FISHES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE PENNSYLVANIA BIOLOGICAL SURVEY

Transcription

1 FISHES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE PENNSYLVANIA BIOLOGICAL SURVEY River Chub (Nocomis micropogon) spawning male Rob Criswell photo CONTENTS SECTION A FISHES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS SECTION B - THE STATUS OF PENNSYLVANIA FISHES SECTION C - CHECKLIST OF THE FISHES OF PENNSYLVANIA SECTION D - CURRENT AND RECENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

2 SECTION A FISHES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS Ohio Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon bdellium) a candidate species Rob Criswell photo Dr. David Argent California University of PA Mr. Robert Criswell Committee Chair Phone Phone argent@cup.edu r.criswel@verizon.net Dr. Richard Horwitz Acad. of Natural Sciences of Phila. Dr. Brady Porter Duquesne University Phone Phone horwitz@acnatsci.org porterb@duq.edu Mr. Richard Spear PA Dept. of Environmental Protection Dr. Jay Stauffer, Jr. Pennsylvania State University Phone Phone rspear@state.pa.us vc5@psu.edu Mr. Chris Urban PA Fish & Boat Commission Phone curban@state.pa.us Section A updated January 27, 2008

3 SECTION B THE STATUS OF PENNSYLVANIA FISHES Southern Redbelly Dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) a threatened species Rob Criswell photo INTRODUCTION Pennsylvania supports a diverse assemblage of fishes. Denoncourt (1975) and Cooper (1983) identified 27 and 24 families of fish, respectively, which represented nearly 160 species. More recent collections and record reviews indicate that there are approximately 225 fish species representing 40 families that have been recorded from the state. This large increase is due to the addition of many estuarine fishes that are known to occur in the Delaware River Estuary, increased sampling effort among research scientists and fishery biologists, improvements in sampling equipment, and recent discoveries of additional native and exotic fishes in the inland waters of the state. The physiography and geology of 6 major drainages contribute to Pennsylvania's relatively high fish diversity. These drainages are the Delaware, Potomac, and Susquehanna (Atlantic Slope), Ohio (Mississippi Valley), and Erie and Genesee (Great Lakes). Historically, advancing glaciers influenced the dispersion and range of many

4 species. Today, each drainage supports a distinctive species assemblage that is separated or influenced by the Appalachian Mountains. FISH STATUS Approximately 30% of Pennsylvania's inland fishes are considered species of special concern. Among the 225 total species found in the state, 28 species are listed as state endangered, 15 are listed as state threatened, and 11 are candidate species (seetable 1). The shortnose sturgeon is Pennsylvania's only fish listed as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act. In addition, 18 species are classified extirpated from the state by the Fishes Technical Committee (FTC), and one subspecies, the Lake Erie blue pike, is considered extinct. Although several listed species, such as the bridle shiner and ironcolor shiner, remain so rare that they are currently known from only one or two locations, others such as the smallmouth buffalo and channel darter have expanded their range and numbers since being designated as threatened, and are under consideration for delisting. Two rare forms, the checkered sculpin and Chesapeake logperch, are under consideration for future listing, but have not yet been described or redescribed, respectively, as valid species. Checkered Sculpin (Cottus cf. cognatus) an undescribed species Rob Criswell photo

