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• 1291. [Article] Does Disability Severity Matter? The Daily Lives of Parent Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disabilities

  Individuals with disabilities and their parents, even within specific disability diagnoses, have diverse life experiences and trajectories. The current study focuses on parents of individuals with developmental ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Does Disability Severity Matter? The Daily Lives of Parent Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disabilities Author: Fenn, Meghann L. Individuals with disabilities and their parents, even within specific disability diagnoses, have diverse life experiences and trajectories. The current study focuses on parents of individuals with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities (DD) are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions evident at birth or acquired during childhood that affect major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living; and include conditions such as Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, and general developmental delays. This study builds on previous literature concerning stress, caregiving, and disability by examining the daily lives, experiences, and wellbeing of parents of children with DD. The majority of health and wellbeing research being done in this area focuses on overall or global wellbeing. Comparatively little research has examined the daily lives, experiences, and wellbeing of these parents, who exist within extremely fluid contexts that change daily. Furthermore, this study also aims to build on previous research by considering the severity of the child’s disability, in order to further contextualize and understand the complex levels of influence within these parents’ daily lives. Using data from the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), the daily diary project of the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), this study examined these topics further by answering three specific research questions; First, to what extent does the association between daily stressors and same-day positive and negative affect differ for parents of children with and without DD? Second, to what extent does the association between daily positive events and same-day positive and negative affect differ for parents of children with and without DD? And lastly, are these associations further moderated by the severity of the child’s disability? A total of 82 participants (Mean Age = 57.4; 59% female, 96% non-Hispanic White, 79% married, Mean Education = 14 years) were identified as parents of children with DD. A sample of 82 individuals who were parents of typically developing children were identified and matched as a comparison group based on: parent gender, parent age, number of children in the household, child age, whether the target child lives with the parent, parent marital status, and parent educational attainment. Participants completed 8 nightly telephone interviews, which included assessments of their daily stressors and positive events, as well as positive and negative affect. Results from the current study found that the daily lives of individuals with disabilities and their parents are diverse and complex. Compared to their matched counterparts, parents of children with DD experienced significantly greater increases in negative affect associated with the experience of daily stressors. In contract, parents of children with DD exhibited comparable increases in daily positive affect associated with the daily positive experiences. With respect to severity of disability, the longevity of the child’s disability diagnosis, the number of comorbid disability diagnoses, and the number of comorbid mental health diagnoses, did selectively moderate daily experience-wellbeing associations, but not in a symmetric fashion across indicators. Taken together, the daily experiences and daily wellbeing of parents caring for a child with a disability cannot be understood and defined merely by knowing their child’s disability status. Parents of children with DD may be vulnerable because of the chronic stress context of caring for a child with a disability, and they show more reactive patterns of daily wellbeing when experiencing daily stressors, however, they also show resiliency in their daily wellbeing when experiencing daily positive events. The current study attempted to better contextualize and understand the daily lives of caregiving parents by moving beyond a binary definition of disability (yes/no a disability is present), and findings suggest that severity of disability is a complex phenomenon in need of continued empirical investigation. Title: Does Disability Severity Matter? The Daily Lives of Parent Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disabilities Author: Fenn, Meghann L. Individuals with disabilities and their parents, even within specific disability diagnoses, have diverse life experiences and trajectories. The current study focuses on parents of individuals with developmental disabilities. Developmental disabilities (DD) are a diverse group of severe chronic conditions evident at birth or acquired during childhood that affect major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-help, and independent living; and include conditions such as Down syndrome, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, and general developmental delays. This study builds on previous literature concerning stress, caregiving, and disability by examining the daily lives, experiences, and wellbeing of parents of children with DD. The majority of health and wellbeing research being done in this area focuses on overall or global wellbeing. Comparatively little research has examined the daily lives, experiences, and wellbeing of these parents, who exist within extremely fluid contexts that change daily. Furthermore, this study also aims to build on previous research by considering the severity of the child’s disability, in order to further contextualize and understand the complex levels of influence within these parents’ daily lives. Using data from the second wave of the National Study of Daily Experiences (NSDE), the daily diary project of the National Survey of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), this study examined these topics further by answering three specific research questions; First, to what extent does the association between daily stressors and same-day positive and negative affect differ for parents of children with and without DD? Second, to what extent does the association between daily positive events and same-day positive and negative affect differ for parents of children with and without DD? And lastly, are these associations further moderated by the severity of the child’s disability? A total of 82 participants (Mean Age = 57.4; 59% female, 96% non-Hispanic White, 79% married, Mean Education = 14 years) were identified as parents of children with DD. A sample of 82 individuals who were parents of typically developing children were identified and matched as a comparison group based on: parent gender, parent age, number of children in the household, child age, whether the target child lives with the parent, parent marital status, and parent educational attainment. Participants completed 8 nightly telephone interviews, which included assessments of their daily stressors and positive events, as well as positive and negative affect. Results from the current study found that the daily lives of individuals with disabilities and their parents are diverse and complex. Compared to their matched counterparts, parents of children with DD experienced significantly greater increases in negative affect associated with the experience of daily stressors. In contract, parents of children with DD exhibited comparable increases in daily positive affect associated with the daily positive experiences. With respect to severity of disability, the longevity of the child’s disability diagnosis, the number of comorbid disability diagnoses, and the number of comorbid mental health diagnoses, did selectively moderate daily experience-wellbeing associations, but not in a symmetric fashion across indicators. Taken together, the daily experiences and daily wellbeing of parents caring for a child with a disability cannot be understood and defined merely by knowing their child’s disability status. Parents of children with DD may be vulnerable because of the chronic stress context of caring for a child with a disability, and they show more reactive patterns of daily wellbeing when experiencing daily stressors, however, they also show resiliency in their daily wellbeing when experiencing daily positive events. The current study attempted to better contextualize and understand the daily lives of caregiving parents by moving beyond a binary definition of disability (yes/no a disability is present), and findings suggest that severity of disability is a complex phenomenon in need of continued empirical investigation. Close

• 1292. [Article] A comparative analysis of factors influencing smoking behaviors of college students, 1963-1987

  Cigarette smoking continues to be one of the country's major health concerns. It has been defined as the single largest preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. Although research has ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A comparative analysis of factors influencing smoking behaviors of college students, 1963-1987 Author: Gray, Nancy L. Cigarette smoking continues to be one of the country's major health concerns. It has been defined as the single largest preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. Although research has indicated that overall cigarette consumption has decreased in the nation over the past decades, cigarette smoking remains a significant problem among young people in the United States. This fact, coupled with studies indicating that cigarette smoking increases with age into the early twenties suggests that research should be conducted to determine those variables that encourage smoking behavior of late adolescents and young adults. The purpose of the study was to compare the relationship between selected predisposing factors and subsequent smoking behaviors exhibited in 1963 and 1987 respectively. Assessments of smoking behaviors of college students in Oregon in 1963-64 and 1986-87 were conducted to determine relationships between students smoking behaviors and selected socio-demographic variables. Comparisons were made between the resulting data for students in the 1963-64and 1986-87 studies. Aquestionnaire relating to smoking behavior was developed and administered to 3,786 college students attending introductory personal health classes during the 1963-64 school year at four selected colleges in the state of Oregon. During the 1986-87 school year a modified version of the questionnaire was developed and administered to college students attending introductory personal health classes at three of the same four universities that were utilized in the 1963-64 study. Stepwise logistic regression, chi square and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that there were significantly more smokers in 1963-64 and their daily consumption rates were significantly higher when compared to 1986-87 data. Although a larger percentage of females were smokers in the total population surveyed in 1963-64, there were more female smokers in the population of smokers in 1986-87. Whereas males consumed significantly more cigarettes per day than did females in 1963-64, there was no significant difference between male and female consumption rates in 1986-87. Significant numbers of smokers in 1986-87 started smoking at an earlier age than did smokers in 1963-64. When separating by gender, this was significant for females but not for males. Peer smoking was listed as the number one reason for starting to smoke by more than half of the respondents in 1986-87 as compared to 40% who listed curiosity in 1963-64. Physical reasons were indicated as the main reason for quitting by ex-smokers in 1963-64 and in 1986-87, over one half of the respondents indicated that they quit because of a concern for their physical health. Stepwise logistic regression equations were used to determine the set of variables that best accounted for smoking status in 1963-64 and 1986-87. Results indicated that the variables which predisposed individuals toward subsequent smoking behavior did differ when comparing the two studies. In 1963-64, an individual with the highest probability of smoking was one who had one or more older sisters who smoked, both parents smoked, father was a high school non-graduate and was from an urban setting. The individual with the lowest probability of smoking in 1963-64 had no older sisters who smoked, mother and father did not smoke, father was a high school graduate and lived in a rural setting. In 1986-87, the only variable to significantly increase the probability of an individual smoking was one or more older brothers who smoked. The following data were collected only for the 1986-87 population of students because questions relating to these issues were not included on the 1963-64 questionnaire. Use of alcohol, marijuana and smokeless tobacco by cigarette smokers was not significantly different when compared to non-smokers. Illicit substance use (cocaine, crack, heroin, quaaludes, etc) was significantly different for cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Smokers were more likely to use illicit substances than were non-smokers. The largest number of smokeless tobacco users were males in the 18-19 age category. Use of alcohol, marijuana and other illicit substances were significantly different for smokeless tobacco users than for non-users. Smokeless tobacco users were more likely to consume more alcohol on a weekly basis and use marijuana and illicit substances on an occasional and regular basis than were non-users of smokeless tobacco. Title: A comparative analysis of factors influencing smoking behaviors of college students, 1963-1987 Author: Gray, Nancy L. Cigarette smoking continues to be one of the country's major health concerns. It has been defined as the single largest preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. Although research has indicated that overall cigarette consumption has decreased in the nation over the past decades, cigarette smoking remains a significant problem among young people in the United States. This fact, coupled with studies indicating that cigarette smoking increases with age into the early twenties suggests that research should be conducted to determine those variables that encourage smoking behavior of late adolescents and young adults. The purpose of the study was to compare the relationship between selected predisposing factors and subsequent smoking behaviors exhibited in 1963 and 1987 respectively. Assessments of smoking behaviors of college students in Oregon in 1963-64 and 1986-87 were conducted to determine relationships between students smoking behaviors and selected socio-demographic variables. Comparisons were made between the resulting data for students in the 1963-64and 1986-87 studies. Aquestionnaire relating to smoking behavior was developed and administered to 3,786 college students attending introductory personal health classes during the 1963-64 school year at four selected colleges in the state of Oregon. During the 1986-87 school year a modified version of the questionnaire was developed and administered to college students attending introductory personal health classes at three of the same four universities that were utilized in the 1963-64 study. Stepwise logistic regression, chi square and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that there were significantly more smokers in 1963-64 and their daily consumption rates were significantly higher when compared to 1986-87 data. Although a larger percentage of females were smokers in the total population surveyed in 1963-64, there were more female smokers in the population of smokers in 1986-87. Whereas males consumed significantly more cigarettes per day than did females in 1963-64, there was no significant difference between male and female consumption rates in 1986-87. Significant numbers of smokers in 1986-87 started smoking at an earlier age than did smokers in 1963-64. When separating by gender, this was significant for females but not for males. Peer smoking was listed as the number one reason for starting to smoke by more than half of the respondents in 1986-87 as compared to 40% who listed curiosity in 1963-64. Physical reasons were indicated as the main reason for quitting by ex-smokers in 1963-64 and in 1986-87, over one half of the respondents indicated that they quit because of a concern for their physical health. Stepwise logistic regression equations were used to determine the set of variables that best accounted for smoking status in 1963-64 and 1986-87. Results indicated that the variables which predisposed individuals toward subsequent smoking behavior did differ when comparing the two studies. In 1963-64, an individual with the highest probability of smoking was one who had one or more older sisters who smoked, both parents smoked, father was a high school non-graduate and was from an urban setting. The individual with the lowest probability of smoking in 1963-64 had no older sisters who smoked, mother and father did not smoke, father was a high school graduate and lived in a rural setting. In 1986-87, the only variable to significantly increase the probability of an individual smoking was one or more older brothers who smoked. The following data were collected only for the 1986-87 population of students because questions relating to these issues were not included on the 1963-64 questionnaire. Use of alcohol, marijuana and smokeless tobacco by cigarette smokers was not significantly different when compared to non-smokers. Illicit substance use (cocaine, crack, heroin, quaaludes, etc) was significantly different for cigarette smokers and non-smokers. Smokers were more likely to use illicit substances than were non-smokers. The largest number of smokeless tobacco users were males in the 18-19 age category. Use of alcohol, marijuana and other illicit substances were significantly different for smokeless tobacco users than for non-users. Smokeless tobacco users were more likely to consume more alcohol on a weekly basis and use marijuana and illicit substances on an occasional and regular basis than were non-users of smokeless tobacco. Close

