Date of Award
Summer 7-18-2019
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Integrative Biology (MSIB)
Department
Biology
Major Professor
William Ensign, Ph. D.
First Committee Member
Herman Ray, Ph. D.
Second Committee Member
Troy Mutchler, Ph. D.
Abstract
In this study I investigated the differences in the non-migratory movement patterns of six fish species in a 280m reach of stream bisected by a culvert (impeded), and a 300m reach of stream with no movement barriers (unimpeded). This study took place between July 1, 2018 and November 14, 2018 in Raccoon Creek, Paulding County, Georgia. I used 12mm passive integrated transponder tags and four instream stationary antennas to monitor the movements 429 fishes. The antennas redetected 262 of the 429 individuals (61.1%), and 48% of fishes were redetected more than 10 times. The proportion of tagged individuals detected by species ranged from 53.3% (Lepomis auritus) to 90% (Hypentelium etowanum). The proportion of detected fishes that moved at least 150m in the unimpeded reach ranged from 41% for L auritus to 100% for Moxostoma duquesni. A multi-state model was implemented to estimate the probability of weekly upstream and downstream movement in the unimpeded reach (upstream= 0.11, 95% CI = 0.08 - 0.16, downstream= 0.07, 95% CI = 0.04 - 0.10), and in the impeded reach (upstream= 0.01, 95% CI = 0.001 -0.04, downstream= 0.01, 95% CI = 0.004-0.02). The patterns of movement observed in this study suggest that conservation managers should consider movements of 150m as a potentially frequent weekly occurrence for the species monitored, and other closely related fishes. This study demonstrates the potential long-term impact a culvert can have on the natural movement patterns of stream fishes.