Status of the Brassy (Hybognathus hankinsoni) in

Alberta Wildlife Status Report No. 68 Status of the (Hybognathus hankinsoni) in Alberta

Prepared for: Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) Alberta Conservation Association (ACA)

Prepared by: Duane S. Radford and Michael Sullivan This report has been reviewed, revised, and edited prior to publication. It is an ESRD/ACA working document that will be revised and updated periodically.

Alberta Wildlife Status Report No. 68

July 2014

Published By:

i i ISBN No. 978-1-4601-0461-3 (On-line Edition) ISSN: 1499-4682 (On-line Edition)

Series Editors: Sue Peters, Robin Gutsell, and Shevenell Webb Cover illustration: Brian Huffman Maps: Velma Hudson, Laura MacPherson

For copies of this report, visit our web site at: http://esrd.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/species-at-risk/ (click on “Species at Risk Publications & Web Resources”), or http://www.ab-conservation.com/go/default/index.cfm/publications/conservation-reports/ (click on “Alberta Wildlife Status Reports”)

OR

Contact: Alberta Government Library 11th Floor, Capital Boulevard Building 10044-108 Street Edmonton AB T5J 5E6 http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Library.cfm [email protected] 780-427-2985

This publication may be cited as:

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 2014. Status of the Brassy Minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) in Alberta. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. Alberta Wildlife Status Report No. 68. Edmonton, AB. 31 pp.

ii DEDICATION

This status report is dedicated to Dr. Joseph S. Nelson (1937–2011) who started working at the University of Alberta in 1968 as an Assistant Professor of Zoology, and retired as a Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences in 2002. He served as Associate Chair and Acting Chair for the Department of Zoology, and as Associate Dean, student services, Faculty of Science, 1995–2000. Dr. Nelson had many different fisheries research interests including non-game species, in particular. In addition to publishing more than 100 research papers on , he co-authored The Fishes of Alberta (two editions) with Dr. M. J. Paetz, and authored Fishes of the World (four editions). He received many awards for his research during a long and distinguished career, the last being the William E. Ricker Resource Conservation Award from the American Fisheries Society in 2011. He has the honour of being the only Canadian to receive The Robert H. Gibbs Jr. Memorial Award for an outstanding body of published work in systematic ichthyology, handed out by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. Dr. Nelson was widely regarded as the dean of ichthyology in Alberta and was highly respected in the scientific community throughout the world. He kept busy with various hobbies—genealogy, astronomy and karate—and as a devoted family man, married to Claudine.

His passion for fishes and strong sense of ethical environmentalism is lovingly illustrated byhis wise yet humorous response interjected into a heated government/industry discussion about fragmentation and culverts, “Anyone who prevents sticklebacks from spawning should be made to suffer the same fate”. Thanks for your wisdom, Joe.

ii iii PREFACE

Every five years, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development reviews the general status of wildlife species in Alberta. These overviews, which have been conducted in 1991 (The Status of Alberta Wildlife), 1996 (The Status of Alberta Wildlife), 2000 (The General Status of Alberta Wild Species 2000), 2005 (The General Status of Alberta Wild Species 2005), and 2010 (The General Status of Alberta Wild Species 2010), assign individual species “ranks” that reflect the perceived level of risk to populations that occur in the province. Such designations are determined from extensive consultations with professional and amateur biologists, and from a variety of readily available sources of population data. A key objective of these reviews is to identify species that may be considered for more detailed status determinations.

The Alberta Wildlife Status Report Series is an extension of the general status exercise, and provides comprehensive current summaries of the biological status of selected wildlife species in Alberta. Priority is given to species that are At Risk or May Be At Risk in the province, that are of uncertain status (Undetermined), or that are considered to be at risk at a national level by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Reports in this series are published and distributed by Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. They are intended to provide detailed and up-to-date information that will be useful to resource professionals for managing populations of species and their habitats in the province. The reports are also designed to provide current information that will assist Alberta’s Endangered Species Conservation Committee in identifying species that may be formally designated as Endangered or Threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act. To achieve these goals, the reports have been authored and/or reviewed by individuals with unique local expertise in the biology and management of each species.

iv EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) is known from three disjunct subpopulations in Alberta: the Milk drainage in southeastern Alberta; Musreau in the basin in northwestern Alberta; and in the near Ft. McMurray in northeastern Alberta. Since 2000, the General Status of Alberta Wild Species has ranked it as Undetermined. Recent work and estimates of abundance suggest that although the total Alberta habitat area of brassy is very small (less than 8 km2), the total abundance of this likely numbers in the hundreds of thousands. The bulk of these numbers are in the Musreau Lake subpopulation, with much smaller numbers in the Milk River subpopulation, and an uncertain but likely very low number in the Lower Athabasca subpopulation. Less than 15 percent of its Canadian range and less than 5 percent of its North American range occurs in Alberta. The brassy minnow occurs in southern Canada from Quebec through British Columbia and south to Arkansas.

Ecologically, the brassy minnow appears adaptable throughout its range. Very little is known about its habitat requirements in Alberta, but it does appear to be highly adaptable to a range of pH levels, turbidity, water temperatures and dissolved oxygen levels based on the literature. It is, however, only abundant in the absence of predators. The brassy minnow is a forage fish of piscivorous species where their ranges overlap.

There are several threats to the brassy minnow subpopulations in Alberta: potential introduction of exotic species (Musreau Lake subpopulation); water use (including stream channelization for irrigation); extreme climatic fluctuations leading to drought; cold temperatures freezing overwintering pools solid; highly variable water levels (Milk River subpopulation); and oil and gas development (Musreau Lake and Lower Athabasca subpopulations). Additionally, their small and fragmented distribution makes individual subpopulations vulnerable to extreme climatic events (floods, droughts) and other chance events (industrial accidents such as oil spills).

iv v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We wish to acknowledge useful information and assistance provided by the following people: Terry Clayton (Senior Fisheries Biologist, Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development [ESRD], Lethbridge and Medicine Hat Area); Robin Gutsell (Wildlife Status Biologist, Non-game and Wildlife Disease, ESRD, Edmonton); Tina James (University of Alberta librarian), Craig Johnson (Area Fisheries Biologist, ESRD, Grande Prairie); Lauren Makowecki (Resource Data Biologist, ESRD, Edmonton), Sean McFadden (Royal Alberta Museum), Alicia Morin (Fisheries Technician, ESRD, ); Stuart M. Nadeau (Fish and Wildlife Data Management Specialist, ESRD, Edmonton); the late Dr. Joe Nelson (Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Science, University of Alberta); Sue Peters (Biologist, Alberta Conservation Association, Edmonton); Dr. Mark Poesch (Assistant Professor, Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta); Adrienne Radford (technical assistance); Mark Steinhilber (Royal Alberta Museum, Head of Life Sciences and former Curator of Ichthyology); Suzanne Brown (Fisheries Biologist, ESRD, Calgary); and Shevenell Webb (Wildlife Biologist, Alberta Conservation Association, Edmonton).

Preparation of this report was funded by Alberta Conservation Association and Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

vi TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE...... iv

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...... vi

INTRODUCTION...... 1

DISTRIBUTION...... 1

1. Alberta...... 1 1.1 Milk River Subpopulation...... 1 1.2 Musreau Lake Subpopulation...... 4 1.3 Lower Athabasca River Subpopulation...... 5 1.4 Province-wide Quantitative Distribution...... 5

2. Other Areas...... 6

HABITAT...... 8

CONSERVATION BIOLOGY...... 9

1. Species Identification...... 9

2. Meristics...... 10

3. Life History...... 10

4. Diet...... 11

5. Movement...... 11

POPULATION SIZE AND TRENDS...... 12

1. Alberta...... 12 1.1 Milk River Subpopulation...... 12 1.2 Musreau Lake Subpopulation...... 14 1.3 Lower Athabasca River Subpopulation...... 16 1.4 Provincial Population Size...... 16

2. Other Areas...... 16

3. Rescue Potential...... 17

LIMITING FACTORS...... 17

1. Milk River...... 17

2. Musreau Lake...... 17 vi vii TABLE OF CONTENTS continued:

3. Lower Athabasca River...... 18

STATUS DESIGNATIONS...... 18

1. Alberta...... 18

2. Other Areas...... 19

RECENT MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH IN ALBERTA...... 20

SYNTHESIS...... 20

LITERATURE CITED...... 21

Appendix 1. Definitions of status ranks and legal designations...... 25

Appendix 2. Summary of brassy minnow counts for each location they have been captured in Alberta, as retrieved from FWMIS in February 2012...... 27

Appendix 3. Technical Summary...... 28

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Distribution of brassy minnow in Alberta, based on data from the Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System of ESRD, and Nelson and Paetz (1992)...... 2

Figure 2. Fish sampling locations documented in Alberta’s provincial data base (Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System) using techniques expected to capture brassy minnows...... 3

Figure 3. Comparison of a) brassy minnow, b) fathead minnow and c) lake chub appearance...... 4

Figure 4. Area of occupancy of subpopulations within three disjunct populations of brassy minnows in Alberta...... 6

Figure 5. Distribution of the brassy minnow in ...... 7

Figure 6. Estimated abundance and 95% confidence intervals of brassy minnows (BRMN) caught in seine hauls in the Milk River drainages ...... 13

Figure 7. Estimated abundance of brassy minnows (BRMN) at Musreau Lake, 2006 to 2010...... 15

Figure 8. Length frequency distribution of brassy minnows (BRMN) caught in seine hauls at Musreau Lake, 25 June 1998...... 16

