Fish and Aquatic Species Conservation
Fish and Aquatic Species Conservation
Filter Total Items: 73
A hydrological framework to improve precision of Vital Signs metrics in the Appalachian highlands
Stream flow is a fundamental driver of ecological structure and function, but its influence on bioassessment measures is poorly understood. Although extreme flow conditions (e.g., floods and droughts) have long been known to play a central role in structuring stream communities, a mechanistic understanding of the linkages between flow variables, landscape and local physical characteristics, and...
Fish locomotion and biomechanics as limiting and optimizing factors in fish passage
Swimming ability determines how well fish are able to access habitat, and is a fundamental design consideration for passing fish at dams, road crossings, etc.
Effects of temperature and energy use on fish passage and spawning success of American shad
American Shad are the most numerous and economically important anadromous species on the east coast of the United States. Yet in many river systems their populations have experienced declines, primarily due to the impacts of dams and habitat loss.
Genetic connectivity among regional populations of red tree corals (Primnoa pacifica) in the North Pacific Ocean
Knowledge of the degree to which populations are connected through larval dispersal is imperative to effective management, yet little is known about larval dispersal capability or population connectivity in Primnoa pacifica , an important habitat forming octocoral on the outer continental shelf and upper slope in the Gulf of Alaska.
Genetic characterization of the clubshell species complex (Pleurobema clava and P. oviforme) for enhanced conservation
The diversity of freshwater mussels (family Unionidae) in the United States is unmatched in the rest of the world, yet this biodiversity is highly vulnerable, with more than 70% of recognized species considered to be either endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Most species inhabit limited ranges and have small (and/or often unknown) dispersal abilities due to reliance on specific host...
Deepwater Atlantic Habitats II: Continued Atlantic Research and Exploration in Deepwater Ecosystems with Focus on Coral, Canyon, and Seep Communities. Part II: Genetic Connectivity and Oceanomic Studies
This study utilizes genetics and genomics techniques to characterize biodiversity and genetic connectivity among deep-sea coral habitats and cold seeps in and near submarine canyons and will use environmental DNA techniques to characterize plankton diversity and to identify key contributors to carbon export from surface waters that sustain sensitive benthic communities. The proposed genetics and...
Novel approach using flocculation to concentrate edna to search for early invasions of specific aquatic invasive species
Early detection systems for aquatic nuisance species have been improved by the advancement of polymerase chain reactions that amplify DNA sequences for decoding.
Climate change forecasts for eastern salmonids
Small streams in forests are likely to see dramatic shifts as global climate change influences air temperature and rain patterns. We have already seen warmer stream temperatures as air temperatures increase in summer in the Northeastern US. The intensity and duration of floods and droughts are also expected to magnify as future rain patterns shift. This project will evaluate how stream temperature...
Use of next-generation sequencing for the dietary analyses of smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) stomach content
The USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center scientists are collaborating with the PADEP (SMB) to develop and evaluate a genetic assay for fish diets that will allow us to develop a cost-effective monitoring program for determining the diet of wild fish.
Developing and testing eDNA markers for the Federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel, Alasmidonta heterodon and other key freshwater mussel species
Dwarf wedgemussel is a federally endangered freshwater mussel with a historic range spanning the Atlantic coast. However, populations have dramatically declines over the last 30 years. Therefore, knowledge of current population distribution and abundance is critical to resource managers in order to monitor the species over time and to guide recovery actions. Manual survey efforts (snorkel or scuba...
Ecological flow needs of freshwater mussels
Streamflow characteristics are rapidly changing in response to climate variability, water management practices, and a variety of other human water demands. Alterations in water quantity can have direct impacts on aquatic organisms (e.g., stranding, displacement, disruption of spawning), and can be especially detrimental to organisms with limited mobility. Freshwater mussels are one such group of...
Metabarcoding of stomach contents from the Round Goby (Negobius melanostromus) in Pennsylvania
The Round Goby, Neogobius melanostomus , is a small benthic fish native to the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara.