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List of Articles and Reports Completed Since the 2018 Annual Report APPENDIX N LITERATURE REVIEW - LIST OF ARTICLES AND REPORTS COMPLETED SINCE THE 2018 ANNUAL REPORT EDWARDS AQUIFER HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN 2019 ANNUAL REPORT APPENDICES List of Articles and Reports Completed Since the 2018 Annual Report Title Author(s) Publication Study Summary1 COVERED SPECIES LITERATURE Literature from 2019 Turbidity affects Aspbury, Andrea S. Hydrobiologia. The study described in this article tested the association behavior in DeColo, Sophia L. Jul 2019. hypothesis that fountain darter (Etheostoma the endangered fountain Goff, Cory B. Volume 838, fonticola) body size preferences are affected darter (Actinopterygii, Gabor, Caitlin R. Issue 1, pp 45- by reduced visibility. The research tested Perciformes). 54. offspring of wild-caught fish in clear and reduced visibility treatments. The study found that increased levels of turbidity (leading to reduced visibility) affect the use of visual cues in E. fonticola. Reduced time spent in social interaction and effects on association preferences of the fountain darter were documented in the reduced visibility treatments as compared to results observed in clear treatments. Species delimitation in Devitt, Thomas J. Proceedings of In this article, the authors examine “how endangered groundwater Wright, April M. the National geomorphological and hydrogeological salamanders: Cannatella, David C. Academy of processes have driven population Implications for aquifer Hillis, David M. Sciences of the divergence and speciation in a radiation of management and United States of salamanders (Eurycea) endemic to the biodiversity conservation. America. Feb Edwards–Trinity system using phylogenetic 2019. Vol. 116 and population genetic analysis of genome- Issue 7, pp wide DNA sequence data.” Study results 2624-2633. indicated that surface and subsurface hydrology create complex patterns of species isolation and reconnection that result in adaptive and nonadaptive population divergence and speciation. Employing regional climate models that predict increased air temperature, and hydrologic models that project decreased springflow, the study concluded that “Edwards – Trinity salamanders and other co-distributed groundwater-dependent organisms are highly vulnerable to extinction within the next century.” COVERED SPECIES LITERATURE Literature from 2019 Creatures of the deep Devitt, Thomas J. American Fauna that occupy groundwater aquifers and karst. Scientist. the potential threats to such animal life that Sep/Oct 2019. result from use of groundwater exceeding Vol. 107 Issue 5, the amount of recharge into an aquifer (i.e., pp 260-262. overdraft) are the focus of this article. The article discusses the Eurycea genus of groundwater salamanders, their distant relationship to the blind European salamander (Proteus anguinus), and the 15 species that have evolved in karst aquifers in west central Texas. Threats to endangered and threatened groundwater species related to water pollution and groundwater depletion are also described. List of Articles and Reports Completed Since the 2018 Annual Report Title Author(s) Publication Study Summary1 Ecological contributions Edington, Hilary A. PloS ONE. May This article examines variation in body shape to body shape evolution Taylor, Douglas R. 2019. Vol. 14 among salamanders in the genus Eurycea in salamanders of the Issue 5, pp 1-14. (Plethodontidae) and select outgroups that genus Eurycea exhibit diversity in morphology, ecological (Plethodontidae). niche, and life history. The study found “significant differences in body shape among cave-dwelling and non-cave-dwelling species and between aquatic and terrestrial species,” as well as differences in shape variance among paedomorphic (i.e., retaining juvenile features as an adult) and biphasic (i.e., having two phases) species, suggesting that “functional limitations imposed by habitat and life history played a key role in the evolution of body shape in this group in the context of their phylogenetic history.” Rapid Assessment for Faucheux, Nicky M. H. American This article discusses a new methodology for Identifying Species of Fisheries rapidly quantifying the threat assessment for Greatest Conservation Society. October species to be better able to justify what Need: Towards a Unified 2019. Vol. 44 species require conservation and protection Approach Issue 10, pp measures. This study focused on 50 different 488-497 species of fish in three different ecoregions of Texas (including the Fountain Darter). In general, this methodology corresponded well with USFWS, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and species of greatest conservation need (SGCN), although they also identified some additional species that might benefit from conservation measures. They determined that their rapid quantitative assessment was successful in providing quantitative information on the species and removing the subjectivity of expert opinions relied on by current conservation practices. List of Articles and Reports Completed Since the 2018 Annual Report Title Author(s) Publication Study Summary1 Ex situ phenology of Hutchinson, Jeffrey T. Aquatic Botany. This study examined the phenology of the Zizania texana, an Feb 2019. Vol. federally endangered aquatic macrophyte endangered aquatic 153, pp 88-94. Zizania texana (Texas wild-rice or TWR) macrophyte, under under different water velocities ex situ over different water velocities. 