Figure 9. Satellite photo illustrating density of land uses near Musreau Lake, Alberta.....19

viii INTRODUCTION DISTRIBUTION

The brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) 1. Alberta - In Alberta, the brassy minnow is a member of the Minnow () occurs in three disjunct locations: the Milk Family. C. L. Hubbs first described the brassy River drainage and its tributaries (e.g., Lost minnow in 1929 (Nelson and Paetz 1992), River, Lodge Creek, Bare Creek, Kennedy whose name comes from Hybognathus, Creek, Red Creek); Musreau Lake (south of meaning protuberant jaw, and hankinsoni, after Grande Prairie in the drainage); Dr. T.L. Hankinson, a ichthyologist. and the Athabasca River near Fort McMurray According to Alberta Environment and (Figure 1 and Appendix 2). Extensive sampling Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD for small-bodied fishes using seine hauls, 2013), the Alberta General Status for brassy electrofishing, and minnow traps has occurred minnow is Undetermined*. The ranking at 66,845 locations in Alberta, as recorded in is based on work by Mackay (2000), but the provincial fish database (Fisheries and was examined and updated in 2005 and in Wildlife Management Information System 2010 (R. Gutsell pers. comm.). There is no [FWMIS], March 2014) (ESRD 2014). This designation for the species by the Committee has included intensive sampling at 288 on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada waterbodies in northern Alberta specifically (COSEWIC) to date, but it is considered a mid- targeting rare small-bodied fishes such as priority candidate for future status assessment brassy minnows (Steinhilber 2009). The three (COSEWIC 2014). subpopulations, however, include the only confirmed locations (Figure 2). In this report, Brassy minnows are found in clear, turbid and these three geographical groups will be referred stained (i.e., acidic muskeg) waters over a range to as “subpopulations,” but this does not imply of pH conditions. Brassy minnows are tolerant current evidence of genetic and demographic of extremely high summer water temperatures distinctions or relationships. up to 35.5°C and low dissolved oxygen levels as low as 0.03 mg/L (Scheurer et al. 2003). It is important to note that immature fathead Limiting factors for brassy minnows include minnows (Pimephales promelas) and lake extreme water level fluctuation and low flows, chub (Couesius plumbeus) might be identified overwinter freezing of some pools, possible incorrectly as brassy minnows (Figure 3). It vulnerability to predation, and susceptibility is also possible that immature western silvery to catastrophic conditions such as droughts minnows (Hybognathus argyritis) could be (Scheurer et al. 2003). Movements of brassy confused with brassy minnows. For this reason, minnows and effects of fish introduction on only data collected by experienced fisheries this species have not been determined. personnel and/or that are accompanied by some form of verification (e.g., voucher specimens) This report summarizes current and historical have been considered reliable for use in this information on the brassy minnow in order to report. assess its status in Alberta. 1.1 Milk River Subpopulation - Brassy minnows are found in most of the tributaries to the Milk that flow north, and most of the tributaries that flow into Battle Creek (T. Clayton pers. comm.). The distribution of the * See Appendix 1 for definitions of selected status brassy minnow in the mainstem of the Milk designations. River appears to be limited to the mid-section

1 Figure 1. Distribution of brassy minnow in Alberta, based on data from the Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System ([FWMIS]; updated in 2012) of ESRD, and Nelson and Paetz (1992). Additional records are known from Breed (Halfbreed) Creek (Nelson and Paetz 1992), and Breed, Black and Police coulees (Willock 1969); precise locations were not provided so they are therefore not mapped.

2 Lower Athabasca

Musreau Lake

Milk River

Figure 2. Fish sampling locations documented in Alberta’s provincial data base (Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System; FWMIS) using techniques expected to capture brassy minnows (i.e., seine netting, electrofishing, trap nets). Black circles are locations with no brassy minnows recorded, grey circles are locations with confirmed brassy minnow catches. Three subpopulations are labelled. Data were taken from FWMIS in March 2014. Total number of sample locations = 66,845.

3

a) brassy minnow

b) fathead minnow

c) lake chub

Figure 3. Comparison of a) brassy minnow, b) fathead minnow and c) lake chub appearance. Drawings taken with permission from Scott and Crossman (1998).

of the Milk River, from the town of Milk River tributaries of the Milk River during 2013. She downstream to the Aden Bridge, according reported capturing brassy minnows in two of to R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. the six creeks, and at a total of 4 of 33 sites (2002). However, Nelson and Paetz (1992) surveyed. recorded this species in the lower Milk River near the international border. Willock (1969) The Milk River subpopulation of brassy captured brassy minnows in a number of minnows can be characterized as having tributaries draining from the Sweetgrass Hills a patchy, uncommon distribution, with and Cypress Hills (including Breed, Black and occasional abundant catches. Their distribution Police coulees), but did not find any in Deer and abundance can fluctuate with the vagaries and Van Cleeve coulees. During the R.L. & L. of ephemeral prairie and variable study in 2000 and 2001, most tributaries were mainstem river flows. dry because of extreme drought conditions in the area. Brown (2014) conducted surveys 1.2 Musreau Lake Subpopulation - specifically targeting brassy minnows in six An isolated subpopulation of brassy minnows

4 is found in this small (5.49 km2) lake south of of brassy minnows are a light-colored variant Grande Prairie in the Smoky River watershed. of fathead minnows that is common in these Extensive sampling throughout this watershed drainages, or misidentified lake chub. More has failed to identify any additional locations for rigorous attention to confirmation of fish brassy minnows (Figure 2). In Musreau Lake, identification is required by fisheries workers brassy minnows are common and abundant in this area. The Lower Athabasca River along the shallow shoreline (M. Steinhilber subpopulation is therefore tentatively described pers. comm.). In annual sampling at six as very uncommon. It is possible that isolated, standardized sites for seine hauls during 2006 local subpopulations exist but have not been to 2010, the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM) confirmed. Also, it is possible that the few fisheries crews captured brassy minnows at all confirmed reports are vagrants from an unknown sites in each of the five survey years (i.e., 30 subpopulation located up or downstream from sampling events with fish at every event). On the intensively surveyed Ft. McMurray area. average, 222 brassy minnows were captured An alternate possibility is that the species was during each sampling event (ranges = 1 to 991 once found in the Ft. McMurray area, but is no fish). The Musreau Lake subpopulation of longer present. Continued sampling by RAM brassy minnows can be described as locally staff is planned, and more rigorous species common and abundant. identification protocols are being implemented for all fisheries workers in Alberta. 1.3 Lower Athabasca River Subpopulation - In spite of extremely intensive 1.4 Province-wide Quantitative fisheries sampling for small-bodied fishes in Distribution - The disjunct occurrences of the the Ft. McMurray area over the past several three subpopulations of brassy minnows in decades, brassy minnows have only been Alberta (i.e., Milk River, Musreau Lake, Lower captured and confirmed from four locations, Athabasca subpopulations) poses problems for with only 20 specimens captured. One fish was quantifying the extent of occurrence (EO) of captured in the upper House River in 1973, 14 this species. Using a simple minimum convex fish were captured in the Athabasca River at the polygon encompassing all three subpopulations mouth of the Horse River in 1976, 4 fish were results in an extent of occurrence of captured at island sites in the Athabasca river 261,860 km2; however, this area includes near Fort McMurray, and 1 fish was captured massive areas of unoccupied watersheds (e.g., at an Athabasca river site 28 km downstream of South Saskatchewan, Red Deer, and North Fort McMurray (Berry 1977). It seems unlikely Saskatchewan river basins). Within this Alberta- that a local subpopulation of brassy minnows wide EO, the index of area of occupancy (AO) is abundant or common in this area, given in streams with recorded occurrences of brassy the amount of surveying devoted to fisheries minnows is approximately 100 km2, calculated monitoring, particularly small-bodied fishes. by summing occupied 2-km x 2-km squares; Unconfirmed reports of brassy minnows in this this interpretation of AO is reduced to 31 km2 region have been received by RAM and ESRD using 1-km x 1-km squares. Fisheries Management Branch. Extensive small-fish surveys from 2005 to 2012 at many More biologically relevant measurements of locations in the Athabasca drainages near Ft. the AO of brassy minnow habitats in Alberta McMurray to verify these reports, however, for the three known disjunct subpopulations have not found this species (M. Steinhilber pers are shown in Figure 4. In total, the area of comm.; FWMIS data, May 2014). Based on occupancy in Alberta is 7.3 km2. Of this total the RAM surveys in this area, M. Steinhilber AO, 82% is in the Milk River subpopulation, suspects that most, if not all, unverified reports 5% in the Musreau Lake subpopulation, and

5 7

6

5

4 2)

3

2 Area of Occupancy (km Occupancy of Area 1

0 Milk total Milk Lost River Red Creek Bare Creek Black Creek Breed Creek Lodge Creek Musreau total Musreau Police Coulee Musreau Lake Musreau Milk mainstem Milk Kennedy Creek Athabasca total Athabasca mainstem Figure 4. Area of occupancy of subpopulations within three disjunct populations of brassy minnows in Alberta. Total area of occupancy is 7.3 km2.

13% in the Lower Athabasca subpopulation 2. Other areas - The brassy minnow occurs (Figure 4). These estimates do not account from the upper St. Lawrence River and Lake for unoccupied patches of habitat within each Champlain region of New York, west through AO, nor do they account for the ephemeral southern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and nature of the streams, especially in the Milk Michigan, through the Arkansas and subpopulation. The provincial total is to , and Montana, therefore likely an overestimate of the actual north to Alberta. In British Columbia, brassy area of occupied habitat, but it does provide minnows occur in the Fraser River and the a meaningful scale to understand the limited headwaters of the Peace River (Scott and distribution of this fish in Alberta. Crossman 1998) (Figure 5). More recent

6 Figure 5. Distribution of the brassy minnow in North America, adapted from Montana Field Guide (2010).

7 literature documents a distribution more whereas the tributary collections featured low- widespread than previously established in gradient brown-water streams. northern British Columbia (McPhail 2007). In British Columbia, brassy minnows seem The disjunctive distribution of brassy minnows to prefer slow streams and weedy backwaters in British Columbia and in Alberta may (Carl et al. 1967), but they typically occur in indicate that at one time they were found in small , small slow-moving streams, beaver locations between these various collection sites ponds and drainage ditches in that province (British Columbia Ministry of Fisheries 2011). (McPhail 2007). According to McPhail (2007), McPhail and Lindsey (1970) hypothesized that adults are often associated with lakes having a post-glacial southeast drainage route existed soft, mud bottoms and dense vegetation; in in North America, which allowed the dispersal summer, they are rarely observed in water of fish from a Mississippian refugium or more than 1.5 m deep. In streams, adult brassy possibly a Missouri drainage system refugium minnows remain close to vegetation and appear into more northern waters. They predicted that to avoid waters with surface velocities greater brassy minnow may be discovered in some than 50 cm/s. In the Crooked River system in additional waters in Alberta and Saskatchewan the Upper Peace River drainage they usually that lie along the hypothetical dispersal route. occur in stained waters, but in the lower Fraser Bishop (1975) reported that the discovery of Valley they are found in both clear and turbid brassy minnows in Musreau Lake in the Peace water. There is no obvious habitat difference River drainage lends support to the hypothesis between young-of-the-year and adults, except that a post-glacial southeast drainage route did that fry tend to be found in shallower and exist between the northern British Columbia quieter water than adults (The Peace/Williston and southern Alberta subpopulations. Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program 2011). HABITAT In Ontario, the species shows a preference The ecology of brassy minnow has not been for ponds and streams with boggy, acidic well documented. It is commonly referred to waters (Scott 1967). Brassy minnows are only as a forage fish or bait fish in the popular reported to be tolerant of a wide range of water literature and online. Brassy minnows typically temperatures and are found in locations with reside in small, weedy creeks or streams with summer temperatures of between 17°C and sand, gravel or mud bottoms. They can also 20°C in May and June in these types of habitats occur in boggy lakes, sloughs or overflow (Eakins 2011). ponds near rivers. The Canadian distribution in both acidic and In Alberta, brassy minnows in the Milk River alkaline waters throughout their range suggests drainage occur in slow currents, including alkali that brassy minnows can tolerate a range of tributary streams (Nelson and Paetz 1992). The pH conditions, and have at least a degree of species occurs in scattered groups in several of tolerance to turbid water. During the winter, the small tributaries of the Milk River and the they tend to use pools and deep runs under cover greatest concentration appears to be located in or woody debris. Adults occur in cool pools of tributaries that flow southeastward from the sluggish, clear creeks and small rivers, usually foothills of the Cypress Hills plateau (Willock over sand or gravel; they are apparently more 1969). Berry (1977) collected brassy minnows abundant in cool, acidic waters of silt-covered in a region characterized as wide, slow-moving bog ponds throughout their range, which would and highly turbid in the Athabasca River,