5 Table 1: List of Pennsylvania endangered, threatened, and candidate species. ENDANGERED N. brook lamprey, Ichthyomyzon fossor Shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum Lake sturgeon, Acipenser fulvescens Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus Spotted gar, Lepisosteus oculatus Hickory shad, Alosa mediocris Cisco, Coregonus artedi Silver chub, Macrhybopsis storeriana Gravel chub, Erimystax x-punctatus Bridle shiner, Notropis bifrenatus River shiner, Notropis blennius Ghost shiner, Notropis buchanani Ironcolor shiner, Notropis chalybaeus Blackchin shiner, Notropis heterodon Redfin shiner, Lythrurus umbratilis Longnose sucker, Catostomus catostomus Bigmouth buffalo, Ictiobus cyprinellus Black bullhead, Amerius melas Mountain madtom, Noturus eleutherus Tadpole madtom, Noturus gyrinus Northern madtom, Noturus stigmosus Burbot, Lota lota (inland populations only) Threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus Banded sunfish, Enneacanthus obesus Warmouth, Lepomis gulosus Longear sunfish, Lepomis megalotis Iowa darter, Etheostoma exile Eastern sand darter, Etheostoma pellucida THREATENED Mountain brook lamprey, Ichthyomyzon greeleyi Skipjack herring, Alosa chrysochloris Goldeye, Hiodon alosoides Mooneye, Hiodon tergisus Bigmouth shiner, Notropis dorsalis Southern redbelly dace, Phoxinus erythrogaster Smallmouth buffalo, Ictiobus bubalus Spotted sucker, Minytrema melanops Brindled madtom, Noturus miurus Bluebreast darter, Etheostoma camurum Spotted darter, Etheostoma maculatu. Tippecanoe darter, Etheostoma tippecanoe Channel darter, Percina copelandi Gilt darter, Percina evides Longhead darter, Percina macrocephala CANDIDATE Ohio lamprey, Ichthyomyzon bdellium Least brook lamprey, Lampetra aepyptera American brook lamprey, Lampetra appendix Longnose gar, Lepisosteus osseus Bowfin, Amia calva Central mudminnow, Umbra limi Eastern mudminnow, Umbra pygmaea Hornyhead chub, Nocomis biguttatus River redhorse, Moxostoma carinatum Brook silverside, Labidesthes sicculus Brook stickleback, Culaea inconstans EXOTIC SPECIES When discussing the number of exotic fish species in Pennsylvania, it is useful to analyze the state by drainage basin. For example, a species of fish native to the Susquehanna River basin that is moved to the Allegheny River basin is considered to be an exotic in the Allegheny River basin, even though it is native to the state. Some exotic species of fish were purposely introduced, including Pacific salmons, rainbow trout, brown trout,

6 Amur pike, goldfish, redear sunfish, and common carp. Other exotics, such as the round goby and northern snakehead, were introduced accidentally or illegally. THREATS The combined effects of physical habitat alterations by humans and deterioration of water quality have caused declines in the diversity of Pennsylvania's native fish species. The construction of dams in the Susquehanna and Ohio River basins has resulted in at least local extirpations of many fish species, including paddlefish in the Ohio River tributaries (currently being reintroduced), and several species of anadromous fish in the Susquehanna River tributaries. Conversion of forest land to agriculture and urban uses has caused changes in physical habitats and deterioration in water quality, which in turn harmed populations of some native fishes. For example, the historical range of the brook trout has been substantially reduced, and in parts of the historical range, the introduced brown trout has replaced the brook trout as the dominant salmonid. Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) a reintroduced (formerly extirpated) species Justin Welker photo In 1992, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources identified resource extraction, agriculture, municipal point source pollution, other non-point pollution, and industrial point source pollution as the top 5 sources of stream degradation. Together,

7 these 5 factors are responsible for 87% of stream miles degraded within the state. Degradation of water quality has a direct negative effect on our native fish populations. One of the greatest threats to the Keystone State's native ichthyofauna is the establishment of undesirable exotic species in the state's waterways. The common carp has been a serious competitor to native warm-water fishes since the late 1800's (Cooper 1983). The round goby, a predator on native fishes and invertebrates, was introduced into the Great lakes basin in 1990, and by 2002 an estimated 9.9 billion individuals were present in western Lake Erie (Johnson et al. 2005). RESEARCH, INVENTORY, AND MONITORING In response to the loss of native fish fauna, the FTC has been working on several projects to facilitate the conservation of Pennsylvania's fishes: (1) development and maintenance of a fishes checklist, (2) development of a geographic information systems (GIS) database, (3) regularly updating the PA Natural Heritage Inventory state conservation rankings, (4) contributed to the development of the state's Wildlife Action Plan, and (5) development of a standardized listing process for fishes of conservation concern. In addition, FTC members have conducted many research projects in the furtherance of native fish conservation. The checklist (Section B) has evolved from the synthesis of Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission records, personal communications with regional fisheries biologists, literature reviews, museum records, and field collections. We have chosen to use the American Fisheries Society as our principle source for checklist naming conventions (American Fisheries Society, 2004) and have organized the list according to the phyletic sequence of fish families. We also have included a current status listing for each species and a current distribution of each species by drainage. The objective of the GIS database project has been to synthesize Pennsylvania's fish records into one centralized location. Pennsylvania's historic fish collections have been distributed among several institutions in several different states. Data from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, The Pennsylvania State University, and records of collections from The University of Michigan's Museum of Zoology, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, and Cornell University have been successfully incorporated into this database. This resource serves as an inventory of Pennsylvania's past and present fishes. The Pennsylvania Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (anon., 2005), also known as the state's Wildlife Action Plan (WAP), is a benchmark resource that is designed to proactively manage the state's non-game resources and provide direction for the approval and funding of State Wildlife Grants (SWG) projects. The WAP identifies habitats and species in need of conservation and provides guidance for research, inventory, and monitoring of these resources. The WAP may be reviewed at

