temperatures that can occur in the shallow areas are thought to inhibit the success of exotics in marsh habitats in the Everglades (Trexler et al. 2000). This may also be occurring in Savannas Preserve since exotics were not found in abundance during our collection. It is possible that the introduced fishes were unable to become established before the dry down. After the water level increased again, the area in which Tilapia mariae was visually identified did not have any apparent nests. The October 2006 dry out may have acted as a natural regulator for the marsh by removing or at least minimizing the nonnative species population. Loftus and Kushlan (1987) notice the same pattern in
8 one of the freshwater marsh areas in the Everglades. They believed that, “the dry season acts as a major selective agent in determining the make-up of fish communities in southern Florida”. This idea may also explain why exotics have not been reported in the park prior to the 2004 hurricanes and subsequent abnormally high water levels. Although we have yet to collect Tilapia mariae, it is included on the species list because it may remain in the park in low numbers.
Clarias batrachus, walking catfish, is one of two exotics that have been collected since the dry period began. C. batrachus has the ability to breathe atmospheric air, enabling it to survive conditions of little to no dissolved oxygen during dry downs. They are also able to travel on land for short distances, allowing them to invade a new habitat
(Lee et al. 1980). Although, walking catfish appear to be able to thrive in marsh habitats, there may be other factors limiting their viability in the habitat. In the Everglades,
Clarias batrachus was found to be well established in disturbed areas; however, they were rarely collected in the natural freshwater habitats (Loftus and Kushlan 1987). It is very important to monitor this species once the marsh begins to become inundated with water again. If successful in colonizing a new habitat, C. batrachus may threaten the natural fish fauna. This species has been considered an aggressive competitor; Lachner et al. (1970) observed this species to reduce “the entire freshwater community that it invades to one common denominator, more walking catfish.”
Hoplosternum littorale, brown hoplo, a newly established nonindigenous fish in
Florida, was first found in 1995 in ditches of the Indian River Lagoon (Benson et al.
2001). However, this species was not reported in Savannas Preserve until 2007. Similar to C. batrachus, H. littorale is able to breathe atmospheric air. The effects of the
9 introduction of H. littorale has yet to be determined (Benson et al. 2001); however, it
may also pose a threat to the native fishes. Close monitoring of this fish is necessary to
understand any possible negative effects of its introduction.
Clarias batrachus and Hoplosternum littorale are the only exotic species that have been
collected since the dry down. These species both have the ability to breathe atmospheric
air (Lee et al. 1980; Benson et al. 2001), which allows for these fishes to be more tolerant
of the natural seasonal fluctuations of the marsh habitat and survive in extremely warm
water with low oxygen conditions, as found in shallow alligator holes. Tilapia mariae, on
the other hand, may be less suitable for the marsh because it does not have the ability to
breathe air and, therefore, cannot tolerate periods of low water and subsequently low
dissolved oxygen in the water.
The majority of the species listed on the management plan that were not collected during the survey were also not collected with the use of similar methods of the previous
studies. There is an obvious sampling bias created with the techniques used. The nets can
only catch those fish that are larger than the mesh size as well as those not fast enough to
swim away. The net can only sample as deep as the height of the net, which leaves deeper
areas not well sampled. For species such as Noturus gyrinus, tadpole madtom, only one
specimen was collected in two of the four collections. It is possible that we were unable
to collect this species simply because the population size in the park may be small.
Alternatively, Loftus and Kushlan (1987) believed that N. gyrinus may primarily inhabit
the deeper areas and may not be tolerant of areas with short hydroperiods. If a large
population of N. gyrinus exists within the park, it is possible that this species is confined primarily to the deeper areas that we were unable to sample during the current study.
10 Ictalurus natalis, yellow bullhead, is also listed on the park’s current management plan
(FDEP 2003) due to angler reports, but has not been obtained in any of the collections of this study. Failure to obtain I. natalis in any collections may also by a possibly small population size or our inability to sample deeper areas with the collection methods used.
Pomoxis nigromaculatus, black crappie, has not been collected in the park in previous studies. We believe the high water levels that enabled the marsh to remain connected to the neighboring canals allowed for the introduction of P. nigromaculatus
into the park. The specimens collected during the current study’s collection were all
juvenile individuals. In the Everglades, Loftus and Kushlan (1987) noted P.
nigromaculatus generally inhabited canals and infrequently moved into the marsh
system. This species may not be able to persist in the harsh environment of the marsh
system of Savannas Preserve. We believe it is unlikely that this species will become
established within the park’s wetland ecosystem.
