Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science, Vol. 94 (2015) 195
RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF FINESCALE DACE (PHOXINUS NEOGAEUS) IN MUD LAKE, LAWRENCE COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA
Jane Amiotte1, Greg Simpson1*, and Michael E. Barnes2 1 South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks Rapid City, South Dakota, 57702 2 South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks McNenny State Fish Hatchery Spearfish, South Dakota, 57783 *Corresponding author email: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) were historically numerous in the Black Hills of South Dakota, but the population has decreased substantially over the past 125 years. By 2003, the only finescale dace populations in South Dakota occurred in Cox Lake and Crow Creek. In 2004, 30 adult dace were moved from Cox Lake to Mud Lake in Lawrence County in an attempt to establish an- other self-sustaining population. Mark-recapture population estimates in 2014 indicated 7,022 adult finescale dace in Mud Lake, with 95% confidence limits of 5,152 and 9,407 fish. The successful establishment of the Mud Lake popula- tion indicates the feasibility of transplantation to conserve this state-endangered species. New sites for additional populations should be considered due to the successful re-introduction of the finescale dace in Mud Lake.
Keywords
finescale dace, Black Hills, endangered, rotenone
INTRODUCTION
Finescale dace (Phoxinus neogaeus) are small (< 127 mm) members of the Cy- prinidae family, widely distributed in Canada and the northern United States (Isaak et al. 2003). The population in South Dakota is isolated, likely as a result of historical glaciation (Bailey and Allum 1962). Finescale dace prefer cool wa- ter, occupy habitats associated with spring seeps and headwater areas (Stasiak 1973), and eat a variety of zooplankton, aquatic insects, and detritus (Litvak and Hansell 1990). They typically are found with other Cyprinid species (Bailey and Allum 1962; Scott and Crossman 1973; Baxter and Stone 1995). Finescale dace in South Dakota were first noted by Evermann and Cox (1896) with the populations restricted to the northern Black Hills (Evermann and Cox 1896; Bailey and Allum 1962). By 1998, finescale dace were only found in two locations in South Dakota, both in Lawrence County, Cox Lake and a small 196 Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science, Vol. 94 (2015) sinkhole pond adjacent to Crow Creek (Olson 1998). Based on these data, the State of South Dakota classified this species as state endangered (SDGFP 2015). It is also considered a sensitive species by the United States Forest Service within the Black Hills National Forest (USFS 2015). The reason for the decline of finescale dace in South Dakota is unknown. However, Stasiak and Cunningham (2006) suggest that human demand on water resources, the loss or decline in suitable habitat, and the introduction of non-native species as possible causes. In particular, the presence of non-native fish species, such as predacious brown trout Salmo( trutta), may be impacting finescale dace either through competition or predation (Isaak et al. 2003). We investigated sites for potential introduction to protect and possibly increase the population of finescale dace in South Dakota. Mud Lake was chosen based on several factors including suitable habitat, safe and feasible removal of existing fish populations, low probability of illegal introductions of other fish species, and complete ownership by the State of South Dakota. Mud Lake is a small, shallow lake that receives groundwater inflows from the Madison Aquifer. Bailey and Allum (1962) had previously documented finescale dace in Mud Lake, but the original population was likely extirpated by the introduction of green sun- fish (Lepomis cyanellus) (Isaak et al. 2003). In 2004, resident green sunfish were eradicated from Mud Lake and 30 finescale dace were relocated from Cox Lake. Since the re-introduction of finescale dace into Mud Lake, little has been done to see if the relocation effort was successful in re-establishing a viable dace population. Casual sampling efforts in 2010 and in 2013 yielded only a few individuals, so the extent of the reestablishment was unknown (South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks unpublished data). The current study had two primary objectives: 1) to determine if Mud Lake contained a viable, repro- ducing population of finescale dace, and 2) to estimate the size of the Mud Lake finescale dace population.
METHODS
Study Area—Mud Lake, located on the McNenny State Game Production Area in Lawrence County, is a shallow (< 0.61 m deep) 1.6 ha pond with a marl bottom and an abundance of Chara sp. It is among the very few natural lakes found in western South Dakota (Shearer and Erickson 2005). Mud Lake has no watershed, but contains clear, cool water from an underground aquifer (Carter et al. 2002). The underlying gypsum lenses of the Spearfish Formation in the northern Black Hills are easily dissolved by ground water, resulting in sinkhole- formed lakes such as Cox and Mud (Naus et al. 2001). In 2004, thirty finescale dace were captured in minnow traps from Cox Lake and transported and stocked into Mud Lake.
