basin-scale differences in land use. There were complex sex-specific differences in the spatial patterns of several biomarkers we examined from common carp in the Illinois River, suggesting common carp may be exhibiting physiological effects related to EDCs and other contaminants. Biomarkers in female common carp showed little spatial variation along the Illinois River, whereas multiple biomarkers in male common carp indicated a spatially variable response. However, the low prevalence of intersex condition in male common carp contrasts with centrarchid species from the same system, perhaps because of differences in trophic position, habitat use, or physiology. This same low prevalence of intersex may preclude the utility of blood plasma vitellogenin as a nonlethal indicator of intersex in male common carp. Ultimately, despite the evidence of intersex in largemouth bass and black crappie from the Illinois River, we conclude that it is unlikely that EDC exposure leading to intersex condition is contributing to the declining common carp population in this river.
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