8 usually be associated with muskeg drainages persisted in pools with concentrations as low as (Scott and Crossman 1998 and other sources). 0.03 mg/L. Given the high tolerance of brassy minnow to harsh physicochemical conditions, Schlosser (1988) reported a contrast in habitat the authors thought it likely that pool drying types selected by brassy minnows in the was a main mechanism of extirpation at the presence and absence of predators. Brassy pool scale. minnows selected unstructured pools in the absence of predators; however, in the presence 1. Species Identification -Alternative common of a small predator (e.g., creek chub: Semotilus names for the brassy minnow are grass minnow atromachulatus) they selected structurally and Hankinson’s minnow. complex pools. When larger predators were present, such as smallmouth bass (Micropterus Brassy minnows have a maximum length dolemieui), brassy minnow habitat selection of less than 10 cm and an average length of was confined to faster flowing water such as 6.4 cm; they are olive-green to brown in colour raceways or riffle refugia. dorsally, brassy-yellow to dull silver laterally, and creamy white below. The typical range CONSERVATION BIOLOGY in weight for adults is 0.7 g – 4.0 g, with a maximum weight of 10 g. Females tend to be Relatively little is known about the brassy larger than males. Brassy minnows are elongate minnow throughout its Canadian range, in body form and slightly compressed laterally. although it is a bit better understood in the They have a small, sub-terminal mouth without . Nowosad (2011) provides maxillary barbels. No typical breeding colours an excellent summary of its biology and are known; however, golden-coloured males conservation issues in Canada, and draws have been noted during the spawning period in attention to the need for research that would Colorado (Scheurer et al. 2003). The flanks of support a predictive habitat model. Although males are a bright brassy colour, whereas those brassy minnows apparently prefer cooler of females are silver in stained waters of the water than do some of their minnow cousins upper Fraser and upper Peace river drainages and are found in large numbers only when (McPhail 2007). This latter striking colour predators (both fish and birds) are absent, they difference is absent in fish from the less stained are tolerant of very high water temperatures in waters of the lower Fraser River system, where excess of 35°C. M. Steinhilber (pers. comm.) both sexes remain silver during the breeding noted that brassy minnows may be found in the season. Distinguishing characteristics are the same places as fathead minnows (i.e., in slow- large scales, the absence of maxillary barbels, moving warm water with high salinity). and the origin of the dorsal fin slightly in front of the origin of the pelvic fins (McPhail and Scheurer et al. (2003) found that brassy minnow Lindsey 1970) (see Figure 3a). They have a persistence through August was not related dark lateral band that extends from the gill to maximum summer water temperature, cover to tail, and their peritoneum is uniformly minimum dissolved oxygen, or any other black. variable measured at the pool scale. Fish persisted in pools with maximum bottom water In British Columbia, most erroneous records temperatures during the afternoon as high as of the brassy minnow are misidentified lake 35.5°C, indicating that high temperature was chub, according to McPhail (2007) who reports unlikely to limit survival. Likewise, early that the resemblance is superficial and the two morning dissolved oxygen minima were low species are easily distinguished by peritoneum in all pools with brassy minnows, and the fish colour (black in brassy minnow and silver in

9 lake chub), mouth position (the snout overhangs exist in ponds in the Prince George area of slightly in the brassy minnow but is terminal British Columbia that have no inlet or outlet; in lake chub), and the absence of maxillary consequently, reproduction must be possible barbells in the brassy minnow. in the absence of running water (McPhail and Lindsey 1970). 2. Meristics - Berry (1977) reported on the measurements of 19 specimens collected in Spawning typically occurs in June and beach seines at three locations in the Athabasca females usually lay their eggs in late spring River: total length of 49 mm to 72 mm; fork among vegetation in shallow areas of lakes or length of 44 mm to 66 mm; 37 to 41 (mode streams. Throughout their range in Canada, 39) lateral line scales; 6 scales above the lateral spawning takes place from May to July when line; 8 anal and dorsal fins rays; and 13 to 19 water temperatures range from 16°C to 17°C. scale radii. Females with ripe eggs have been found in July in the Milk River drainage (Nelson and Paetz Nelson and Paetz (1992) reported meristic 1992). Eggs are shed at 10°C or higher. Eggs counts in 15 specimens obtained from the are scattered on vegetation or bottom substrate Milk River drainage as follows: 35 to 39 scales and take between 7 and 10 days to hatch. along the lateral line; 6 or 7 (most at 6) scales Female fecundity ranges from 100 to 2500 above the lateral line; and 16 around the caudal eggs, depending on their size, a huge range peduncle. They reported the maximum length in fecundity for a fish that has a size range at observed for Alberta being 81 mm fork length maturity of 4 cm to 10 cm. from Breed (Halfbreed) Creek near Aden in southern Alberta. Spawning occurs in, or near, vegetation, and the eggs either sink to the bottom or are caught S. McFadden (pers. comm.) kindly provided up in the vegetation. According to The Peace/ meristic counts from a sample of 50 specimens Williston Compensation Program (2011), not from Musreau Lake: total length of 58 mm to all the eggs are released in a single spawning 76 mm; fork length of 53 mm to 70 mm; 36 to and females probably spawn several batches 41 (mode 39) lateral line scales; 5 to 7 (mode of eggs over a period of about a week. Once 6) scales above the lateral line; 8 to 9 (mode 9) fertilized, eggs go through rapid embryo anal and dorsal fins rays. This compares with development (hatching occurs within 70 hours meristic measurements reported by Bishop at 18°C). The newly hatched larvae are small (1975) from a representative sample of 10 (about 4 mm in length), transparent and lack specimens collected from Musreau Lake in eye pigment. By day eight they are about 1974: total length of 47 mm to 81 mm; fork 6 mm long and begin to feed. In the lower length of 42 mm to 71 mm; 37 to 40 lateral line Fraser Valley, in some years, there is a second scales; 6 to 7 scales above the lateral line; and spawning in the autumn that produces fish 8 dorsal fin rays. about 15 mm long by mid-November. Growth in the first months of life is rapid and in Huble 3. Life History - Brassy minnows reach sexual Lake, young-of-the-year averaged 27.9 mm maturity at the age of one or two years. In the (fork length) by early August. In the lower lower Fraser River valley of British Columbia, Fraser Valley, populations that disappeared in both males and females reach sexual maturity the summer tend to reappear in the fall (early after one winter (except for young produced October). At this time, the young-of-the-year during fall spawning); by the time they reach average about 42 mm in fork length. Both sexual maturity, females usually are slightly males and females reach sexual maturity after larger than males (McPhail 2007). Populations one winter.

10 In a Wyoming study (see literature reviewed 4. Diet - Brassy minnows are classified in the in Coad 2010), males and females aggregated planktivore-detritivore trophic class. They feed in schools numbering in the thousands. Up on phytoplankton and other algae, zooplankton to 15 males each approached a female at the and aquatic insects. Up to 94 percent of their edge of a school and she would respond in one diet is algae, such as diatoms and desmids. of two ways: the female might spiral up and Feeding occurs in schools with a peak between leap out of the water, discouraging the males; 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (Coad 2010). or she might swim to vegetation, which would stimulate one or more males to press against The long intestine and black peritoneum suggest her, quiver and cause release of eggs and sperm. that plant material is an important part of the The vibrations apparently were such that they brassy minnow’s diet (The Peace/Williston Fish stirred up sediment. and Wildlife Compensation Program 2011). Characteristically, such features are associated In an eastern Colorado stream (Scheurer et al. with species that are largely vegetarian in diet 2003), brassy minnow appear to spawn during (Carl et al. 1967). In the lower Fraser Valley, spring and hatch in early summer. Spawning, brassy minnow intestines were usually filled as determined by the presence of gravid females with what appeared to be organic detritus, or golden-coloured males, was observed during algae and occasional chironomids. A similar a single period from mid-April through mid- diet (organic debris, algae, and small insects) May in two study years, unlike many Great was observed in brassy minnows in Huble Plains fishes that spawn repeatedly. In 2001, Lake, British Columbia (McPhail 2007). hatching occurred between mid-May and mid-June when spawning and rearing habitats Brassy minnows are benthic first-level averaged between 15.7°C and 23.5°C. Unlike consumers, and as such, they are important in this Colorado study, no similar data are known transferring nutrients to higher trophic levels for Alberta brassy minnows. in their communities (Stewart and Watkinson 2004). Few brassy minnows live more than three to five years. The maximum age recorded in British 5. Movement - In Musreau Lake, M. Steinhilber Columbia is four years and all individuals (pers. comm.) reported that brassy minnows of this age were females (McPhail 2007). were abundant in June but not in September, According to Ripley (2001), the presence of indicating that they may have moved into deep predators (both fish and avian) has a negative water or possibly Musreau Creek during the impact on their abundance. Apparently, brassy summer. minnows are found in large numbers only when predators are absent. In British Columbia, at some sites they are seasonally abundant every year, whereas at There are no studies known to have been other adjacent (and often connected) sites, they conducted on the life history of brassy minnow appear only sporadically in large numbers and in Alberta (M. Steinhilber pers. comm.). then disappear for several years. This sporadic Generation length (defined as the average age appearance of brassy minnows at different of parents of the current cohort) is likely two to sites, and their regular seasonal appearance and three years, based on breeding initiation at one disappearance at other sites, suggests that they to two years of age and maximum longevity at school and that migrations may be a common four years. feature of their life history in streams and rivers (McPhail 2007).