Although two species of the genus Esox are listed on the proposed species list
(Table F), we were only able to obtain preserved specimens of E. americanus
vermiculatus, grass pickerel, from Harrington’s collection in 1955. E. niger, chain
pickerel, is listed in the current species list found in the park’s management plan (FDEP
2003), however, preserved specimens do not exist. The addition of E. niger to the
management plan may have been obtained from an angler in the park and could have
been falsely identified. These two species of pickerel may coexist in the marsh, as they
are known to inhabit the same areas, especially in Florida (Lee et al. 1980); however, we
were unable to collect either species during the study. Both species remain on the
proposed species list (Table F) until a more complete survey is conducted.
11 The most dominant fishes of the Florida Everglades freshwater marshes are from
the families Poeciliidae (Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, and Poecilia
latipinna), Fundulidae (Fundulus chrysotus, and Lucania goodei), Cyprinodontidae
(Jordanella floridae), Elassomatidae (Elassoma evergladei), and Centrarchidae
(Enneacanthus gloriosus). From the current survey and previous surveys within Savannas
Preserve, we found a similar pattern except for a relatively low abundance of J. floridae,
flagfish, and P. latipinna, sailfin molly, in all of the surveys. In fact, P. latipinna was not
listed on the current management plan’s species list. Labidesthes sicculus, brook
silverside, was among the most abundant species in all the Savannas surveys. It is very
likely that there are differences between the marshes found in the Everglades and those
found in Savannas Preserve. Generally, freshwater marshes in Florida are found to have
hard water (Kushlan 1990); however, because the water level of Savannas Preserve is
controlled almost entirely by rainfall through quartz sand soil, the water is low in hardness and very acidic (pH as low as 4.3) (Graves et al. 1998). Savannas Preserve is also located at a higher latitude than the Everglades. Cold fronts are likely to bring colder
temperatures more frequently to Savannas Preserve than the southern Everglades, the area in which the most natural freshwater marsh in the Everglades (Loftus and Kushlan
1987), which may eliminate some species from being present.
Because of its relative isolation from other water bodies and unusual water chemistry, the freshwater marshes of Savannas Preserve State Park have maintained a relatively natural peninsular Florida freshwater fauna with fewer exotic species compared to what is found in other water bodies in the region (Gilmore 1977).
12 Table A
Harrington Collection 1955 Scientific Name Common Name Total Elassoma evergladei Everglades Pygmy Sunfish 2 Elassoma okefenokee Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish 1 Enneacanthus gloriosus Bluespotted Sunfish 121 Esox americanus vermiculatus Grass Pickerel 2 Etheostoma fusiforme Swamp Darter 3 Fundulus chrysotus Golden Topminnow 66 Fundulus lineolatus Lined Topminnow 41 Gambusia holbrooki Eastern Mosquitofish 309 Heterandria formosa Least Killifish 65 Jordanella floridae Flagfish 1 Labidesthes sicculus Brook Silverside 116 Lepisosteus platyrhincus Florida Gar 1 Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill 4 Lepomis marginatus Dollar Sunfish 6 Lepomis microlophus Redear Sunfish 8 Lepomis spp. Unidentified Sunfish 4 Leptolucania ommata Pygmy Killifish 7 Lucania goodei Bluefin Killifish 321 Micropterus salmoides Largemouth Bass 2 Notemigonus crysoleucas Golden Shiner 1 Noturus gyrinus Tadpole Madtom 1
13 Table B
