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Diel and spatial movement patterns of downstream
migrating sea lamprey transformers
1USGS,
Great Lakes Science Center, Hammond Bay Biological Station, 11188 Ray Road,
Millersburg, MI 49759
2Rubenstein
School of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Vermont, 308 D Aiken
Center, 81 Carrigan Dr., Burlington VT 05405
March 2017
ABSTRACT:
We determined CPUE for downstream migrating juvenile Sea Lamprey
using both drift and fyke nets fished both laterally
across and vertically within the stream channel of two tributaries to Lake
Champlain to describe spatial distribution.
Spatial distribution was correlated with discharge, in some cases matching
the stream discharge nearly exactly while in other cases spatial distribution
suggested some behavioral component with selection for stream regions with
higher water velocity. We demonstrated
that newly metamorphosed, juvenile Sea Lamprey can be successfully implanted
with 12 mm HDX PIT tags which allows for easier tracking in the field compared
to other tagging options. Survival of
tagged individuals was not significantly different from control groups with
over 90% survival across all lamprey tagged and tag retention was high. We were able to use that tagging technique to
conduct a long term behavioral observation study in an artificial stream and
describe how Sea Lamprey activity follows a distinct diel pattern. We also observed
timing of downstream movement in-stream under natural conditions to validate
the results of the artificial stream study.
The in-stream observations correspond with the activity patterns
described from the artificial stream with most downstream movement occurring
within a few hours of dark and diminishing through the night.