24 months. Study results indicated that TWR has fast initial growth rates in flowing water; plants in slower flows produced greater numbers of flowers and tillers as well as greater numbers of seeds; the life cycle from seed to seed production is less than or equal to 31 weeks; the plant reproduces by both sexual and asexual propagules; self- fertilization is prevented by differential development of pistillate and staminate spikelets, which enhances genetic diversity; and greater root than shoot growth occurs at 24 months, possibly as an evolutionary function to increase survival rate in extreme flow conditions. COVERED SPECIES LITERATURE Literature from 2019 Life-History Aspects Kosnicki, Ely ResearchGate. In studies conducted for the EAA, the Peck’s of Stygobromus pecki. Julius, Eric Jan 2019. cave amphipod (Stygobromus pecki) was Technical investigated with the goals of developing a Report. better understanding of the life history of the species and contributing information towards the improvement of captive propagation of the species, consistent with the goals and objectives of the EAHCP. Specific study goals included improved understanding of sexual dimorphism, estimation of growth rates, estimation of the number of molts or length of time required for individuals to reach maturity, compilation of information related to fecundity, and development of a better understanding of mating behavior and of feeding preferences. Study results provided additional knowledge about the life history and environmental requirements of the species and resulted in specific recommendations regarding improved management practices for the captive refuge population. List of Articles and Reports Completed Since the 2018 Annual Report Title Author(s) Publication Study Summary1 Life-history aspects of the Kosnicki, Ely ResearchGate. This study was conducted for the EAA to Comal Springs dryopid Julius, Eric Jan 2019. develop a better understanding of the life beetle (Stygoparnus Technical history of the Comal Springs dryopid beetle comalensis) and notes on Report. (Stygoparnus comalensis) and to contribute life-history aspects of the information towards the improvement of Comal Springs riffle captive propagation of this species, beetle (Heterelmis consistent with the goals and objectives of comalensis). the EAHCP. Specific study goals included development of improved understanding of habitat requirements, sexual dimorphism, mating and oviposition requirements, egg incubation rates, larval habitat requirements, larval growth, and adult response to flow. While many questions remain unanswered regarding the life cycle and life history of this species, new insights were revealed as a result of the studies performed. COVERED SPECIES LITERATURE Literature from 2019 Determining Sexual Kosnicki, Ely Journal of Insect This study examined a number of potential Dimorphism of Living Science. 2019. methods for reliably distinguishing the sex of Aquatic Beetles, 19(4): 9, pp 1-5 living Comal Springs dryopid beetle and Stygoparnus comalensis Comal Springs riffle beetles to facilitate (Coleoptera: Dryopidae) development of a captive self-propagating and Heterelmis refuge. Methods evaluated included comalensis (Coleoptera: measurements to test for sexually dimorphic Elmidae), Using Internal allometries and use of various lighting Abdominal Structures. techniques to test for distinguishing gender- specific characteristics. Lateral lighting was found useful in discerning specific physiological differences between males and females in the riffle beetle. The report includes commentary regarding the use of cameras and photography for observing living subjects. List of Articles and Reports Completed Since the 2018 Annual Report Title Author(s) Publication Study Summary1 COVERED SPECIES LITERATURE Literature from 2019 A Vavraia‑like Yu, Xue Parasites & Unexpected and increased mortality rates of microsporidium Hoyle, Rachel L. Vectors. 2019. Eurycea salamanders over the past few as the cause of deadly Guo, Fengguang Volume 12, years at the captive breeding program in a infection in threatened Ratliff, Cameron M. Article number:
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