• 1293. [Article] Label-free mass spectrometry-driven methods for elucidating adaptive responses of the hepatic mitochondrial proteome in an alcoholic fatty liver disease model

  Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) continues to be one of the major public health problems in the United States and worldwide. Complicated by factors including gender, polymorphisms of alcohol-metabolizing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Label-free mass spectrometry-driven methods for elucidating adaptive responses of the hepatic mitochondrial proteome in an alcoholic fatty liver disease model Author: Tzeng, Shin-Cheng Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) continues to be one of the major public health problems in the United States and worldwide. Complicated by factors including gender, polymorphisms of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, immunologic factors, exposures to other substances/drugs, hepatic viral infections, nutritional deficiencies, and obesity, ALD is a complex disease that requires a systematic approach to dissect the mechanisms associated with organ dysfunction. Mechanistic knowledge is necessary to shed light on routes that potentially may lead to effective treatments. Proteomics as a discovery tool that may reveal new targets and pathways that can potentially be exploited for developing new preventive strategies and treatments. The mitochondrion is the pivotal organelle linked to disease progression and to the development of ALD. Studies have shown links between mitochondrial dysfunction and ethanol-induced liver injury, but the underlying mechanisms at the molecular level still remain largely unknown. In the present study we evaluated the capability of two label-free mass-spectrometry-driven approaches (i) the intensity-based MS[superscript E] method, and (ii) a spectral counting-based method that uses data-dependent acquisition (DDA). Initially a single- and a three-protein model system were utilized to evaluate differences in the performance characteristics of the two methods. To examine the performance difference of the two methods for proteome characterization, we measured changes in protein levels as a consequence of chronic alcohol consumption in rat liver mitochondria. Our results revealed that the MS[superscript E] approach had better performance in terms of precision, and dynamic range and resulted in superior accuracy for fold change determinations. The MS[superscript E] approach proved to identify more mitochondrial proteins than the two DDA methods. However, the run-to-run reproducibility of the MS[superscript E] method was lower than was observed for the DDA methods. Despite poor linear correlation between approaches, the outcomes of the proteome characterizations were rather consistent as more than half of the significantly altered proteins detected by the MS[superscript E] method were also revealed by at least one of the DDA methods. Collectively, we concluded that both MSE and DDA approaches provide satisfactory performance with the MS[superscript E] approach outperforming the DDA-based methods with respect to accuracy, linearity and dynamic range. Further, we integrated the label-free LC-MS[superscript E] quantification with bioinformatics and knowledge base to profile alteration of the mitochondrial proteome for unraveling the protective effect of MitoQ, a mitochondrial targeted ubiquinone, on ALD. With carefully maintained stability of the LC-MS system, robust proteome datasets with high technical precision were obtained. By taking advantage of the information-rich quantitative proteomic data, we quantitatively categorized the identified proteins and performed pathway analysis for each category independently. Metabolic pathways and associated proteins were highlighted with the guidance of the systems biology approach. In summary, our results indicated that the pathways enriched in response to MitoQ included acyl-CoA synthases and the carnitine shuttle, ketogenesis, the TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. The MitoQ-responsive metabolic network suggested that MitoQ up-regulates fatty acid transportation to counteract accumulation of lipids in the fatty liver. For dissecting the mitochondrial proteome, we develop a "targeted" quantitative approach involving label-free mass spectrometry-based quantification, chemoselective labeling, avidin- biotin based affinity enrichment at both protein and peptide level. The approach was applied to mitochondria exposed to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) for depicting a subset of the mitochondrial proteome susceptible to HNE insult. The utilization of the carbonyl-selective probe, ARP, facilitated labeling of HNE-adducted proteins and enabled avidin affinity enrichment with the biotin moiety. A list of potential protein targets with concentration-dependent response and known HNE modification sites was obtained when combining results from the protein- and peptide-level enrichment workflows. The core list of putative protein targets of HNE adduction may serve as lead for further validation studies towards unraveling the pathogenesis of ALD and emerging treatment modalities using Western blotting or targeted LC-MS methods. Title: Label-free mass spectrometry-driven methods for elucidating adaptive responses of the hepatic mitochondrial proteome in an alcoholic fatty liver disease model Author: Tzeng, Shin-Cheng Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) continues to be one of the major public health problems in the United States and worldwide. Complicated by factors including gender, polymorphisms of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, immunologic factors, exposures to other substances/drugs, hepatic viral infections, nutritional deficiencies, and obesity, ALD is a complex disease that requires a systematic approach to dissect the mechanisms associated with organ dysfunction. Mechanistic knowledge is necessary to shed light on routes that potentially may lead to effective treatments. Proteomics as a discovery tool that may reveal new targets and pathways that can potentially be exploited for developing new preventive strategies and treatments. The mitochondrion is the pivotal organelle linked to disease progression and to the development of ALD. Studies have shown links between mitochondrial dysfunction and ethanol-induced liver injury, but the underlying mechanisms at the molecular level still remain largely unknown. In the present study we evaluated the capability of two label-free mass-spectrometry-driven approaches (i) the intensity-based MS[superscript E] method, and (ii) a spectral counting-based method that uses data-dependent acquisition (DDA). Initially a single- and a three-protein model system were utilized to evaluate differences in the performance characteristics of the two methods. To examine the performance difference of the two methods for proteome characterization, we measured changes in protein levels as a consequence of chronic alcohol consumption in rat liver mitochondria. Our results revealed that the MS[superscript E] approach had better performance in terms of precision, and dynamic range and resulted in superior accuracy for fold change determinations. The MS[superscript E] approach proved to identify more mitochondrial proteins than the two DDA methods. However, the run-to-run reproducibility of the MS[superscript E] method was lower than was observed for the DDA methods. Despite poor linear correlation between approaches, the outcomes of the proteome characterizations were rather consistent as more than half of the significantly altered proteins detected by the MS[superscript E] method were also revealed by at least one of the DDA methods. Collectively, we concluded that both MSE and DDA approaches provide satisfactory performance with the MS[superscript E] approach outperforming the DDA-based methods with respect to accuracy, linearity and dynamic range. Further, we integrated the label-free LC-MS[superscript E] quantification with bioinformatics and knowledge base to profile alteration of the mitochondrial proteome for unraveling the protective effect of MitoQ, a mitochondrial targeted ubiquinone, on ALD. With carefully maintained stability of the LC-MS system, robust proteome datasets with high technical precision were obtained. By taking advantage of the information-rich quantitative proteomic data, we quantitatively categorized the identified proteins and performed pathway analysis for each category independently. Metabolic pathways and associated proteins were highlighted with the guidance of the systems biology approach. In summary, our results indicated that the pathways enriched in response to MitoQ included acyl-CoA synthases and the carnitine shuttle, ketogenesis, the TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. The MitoQ-responsive metabolic network suggested that MitoQ up-regulates fatty acid transportation to counteract accumulation of lipids in the fatty liver. For dissecting the mitochondrial proteome, we develop a "targeted" quantitative approach involving label-free mass spectrometry-based quantification, chemoselective labeling, avidin- biotin based affinity enrichment at both protein and peptide level. The approach was applied to mitochondria exposed to 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) for depicting a subset of the mitochondrial proteome susceptible to HNE insult. The utilization of the carbonyl-selective probe, ARP, facilitated labeling of HNE-adducted proteins and enabled avidin affinity enrichment with the biotin moiety. A list of potential protein targets with concentration-dependent response and known HNE modification sites was obtained when combining results from the protein- and peptide-level enrichment workflows. The core list of putative protein targets of HNE adduction may serve as lead for further validation studies towards unraveling the pathogenesis of ALD and emerging treatment modalities using Western blotting or targeted LC-MS methods. Close