Smith and Miller Collection 1994 Scientific Name Common Name Total Elassoma evergladei Everglades Pygmy Sunfish 6 Elassoma okefenokee Okefenokee pygmy sunfish 1 Enneacanthus gloriosus Bluespotted Sunfish 21 Etheostoma fusiforme Swamp Darter 3 Fundulus chrysotus Golden Topminnow 12 Fundulus cingulatus Banded Topminnow 1 Fundulus lineolatus Lined Topminnow 3 Gambusia holbrooki Eastern Mosquitofish 27 Heterandria formosa Least Killifish 14 Labidesthes sicculus Brook Silverside 31 Lepomis gulosus Warmouth 2 Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill 5 Lepomis microlophus Redear Sunfish 1 Lepomis spp. Unidentified Sunfish 6 Leptolucania ommata Pygmy Killifish 28 Notropis maculatus Taillight Shiner 1 Noturus gyrinus Tadpole Madtom 1
14 Table C
Miller Collection 1995 Scientific Name Common Name Total Elassoma evergladei Everglades Pygmy Sunfish 6 Enneacanthus gloriosus Bluespotted Sunfish 6 Etheostoma fusiforme Swamp Darter 2 Fundulus chrysotus Golden Topminnow 7 Fundulus lineolatus Lined Topminnow 1 Gambusia holbrooki Eastern Mosquitofish 3 Heterandria formosa Least Killifish 4 Labidesthes sicculus Brook Silverside 3 Lepomis gulosus Warmouth 1 Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill 2 Lucania goodei Bluefin Killifish 1 Micropterus salmoides Largemouth Bass 2 Notemigonus crysoleucas Golden Shiner 1
15 Table D
Current Species List from 2003 Management Plan (FDEP 2003) Common Name Scientific Name Bowfin Amia calva Everglades Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma evergladei Bluespotted Sunfish Enneacanthus gloriosus Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta Chain Pickerel Esox niger Swamp Darter Etheostoma fusiforme Golden Topminnow Fundulus chrysotus Lined Topminnow Fundulus lineolatus Mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Least Killifish Heterandria formosa Yellow Bullhead Ictalurus natalis Flagfish Jordanella floridae Brook Silverside Labidesthes sicculus Florida Gar Lepisosteus platyrhincus Warmouth Lepomis gulosus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Dollar Sunfish Lepomis marginatus Redear Sunfish Lepomis microlophus Pygmy Killifish Leptolucania ommata Bluefin Killifish Lucania goodei Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Tadpole Madtom Noturus gyrinus
16 Table E
Current Study Collection Species Name Common Name Total Amia calva Bowfin 1 Clarias batrachus Walking Catfish 1 Elassoma evergladei Everglades Pygmy Sunfish 9 Enneacanthus gloriosus Bluespotted Sunfish 81 Etheostoma fusiforme Swamp Darter 58 Fundulus chrysotus Golden Topminnow 49 Fundulus lineolatus Lined Topminnow 2 Gambusia holbrooki Eastern Mosquitofish 158 Heterandria formosa Least Killifish 85 Hoplosternum littorale Brown Hoplo 6 Jordanella floridae Flagfish 2 Labidesthes sicculus Brook Silverside 68 Lepisosteus platyrhincus Florida Gar 10 Lepomis gulosus Warmouth 5 Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill 7 Lepomis marginatus Dollar Sunfish 23 Lepomis microlophus Redear Sunfish 15 Lepomis sp. Unidentified Sunfish 24 Lucania goodei Bluefin Killifish 16 Micropterus salmoides Largemouth Bass 4 Notemigonus crysoleucas Golden Shiner 3 Notropis maculatus Taillight Shiner 2 Poecilia latipinna Sailfin Molly 1 Pomoxis nigromaculatus Black Crappie 9
17 Table F
Proposed Species List Common Name Scientific Name Bowfin Amia calva Walking Catfish Clarias batrachus Everglades Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma evergladei Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma okefenokee Bluespotted Sunfish Enneacanthus gloriosus Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta Grass Pickerel Esox americanus vermiculatus Chain Pickerel Esox niger Swamp Darter Etheostoma fusiforme Golden Topminnow Fundulus chrysotus Banded Topminnow Fundulus cingulatus Lined Topminnow Fundulus lineolatus Eastern Mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki Least Killifish Heterandria formosa Brown Hoplo Hoplosternum littorale