Session 9: ASIH Stoye General Ichthyology IIRoom: Ballroom 111C2022-07-28 15:30 - 16:45 |
| Moderator: Bruno Melo |
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1. 15:30 Assessing Niche Conservatism and Niche Packing Patterns in African and Southeast Asian Assemblages of Cyprinoidei (Cypriniformes). Laurel Nave-Powers*, Southeastern Louisiana University; Kyle Piller, Southeastern Louisiana University navepowl@uw.edu
The relationship between morphology and ecology has long intrigued ecologists and evolutionary biologists alike. For most species, the morphology of an organism is reflective of its resource use, as organisms in similar niches, with similar selection pressures, often have phenotypes that resemble one another regardless of geographic location. Although the relationship between morphology and niche has been well studied, how species co-exist as local diversity changes remains unclear. Examining general niche packing patterns and comparing these to differences in species richness can help in understanding modern biodiversity and niche use. For fishes, the relationship between morphology and niche is strongly linked. Therefore, we used body shape as a surrogate for niche position and gathered geometric morphometric data to compare niche packing patterns across fourteen African and Southeast Asian assemblages of Cyprinoidei (Cypriniformes). It was hypothesized that a similar number of niches would be recovered across localities regardless of species richness (niche conservatism), and the disparity of niches (niche packing) would decrease with increasing species richness. It was found that 2 to 4 niches were recovered across localities, but the composition of niches varied by locality. The benthopelagic omnivore niche was most common, being found at 12 of 14 localities. Patterns of niche packing showed an increase in disparity with increases in species richness, suggesting an alternative driving force for co-existence. |
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2. 15:45 Potential Impacts of the Quaternary Climate and Geological Changes on the Diversification of Riverine Cichlids in the Lower Congo River. Naoko P. Kurata*, American Museum of Natural History; Melanie L. J. Stiassny, American Museum of Natural History; Michael J. Hickerson, City College of New York; S. Elizabeth Alter, California State University Monterey Bay kurata.naoko.jp@gmail.com
It is widely accepted that climatic and geological changes during the Quaternary impact global patterns of speciation and diversification, but few studies have examined the effects of these changes on African riverine fishes. The lower Congo River (LCR) is an excellent natural laboratory for understanding complex speciation and population diversification processes. This short stretch of river comprises complex geology and hydrology and is recognized as a hotspot of diversity, with many narrowly endemic species. Our previous study using genome-wide SNP data highlighted the dynamic hydrological regime in the LCR as an important driver of diversification and speciation. However, additional extrinsic drivers such as geological and historical climate changes (e.g., reduced discharge during extended dry periods) have likely influenced ichthyofaunal diversification processes in the system. Here, we test hypotheses related to the impacts of geo-climatic factors on ichthyofaunal diversification by investigating four riverine lamprologine cichlids endemic to the LCR, including the blind cichlid L. lethops. We conducted demographic inferences using data from reduced representation sequencing (2RADseq) and whole-genome sequencing to test different scenarios of gene flow. We observed some signatures of recent gene flow which may be driven by a shift in hydrological regime due to climatic changes. We suggest that geological and the Quaternary climate changes related to river discharge fluctuations may have impacted evolutionary processes of diversification among and between species along the LCR. The current hyper-diverse fish assemblages of the LCR riverscape may reflect the synergic effects of multiple drivers fueling complex evolutionary processes. |
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3. 16:00 Tracking Movement of Invasive Silver and Bighead Carp in Three Missouri River Tributaries in Eastern South Dakota. Lindsey LaBrie*, University of South Dakota; Jeff Wesner, University of South Dakota; Hugh Britten, University of South Dakota lindsey.labrie@coyotes.usd.edu