• 1294. [Article] Bicyclist Compliance at Signalized Intersections

  This project examined cyclist red light running behavior using two data sets. Previous studies of cyclist compliance have investigated the tendencies of cyclists to run red lights on the whole by generalizing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Bicyclist Compliance at Signalized Intersections Author: Thompson, Samson Ray Riley Year: 2015 This project examined cyclist red light running behavior using two data sets. Previous studies of cyclist compliance have investigated the tendencies of cyclists to run red lights on the whole by generalizing different maneuvers to their end outcome, running a red light. This project differentiates between the different types of red light running and focuses on the most egregious case, gap acceptance, which is when a cyclist runs a red light by accepting a gap in opposing traffic. Using video data, a mathematical model of cyclist red light running was developed for gap acceptance. Similar to other studies, this analysis utilized only information about the cyclist, intersection, and scenario that can be outwardly observed. This analysis found that the number of cyclists already waiting at the signal, the presence of a vehicle in the adjacent lane, and female sex were deterrents to red light running. Conversely, certain types of signal phasing, witnessing a violation, and lack of helmet increased the odds that a cyclist would run the red light. Interestingly, while women in general are less likely to run a red light, those who witnessed a violation were even more prone that men who had witnessed a violation to follow suit and run the red light themselves. It is likely that the differing socialization of women and men leads to different effects of witnessing a previous violator. The analysis also confirmed that a small subset of cyclists, similar to that found in the general population, are more prone to traffic violations. These cyclists are more willing to engage in multiple biking-related risk factors that include not wearing a helmet and running red lights. Although the model has definite explanatory power regarding decisions of cyclist compliance, much of the variance in the compliance choices of the sample is left unexplained. This points toward the influence of other, not outwardly observable variables on the decision to run a red light. Analysis of survey data from cyclists further confirms that individual characteristics not visible to the observer interact with intersection, scenario, and visible cyclist characteristics to result in a decision to comply (or not) with a traffic signal. Furthermore, cyclist characteristics, in general, and unobservable individual characteristics, specifically, play a larger role in compliance decisions as the number of compliance-inducing intersection traits (e.g. conflicting traffic volume) decrease. One such unobservable trait is the regard for the law by some cyclists, which becomes a more important determinant of compliance at simpler intersections. Cyclists were also shown to choose non-compliance if they questioned the validity of the red indication for them, as cyclists. The video and survey data have some comparable findings. For instance, the relationship of age to compliance was explored in both data analyses. Age was not found to be a significant predictor of non-compliance in the video data analysis while it was negatively correlated with stated non-compliance for two of the survey intersections. Gender, while having significant effects on non-compliance in the video dataset, did not emerge as an important factor in the stated non-compliance of survey takers. Helmet use had a consistent relationship with compliance between the video and survey datasets. Helmet use was positively associated with compliance in the video data and negatively associated with revealed non-compliance at two of the survey intersections. When coupled with the positive association between normlessness and stated willingness to run a red light, the relationship between helmet use and compliance solidifies the notion that a class of cyclists is more likely to consistently violate signals. It points towards a link between red light running and individuals who do not adhere to social norms and policies as strictly as others. Variables representing cyclists and motorists waiting at the signal were positively related to signal compliance in the video data. While an increased number of cyclists may be a physical deterrent to red light running, part of the influence on compliance that this variable and the variable representing the presence of a vehicle may be due to accountability of cyclists to other road users. This relationship, however, was not revealed in the stated non-compliance data from the survey. Efforts to increase cyclist compliance may not be worth a jurisdiction's resources since nearly 90% of cyclists in the video data were already compliant. If a problem intersection does warrant intervention, different methods of ensuring bicyclist compliance are warranted depending on the intersection characteristics. An alternative solution is to consider the applicability of traffic laws (originally designed for cars) to bicyclists. Creating separation in how laws affect motorists and cyclists might be a better solution for overly simple types of intersections where cyclists have fewer conflicts, better visibility, etc. than motorists. Education or other messaging aimed at cyclists about compliance is another strategy to increase compliance. Since cyclists appear to feel more justified in running red lights at low-volume, simple-looking intersections, it would probably be prudent to target messaging at these types of intersections. Many cyclists are deterred by high-volume and/or complicated looking intersections for safety reasons. Reminding cyclists of the potential dangers at other intersections may be a successful messaging strategy. Alternatively, reminding cyclists that it is still illegal to run a red light even if they feel safe doing so may be prudent. Additionally, messaging about the purpose of infrastructure such as bicycle-specific signals or lights that indicate detection at a signal may convince cyclists that stopping at the signal is in their best interest and that the wait will be minimal and/or warranted. Title: Bicyclist Compliance at Signalized Intersections Author: Thompson, Samson Ray Riley Year: 2015 This project examined cyclist red light running behavior using two data sets. Previous studies of cyclist compliance have investigated the tendencies of cyclists to run red lights on the whole by generalizing different maneuvers to their end outcome, running a red light. This project differentiates between the different types of red light running and focuses on the most egregious case, gap acceptance, which is when a cyclist runs a red light by accepting a gap in opposing traffic. Using video data, a mathematical model of cyclist red light running was developed for gap acceptance. Similar to other studies, this analysis utilized only information about the cyclist, intersection, and scenario that can be outwardly observed. This analysis found that the number of cyclists already waiting at the signal, the presence of a vehicle in the adjacent lane, and female sex were deterrents to red light running. Conversely, certain types of signal phasing, witnessing a violation, and lack of helmet increased the odds that a cyclist would run the red light. Interestingly, while women in general are less likely to run a red light, those who witnessed a violation were even more prone that men who had witnessed a violation to follow suit and run the red light themselves. It is likely that the differing socialization of women and men leads to different effects of witnessing a previous violator. The analysis also confirmed that a small subset of cyclists, similar to that found in the general population, are more prone to traffic violations. These cyclists are more willing to engage in multiple biking-related risk factors that include not wearing a helmet and running red lights. Although the model has definite explanatory power regarding decisions of cyclist compliance, much of the variance in the compliance choices of the sample is left unexplained. This points toward the influence of other, not outwardly observable variables on the decision to run a red light. Analysis of survey data from cyclists further confirms that individual characteristics not visible to the observer interact with intersection, scenario, and visible cyclist characteristics to result in a decision to comply (or not) with a traffic signal. Furthermore, cyclist characteristics, in general, and unobservable individual characteristics, specifically, play a larger role in compliance decisions as the number of compliance-inducing intersection traits (e.g. conflicting traffic volume) decrease. One such unobservable trait is the regard for the law by some cyclists, which becomes a more important determinant of compliance at simpler intersections. Cyclists were also shown to choose non-compliance if they questioned the validity of the red indication for them, as cyclists. The video and survey data have some comparable findings. For instance, the relationship of age to compliance was explored in both data analyses. Age was not found to be a significant predictor of non-compliance in the video data analysis while it was negatively correlated with stated non-compliance for two of the survey intersections. Gender, while having significant effects on non-compliance in the video dataset, did not emerge as an important factor in the stated non-compliance of survey takers. Helmet use had a consistent relationship with compliance between the video and survey datasets. Helmet use was positively associated with compliance in the video data and negatively associated with revealed non-compliance at two of the survey intersections. When coupled with the positive association between normlessness and stated willingness to run a red light, the relationship between helmet use and compliance solidifies the notion that a class of cyclists is more likely to consistently violate signals. It points towards a link between red light running and individuals who do not adhere to social norms and policies as strictly as others. Variables representing cyclists and motorists waiting at the signal were positively related to signal compliance in the video data. While an increased number of cyclists may be a physical deterrent to red light running, part of the influence on compliance that this variable and the variable representing the presence of a vehicle may be due to accountability of cyclists to other road users. This relationship, however, was not revealed in the stated non-compliance data from the survey. Efforts to increase cyclist compliance may not be worth a jurisdiction's resources since nearly 90% of cyclists in the video data were already compliant. If a problem intersection does warrant intervention, different methods of ensuring bicyclist compliance are warranted depending on the intersection characteristics. An alternative solution is to consider the applicability of traffic laws (originally designed for cars) to bicyclists. Creating separation in how laws affect motorists and cyclists might be a better solution for overly simple types of intersections where cyclists have fewer conflicts, better visibility, etc. than motorists. Education or other messaging aimed at cyclists about compliance is another strategy to increase compliance. Since cyclists appear to feel more justified in running red lights at low-volume, simple-looking intersections, it would probably be prudent to target messaging at these types of intersections. Many cyclists are deterred by high-volume and/or complicated looking intersections for safety reasons. Reminding cyclists of the potential dangers at other intersections may be a successful messaging strategy. Alternatively, reminding cyclists that it is still illegal to run a red light even if they feel safe doing so may be prudent. Additionally, messaging about the purpose of infrastructure such as bicycle-specific signals or lights that indicate detection at a signal may convince cyclists that stopping at the signal is in their best interest and that the wait will be minimal and/or warranted. Close

• 1295. [Article] Factors affecting within-season and between-season breeding dispersal of burrowing owls in California