8 Additional information regarding the SWG program may be found at Pennsylvania's Wild Resource Conservation Fund was founded in 1982 to help conserve the Keystone State s unique and critical wildlife, plants and other sensitive species, and has been a long term source of stable funding for fish-related research projects. Pennsylvania s Fish and Boat Commission, Game Commission, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources help the program's 10-person advisory board to direct the fund's resources. Additional information regarding the Wild Resource Conservation Program may be found at A summary of recent research conducted by FTC members may be found in Section D below. REFERENCES American Fisheries Society Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. 6th ed. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 29, Bethesda, Md. 386 pp. Anonymous Pennsylvania Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy. PA Fish and Boat Commission and PA Game Commission. 762 pp. Cooper, E.L Fishes of Pennsylvania and the northeastern United States. The Pennsylvania State University Press, University Park, Pa. 183 pp. Denoncourt, R. F Key to the families and genera of Pennsylvania freshwater fishes and the species of freshwater fishes of the Susquehanna River drainage above Conowingo Dam. Proc. Pa. Acad. Sci. 49: Johnson. T. B., M. Allen, L. D. Corkum, and V. A. Lee Comparison of Methods Needed to Estimate Population Size of Round Gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) in Western Lake Erie. J. Great Lakes Res. 31(1): Section B updated by R. Criswell and D. Argent on January 27, 2008 Citation for original report appearing previously on this webpage: Argent, D.G., J.R. Stauffer, Jr., R.F. Carline, C.P. Ferreri, and A. Shiels Fishes: review of status in Pennsylvania, pp In: Inventory and monitoring of biotic resources in Pennsylvania. Proceedings of the First Conference of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey, University Park, PA.

9 SECTION C CHECKLIST OF THE FISHES OF PENNSYLVANIA, THEIR CURRENT STATE STATUS, AND THE DRAINAGE(S) WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED OR ARE BELIEVED TO OCCUR. Family Family Name Common Name Scientific Name Status Drainage Lampreys Petromyzontidae Ohio Lamprey Ichthyomyzon bdellium C O N. Brook Lamprey Ichthyomyzon fossor E E Mtn. Brook Lamprey Ichthyomyzon greeleyi T O Silver Lamprey Ichthyomyzon unicuspis RX E Least Brook Lamprey Lampetra aepyptera C O,S American Brook Lamprey Lampetra appendix C E,O,G,D Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus N E,S,D Sturgeons Acipenseridae Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum EF D Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens E E,O Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus E D,S Shovelnose Sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus HX O Paddlefish Polyodontidae Paddlefish Polyodon spathula N O,E Gars Lepisosteidae Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus E E Longnose Gar Lepisosteus osseus C E,O,S,D Shortnose Gar Lepisosteus platostomus HX O Bowfin Amiidae Bowfin Amia calva C E,O,S,D Mooneyes Hiodontidae Goldeye Hiodon alosoides T O Mooneye Hiodon tergisus T E,O Tarpon Elopidae Lady Fsh Elops saurus NE D Eel Anguillidae American Eel Anguilla rostrata N O,S,D,P Herrings Clupeidae Blueback Herring Alosa aestivalis N D Skipjack Herring Alosa chrysochloris T O Hickory Shad Alosa mediocris E D Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus N E,O,S,D American Shad Alosa sapidissima N S,D Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus NE D Gizzard Shad Dorosoma cepedianum N E,O,S,D Bay Anchovy Anchoa michilli NE D Minnows Cyprinidae Central Stoneroller Campostoma anomalum N E,O,S,D,P,G Goldfish Carassius auratus I E,O,S,D,P Redside Dace Clinostomus elongatus N E,O,S,G Rosyside Dace Clinostomus funduloides N S,D,P Grass Carp Ctenopharyngodon idella I E,O,S,D,P,G Satinfin Shiner Cyprinella analostanus N S,D,P Spotfin Shiner Cyprinella spiloptera N E,O,S,D,P Steelcolor Shiner Cyprinella whipplei N O Common Carp Cyprinus carpio I E,O,S,D,P,G Gravel Chub Erimystax x-punctatus E O

