200754000 - Quantitative Assessment Sampling for Pacific Lamprey in Cedar Creek (Lewis River Subbasin), Washington

Sponsor: US Fish & Wildlife Service

Short description: A Quantitative Assessment Sampling Program will be developed to estimate the production of Pacific lamprey macropthalmia from Cedar Creek in the Lewis River subbasin. It can be used to quantitatively assess lamprey populations in the Columbia River basin.

Location: Lower Columbia province, Lewis subbasin

Budgets: FY08: $95,127 | FY09: $44,873

Primary species:
Anadromous: Pacific Lamprey

Objectives

ObjectiveDescriptionSubbasin planStrategies
1. Estimate the abundance of macropthalmia Task 1.1. Collect approximately 50 larval lamprey in the fall and spring. Based on literature for other species, collect lamprey that are above and below suspected threshold values for metamorphosis to initiate (e.g. total length = 100 mm, condition factor = 1.20). Task 1.2. Measure the total length and weight of each lamprey as well as calculate their condition factor. Apply elastomer marks to identify each individual. Task 1.3. Collect approximately 24 larvae to evaluate whether condition factor is related to lipid content. Compare calculated condition factors to lipid content measured using standard chloroform-ether extractions (CEE). Use this data to evaluate whether condition factor can be used as a surrogate for lipid content in larval lamprey. Task 1.4. If lipid content is a good predictor of transformation in lamprey, it will be necessary to determine a non-lethal method to measure lipid in naturally-produced animals. Hydrostatic weighing (HW) (Brozek et al. 1963) and total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) (Novinger and Del Rio 1999) may be useful in this regard. We will collect a minimum of 24 larvae and measure their lipid content using each method. Lipid content from each of these methods will then be regressed on that derived from the CEE protocol (known value). If we can determine an accurate and non-lethal manner to measure lipid content in larval lamprey, we will use that to measure lipid content of all animals used in Task 1.2. Task 1.5. Rear all the larvae in a lab, using standard rearing procedures already developed for Pacific lamprey (M. McGree Personal Communication). Evaluate the proportion that go through metamorphosis the following season. Task 1.6. Evaluate ability of physical characteristics to predict metamorphosis. Use a logistic regression to examine the probability of metamorphosis as a function of various morphological characteristics. Describe the model that best fits the data. Task 1.7. If model appears robust, determine an area and project that is able to make a rigorous calculation of juvenile lamprey migrating from an area. Apply the predictive model to that area, estimate the proportion of larvae that will migrate and test accuracy of the model. Lower Columbia Planning for the NF and EF Lewis River Subbasin also identifies a lack of data and little research on Pacific lamprey, both of which are considered necessary.
2.Develop Quantitative Assessment Sampling Program Task 2.1. Based on the measured or perceived habitat characteristics and larval lamprey densities in Cedar Creek, divide creek into sampling units. Task 2.2. Determine specific sample sites as well as sampling periods and frequency. Task 2.3. Develop a 2-stage sample design for estimating the total area of larval habitat and the density of larvae in Cedar Creek. Task 2.4. Develop larval habitat classifications, based on the 3 strata described in Slade et al. (2003), and an approach to physically assess larval habitat from Cedar Creek. Task 2.5. Develop a plan to conduct larval lamprey sampling, using a single pass, standard effort over a measured area. This plan should use standard electrofishing parameters developed in project 200001400. Task 2.6. Develop an approach to calculate larval density and abundance. This calculation would require information on capture efficiencies. Task 2.7. Based on the information gathered in Objective 1 of this proposal (on larval growth and the probability of metamorphosis) develop an approach to estimate the production of macropthalmia from tributaries in Cedar Creek. Task 2.8. Synthesize a Quantitative Assessment Sampling Program for Cedar Creek as a template for the CRB. Sea lamprey biologists have used the QAS Program to estimate the abundance of larvae and, in turn, apply this information to estimate the production of macropthalmia. In summary, QAS involves 1) identifying randomly-selected sample reaches in streams throughout a subbasin, 2) describing habitat in the subbasin using a three-strata classification, 3) conducting larval sampling using single-pass electrofishing at a standardized rate and 4) using information on capture efficiency to estimate larval density, abundance and size structure, 5) applying information on the probability of metamorphosis to estimate macropthalmia production. Lower Columbia The identification of status, limiting factors, and management alternatives for lamprey is also a high priority.

Narrative

Recommendations

  • ISRP: Unranked
  • Council: Not fundable
  • BPA: Not fundable