Early ontogeny of gray redhorse, Moxostoma congestum (Catostomidae)

Authors: Zymonas, Nik D.*1, Altenbach, Chris2, Propst, David L.1

Year: 2007 (xxxix)

Abstract

Collection of larvae can provide important insights into the ecology and status of fish populations. We artificially spawned gray redhorse, Moxostoma congestum, from the Black River, Ne w Mexico, and reared the progeny under laboratory conditions to obtain information on early life history and to enable development of an identification key. Fertilized eggs (day 1) were initially adhesive, 3 mm in diameter, and pale yellow. Embryos flexed at three-second intervals and hatched (tail-first) on day 4 (92 hr; 88º F). Newly hatched protolarvae were 8 mm TL with transparent body and head strongly decurved over the yolk sac. Features of the protolarval phase included appearance of circulating blood, pigmentation of retina, alignment of head with body axis, and progressively stronger swimming bursts along the tank bottom. Attainment of the mesolarval phase, at about 13 mm TL (day 11), was associated with development of caudal-fin rays, filling of the gas bladder, residence in the water column, complete absorption of yolk, and onset of exogenous feeding by day 14. Mesolarvae exhibited yellowish-tan dorsal pigmentation and increased density of dorsal melanophores. Metalarval phase was reached by 17 mm TL (day 23) with presence of both of pelvic-fin buds and all medianfin rays. The mouth was distinctly subterminal and in dividuals were increasingly orientated with the tank bottom. The larval period was complete by 20 mm TL (day 39) when full complement of fin rays was apparent and finfolds were entirely absorbed. Morphological measurements and character counts from this developmental series provide the means to distinguish gray redhorse larvae from those of sympatric

catostomids as well as other species of Moxostoma. All specimens will be accessioned to the Museum of Southwest Biology at the University of New Mexico.

Resumen

Ontogenia temprana del matalote gris, Moxostoma congestum (Catostomidae) El colectar larvas puede dar importante información de la ecología y estatus de las poblaciones de peces. Indujimos el desove artificial de matalote gris, Moxostoma congestum, con ejemplares del Río Black, Nuevo México, y criamos a la progenie bajo condiciones de laboratotio, para obtener información de las etapas tempranas de su ciclo de vida y para elaborar una cl ave de identificación. Los huevos fertilizados (día 1) al principio estaban pegajosos, tenían 3 mm de diámetro, y eran color amarillo pálido. Los embriones se arqueaban en intervalos de tres segundos y eclosionaron (primero salió la cola) al cu arto día (después de 92 hr y a 88º F). Las protolarvas recién eclosionadas midieron 8 mm en LT, con un cuerpo transparente y cabeza curvada sobre el saco vitelino. Las características de la fase de protolarva incluyeron una aparente circulación sanguínea, pigmentación de retina, la alineación de la cabeza con el eje corporal, y arranques repentinos y fuertes de nado de manera progresiva en el fondo del tanque. La definición para la fase de mesolarva, alrededor de 13 mm de LT (día 11), se asoció con el desarrollo de los radios de la aleta caudal, el llenado de la vejiga natatoria, permanencia en la columna de agua, la completa absorción de vitelo y su alimentación exógena en el día 14. Las mesolarvas mostraron una pigmentación amarillenta-café y una densidad mayor de melanóforos en la parte dorsal. La fase de metalarva se alcanzó a los 17 mm de LT (día 23), al aparecer muñones de las aletas pélvicas y los radios de todas las aletas medias. La boca estaba distintivamente en posición subterminal y los organismos incrementaron su orientación con relación al fondo del tanque. El periodo de etapas larvarias se completó a los 20 mm de LT (día 39), cuando fue aparente el complemento total de los radios de las aletas y los pliegues de las aletas fueron completamente absorbidos. Las medidas morfológicas y el conteo de caracteres obtenidos en el desarrollo de esta serie nos da los medios para distinguir a las larvas de matalote gris de otros catostómidos simpátricos, así como de otras especies de Moxostoma. Todos los ejemplares serán depositados en el Museo de Biología del Suroeste de la Universidad de Nuevo México.