  Dispersal is integral to our understanding of the life history and population biology of many vertebrates, but difficulties in detecting long distance movements have complicated its study. Moreover, studies ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Factors affecting within-season and between-season breeding dispersal of burrowing owls in California Author: Catlin, Daniel H. Dispersal is integral to our understanding of the life history and population biology of many vertebrates, but difficulties in detecting long distance movements have complicated its study. Moreover, studies of factors affecting dispersal are often unable to determine the relative contributions of variables such as nesting success, mate fidelity, and nest site fidelity. I examined the effects of nest depredation on dispersal in comparison to successful nests and nests that failed for other reasons. Additionally, I investigated a suite of biological factors affecting within-season and between-season breeding dispersal by burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) in California, attempting to partition the effects of these covariates and to deal with long distance detectibility issues. For both types of dispersal, I divided dispersal into two components; dispersal probability and dispersal distance. I used experimental and observational approaches to investigate within-season dispersal in two contrasting environments; a large grassland and an agricultural landscape. I found that the factors affecting dispersal probability and dispersal distance were different, supporting my decision to examine each separately. Of the factors investigated, dispersal probability was influenced most by study area, mate fidelity, and nesting success. The proportion of individuals dispersing tended to be greater for owls that lost their mate due to death or dispersal (60%, 6 of 10) and owls whose nests were depredated (50%, 10 of 20) than for owls that did not lose their mates (33%, 6 of 18) and owls whose nests were successful (17%, 1 of 6), respectively. The results from an experiment where we removed eggs from pairs of owls to simulate nest depredation were consistent with the observational results, suggesting that owls whose nests were depredated may have been more likely to disperse than control owls. The reactions of owls from depredated nests, however, did not appear to differ from those whose nests failed for other reasons. In contrast, owl dispersal distance was most affected by owl gender, and to a lesser degree by study area and nesting success. Dispersal distance was greater for female owls (median = 1575 m, n = 13) than male owls (median = 417 m, n = 11), greater for owls from the grassland area (median= 939 m, n = 9) compared to owls from the agricultural area (median = 829 m, n = 15), and greater for owls whose nests had failed (median = 1018 m, n = 17) than for owls that successfully bred (median 475 m, n = 7). Nest depredation, however, did not appear to increase dispersal distance. The geometric models performed poorly at approximating within-season dispersal distance, indicating that many owls disperse farther than predicted by a "first is best" model. I speculate that the distribution of within-season dispersal distances by burrowing owls is related to the densities of suitable territories and mates, which are more variable than predicted by a geometric model within a breeding season. I used data from band resightings and nesting success (1998-2003) to examine factors related to between-season breeding dispersal by burrowing owls in an agricultural environment. Of the factors investigated, nesting success appeared to have the greatest effect on burrowing owl dispersal. The proportion of individuals dispersing was greater for owls whose nests had failed (68%, 28 of 41) than owls whose nests were successful (27%, 58 of 212). Similarly, dispersal distance was greater for owls whose nest failed (mean = 745 ± 175 m, n = 28) than owls with successful nests (mean = 340 ± 36 m,n = 58). The owls exhibited high rates of nest site and mate fidelity between breeding seasons. There was evidence that previous experience at a breeding site may have reduced dispersal probability and that unpaired owls may have been more likely to disperse and dispersed slightly greater distances than those that retained their mates. Nesting success, however, appeared to be the major factor contributing to burrowing owl breeding dispersal after controlling for nest site and mate fidelity, particularly for male owls. Despite the complexity of the dispersal process, a geometric model provided a reasonably good fit to the distribution of between-season breeding dispersal distances at relatively short distances, but failed to predict a small percentage of long distance dispersals. Geometric models appeared to be a better fit for the distribution of between-season breeding dispersal distances than within-season breeding dispersal distances. Factors affecting within-season dispersal were generally similar to those affecting between-season dispersal. Both within-season and between-season breeding dispersal were affected by nesting success and mate fidelity, but the effects of these factors differed between the two types of breeding dispersal, suggesting that time constraints and competition play a larger role in within-season dispersal than between season dispersal. In addition, both studies supported a difference in dispersal behavior, in which the factors that affected dispersal probability were distinct from those that affected dispersal distance. These results help determine the relative contributions of nesting success, mate fidelity, and nest site fidelity to avian dispersal, offer some evidence that the effects of nest depredation are not distinct from the effects of nest failure in general, and provide further support for the division of dispersal into dispersal probability and dispersal distance. Title: Factors affecting within-season and between-season breeding dispersal of burrowing owls in California Author: Catlin, Daniel H. Dispersal is integral to our understanding of the life history and population biology of many vertebrates, but difficulties in detecting long distance movements have complicated its study. Moreover, studies of factors affecting dispersal are often unable to determine the relative contributions of variables such as nesting success, mate fidelity, and nest site fidelity. I examined the effects of nest depredation on dispersal in comparison to successful nests and nests that failed for other reasons. Additionally, I investigated a suite of biological factors affecting within-season and between-season breeding dispersal by burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) in California, attempting to partition the effects of these covariates and to deal with long distance detectibility issues. For both types of dispersal, I divided dispersal into two components; dispersal probability and dispersal distance. I used experimental and observational approaches to investigate within-season dispersal in two contrasting environments; a large grassland and an agricultural landscape. I found that the factors affecting dispersal probability and dispersal distance were different, supporting my decision to examine each separately. Of the factors investigated, dispersal probability was influenced most by study area, mate fidelity, and nesting success. The proportion of individuals dispersing tended to be greater for owls that lost their mate due to death or dispersal (60%, 6 of 10) and owls whose nests were depredated (50%, 10 of 20) than for owls that did not lose their mates (33%, 6 of 18) and owls whose nests were successful (17%, 1 of 6), respectively. The results from an experiment where we removed eggs from pairs of owls to simulate nest depredation were consistent with the observational results, suggesting that owls whose nests were depredated may have been more likely to disperse than control owls. The reactions of owls from depredated nests, however, did not appear to differ from those whose nests failed for other reasons. In contrast, owl dispersal distance was most affected by owl gender, and to a lesser degree by study area and nesting success. Dispersal distance was greater for female owls (median = 1575 m, n = 13) than male owls (median = 417 m, n = 11), greater for owls from the grassland area (median= 939 m, n = 9) compared to owls from the agricultural area (median = 829 m, n = 15), and greater for owls whose nests had failed (median = 1018 m, n = 17) than for owls that successfully bred (median 475 m, n = 7). Nest depredation, however, did not appear to increase dispersal distance. The geometric models performed poorly at approximating within-season dispersal distance, indicating that many owls disperse farther than predicted by a "first is best" model. I speculate that the distribution of within-season dispersal distances by burrowing owls is related to the densities of suitable territories and mates, which are more variable than predicted by a geometric model within a breeding season. I used data from band resightings and nesting success (1998-2003) to examine factors related to between-season breeding dispersal by burrowing owls in an agricultural environment. Of the factors investigated, nesting success appeared to have the greatest effect on burrowing owl dispersal. The proportion of individuals dispersing was greater for owls whose nests had failed (68%, 28 of 41) than owls whose nests were successful (27%, 58 of 212). Similarly, dispersal distance was greater for owls whose nest failed (mean = 745 ± 175 m, n = 28) than owls with successful nests (mean = 340 ± 36 m,n = 58). The owls exhibited high rates of nest site and mate fidelity between breeding seasons. There was evidence that previous experience at a breeding site may have reduced dispersal probability and that unpaired owls may have been more likely to disperse and dispersed slightly greater distances than those that retained their mates. Nesting success, however, appeared to be the major factor contributing to burrowing owl breeding dispersal after controlling for nest site and mate fidelity, particularly for male owls. Despite the complexity of the dispersal process, a geometric model provided a reasonably good fit to the distribution of between-season breeding dispersal distances at relatively short distances, but failed to predict a small percentage of long distance dispersals. Geometric models appeared to be a better fit for the distribution of between-season breeding dispersal distances than within-season breeding dispersal distances. Factors affecting within-season dispersal were generally similar to those affecting between-season dispersal. Both within-season and between-season breeding dispersal were affected by nesting success and mate fidelity, but the effects of these factors differed between the two types of breeding dispersal, suggesting that time constraints and competition play a larger role in within-season dispersal than between season dispersal. In addition, both studies supported a difference in dispersal behavior, in which the factors that affected dispersal probability were distinct from those that affected dispersal distance. These results help determine the relative contributions of nesting success, mate fidelity, and nest site fidelity to avian dispersal, offer some evidence that the effects of nest depredation are not distinct from the effects of nest failure in general, and provide further support for the division of dispersal into dispersal probability and dispersal distance. Close

• 1296. [Article] DANCE AS COMMUNICATION: HOW HUMANS COMMUNICATE THROUGH DANCE AND PERCEIVE DANCE AS COMMUNICATION

  58 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Dance and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2016.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: DANCE AS COMMUNICATION: HOW HUMANS COMMUNICATE THROUGH DANCE AND PERCEIVE DANCE AS COMMUNICATION Author: Rounds, Samantha Year: 2016 58 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Dance and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2016. Title: DANCE AS COMMUNICATION: HOW HUMANS COMMUNICATE THROUGH DANCE AND PERCEIVE DANCE AS COMMUNICATION Author: Rounds, Samantha Year: 2016 58 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Dance and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2016. Close

• 1297. [Article] Assessing equity in health system finance and health care utilization : the case of Chile, and a model to measure health care access

