A Survey of Crayfishes, Aquatic and Benthic Fishes of concern inhabiting the Sabine, Red, and Calcasieu River Systems in

Submitted to:

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries 2000 Quail Drive, Room 439 P.O. Box 98000 Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000

Submitted by:

LSU AGRICULTURAL CENTER P.O. BOX 25071 BATON ROUGE, LA 70894-5071

______Michael D. Kaller Research Assistant Professor Renewable Natural Resources

______William E. Kelso Professor Renewable Natural Resources

Approved for Submission:

______William B. Richardson, Chancellor and Chalkley Family Endowed Chair

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Project Title: A Survey of Crayfishes, Aquatic Insects, and Benthic Fishes of concern inhabiting the Sabine, Red, and Calcasieu River Systems in Louisiana

Principal Investigators: Dr. Michael D. Kaller, 225-578-0012, [email protected] Dr. William E. Kelso, 225-578-4176, [email protected] A. Raynie Harlan, 225-578-4071, [email protected] Tiffany E. Pasco, 225-578-4071, [email protected] School of Renewable Natural Resources 227 RNR Building Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Baton Rouge, LA 70803

Introduction

Louisiana’s streams and rivers support extremely diverse and productive fish and invertebrate populations that provide the basis for important recreational and commercial fisheries to aquatic resource users. Perhaps more importantly, these populations are critical links in the aquatic food web and are important bio-indicators of lotic system health, which has become increasingly threatened during the last century from nutrient enrichment, destruction and alteration, disruption of riparian zone function, excessive sedimentation, and invasion of exotic plants and , as outlined in Louisiana’s

Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (LACWCS 2005, p. 49). Louisiana is located at a biogeographically important nexus for invertebrates with one of the highest potential diversities in North

America due to the overlap of the southern range of Neartic temperate species and northern extent of

Neartic tropical species, specifically in the vicinity of 30o north latitude, and speciation on either side of the

Mississippi River. These unique freshwater invertebrate assemblages provide ecosystem services not

only in the immediate area but also to downstream rivers and estuaries. Aquatic Invertebrates and fishes

improve water quality through biogeochemical cycling, and are important in linking terrestrial productivity

and nutrient input to aquatic biomass and energy, and then reversing the nutrient and energy flow during

emergence, providing a food source for not only aquatic species but terrestrial species as well

(e.g., otters, raccoons and birds). Due to their physiology and reproductive strategies, these invertebrates and fishes have also become seriously threatened in the past century from increased siltation, degraded water quality, and pervasive habitat alterations, particularly regarding reduced inputs of woody debris as riparian zones have been cleared of their forest cover (LACWCS 2005, p. 48, 193).

Louisiana’s lotic systems need to be effectively managed to maintain biodiversity and productivity, promote habitat diversity and function, and protect the quality and quantity of water that supports 3

Louisiana’s industrial, agricultural, municipal, and recreational interests. The number of streams on

Louisiana’s 319-d impaired water body list attests to the continued impacts of land use activities on

sediment deposition and water quality deficiencies. Knowledge of faunal assemblage composition and

abundance in the state’s flowing water can provide critical information that addresses all of these

issues, and will yield baseline data for current, short-term assessments of ecosystem health, as well as evaluations of long-term changes in biodiversity, aquatic productivity, water quality, and habitat suitability.

Project Need

Conservation efforts directed at re-establishing or maintaining Louisiana’s aquatic biodiversity necessarily depend on accurate and comprehensive surveys of the present distribution and abundance of organisms inhabiting the state’s aquatic systems (LACWCS 2005). Louisiana has a diversity of bayous, streams, and rivers that exhibit substantial spatial and temporal variability in geomorphology, water quality, depth, flow velocity, substrate type, and habitat complexity, not only at an ecoregional scale, but also among and within the various lotic systems that comprise each of the state’s major watersheds.

Implementation of a thorough and systematic sampling program can provide numerous benefits to aquatic resource managers, including distribution records, relative abundance estimates, habitat inventories, and water quality data. In particular, surveys can provide critical information on the current distribution and population status of rare, threatened, and endangered fishes and invertebrates, as well as other species that exhibit restricted distributions (at least based on past collection records) and may be of future conservation concern. Moreover, habitat and water quality information can be combined with fish and invertebrate distribution and abundance data to yield assessments of ecosystem impairment and potential mitigation strategies.

