Michael C. Quist
Bradley Shepard
Susan Ireland
Philip R. Branigan
2022
<p><span>Effective fishery management necessitates understanding of resource partitioning by fishes that inhabit complex systems composed of biotic and abiotic features. Evaluations of non-native species introductions have continually demonstrated adverse effects associated with abundance and distribution of native fishes. Therefore, understanding resource selection and interactions between native and non-native species is important for recovery efforts. Habitat use by two native fish species (largescale sucker </span><i>Catostomus macrocheilus</i><span> [Girard] and mountain whitefish </span><i>Prosopium williamsoni</i><span> [Girard]) and one non-native fish species (pumpkinseed </span><i>Lepomis gibbosus</i><span> [Linnaeus]) of the Kootenai River, Idaho, were evaluated in a laboratory stream system. Trials were conducted in allopatry and in sympatry with and without the presence of wood to describe habitat selection in the context of on-going habitat rehabilitation efforts. Interactions were evident between native largescale sucker and non-native pumpkinseed concerning use of a woody structure and current velocity. Mountain whitefish used low-velocity habitats and selected locations that were further from wood when in sympatry with pumpkinseed. Our research suggests that habitat use of native, large-river fishes may be influenced by the presence of a non-native species, and that considering such interactions is critical when designing and implementing habitat rehabilitation efforts in river ecosystems.</span></p>
application/pdf
10.1111/fme.12552
en
Wiley
Resource selection and species interactions between native and non-native fishes in a simulated stream system
article