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Factors associated with extirpation of the last Northern Sunfish (Lepomis peltastes Cope, 1870) population in western New York State, USA
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Journal of Freshwater Ecology
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2023
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Abstract
The Northern Sunfish (Lepomis peltastes Cope, 1870) is threatened
in New York state, USA, but this was not the case before 1940
when the NY Biological Survey documented the species at scattered, specialized habitats in six watersheds in the central and
western parts of the state. After 1940 the historic populations
could not be detected, but a new population was discovered in
1974 in lower Tonawanda Creek and the nearby Erie Canal.
Northern Sunfish, and a few of their hybrids with other Lepomis
species, were caught at these locations during irregular sampling
through 2009, but no Northern Sunfish were caught after 2009.
The objectives of our study were to: (1) Determine the extent of
Northern Sunfish hybridization with other Lepomis species, and
(2) Evaluate how well identifications of Lepomis species and their
hybrids agreed among field keys, morphometric measurements
and meristic counts, and genetic methods. In 2013, we collected
Northern Sunfish (descended from fish captured in lower
Tonawanda Creek from 2006-2009) from NY State Department of
Environmental Conservation rearing ponds, plus wild Green Sunfish
(L. cyanellus Rafinesque, 1819), Pumpkinseed (L. gibbosus Linnaeus,
1758), Bluegill (L. macrochirus Rafinesque, 1819), and suspected
Lepomis hybrids from lower Tonawanda Creek. Ultimately, 91 fish
were identified using field keys, morphometric-meristic analysis,
and mtDNA and nuclear DNA analysis. Assuming genetic analysis
provided accurate identification, we found 7 Bluegill×Northern
Sunfish, 8 Bluegill×Pumpkinseed, 13 Bluegill×Green Sunfish, and
3 Green Sunfish× Pumpkinseed hybrids in our sample (female
parent listed second in these crosses). Keyed and
morphometric-meristic identifications did not differ in accuracy
and averaged 81% of genetic identification accuracy. After Northern Sunfish stocking (not in our study area) and sampling from 2008
to 2018 in several watersheds with appropriate habitat and no
recaptures after 2014, we conclude that the Northern Sunfish is
extirpated in western New York state.
HIGHLIGHTS
• While populations of Northern Sunfish (Lepomis peltastes)
existed in several New York state watersheds before 1940, only
one, discovered in 1974, persisted in small areas of lower
Tonawanda Creek and the nearby Erie Canal.
• Despite high effort, no Northern Sunfish were captured after
2009 in the places they had occupied since 1974.
• Because many Northern Sunfish, all descended from wild fish
in lower Tonawanda Creek and the Erie Canal, exist in two New
York state hatchery ponds, we recommend attempting restoration in their former habitat by stocking.
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