University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 5-2012 Stable Isotope Analysis (delta nitrogen-15 and delta carbon-13) and Bioenergetic Modeling of Spatial- Temporal Foraging Patterns and Consumption Dynamics in Brown and Rainbow Trout Populations Within Catch-and-Release Areas of Arkansas Tailwaters Jon M. Flinders University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Other Animal Sciences Commons, Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Flinders, Jon M., "Stable Isotope Analysis (delta nitrogen-15 and delta carbon-13) and Bioenergetic Modeling of Spatial-Temporal Foraging Patterns and Consumption Dynamics in Brown and Rainbow Trout Populations Within Catch-and-Release Areas of Arkansas Tailwaters" (2012). Theses and Dissertations. 301. http://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/301 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS ( δ15 N and δ13 C) AND BIOENERGETIC MODELING OF SPATIAL-TEMPORAL FORAGING PATTERNS AND CONSUMPTION DYNAMICS IN BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT POPULATIONS WITHIN CATCH-AND-RELEASE AREAS OF ARKANSAS TAILWATERS STABLE ISOTOPE ANALYSIS ( δ15 N and δ13 C) AND BIOENERGETIC MODELING OF SPATIAL-TEMPORAL FORAGING PATTERNS AND CONSUMPTION DYNAMICS IN BROWN AND RAINBOW TROUT POPULATIONS WITHIN CATCH-AND-RELEASE AREAS OF ARKANSAS TAILWATERS A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Biology By Jon M. Flinders Utah State University Bachelor of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, 2000 University of Arizona Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science, 2003 May 2012 University of Arkansas Abstract I examined spatial and temporal consumption dynamics using an energy intake model and a bioenergetics model of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss , and brown trout, Salmo trutta , within three catch-and-release (C-R) areas in Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters to determine whether trout populations were limited by food supply. I also examined the seasonal and ontogenetic shifts in the foraging patterns of brown and rainbow trout within these areas using gut content analysis (GCA) and stable isotope analysis (SIA) of δ13 C and δ15 N. I examined 605 brown trout and 768 rainbow trout for GCA and SIA at Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Sylamore C-R areas. For growth analysis and abundance estimates, I tagged a total of 11,423 brown and rainbow trout. Mean rainbow trout densities were higher (47 to 342 fish·ha -1) than brown trout (3 to 84 fish·ha -1) at all C-R areas. The Norfork C-R area contained the highest densities of brown and rainbow trout. Benthic macroinvertebrates at Bull Shoals and Norfork were 14.0 to 18.7 times higher in biomass than at Sylamore. Biomass of sculpin was approximately 2 to 8 times higher at Norfork than Bull Shoals and Sylamore. I found a high proportion of filamentous algae, Cladophora , and a nuisance diatom, Didymosphenia geminata in the diets of rainbow trout (15-91%), despite the apparent lack of energetic value from this food source. Generally, SIA mixing model results provided broad ranges of source contributions rather than more informative narrow ranges of solutions limiting the conclusions regarding food source contributions. Large rainbow trout failed to consume sufficient food biomass to exceed maintenance ration and exhibited slow or negative seasonal growth suggesting poorer energetic conditions existed for this size class and species. In contrast, brown trout experienced high growth rates at lower densities than rainbow trout. Growth rate differences between brown and rainbow trout may be from brown trout shifting towards the incorporation of more energetically profitable prey fish. These findings suggest rainbow trout, and not brown trout, in Arkansas tailwater C-R areas were limited by spatial-temporal fluctuations in food availability. This dissertation is approved for Recommendation to the Graduate Council Dissertation Director: Daniel D. Magoulick Dissertation Committee: Dr. Steven J. Beaupre Dr. Arthur V. Brown Dr. Phillip D. Hays Disseration Duplication Release I hereby authorize the University of Arkansas Libraries to duplicate this dissertation when needed for research and/or scholarship. Agreed Jon M. Flinders Refused Jon M. Flinders Acknowlegements I am indeed grateful to my major advisor Dr. Dan Magoulick for his support and fisheries advice, both from a scientific and recreational perspective. I would also like to thank Dr. Steve Beaupre, Dr. Art Brown, and Dr. Phil Hays for their time and assistance in improving this dissertation. I was fortunate to interact with students and staff in USGS Arkansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Christy Kitterman was extremely instrumental in this project and assisted me both in the field and laboratory and I appreciated her dedication and hard work. The graduate students throughout my tenure were exceptional and I would like to thank John Ludlam, Matt Dekar, Chris Bare, Aaron Cushing, and Eric Larson for their input to my research and endless discussions regarding various fisheries topics. Diane Moler assisted in providing administrative and Dr. David Krementz provided constructive feedback. Funding for this project was provided by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and their support and assistance was critical. I would specifically like to thank the following: Darrell Bowman, Jeff Williams, Stan Todd, Kent Coffey, Eli Powers, Matt Schroeder, Ken Shirley, and Mark Oliver. Multiple university students and staff provided countless hours in the laboratory assisting me in analyzing the data. Lastly, I would like to thank my wife Peggy for always being there to offer love and support through all the long hours spent in the office and lab. Dedication To my wife Peggy for her unwavering support, patience, and love. Table of Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................ 6 Effects of prey and tissue type on δ13 C and δ15 N fractionation and turnover rates and assimilation efficiency of rainbow trout............................................................................................................ 10 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 11 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 12 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 28 Literature Cited ...................................................................................................................... 38 Spatial-temporal foraging patterns of brown and rainbow trout within catch-and-release areas in Arkansas tailwaters using gut content and stable isotope analysis ( δ13 C and δ15 N) ..................... 51 Abstract .................................................................................................................................... 52 Methods .................................................................................................................................... 58 Results ...................................................................................................................................... 68 Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 79 Literature cited ........................................................................................................................ 91 Food availability and consumption dynamics of brown and rainbow trout populations within catch-and-release areas in Arkansas tailwaters: a bioenergetics modeling approach ................. 123 Abstract .................................................................................................................................. 124 Methods .................................................................................................................................. 131 Results .................................................................................................................................... 146 Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 162 Literature cited ...................................................................................................................... 175 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 215 Literature cited ...................................................................................................................... 219 Introduction In the southeastern United States rainbow trout,