A number of interesting freshwater organisms occur in the southwestern portion of Louisiana, which is primarily made up of the Western Gulf Plain and South Central Plains ecoregions (Figure 1).

Many streams and rivers in this region flow through Western Pine Savannah and Western Xeric Sandhill

Woodland habitats as well as seasonally wet prairies and agricultural lands with relatively low-elevation slopes. Of the 20 crayfishes included in Louisiana’s list of Species of Conservation Concern, 9 occur in the Calcasieu, Red, and Sabine drainages that flow through the western and west-central portions of the state (Table 1). Of the 28 fishes included in Louisiana’s list of Species of Conservation Concern, 6 likely 4

occur in the wadeable portions of these river systems (Table 2). Although there are many insects of concern on the state list, 11 aquatic taxa that can be identified with any confidence are likely to occur in the habitats we will be sampling in these streams (Table 3).

Crayfishes often exhibit habitat associations based on stream structure and function, e.g., channel size, current velocity, substrate particle size, the abundance of allochthonous organic matter, and sufficient dissolved calcium for hardening their exoskeletons after molting. Fish species also tend to exhibit habitat associations that are based on stream size, including species mostly found in moderate sized tributaries (western sand darter, channel darter and bigscale ), and those that are more characteristic of smaller, headwater streams (bluehead shiner, sabine shiner, and suckermouth minnow).

Aquatic insect distribution and abundance can be linked to a number of instream characteristics, including water quality, substrate composition, woody debris abundance, and the composition of the vertebrate and invertebrate predator assemblage.

Because of differences in stream size and habitat complexity, a multi-gear sampling program is necessary to adequately determine present-day fish and invertebrate distributions and abundances. This proposal focuses on sampling programs in small streams, i.e., those that can be waded under base flow conditions and are amenable to shallow-water electrofishing and seining for fishes and crayfishes, as well as Hess sampling and woody debris collections for invertebrates. Our sampling program will therefore target small to moderate-sized streams in central and western Louisiana to determine the distribution and abundance of the species of concern listed in Tables 1-3, and will also generate date on habitat characteristics and water quality in the streams to assess habitat-biota associations and serve as baseline data for future studies. 5

Table 1. Crayfish species of concern that have been found historically found in wadeable portions of the Sabine, Red, and Calcasieu River systems. Concern denotes global (G) and state (S) ranks.

Common Name Species Concern Pine Hills Crawfish Fallicambarus dissitus G4 – S2 Sabine Fencing Crawfish Faxonella beyeri G4 – S2

Calcasieu Painted Crawfish Orconectes blacki G2 – S1 Teche Painted Crawfish Orconectes hathawayi G3 – S3 Kisatchie Painted Crawfish Orconectes maletae G2 – S2 Southwestern Creek Crawfish Procambarus dupratzi G5 (should be G2/G3) – S2

Twin Crawfish Procambarus geminus G3G4 – S2

Caddo Chimney Crawfish Procambarus machardyi G1G2 – S1 Calcasieu Creek Crawfish Procambarus pentastylus G3 – S3

Table 2. Fish species of concern that have been found historically found in wadeable portions of the Sabine, Red, and Calcasieu River systems. Concern denotes global (G) and state (S) ranks. Common Name Species Concern Western sand darter Ammocrypta clara G3 – S2 Sabine shiner sabinae G4 – S2S3 Channel darter copelandi G4 – S1S2 Bigscale logperch Percina macrolepida G5 – S1S2 Suckermouth minnow Phenacobius mirabilis G5 – S1 Bluehead shiner hubbsi G3 – S2

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Table 3. Aquatic insects of concern that may be present in wadeable portions of the Sabine, Red, and Calcasieu River systems. Concern denotes global (G) and state (S) ranks.

Common Name Species Concern Hodges Clubtail Gomphus hodgesi G3 – S1 Pitcher Plant Spiketail Cordulegaster sarracenia G1 – S1 Emerald margarita G2 – S2

Schoolhouse Springs Needlefly Leuctra szczytkoi G2 – S1 Little Dubiraphian Riffle Beetle1 Dubiraphia parva1 G1G3 – S1 A Net-spinning Caddisfly Diplectrona rossi G1 – S1 Morse's Net-spinning Caddisfly Cheumatopsyche morsei G1G3 – S1

Holzenthal's Philopotamid Caddisfly Chimarra holzenthali G1G2 – S1

Molson's Microcaddisfly Hydroptila molsonae G2G3 – S1

A Purse Casemaker Caddisfly Hydroptila ouachita G1G2 – S1

Hydroptilad Caddisfly Hydroptila poirrieri G2 – S2 1. Dubiraphia parva is known from previous LSU sampling 2002-2005 in the Calcasieu River watershed (Kaller and Kelso 2007).