10 Family Family Name Common Name Scientific Name Status Drainage Streamline Chub Erimystax dissimilis N O Tonguetied Minnow Exoglossum laurae N O,G Cutlip Minnow Exoglossum maxillingua N S,D,P Brassy Minnow Hybognathus hankinsoni I O E. Silvery Minnow Hybognathus regius N S,D,P Striped Shiner Luxilus chrysocephalus N E,O,G Common Shiner Luxilus cornutus N E,O,S,D,P,G Redfin Shiner Lythrurus umbratilis E E,O Silver Chub Macrhybopsis storeriana E E,O Pearl Dace Margariscus margarita N E,O,S,D,P,G Hornyhead Chub Nocomis biguttatus C E,O,G River Chub Nocomis micropogon N E,O,S,D,P Golden Shiner Notemigonus crysoleucas N E,O,S,D,P,G Bigeye Chub Hybopsis amblops N E,O Comely Shiner Notropis amoenus N S,D,P, Popeye Shiner Notropis ariommus HX O Emerald Shiner Notropis atherinoides N E,O Bridle Shiner Notropis bifrenatus E D River Shiner Notropis blennius E O Silverjaw Minnow Notropis buccatus N E,O,S,P Ghost Shiner Notropis buchanani E O Ironcolor Shiner Notropis chalybaeus E D Bigmouth Shiner Notropis dorsalis T O Blackchin Shiner Notropis heterodon E E,O Blacknose Shiner Notropis heterolepis HX E,O Spottail Shiner Notropis hudsonius N E,O,S,D,P Silver Shiner Notropis photogenis N E,O Swallowtail Shiner Notropis procne N S,D Rosyface Shiner Notropis rubellus N E,O,S,D,P Sand Shiner Notropis stramineus N E,O Mimic Shiner Notropis volucellus N E,O,S Channel Shiner Notropis wickliffi N O Pugnose Minnow Opsopoeodus emiliae N O Cheat Minnow Pararhinichthys bowersi N O N. Redbelly Dace Phoxinus eos HX S S. Redbelly Dace Phoxinus erythrogaster T O Bluntnose Minnow Pimephales notatus N E,O,S,D,P,G Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas N E,O,S,D,P,G Bullhead Minnow Pimephales vigilax HX O E. Blacknose Dace Rhinichthys atratulus N S,D,P Longnose Dace Rhinichthys cataractae N E,O,S,D,P,G W. Blacknose Dace Rhinichthys obtusus N E,O,G Rudd Scardinus erythrophthalmus I E,D Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus N E,O,S,D,P,G Fallfish Semotilus corporalis N S,D,P

11 Family Family Name Common Name Scientific Name Status Drainage Suckers Catostomidae River Carpsucker Carpiodes carpio N O Quillback Carpiodes cyprinus N E,O,S,D Highfin Carpsucker Carpiodes velifer N O Longnose Sucker Catostomus catostomus E E,O White Sucker Catostomus commersoni N E,O,S,D,P,G Blue Sucker Cycleptus elongatus HX O Creek Chubsucker Erimyzon oblongus N S,D,P Lake Chubsucker Erimyzon sucetta HX E N. Hogsucker Hypentelium nigricans N E,O,S,D,P,G Smallmouth Buffalo Ictiobus bubalus T O Bigmouth Buffalo Ictiobus cyprinellus E E Black Buffalo Ictiobus niger N O Spotted Sucker Minytrema melanops T E,O Silver Redhorse Moxostoma anisurum N E,O,S River Redhorse Moxostoma carinatum C O Black Redhorse Moxostoma duquesnei N E,O Golden Redhorse Moxostoma erythrurum N E,O,P Shorthead Redhorse Moxostoma macrolepidotum N S Smallmouth Redhorse Moxostoma breviceps N E,O Catfishes Ictaluridae White Catfish Ameirus catus N O,S,D Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus HX O Black Bullhead Ameirus melas E E,O Yellow Bullhead Ameirus natalis N E,O,S,D,P Brown Bullhead Ameirus nebulosus N E,O,S,D,P Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus N E,O,S,D,P Mountain Madtom Noturus eleutherus E O Stonecat Noturus flavus N E,O,G Tadpole Madtom Noturus gyrinus E E,O,S,D Margined Madtom Noturus insignis N P, S, D Brindled Madton Noturus miurus T E,O N. Madtom Noturus stigmosus E O Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris N E,O,S,D Pikes Esocidae Redfin Pickerel Esox americanus N E,O,S,D Northern pike Esox lucius N E,O,S,D,P Muskellunge Esox masquinongy N E,O,S,D,P Chain pickerel Esox niger N S,D,P Amur pike Esox reicherti I S Mudminnows Umbridae Central mudminnow Umbra limi C E,O Eastern mudminnow Umbra pygmaea C D Smelt Osmeridae Rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax N E,S,D Trouts Salmonidae Longjaw cisco Coregonus alpenae N E Lake herring Coregonus artedi C E Lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis N E Pink salmon Oncorhynchus gorbuscha I E Coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch I E Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss I E,O,S,D,P,G

