External abnormalities in fish assemblages from four Illinois rivers

DeBoer, Jason A.; Whitten Harris, Andrya L.; Kuppek, Valerie E.; Stafford, Paul A.; Lamer, James T.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121772 Copy

Description

Title

External abnormalities in fish assemblages from four Illinois rivers

Author(s)

• DeBoer, Jason A.
• Whitten Harris, Andrya L.
• Kuppek, Valerie E.
• Stafford, Paul A.
• Lamer, James T.

Issue Date

2024-01-05

Keyword(s)

• fish assemblages
• Illinois
• Rivers

Geographic Coverage

Illinois

Abstract

Long-term ecological monitoring programs can be used to detect ecosystem response to environmental changes. However, many fisheries monitoring programs do not quantify external abnormalities (e.g., deformities, eroded fins/barbels, lesions, and tumors; DELTs) that may indicate pollutants or disease within aquatic environments. These pollutants can affect fish health and human health through consumption from recreational or commercial fisheries. During 2015, standard methods for recording DELTs were implemented in the Long-Term Survey and Assessment of Large-River Fishes in Illinois program. Data from 2015-2019 were summarized to quantify the number of species and individuals with DELTs overall and from each sampling region, and we used ANOVA to examine potential differences in fish body condition between individuals with and without DELTs. The presence of DELTs varied spatially among and within the sampled regions, and among species sampled, but generally were more abundant in closer proximity to the greater Chicago, Illinois area. Examining fish community health through regular monitoring provides insight that can further our understanding of potential 2 water quality concerns within large river systems and inform management for agencies responsible for maintaining not only recreational and commercial fisheries, but also human health.

Publisher

Illinois Natural History Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

INHS Technical Report 2024 (04)

Type of Resource

text

Language

eng

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

The Long-Term Survey and Assessment of Large River Fishes in Illinois (LTEF; F-101-R)

Copyright and License Information

This document is a product of the Illinois Natural History Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended solely for noncommercial research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

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