Background

Crayfishes

Although Louisiana contains a diverse crayfish fauna, historical information concerning their distribution and abundance is lacking, as is data regarding life history and habitat requirements (but see

Walls 2009). The following habitat associations were reported in Walls (2009). The crayfish Orconectes blacki, O. hathawayi, O. maleate, Procambarus geminus, P. dupratzi, and P.pentastylus, are associated with cool, sandy streams with leaf litter and woody debris, hence, usually forested. Conversely, ditches, sloughs, bayous, and backwaters with soft bottoms and vegetation are associated with Fallicambarus dissitus and Faxonella beyeri. The crayfish Procambarus machardyi is associated with forested, intermittent streams. Some collection information exists in project reports, theses and dissertations, and other technical reports and agency publications, and as many of these sources as possible will be accessed to determine species identity and sampling locations (see Figure 1 and Kaller et al. 2013).

These reports will be used to identify sampling sites of high probability of encountering crayfish of 7

concern either by direct reports or by reports of crayfish, fish, or insect species commonly associated with

a given crayfish.

Fishes

Much of the historical information on collection locations for Louisiana fishes can be found in

Douglas (1974), DeWalt (1995, 1997) and Kaller et al. (2013). Other collection information may exist in additional project reports, theses and dissertations not discussed by the aforementioned resources, and other technical reports and agency publications, and as many of these sources as possible will be accessed to determine sampling locations. Some information exists for each of these fishes, and may be particularly important for assessing habitat suitability and the probability that these species are maintaining viable populations (Douglas 1974):

Percina copelandi – Channel darter. This delicate tan, brown-spotted darter seldom exceeds 2.5 inches in length. The body and fins of males darken greatly during breeding and a blue-green sheen develops over the sides of the body. The channel darter requires clean sand bottoms to spawn and prefers large clean streams with moderate currents. This species is listed as a species of critical concern in Louisiana and was collected from Beckwith Creek in southwestern Louisiana from 2005 to 2007 despite the historical eastern Louisiana distribution reported by Douglas (1974).

Percina macrolepida – Bigscale logperch. This can only be distinguished from P. caprodes by critical examination of the number of lateral bars (P. macrolepida have fewer bars than P. caprodes).

The bigscale logperch differs further in lacking the submarginal yellow-orange band in the first dorsal fin and the subocular bar. Historically, this fish has been found in the Sabine River system of Louisiana and is listed as an imperiled species of concern by the state of Louisiana.

Ammocrypta clara – Western sand darter. This darter inhabits large rivers with large substrates.

It is an elongate, incompletely scales translucent darter with a long head and large eyes. In Louisiana, this species can be found in the Red and Sabine river systems and is listed as an imperiled species of concern.

Phenacobius mirabilis – Suckermouth minnow. This is a unique minnow in that the mouth is inferior and the lips are fleshy but without folds, ridges and papillae characteristic of suckers. At the state level, this minnow appears to be limited to extreme western portion of Louisiana. The impoundment of

Toledo Bend Reservoir and other reservoirs in that area have reduced the numbers and distribution of 8

this species due to their association with shallow, riffle areas. This species is listed as a species of critical

concern in Louisiana.

Pteronotropis hubbsi – Bluehead shiner. This species has distinctively lobed dorsal and pelvic fins and inhabits backwater habitat usually near vegetation over mud or sand. The bluehead shiner is closely related to the . Historic distributions include the Red and systems of , Louisiana and Texas. In recent collections of this species, researchers have reported drastic population fluctuations of this minnow, which is listed as an imperiled species of concern in

Louisiana.

Notropis sabinae – Sabine shiner. This small shiner is pale greenish yellow that does not exhibit bright breeding colors. Dorsally, there is a faint cross hatching presented by marginally pigmented scales, and this minnow closely resembles the longnose shiner N. longirostris, which is distributed east of the . The Sabine shiner is restricted to substrates of fine, silt free sand but is considered a habitat generalist. Historical distributions range from Texas to the Red and Calcasieu River of

Louisiana, and we collected this species in the Calcasieu River from 2005-2007. This species is listed as a species of concern in Louisiana.