12 Family Family Name Common Name Scientific Name Status Drainage Sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka I S,D Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha I E Atlantic salmon Salmo salar I O,S Brown trout Salmo trutta I E,O,S,D,P,G Brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis N E,O,S,D,P,G Lake trout Salvelinus namaycush N E,S Trout-perch Percopsidae Trout-perch Percopsis omiscomaycus N O,D Pirate perch Aphredoderidae Pirate perch Aphredoderus sayanus HX E,D Burbot Gadidae Burbot Lota lota E* E,O Needlefish Belonidae Atlantic needlefish Strongylura marina NE D Agujon Tylosurus acus NE S Killifishes Cyprinodontidae Sheepshead minnow Cyprinodon variegatus NE D Banded killifish Fundulus diaphanus N E,O,S,D,P Mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus N S,D Striped Killifish Fundulus majalis NE D Mosquitofish Poeciliidae Western Mosquitofish Gambusia affinis I D Mosquitofish Poeciliidae Eastern Mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki I? D Silversides Atherinidae Brook silverside Labidesthes sicculus C E,O Rough silverside Membras martinica NE D Atlantic silverside Menidia menidia NE D Inland silverside Menidia beryllina NE D Sticklebacks Gasterosteidae Fourspine stickleback Apeltes quadracus N S,D Brook stickleback Culaea inconstans C E,O,S Threespine stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus E D Pipefishes Syngnathidae Northern pipefish Syngnathus fuscus NE D Sculpins Cottidae Mottled sculpin Cottus bairdi N E,O,S,,P,G Blue Ridge sculpin Cottus caeruleomentum N S,P Slimy sculpin Cottus cognatus N S,D Potomac sculpin Cottus girardi N S,P Spoonhead sculpin Cottus ricei HX E Checkered sculpin Cottus sp.c N P Deepwater sculpin Myoxocephalus thompsoni HX E Temperate basses Percichthydae White perch Morone americana N E,S,D White bass Morone chrysops N E,O,S Striped bass Morone saxatilis N O,S,D Sunfishes Centrarchidae Mud sunfish Acantharchus pomotis HX D Rock bass Ambloplites rupestris N E,O,S,D,P,G Blackbanded sunfish Enneacanthus chaetodon HX D Bluespotted sunfish Enneacanthus gloriosus N S,D Banded sunfish Enneacanthus obesus E D Redbreast sunfish Lepomis auritus N S,D,P Green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus N E,O,S,D,P Pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus N E,O,S,D,P,G Warmouth Lepomis gulosus E E,O,D Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus N E,O,S,D,P Longear sunfish Lepomis megalotis E O Redear sunfish Lepomis microlophus N O,S

13 Family Family Name Common Name Scientific Name Status Drainage Smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu N E,O,S,D,P,G Spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus N O Largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides N E,O,S,D,P White crappie Pomoxis annularis N E,O,S,D,P Black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus N E,O,S,D,P Perches Percidae Greenside darter Etheostoma blennioides N E,O,S,D,P,G Rainbow darter Etheostoma caeruleum N E,O Bluebreast darter Etheostoma camurum T O Iowa darter Etheostoma exile E E,O Fantail darter Etheostoma flabellare N E,O,S,P,G Swamp darter Etheostoma fusiforme HX D Spotted darter Etheostoma maculatum T O Johnny darter Etheostoma nigrum N E,O,G Tessellated darter Etheostoma olmstedi N S,D,P E. sand darter Ammocrypta pellucida E E,O Tippecanoe darter Etheostoma tippecanoe T O Variegate darter Etheostoma variatum N O Banded darter Etheostoma zonale N E,O,S Yellow perch Perca flavescens N E,O,S,D,P Logperch Percina caprodes N E,O,S Chesapeake logperch Percina sp. N S Channel darter Percina copelandi T E,O Gilt darter Percina evides T O Longhead darter Percina macrocephala T O Blackside darter Percina maculata N E,O,G Sharpnose darter Percina oxyrhynchus HX O Shield darter Percina peltata N S,D River darter Percina shumardi N O Sauger Sander canadensis N E,O Walleye Sander vitreus N E,O,S,D,P Bluefish Pomatomidae Bluefish Pomatomus saltatrix NE D Jacks Carangidae Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus NE D Snappers Lutjanidae Gray snapper Lutjanus griseus NE D Drums Sciaenidae Freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens N E,O Silver perch Bairdiella chrysoura NE D Weakfish Cynoscion regalis NE D Spot Leiostomus xanthurus NE D Atlantic croaker Micropogonias undulatus NE D Cichlids Cichlidae Blue tilapia Tilapia aurea I S Mullets Mugilidae Striped mullet Mugil cephalus NE D Gobies Gobiidae Naked goby Gobiosoma bosc NE D Round Goby Neogobius melanostomus I E Snakeheads Channidae Northern snakehead Channa argus I D