Annual Business Meeting Minutes Ventura, California November 16, 2007

Meeting Chair, Nathan Allan, President Minutes recorded by Jim Brooks, Past President Approximately 65 members in attendance. Opening comments by Carl Benz - Desert Division, Assistant Field Supervisor, Ventura Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes and appreciates the good work that DFC does for conservation of aquatic ecosystems in the arid lands of the southwest US and Mexico. 1. Honorary recognition of Dr. Clark and Cathy Hubbs - A Lifetime Service Award was presented by Nathan Allan. The membership responded with an exuberant standing ovation. 2. Approval of the Minutes of the previous Annual Business Meeting. Motion S. Bonar, 2nd P. Reinthal, unanimous approval. 3. Old Business of the Council a. Centro de Investigación Científica de Cuatrociénegas (CICC) - Dean Hendrickson - Future of Research Station – relocating to better place next month. Looking for fundin g. DFC committed at 2005 meeting to support research station as long as necessary – commitment is decreasing as income is being generated by guests. Corporate sponsorship suggested (Liu). Hendrickson responded with “Funny you should mention that” and explained that he had had contact with CEMEX, a large Mexican international company, in hopes they might support the CICC. Cristina Vélez, CICC manager, described the new place as having great potential (fully furnis hed), meeting facilities are great, potential to buy for $100K – reasonable price. Future looks good. b. Conservation Fund Development (Stewart Reid) - Funds lined up with Vanguard, a little over $70K, intent is to have 1 page application format, intent is not to supplement other budgets, something finite/definable/doable, decision by 31 Jan., up to $1500 or spread out to smaller grants, could be for travel, requirement to include presentation at annual mtg. of DFC, interest earnings applied to grant fund-not primary fund so we continue to earn. Earlier this year we got the first “patron” membership from Dallas Aquarium. 4. Executive Secretary Report (Phil Pister) a. Financial Report - Keeping a minimal amount of operating funds in general Bishop account just under $400, most in Vanguard money market account (about $10,000 as general fund), costs $600 per year for CPA for all DFC business – produces IRS-satisfactory report. Donations go to four diffe rent funds according to donor’s wishes. 5. Membership Secretary Report (Heidi Blasius) - Currently DFC has 182 paid members. This is a decrease from previous years. Have 32 new members this year. Please provide updated contact information to Heidi if it changes. David Koran asked about having DFC added to the list of charities for donation through the Combined Federal Campaign to facilitate additional donation of funds. Note: This was later investigated and it seems it would cost more money in administrative costs to apply for CFC recognition than we would likely collect through donations (Nathan Allan). 6. Proceedings Editor Report (Dean Hendrickson) - 2 y ears archived – tracking tabl es issues are delaying processing. Will publish 3 vols. of proceedings this comi ng year. Tracking tables form at will be transferred to database format. Requested that authors put some time and effort into editing their abstracts. As decided at a previous meeting, Proceedings will now be published only electronically, with hard copy available through Lulu.com at cost plus shipping. 7. Program Secretary Report (Stewart Reid) - Reminder to ensure abstract accuracy and editing to fit proceedings format. 8. Areas Coordinator Report (Kara Hilwig) - Kara Hilwig is resigning. Kathryn Boyer has been appointed by the ExComm to serve the rest of the term (1 year), with the charge of crea ting a spreadsheet to house the tracking tables. Area Coordinators have met to discuss a new approach to maintaining species data that can be more accessible to users. The likely format will be Excel. Area coordinators note they continue to be challenged by the ability to get annual information from membership to include in their respective Area Reports. 9. Member-At-Large Report (Dave Ward) - Council correspondence in 2007 Letter to Arizona Game and Fish Commission thanking fo r change in policy. Translocations formerly needed concurrence from landowners but this was-changed to let things go forward without that concurrence.

Proposed pipeline from NE Nevada to Las Vegas for grow th. Need for input from membership to develop DFC response/comment. Need members familiar with issues to contribute scientific information (Deacon and associates will for sure). Project is chopped up so difficult to comment upon, nevertheless DFC will comment. Need membership to approach Ward with issues. 10. Election of Officers (Nathan Allan) Executive Secretary - Phil renominated by the ExComm. Floor open for nominations – none, Phil reappointed President - Stewart Reid nominated, no other nominations prior to meeting, other nominations here at business meeting? K. Boyer nominates Pam Sponholtz, Kara 2nd, Pam declined nomination, Eric closed nominations. Stewart is elected president. Proceedings Editor, Dean Hendrickson renominated by the ExComm. Floor open for nominations – none, nominations closed. Dean reappointed. Program Secretary (to replace Stewart Reid, just elected President) Chris Hoagstrom nominated by the ExComm. K. Boyer nominated Pam Sp onholtz and seconded, Pam accepted. No other nominations. Nominations closed and seconded. Nathan provided a brief bio of Hoagstrom; Boyer provided one for Sponholtz. Paper ballots were distributed to all. Results: Pam Sponholtz was elected by a vote of 29-26 2008 Executive Committee: Stewart Reid, President Nath an Allan, Past President Phil Pister, Executive Secretary Dean Hendrickson, Proceedings Editor Pam Sponholtz, Program Chair Kathryn Boyer, Areas Coordinator Heidi Blasius, Membership Secretary David Ward, Member at Large 9. Chairperson of the Student Awards Committee Report (Eric Gustafson) Peter Reinthal and Chris Hoagstrom were thanked for serving on the Awards Committee. Eric encouraged students to participate. No Miller award candidates this year. Intent is to award at business meeting in the future. A point scoring system will be extended to student abstracts in future – be accurate. 10. Local Committee for 2008 meeting (Dean Hendrickson/Cristina Vélez) a. Cuatrociénegas, Coahuila, México, November 12-16, 2008, 40th Anniversary! Travel no problem. Will most likely have a van pool from Austin & San Antonio again. b. Future meeting locations: 2009 – Death Valley; 2010 – Moab, Utah 11. Resolutions of the Council (none received prior to submission deadline) 12. Other Business of the Council a. Desert Fish Habitat Partnership – DFC Role - What is role of DFC? Need a DFHP administrative coordinator to bring it together. Need a banker for future funding. DFC is a possibility, but would be a big change for DFC. Nothing decided yet. Chris Cantrell – asked DFC for representation (Nathan/Heidi), need diverse partners, DFC rep on Steering Committee and Executive Steering Committee. Boyer – suggested DFC provide information about the partnership on the DFC website. Sjoberg – need more diverse people involved to make this work. b. Website Help for http://desertfishes.org - Need help, busy website, need somebody to manage/improve, needs overhaul, what about contracting? What do we want/what do you want? Dean officially resigned 2 yrs ago, now he’s in maintenance mode, not adequately dealing with ‘issues’ (errors). Have volunteer (Brian Kesner, works for Paul Marsh), but need web designer. 15. Meeting Adjourned.