Predicting the Stability of Endangered Stonecats in the LaPlatte River, Vermont

Abstract

Stonecats Noturus flavus in Vermont conform to a rare distribution pattern (as designated by Rabinowitz 1981) because their known distribution within the state is limited to the LaPlatte and Missisquoi rivers. We focused on Stonecats in the LaPlatte River to predict the stability of the population. During 2012–2014, we captured Stonecats via backpack electrofishing; fish were PIT-tagged (>90 mm TL) and marked with visible implant elastomer. Among the 1,671 Stonecats that were captured, 1,252 were PIT-tagged. Only 156 (12%) of the PIT-tagged fish were recaptured, and only 22 of those individuals were recaptured more than once. The Pradel model in Program MARK was used to estimate apparent survival (Φ) and seniority, which were used to derive the rate of population change (λ) for the Stonecat encounter histories we studied. We examined a total of 64 models in our candidate set, with the following covariates: TL at first capture, maximum temperature, season, maximum discharge, and area sampled. Survival estimates were highest in the spring (range of daily Φ = 0.9993–0.9995) and increased with greater TL at first capture. We also estimated increases in capture probability with increasing area sampled. We derived an annual λ of 0.9794, which indicates a slightly decreasing population. However, our λ estimate contained uncertainty that was likely increased due to the low recapture rates. Additional years of data could increase the accuracy of the λ estimate. In the meantime, we have provided insight into Stonecat population parameters that were otherwise unknown.

Received December 22, 2015; accepted March 1, 2016 Published online June 29, 2016

Acknowledgments

We thank VFWD biologists Ken Cox (project officer) and Bernie Pientka for their guidance and participation throughout the project; M. Stein, L. Simard, A. Sotola, and other technicians and volunteers who assisted in the field and laboratory; and Bo Bunnell and two anonymous reviewers for helpful comments that improved the manuscript. Funding was provided by the VFWD State Wildlife Grants Program. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. This study was performed under the auspices of the University of Vermont (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee Protocol 12-005). The Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit is jointly supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, VFWD, University of Vermont, and Wildlife Management Institute.