14 Family Family Name Common Name Scientific Name Status Drainage Lefteye flounders Bothidae Smallmouth flounder Etropus microstomus NE D Summer flounder Paralichthys dentatus NE D Windowpane Scophthalmus aquosus NE D Righteye flounders Pleuronectidae Winter flounder Pleuronectes americanus NE D Soles Soleidae Hogchoker Trinectes maculatus NE D Toadfishes Batrachoididae Oyster toadfish Opsanus tau NE D N = native, no special status, NE = native, estuarine, I = introduced, E = endangered, EF = endangered, federally listed, T = threatened, C = candidate, HX = extirpated, historical, RX = extirpated, recent. E = Erie, O = Ohio, S = Susquehanna, D = Delaware, P = Potomac, G = Genesee * Ohio River Drainage population of Burbot only; Lake Erie population not listed Section C updated by R. Criswell, D. Argent, and R. Horwitz on January 27, 2008.

15 SECTION D CURRENT AND RECENT RESEARCH PROJECTS River Darter (Percina shumardi) new state record (Ohio River) in 2007 Rob Criswell photo Recent research by members of the FTC and others continue to expand what we know of the distribution and abundance of Pennsylvania s fishes. Work funded by the PFBC, SWG, WRCP, and others has provided new information on benthic fishes, large riverine forms, and many of the species identified by the FTC as those of Special Concern. Of particular interest have been the alteration of benthic habitats and the recolonization of fishes largely absent from Pennsylvania s ichthyofauna. Some species of particular interest include the historically extirpated paddlefish, which through the restoration efforts of the PFBC, over the last 10 years, may establish sustainable populations. Benthic fishes have also become a focus of the FTC from genetic studies of three state threatened species: the bluebreast darter, Etheostoma camurum; the spotted darter, E. maculatum; and the Tippecanoe darter, E. tippecanoe to distributional analyses of the entire darter complex. Of particular interest is the ubiquitous distribution of the channel darter, Percina copelandi within the Three Rivers of western Pennsylvania, and the recent expansion of the river darter, P. shumardi, into the state's waters of the Ohio River. Studies of large river fish complexes have also documented several historically absent species like black buffalo, Ictiobus niger and river carpsucker, Carpiodes carpio. While fishes of Special Concern are a focus of the FTC, recent occurrences of the northern snakehead in the Philadelphia area remind us how fragile recovery can be. Introductions and colonization events of exotic species can create conflict among resident fishes. In the years to come, we may witness another collision between the bighead carp

16 and resident planktivores of the Ohio River system. If such species become established, the entire food web may be altered. Below is a summary of current and recent research projects conducted by FTC members: Title: Genetic population structure and breeding parameters of three Pennsylvania State threatened species: Etheostoma camurum, E. maculatum, and E. tippecanoe. Authors: Brady A. Porter, Beth Dakin and Laura Howell, Duquesne U. ( ) Funding Source: Wild Resources Conservation Program Abstract/Summary: Little is known about the breeding parameters and population structure of three Pennsylvania darters, the bluebreast darter, Etheostoma camurum, the spotted darter, E. maculatum, and the Tippecanoe darter, E. tippecanoe. All are Pennsylvania state threatened species, and they are considered threatened or endangered in several other states throughout their range. Although some limited breeding information is available from populations in other states, the timing and duration of spawning has not been documented for Pennsylvania populations of E. camurum and E. tippecanoe. Both species occupy disjunct riffle habitats in the Allegheny River system, with stable populations in French Creek. We have found an additional population for these species about 110 miles downstream in Deer Creek, Harmarville, PA. Through weekly catch-and-release sampling of this population, we have identified the peak breeding times and the duration of the breeding season for the Deer Creek populations of these two species. Observations of population peaks indicate possible seasonal migrations into spawning areas. Spawning terminated for both species when temperatures exceeded 23 C for several days. Turbid conditions may influence spawning site occupation. Both species show strong site fidelity within the spawning riffle irrespective of depth or flow. Genetic analysis using the mtdna ND2 gene indicates little population structure for all three species across their entire range. Seven new site records within the Allegheny River drainage suggest possible current gene flow through river-corridor migration and the possibility of the populations spreading from source population(s) in the Allegheny River to sink populations or seasonal breeding habitats in suitable tributaries. Population structure will be useful to conservation efforts by identifying the degree of population fragmentation between isolated populations. Breeding times and an understanding of factors that inhibit spawning will be a useful guide for ecologically responsible development of riparian areas, assisting with avoiding disturbances to important spawning areas during the breeding season. Title: Biodiversity Assessment of Ten Mile Creek Watershed (2007-present) Authors: David G. Argent and William G. Kimmel Funding Source: Wild Resources Conservation Program Abstract/Summary: No comprehensive fish inventory has ever been undertaken in the Tenmile Creek watershed (90% of the Basin remains unassessed). The limited number of existing collections document the fish community composition at less than ten sites, along the main stem and major forks of Tenmile Creek. Species of Special Concern such as Silver Chub, River Redhorse, Longnose Gar, and Smallmouth Buffalo have been

