2019/07/08 by Bolanos, Brenna Lizbeth, Martinez, Clarisa Areli, Quintana, Brandon Alexander +1
#Eel River #Lavinia symmetricus #behavior plasticity #microhabitat #riffle
paper · doi:10.21973/n3n37w
Fish are an essential link to the dynamic of their environment. They are able to serve as bioindicators of a rivers health, and when abundant can help understand a rivers ecosystem. The California roach (Lavinia symmetricus) is a widespread species found in high densities in various waterways. In the Eel River, heavy rain winters cause algal blooms and water levels to drop during the spring and summer, resulting in possible complications for the fish. This causes ecological concern towards the species due to their ability to reduce algae and be a food source in the rivers. This study aimed to look at how a high precipitation winter affects the microhabitat distribution, population ecology, and behavior of the California roach during the spring. Fish were caught and measured at seven sites along the river. Algal cover and velocity of the river were also noted at these locations. Additionally, an observational study was conducted to examine the behavior of the fish. There was a positive correlation between algal cover and California roach abundance. California roach were also more abundant and larger downstream riffles. As velocity of the water increased, fish abundance increased, but size decreased. California roach fed more often in groups of 10, and sought shelter upstream riffles. These results provide distributional and behavioral insight on a species ecologically important to the Eel River, and add to the food web dynamic of the ecosystem.