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Influence of dams and habitat condition on the distribution of redhorse (Moxostoma) species in the Grand River watershed, Ontario

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Abstract

Redhorse, Moxostoma spp., are considered to be negatively affected by dams although this assertion is untested for Canadian populations. One hundred and fifty-one sites in the Grand River watershed were sampled to identify factors influencing the distribution of redhorse species. Individual species of redhorse were captured from 3 to 32% of sites. The most widespread species were golden redhorse, M. erythrurum (30%) and greater redhorse, M. valenciennesi (32%), while river redhorse, M. carinatum, was only found along the lower Grand River. Redhorse were absent from the highly fragmented Speed River sub-watershed and upper reaches of the Conestogo River and the Grand River. Redhorse species richness was positively correlated to river fragment size and upstream drainage area. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to evaluate the influence of river fragment length, connectivity and habitat on species distribution. Principal component analysis reduced habitat data to three axes representing: channel structure, substrate, and pool, riffle and run habitats (PC1); gradient and drainage area (PC2); and cover (PC3). GAMs indicate that PC2 was important for predicting black redhorse and greater redhorse site occupancy and PC1 was important for golden redhorse. River fragment length was important for predicting site occupancy for shorthead redhorse, but not other species.

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Acknowledgements

The study was supported by the Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, Federal Departmental Recovery Fund, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and Industrial NSERC and Ontario Graduate scholarships awarded to S. Reid. Field sampling was assisted by P. Addison, J. Barnucz, A. Edwards, H. Gignac, N. Koutrilides and J. MacLeod. Comments provided by Al Dextrase and two anonymous reviewers greatly improved earlier versions of the manuscript.

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  1. Watershed Science Centre, Trent University, 1600 West Bank Drive, Peterborough, ON, Canada, K9J 7B8

    Scott M. Reid

  2. Great Lakes Laboratory for Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada, L7R 4A6

    Nicholas E. Mandrak

  3. United States Geological Survey, Great Lakes Science Center, Ann Arbour, MI, 48105-2807, USA

    Leon M. Carl

  4. Aquatic Research Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Trent University, Peterborough, ON, Canada

    Chris C. Wilson

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  1. Scott M. Reid
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Correspondence to Scott M. Reid.

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Reid, S.M., Mandrak, N.E., Carl, L.M. et al. Influence of dams and habitat condition on the distribution of redhorse (Moxostoma) species in the Grand River watershed, Ontario. Environ Biol Fish 81, 111–125 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-006-9179-0

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