Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the reporting period my staff, graduate and undergraduate students are I have collected data for eight projects. In addition, these data and data from previous projects were analyzed. I organized an international symposium where we presented four presentations on bioacoustics. In addition, we presented six papers on conservation of fishes at other scientific meetings. As a consultant, I worked on two projects with state and federal agencies. PARTICIPANTS: Carol Johnston, Professor, Fisheries Dan Holt, PhD candidate Patty Speares, PhD candidate Katie Dowling, MS Heath Haley, MS Kasie Goodsen, technician Kyle Bolton, technician TARGET AUDIENCES: our target audience is typically state and federal agencies, such as ADCNR, FWS, NPS and the scientific community PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Our research on conservation produces management recommendations for conservation of aquatic systems. We have identified problem systems throughout Alabama that need restoration. In addition, we have documented declines in several species of conservation concern. We also looked at nest site augmentation in one of Alabama's rarest fish. Our work on the Alabama River led to the discovery of an invasive species in tremendous numbers. Gulf Menhaden have moved over 72 miles up the Alabama River in response to an unknown environmental stimulus. This marine species is ordinarily restricted to the Gulf of Mexico. Work with bioacoustics of fishes includes research on the effect of environmental noise on hearing thresholds and behavior of fishes. In addition, we are examining the effects of acoustic signals of males on hormone modulation in females. With the addition of equipment for measuring the auditory brainstem response of fishes, we have initiated several studies incorporating this technique, and have two papers in press using data from this system. We have developed an very small underwater camera and hydrophone system to use in the field for recording the spawning activities of cavity nesting fishes. We are the first lab to be able to do this.
Publications
- Phillips, C. T., C. E. Johnston and A. R. Henderson. 2010. Sound production in Cyprinella lepida the Edwards Plateau shiner. Southwest. Nat. 55:132-137.
- Henderson, A. R. and C. E. Johnston. 2010. Ontogenetic habitat shifts and habitat use in an endangered minnow, Notropis mekistocholas. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 19:87-95.
- Haley, T. H., R. K. Bolton and C. E. Johnston. 2010. Invasion of Gulf Menhaden into the Alabama River. Proc. Southeastern Fish. Counc. 52:13-18
- Kierl, N. C. and C. E. Johnston. 2010. Sound production in the pygmy sculpin, Cottus paulus Williams (Cottidae), during courtship and agonistic behaviors. Journal of Fish Biology 77:1268
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our lab presented 20 papers at scientific meetings. PARTICIPANTS: funding for this period included the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Work on conservation of fishes identified declines in fish assemblages in one of the state's major stream systems. This information is being used in a conservation plan for that system. Findings on changes in habitat use with ontogeny in the Cape Fear shiner are being used by the Fish and Wildlife Service as part of their conservation recovery plan for that endangered species. Work on sound production in fishes is continuing to add to our knowledge of the evolution and function of acoustic signals in fishes.
Publications
- Johnston, C. E. and M. J. Maceina. 2009. Fish assemblage shifts and species declines: detecting the early stages of aquatic biodiversity loss. Ecol. Freshwater Fish. 18:33-40.
- Phillips, C. T. and C. E. Johnston. 2009. Evolution of acoustic signals in Cyprinella: degree of similarity in sister species J. Fish. Biol. 74:120-132.
- Holt, D. E. and C. E. Johnston. 2009. Predator response to acoustic and visual signals of Cyprinella. Environ. Biol. Fish. 84:347-357.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our study on the status of fishes in Alabama's Chattahoochee River tributaries has been completed, and two peer-reviewed publications and one final report were produced. This study indicated that fish assemblage shifts have occurred in these streams, and that native endemics have been lost or have declined in abundance and distribution. This includes the Shoal Bass, an Apalachicola system endemic and species of concern in Alabama. Our study included an assessment of habitat use and movement of this species. We also examined the effects of deforestation on fish distribution. In addition, we documented a dramatic decline in water availability in the Uchee Creek system in the past 40 years. We have completed an extensive study of sound production in Cyprinella, and four publications have resulted from this work, to date. I have also authored a description of the Alabama Bass, a Mobile Basin endemic and important sport fish. We have completed work with two federally listed species: Cape Fear Shiner, listed endangered, and slackwater darter, listed threatened. Work with the Cape Fear Shiner examined habitat use during early life stages, and we were able to make management recommendations regarding protection of specific habitat types used by larval and juvenile life stages of this species. Our survey's identified 3 newly discovered breeding sites for the slackwater darter. These areas have been targeted for immediate conservation efforts, and Fish and Wildlife is working with land owners to protect these areas. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Our studies have identified specific areas or habitats that should be protected for the persistence of imperiled fishes.