Yellow Bullhead Ictalurus natalis Flagfish Jordanella floridae Brook Silverside Labidesthes sicculus Florida Gar Lepisosteus platyrhincus Warmouth Lepomis gulosus Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus Dollar Sunfish Lepomis marginatus Redear Sunfish Lepomis microlophus Pygmy Killifish Leptolucania ommata Bluefin Killifish Lucania goodei Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas Taillight Shiner Notropis maculatus Tadpole Madtom Noturus gyrinus Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinna Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus Spotted Tilapia Tilapia mariae
18 Table G
Comparison of Species Lists Harrington 1955 Smith and Miller 1994 Miller 1995 2003 Plan Management Current Study 2005-2006 Common Name Scientific Name Bowfin Amia calva ● ● Walking Catfish Clarias batrachus ● Everglades Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma evergladei ● ● ● ● ● Okefenokee Pygmy Sunfish Elassoma okefenokee ● ● Bluespotted Sunfish Enneacanthus gloriosus ● ● ● ● ● Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta ● Grass Pickerel Esox americanus vermiculatus ● Chain Pickerel Esox niger ● Swamp Darter Etheostoma fusiforme ● ● ● ● ● Golden Topminnow Fundulus chrysotus ● ● ● ● ● Lined Topminnow Fundulus lineolatus ● ● ● ● ● Eastern Mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki ● ● ● ● ● Least Killifish Heterandria formosa ● ● ● ● ● Brown Hoplo Hoplosternum littorale ● Yellow Bullhead Ictalurus natalis ● Flagfish Jordanella floridae ● ● ● Brook Silverside Labidesthes sicculus ● ● ● ● ● Florida Gar Lepisosteus platyrhincus ● ● Warmouth Lepomis gulosus ● ● ● ● Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus ● ● ● ● ● Dollar Sunfish Lepomis marginatus ● ● ● Redear Sunfish Lepomis microlophus ● ● ● ● Pygmy Killifish Leptolucania ommata ● ● ● Bluefin Killifish Lucania goodei ● ● ● Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides ● ● ● ● Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas ● ● ● ● Taillight Shiner Notropis maculatus ● ● Tadpole Madtom Noturus gyrinus ● ● ● Sailfin Molly Poecilia latipinna ● Black Crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus ● Spotted Tilapia Tilapia mariae ●
19 Table H
Current Study Collection Site Number and Method Used
Site # and collection method 1a. 30ft seine 1a. 10ft seine seine 30ft 1b. seine 10ft 1b. net D-loop 1b. net 2. D-loop net 3a. D-loop net D-loop 3b. net 3c. D-loop net D-loop 3d. 4a. 30ft seine seine 30ft 4b. 4c. 30ft seine seine 30ft 4d. Amia calva Bowfin Clarias batrachus Walking Catfish Elassoma evergladei Everglades Pygmy Sunfish 8 Enneacanthus gloriosus Bluespotted Sunfish 1 2 2 1 1 38 3 1 17 Etheostoma fusiforme Swamp Darter 1 52 1 Fundulus chrysotus Golden Topminnow 7 1 1 3 1 10 4 6 Fundulus lineolatus Lined Topminnow Gambusia holbrooki Eastern Mosquitofish 2 43 1 16 9 2 3 13 1 15 Heterandria formosa Least Killifish 1 4 2 22 8 2 6 13 Hoplosternum littorale Brown Hoplo Jordanella floridae Flagfish 1 1 Labidesthes sicculus Brook Silverside 4 28 4 23 3 6 Lepisosteus platyrhincus Florida Gar 1 Lepomis gulosus Warmouth 1 1 Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill 1 1 Lepomis marginatus Dollar Sunfish 2 3 5 Lepomis microlophus Redear Sunfish Lepomis sp. Unidentified Sunfish 1 14 3 1 Lucania goodei Bluefin Killifish 1 5 7 1 Micropterus salmoides Largemouth Bass 1 Notemigonus crysoleucas Golden Shiner Notropis maculatus Taillight Shiner 2 Poecilia latipinna Sailfin Molly 1 Pomoxis nigromaculatus Black Crappie
20 Table H (continued)
t Site # and collection method oop net net oop 0ft seine 0ft seine 0ft seine . hook and line line and hook . nets . various net . D-loop a. hooka. and line hookb. and line 30ft seine. hook0. and line hook2. and line 5. D-l 6 6 7. 3 8. 3 9 1 11 1 13 14 ne Cast 15.
