Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Traditional stream fish sampling methods, such as seining and electrofishing, are time consuming, expensive, and limited to short stretches of stream. However, the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) from water samples promises to be a quick, inexpensive method for detecting fish. The streams of the Land Between the Lakes Recreational Area (LBL) are unique, undisturbed streams which contain many interesting fish species for which little information exists. One such rare species is the Shawnee Hills Cavefish Forbesichthys papilliferus, which is known to exist in a few LBL streams. However, the complete distribution of the Shawnee Hills Cavefish in LBL is not known, and very little information is available to assist with the management and conservation of this rare species. Through backpack electrofishing, cavefish were sampled within 4 LBL streams and tagged with visible implant elastomer (VIE) tags for a mark/recapture study. Each site was sampled for eDNA concurrent with the VIE tagging. Ten cavefish were found at Bear Creek site 1, but none were recaptured so the approximate population size was not able to be calculated. Forty-nine fish were found at Panther Creek site 3, 4 of which were recaptured. The Shawnee Hills Cavefish population size within Panther Creek site 3 was determined to be 203 fish. The mean total length of the cavefish found at the Panther Creek site was 55.4 mm (±1.1 SE, N = 49). The mean total length of the tagged Shawnee Hills Cavefish in Bear Creek was 30.1 mm, (±1.5 SE, N = 10). The mean weight of the Panther Creek population was found to be 1.40g (± 0.20). The mean weight of the Bear Creek population was determined to be 0.24g (± 0.03). Catch per unit of effort (CPUE) for Panther Creek was determined to be 44 fish per hour (±0.12 SE, N = 18). CPUE for Bear Creek was determined to be 8 fish per hour (±0.45 SE, N = 18). The eDNA samples yielded unverifiable positive results from two sites that cavefish were not found at and did not match the positive controls. There were no positive DNA results for either of the sites at which cavefish were collected. However, with the field observations future studies and management actions can be taken to benefit the Shawnee Hills Cavefish.

Year manuscript completed

2024

Year degree awarded

2024

Author's Keywords

eDNA, Cavefish, Water quality, Visible implant elastomer tags

Thesis Advisor

Timothy W Speir

Committee Chair

Timothy W Spier

Committee Member

Gary T ZeRuth

Committee Member

Michael Finn

Document Type

Thesis

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