Publications
- Baker, W., C. E. Johnston and G. W. Folkerts 2008. A new species of bass, Micropterus henshalli, from the Mobile Basin, Alabama. Zootaxa 1861:57-67. (40%)
- *Casten, L. R. and C. E. Johnston 2008. Life history plasticity among stream sites in the Chattahoochee River drainage, Alabama. Southeast. Nat. 7:679-690. (50%)
- Johnston, C. E., M. K. *Bolling, D. E. *Holt and C. T. *Phillips 2008. Production of acoustic signals during aggression in Coosa bass (Micropterus coosae). Environ. Biol. Fish. 82:17-20. (50%)
- *Phillips, C. T. and C. E. Johnston 2008. Sound production and associated behaviors in Cyprinella galactura. Environ. Biol. Fish. 82:265-275. (40%)
- *Phillips, C. T. and C. E. Johnston 2008. Geographic variation in acoustic signals in Cyprinella galactura. Anim. Behav. 75:617-626. (40%)
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our work with conservation and behavioral ecology of freshwater non-game fishes was shared with scientific peers at five professional meetings via 10 contributed and 1 invited presentations. I also engaged in consulting activities with the USDA Forest Service (stream surveys) and Georgia Department of Natural Resources (fish identification). Three technical reports were completed in 2007; one to the National Park Service, and two to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. An assessment of the effects of drought on the federally listed slackwater darter was made for US Fish and Wildlife Service.
PARTICIPANTS: US Fish and Wildlife Service USDA Forest Service Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Graduate students: Sean Holder (MS), Nicole Kierl (MS), Nick Ozburn (MS), Adam Kennon (MS), Andrew Henderson (MS), Dan Holt (PhD), Patty Spears (PhD) Undergraduate students: Gabe Barrett, Mary Katherine Bolling
TARGET AUDIENCES: Academic community, agencies concerned with conservation
Impacts
Reports submitted to state and federal agengies this year will contribute to management of aquatic resourses by identifying areas for protection and restoration. Work in Chattahoochee River tributaries showed tremendous faunal shifts and declines of native species. Most sites studied showed faunal homongenization over time. While most sites studied were in various stages of decline, three areas were highlighted for restoration. Other results have targeted species for imediate conservation action by highlighting declines. The effects of drought on the endangered Cape Fear shiner have raised conservation concerns and called for further monitoring and experimental work aimed at understanding the effects of reduced flow on fish movement. The results of a survey for slackwater darters have demonstrated an 80% range reduction for the species. Future work following up on these findings will investigate the role of land use change, stream channel incision and dispersal
barriers in extirpation of the species.
Publications
- Johnston, C. E. and H. M. Buchanan. 2007. Sound production in Codoma ornata: learned or innate? Environ. Biol. Fish. 78:183-187.
- Johnston, C. E. and R. A. Kennon. 2007. Habitat use by juvenile shoal bass. J. Freshwater Ecology 22:493-498.
- Johnston, C. E., M. K. Bolling, D. E. Holt and C. T. Phillips. 2007. Sound production by Micropterus coosae during aggessive encounters. Environ. Biol. Fish. Online first # 46.