Aquatic Insects

Among all aquatic fauna, Louisiana’s aquatic insects are the least understood. Excluding species

descriptions (see below), the number of broad research investigations into the distribution and limiting factors of Louisiana’s aquatic insects are very few compared to other taxa (Stewart et al. 1976; Barr and

Chapin 1981; Sloey 1992; DeWalt 1995; DeWalt 1997; Drury and Kelso 2000; Alley 2004; Williams et al.

2005; Kaller and Kelso 2006a, b, c; Kaller and Kelso 2007; Mize et al. 2008; Markos 2009; Kaller and

Kelso 2010; Kaller and Hudson 2010; Klimesh 2011; Mize et al. 2012; Kaller et al. 2013). Further, the tremendous number and scope of taxonomic revisions renders studies much older than the late 1980s difficult to reconcile with more recent reports. Lastly, a final complication with insect studies lies with the selected level of taxonomic precision of most research studies (e.g., genus or family), compared with strictly taxonomic investigations at the species level. It is entirely possible that several of the following species are more common than believed, but have been under-reported. Published sampling locations and data through 2006 (summarized in Kaller et al. 2013), as well as guidance from more recent studies will be used to identify sampling sites of high probability of encountering aquatic insects of concern either 9

by direct reports or by reports of crayfish, fish, or insect species commonly associated with a given

aquatic insect.

Gomphus hodgesi - Hodges Clubtail has been primarily described as a sand stream dweller occurring in Florida and Alabama. In Louisiana, Hodges Clubtail has only been reported in the eastern portion of the State (http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/insects/dfly/la/214.htm). However, the western region has been sampled far less extensively, and this species may occur in western sandy streams.

Cordulegaster sarracenia - Pitcher Plant Spiketail is associated with springs, seeps, and small lentic habitats. Given the low gradient nature of western Louisiana streams, it is possible that this species may be present in extreme headwaters or in side channels. Although other members of the genus

Cordulegaster are widespread, the Pitcher Plant Spiketail, although reported to range from Texas through

Florida (Abbott and Hibbitts 2011) has been only reported in western Louisiana.

Somatochlora margarita - Texas Emerald is known from six streams draining loblolly pine forests in Texas (5) and Louisiana (1). It is considered to have one of the most restricted distributions of its genus (Abbott and Myndart 2007).

Leuctra szczytkoi - Schoolhouse Springs Needlefly was described in Louisiana in by Stewart and

Stark (1981). This species, like other Leuctrids, is associated with sand and gravel bed streams and accumulations of detritus, which provide food and cover. Given that the type locality was an artesian spring, this species is likely restricted to extreme headwaters. Leuctrids are uncommon in Louisiana and only seasonally reported by Kaller and Kelso (2007).

Dubiraphia parva - Little Dubiraphian Riffle Beetle is widely known from Texas through Florida.

This species is associated with sandy streams and accumulations of woody debris. It has been collected recently in Louisiana and appears to be locally abundant but not widespread (Kaller and Kelso 2007).

Diplectrona rossi – A Net-spinning Caddisfly was described in the same type habitat as Leuctra sczykoi by Morse and Barr (1990). This species requires crevices in hard structures for pupating and feeds from the water column with spun nets, suggesting a vulnerability to sedimentation and loss of large woody debris. Notably, this species has not been reported outside of Louisiana, and recent efforts to collect this species in its type locality have been unsuccessful (D. Hudson, formerly U.S. Army Fort Polk, pers. comm.). 10

Cheumatopsyche morsei – Morse's Net-spinning Caddisfly was reported in Louisiana by Gordon

(1974). Caddisflies in this genera are case-builders and are associated with sandy or gravel substrates in lotic habitats. Cases are generally affixed to hard substrates. The need for hard substrates and feeding from the water column by spun nets suggest that this species could be negatively impacted by sedimentation and loss of large woody debris. This genus is quite widespread in Louisiana, although this species has not been widely reported.

