Distribution and Life History of Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori in the Upper Clinch River Watershed, Virginia Shannon Lynn White Thesis submitted to the faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Fisheries and Wildlife Science Donald Orth, Committee Chair Emmanuel Frimpong Andrew Dolloff 30 November 2012 Blacksburg, VA Keywords: Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori, species distribution, reproductive biology, life history Copyright © 2012, Shannon White Distribution and Life History of Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori in the Upper Clinch River Watershed, Virginia Shannon L. White Abstract In 1999, a new species of minnow, Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori (Clinch dace), was discovered in the Tennessee drainage of Virginia. Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori are listed as a Federal Species of Concern and on Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan as Tier II- Very High Conservation Need because of potential threats from habitat degradation, high population fragmentation, and a largely unknown distribution. Consequently, a management plan for C. sp. cf. saylori is of utmost importance, but more information regarding its distribution and life history is required before such a plan can be implemented. In 2011 and 2012 I sampled 60 headwater streams in the upper Clinch River watershed, Virginia. From this and historical data, I conclude that C. sp. cf. saylori are restricted to eight small tributaries to the Clinch River. Multivariate analysis of habitat correlates indicated that C. sp. cf. saylori populations are found in small, high elevation streams with gravel substrate and forested watersheds. Three species distribution models were unable to predict C. sp. cf. saylori distribution. Morphological traits were significantly different between C. sp. cf. saylori and other Chrosomus, thereby providing an initial indication of speciation and differing niche roles. I observed a nest association with Campostoma anomalum. Gonad weight was lower for C. sp. cf. saylori than closely-related congeners. Together, this information indicates that C. sp. cf. saylori are narrowly distributed and populations are small, fragmented, and of questionable viability. In the future, long-term monitoring efforts and genetics analyses should be completed and additional protection measures pursued. Acknowledgments Because there would be no ending without a beginning, I would like to first thank Charles Gowan for instilling in me a passion for fisheries science, and never failing to support me in my journey. His mentorship instilled in me a genuine curiosity and a drive for excellence. His compassionate friendship helped me through many academic and personal struggles, and allows me to dream big knowing he will help me pick up the pieces when things fell apart. Chas. is the life-long mentor, colleague, and friend no one should go through life without. To Don Orth, I am grateful for the academic, research, and teaching advice that allowed me to grow as a student and as a professional during my time and Virginia Tech. His countless hours of work writing recommendation letters undoubtedly stretched the budget of this project and the credentials of my resume. He also helped show a devoted trout biologist that there is, in fact, more to fisheries than salmon. My committee members, Emmanuel Frimpong and Andrew Dolloff, have been invaluable to this experience. Their contributions to this project have been many, and their continued advice, both about fish and life, appreciated. A special thanks to Emmanuel for gently introducing me to statistics and modeling with a (probably often forced) smile. This project was funded through a United States Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grant managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Edna Bailey Sussman Fund. Special thanks to Mike Pinder from Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries who has been an asset to this project with his knowledge of the area, willingness to help in data collection, and guidance on the trajectory of this project. Mike’s sense of humor married with an attention to detail and hard work made working with him a pleasure. iii I am gracious to all of my technicians, both paid and volunteer, for all of their efforts in the field. Trudging through streams covered in poison ivy for 12 hours a day is ruthless, but everyone did it without (much) complaining, even without lunch. I also thank Toby Coyner for collecting fish in 2009 and Chris Skelton for providing data and SAS codes used in chapter two. Finally, I would like to thank my fellow graduate students. Brandon Peoples was my Chrosomus partner in crime, and his experience, wisdom, and love of all things hoppy resolved many of my frustrations. My officemates, Laci Coleman and Bonnie Meyers, were an ever- present sounding board for ideas, rants, and other shenanigans. Alex Silvis often helped with R programming, and contributed towards the development of the species distribution models. I’d also like to thanks Nate Adkins and Matt Vincent for encouraging mid-afternoon trips downtown and overconsumption of frozen yogurt. iv Table of Contents Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................ iii List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. viii List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................ xi General Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter One: Distribution and habitat correlates of Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori in the upper Clinch River watershed and surrounding tributaries ...................................................................... 7 Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 7 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 9 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 12 Site selection .......................................................................................................................... 12 Fish Collection ....................................................................................................................... 14 Microhabitat Data Collection and Analysis ........................................................................... 14 Species Distribution Models .................................................................................................. 15 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 17 Fish Assemblage .................................................................................................................... 17 Habitat Correlates of Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori .................................................................... 18 Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori Distribution Models ..................................................................... 19 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 19 Chapter Two: Ontogenetic and comparative morphology of Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori ........... 39 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 39 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 40 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 43 Fish Collection ....................................................................................................................... 43 Size-at-Age ............................................................................................................................ 43 External Morphology ............................................................................................................. 43 Diet and Internal Morphology ............................................................................................... 45 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 45 Size at Age ............................................................................................................................. 45 v Internal and External Anatomy .............................................................................................. 46 Diet Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 47 Conclusions .............................................................................................................................