  Chile has experienced great success in terms of economic growth in the last decades. This growing economy brings changes in the Chilean health care system. Its health care system was primarily funded by ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Assessing equity in health system finance and health care utilization : the case of Chile, and a model to measure health care access Author: Nunez Mondaca, Alicia Lorena Chile has experienced great success in terms of economic growth in the last decades. This growing economy brings changes in the Chilean health care system. Its health care system was primarily funded by state sources until 1981, when a major reform was introduced that established new rules for the health insurance market. Since then, Chile has a public-private mixed health care system, both in financing and delivery of services. Citizens can choose for coverage between the Public National Health Insurance and the Private Health Insurance system. However, these systems have a common funding source coming from the mandatory contribution of employees, equivalent to 7% of their taxable income with an approximate limit of US$2,800 dollars. One of the more important Chilean health reforms towards the establishment of social guarantees was effective on July 2005, when the Regime of Explicit Health Guarantees, also known as Plan AUGE became effective. Plan AUGE is a health program that benefits all Chileans without discrimination of age, gender, economic status, health care, or place of residence. This plan includes the 69 diseases with higher impact on Chilean population in its different stages, but with feasibility of effective treatments. Changes in the health care system and its last reform brought questions about their impact on the distribution of health care services throughout country. Is Chile moving towards a better and more equitable health care system? The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate equity in health system finance and health care utilization as well as to explore alternative measurement of access to health care in Chile. The first two manuscripts examine equity issues in Chile. The purpose of the first one is to assess equity in health system finance in Chile, accounting for all finance sources. While equity in health system finance has been well studied in OECD countries, there are still few published empirical studies on Latin American health care systems, where there tends to be a wider gap in income-wealth distribution among states. This gap may increase the financial burden for people in the lower spectrum of income groups, which is the main concern in the first manuscript. It will focus on identifying policy variables that may contribute to more equitable distribution of the financial burden in health care. The equity principle we adopt for this study is the ability to pay principle. Based on this, we explore factors that contribute to inequities in the health care system finance and issues about who bears the heavier burden of out-of pocket (OOP) payment, progressivity of OOP payment, and the redistributive effect of OOP payment for health care as a source of finance in the Chilean health care system. Our analysis is based on data from the National Socioeconomic Survey (CASEN), and the 2006 National Survey on Satisfaction and OOP payments. Results from this study provide comprehensive understanding of the financial burden of health care in Chile. This study identified evidence of inequity, in spite of the progressivity of the health care system. Furthermore, our assessment of equity in health system finance identified relevant policy variables such as education, insurance system, and method of payment that should be taken into consideration in the ongoing debates and research in improving the Chilean system. Such findings will also benefit other Latin American countries that are concerned about equity in health system finance. The purpose of the second manuscript was to assess equity in health care utilization in Chile. Secondary data analyses from the National Socioeconomic Survey (CASEN) were performed to estimate the impact of different factors including AUGE in the utilization of health care services. We used a two-part model for the analysis of frequency of health care use in the country. Four other separate two-part models were also specified to estimate the frequency of use of preventive services, general practitioner services, specialty care and emergency care. An assessment of horizontal equity was also included. Results suggest the presence of pro-rich inequities in the use of medical care. The estimation of the two-part model found key factors affecting utilization of health care services such as education and the implementation of the AUGE program. These findings provide timely evidence to policy-makers to understand the current distribution and equity of health care utilization, and to strengthen availability of health services accordingly. The third manuscript was motivated by the previous findings. Its purpose was to explore an alternative measurement for health care access. The majority of studies nowadays use a single proxy to estimate access: the use of health care services. However, we saw many limitations on this approach since it only considers people that are already using the system and ignores those that are not. The final manuscript proposed a model to estimate access to health care services based on communitarian claims. The model identified barriers to health care access as well as the preferences of the community for priority settings. Title: Assessing equity in health system finance and health care utilization : the case of Chile, and a model to measure health care access Author: Nunez Mondaca, Alicia Lorena Chile has experienced great success in terms of economic growth in the last decades. This growing economy brings changes in the Chilean health care system. Its health care system was primarily funded by state sources until 1981, when a major reform was introduced that established new rules for the health insurance market. Since then, Chile has a public-private mixed health care system, both in financing and delivery of services. Citizens can choose for coverage between the Public National Health Insurance and the Private Health Insurance system. However, these systems have a common funding source coming from the mandatory contribution of employees, equivalent to 7% of their taxable income with an approximate limit of US$2,800 dollars. One of the more important Chilean health reforms towards the establishment of social guarantees was effective on July 2005, when the Regime of Explicit Health Guarantees, also known as Plan AUGE became effective. Plan AUGE is a health program that benefits all Chileans without discrimination of age, gender, economic status, health care, or place of residence. This plan includes the 69 diseases with higher impact on Chilean population in its different stages, but with feasibility of effective treatments. Changes in the health care system and its last reform brought questions about their impact on the distribution of health care services throughout country. Is Chile moving towards a better and more equitable health care system? The main purpose of this thesis is to investigate equity in health system finance and health care utilization as well as to explore alternative measurement of access to health care in Chile. The first two manuscripts examine equity issues in Chile. The purpose of the first one is to assess equity in health system finance in Chile, accounting for all finance sources. While equity in health system finance has been well studied in OECD countries, there are still few published empirical studies on Latin American health care systems, where there tends to be a wider gap in income-wealth distribution among states. This gap may increase the financial burden for people in the lower spectrum of income groups, which is the main concern in the first manuscript. It will focus on identifying policy variables that may contribute to more equitable distribution of the financial burden in health care. The equity principle we adopt for this study is the ability to pay principle. Based on this, we explore factors that contribute to inequities in the health care system finance and issues about who bears the heavier burden of out-of pocket (OOP) payment, progressivity of OOP payment, and the redistributive effect of OOP payment for health care as a source of finance in the Chilean health care system. Our analysis is based on data from the National Socioeconomic Survey (CASEN), and the 2006 National Survey on Satisfaction and OOP payments. Results from this study provide comprehensive understanding of the financial burden of health care in Chile. This study identified evidence of inequity, in spite of the progressivity of the health care system. Furthermore, our assessment of equity in health system finance identified relevant policy variables such as education, insurance system, and method of payment that should be taken into consideration in the ongoing debates and research in improving the Chilean system. Such findings will also benefit other Latin American countries that are concerned about equity in health system finance. The purpose of the second manuscript was to assess equity in health care utilization in Chile. Secondary data analyses from the National Socioeconomic Survey (CASEN) were performed to estimate the impact of different factors including AUGE in the utilization of health care services. We used a two-part model for the analysis of frequency of health care use in the country. Four other separate two-part models were also specified to estimate the frequency of use of preventive services, general practitioner services, specialty care and emergency care. An assessment of horizontal equity was also included. Results suggest the presence of pro-rich inequities in the use of medical care. The estimation of the two-part model found key factors affecting utilization of health care services such as education and the implementation of the AUGE program. These findings provide timely evidence to policy-makers to understand the current distribution and equity of health care utilization, and to strengthen availability of health services accordingly. The third manuscript was motivated by the previous findings. Its purpose was to explore an alternative measurement for health care access. The majority of studies nowadays use a single proxy to estimate access: the use of health care services. However, we saw many limitations on this approach since it only considers people that are already using the system and ignores those that are not. The final manuscript proposed a model to estimate access to health care services based on communitarian claims. The model identified barriers to health care access as well as the preferences of the community for priority settings. Close

• 1298. [Article] Implications of cougar prey selection and demography on population dynamics of elk in northeast Oregon

  Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni; hereafter elk) populations in northeast Oregon have declined in the past 10 to 20 years. Concurrent with these ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Implications of cougar prey selection and demography on population dynamics of elk in northeast Oregon Author: Clark, Darren A. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni; hereafter elk) populations in northeast Oregon have declined in the past 10 to 20 years. Concurrent with these declines, cougar (Puma concolor) populations have apparently increased, leading to speculation that predation by cougars may be responsible for declining ungulate populations. However, empirical data on cougar diets, kill rates, and prey selection are lacking to support this speculation. Furthermore, the common assumption that cougar populations have increased in northeast Oregon may not be well founded because cougar populations in other areas within the Pacific Northwest region have declined in recent years. My primary research objectives were to (1) estimate kill rates and prey selection by cougars in northeast Oregon, (2) document causes of mortality and estimate survival rates for cougars, (3) estimate population growth rates of cougars in northeast Oregon and simulate the effects of hypothetical lethal control efforts on the cougar population, and (4) investigate the relative influence of top-down, bottom-up, and climatic factors for limiting population growth rates of elk in northeast Oregon. Results from my research will help guide cougar and elk management in northeast Oregon and provide a framework for assessing relative effects of top-down, bottom-up, and abiotic factors on population growth rates of ungulates in this and other areas. I implemented a 3-year study in northeast Oregon to investigate diets, kill rates, and prey selection of cougars in a multiple-prey system to better understand mechanisms by which cougars may influence ungulate populations. During my research, 25 adult cougars were captured and fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars to identify kill sites. I monitored predation sequences of these cougars for 7,642 days and located the remains of 1,213 prey items killed by cougars. Cougars killed ungulates at an average rate of 1.03 per week (95% CI = 0.92 – 1.14); however, ungulate kill rates were variable and influenced by the season and demographic classification of cougars. Cougars killed ungulates 1.55 (95% CI = 1.47 – 1.66) times more frequently during summer (May-Oct) than during winter (Nov-Apr), but killed similar amounts of ungulate biomass (8.05 kg/day; 95% CI = 6.74 – 9.35) throughout the year. Cougars killed ungulates more frequently in summer because juvenile ungulates comprised most of the diet and were smaller on average than ungulate prey killed in winter. Female cougars with kittens killed more frequently (kills/day) than males or solitary females. After accounting for the additional biomass of kittens in cougar family groups, male cougars killed on average more biomass of ungulate prey per day than did females (R = 0.41, P < 0.001), and female cougars killed more biomass of prey per day as a function of the number and age of their kittens (R = 0.60, P < 0.001). Patterns of prey selection were influenced by season and demographic classification of cougars. Female cougars selected elk calves during summer and deer fawns during winter. In contrast, male cougars selected elk calves and yearling elk during summer and elk calves during winter. My results strongly supported the hypothesis that cougar predation is influenced by season, gender, and reproductive status of the cougar and these patterns in cougar predation may be generalizable among ecosystems. The observed selection for juvenile elk and deer suggested a possible mechanism by which cougars could negatively affect population growth rates of ungulates. I investigated survival and documented causes of mortality for radio-collared cougars at 3 study areas in Oregon during 1989 – 2011. Mortality due to hunter harvest was the most common cause of death for cougars in the Catherine Creek study area and the study area combining Wenaha, Sled Springs, and Mt. Emily Wildlife Management Units (WSM study area) in northeast Oregon. In contrast, natural mortality was the most common cause of death for cougars in the Jackson Creek study area in southwest Oregon. Annual survival rates of adult males were lowest at Catherine Creek when it was legal to hunt cougars with dogs (Ŝ = 0.57), but increased following the prohibition of this hunting practice (Ŝ = 0.86). This latter survival rate was similar to those observed at Jackson Creek (Ŝ = 0.78) and WSM (Ŝ = 0.82). Regardless of whether hunting of cougars with dogs was permitted, annual survival rates of adult females were similar among study areas (Catherine Creek Ŝ = 0.86; WSM Ŝ = 0.85; Jackson Creek Ŝ = 0.85). I did not document an effect of age on cougar survival rates in the Catherine Creek study area, which I attributed to selective harvest of prime-aged, male cougars when it was legal to hunt cougars with dogs. In contrast, I observed an effect of age on annual survival in both the WSM and Jackson Creek study areas. These results indicate that sub-adult males had significantly lower survival rates than sub-adult females, but survival rates of males and females were similar by age 4 or 5 years. My results suggest that survival rates of cougars in areas where hunting cougars with dogs is illegal should be substantially higher than areas where use of dogs is legal. I used estimates of cougar vital rates from empirical data collected in northeast Oregon to parameterize a Leslie projection matrix model to estimate deterministic and stochastic population growth rates of cougars in northeast Oregon when hunting cougars with dogs was legal (1989 - 1994) and illegal (2002 - 2011). A model cougar population in northeast Oregon that was hunted with dogs increased at a mean stochastic growth rate of 21% per year (λ[subscript s] = 1.21). Similarly, I found that a model cougar population that was subjected to hunting without dogs increased at a rate of 17% per year (λ[subscript s] = 1.17). Given that hunting cougars with dogs typically results in increased harvest and reduced survival rates of cougars, it was unexpected that the cougar population subjected to hunting with dogs was increasing at a faster rate than one that was not hunted with dogs. However, cougar populations in Oregon were subjected to low harvest rates when hunting cougars with dogs was legal and harvest was male biased. This resulted in high survival rates of female cougars and correspondingly high population growth rates. The Oregon Cougar Management Plan allows the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to administratively reduce cougar populations to benefit ungulate populations, reduce human-cougar conflicts, and limit livestock depredation. Consequently, I was interested in modeling the effects of a hypothetical lethal control effort on a local cougar population. Using empirically-derived vital rates and a deterministic Leslie matrix model, I found that the proportion of the cougar population that would need to be removed annually to achieve a 50% population reduction within 3 years was 28% assuming a closed population, and 48% assuming maximum immigration rates into the population. Using a stochastic Leslie matrix model, I also determined that the model cougar population would likely return to its pre-removal size in 6 years assuming a closed population, and 2 years assuming maximum immigration rates. These model results indicate that current management practices and harvest regulations, combined with short-term, intensive, and localized population reductions, are unlikely to negatively affect the short-term viability of cougar populations in northeast Oregon. However, at this time, it is not known if intensive lethal control efforts funded by state agencies will be cost-effective (i.e., increased sales of tags to hunt deer and elk will offset the costs of control efforts). Further research is needed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of cougar control efforts in Oregon. I developed a Leslie matrix population model, parameterized with empirically-derived vital rates for elk in northeast Oregon, to investigate the relative influence on elk population growth rates of (1) survival and pregnancy, and (2) top-down, bottom-up, and climatic variables. I then estimated the effect of varying the strength of top-down factors on growth rates of elk populations. Growth rates of the model elk population were most sensitive to changes in adult female survival, but due to the inherent empirical variation in juvenile survival rates explained the overwhelming majority of variation in model population growth rates (r² = 0.92). Harvest of female elk had a strong negative effect on model population growth rates of elk (r² = 0.63). An index of cougar density was inversely related to population growth rates of elk in my model (r² = 0.38). A delay in mean date of birth was associated with reduced juvenile survival, but this had a minimal effect on population growth rates in my model (r² = 0.06). Climatic variables, which were used as surrogates for nutritional condition of females, had minimal effects on population growth rates. Likewise, elk density had almost no effect on population growth rates (r² = 0.002). The results of my model provided a novel finding that cougars can be a strong limiting factor on elk populations. Wildlife managers should consider the potential top-down effects of cougars and other predators as a limiting factor on elk populations. Title: Implications of cougar prey selection and demography on population dynamics of elk in northeast Oregon Author: Clark, Darren A. Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni; hereafter elk) populations in northeast Oregon have declined in the past 10 to 20 years. Concurrent with these declines, cougar (Puma concolor) populations have apparently increased, leading to speculation that predation by cougars may be responsible for declining ungulate populations. However, empirical data on cougar diets, kill rates, and prey selection are lacking to support this speculation. Furthermore, the common assumption that cougar populations have increased in northeast Oregon may not be well founded because cougar populations in other areas within the Pacific Northwest region have declined in recent years. My primary research objectives were to (1) estimate kill rates and prey selection by cougars in northeast Oregon, (2) document causes of mortality and estimate survival rates for cougars, (3) estimate population growth rates of cougars in northeast Oregon and simulate the effects of hypothetical lethal control efforts on the cougar population, and (4) investigate the relative influence of top-down, bottom-up, and climatic factors for limiting population growth rates of elk in northeast Oregon. Results from my research will help guide cougar and elk management in northeast Oregon and provide a framework for assessing relative effects of top-down, bottom-up, and abiotic factors on population growth rates of ungulates in this and other areas. I implemented a 3-year study in northeast Oregon to investigate diets, kill rates, and prey selection of cougars in a multiple-prey system to better understand mechanisms by which cougars may influence ungulate populations. During my research, 25 adult cougars were captured and fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) collars to identify kill sites. I monitored predation sequences of these cougars for 7,642 days and located the remains of 1,213 prey items killed by cougars. Cougars killed ungulates at an average rate of 1.03 per week (95% CI = 0.92 – 1.14); however, ungulate kill rates were variable and influenced by the season and demographic classification of cougars. Cougars killed ungulates 1.55 (95% CI = 1.47 – 1.66) times more frequently during summer (May-Oct) than during winter (Nov-Apr), but killed similar amounts of ungulate biomass (8.05 kg/day; 95% CI = 6.74 – 9.35) throughout the year. Cougars killed ungulates more frequently in summer because juvenile ungulates comprised most of the diet and were smaller on average than ungulate prey killed in winter. Female cougars with kittens killed more frequently (kills/day) than males or solitary females. After accounting for the additional biomass of kittens in cougar family groups, male cougars killed on average more biomass of ungulate prey per day than did females (R = 0.41, P < 0.001), and female cougars killed more biomass of prey per day as a function of the number and age of their kittens (R = 0.60, P < 0.001). Patterns of prey selection were influenced by season and demographic classification of cougars. Female cougars selected elk calves during summer and deer fawns during winter. In contrast, male cougars selected elk calves and yearling elk during summer and elk calves during winter. My results strongly supported the hypothesis that cougar predation is influenced by season, gender, and reproductive status of the cougar and these patterns in cougar predation may be generalizable among ecosystems. The observed selection for juvenile elk and deer suggested a possible mechanism by which cougars could negatively affect population growth rates of ungulates. I investigated survival and documented causes of mortality for radio-collared cougars at 3 study areas in Oregon during 1989 – 2011. Mortality due to hunter harvest was the most common cause of death for cougars in the Catherine Creek study area and the study area combining Wenaha, Sled Springs, and Mt. Emily Wildlife Management Units (WSM study area) in northeast Oregon. In contrast, natural mortality was the most common cause of death for cougars in the Jackson Creek study area in southwest Oregon. Annual survival rates of adult males were lowest at Catherine Creek when it was legal to hunt cougars with dogs (Ŝ = 0.57), but increased following the prohibition of this hunting practice (Ŝ = 0.86). This latter survival rate was similar to those observed at Jackson Creek (Ŝ = 0.78) and WSM (Ŝ = 0.82). Regardless of whether hunting of cougars with dogs was permitted, annual survival rates of adult females were similar among study areas (Catherine Creek Ŝ = 0.86; WSM Ŝ = 0.85; Jackson Creek Ŝ = 0.85). I did not document an effect of age on cougar survival rates in the Catherine Creek study area, which I attributed to selective harvest of prime-aged, male cougars when it was legal to hunt cougars with dogs. In contrast, I observed an effect of age on annual survival in both the WSM and Jackson Creek study areas. These results indicate that sub-adult males had significantly lower survival rates than sub-adult females, but survival rates of males and females were similar by age 4 or 5 years. My results suggest that survival rates of cougars in areas where hunting cougars with dogs is illegal should be substantially higher than areas where use of dogs is legal. I used estimates of cougar vital rates from empirical data collected in northeast Oregon to parameterize a Leslie projection matrix model to estimate deterministic and stochastic population growth rates of cougars in northeast Oregon when hunting cougars with dogs was legal (1989 - 1994) and illegal (2002 - 2011). A model cougar population in northeast Oregon that was hunted with dogs increased at a mean stochastic growth rate of 21% per year (λ[subscript s] = 1.21). Similarly, I found that a model cougar population that was subjected to hunting without dogs increased at a rate of 17% per year (λ[subscript s] = 1.17). Given that hunting cougars with dogs typically results in increased harvest and reduced survival rates of cougars, it was unexpected that the cougar population subjected to hunting with dogs was increasing at a faster rate than one that was not hunted with dogs. However, cougar populations in Oregon were subjected to low harvest rates when hunting cougars with dogs was legal and harvest was male biased. This resulted in high survival rates of female cougars and correspondingly high population growth rates. The Oregon Cougar Management Plan allows the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to administratively reduce cougar populations to benefit ungulate populations, reduce human-cougar conflicts, and limit livestock depredation. Consequently, I was interested in modeling the effects of a hypothetical lethal control effort on a local cougar population. Using empirically-derived vital rates and a deterministic Leslie matrix model, I found that the proportion of the cougar population that would need to be removed annually to achieve a 50% population reduction within 3 years was 28% assuming a closed population, and 48% assuming maximum immigration rates into the population. Using a stochastic Leslie matrix model, I also determined that the model cougar population would likely return to its pre-removal size in 6 years assuming a closed population, and 2 years assuming maximum immigration rates. These model results indicate that current management practices and harvest regulations, combined with short-term, intensive, and localized population reductions, are unlikely to negatively affect the short-term viability of cougar populations in northeast Oregon. However, at this time, it is not known if intensive lethal control efforts funded by state agencies will be cost-effective (i.e., increased sales of tags to hunt deer and elk will offset the costs of control efforts). Further research is needed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of cougar control efforts in Oregon. I developed a Leslie matrix population model, parameterized with empirically-derived vital rates for elk in northeast Oregon, to investigate the relative influence on elk population growth rates of (1) survival and pregnancy, and (2) top-down, bottom-up, and climatic variables. I then estimated the effect of varying the strength of top-down factors on growth rates of elk populations. Growth rates of the model elk population were most sensitive to changes in adult female survival, but due to the inherent empirical variation in juvenile survival rates explained the overwhelming majority of variation in model population growth rates (r² = 0.92). Harvest of female elk had a strong negative effect on model population growth rates of elk (r² = 0.63). An index of cougar density was inversely related to population growth rates of elk in my model (r² = 0.38). A delay in mean date of birth was associated with reduced juvenile survival, but this had a minimal effect on population growth rates in my model (r² = 0.06). Climatic variables, which were used as surrogates for nutritional condition of females, had minimal effects on population growth rates. Likewise, elk density had almost no effect on population growth rates (r² = 0.002). The results of my model provided a novel finding that cougars can be a strong limiting factor on elk populations. Wildlife managers should consider the potential top-down effects of cougars and other predators as a limiting factor on elk populations. Close