11 The brassy minnow is a Threatened species three habitats, and only occasional in Colorado. They live in harsh, fluctuating catches have been reported. stream environments subject to summer drying • All sampled brassy minnows were older and winter freezing in the western Great Plains than young-of-year and were mature adults. portion of this state, and yet may be capable • Electrofishing sampling conducted by of rapid dispersal and reproduction during the Brown (2014) comprised a 300 m reach of wet season (Scheurer at al. 2003). Despite each stream, with a capture efficiency of poor adult survival in the drier segments in 0.5 (i.e., 50% of the brassy minnows in the the Arikaree River basin study area, larval sampled reach were captured). brassy minnows were widely distributed in • Seine hauls conducted in 2000 and 2001 all segments in early summer of both study by R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. years, indicating substantial movement for (2002) in the Milk River mainstem were recolonization. 50 m x 3 m (sample area of 150 m2), with a capture efficiency of 100%. POPULATION SIZE AND TRENDS • Population thresholds were developed using IUCN Red List/COSEWIC criteria 1. Alberta (see IUCN 2012, COSEWIC 2011a; i.e., n 1.1 Milk River Subpopulation - The < 250 individuals, n < 2500 animals, and n most comprehensive data for developing < 10,000 animals). These benchmarks are population trends for brassy minnow varied provided for comparative purposes only. by location. For the Milk River mainstem, population estimates were based on seine net For estimating the abundance of brassy surveys (R.L. & L. Environmental Services, minnows in the Milk River mainstem, a 2000–2001, unpublished data). The most binomial distribution was used to assess the complete data for estimating population size R.L. & L. Environmental Services (2000–2001) of brassy minnow in Lodge and Bare creeks capture data of three brassy minnows in 25 seine was based on electrofishing data in the FWMIS hauls. This distribution was used to extrapolate database (ESRD 2014). To help facilitate potential capture rates to the entire available comparison with conservation thresholds, habitat using the above-described assumptions. several assumptions in the data were needed, Based on this extrapolation, the population size including: of brassy minnow in the Milk River mainstem • The area of suitable habitat was determined was estimated as 6800 individuals, with lower for three primary subpopulations: and upper 95% confidence intervals of 4080 1) Milk River mainstem: a river and 8160 individuals. There are two caveats length of 170 km, with 15 m suitable in estimating population sizes in this way: if habitat along each bank, for a total area the capture efficiency of the seine hauls was of 510 ha (5.1 million m2). less than 100%, these estimates would be 2) Bare Creek: a stream length of correspondingly increased; in addition, the 77 km, with an average width of 4.1 m, sample sizes are very low for such a large for a total area of 32 ha (384,780 m2). extrapolation. Therefore, these estimates 3) Lodge Creek: a stream length of should be considered precautionary and likely 106 km, with an average width of 3.6 m, lower than the actual value. It is reasonable to for a total area of 38 ha (318,267 m2). conclude that the observed seine haul capture The other tributary streams where rates in the Milk River are consistent with a brassy minnows have been captured subpopulation of brassy minnows numbering (e.g., Red Creek, Police Coulee, Lost in the thousands of fish, but not hundreds nor River, etc.) are much smaller than these tens of thousands of fish.

12 For estimating population size of brassy minnows in these creeks should be considered minnow in Lodge and Bare creeks using the very approximate, and likely low. The data electrofishing data in the FWMIS database suggest the abundance of brassy minnows in (ESRD 2014), population estimates were these small tributaries is in the thousands of developed by bootstrapping the data to derive fish, but not likely hundreds, nor hundreds of probability distributions of capture rates. These thousands. rates were extrapolated to the entire habitat area using the above-described assumptions. For The overall estimates of abundance of brassy Bare Creek, the abundance estimate was 14,145 minnows in the three primary Milk River (low and high 95% CI of 7073 and 24,400). For drainages are shown in Figure 6. Some Lodge Creek, the abundance estimate was 513 perspective on the size of this subpopulation (low and high 95% CI of 2 and 1026). Caveats can be gained by comparing abundance for these estimates include: 1) in these creeks, estimates derived from electrofishing data to occasional deep pools were found that limited the abundances corresponding to meaningful the effectiveness of backpack electrofishing; T. thresholds; this exercise drew on population Clayton (pers. comm.) suspects that these pools thresholds used in the IUCN Red List/COSEWIC may harbour significant numbers of brassy criteria (IUCN 2012, COSEWIC 2011a). The minnows, but are very difficult to sample; 2) IUCN/COSEWIC thresholds were chosen as with the low sample sizes, rough estimates of benchmarks simply to provide perspective for electrofishing efficiency, and lack of sampling this single subpopulation of fish. The use of coverage, the estimates of abundance of brassy these thresholds was not intended to stand in for,

to 24 400

16 000

14 000

12 000

10 000

8000

6000

4000 Estimated Estimated of # BRMN

2000

0 250 2500 10 000 Lodge Ck. Bare Ck. Milk mainstem

Figure 6. Estimated abundance and 95% confidence intervals of brassy minnows (BRMN) caught in seine hauls and electrofishing in the Milk River drainages compared to IUCN/COSEWIC abundance categories. Total estimated abundance of brassy minnow in three main Milk River subpopulations is approximately 20,000 fish.

13 or replace, their use during a formal assessment fish (see thresholds and additional rationale in of the status of the entire Alberta population. section 1.1). The expected density of fish in It is reasonable to suggest that a precautionary Musreau Lake corresponding to each threshold estimate of the abundance of brassy minnows could therefore be compared to the density in the Milk River drainages is approximately as estimated from the seine haul catch rates. 20,000 fish. For example, if the subpopulation of brassy minnows was under 250 animals, the average 1.2 Musreau Lake Subpopulation - density of fish in the suitable habitat at Musreau The most comprehensive data for developing Lake would be less than 0.000625 fish/m2 and trends in population sizes in Musreau Lake the catch rates in the seine hauls would tend to was based off seine net hauls conducted by the be less than that value. Royal Alberta Museum (RAM, M. Steinhilber, unpub. data). The abundance estimates for The RAM data from each seine haul for each brassy minnows in Musreau Lake were based year (2006 to 2013) are shown in Figure 7; on the following assumptions: data from 2006 to 2010 were analyzed for this • Suitable habitat area for the brassy minnow purpose. As expected, there is large variance is approximately 40 ha (400,000 m2), in the catch rates (note: the y-axis is scaled to corresponding to the entire shoreline length log10); however, abundance appears to be at and a width of 30 m from shore. least an order of magnitude higher than the • All sampled brassy minnows were older threshold of 10,000 adult brassy minnows. than young-of-year and were mature adults. Specifically, the average catch rate was 1.2 fish/ • Seine hauls conducted by RAM staff (M. m2, suggesting an abundance of approximately Steinhilber unpubl. data) during 2006 to 495,000 fish. The short-term subpopulation 2010 were each comprised of a 60 m2 trend (5 years) was of no obvious or consistent sampling area (i.e., seine net of 3 m change. effective length and 20 m sweep area), with five areas sampled each year. The two key assumptions that may alter • Capture efficiency within the sampled area this interpretation are capture efficiency and was 100% (i.e., all brassy minnows in the maturity ratio. If capture efficiency was lower sample area were caught) than 100%, the true abundance would be higher • Population thresholds were developed than estimated (e.g., if efficiency was 50%, using IUCN Red List/COSEWIC criteria abundance would be 990,000 fish). There are (IUCN 2012, COSEWIC 2011a; see section no measures of seine net capture efficiency 1.1); these benchmarks are provided for for fishes in Musreau Lake, but discussion comparative purposes only. with M. Steinhilber (pers. comm.) suggests that efficiency was high, but unlikely as high Seine haul catch rates were available for as 100%. The maturity ratio in the seine brassy minnows in Musreau Lake for the captures was assumed to be 100%. Sexual period 2006–2013 (Figure 7). As for the Milk maturity for brassy minnows is described in River subpopulation, some perspective on the McPhail (2007) as “Both males and females size of this subpopulation can be gained by reach sexual maturity after one winter”. The comparing seine haul catch rates to the densities size frequency distribution of brassy minnows corresponding to meaningful thresholds. For sampled by RAM (i.e., caught in the seine nets) this exercise, the IUCN/COSEWIC thresholds in Musreau Lake is shown in Figure 8. Young- (IUCN 2012 and COSEWIC 2011a) were of-the-year brassy minnows are described in chosen as benchmarks simply to provide McPhail (2007) as 27.9 mm fork length (FL, perspective for this single subpopulation of measured from the tip of the snout to the fork in

14 10

1 495,000 fish (Mean and 95% CIs)

0.1

10,000 fish 0.01

2500 fish Seine haul catch rate (BRMN/m^2) rate haul catch Seine

0.001

250 fish

0.0001 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Year & Thresholds

. Figure 7. Estimated abundance of brassy minnows (BRMN) at Musreau Lake, 2006 to 2010. Estimates based on seine-haul catch rates of fish/m2, and habitat area of 40 ha. Estimates can be compared to IUCN/COSEWIC thresholds converted to fish/m2. Data are from the Royal Alberta Museum (M. Steinhilber, unpublished data). Note that the y-axis is scaled to log10.

