Date of Award:
5-1999
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Departmental Honors
Department:
Wildland Resources
Department name when degree awarded
Fisheries and Wildlife
Committee Chair(s)
Mark Ritchie
Committee
Mark Ritchie
Abstract
Four endangered endemic fishes inhabit waters in the Upper Colorado River basin. These species are Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), humpback chub (Xyrauchen texanus), bonytail chub (Gila elegans), and humpback chub (G. cypha). Water development throughout the basin has altered turbidity, water temperature, salinity, and flow creating a less suitable habitat for these species (Miller and Hubert 1990). Non-native fish species have also been introduced to the system, creating competition for the native species. Piscivorous bird species and their hunting behavior in juvenile Colorado pikeminnow habitat was analyzed. Piscivorous birds were frequent visitors to juvenile pikeminnow habitat. However, no significant difference was found between frequency of visits to juvenile pikeminnow habitat and other fish habitats. Although piscivorous birds fish in juvenile pikeminnow habitat, my results did not indicate that the birds selectively fished in pikeminnow habitat. Other issues, such as competition and predation from non-native fish species, are probably more important to Colorado pikeminnow conservation.
Recommended Citation
Stiver, Julie R., "Bird Predation in Juvenile Colorado Pikeminnow Habitat at Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Utah" (1999). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 9022.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/9022
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