Premium
Translocation of Humpback Chub into Tributary Streams of the Colorado River: Implications for Conservation of Large‐River Fishes
Author(s) -
Spurgeon Jonathan J.,
Paukert Craig P.,
Healy Brian D.,
Trammell Melissa,
Speas Dave,
OmanaSmith Emily
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
transactions of the american fisheries society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.696
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1548-8659
pISSN - 0002-8487
DOI - 10.1080/00028487.2015.1007165
Subject(s) - tributary , population , endangered species , biological dispersal , fishery , streams , range (aeronautics) , canyon , drainage basin , ecology , geography , biology , habitat , computer network , materials science , demography , cartography , sociology , computer science , composite material
Abstract The Humpback Chub Gila cypha , a large‐bodied, endangered cyprinid endemic to the Colorado River basin, is in decline throughout most of its range due largely to anthropogenic factors. Translocation of Humpback Chub into tributaries of the Colorado River is one conservation activity that may contribute to the expansion of the species’ current range and eventually provide population redundancy. We evaluated growth, survival, and dispersal following translocation of approximately 900 Humpback Chub over a period of 3 years (2009, 2010, and 2011) into Shinumo Creek, a tributary stream of the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. Growth and condition of Humpback Chub in Shinumo Creek were consistent among year‐classes and equaled or surpassed growth estimates from both the main‐stem Colorado River and the Little Colorado River, where the largest (and most stable) Humpback Chub aggregation remains. Based on passive integrated tag recoveries, 53% (= 483/902) of translocated Humpback Chub dispersed from Shinumo Creek into the main‐stem Colorado River as of January 2013, 35% leaving within 25 d following translocation. Annual apparent survival estimates within Shinumo Creek ranged from 0.22 to 0.41, but were strongly influenced by emigration. Results indicate that Shinumo Creek provides favorable conditions for growth and survival of translocated Humpback Chub and could support a new population if reproduction and recruitment occur in the future. Adaptation of translocation strategies of Humpback Chub into tributary streams ultimately may refine the role translocation plays in recovery of the species.