Effects of an Invasive Species Complex on a Native Fish in a Southeastern Idaho Stream
Faculty Mentor Information
Colden Baxter
Abstract
Invasive species often lead to the loss of native biodiversity in ecosystems. In addition, the effects of invasive species can propagate across habitat boundaries, and in stream-riparian ecosystems they often extend across the boundary between land and water. When multiple invasive species are present, synergistic effects on food webs may arise, and it is possible that invaders positively impact each other through facilitative interactions. Deep Creek, an eastern Idaho stream, presently hosts a suite of invasive species. Previous work at the site has shown that Russian olive are subsidizing invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and this may be contributing to increases in nonnative largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). These invasive species may be interacting to yield a reduction in a remnant population of native speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus). This study focused primarily on the predatory role that bass may play in reductions of native speckled dace. Here we investigated the incidence of piscivory in 82 bass collected in four seasons. We observed that bass consumed native speckled dace, as well as smaller bass. Overall, these findings point to the possibility that interactions among multiple invasive species may be driving a loss of native fish biodiversity in intermountain streams like Deep Creek.
Effects of an Invasive Species Complex on a Native Fish in a Southeastern Idaho Stream
Invasive species often lead to the loss of native biodiversity in ecosystems. In addition, the effects of invasive species can propagate across habitat boundaries, and in stream-riparian ecosystems they often extend across the boundary between land and water. When multiple invasive species are present, synergistic effects on food webs may arise, and it is possible that invaders positively impact each other through facilitative interactions. Deep Creek, an eastern Idaho stream, presently hosts a suite of invasive species. Previous work at the site has shown that Russian olive are subsidizing invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio), and this may be contributing to increases in nonnative largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). These invasive species may be interacting to yield a reduction in a remnant population of native speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus). This study focused primarily on the predatory role that bass may play in reductions of native speckled dace. Here we investigated the incidence of piscivory in 82 bass collected in four seasons. We observed that bass consumed native speckled dace, as well as smaller bass. Overall, these findings point to the possibility that interactions among multiple invasive species may be driving a loss of native fish biodiversity in intermountain streams like Deep Creek.