The Effectiveness of Light Traps for Capturing Razorback Sucker Larvae

Authors: Catherine Vlaming, Kevin Bestgen

Year: 2017 (xlix)

Abstract

Detection of endangered razorback sucker Xyrauchen texanus larvae by light traps is used to prompt flow releases to inundate Green River floodplains that are crucial to their survival However, little is known about the efficacy of light traps to capture or retain larvae We investigated effects of trap set time, release distance from trap, light presence, and turbidity on capture and retention rates of early life stages Laboratory capture rates were a mean of 90% but decreased to 28% with increasing fish size Retention exceeded 75% overall, but increased to 97% with increasing fish size Relationships between set time and distance should be investigated, along with field testing Light traps may be a useful gear to detect razorback sucker larvae in the wild and trigger flow releases from Flaming Gorge Dam