Chimarra holzenthali - Holzenthal's Philopotamid Caddisfly is found in lotic systems in higher velocity areas. Unusually, the larvae of this family construct silken cases that do not include hard particles from the substrate. Feeding is from the water column by a spun net, suggesting vulnerability to sedimentation. This species was reported in Louisiana by Lago and Harris (1987). This genus is quite common in Louisiana in all types of lotic systems across a variety of substrate types and water chemistry conditions, although reports of this species are uncommon.

Hydroptila ouachita - Molson's Microcaddisfly is found in forested artesian spring habitats.

Caddisflies in Hydroptila are among the smallest in the order Trichoptera. Although the aquatic larvae are typically found without cases, larvae are case builders and are obligates for hard substrates to attach cases, suggesting that sedimentation and loss of woody debris could negative affect this organism. This species was reported in Louisiana by Holzenthal and Kelley (1983) from the same type location as

Diplectrona rossi and Leuctra sczykoi. Given that its type locality was an artesian spring, this species is likely restricted to extreme headwaters. Like Cheumatopsyche and Chimarra, members of the genus

Hydroptila are widespread in Louisiana, although reports of this species are uncommon.

Hydroptila poirrieri - Hydroptilad Caddisfly has been reported as widely distributed in lotic habitats

Louisiana and Mississippi (Harris et al. 1982). More than any other species of aquatic insect on this list, given the reports by Harris et al. (1982), it is likely that this species has been historically underreported rather than being truly rare. 11

Figure 1. Distribution of historical crayfish, aquatic insect, and fish sampling between 1990-2010. These historical locations were derived from projects funded by SWG (grey circles), Louisiana Department of

Environmental Quality (black circles), and federal agencies (black triangles). Figure reproduced from

Kaller et al. (2013).

Objectives

1. To determine the distribution and abundance of crayfishes, aquatic insects, and fishes inhabiting wadeable mainstem and tributary stream habitats in the Sabine, Red, and Calcasieu River systems, with special emphasis on historical collection locations for taxa of conservation concern.

2. To describe the habitat characteristics of streams inhabited by Louisiana crayfishes, aquatic insects, and fishes of concern.

Expected Results and Benefits

This proposal directly addresses the goals of the SWG program by focusing on the distribution and abundance patterns of at least 9 crayfish, 6 fishes, and 11 aquatic insects currently on the Louisiana list of unique, rare species of concern. In addition, information from these inventories will be invaluable for determining the health and productivity of these stream systems based on the numbers, population structure, distribution, and abundance of crayfishes, fishes, and aquatic insects inhabiting the sampled stream and river reaches. Crayfishes and many aquatic insects provide important functions in the 12

processing of terrestrially-derived detritus, as well as preying upon other invertebrates and fishes. Fishes

are typically present at all levels of aquatic food webs, from primary consumers to top carnivores. The

relative abundance of different species can provide important information on stream condition. Moreover,

declining habitat suitability and water quality often result in lowered reproductive success, reduced

survival, or emigration of sensitive species, all of which are reflected in the abundance and assemblage

composition of the resident aquatic community. Perhaps most importantly, this study will also identify

habitat characteristics that are associated with diverse crayfish, fish, and aquatic insect assemblages and

species of concern, which could result in recommendations for habitat improvement (e.g., restoration of

riparian forest cover) aimed at improving or restoring aquatic biodiversity. Sampling efforts each year will

result in updated species distribution maps for all crayfishes, fishes, and aquatic insects encountered

during the study, and the final report will also include statistical examination of aquatic assemblage

composition, associations among taxa, and associations between taxa with habitat.

Approach

Specific sampling protocols for the study will incorporate electrofishing and seining, Hess

sampling, and woody debris collections, as well as assessments of water quality and habitat. One sampling reach will be identified at each collection locality in each stream or bayou, and all appropriate sampling gears will be employed in each reach. We propose to sample a minimum of 11 sites each year for two years, with potentially half of the sites during year 2 located near sampling reaches that yielded species of concern during year 1. A maximum of 22 unique sites will be sampled. We will begin site selection by incorporating as many of the mainstem and tributary sites displayed in Figure 1 as possible into the year 1 sampling scheme. Sampling will begin when spring water levels decline and remain relatively stable near baseflow conditions, which typically occurs in May and continues through