Amia calva Bowfin 1 Clarias batrachus Walking Catfish 1 Elassoma evergladei Everglades Pygmy Sunfish 1 Enneacanthus gloriosus Bluespotted Sunfish 32 1 Etheostoma fusiforme Swamp Darter 3 1 Fundulus chrysotus Golden Topminnow 7 1 8 Fundulus lineolatus Lined Topminnow 2 Gambusia holbrooki Eastern Mosquitofish 5 2 5 37 4 Heterandria formosa Least Killifish 10 5 12 Hoplosternum littorale Brown Hoplo 6 Jordanella floridae Flagfish Labidesthes sicculus Brook Silverside Lepisosteus platyrhincus Florida Gar 4 5 Lepomis gulosus Warmouth 3 Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill 2 1 1 1 Lepomis marginatus Dollar Sunfish 21 1 Lepomis microlophus Redear Sunfish 11 3 1 Lepomis sp. Unidentified Sunfish 5 Lucania goodei Bluefin Killifish 1 1 Micropterus salmoides Largemouth Bass 1 2 Notemigonus crysoleucas Golden Shiner 3 Notropis maculatus Taillight Shiner Poecilia latipinna Sailfin Molly Pomoxis nigromaculatus Black Crappie 2 1 6
21 Figure 1 Map of Savannas Preserve State Park and surrounding Areas (Modified from FDEP 2003)
22 Field Notes 1. 27 Nov 2005. Water levels very high in the park, 2-3 feet above normal high levels. Saw palmettos at edges of marsh were partly submerged. Collectors- Dr. Jon Moore, Hank Smith, Kristy McKee, and Andrea Gagaoudakis. a. Western marsh edge just SW of Rookery Island (North of Canoe Launch). Had to wade out through submerged brush and woody plants that normally would be at edge of water. Water level 3-4ft deep. 30 foot and 10 foot seines. Species collected: Labidesthes sicculus, Lepisosteus platyrhincus, Gambusia holbrooki, Lepomis marginatus, Enneacanthus gloriosus, Lepomis sp. b. Canal by park offices. South and southwest end of runway next to park offices off Riverview Drive in Port St. Lucie. Steep drop off in canal. 30 foot seine net difficult to use. Gear used 30 foot and 10 foot seines and D- loop net. Species collected: Heterandria formosa, Labidesthes sicculus, Fundulus chrysotus, Jordanella floridae, Gambusia holbrooki, Lepomis gulosus, Lepomis macrochirus, Lepomis spp., Enneacanthus gloriosus, Lucania goodei
2. 4 May 2006. Canoe launch north of education center in basin marsh. Water depth 0-6 inches. Tilapia mariae observed guarding nests. Gear used D-loop net. Collector- Dr. Jon Moore. Species Collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Heterandria formosa, Enneacanthus gloriosus
3. 10 June 2006. Sampling NW perimeter of park down to Walton Rd. Collector- Dr. Jon Moore. Gear used – D-loop net. a. Collection #1. East Midway Road at entrance to Savannas Recreation Area on North side of road. Small impoundment and culvert under Midway Rd. N 27o 22.894’ W 80o18.330’ 8:05 A.M. Impoundment with cattails, pigfrog calling. D-loop net in dense aquatic plants (mostly water hyacinth). Species collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Lucania goodei, Jordanella floridae, Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, Etheostoma fusiforme. b. Collection #2. Larger canal 90o corner of canal about 20 feet N of collection #1. D-loop net in sparse aquatic plants on edge of canal. Species collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Lucania goodei, Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, Lepomis gulosus c. Collection #3. Ditch leading into Savannas State Park at East end Howard Street (nest to Savannas SP gate #23) at corner of Howard and Raintree. N 27o22.008’ W 80o 18.169’. D-loop net muddy water in drying up pool in ditch just inside gate. Less than 1 foot deep. Species collected: Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, Poecilia latipinna. d. Collection #4. From east edge of large artificial pond at corner of Walton Rd. and Scenic Park Dr. N27o17.942’ W80o16.723’. D-loop net in grass and lily pads at edge of pond. Water 1 foot deep. Species collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Lucania goodei, Gambusia holbrooki