15 16

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12

10

8

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4

Frequency (# of minnows measured) of Frequency (# 2

0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 BRMN FL (mm) Figure 8. Length frequency distribution of brassy minnows (BRMN) caught in seine hauls at Musreau Lake, 25 June 1998. Data are taken from the Fisheries and Wildlife Management Information System (January 2014). FL = fork length. the tail) in early August. The data in Figure 8 sampling leaves us with a range of possibilities suggests that all fish sampled in the RAM seine to describe this subpopulation, extending nets were larger than young-of-the-year (and from loss of this subpopulation, to occasional therefore older than one winter) and therefore vagrants, to abundant with failure to confirm sexually mature. If the Musreau Lake fish are identification. No conclusion can be drawn, unusual and mature later than one year of age, other than to emphasize that taxonomic rigour the abundance estimate may be much lower. is required. Only 20% of the fish sampled appeared older than age one, suggesting that the subpopulation 1.4 Provincial Population Size - The abundance of age two and older brassy minnows population of brassy minnows in Alberta may be approximately 99,000 fish. appears to number in the hundreds of thousands of fish. If the Athabasca River subpopulation is Based on this evidence, it is likely that the found to be existing and abundant, this estimate subpopulation of brassy minnows in Musreau would be considerably increased. There is a Lake is reasonably described as composed of lack of long-term data to analyze trends in the hundreds of thousands of mature fish, with no sizes of the subpopulations. obvious short-term (5 years) trends of decline or increase during 2006–2010. 2. Other areas - Brassy minnow subpopulations in the Prince George area of British Columbia 1.3 Lower Athabasca River have disappeared, likely as a result of Subpopulation - There is not enough competition or predation by introduced brook information to derive approximate abundance trout (Salvelinus fontinalis, McPhail 2007). estimates for brassy minnows of the Lower Some subpopulations in central British Athabasca River subpopulation. The lack of Columbia have disappeared altogether, and confirmed specimens during recent decades of others live in water bodies susceptible to

16 urban pollution and habitat problems (British and St. Mary drainages into the Milk River near Columbia Ministry of Fisheries 2011). It is the international border during the summer listed as rare or uncommon in British Columbia irrigation season, after which time flows are (McPhail 2007). minimal during autumn and winter. It is quite possible that many pools that would be used In Saskatchewan, single individuals (only) by brassy minnow to overwinter could freeze were collected at four sites in 1993: Battle to the bottom, such that extremely low flows Creek (two locations), Frenchman River and during autumn and winter represent a major Morgan Creek (McCulloch et al. unpubl. report, limiting factor to the subpopulation of the undated) in the extreme south of the province. brassy minnow. These fluctuations in water level are unnatural and upset the functioning The brassy minnow has a scattered distribution of the ecosystem. Human-caused changes to in Manitoba. It is found mostly in tributaries natural flows that alter conditions to which fish of the Red and Assiniboine rivers above the have adapted over millenia can have unforeseen Manitoba escarpment and the headwaters of the consequences. Roseau River. The pattern of its distribution parallels the southwestern shoreline of Glacial Expected changes to climate in southern Alberta Lake Agassiz (Stewart and Watkinson 2004). may have a severe effect on flows in the Milk River and its tributaries, and consequently 3. Rescue Potential - Rescue potential is on brassy minnow survival. During the past the potential for immigration of gametes/ century, mean warmest month temperature individuals from neighbouring jurisdictions has increased 1°C in Milk River area, with to reproduce successfully in Alberta, such that no increase in precipitation. Projections from extirpation or decline of the population could down-scaled Intergovernmental Panel on be mitigated. Brassy minnows likely have the Climate Change climate models suggest this ability to disperse and recolonize new or empty trend will be exaggerated, with mean warmest habitats, as shown by Scheurer et al. (2003). month temperature rising from approximately However, this may be only partially relevant to 21°C today to over 25°C by 2080 (Wang et re-colonization within Alberta. Re-colonization al. 2011; Sullivan et al. 2013). Increases in within the Milk River system may follow a drought and increased need for irrigation will similar pattern to that observed by Scheurer et alter natural flows in the Milk River basin and al. (2003), which makes immigration from a consequently change and potentially threaten small area of Montana into the Alberta portion habitats for brassy minnows. Irrigation and of the Milk River drainage hypothetically water control practices in the past have resulted possible. However, the disjunctive nature of in stream channelization to improve flow the subpopulations outside of the Milk River efficiency. This practice has been very extensive suggests that other factors limit colonization in in recent (summer 2014) water control work those areas. in the Bow and South Saskatchewan systems. Continued alteration of stream channels could LIMITING FACTORS lead to changes in stream flow and fish habitat, as well as increase potential fragmentation and 1. Milk River - The Milk River is subject to migration of small fishes. drastic water level fluctuations, from being bankfull in the spring and summer when 2. Musreau Lake - This subpopulation of water is being diverted from the St. Mary brassy minnows has been threatened in recent River, to almost dry in the fall and winter decades with stocking of exotic rainbow trout after diversion stops. Montana diverts its in order to expand sport-fishing opportunities apportionment of flows from the Milk River in the area. Approximately 200,000 rainbow

17 trout were stocked semi-annually from 1972 threats include nutrient input (from sediment to 1999; however, a viable sport fishery failed runoff) into waterways resulting from the soil to develop and stocking was discontinued, disturbance associated with linear developments, both as a function of repeated failures and fragmentation of streams by culverts, loss of with increasing awareness of threats to native forest cover, and especially chemical spills. For biodiversity (C. Johnson, pers. comm.). example, in June 1992, a Suncor pipeline break Musreau Lake, however, has developed into on the upper House River released 7600 barrels a popular destination for people from Grande of naptha and kerosene into the river (Mok Prairie, primarily using the lake for motorized 1994). Fisheries surveys in the following months water sports (e.g., water skiing, jet skiing, etc.). indicated that all fish in the river downstream of A large boat launch, campground, and day-use the spill were killed, with fish being found on area have been developed by Alberta Parks. A the banks suggesting they had leapt out of the few anglers still fish at Musreau, mainly for river to avoid the chemicals (G. Sterling pers. (Lota lota) or the rare catch of a bull comm.). No brassy minnows were observed trout (Salvelinus confluentus). Public pressure in this fisheries survey, nor on the banks of the is ongoing to restore stocking at Musreau House River (post-toxic spill), although they Lake, in spite of decades of failures. Stocking had been previously reported from the House would appear to constitute a threat to the brassy River. Fish leaping out of the water to avoid minnow subpopulation at Musreau Lake, based toxins is a long-reported, common observation on the experiences of loss of subpopulations in (e.g., Belding 1927, Young and Nicholson 1951, British Columbia from stocking. The late Dr. Pathan et al. 2009). Joe Nelson (pers. comm.) noted when collecting brassy minnows in Alberta and in British In Saskatchewan, data from McCulloch et al. Columbia (in the Prince George area) during (unpubl. report, undated) suggest that possible his Ph.D. thesis that this species seemed to be threats to rare non-game fish species include limited to small lakes lacking predator fishes. habitat alteration, either from natural (e.g., However, decades of stocking at Musreau have beaver dams) or human sources, as well as both failed to create a viable stocked fishery, species introductions. nor harm the brassy minnow subpopulation. Nonetheless, stocking of exotic fish should be In Colorado, a prolonged drought or global avoided at this small lake. climate warming, combined with an increased demand for irrigation water that would further The watershed surrounding Musreau Lake is reduce stream flows, could extirpate the brassy heavily affected by forestry, and oil and gas minnow from Great Plains basins unless development (Figure 9). Threats from this segments with sets of connected deep refuge type of development include excessive nutrient pools supplied with groundwater (like the inputs (and corresponding algae blooms and upstream segment of the Arikaree River study summer/winterkills) and oil spills. Future shale area) are maintained and protected (Scheurer et gas development in this area is proposed and will al. 2003). increase the threats from linear development and potential spills. STATUS DESIGNATIONS*

3. Lower Athabasca River - The current status 1. Alberta - According to The General Status of this subpopulation is unknown, even to the of Alberta Wild Species 2010, the brassy extent of its distribution. The region is being minnow is considered Undetermined (Alberta massively developed for oil sands mining, with both surface mining and well-site development * See Appendix 1 for definitions of selected status affecting most of the watersheds. Potential designations. 18 Figure 9. Satellite photo illustrating density of land uses near Musreau Lake, Alberta. Forestry cutblocks, and oil/gas wellsites and roads comprise the majority of land use in this watershed.

Environment and Sustainable Resource 2. Other areas - The brassy minnow is ranked Development 2013). According to Alberta’s G5 globally. A G5 global rating means the List of Tracked and Watched Elements (Alberta species is secure when considered at the global Conservation Information Management System scale. [ACIMS] 2014), the brassy minnow is ranked SU with the reason for tracking stated as “to It is ranked N5 in Canada (NatureServe 2013a), verify distribution and status in Alberta.” The and has been identified on the COSEWIC Fish ACIMS compiles detailed information on known Species Specialist Subcommittee candidate list locations of selected elements that have been (COSEWIC 2014) as an intermediate priority for placed on the tracking list, including the brassy assessment in Canada. The brassy minnow does minnow. The Provincial Ranks (S Ranks) have not have any special protection in Canada, other been assigned with the assistance of experts and than the general protection provided to many the use of published/non-published data. Canadian fishes under the federal Fisheries Act. 19 In 2012 and 2013, amendments were made to an increase in confirmation of specimens and Canada’s Fisheries Act such that it no longer new information on abundance and distribution. protects the habitat of all fish, but only protects Advancements and ease of genetic analysis the productivity of recreational, commercial and is expected to provide additional information Aboriginal fisheries. This affects many non- on the relationships of Alberta’s three disjunct game species. subpopulations of brassy minnows. No specific plans for this type of analysis are formed, but the In British Columbia, the brassy minnow has a S4 recent designation of a provincial environmental rating (NatureServe 2013a, B.C. Conservation monitoring agency (Alberta Environmental Data Centre 2014). In Saskatchewan, the rating Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency is S3S4 (NatureServe 2013a). In Manitoba, [AEMERA]), includes monitoring genetic the brassy minnow is considered S4 (Stewart diversity in its mandate, and discussions on this and Watkinson 2004; NatureServe 2013a). In specific topic are ongoing. Ontario, the brassy minnow is considered S5, and in Quebec it is S3S4 (NatureServe 2013a). SYNTHESIS

In Montana, the brassy minnow has a State Rank The brassy minnow is a remarkable, enigmatic of S4. It is a “Potential Species of Concern” in little fish that has been poorly researched Montana, a term that is used to identify native throughout its range in North America. Life taxa for which current, often limited, information history studies are lacking in Alberta, as are suggests potential vulnerability (Montana Field studies on the biology and ecology of brassy Guide 2010). Brassy minnow has a Threatened minnow in this province and elsewhere. These status in Colorado (Colorado Parks and Wildlife fish tend to be abundant in habitats with few 2014). predators, as they seem to be very vulnerable to fish predation. They appear to be tolerant RECENT MANAGEMENT AND of a wide range of acidic and alkaline waters, RESEARCH IN ALBERTA extremely low dissolved oxygen levels and very high water temperatures. Interestingly, select Brown (2014) has conducted recent work on meristic count data are similar for geographically the tributaries of the Milk River, specifically separated subpopulations in the Athabasca River including brassy minnows in the sampling and Milk River drainages and Musreau Lake. protocols. Her work was instrumental in Genetic information will be very interesting as it estimating abundances in this watershed. relates to such a disjunct distribution of this fish. M. Steinhilber (pers. comm.) is continuing the periodic monitoring of brassy minnows This species is subject to immediate threats in Musreau Lake, as well as investigating of potential introductions of exotic species unconfirmed reports of brassy minnows in (Musreau Lake), water use (Milk River) and the Lower Athabasca area. Biologists and extensive oil development (Lower Athabasca). consultants in the Fort McMurray area have In addition, the species is vulnerable to extreme been alerted to the problem of brassy minnow climatic fluctuations, cold temperatures freezing misidentification, and the lack of confirmation over-wintering pools solid, highly variable water and voucher specimens. New records of levels, and stream channel relocation. These brassy minnows in the provincial fisheries factors, as influenced by climate change and the database (FWMIS) have been restricted to associated variance in weather, pose a significant confirmed specimens. Particularly in the Lower threat to this species in Alberta. In particular, Athabasca area, the confused status of this fish the very limited distribution of this fish in three is receiving much more attention, and we expect disjunct patches gives it a heightened level of vulnerability to these cumulative threats. 20 LITERATURE CITED System (FWMIS). URL: http://esrd. alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/fwmis/default. Alberta Conservation Information Management aspx [Updated May 2014]. System (ACIMS) [Formerly Alberta Natural Heritage Information Alberta Environmental Protection. 1996. Centre]. 2013. Species conservation The status of Alberta wildlife. ranks. Alberta Tourism, Parks, and Alberta Environmental Protection, Recreation. URL: http://albertaparks. Natural Resources Service, Wildlife ca/albertaparksca/management-land- Management Division. Edmonton, use/alberta-conservation-information- AB. 44 pp. management-system-(acims)/ tracking-watch-lists/species- Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife. 1991. conservation-ranks.aspx The status of Alberta wildlife. Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife, Fish and Alberta Conservation Information Management Wildlife Division. Edmonton, AB. 49 System (ACIMS). 2014. List of pp. Tracked and Watched Elements. Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation. Belding, D. L. 1927. Toxicity experiments URL: http://www.albertaparks.ca/ with fish in reference to trade waste albertaparksca/management-land-use/ pollution. Transactions of the American alberta-conservation-information- Fisheries Society 57(1): 100-119. management-system-(acims)/ tracking-watch-lists.aspx Berry, D. K. 1977. Northern range extension [Updated: May 2014]. for the Brassy Minnow in northeastern Alberta. Canadian Field Naturalist Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource 91(4):402–403. Development. 2011. General Status Background and Categories. URL: Bishop, F. G. 1975. A new distribution record http://esrd.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife/ for brassy minnow in northwestern species-at-risk/albertas-species- Alberta. Canadian Field Naturalist at-risk-strategy/general-status-of- 89:319–320. alberta-wild-species-2010/documents/ GeneralStatusWildSpecies- B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2014. BC DefinitionsStatusCategories-Mar2011. Species and Ecosystems Explorer. pdf [Updated Mar 31 2011]. B.C. Minist. of Environ. Victoria, B.C. URL: http://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource (Accessed June 2014). Development (ESRD). 2013. Species At Risk—Search for Status. The British Columbia Ministry of Fisheries. 2011. General Status of Alberta Wild B.C. Fish Facts: Brassy Minnow. Species. URL: http://srd.alberta.ca/ URL: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/ FishWildlife/SpeciesAtRisk/ [Updated documents/fishfacts/brassyminnow. Jun 5 2013]. pdf. 2 pp.

Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Brown, S. Unpubl. Report. 2014. Prairies Development (ESRD). 2014. Fisheries small stream inventory and habitat & Wildlife Management Information assessment 2013. ESRD, Fisheries

21 Management, South Saskatchewan IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories Region, January 2014. 66 pp. and Criteria: Version 3.1. 2nd edition. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, Carl, G.C., W.A. Clemens, and C.C. Lindsey. UK 32 pp. URL: https://portals.iucn. 1967. The Fresh-water Fishes of org/library/efiles/edocs/RL-2001-001- British Columbia. British Columbia 2nd.pdf Provincial Museum. Handbook No. 5. 192 pp. Mackay, W.C. 2000. Status of Alberta Wildlife 2000. Preliminary Status Evaluation Coad, B.W. 2010. Fishes of Canada’s Capital of the Fish. Prepared for Fisheries Region. Species Accounts: Brassy & Wildlife Management Division, Minnow. URL: http://www.briancoad. Natural Resources Services, Alberta com/main.asp?page=title%20 Environment. 72 pp. pageNCR.htm [Revised: September 2010]. McCulloch, B.R., J.R. Duncan, and R.J. Keith. Unpubl. Report. Undated. Fish survey Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 2014. Threatened of the Saskatchewan portion of the and Endangered List. URL: http:// Missouri River Basin. 15 pp. cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/SOC- ThreatenedEndangeredList.aspx McPhail, J.D. 2007. The Freshwater Fishes of (Accessed June 2014). British Columbia. The University of Alberta Press. 620 pp. COSEWIC. 2011a. Wildlife Species Assessment: COSEWIC’s Assessment McPhail, J.D., and C.C. Lindsey. 1970. Process and Criteria. URL: http:// Freshwater fishes of north-western www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct0/ Canada and . Fish. Res. Board assessment_process_e.cfm (Updated of Canada, Bull. 173, Ottawa, ON. November 2011). 381 pp.

COSEWIC. 2011b. Definitions and Mok, A. Y. 1994. Kerosene/naptha spill in Abbreviations. Committee on the forest lands and freshwater river: the Status of Endangered Wildlife in containment, impacts, and remediation. Canada. URL: http://www.cosewic. Society of Petroleum Engineers SPE- gc.ca (Updated November 2011). 27172-MS (ISBN 978-1-55563-478- 0). 8 pp. COSEWIC. 2014. Candidate wildlife species. URL: http://www.cosepac.gc.ca/eng/ Montana Field Guide. 2010. Brassy Minnow - sct3/index_e.cfm (Updated 9 June Hybognathus hankinsoni. URL: http:// 2014). fieldguide.mt.gov/displaySpecies. aspx?family=Cyprinidae [Accessed Eakins, R.J. 2011. Ontario Freshwater Fishes June 21, 2011]. Life History Database. Version 4.0. On-line database (http://www. NatureServe. 2013a. NatureServe Explorer: fishdb.ca). Species Detail for Brassy an online encyclopedia of life [web Minnow. URL: http://ecometrix.ca/ application]. Version 7.1. Arlington, fishdb/fish_detail.php?FID=28. Virginia, USA. URL: http://www.

22 natureserve.org/explorer (updated Regulate Brassy Minnow Persistence February 2012). in a Great Plains River. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society NatureServe. 2013b. NatureServe Explorer: 132:840–855. an online encyclopedia of life. Version 7.1. Global Conservation Status Schlosser, I.J. 1988. Predation rates and the Ranks, and National/Subnational behavioral response of adult brassy Conservation Status Ranks. Arlington, minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) Virginia, USA. URL: http://www. to creek chub and smallmouth bass natureserve.org/explorer/ranking.htm predators. Copeia 1988(3):691–697. (Updated July 2013). Scott, W.B. 1967. Freshwater Fishes of Eastern Nelson, J. S. and M. J. Paetz. 1992. The Fishes Canada. Second Edition. University of Alberta, 2nd ed. Univ. of Alberta of Toronto Press. 137 pp. Press, Edmonton, AB. 438 pp. Scott, W. B., and E. J. Crossman. 1998. Nowosad, D.M. 2011. The Phylogeography Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Galt and Conservation of the Brassy House Publications Ltd. Oakville, Minnow, Hybognathus hankinsoni. A ON. 966 pp. Thesis submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Steinhilber, M. 2009. Northern Alberta Non- Master of Science. The University of Game Fish Status Assessment Interim British Columbia. 195 pp. Report of Project Activities. Prepared for the Royal Alberta Museum and the Pathan, T. S., D. L. Sonawane, and Y.K. Alberta Conservation Association. 33 Khillare. 2009. Toxicity and pp. behavioural changes in freshwater fish Rasbora daniconius exposed to Stewart, K.W. and D.A. Watkinson. 2004. paper mill effluent. Botany Research The freshwater fishes of Manitoba. International 2(4): 263-266. University of Manitoba Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 276 pp. Ripley, T. 2001. 2000/2001 Brassy Minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) Inventory Sullivan, M., A. Paul, C. Johnson, J. Tchir, at Musreau Lake and Outlet. Alberta D. Park, and J. Walker. 2013. Species at Risk Report No. 6. Alberta Alberta fisheries and climate change Sustainable Resource Development. adaptation: discussion paper. Fisheries 12pp. climate change adaptation team. Unpublished discussion paper, October R.L. & L. Environmental Services Ltd. 2002. 2013. Environment and Sustainable Fish Species at Risk in the Milk and Resource Development, Edmonton, St. Mary Drainages. Species at Risk Alberta. 5 pp + appendices. Report No. 45. Fish and Wildlife Division, Alberta Sustainable Resource The Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Development. 257 pp. Compensation Program (PWFWCP). 2011. URL: http://www.bchydro. Scheurer, J. A., K.R. Bestgen, and K. D. com/pwcp/fish/brassy_minnow.shtml. Fausch. 2003. Multiscale Processes [Accessed June 21, 2011].

23 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 2005. Willock, T.A. 1969. Distributional list of fishes Endangered Species Glossary. URL: in the Missouri drainage of Canada. J. http://www.fws.gov/endangered/esa- Fish. Res. Board Can. 26:1439–1449. library/pdf/glossary.pdf [Last Updated April 2005]. Young, L. A., and H. P. Nicholson. 1951. Stream Wang, T., A. Hamann, D.L. Spittlehouse, and pollution resulting from the use of T.Q. Murdock. 2011. ClimateWNA – organic insecticides. The Progressive High-resolution spatial climate data Fish Culturalist (13): 193–198. for western North America. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology 51:16–29.

24 Appendix 1. Definitions of status ranks and legal designations.

A. General Status of Alberta Wild Species Categories (used in 2000, 2005 and 2010 General Status exercises) (Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development 2011) Rank Definitions At Risk Any species known to be At Risk after formal detailed status assessment and legal designation as Endangered or Threatened in Alberta. May Be At Risk Any species that may be at risk of extinction or extirpation, and is therefore a candidate for detailed risk assessment. Sensitive Any species that is not at risk of extinction or extirpation but may require special attention or protection to prevent it from becoming at risk. Secure Any species that is not At Risk, May Be At Risk or Sensitive. Undetermined Any species for which insufficient information, knowledge or data is available to reliably evaluate its general status. Not Assessed Any species that has not been examined during this exercise. Exotic/Alien Any species that has been introduced as a result of human activities. Extirpated/Extinct Any species no longer thought to be present in Alberta (Extirpated) or no longer believed to be present anywhere in the world (Extinct). Accidental/Vagrant Any species occurring infrequently and unpredictably in Alberta, i.e., outside its usual range.