November. We will sample throughout this period to increase the chances of encountering the aquatic insect taxa (emergence times vary among species; Kaller and Hudson 2010), fishes (some species move to larger streams during the fall), and crayfishes (some are burrowing taxa that may be less seasonally active) although non-burrowing crayfishes will likely be relatively abundant throughout the year. a. All sampling will be conducted after spring spawning (for most taxa) during low water conditions when

streams are near base flow. The exact dates of sampling will vary across years depending on rainfall 13

and temperature fluctuations, but it is anticipated that the majority of sampling will run from

approximately 1 July through September 2013 and 1 April through 30 July 2014 (shorter duration

because of revisiting previously sampled sites), although additional sampling trips during the winter

(October – March) may be included as stream conditions pemit. b. One 150-m (stream length) sampling reach will be identified in each stream, with reach locations

recorded by a GPS unit. Reaches will typically be located >100 m above bridge access points to

eliminate bridge effects on stream width, depth, riparian canopy, etc (Barbour et al. 1999; Gordon et al.

2004). c. Fishes and crayfishes in each reach will be sampled with two passes of backpack electrofishing units,

followed by a minimum of three seine hauls (minimum 5-m long seine with 6.25 mm mesh) through run

and pool habitats within the reach, if conditions permit. These collections will be analyzed separately in

order to facilitate between-stream comparisons, as seining may not be possible in all streams. Aquatic

insects will be sampled by Hess sampler (2 per reach) and woody debris grabs (2 per reach; described

in Kaller and Kelso 2006c). The combination of gears is needed because of a high degree of habitat

affinity between sand and gravel associates and woody debris associates (Kaller and Kelso 2010). d. At each site, water temperature (oC), dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/l), specific conductance

(µmhos/cm), ph, and turbidity (NTUs) will be recorded with a YSI® in situ water quality monitor. e. Depth (cm) and flow velocity (cm/sec) will be recorded with a Sontek® low-velocity flow meter and a

graduated wading rod at three locations (25, 50, and 75% of stream width) along 10 transects spaced

evenly along the length of each reach perpendicular to the bank. Substrate type (percent sand, gravel,

and silt) and woody debris abundance (number and diameter of sticks) will be quantified within a 0.5-m

circle around each sampling point along each transect. Bank height and riparian vegetation type

(trees, brush, grass, etc.) will be recorded at both ends of each transect, and overstory cover will be

quantified at the center of the upper, middle, and lower transects of each reach with a spherical

densiometer.

Statistical Analyses

All data will be recorded on Excel spreadsheets, with master data files stored at LDWF and

Louisiana State University. These data will provide important information on the distribution and

abundance of crayfishes, aquatic insects, and benthic fishes in Louisiana’s lotic systems. We will 14

generate observed and predicted spatial distribution maps (e.g., spatial point processes and/or

maximum entropy models) for all species, which will be particularly important for rare taxa and species

of concern. We will also use these data to assess the productivity and habitat suitability of sampled

stream systems by assessing the diversity and condition of resident crayfishes, aquatic insects, and

benthic fishes. All data will be analyzed with ARC/MAP, SAS/STAT, or Program R, as appropriate.

For each sampling location, we will estimate crayfish, aquatic insect, and fish relative abundance,

species richness, evenness and diversity. Habitat, physicochemical, and watershed data will be

analyzed with multivariate techniques (e.g., structural equation models) to identify depauperate

assemblages and identify systems in need of rehabilitation. In addition, these data can be used in

generalized mixed linear models or state space models, if autocorrelation is an issue, based on water

quality and habitat variables (including stream gradient, watershed size, and watershed land use

obtained from GIS databases) to identify those factors associated with diverse and abundant fish and

mussel communities, and conversely, which environmental factors may be responsible for poor

community structure in systems. It is important to note that stream systems in the state exhibit

tremendous natural variability in flow and water quality, and it is critical that aquatic assemblage

comparisons be made among comparable systems or on data conditioned by covariates to maximize

effectiveness of the analyses.

Budget Justification

We are proposing a 2-year project, with 1 faculty member, 1 graduate assistant, and 1/3 time for a student worker dedicated to the sampling effort and analyses of the data. The faculty member will be responsible for identifications of aquatic insects, crayfish, and fishes of concern and project administration and reporting. The graduate assistant will generate his/her thesis from these collections, and depending on species abundances, the research efforts may focus on the ecology, distribution, abundance, and status of species of special concern. We already have backpack electrofishing units, seines, Hess samplers, and woody debris grab samplers to sample wadeable streams. Items included in the proposal budget include supplies such as chemicals, jars, nets, and waders, all of which will be used to collect, hold and transport samples from the field to LSU, as well as to curate specimens from the collections in the School of Renewable Natural Resources building on the LSU campus. Travel will include extended field trips to more remote sites requiring overnight accommodations. Matching for the grant will come 15

from salaries (approx. 10% of the co-PI’s time), fringe benefits, and indirect costs that are contributed at

42% MTDC on salary and fringe benefits contributed and unrecovered indirect costs(21%), which match totals $29,608 each year.

