Upstream dispersal of an invasive crayfish aided by a fish passage facility
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Abstract
Fish passage facilities for reservoir dams have been used to restore habitat connectivity within riverine networks by allowing upstream passage for native species. These facilities may also support the spread of invasive species, an unintended consequence and potential downside of upstream passage structures. We documented dam passage of the invasive virile crayfish, Orconectes virilis (Hagen, 1870), at fish ladders designed for upstream passage of American eels, Anguilla rostrata (Lesueur, 1817), in the Shenandoah River drainage, USA. Ladder use and upstream passage of 11 virile crayfish occurred from 2007–2014 during periods of low river discharge (<30 m3s–1) and within a wide range of water temperatures from 9.0–28.6 °C. Virile crayfish that used the eel ladders were large adults with a mean carapace length and width of 48.0 mm and 24.1 mm, respectively. Our data demonstrated the use of species-specific fish ladders by a non-target non-native species, which has conservation and management implications for the spread of aquatic invasive species and upstream passage facilities. Specifically, managers should consider implementing long-term monitoring of fish passage facilities with emphasis on detection of invasive species, as well as methods to reduce or eliminate passage of invasive species.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Upstream dispersal of an invasive crayfish aided by a fish passage facility |
| Series title | Management of Biological Invasions |
| DOI | 10.3391/mbi.2015.6.3.07 |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 2015 |
| Language | English |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Leetown |
| Description | 8 p. |
| First page | 287 |
| Last page | 294 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia, West Virginia |
| City | Millville, Warren |
| Other Geospatial | Shenandoah River |
| Online Only (Y/N) | N |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |