Potential population and assemblage influences of non-native trout on native nongame fish in Nebraska headwater streams

Ecology of Freshwater Fish
By: , and 

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Abstract

Non-native trout are currently stocked to support recreational fisheries in headwater streams throughout Nebraska. The influence of non-native trout introductions on native fish populations and their role in structuring fish assemblages in these systems is unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine (i) if the size structure or relative abundance of native fish differs in the presence and absence of non-native trout, (ii) if native fish-assemblage structure differs in the presence and absence of non-native trout and (iii) if native fish-assemblage structure differs across a gradient in abundances of non-native trout. Longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae were larger in the presence of brown trout Salmo trutta and smaller in the presence of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss compared to sites without trout. There was also a greater proportion of larger white suckers Catostomus commersonii in the presence of brown trout. Creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus and fathead minnow Pimephales promelas size structures were similar in the presence and absence of trout. Relative abundances of longnose dace, white sucker, creek chub and fathead minnow were similar in the presence and absence of trout, but there was greater distinction in native fish-assemblage structure between sites with trout compared to sites without trout as trout abundances increased. These results suggest increased risk to native fish assemblages in sites with high abundances of trout. However, more research is needed to determine the role of non-native trout in structuring native fish assemblages in streams, and the mechanisms through which introduced trout may influence native fish populations.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Potential population and assemblage influences of non-native trout on native nongame fish in Nebraska headwater streams
Series title Ecology of Freshwater Fish
DOI 10.1111/eff.12194
Volume 25
Issue 1
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Munksgaard
Publisher location Copenhagen, Denmark
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Seattle
Description 10 p.
First page 99
Last page 108
Country United States
State Nebraska
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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