23 4. 23 July 2006. Sampling around canoe launch. Water levels much lower. Only 2-3 feet deep at canoe launch. Had to walk out a ways to get to deep enough water to seine. Low water level, at least 2 feet below normal. Humid and sunny 90o F. Collectors- Dr. Jon Moore, Kristy McKee, Kelley McKee. Gear used- 30 foot seine. a. Canoe Launch N 27o18.463 W 80o 16.282’. Seined area just north of canoe launch, water only a few inches deep. Species collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, Labidesthes sicculus, Lepomis macrochirus, Lepomis marginatus, Enneacanthus gloriosus, Elassoma evergladei, Etheostoma fusiforme, Notropis maculatus b. 100 feet south of canoe launch. Slightly deeper area that was clear path through spike rush. Species collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Gambusia holbrooki, Labidesthes sicculus, Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis marginatus, Lepomis spp., Enneacanthus gloriosus c. 60 feet east of canoe launch. Deeper area associated with emergent aquatic plants out where tilapia nests were. Species collected: Lepisosteus platyrhincus, Fundulus chrysotus, Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, Enneacanthus gloriosus d. 70 feet east of canoe launch. Water 2 feet deep next to big patch of pickerel weed. Species collected: Labidesthes sicculus, Lepomis sp., Enneacanthus gloriosus, Etheostoma fusiforme
5. 23 July 2006. Canal by park offices on Riverview Drive. Water level very low, less than .5 feet in areas, too hot for fish. Sampled around canal edges with D- loop net multiple times. Collectors- Dr, Jon Moore, Kristy McKee, Kelley McKee. Species collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, Lepomis sp., Elassoma evergladei, Etheostoma fusiforme
6. 27 July 2006. Collected fish in Savannas Preserve SP with use of hook and line with worms from bait store. Collectors- Dr. Jon Moore, Kristy McKee, Scott Moore; Carrie Goethel and Hank Smith joined later. a. Canoe launch. Water level about 1 foot deep. Attempted to catch Tilapia mariae, but were uninterested in our bait and lures. Fishing was done from the canoe launch ramp. Species collected: Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus b. Canal by park offices. Fishing in south end of canal south of park offices, just over by park residences. N 27o17.002’ W80o15.111’. Species collected: Lepisosteus platyrhincus, Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus
7. 30 July 2006. Eden lake N27o16.439’ W80o14.724’. Access was via end of Pleasant View Drive, go west over FEC railroad tracks and down dune ridge slope. Small embayment on shoreline with grasses along shore. Pond apple tree just off shore. Sand and muck bottom, very dark tannic water. Water 80oF air
24 91oF. Gear used- 30 foot seine. Collectors- Dr. Jon Moore, Kristy McKee, Kelley McKee. Species collected: Gambusia holbrooki, Lepomis microlophus, Lepomis marginatus, Notemigonus crysoleucas 8. 30 July 2006. Marsh at Hawks Bluff N27o15.537’ W80o14.580’. Sand spit projecting into marsh perpendicular to shore. Deep canal running along shore and off north side of spit. South side of spit mucky marsh with dense lily pads. 30 foot seine along steep shore and into lily pads on north side of spit. Water 77oF. Collectors- Dr. Jon Moore, Kristy McKee, Kelley McKee. Species collected: Gambusia holbrooki, Lepomis marginatus, Lepomis microlophus, Enneacanthus gloriosus, Pomoxis nigromaculatus
9. 30 July 2006. Henderson Pond N27o15.226’ W80o14.304. Accessed following path at end of NE Bayside Place, Jensen Beach. Path was on south side of cul-de- sac and wandered out through grasses to shallow marshy pond edge. Water in this marshy area was very hot (about 92oF), but only 2-4 inches deep. Water temperature was cooler (about 82oF) once depth was greater than 12 inches. Gear used- 30 foot seine. Collectors- Dr. Jon Moore, Kristy McKee, Kelley McKee. Species collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Lepomis gulosus, Enneacanthus gloriosus, Pomoxis nigromaculatus
10. 24 September 2006. Eden Lake. Brought canoes to sample deeper areas with hook and line with worms. Wind was very strong and blew canoes across the lake. Tried to fish while drifting, but no bites at all. Water 88oF. Collectors- Dr. Jon Moore, Kristy McKee, Kelley McKee, Diego Arenas. Species collected: none.
11. 24 September 2006. Canoe launch. Tried hook and line with worms in two dredged areas perpendicular to shore, one north of launch and one south. Could see lily pads moving. Collectors- Dr. Jon Moore, Kristy McKee, Kelley McKee, Diego Arenas. Species collected: Lepisosteus platyrhincus
12. 24 September 2006. Savannas Recreation Area north of East Midway Road. Hook and line fishing in big canal just north of entrance impoundment. Collector- Dr. Jon Moore. Species collected: Amia calva, Lepomis macrochirus, Lepomis microlophus.