- Phillips, C. T. and C. E. Johnston. 2007. Acoustic signals and associated reproductive behavior in the whitetail shiner. Environ. Biol. Fish. Online first # 48.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Projects completed in 2006 include a biodiversity survey of Southeast Coast network National Parks, fish sampling along the Natchez Trace National Park, an assessment of life history plasticity of Cyprinella venusta across disturbance gradients in Alabama streams, and an evaluation of aquatic predator response to sound production of minnows. Furthermore, one doctoral student dissertation (Geographic variation in signal structure of Cyprinella galactura) and one masters thesis (life history plasticity in C. venuta) were completed. A habitat and distributional status assessment was initated for the slackwater darter, and sampling/data gathering for a project with population viability and habitat use of Cape Fear shiner was begun. Data for the spatial arrangement and shoal size effects on fish assemblage structure was also gathered. This year we discovered that bass (genus Micropterus) produce acoustic signals during aggressive encounters, and our results are in press. A
project examining fish biodiversity in streams crossing state lands in Alabama is in the planning stages; this is a five year project involving terrestrial as well as aquatic sampling.
Impacts
The work involved with this project will allow scientists and resource managers to understand the biology of the species studied. Such an understanding is necessary in order to protect native biodiversity by addressing threats to persistence. Information on existing biodiversity gained via surveys provides baseline data needed for comparison with future studies aimed at comparing species trends over time. The ulimate impact of this work is to provide protection for the fish biodviersity of the state and region.
Publications
- Johnston, C. E. and H. M. Buchanan. 2006. Sound production in Codoma ornata: learned or innate? Environ. Biol. Fish. 78:183-187.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The connection of distinct habitats via dispersal pathways may be critical to the maintenance of fish populations (Schlosser and Angermeier 1995). Recognition of the importance of dispersal in population maintenance has focused attention on various models of population dynamics, including the metapopulation model (Levins 1969), source-sink models (Harrison 1991), patchy population model (Taylor 1988), hybrid model (Schlosser and Angermeier 1995) and nonequilibrium models (Harrison 1991). Understanding the dynamics of populations with regard to these conceptual models has important implications for future conservation efforts in regard to habitat protection and restoration. First, we need to determine if metapopulation concepts apply to fishes. If fishes do exist as subpopulations, we need to document the nature of the physical linkages between subpopulations of fishes, and investigate the distances fish can travel between habitat patches. In addition, the role of
habitat boundaries and barriers to dispersal to recolonization, as well as habitat use and life history needs study (Schlosser and Angermeier 1995). Projects completed on fish movement and population dynamics include persistence and recovery of fish assemblages in the Chattahoochee River drainage, including the shoal bass. Studies examining the effects of environmental factors (shoal size) on the movement of fishes were also investigated. Field work for fish biodiversity studies of parks in the Southeast Network were completed in 2005. These parks include southeastern national seashores such as Cumberland Island and Cape Hatteras. A similar study was initiated for the Natchez Trace Parkway. The information provided by these studies will provide the National Park Service with tools for the development of monitoring programs for fishes. One aspect of reproductive behavior that has been poorly studied is the role of sensory cues for species recognition and mate choice. In several
instances (i.e., Cyprinella), imperiled species are being lost from portions of their range due to hybridization with invading congeners. How sound production and other sensory cues act to maintain species identity is an important conservation issue. Completed work on sound production includes the discovery and description of sound production in sturgeon, several minnow species and darters. A play-back system has been developed for future work. A study comparing evolutionary rates of sound production, a behavioral trait, and genetics has been completed. A paper on the inheritance of acoustic signals was submitted for publication in 2005. A study on the life history of the flier, a swamp specialist, was completed in 2204 and a paper submitted for publication in 2005.
Impacts
Data from fish biodiversity studies of National Parks will give the park service empirical data from which to develop management tools for long-term conservation of fishes. These data provide a baseline for future monitoring programs and provide evidence of species decline, introduction of exotics and persistence of the fauna. Studies of stream fish movement and habitat use provide resource managers with an understanding of the responses of different species to environmental and biological factors. Such tools aid in predicting the impacts of land use practices and other human-caused disturbances.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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