Influence of riffle characteristics, surficial geology, and natural barriers on the distribution of the channel darter, Percina copelandi, in the Lake Ontario basin

Abstract

SynopsisThe channel darter, Percina copelandi, is a small benthic fish with a wide but disjunct distribution across central North America. The development of conservation and recovery strategies for Canadian populations is limited by a lack of knowledge regarding ecology, population size and other factors that affect its distribution and abundance. We sampled five rivers in the Lake Ontario basin to test whether the distribution of P. copelandi reflected riffle habitat characteristics or landscape-scale factors such as surficial geology and natural barriers (waterfalls). At most sites yielding P. copelandi, riffles flowed into deep sand bottomed run or pool habitats. Despite a lack of association with local surficial geology or riffle habitat characteristics, both the upstream limits of P. copelandi occurrence and distribution of suitable habitats reflected the distribution of waterfalls, chutes and bedrock outcroppings. In contrast to P. copelandi, distributions of Etheostoma flabellare, P. caprodes and Rhinichthys cataractae reflected among site differences in riffle habitat.

Influence of dams and habitat condition on the distribution of redhorse (Moxostoma) species in the Grand River watershed, Ontario

“…The absence of redhorse species in the Speed River may be related to the influence of physiography on habitat condition. Landscape variation in surficial geology and topography has been linked to local habitat characteristics and the distributions of benthic invertebrates (Richards et al 1996), freshwater mussels (McCrae et al 2004), darters (Wang et al 2003;Reid et al 2005) and stream salmonids (Nelson et al 1992;Hicks and Hall 2003). During this study, redhorse were generally captured from deep runs or pools downstream of riffles.…”

“…Changes to the Grand River fish assemblage have been attributed to species introductions, impoundments, pollution and physical habitat degradation (Spence and Hynes 1971;Fitzgerald et al 1998;Wichert and Rapport 1998;Reid 2005). While efforts to improve water quality have been largely successful (Plummer et al 2005), challenges persist for aquatic species at risk recovery.…”

Search effort and imperfect detection: Influence on timed-search mussel (Bivalvia: Unionidae) surveys in Canadian rivers

“…The Moira and Salmon rivers are fragmented by old mill, low flow augmentation, and flood control dams. Surficial geology of the study area is a complex mix of Precambrian and Paleozoic (limestone) bedrock, glacial deposits and limestone till (Chapman and Putnam, 1984); resulting in a wide range of flow and bed material characteristics across sampling sites (Reid et al, 2005). Reach lengths surveyed ranged from 31 to 362 m (mean = 134 m); channel widths ranged from 5 to 175 m (mean = 27 m).…”

Comparison of point and transect-based electrofishing to sample American eel (Anguilla rostrata) in wadeable riverine habitats

“…Surficial geology of the study area is a complex mix of Precambrian and Paleozoic (limestone) bedrock, glacial deposits and limestone till (Chapman and Putnam 1984); resulting in a wide range of flow and bed material characteristics across sampling sites (Reid et al 2005).…”