13. 5 November 2006. Hawks Bluff marsh. North and South side of sand spit. Gear used: D-loop net, cast net, 10 foot seine. Collector- Kristy McKee, Tony Uhl, Leslie Jacobson, and Port Saint Lucie High School Science Club students and their families. Species collected: Fundulus chrysotus, Fundulus lineolatus, Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Lucania goodei
14. 18 November 2006. Hawks Bluff marsh. South side of sand spit. Gear used- D- loop net. Late in day, cool temperature. Collector- Kristy McKee. Species
25 collected: Lucania goodei, Gambusia holbrooki, Heterandria formosa, Etheostoma fusiforme
15. 17 May 2007. 12:34 PM. Ditch to south side of canoe launch, at east end is a gator hole next to small island E of canoe launch (N 27 18.476' W80 16.214'). Water temperature 31.3 C. Most of the marsh very dry, only thin skim of water in the ditch and the gator hole appears to be about 1 m (3 ft) deep. Saw many mosquitofish along shore, plus 3 softshell turtles and 2 or 3 young gators. Gear used- cast net. Collector- Dr. Jon Moore. Species Collected: Lepisosteus platyrhincus, Hoplosternum littorale, Clarias batrachus
16. 17 May 2007. 1:25 P. Canal immediately at park office off Riverview Drive. Six tries with cast net did not catch a single fish. Collector- Dr. Jon Moore. Species Collected: none.
26 References
Atz, J.W. 1977. Robert W. Harrington, Jr., 1911-1975. Copeia. 1997(1): 204-205.
Benson A.J., Fuller P.L. and Jacono C.C. 2001. Summary Report of Non-indigenous Aquatic Species in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service region 4. U.S. Geological Survey Florida Caribbean Science Center, Florida.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). 2003. Savannas State Preserve Unit Management Plan. Division of Recreation and Parks. Tallahassee, Florida.
Gilmore, G.R. 1977. Fishes of the Indian River Lagoon and Adjacent Waters, Florida. Bull. Florida State Mus., Biol. Sci. 22(3):101-148.
Graves, G.A., D.G. Strom, and B.E. Robson. 1998. Stormwater impact to the freshwater Savannas Preserve marsh, Florida, USA. Hydrobiologia 379: 111-122.
Hefner, J.M. 1986. Wetlands of Florida, 1950s to 1970s. In “Managing Cumulative Impacts in Florida Wetlands”. E D Estevez, J Miller, J Morris, and R Hamman, eds. pp.23-31. Omnipress. Madison, Wisconsin.
Kushlan, J.A. 1990. Freshwater Marshes. In Ecosystems of Florida. Meyers, R L, and J J Ewel. pp.324-363. University of Central Florida Press. Orlando, Florida.
Kushlan, J.A. 1976. Environmental Stability and Fish Community Diversity. Ecology. 57(4):821-825.
Lachner, E. A., C. R. Robins, and W. R. Courtenay, Jr. 1970. Exotic Fishes and Other Aquatic Organisms Introduced into North America. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology. 59: 1-29.
Lee, D.S., C.R. Gilbert, C.H. Hocutt, R.E. Jenkins, D.E. McAllister, and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. 1980. Atlas of North American freshwater fishes. North Carolina State Museum of Natural History, Raleigh.
Loftus, W.F., and J.A. Kushlan. 1987. Freshwater Fishes of Southern Florida. Bull. Florida State Mus., Biol. Sci. 31(4):147-344.
Moyle, P.B., and T. Light. 1996. Biological Invasions of Fresh Water: Empirical Rules and Assembly Theory. Biological Conservation. 78: 149-161.
Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, Massachusetts.
27 Schmidt, N., E.K. Lipp, J.B. Rose, and M.E. Luther. 2001. ENSO influences on seasonal rainfall and river discharge in Florida. Journal of Climate 14:615-628.
Trexler, J.C., W.F. Loftus, F. Jordan, J.J. Lorenz, J.H. Chick, and R.M. Kobza. 2000. Empirical Assessment of Fish Introductions in a Subtropical Wetland: An Evaluation of Contrasting Views. Biological Invasions. 2: 265-277.
28