17 collected, but the extent of their distribution within the watershed remains unknown. This project will, over several phases, evaluate fish community composition along the longitudinal profile of Tenmile Creek. Title: Biodiversity Assessment of the lower Allegheny and Ohio Rivers (2006-present) Authors: David G. Argent, William G. Kimmel, and Jay Stauffer, Jr. Funding Source: State Wildlife Grants Program and Wild Resources Conservation Program Abstract/Summary: The PA Biological Survey recognized major gaps in fish distribution surveys with the major western Pennsylvania Rivers. A recent review summarizing 10- years of collection effort for the Ohio and Allegheny clearly indicated that such gaps continue to exist. Systematic surveys evaluating the distribution and abundance of fishes within the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers will be made using gillnets and benthic trawls. These sampling gears will permit a collection of riverine species from habitats that have largely been ignored, but that are under threat from industrial operations. Title: Benthic fish community assessment of the Monongahela River (2006) Authors: David G. Argent and William G. Kimmel Funding Source: Faculty Professional Development Center, California University of Pennsylvania Abstract/Summary: During the summer of 2006 the benthic fish community of the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania was sampled from the West Virginia/Pennsylvania border to Braddock Lock and Dam just south of Pittsburgh. Ninety stations were evaluated, spaced every 1.6 Km apart and at selected tributary mouths, using a benthic trawl. All locations were identified by GPS coordinates. Captured fish were preserved and identified in the lab at California University of Pennsylvania. A total of 3,081 fishes were captured representing 8 families and 27 species or hybrids. Dominant species were the johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum), channel darter (Percina copelandi) and mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus), which collectively represented over 65% of the total catch. Two Species of Special Concern were collected, silver chub and channel darter. The presence of an abundant and diverse fish community throughout the Monongahela River mainstem in Pennsylvania is testimony to the continuing improvement of water quality throughout the basin. Title: Current status of paddlefish in Pennsylvania ( ) Authors: David G. Argent and William G. Kimmel Funding Source: The PA Fish and Boat Commission Abstract/Summary: In order to provide an assessment of Pennsylvania s paddlefish reintroduction program, gill nets (2005 and 2006), plankton tows and benthic trawls (2006) were used to capture paddlefish in the Ohio, Allegheny, Kiskiminetas, and Beaver Rivers. Efforts were focused on pools where the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) maintained an active stocking program since 1991, in habitat areas delineated for juvenile paddlefish during 2003 and 2004 telemetry studies, and in areas identified by side-scan sonar as optimum for paddlefish. A total of 2,150 and 3,900 gill net hours were expended during the two sampling seasons, respectively. Six sexually mature (both sexes) pre- and post-spawn paddlefish were captured using gill nets over the 2-year