Total SWG Request: $99,998 Total Match: $59,216 Total Project Cost: $159,214

Budget Year 1 Year 2 Fed. $ Match $ Fed. $ Match $ Salaries Professional 5,600 11,000 5,600 11,000 Fringe benefits @ 40% 2,240 4,400 2,240 4,400 Graduate assistant 18,000 18,000 Fringe @ 3% 540 540 Tuition (30%) 5,400 5,400 Student Workers (459 hrs, @$8/hr.) 3,679 3,679 Supplies (gasoline, jars, chemicals, nets, waders, coolers, length boards, scales, tape measures, printing and plotting supplies, clipboards) 5,000 5,000 Travel [housing during extended field trips, 15 nights at $120 per night (two rooms) 1,800 1,800 Total Direct Cost 42,259 15,400 42,259 15,400 Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) 36,859 36,859 Indirect (21% MTDC) 7,740 7,740 Indirect (42% MTDC) 6,468 6,468 Unrecovered Indirect Costs (21% MTDC) 7,740 7,740 Total Costs 49,999 29,608 49,999 29,608

Key Personnel Qualifications and Experiences

The principal investigators have a combined 47 peer-reviewed publications and 7 book chapters on freshwater aquatic insects, crayfish, and/or fishes. They have administered over grants and contracts over a nearly 30 year period.

Michael D. Kaller – Principal taxonomic expert for aquatic insects and crayfish and project administration. Published 13 peer-reviewed papers and 3 book chapters on freshwater fishes, insects, and/or crayfish. Previous experience with two SWG projects.

William E. Kelso - Principal taxonomic expert for fishes. Published 44 peer-reviewed papers and 6 book chapters on freshwater fishes, insects, and/or crayfish. Previous experience with two SWG projects

A. Raynie Harlan – Co-principal field coordinator for project. Previous experience with two SWG projects.

Tiffany Pasco – Co-principal field coordinator for project.

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Literature Cited

Abbott, J.C. and T.D. Hibbetts. 2011. Cordulegaster sarracenia, n. sp. (: Cordulegastridae) from east Texas and western Louisiana, with a key to adult Cordulegastridae of the New World. Zootaxa 2899: 60-68

Abbott, J.C. and G. Myndardt. 2007. Description of the larva of Somatochlora margarita (Odonata: Corduiiidae). International Journal of Odonatology 10: 129-136.

Alley, V. 2004. Analysis of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Associations in Low Gradient Streams of the Kisatchie National Forest (Central Louisiana, USA). M.S. Thesis. University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Barbour, M. T., B. D. Gerritsen, B. D. Snyder, and J. B. Stribling. 1999. Rapid bioassessment protocols for use in streams and wadeable rivers: periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish, second edition. EPA 841-B-99-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, D.C.

Barr, C.B. and J.B. Chapin. 1981. The aquatic Dryopedia of Louisiana (Coleoptera: Psephenidae, Dryopidae, Elmidae). Tulane Studies in Zoology and Botany 26: 91-164.

DeWalt, R. E. 1995. Biological communities of reference streams in the South Central Plains and Upper Mississippi Alluvial Plains ecoregions of Louisiana. Report Submitted to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Baton Rouge, LA.

DeWalt, R. E. 1997. Fish and macroinvertebrate taxonomic richness, habitat quality, and in-situ water chemistry of ecoregion reference streams in the Western Gulf Coastal Plains and Terrace Upland ecoregions of southern Louisiana. Report Submitted to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, LDEQ contract 24400-95-19, Baton Rouge, LA.

Douglas, N. H. 1974. Freshwater Fishes of Louisiana. Claitor’s Publishing Division. Baton Rouge, LA. 239 pp.

Drury, D. L., and W. E. Kelso. 2000. Invertebrate colonization of woody debris in coastal plain streams. Hydrobiologia: 434:63-72.

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