Are lampreys homebodies? Studying ammocoetes with open population models. Issue 2 (26th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Evans, Thomas M
• Is Part Of: Ecology of freshwater fish. Volume 26:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 168
• Page End: 180
• Publication Date: 2015-10-26
• Subjects: ammocoete -- open population -- program MARK -- Cormack–Jolly–Seber -- restricted movement paradigm; Freshwater fishes -- Periodicals; Freshwater fishes -- Ecology -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; 597.092
• DOI: 10.1111/eff.12261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0906-6691

Abstract

Abstract: Larval lampreys (ammocoetes) are assumed to be sedentary and have restricted movements, but their movement is still poorly understood. Using elastomer implants, ammocoetes of two different species of lampreys ( Lethenteron appendix and Petromyzon marinus ) in two streams were tagged with permanent, unique marks ( N = 1035) and resampled once a month from June 2014 until October 2014. Some individuals were recaptured during every sampling event ( N = 3, 0.3%). However, most animals were never recaptured after being tagged ( N = 700, 67%) or were captured only once ( N = 213, 21%). The apparent survival (ϕ) varied in response to time and grouping variables at both sites (0.25–0.86), but the probability of capture ( P ) did not vary as much (0.41–0.85). Differences were detected between sites, with ϕ being higher for L. appendix at Dyke Creek, a Genesee River tributary. Whether differences were caused by site‐specific details or species differences is unclear. At Dyke Creek, where age could be partially established from length‐frequency histograms, ϕ was higher for 1 year old than for older animals. At Oquaga Creek (where P. marinus were captured), ϕ was highly variable (0.11–0.72) and was lowest in the fall sampling (September–October). The P was similar at both sites (0.5–0.6) and across times and groups, even when it was significant to the model. Understanding the movement of ammocoetes will help conserve and control lampreys.