B. Alberta Species at Risk Formal Status Designations Species designated as Endangered under Alberta’s Wildlife Act include those listed as Endangered or Threatened in the Wildlife Regulation (in bold).

Endangered A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened A species likely to become endangered if limiting factors are not reversed. Species of A species of special concern because of characteristics that make it particularly sensitive to Special Concern human activities or natural events. Data Deficient A species for which there is insufficient scientific information to support status designation.

C. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (after COSEWIC 2011b)

Extinct A species that no longer exists. Extirpated A species that no longer exists in the wild in Canada, but occurs elsewhere. Endangered A species facing imminent extirpation or extinction. Threatened A species that is likely to become endangered if nothing is done to reverse the factors leading to its extirpation or extinction. Special Concern A species that may become threatened or endangered because of a combination of biological characteristics and identified threats. Not at Risk A species that has been evaluated and found to be not at risk of extinction given the current circumstances. Data Deficient A category that applies when the available information is insufficient to (a) resolve a wildlife species' eligibility for assessment, or (b) permit an assessment of the wildlife species' risk of extinction.

D. United States Endangered Species Act (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2005) Endangered Any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Threatened Any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

25 Appendix 1 continued:

E. Heritage Status Ranks:

Subnational (S) ranks in Alberta (after Alberta Conservation Information Management System 2013) S1 Known from five or fewer occurrences or especially vulnerable to extirpation because of other factors. S2 Known from 20 or fewer occurrences or vulnerable to extirpation because of other factors. S3 Known from 100 or fewer occurrences, or somewhat vulnerable due to other factors, such as restricted range, relatively small population sizes, or other factors. S4 Apparently secure. Taxon is uncommon but not rare. Potentially some cause for long-term concern because of declines or other factors. S5 Secure. Taxon is common, widespread, and abundant. SX Taxon is believed to be extirpated from the province. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat. Virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered. SH Known from only historical records but still some hope of rediscovery. Evidence that the taxon may no longer be present but not enough to state this with certainty. S? Not yet ranked, or rank tentatively assigned. A numeric range rank is used to indicate any range of uncertainty about the status of the taxon. S#S# Example: S2S3 or S1S3. Ranges cannot skip more than two ranks. Taxon is currently unrankable because of a lack of information or substantially conflicting SU information. Example: native versus non-native status not resolved. SNR Not ranked. Conservation status not yet assessed. Not applicable. A conservation status rank is not applicable because the species or ecosystem is not a SNA suitable target for conservation activities. Example: introduced species. Inexact numeric rank. Applied when a specific rank is most likely appropriate but for which some S#? conflicting information or unresolved questions remain.

Global (G), National (N) and other Subnational (S) ranks (after NatureServe 2013b) G1/N1/S1 Critically Imperiled. At very high risk of extinction or elimination due to very restricted range, very few populations or occurrences, very steep declines, very severe threats, or other factors. G2/N2/S2 Imperiled. At high risk of extinction or elimination due to restricted range, few populations or occurrences, steep declines, severe threats, or other factors. G3/N3/S3 Vulnerable. At moderate risk of extinction or elimination due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors. G4/N4/S4 Apparently Secure. At fairly low risk of extinction or elimination due to an extensive range and/or many populations or occurrences, but with possible cause for some concern as a result of local recent declines, threats, or other factors. G5/N5/S5 Secure. At very low risk or extinction or elimination due to a very extensive range, abundant populations or occurrences, and little to no concern from declines or threats. GX/NX/SX Presumed Extinct/Extirpated. Not located despite intensive searches of historical sites and other appropriate habitat, and virtually no likelihood of rediscovery. GH/NH/SH Possibly Extinct/Extirpated. Known from only historical occurrences but some hope of rediscovery. G?/N?/S? Inexact Numeric Rank. Denotes inexact numeric rank. G#G#/ A numeric range rank (e.g., G2G3, G1G3) is used to indicate the range of uncertainty about the N#N#/S#S# exact status of a taxon or ecosystem type. Ranges cannot skip more than two ranks. Unrankable. Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting GU/NU/SU information about status or trends. GNR/NNR/ Unranked. Conservation status not yet assessed. SNR GNA/NNA/ Not Applicable. A conservation status rank is not applicable because the species is not a suitable SNA target for conservation activities

26 Appendix 2. Summary of brassy minnow counts for each location they have been captured in Alberta, as retrieved from FWMIS in February 2012. Data for the Athabasca River are from Berry (1977), and 2013 data from the Milk River tributaries are from Brown (2014).

WATERBODY DATE SURVEY TYPE COUNT House River 1973 Seine 1 Athabasca River 1976, 1977 Seine 19 Kennedy Creek 11 July 2002 Electrofishing 87 Lodge Creek 25 September 2002; Electrofishing 465 2013 Bare Creek 2013 Electrofishing 20 Milk River 01 July & 27 Seine, Trawl, 1227 August 1986; 22 Electrofishing October, 2000; 07- 21 July 2005; Musreau Lake 23 August 1984; 03 Trap Nets, Minnow 1610 & 16 June 1993; 04 Traps, Dip Nets, & 17 June 1993; 25 Seine, Trawl, June 1998; 10 May Electrofishing & 25 June 1998; 18 June 2002; 03 June 2003;18-19 June 2005; 20 June 2006; 24 June, 2009; Red Creek 08 October 2002; Electrofishing 2365 12 October 2006

27 Appendix 3. Technical Summary A summary of information contained within this report, and used by the Scientific Subcommittee of Alberta’s Endangered Species Conservation Committee for the purpose of status assessment based on International Union for the Conservation of Nature criteria. For definitions of terms used in this technical summary, go to: http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/categories-and-criteria, and http://www.cosepac.gc.ca/eng/sct2/sct2_6_e.cfm

Genus species: Hybognathus hankinsoni Common name: Brassy Minnow Range of occurrence in Alberta: Milk River drainage in southeastern Alberta, the Peace River basin in northwestern Alberta and the Athabasca River basin in northeastern Alberta, with the occurrences being widely scattered.

Demographic Information Generation time (usually average age of parents in the population; indicate if another method of estimating generation time as indicated in the most recent IUCN guidelines is being used). Based on breeding initiation at 1–2 years and maximum longevity 2–3 yrs observed at 4 years. See Conservation Biology (3. Life History), pp 10-11.

Is there an [observed, inferred, or projected] continuing decline Unknown in number of mature individuals? There are only a few data to analyze trend, from Musreau Lake, which do not suggest any short-term trends over the five years of data that are available. See Population Size and Trends (1. Alberta), pp 12-16.

Estimated percent of continuing decline in total number of Unknown mature individuals within [5 years or 2 generations]?

[Observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected] percent [reduction Unknown or increase] in total number of mature individuals over the last [10 years, or 3 generations].

[Projected or suspected] percent [reduction or increase] in total Unknown number of mature individuals over the next [10 years, or 3 generations].

[Observed, estimated, inferred, or suspected] percent [reduction Unknown or increase] in total number of mature individuals over any [10- year, or 3-generation] period, over a time period including both the past and the future.

Are the causes of the decline clearly reversible and understood Unknown and ceased?

28 Appendix 3 continued:

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature Possible, but individuals? unknown The Milk River subpopulation fluctuates with changing habitat conditions, but the magnitude of the fluctuation is not known. There is variance in catch rates in the Musreau Lake subpopulation, but does not likely indicate extreme fluctuation in that subpopulation. See Distribution (1. Alberta; 1.1 Milk River Subpopulation), pp. 1- 4, and Population Size and Trends (1. Alberta; 1.2. Musreau Lake Subpopulation), pp. 14-16.

Extent and Occupancy Information Estimated extent of occurrence 261,860 km² See Distribution (1.4 Province-wide Quantitative Distribution), p. 5.

Area of occupancy (AO) 100 km² (2-km x (Always report 2-km x 2-km grid value. An additional estimate of 2-km grid); AO using a measure that is more biologically relevant to the species 31 km2 (1-km x may be included) 1-km grid); See Distribution (1.4 Province-wide Quantitative Distribution), pp. 7 km2 (combined 5-6. surface area of occupied sites).

Is the total population severely fragmented? Yes The provincial distribution is severely fragmented, with three disjunct areas where the species is found. Within those three areas, however, the subpopulations are not severely fragmented. See Distribution (1. Alberta) and Figure 1, pp.1–2, and Conservation Biology (5. Movement), pp. 11–12

Number of locations Three locations Drought may be the main limiting factor in the Milk River drainage, so the Milk River subpopulation is a single location. Also, the Musreau Lake subpopulation is likely to be affected by a single threat at one time and is therefore considered one location. The Lower Athabasca River subpopulation, if it exists, is considered the third location. See Distribution (1. Alberta) and Figure 1, pp.1–5 and Limiting Factors, pp. 17-18.

Is there a continuing decline in extent of occurrence? Unknown, but See Distribution (1. Alberta), pp. 1–6 unlikely

29 Appendix 3 continued:

Is there a continuing decline in index of area of occupancy? Unknown, but See Distribution (1. Alberta), pp. 1–6 unlikely

Is there a continuing decline in number of subpopulations? Unknown, but See Distribution (1. Alberta), pp. 1–6 unlikely

Is there a continuing decline in number of locations? Unknown, but See Distribution (1. Alberta), pp. 1–6 unlikely

Is there a continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of Unknown, but habitat? unlikely See Habitat, pp. 8–9, and Limiting Factors, p. 17-18

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of subpopulations? No See Population Size and Trends (1. Alberta), pp. 12–16, and Distribution (1. Alberta), pp. 1–6

Are there extreme fluctuations in number of locations? No See Population Size and Trends (1. Alberta), pp. 12–16, and Distribution (1. Alberta), pp. 1–6

Are there extreme fluctuations in extent of occurrence? No See Distribution (1. Alberta), pp. 1–6

Are there extreme fluctuations in index of area of occupancy? No See Distribution (1. Alberta), pp. 1–6

Number of Mature Individuals (in each population) N Mature Population (see Population Size and Trends, 1. Alberta) pp. 12-16 Individuals Milk River drainages: ~20,000 Musreau Lake: Hundreds of thousands Lower Athabasca River: Unknown, but likely small (0 – 1000) Total Total provincial population likely in the hundreds of thousands of fish, with the vast majority from Musreau Lake. Estimates for Milk River Likely hundreds drainages and Musreau Lake based on abundance estimates derived of thousands of from electrofishing data and seine haul catch rates. Additional mature sampling is required to determine accurate population estimates. individuals See Population Size and Trends (1.4 Provincial Population Size), p. 16.

30 Appendix 3 continued:

Quantitative Analysis This analysis has Probability of extinction in the wild is at least 10% within 100 years. not been done.

