Diet and Habitat Comparison of Two Closely Related Darters (Percina bimaculata and Percina caprodes)
Open Access
- Author:
- Stylianides, Antonios
- Area of Honors:
- Biology
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Jay Richard Stauffer, Jr., Thesis Supervisor
James Harold Marden, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Diet
Microhabitat
Chesapeake Logperch
Common Logperch - Abstract:
- Chesapeake Logperch, Percina bimaculata, is a threatened darter species native to the Susquehanna and Potomac rivers, including the Chesapeake Bay. With many stakeholders that would be affected by its elevation to being federally endangered, multiple projects are being completed to assess the Chesapeake Logperch. This study was conducted to compare the microhabitats of the Chesapeake Logperch and the Northern Logperch, Percina caprodes semifacsciata, and the diets of the Chesapeake Logperch and the Ohio Logperch, Percina caprodes caprodes, both subspecies of an abundant relative. The study aimed to determine if habitats that the Northern Logperch can be used as models for Chesapeake Logperch. Microhabitat surveys were conducted in three tributaries of Lake Erie, Chiques Creek, and West Branch Octoraro. Snorkel surveys were used to assess bottom and average flow (m/s), depth (cm), position in stream, orientation in the stream, and substrate preference. Diet was determined by dissecting collected Ohio Logperch and Chesapeake Logperch. Preference and avoidance of prey were calculated using the Strauss Liner Index. The Chesapeake Logperch showed a range that was within the Northern Logperch’s habitat, but much narrower. The bottom flow and average flow were both significantly higher for the Northern Logperch, while the Chesapeake Logperch showed a preference for the middle of the stream. In a similar pattern, the Chesapeake Logperch also had a narrower composition of the Ohio Logperch diet, preferring Chironomidae. This shows that, while not the same, habitats that support Northern Logperch have similar conditions to the habitat of the Chesapeake Logperch. While effort still needs to be made to solidify what the other life stages are doing, the microhabitat could be one of the first steps to having successful reintroductions. With invasive species increasing and suitable habitat decreasing for the Chesapeake Logperch, future reintroductions may be key for maintaining populations.