Mismatch between temperature and discharge disrupts spawning cues in a fluvial specialist, blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus
Seasonal movements cued by environmental variables are a critical component of riverine fish life history. Life-history events for species such as blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus are likely cued by discharge and temperature and may be disrupted if those life-history events and environmental regimes are mismatched. However, this effect may be dependent upon the habitat occupied when environmental cues are received by individuals. We tracked telemetered blue sucker in the Colorado River, Texas, USA, from 2015 to 2017 and modelled the relative effects of discharge, temperature and habitat structure on seasonal movement patterns. Tagged fish varied in their propensity to move, although most returned to their original tagging locations. Decreasing temperatures and increasing discharge resulted in increased seasonal movements. Temperature and discharge had the largest effect on movement behaviour, but the magnitude of movements was largely dependent on the year. Temperatures between 12 and 19°C and discharges between 10 and 240 m3s−1 resulted in greater probabilities of spawning movements. Spawning was most probable in 2015 and reduced or halted in 2016 and 2017. Future climate scenarios suggest North America will experience increased drought, warmer temperatures and more variable weather patterns. These future scenarios could negatively impact blue sucker by disrupting environmental cues and habitat availability for seasonal life-history events. Our results suggest temperature and discharge are critical cues for the species, but that their combined effect is largely dependent on the occupied habitat.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2023 |
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Title | Mismatch between temperature and discharge disrupts spawning cues in a fluvial specialist, blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus |
DOI | 10.1111/eff.12687 |
Authors | Matthew Ross Acre, Timothy B. Grabowski, Daniel J. Leavitt, Nathan G. Smith, Allison A. Pease, Preston T. Bean, Dakus Geeslin |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Ecology of Freshwater Fish |
Index ID | 70240254 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Columbia Environmental Research Center; Coop Res Unit Seattle |