Capture and Marking—Mud Lake was sampled in the summer of 2014 to determine the status of the finescale dace population. On July 16, 2014, four vinyl-dipped mesh minnow traps, 42 cm long with a 2.54 cm opening, were baited with wheat bread and placed into the lake. The traps were set for two Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science, Vol. 94 (2015) 197
hours then retrieved. Any adult dace in the trap were counted and then sedated in a bath containing 2% tricaine methanesulfonate (MS-222) and marked by removal of the left pectoral fin. After recovery in fresh water, the recently fin- clipped fish were released back into the lake. A second sampling event occurred one week later on July 23, 2014. The traps were set in the same locations. The number of unmarked and marked fish (absent left pectoral fin) was recorded. On each sampling day, young-of-the-year dace were observed, but were too small for capture by the minnow traps. Only a single marking event for population estimation was used because of the exclusive range and relatively small numbers of finescale dace in South Dakota. A population size estimate was obtained from the Lincoln-Peterson mark and recapture method (Petersen 1896; Lincoln 1930) using the following formula:
M (number initially marked) C(total in second sample) = N (total population size) ( ) M (number initiallyR markedmarked )recapturesC(total in second sample) ∗ = N (total population size) R (marked recaptures) ConfidenceConfidence limits (95%) (95%) were ∗were determined determined using usingthe Poisson the Poisson frequency frequency distribution distri (for- R) and the formula from Seber (1982): butionConfidence (for R) limitsand the (95%) formula were(M determined from + 1)(C Seber + 1)using (1982): the Poisson frequency distribution (for R) and the formula from Seber (1982): 1= (M +(R 1)(C + 1) + 1) − 1=𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 Mortality was assumed to be the (Rsame + 1)between the marked fish and the unmarked fish. Immigration and emigration was assumed to be negligible− because𝑁𝑁𝑁𝑁 Mud Lake has only one small outletMortality andMortality no inlet was was except assumed through to to bethe be the underground the same same between betweenaquifer. the marked the marked fish and fishthe unmarked and the fish. un- Immigrationmarked fish. and emigratio Immigrationn was assumedand emigration to be negligible was assumed because Mudto be Lake negligible has only onebecause small outletMud and Lake no inlet has except only throughone small the underground outlet and aquifer. no inlet except through the under- ground aquifer. RESULTS RESULTS On the first sampling date, 525 finescale dace were captured. During the second sampling event, 535 individuals were captured, of which 40 were previously marked, resulting in a Mud LakeOn the finescale first sampling dace population date, 525 estimatefinescaleRESULTS of dace 7,022. were Confidence captured. Duringlimits were the second 5,151 and 9,408.sampling event, 535 individuals were captured, of which 40 were previously marked, resulting in a MudOn Lake the finescale first sampling dace population date, 525estimate finescale of 7,022. dace Confidence were captured. limits were During 5,151 andthe sec- 9,408.ond sampling event, 535 individuals were captured, of which 40 were previously marked, resulting in a Mud LakeD finescaleISCUSSION dace population estimate of 7,022. Confidence limits were 5,151 andD ISCUSSION9,408. Minnow traps were very successful at collecting finescale dace at Mud Lake and have also been used in other locations to sample populations of finescale dace (Stasiak 1973; He and Minnow traps were very successful at collecting finescale dace at Mud Lake and have Lodge 1990) and other fish species (TonnDISCUSSION and Magnuson 1982; Bryant 2000). The dace in Mud Lakealso been were used relatively in other easy locations to capture to sample when traps populations were baited of finescale with wheat dace bread (Stasiak and 1973; only requiredHe and twoLodge hours 1990) of fishingand other to befish effective. species (Tonn We used and minnowMagnuson traps 1982; similar Bryant to previous 2000). The sampling dace in efforts Mud inLake 2010Minnow were and relatively 2013; traps however, easy were to incapturevery our successfulefforts when wetraps checked at were collecting baited the traps with finescale after wheat a two-hour bread dace and atperiod. onlyMud required Other Lake fishtwoand specieshours have of have fishingalso been been to observedbe usedeffective. into leave other We minnowused locations minnow traps to trapswithin sample similar 1 h (Johnsonpopulations to previous et al. sampling 2005).of finescale We efforts believedin dace2010 (Stasiakand that 2013; the finescale1973; however, He dace in and our would Lodgeefforts not we1990)be ablechecked andto leave theother trapsthe fishtraps after speciesafter a two-hour this (Tonn short period. time and period. OtherMag- Infish nusonthe species earlier 1982; have efforts, Bryantbeen traps observed 2000). were leftto The leave overnight daceminnow inbefore trapsMud checking. withinLake 1were Ith (Johnsonis relatively highly probableet al.easy 2005). to that capture Weafter believed that the finescale dace would not be able to leave the traps after this short time period. thewhen bread trapsis eaten were or dissolved, baited with the dacewheat are bread able to and escape only the required trap. Anecdotal two hours information of fishing from 2010In the and earlier 2013 efforts, sampling traps showed were left the overnight presence beforeof only checking. a few individuals. It is highly probable that after theto bread be effective.is eaten or dissolved,We used the minnow dace are trapsable to similar escape theto trap.previous Anecdotal sampling information efforts from in 2010The and successful 2013; however, establishment in ourof the efforts Mud Lake we fcheckedinescale dace the populationtraps after shows a two-hour the feasibility2010 and 2013 of transplantation sampling showed to conserve the presence this state- of onlyendangered a few individuals. species. With another self- sustainingperiod.The population,Other successful fish theestablishment species chance ofhave an of isolatedthebeen Mud observed event Lake leadingfinesca to leave leto dacethe minnowextirpation population traps of shows finescalewithin the dace1 h withinfeasibility(Johnson South of transplantationDakotaet al. 2005). is greatly Weto redconserve believeduced. thisHowever, that state- theendangered the finescale relatively species. closedace proximityWithwould another not of bothbe self able Mud- to andsustaining Cox Lakes, population, which theare chancein the same of an Game isolated Production event leading Area tonecessitates the extirpation the establishment of finescale dace of additionalwithin South dace Dakota populations is greatly either red uced.proximateHowever, to this theGame relatively Production close Area proximity or in otherof both distant Mud watersand Cox . FutureLakes, siteswhich to are consider in the mightsame Game be ponds Production created byArea beaver necessitates dams (Bailey the establishment and Allum of 1962;additional Stasiak dace 1978; populations Baxter andeither Stone proximate 1995) andto this other Game small Production waters either Area devoid or in other of any distant predatorywaters . Future fish species sites to or consider with characteristics might be ponds that createdthat ma byke removalbeaver dams of resident (Bailey species and Allumrelatively easy1962; and Stasiak inexpensive. 1978; Baxter Of primary and Stone concern 1995) would and other be the small possible waters introductions either devoid of ofpredatory any fish, particularlypredatory fish those species of the or Centrarchidae with characteristics family that, which that havemake been removal shown of residentto have severespecies impactsrelatively on easy and inexpensive. Of primary concern would be the possible introductions of predatory fish, particularly those of the Centrarchidae family, which3 have been shown to have severe impacts on 3 198 Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science, Vol. 94 (2015) leave the traps after this short time period. In the earlier efforts, traps were left overnight before checking. It is highly probable that after the bread is eaten or dissolved, the dace are able to escape the trap. Anecdotal information from 2010 and 2013 sampling showed the presence of only a few individuals. The successful establishment of the Mud Lake finescale dace population shows the feasibility of transplantation to conserve this state-endangered species. With another self-sustaining population, the chance of an isolated event leading to the extirpation of finescale dace within South Dakota is greatly reduced. However, the relatively close proximity of both Mud and Cox Lakes, which are in the same Game Production Area necessitates the establishment of additional dace populations either proximate to this Game Production Area or in other distant waters . Future sites to consider might be ponds created by beaver dams (Bailey and Allum 1962; Stasiak 1978; Baxter and Stone 1995) and other small waters either devoid of any predatory fish species or with characteristics that that make removal of resident species relatively easy and inexpensive. Of primary concern would be the possible introductions of predatory fish, particularly those of the Centrarchidae family, which have been shown to have severe impacts on finescale dace populations (Litvak and Hansell 1990; Stasiak and Cunningham 2006). It may also be important to consider the proximity of woody vegetation and other bird perch sites during pond selection for possible dace transplantation. Belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) have been observed to eat as many as six dace in a 10-minute period (Stasiak 1973). The success of this project may be a model for subsequent conservation efforts of other fish species. For relict species, whose survival is dependent on refugia (Sedell et al. 1990; Dugan and Davis 1993; Reeves et al. 1998), transplantation into novel waters may be a viable conservation option. Lake chub (Couesius plumbeus) are native to the Black Hills, but may be experiencing population declines (Isaak et al. 2003). If suitable areas can be identified and renovated, new lake chub populations might be established via transplantation. This would provide protection against further decreases in the number of fish or the number of self-sustaining populations of the lake chub.
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