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Document Type
Thesis - University Access Only
Award Date
2008
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department / School
Wildlife and Fisheries Science
First Advisor
Robert A. Klumb
Keywords
south dakota, missouri, nebraska, missouri river, pallid sturgeon, juvenile
Abstract
Macroinvertebrates were collected from the Missouri River downstream of Fort Randall and Gavins Point dams to evaluate spatial and temporal patterns in abundance and describe habitats important for macroinvertebrates. The most abundant families collected were Chironomidae, Ceratopogonidae, Isonychiidae, Baetidae, Caenidae, Heptageniidae, Hydropsychidae, and Polycentropodidae. Invertebrate abundance, richness, diversity, and evenness were generally higher in the Gavins Point reach than in the Fort Randall reach for most gear types (except Surber samples). In the Fort Randall reach, mean richness, diversity, and evenness were generally highest in the delta formed downstream of the Niobrara River. We collected 31 juvenile pallid sturgeon during summer 2006 for diet analysis, of which 21 had prey in their stomachs. Percent occurrence of predominant prey was Ceratopogonidae (81%), Isonychiidae (67%), Chironomidae (52%), and fish (24%). Diets as percent composition by wet weight were fish (68%), Ephemeroptera (23%), Decapoda (6%), and Diptera (3%). As juvenile pallid sturgeon length increased (356 - 720 mm fork length), the proportion of fish in the diets increased (43 to 88%). This study showed the importance of macroinvertebrates as a food source for juvenile pallid sturgeon (< 600 mm fork length).
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Freshwater invertebrate populations -- Missouri River
Freshwater invertebrates -- Missouri River
Pallid sturgeon -- Food -- Missouri River
Format
application/pdf
Number of Pages
226
Publisher
South Dakota State University
Rights
Copyright © 2008 Kristen Lee Grohs. All rights reserved.
Recommended Citation
Grohs, Kristen Lee, "Macroinvertebrate Composition and Patterns of Prey Use By Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in the Missouri River, South Dakota, and Nebraska" (2008). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 444.
https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/etd/444