18 sampling period in pools historically stocked at densities approaching 17 fish/ha. Benthic trawling and plankton towing, employed to capture larval/juvenile stages in the same pools where mature fish were captured, did not yield evidence of paddlefish reproduction. Results of this survey indicate that the stocking program to date produced low numbers of sexually mature free ranging paddlefish in the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers. No evidence of natural reproduction or year-class structure was detected from this study. In addition, the large numbers of large piscivores pose a direct threat to small paddlefish. As a result, a recommendation was made to stock larger fish (>280 mm EFL) concentrated in a designated pool area (L/D pool) rather than at multiple locations at densities as high as practicable. Title: Biodiversity of large riverine fish assemblages of the Monongahela River Authors: David G. Argent and William G. Kimmel ( ) Funding Source: Wild Resources Conservation Program Abstract/Summary: The large-bodied ichthyofauna of the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania from the West Virginia border to Braddock Lock and Dam just south of Pittsburgh were sampled at 239 stations, using multi-mesh panel gill nets throughout the six lock and dam impoundments. Nets were set along right and left riverbanks facing upstream approximately every 1.2 river Km. Also, a net was set downstream of the mouth of each small tributary which were surveyed by back-pack electrofishing in A total of 3,508 fishes representing 13 families and 35 species or hybrids were collected. Dominant species were the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), which represented over 50% of the total catch while the buffalo/redhorse/carpsucker (B/R/C) complex accounted for about 25% of the total. Four Species of Special Concern were also identified the longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) and river redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) Candidate Species ; and the mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) and smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) Threatened Species. In addition, one paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), a Recovering Species was captured. The presence of an abundant and diverse fish community throughout the Monongahela River mainstem in Pennsylvania is testimony to the continuing improvement of water quality throughout the basin. Title: Fish database development for western Pennsylvania s three rivers Authors: Robert F. Carline and David G. Argent ( ) Funding Source: The PA Fish and Boat Commission Abstract/Summary: By examining compiled data from 1995 to 2004 an assessment could be made to determine where gaps existed within the three rivers. Eight-hundred and thirteen collection events were reviewed. The Ohio River, although shorter in length than either the Allegheny or Monongahela rivers within Pennsylvania, received considerably more sampling effort during the selected time period. Efforts to collect fish appear to have centered around areas within close proximity to downtown Pittsburgh on the Allegheny River, but were dispersed across all pools within the Ohio and Monongahela rivers. Because of discontinuities among collectors, the establishment of reliable abundance estimates cannot be made; moreover, the failure to utilize other suitable gear types e.g., benthic trawl may lead one to assertions that certain fishes are less common

19 than they really are. Therefore, future sampling efforts in this region should focus on (1) the establishment of fixed sampling points that can be evaluated on repeated occasions to provide a continuum of abundance data; (2) the standardization of catch effort data that will permit comparison among gear types and among sampling seasons; and (3) the use of alternate gear types that catch under-sampled fish communities in the river. Title: Fish biodiversity of selected tributaries of the Monongahela River Authors: David G. Argent and William G. Kimmel ( ) Funding Source: State Wildlife Grants Program Abstract/Summary: Electrofishing surveys were performed on all wadeable streams that confluence with the Monongahela River between the WV/PA border and Pittsburgh. A total of 6,825 fish representing 10 families and 52 species or hybrids were collected from 35 of the 40 streams. Tenmile Creek and Pike Run yielded the largest number of fish, 1,395 and 997 respectively, while species richness ranged from 36 in Tenmile Creek to 0 in Ninemile Run, Huston Run, Browns Run, Cats Run and Jacobs Creek. Acid mine drainage (AMD) and or/inputs of raw sewage were observed in the fishless streams with the exception of Huston Run. However, some streams impacted by net alkaline mine drainage (NAMD) such as Redstone Creek (30 species) and Little Redstone Creek (12 species) supported diverse fish communities. Overall, fish communities were dominated by cyprinid, catastomid, percid, and centrarchid species. Rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum), represented by 1,477 individuals, dominated collections. Other notable finds included two of Pennsylvania s Species of Special Concern, the silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana) and the river redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum); and two species not currently listed as Species of Special Concern in Pennsylvania but which could be given consideration, the black buffalo (Ictiobus niger) and the river carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio). New species occurrences were documented in 15 of the 16 streams for which historical data existed with an average gain of 5 species. Title: Assessment of Pennsylvania s paddlefish restoration program Authors: Robert F. Carline ( ) Funding Source: Federal Aid in Sport Fish Recreation Act (Dingell-Johnson Funds) Abstract/Summary: A combination of radio-telemetry and plankton tows were undertaken to evaluate the initial movement and food availability of paddlefish. Sampling results indicated that the majority of recently stocked fish move towards tailrace areas below dams and that initial survival exceeds 80%. Moreover, paddlefish stocked in Ohio and Allegheny River pools may be food limited, as evidenced by the reduced densities of plankton captured. Section D updated by D. Argent & R. Criswell January 29, 2008