• 1299. [Image] Monitoring of Lost River and Shortnose suckers and shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999

  	Monitoring of Lost River and Shortnose Suckers at Shoreline Spawning Areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999 Prepared by: Rip S. Shively1 Mark F. Bautista2 Andre E. Kohler2 1 U. S. Geological Survey, Biological ...
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Monitoring of Lost River and Shortnose suckers and shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999 Author: Shively, Rip S.; Bautista, Mark F.; Kohler, Andre E. Year: 1999, 2005 Monitoring of Lost River and Shortnose Suckers at Shoreline Spawning Areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999 Prepared by: Rip S. Shively1 Mark F. Bautista2 Andre E. Kohler2 1 U. S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division Klamath Falls Duty Station 6937 Washburn Way Klamath Falls, OR 97603 2 Johnson Controls World Services Inc. NERC Operation Post Office Box 270308 Fort Collins, CO 80527 Executive Summary In 1999, we sampled Lost River { Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose ( Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers from 5 April to 17 June at five shoreline spawning locations in Upper Klamath Lake ( UKL). Trammel nets were set to encompass identified spawning areas and were fished approximately 1- 1.5 hours before sunset until 3 hours after sunset or until 20 or more fish were captured. A total of 808 Lost River and 19 shortnose suckers were captured from Sucker, Silver Building, Ouxy, and Boulder springs, and Cinder Flats. The majority of Lost River suckers were captured at Cinder Flats ( 35%) and Sucker Springs ( 34%), followed by Ouxy Springs ( 16%), Silver Building Springs ( 12%), and Boulder Springs ( 3%). Males dominated the catch at all sites, but the sex ratios at Cinder Flats and Silver Building Springs were particularly skewed towards males. We recaptured 32 Lost River suckers that had been tagged during previous years sampling efforts. All of these fish, with the exception of two fish tagged at Ball Point in July, were originally tagged during the spawning season at shoreline spawning areas in UKL. This information provides further evidence that distinct stocks of Lost River suckers exist based on spawning location ( i. e., UKL and Williamson River). We also recaptured 23 Lost River suckers that were tagged in 1999 at shoreline spawning areas. Approximately half of these fish were recaptured at different locations than tagged indicating these fish were moving between spawning areas. The size offish captured at shoreline spawning areas decreased as the spawning season progressed, although the decrease in size was not as dramatic as reported in previous years. A limited number of shortnose suckers were captured at shoreline spawning areas in 1999, with a majority sampled after 1 May. Previous data for shortnose suckers at these sites is limited with respect to size, timing of spawning, sex composition, and relative numbers. Continuation of systematic sampling efforts at shoreline spawning areas will provide valuable information on the demographics and life history of Lost River and shortnose suckers utilizing these areas. Acknowledgements We thank Anita Baker, Brooke Bechen, Lani Hickey, and Tonya Wiley for assisting with sampling offish at shoreline spawning areas. Mark Buettner and Brian Peck ( U. S. Bureau of Reclamation) provided support during the early phases of our sampling as well as helpful comments on this report. We also appreciate the cooperation and support of Larry Dunsmoor ( Klamath Tribes) for identifying spawning areas, providing logistical support, and for the thoughtful review of this report. Cassandra Watson and Elizabeth Neuman produced finalized versions of tables and figures within this report and their efforts are greatly appreciated. This research was funded by the U. S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division through the Western Reservoirs Initiative. Introduction Severe water quality problems in Upper Klamath Lake ( UKL) have led to critical fisheries concerns for the region. Historically, UKL was eutrophic but has become hypereutrophic ( Goldman and Home 1983) presumably due to land- use practices within the basin ( USFWS 1993). As a result, the algal community has shifted to a monoculture of the blue- green algae Aphanizomemon flos- aquae and massive blooms of this species have been directly related to poor water quality episodes in UKL. The growth and decomposition of dense algal blooms in the lake frequently cause extreme water quality conditions characterized by high pH ( 9- 10.5), widely variable dissolved oxygen ( anoxic to supersaturated), and high ammonia concentrations (> 0.5 mg/ 1 unionized). In addition to water quality problems associated with A. flos- aquae, it is believed the loss of marsh habitat near the lake, timber harvest, removal of riparian vegetation, livestock grazing, and agricultural practices within the basin has contributed to hypereutrophic conditions. It is likely that these disturbances have altered the UKL ecosystem substantially enough to contribute to the near monoculture of A. flos- aquae. Investigations in 1913 documented the algal community as a diverse mix of blue- green and diatom communities, however, by the 1950' s A. flos- aquae was dominant ( USFWS 1993). The Lost River sucker ( Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose sucker ( Chasmistes brevirostris) are endemic to the Upper Klamath Basin of California and Oregon ( Moyle 1976). Declining population trends for both species were noted as early as the mid- 1960' s, however, the severities of the population declines were not evident until the mid- 1980' s. In 1988 the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed both Lost River and shortnose suckers as endangered. Suspected reasons for their decline included damming of rivers, dredging and draining of marshes, water diversions, hybridization, competition and predation by exotic species, insularization of habitat, and water quality problems associated with timber harvest, removal of riparian vegetation, livestock grazing, and agricultural practices ( USFWS 1993). The U. S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division ( BRD) has been conducting field investigations on Lost River and shortnose suckers in UKL since 1994. The majority of these sampling efforts have focused on catching fish in UKL and the Lower Williamson River. Sampling in the Lower Williamson River focused on developing indices of relative abundance of Lost River and shortnose suckers. In 1999, Oregon State University continued sampling in the Lower Williamson River fishing trammel nets from April to August at four standardized locations. In addition to sampling efforts in the Lower Williamson River, BRD crews conducted periodic sampling at several shoreline spawning areas on the east side of UKL. This sampling was beneficial because it provided information on species composition, size, and sex ratios of suckers utilizing these areas. However, temporal changes in abundance may have been missed because consistent sampling never occurred throughout the entire spawning season ( Perkins et al, In preparation). Recently, there has been increased concern on the effects of water level management in UKL on spawning suckers. Information is needed on the timing, relative abundance, and distribution of sucker spawning in UKL to make informed decisions with respect to management of lake elevation. In 1999, we conducted systematic trammel netting surveys at Sucker, Silver Building, Ouxy, and Boulder springs and Cinder Flats along the east shore of UKL. In addition, we sampled periodically at Barkley Springs and Modoc Point to determine if suckers were utilizing these areas for spawning. This report summarizes data collected in 1999 on shoreline spawning populations of Lost River and shortnose suckers with emphasis on timing, species composition, sex ratios, and relative abundance. Methods We conducted systematic trammel netting surveys at five locations along the east shore of UKL ( Figure 1). We began sampling at Cinder Flats, Sucker, Silver Building, and Ouxy springs in early April with Boulder Springs added to the list of sampling sites on 27 April. In addition to these sites, we periodically sampled at Barkley Springs and Modoc Point ( Table 1). We attempted to sample each site twice per week although certain sites were only sampled once per week when catch rates of suckers were low ( i. e., less than 5 fish per evening). Trammel nets were fished for about 4 hours ( approximately 1- 1.5 hours before sunset until 3 hours after dark) or until we captured 20 or more fish. Nets used at individual sites varied in length from 15- 30 m, were 1.8 m tall with two outer panels ( 30cm bar mesh), an inner panel ( 3.8 cm bar mesh), a foam core float line, and a lead core bottom line. Generally, we set 1- 2 nets starting at the shoreline and extending out to encompass the perimeter of the identified spawning area. Nets were checked at approximately 1 hour intervals and captured fish were cut from the inner mesh panel and placed in a mesh cage and processed within 2 hours. Suckers were identified by species and sex, measured to the nearest mm ( fork length), inspected for tags ( both PIT and Floy tags), and examined for physical afflictions ( e. g., presence oiLernaea spp. and lamprey scars). If a sucker did not have a PIT tag, one was inserted with a hypodermic needle along the ventral surface 1- 2 cm anterior of the pelvic girdle. The catch per unit effort ( CPUE) of adult Lost River suckers was calculated for individual sampling locations for each evening sampled. Because identified spawning areas varied in size we used different length trammel nets to encompass the spawning areas. We did not attempt to standardize CPUE based on length of trammel nets used at each location. Results We sampled shoreline spawning areas from 5 April - 17 June capturing a total of 808 Lost River suckers and 19 shortnose suckers from 5 sites ( Table 1). Lost River and shortnose suckers were captured at Sucker Springs, Silver Building Springs, Ouxy Springs, and Cinder Flats, while only Lost River suckers were captured at Boulder Springs. No suckers were captured at Barkley Springs and Modoc Point ( Table 1). The majority of Lost River suckers were captured at Cinder Flats ( 35%) and Sucker Springs ( 34%; Figure 2). Males dominated the catch at all sites and were generally smaller ( mean length = 538 mm) than females captured ( mean length = 596 mm). In particular, sex ratios ( males to females) were most skewed at Cinder Flats and Silver Building Springs ( Figure 3). Large females (> 650 mm) were captured at most sites, except Boulder Springs, and the size range offish captured over time remained similar with the exception that a fewer large individuals (> 600 mm) were captured in the late sampling period ( 1 May - 17 June) as compared to the early sampling period ( 6- 30 April; Figure 4; Appendix Figure A). The catch of shortnose suckers was limited at all sites sampled. Most ( 12 of 19) of the shortnose suckers were collected at Sucker Springs, with 1- 3 fish captured at Cinder Flats, Ouxy Springs, and Silver Building Springs ( Table 1). We identified 8 males and 8 females during the sampling period and were unable to