Threats (actual or imminent, to populations or habitats) Extreme climatic fluctuations leading to drought, cold temperatures that freeze over- wintering pools solid, highly variable water levels in the Milk River and its tributaries, stream channel relocation causing fish habitat alteration and disruption, oil and gas development, and potential introduction of exotic species. See Limiting Factors, p. 17-18.

Rescue Effect (immigration from outside Alberta) Status of outside population(s)? B.C.: S4; SK: S3S4; Mo: S4/“Potential Species of Concern”; CO: Threatened. See Status Designations (2. Other Areas), p. 19-20

Is immigration known or possible? Possible Immigration is not known; however, it is hypothetically possible in the Milk River drainage from Montana. The rescue effect would be limited by the small area from which the fish could enter Alberta. See Figure 5, p. 7, and Population Size and Trends (3. Rescue Potential), p.17.

Would immigrants be adapted to survive in Alberta? Yes See Population Size and Trends (3. Rescue Potential), p.17.

Is there sufficient habitat for immigrants in Alberta? Limited Unoccupied habitat would likely be in areas where subpopulations were lost or displaced in the Milk River drainage as a result of periodic drought and/or freezing to the bottom of overwintering pools; this habitat might not be secure in the long term. See Habitat, pp. 8–9, and Population Size and Trends (3. Rescue Potential), p.17.

Is rescue from outside populations likely? No With limited immigration and little secure habitat available, rescue is unlikely. See Population Size and Trends (3. Rescue Potential), p.17.

Current Status Provincial: SU National: N5 Elsewhere: G5 Authors of Technical Summary: Duane Radford and Robin Gutsell

31 List of Titles in This Series (as of July 2014)

No. 1 Status of the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) in Alberta, by David R. C. Prescott. 19 pp. (1997)

No. 2 Status of the Wolverine (Gulo gulo) in Alberta, by Stephen Petersen. 17 pp. (1997)

No. 3 Status of the Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis) in Alberta, by M. Carolina Caceres and M. J. Pybus. 19 pp. (1997)

No. 3 Update 2009. Status of the Northern Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 34 pp. (2009)

No. 4 Status of the Ord’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) in Alberta, by David L. Gummer. 16 pp. (1997)

No. 5 Status of the Eastern Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma douglassii brevirostre) in Alberta, by Janice D. James, Anthony P. Russell and G. Lawrence Powell. 20 pp. (1997)

No. 5 Update 2004. Status of the Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 27 pp. (2004)

No. 6 Status of the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis) in Alberta, by Sheri M. Watson and Anthony P. Russell. 26 pp. (1997)

No. 6 Update 2012. Status of the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) in Alberta. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 49 pp. (2012)

No. 7 Status of the Swift Fox (Vulpes velox) in Alberta, by Susan E. Cotterill. 17 pp. (1997)

No. 8 Status of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) in Alberta, by Petra Rowell and David P. Stepnisky. 23 pp. (1997)

No. 9 Status of the Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) in Alberta, by Greg Wagner. 46 pp. (1997)

No. 9 Update 2003. Status of the Northern Leopard Frog (Rana pipiens) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 61 pp. (2003)

No. 10 Status of the Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii) in Alberta, by David R. C. Prescott. 14 pp. (1997)

No. 11 Status of the Burrowing Owl (Speotyto cunicularia hypugaea) in Alberta, by Troy I. Wellicome. 21 pp. (1997)

No. 11 Update 2005. Status of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 28 pp. (2005)

No. 12 Status of the Canadian Toad (Bufo hemiophrys) in Alberta, by Ian M. Hamilton, Joann L. Skilnick, Howard Troughton, Anthony P. Russell, and G. Lawrence Powell. 30 pp. (1998)

No. 13 Status of the Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus urophasianus) in Alberta, by Cameron L. Aldridge. 23 pp. (1998)

No. 14 Status of the Great Plains Toad (Bufo cognatus) in Alberta, by Janice D. James. 26 pp. (1998)

No. 14 Update 2009. Status of the Great Plains Toad (Bufo [Anaxyrus] cognatus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 25 pp. (2009) No. 15 Status of the Plains Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus nasicus) in Alberta, by Jonathan Wright and Andrew Didiuk. 26 pp. (1998)

No. 16 Status of the Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) in Alberta, by Dorothy P. Hill. 20 pp. (1998)

No. 17 Status of the Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris) in Alberta, by Janice D. James. 21 pp. (1998)

No. 18 Status of the Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) in Alberta, by Josef K. Schmutz. 18 pp. (1999)

No. 18 Update 2006. Status of the Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 22 pp. (2006)

No. 19 Status of the Red-tailed Chipmunk (Tamias ruficaudus) in Alberta, by Ron Bennett. 15 pp. (1999)

No. 20 Status of the Northern Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium gnoma californicum) in Alberta, by Kevin C. Hannah. 20 pp. (1999)

No. 21 Status of the Western Blue Flag (Iris missouriensis) in Alberta, by Joyce Gould. 22 pp. (1999)

No. 21 Update 2005. Status of the Western Blue Flag (Iris missouriensis) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 29 pp. (2005)

No. 22 Status of the Long-toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) in Alberta, by Karen L. Graham and G. Lawrence Powell. 19 pp. (1999)

No. 23 Status of the Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) in Alberta, by Michael R. Norton. 24 pp. (1999)

No. 24 Status of the Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) in Alberta, by David R. C. Prescott and Ronald R. Bjorge. 28 pp. (1999)

No. 25 Status of the Plains Spadefoot (Spea bombifrons) in Alberta, by Richard D. Lauzon. 17 pp. (1999)

No. 26 Status of the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) in Alberta, by M. Lynne James. 21 pp. (2000)

No. 26 Update 2013. Status of the Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) in Alberta. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 43 pp. (2013)

No. 27 Status of the Pygmy Whitefish (Prosopium coulteri) in Alberta, by William C. Mackay. 16 pp. (2000)

No. 27 Update 2011. Status of the Pygmy Whitefish Prosopium( coulterii) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 46 pp. (2011)

No. 28 Status of the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) in Alberta, by Kort M. Clayton. 15 pp. (2000)

No. 29 Status of the Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) in Alberta, by Bryan Kulba and W. Bruce McGillivray. 15 pp. (2001)

No. 30 Status of the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Alberta, by Elston Dzus. 47 pp. (2001)

No. 30 Update 2010. Status of the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 88 pp. (2010)

No. 31 Status of the Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) in Alberta, by Bonnie Smith. 12 pp. (2001)

No. 32 Status of the Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castanea) in Alberta, by Michael Norton. 21 pp. (2001) No. 33 Status of the Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) in Alberta, by Michael Norton. 20 pp. (2001)

No. 34 Status of the Whooping Crane (Grus americana) in Alberta, by Jennifer L. White. 21 pp. (2001)

No. 35 Status of Soapweed (Yucca glauca) in Alberta, by Donna Hurlburt. 18 pp. (2001)

No. 36 Status of the Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) in Alberta, by Beth MacCallum. 38 pp. (2001)

No. 37 Status of the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) in Alberta, by John L. Kansas. 43 pp. (2002)

No. 37 Update 2010. Status of the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 44 pp. (2010)

No. 38 Status of the Wood Bison (Bison bison athabascae) in Alberta, by Jonathan A. Mitchell and C. Cormack Gates. 32 pp. (2002)

No. 39 Status of the Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Alberta, by John R. Post and Fiona D. Johnston. 40 pp. (2002)

No. 39 Update 2009. Status of the Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 48 pp. (2009)

No. 40 Status of the Banff Springs Snail (Physella johnsoni) in Alberta, by Dwayne A.W. Lepitzki. 29 pp. (2002)

No. 41 Status of the Shortjaw Cisco ( zenithicus) in Alberta, by Mark Steinhilber. 23 pp. (2002)

No. 42 Status of the Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) in Alberta, by Dale Paton. 28 pp. (2002)

No. 43 Status of the American Badger (Taxidea taxus) in Alberta, by Dave Scobie. 17 pp. (2002)

No. 44 Status of the Yucca Moth (Tegeticula yuccasella) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 21 pp. (2002)

No. 45 Status of the White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca deglandi) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 15 pp. (2002)

No. 46 Status of the Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 30 pp. (2002)

No. 47 Status of the (Hybognathus argyritis) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 24 pp. (2003)

No. 48 Status of the Small-flowered Sand Verbena Tripterocalyx( micranthus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 24 pp. (2003)

No. 49 Status of the Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 30 pp. (2003)

No. 50 Status of the Mountain Plover (Charadrius montanus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 25 pp. (2003)

No. 51 Status of the St. Mary Shorthead (provisionally Cottus bairdi punctulatus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 24 pp. (2003)

No. 52 Status of the Stonecat (Noturus flavus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 22 pp. (2003) No. 53 Status of the Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 23 pp. (2004)

No. 54 Status of the Tiny Cryptanthe (Cryptantha minima) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 39 pp. (2004)

No. 55 Status of the Slender Mouse-ear-cress (Halimolobos virgata) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 27 pp. (2005)

No. 55 Update 2009. Status of the Slender Mouse-ear-cress (Halimolobos virgata or Transberingia bursifolia subsp. virgata) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 28 pp. (2009)

No. 56 Status of the Barred Owl (Strix varia) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 15 pp. (2005)

No. 57 Status of the Arctic Grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. 41 pp. (2005)

No. 58 Status of the Weidemeyer’s Admiral (Limenitis weidemeyerii) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 13 pp. (2005)

No. 59 Status of the Porsild’s Bryum (Bryum porsildii) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 30 pp. (2006)

No. 60 Status of the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 29 pp. (2006)

No. 60 Update 2012. Status of the Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) in Alberta. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 45 pp. (2012)

No. 61 Status of the Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisii) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 34 pp. (2006)

No. 62 Status of the Limber Pine (Pinus flexilis) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 17 pp. (2007)

No. 63 Status of the Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 22 pp. (2007)

No. 64 Status of the Western Small-footed Bat (Myotis ciliolabrum) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 24 pp. (2008)

No. 65 Status of the Verna’s Flower Moth (Schinia verna) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 17 pp. (2008)

No. 66 Status of the Athabasca Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 32 pp. (2009)

No. 67 Status of the Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus) in Alberta. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 40 pp. (2011)

No. 68 Status of the Brassy Minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) in Alberta. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 31 pp. (2014) No. 69 Status of the Hare-footed Locoweed (Oxytropis lagopus var. conjugans) in Alberta. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 31 pp. (2012)

No. 70 Status of the Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) in Alberta. Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Alberta Conservation Association. 41 pp. (2014)