AGE-0 SILVER CARP AND GIZZARD SHAD DAILY GROWTH AND HATCH TIMING IN THE MIDDLE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

The establishment of a highly efficient planktivore, Silver carp(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), in the Mississippi River Basin has been documented as having negative impacts on native planktivore populations. Silver carp have the potential, to alter the trophic food web through negative interactions with native planktivores in large river systems. Due to increasing Silver carp ranges, interactions between Silver carp and other native planktivores is likely to increase. One abundant native planktivore that is often found in similar habitats as Silver carp is Gizzard shad(Dorosoma cepedianum). Potential competition for resources exists because of overlapping habitat use and forage. Given the similarities between these two planktivores, we sought to evaluate daily growth rates and determine hatch dates of age-0 Silver carp and Gizzard shad in the Middle Mississippi River. Silver carp and Gizzard shad were collected from the Middle Mississippi River using an electrified surface trawl from June through September with sizes ranging from 21—65 mm total length for Gizzard shad and 24—85 mm total length for Silver carp. A sample of age-0 fish(n=697) was collected at the end of the growing season including 292 Gizzard shad and 405 Silver carp. Size structure(total length in mm) of Silver carp(49.05±0.41; ± SE) was significantly greater(T= –16.43, df=695, P<0.001) than Gizzard shad(38.95 ± 0.45). Hatch dates were similar between Silver carp(July 26 th to August 18 th) and Gizzard shad(July 28 th to August 19 th). Growth of Silver carp(2.24 mm per day) was significantly greater(P<0.001,T= –11.1, df=82) than Gizzard shad(1.72 mm per day). Mortality was similar between Silver carp(28.1%)and Gizzard shad(25.1%) at this early life stage. The faster growth rates in Silver carp result in Silver carp entering the winter season larger in size with likely an increased capacity to consume plankton and decreased predation ultimately leading to higher recruitment. Knowing that there exists an overlap between Silver carp and Gizzard shad diets and habitat could alone call cause for concern. Adding that spawning occurs at a similar time and Silver carp have the ability to outgrow Gizzard shad early in life leads to major concerns about food web balance. Knowing that invasive planktivores have already shown to alter food webs in aquatic systems in North America, extra caution should be taken.

A RAPID ASSESSMENT APPROACH FOR EVALUATING SILVER CARP GENDER

Silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix were introduced into the U.S. to control water quality in aquaculture ponds. From this point of origin, silver carp escaped into nearby rivers through multiple flood events. Because of their documented negative effects on native biota, silver carp have been labeled as problematic. Therefore, evaluating the biology and ecology of these non-indigenous species is critical. Multiple parameters are needed to evaluate silver carp populations(length, weight, age, and sex). Furthermore, developing methods for rapidly acquiring these data are needed. In relation to sex determination, sexual dimorphism was observed where males exhibit distinct pectoral fin ray features. Specifically, males have pronounced ridges or a "rough patch" on the dorsal surface of pectoral fins. Therefore, to test if this was an applicable way of determining silver carp gender; silver carp were collected from Midwestern U.S. rivers(N=2015) in the fall of 2011(N=870), spring of 2012(N=645), winter of 2013—2014(N=202) and summer2015(N=323) via electrofishing. For each silver carp collected, presence(e.g., rough patch) or absence(e.g.,smooth) of pronounced ridges on the top side of the pectoral fins was recorded, and an incision was made in the body cavity to identify gender. Based on the results of our evaluation, gender was correctly identified over99% of the time(2006 out of 2015) based on the pectoral fin dimorphism. In the samples taken in the winter of 2013—2014 and summer of 2015, accuracy for silver carp shorter than 300 mm and longer than 800 mm was 53.7%(19 out of 41) while accuracy for silver carp between 300 mm and 800 mm total length was 98.9%(289 out of 292). This study provides a rapid assessment approach for evaluating silver carp gender.