This study uses passive telemetry and environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques to determine the geographic extent and movements of Silver and Bighead carp in the James, Vermillion, and Big Sioux rivers in eastern South Dakota. Fifty Silver carp were implanted with Vemco V16 acoustic transmitters in June 2021, and a network of 21 stationary telemetry receivers spanning approximately 358 river kilometers (rkm) continuously detect fish movement in the James River. Tagged carp were detected traveling a maximum of 33 rkm, (average 2.7 rkm) from June to November 2021. 118 eDNA water samples were collected in three sampling events in 2021. Water samples were filtered and extracted for DNA following the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue kit protocol. Gel electrophoresis tests showed no evidence of DNA contamination in field blank samples above and below each barrier in both rivers. Species-specific primer and probe sequences were used to quantify the amount of Silver and Bighead carp DNA in each extracted sample with quantitative PCR (qPCR) techniques. Samples were run in quadruplicate, along with positive and no-template controls, triplicate spiked control samples, and a standard curve dilution series on each plate. qPCR detected both Silver and Bighead carp below both barriers, but no carp DNA was detected above either barrier in any sampling event. Results to date indicate that Silver Carp remained in a single tributary over the summer and fall of 2021, and that current barriers as well as drought conditions may limit the distribution of Silver Carp in eastern South Dakota. |
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4. 16:15 Effects of Stream Gradient on Darter Functional Morphology in an Ozark Stream, USA. Topher Hockaday*, University of Central Missouri; Aaron Geheber, University of Central Missouri cmh97190@ucmo.edu
Darters are a group of small benthic freshwater fishes endemic to North America that often occur in fast moving riffle habitats. Previous research has indicated that stream flow may impact darter morphology, possibly through plastic response and or natural selection processes. The goal of this study was to quantify the effects of stream gradient factors (i.e., related to flow) on functional morphological traits of Etheostoma spectabile (Orangethroat Darter) and Etheostoma caeruleum (Rainbow Darter) within the Pomme de Terre River, Missouri, USA. Using specimens collected from 19 distinct stream sites, we generated darter geometric morphometric data based on 15 homologous lateral landmarks and seven homologous dorsal landmarks. To test influence of environmental factors on darter morphologies, we collected abiotic data from each site including elevation, flow velocity, stream depth, and substrate composition. Morphometric data were visualized using Principal Component Analysis to assess body shape differences among individuals. We then used regression analyses to examine relationships between the resultant Principal Component scores and abiotic stream factors. Our main findings suggest that individuals of both species found in lower elevation sites had larger heads relative to body size, while individuals from higher elevation sites had smaller heads relative to body size. Associated regression models indicated that flow velocity and substrate composition are likely important contributing factors to darter shape variation across sites. The perceived functional benefits of such morphological alterations in relation to abiotic stream gradient features will be discussed. |
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5. 16:30 Learning From Nature: Using Play to Learn in a College Course. Yzatis Nieves*, Moravian University; Sara McClelland, Moravian University nievesy@moravian.edu
Gamification, using elements of games and playing, in education has been shown to increase retention of information. Further, students report having more enthusiasm for learning when play is involved. The purpose of this project is to use gamification to develop a novel classroom activity for better learning about vertebrate zoology. I am hypothesizing that students will show increased retention of information when provided with a playful card game activity as compared to an alternative more traditional learning assignment. To test this hypothesis, students from vertebrate and zoology courses will be placed in either the traditional or alternative/play learning groups and given an assignment in which they are asked to gather and present information on a vertebrate organism. Student learning will be measured by using a rubric to score their presentations, a quiz, and a survey presented to them after the experiment is conducted for feedback on the activity. The scoring will be done by an individual not involved in the conducting of the experiment to reduce bias. This study is in the process of being conducted. We hope to observe that with different avenues of learning that are fun and stray from more common and traditional assignments, students will learn more effectively and will demonstrate an increased enthusiasm for learning versus traditional. Should scores be higher on the assessments for those in the alternative/play group than the traditional assignment group, it will provide evidence that students exhibit greater retention of the material taught when learning through play. |