Rapid Colonization of the Potomac River Drainage by the Rainbow Darter (<i>Etheostoma caeruleum</i>) Following Introduction

Cessna, Jason F.; Raesly, Richard L.; Kilian, Jay V.; Cincotta, Daniel A.; Hilderbrand, Robert H.

doi:10.1656/045.021.0101

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…We observed immigration of rainbow darter in 3 sites, including a site in karst terrain (Hopewell Run) suggesting the species’ physiological tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions. Rainbow darter is considered non‐native within the Potomac River basin due to its rapid colonisation into major tributaries following the first observation in 1977 (Cessna et al, 2014), and our surveys provide additional support for assertion that the species is non‐native in the study area. We also observed the apparent extirpation of smallmouth bass in 3 sites (Dillons Creek lower and upper sites, Sleepy Creek lower site) and its persistence in 1 site (Brush Creek).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Stabilising effects of karstic groundwater on stream fish communities

Hitt

Rogers

Kessler

et al. 2023

Ecology of Freshwater Fish

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Although groundwater exchange processes are known to modulate atmospheric influences on stream temperature and flow, the implications for ecological stability are poorly understood. Here, we evaluated temporal change in stream fish communities across a gradient of groundwater influence defined by karst terrain (carbonate parent materials) within the Potomac River basin of eastern North America. We surveyed 12 sites in 2022 that had been sampled 29–30 years previously with similar methods. We also collected stream temperature data from each site and used the regression slope of the air‐water temperature relationship to index stream thermal sensitivity and groundwater exchange processes. Sites in karst terrain exhibited strong groundwater controls on stream temperature, and fish communities were more stable over time in these locations than elsewhere. However, stream thermal sensitivity was a stronger predictor of species persistence than the spatial distribution of karst terrain in contributing areas, highlighting the ecological importance of local variation in groundwater discharge processes. The presence of calcium precipitates (marl) in stream substrates was associated with low thermal sensitivity and ecological stability over time, and we suggest such visible features may be a useful indicator of climate change refugia in stream ecosystems.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

Stabilising effects of karstic groundwater on stream fish communities

Hitt

Rogers

Kessler

et al. 2023

Ecology of Freshwater Fish

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“…) and only rainbow darter is known with high confidence to be introduced in the study area (Cessna et al. ). In contrast, all native species were unambiguously assigned as such based on historical records (Jenkins and Burkhead ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We found that 6 of the 9 increasing species are native (Table 5) and therefore cannot attribute our results solely to the expansion of introduced fishes. Moreover, 2 of the 3 increasing species categorized as nonnative are considered "introduced but possibly native" in the Potomac River basin (bluntnose minnow and greenside darter; Jenkins and Burkhead 1994, Starnes 2002, Starnes et al 2011) and only rainbow darter is known with high confidence to be introduced in the study area (Cessna et al 2014). In contrast, all native species were unambiguously assigned as such based on historical records (Jenkins and Notes: Abundance trends are interpreted by predicted 95% confidence intervals on b 1 relative to 0 (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish life history trends indicate increasing flow stochasticity in an unregulated river

et al. 2020

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Life history theory provides a framework to understand environmental change based on species traits that capitalize on stable, predictable, or stochastic environmental conditions. We evaluated life history strategies and temporal trends in abundance from 1975 to 2017 for 28 fish species within the Potomac River of eastern North America. Multivariate analysis identified life history strategies defined by small‐bodied species with extended spawning seasons and early maturation (opportunistic strategists), large‐bodied species with delayed maturation and long lifespans (periodic strategists), and intermediate‐sized species exhibiting parental care (equilibrium strategists). Linear mixed models detected temporal trends in abundance for 13 species (46%), of which nine increased and four decreased over time. Increasing species were characterized by opportunistic life history strategies (e.g., banded killifish, Fundulus diaphanous; mosquito fish, Gambusia holbrooki), whereas decreasing species were characterized by periodic or equilibrium strategies (e.g., smallmouth bass, Micropterus dolomieu; river chub, Nocomis micropogon). Recent introductions can account for temporal increases in some cases, but most increasing species are native to the study area. Observed increases in opportunistic native species and decreases in periodic and equilibrium species indicate that environmental conditions have become less stable and less predictable over time, consistent with observed increases in spring peak flows in the study area. Our study indicates the importance of environmental stochasticity for fish community responses to land use and climate change and demonstrates the utility of life history theory in this regard.

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“…The rapid spread of introduced darters may illustrate our underestimation of darter movement capabilities. E. variatum, E. caeruleum, and E. blenniodes have all been introduced beyond their native range and swiftly colonized their new watersheds (Gibson et al 2019;Cessna et al 2014;Beneteau et al 2012), indicating the possibility for dispersal capabilities that may be higher than expected.…”

Section: Population Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Utilizing conservation genetics as a strategy for recovering the endangered Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni) in West Virginia

Kessinger¹

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Utilizing conservation genetics as a strategy for recovering the endangered Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni) in West Virginia Brin Kessinger The Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni) is a small freshwater fish native to the New River drainage in West Virginia and Virginia that was listed as endangered in November 2018. It has been extirpated from much of its historic range in West Virginia, restricting it to the Gauley and Greenbrier river drainages. In addition to extirpations, the species is threatened by introgressive hybridization with the invasive Variegate Darter (E. variatum). Previous research primarily focused on hybridization, but population genetic analyses were limited. Population genetic analyses aim to identify distinct populations through genetic structure and characterize the levels of genetic diversity amongst those populations. A series of reintroductions of wildcaught individuals from the Greenbrier River drainage was performed to create new populations that were not under threat of hybridization. Fish were stocked into Camp Creek and the Little Bluestone River in the Bluestone River drainage of southern West Virginia. Individuals from throughout the Greenbrier and Gauley River drainages along with the newly introduced individuals were genotyped with 12 microsatellite loci to assess their population structure and diversity. These results were used to make recommendations about conservation units and future reintroduction efforts. A watershed-level landscape assessment was performed on the Camp Creek and Little Bluestone River watersheds to compare the source habitat to the new habitat. There is strong evidence that the Greenbrier drainage population and the Gauley River drainage population are highly distinct and represent separate ESUs that should be treated as separate Recovery Units (RUs). The reintroduced population's genetic diversity captures the diversity of the source (Greenbrier drainage), but the landscapes of the new watersheds present some challenges to managers with higher levels of agriculture, resource extraction, and private land. The long-term persistence of E. osburni populations relies on continued monitoring and management of their genetics.

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Rapid Colonization of the Potomac River Drainage by the Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) Following Introduction

Cited by 4 publications

References 19 publications

Stabilising effects of karstic groundwater on stream fish communities

Stabilising effects of karstic groundwater on stream fish communities

Fish life history trends indicate increasing flow stochasticity in an unregulated river

Utilizing conservation genetics as a strategy for recovering the endangered Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni) in West Virginia

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