determine sex for three individuals. The mean size of shortnose suckers was 360 mm ( range 289- 528 mm) similar to data reported by Perkins et al. ( In preparation) from Sucker, Silver Building, and Ouxy springs. We observed the highest CPUE of Lost River suckers at Cinder Flats ( mean CPUE= 12.7/ h) followed by Sucker Springs ( mean CPUE= 6.0/ h), Silver Building Springs ( mean CPUE = 2.8/ h), and Ouxy Springs ( mean CPUE= 2.4/ h) ( Figure 5). On three occasions at Cinder Flats, 20 or more suckers were captured within an hour or less resulting in the termination of sampling for the evening. CPUE was calculated for sampling dates at Boulder Springs ( mean CPUE= 1.4/ h), although comparisons with other sites is not applicable because this site was not initially included in systematic sampling efforts. We did not calculate CPUE for shortnose suckers. We captured a total of 32 Lost River and 2 shortnose suckers that were tagged during previous years sampling efforts. The majority ( 96%) of these fish was originally tagged at shoreline locations ( Table 2), which is consistent with historical recapture data ( Appendix Table A). Two Lost River suckers were originally tagged at Ball Point in UKL in July, after the spawning season. In addition, most Lost River suckers were recaptured before 1 May, including 15 fish that were collected at Sucker Springs during two sampling occasions in March ( Figure 6). We also recaptured a total of 21 Lost River suckers that were tagged in 1999 at shoreline spawning areas. Approximately half of these fish were recaptured at different areas than where they were tagged, indicating that some suckers are moving between spawning areas within the season ( Table 3). Discussion Our sampling indicated the spawning period for Lost River suckers lasted from mid- March through the beginning of June at shoreline spawning areas in 1999. The catch of Lost River suckers was dominated by males at all sites sampled, particularly at Cinder Flats and Silver Building Springs. Perkins et al., ( In preparation) reported skewed sex ratios at shoreline spawning locations following the fish kills that occurred in UKL from 1995- 1997. However, the ratios we observed were considerably higher than those reported by Perkins et al., ( In preparation). At this time we are unable to determine the reason for the sex ratios observed. It is possible that males remain longer at the spawning areas than females making them more vulnerable to capture. Perkins et al., ( In preparation) observed spawning acts and reported that males remained near the actual site where spawning occurs while females move onto the spawning site only when ready to spawn. We captured 23 Lost River suckers twice in 1999 and all but one of these fish were males. However, it is difficult to determine if this percentage is due to males remaining at these sites longer than females or a reflection of the existing sex ratios. Another possible explanation could be the large numbers of males in the catch are from the 1991- 1993 year classes and females from these year classes have yet to be recruited into the adult population. The majority of males captured ( 81%) were between 475 - 574 mm. Age and growth information from Lost River suckers collected during the 1996- 1997 fish kills indicate these fish would be between 5- 9 years old ( USGS, BRD, 10 unpublished data). Perkins et al., ( In preparation) reported that male Lost River suckers migrating up the Williamson River begin to be recruited into the adult population starting at age 4+, while females did not begin to mature until age 7+ . These data were based on examining length frequency distributions and noting when fish from the 1991 year class, which is presumed to be a strong year class, began showing up in trammel net catches. Fish from the 1991 year class would have been age 8+ in 1999. Buettner and Scoppetone ( 1990) examined opercles from Lost River suckers collected during the 1986 fish kill in UKL and reported that individuals matured between 6- 14 years of age with the peak being 9 years. It is possible that in the next few years more females from the 1991- 93 year classes will be recruited into the adult population spawning at shoreline areas. Our data provides additional evidence that distinct stocks of Lost River suckers may exist based on fidelity to spawning area. Of the 32 suckers we recaptured from previous years sampling efforts, all but two were originally tagged at shoreline spawning locations. The two fish that were not originally tagged at shoreline spawning locations were captured at Ball Point in July and were not presumed to be spawning in this location. Perkins et al. ( In preparation) reported that of 316 Lost River and 11 shortnose suckers recaptured at shoreline spawning areas all were originally tagged at shoreline spawning locations. Continuation of systematic sampling at both shoreline spawning areas and the Williamson and Sprague rivers will continue to provide information on potential separation of spawning populations. The majority of recaptured fish were tagged during the first half of our sampling efforts including 13 fish that were recaptured on 25 March while sampling with Larry Dunsmoor of the Klamath Tribes. Historically, the majority of sampling effort at 11 shoreline spawning locations occurred prior to 1 May, which may explain why most recaptures were collected during the early part of our sampling period. In fiiture years, we plan to continue systematic sampling through June to determine if temporal aspects of spawning remain consistent between years. The size offish captured at shoreline spawning areas decreased as the spawning season progressed, particularly near the end of our sampling period, although the decrease was not as dramatic as reported by Perkins et al., ( In preparation). It is possible that individual timing of Lost River sucker spawning is affected by size. Scoppettone et al., ( 1986) observed that smaller, younger cui- ui ( Chasmistes cujus) at Pyramid Lake spawned at the end of the spawning season. We believe further investigation is needed to determine if differences in spawning timing among individuals is due to size or related to stock differences. A limited number of shortnose suckers were captured in 1999. Sampling continued well into June and was sufficient to detect spawning concentrations of shortnose suckers at these sites. Based on previous sampling conducted at shoreline spawning areas, there appears to be a decreasing trend in the number of shortnose suckers captured at these sites ( Perkins, et al., In preparation). Our sampling efforts at shoreline spawning areas on the east side of UKL represents the first time these areas have been systematically sampled during the spawning season. Continuation of systematic sampling at these areas is important to provide information on species composition, timing and duration of spawning, fidelity to spawning areas, sex ratios, size distribution, and relative abundance. How these 12 population characteristics change over time will also provide important insights into the population stability of Lost River and shortnose suckers in UKL. 13 Literature Cited Buettner, M. And G. Scoppettone. 1990. Life history status of catostomids in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. U. S. F. W. S. Completion Report. 108 pp. Goldman, C. R. and A. J. Home. 1983. Limnology. McGraw Hill, New York. Moyle, P. B. 1976. Inland fishes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. Perkins, D. L., G. G. Scoppettone, and M. Buettner. In preparation. Reproductive biology and demographics of endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Lost River ( Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose ( Chasmistes brevirostris) sucker recovery plan. Portland, Oregon. 108 pp. 14 Table 1. Summary of the shoreline locations sampled in Upper Klamath Lake and the number of Lost River ( LRS) and shortnose ( SNS) suckers captured in 1999. Sampling Dates Sampled Number of days Number of LRS Number of SNS Location ( range) Sampled Captured Captured Barkley Springs 4/ 5- 4/ 27 4 0 0 11 21 0 19 284 2 4 0 0 20 129 3 19 100 2 Sucker Springs 4/ 5- 6/ 17 20 274 13 Total 808 20 Boulder Springs Cinder Flats Modoc Point Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs 4/ 27- 4/ 6- 4/ 13- 4/ 6- 4/ 5- 6/ 17 6/ 17 4/ 21 6/ 17 6/ 17 15 Table 2. Summary of the number of Lost River suckers recaptured from previous years sampling efforts at shoreline spawning locations in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. Site Originally Captured Boulder Springs Cinder Flats Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs Sucker Springs Ball Point Total Boulder Springs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Site Cinder Flats 0 1 0 0 4 2 7 Recaptured Ouxy Springs 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 in 1999 Silver Bldg. Springs 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Sucker Springs 0 0 1 2 19 0 22 16 Table 3. Summary of the number of Lost River suckers recaptured at shoreline locations in Upper Klamath Lake originally tagged in 1999. Site Originally Captured in 1999 Boulder Springs Cinder Flats Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs Sucker Springs Total Boulder Springs 0 0 0 0 0 0 Site Cinder Flats 0 3 1 3 1 8 Recaptured Ouxy Springs 0 1 0 0 3 4 in 1999 Silver Bldg. Springs 0 0 1 1 0 2 Sucker Springs 0 2 0 1 6 9 17 1. Sucker Springs 2. Silver Building Springs 3. Ouxy Springs 4. Cinder Flats 5. Boulder Springs Figure 1. Map of Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes showing major tributaries and shoreline spawning areas sampled in 1999. 18 o I 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 BOULDER SPRINGS 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 D LRS Male • LRS Female * No Fish Jtt * * * * * * OUXY SPRINGS D LRS Male • LRS Female * No Fish 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 CINDER FLATS D LRS Unknow n _ r i • LRS Male • i_ r\ o remaie ic No Fish EII1IJ n „ * * * * 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 > SILVER BUILDING SPRINGS • LRS Unknow n • LRS Male • LRS Female * No Fish D n n p » * * * * * SUCKER SPRINGS ALL AREAS COMBINED • LRS Unknown D LRS Male • LRS Female • LRS Unknow n • LRS Male • LRS Female / / / / / / Figure 2. Summary of the number and sex of Lost River Suckers ( LRS) captured at shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999 sampling. LRS unknown refers to captured individuals in which sex could not be determined. 19 70% -, 60% 50% 40% - 30% - 20% - 10% 0% CINDER FLATS _ o_ n= 283 9.1 : 1 8C O in io in om CD o i n 70% -, 60% - 50% - 40% - 30% - 20% - 10% - 0% - BOULDER SPRINGS y n 11 7 6 2 n= 21 9.5: 1 • g si n 8 CD omr o in oo § 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% OUXY SPRINGS om CN oi n co o ini o in in SUCKER SPRINGS 70% -, 60% - 50% - 40% - 30% - 20% - 10% - 0% - n= 129 4.1 : 0 • _ o in CD omh omoo n= 273 3.5: 1 U • - - sC O oi n oi nm om o i n 00 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% - 10% 0% SILVER BUILDING SPRINGS 70% 60% - 50% - 40% 30% 20% 10% - 0% 8 CM ALL SITES 8 CO JL 8 8 i n n= 99 8.1 : 1 • H „ - in in in CD h- 00 n= 805 5.3: 1 _ D • Male • Female 8 C N O O O O O O O O O O O i n o m oin i nin oCDi nCDo i n o i nco Fork length Figure 3. Length frequency histogram of male and female Lost River suckers ( LRS) captured at shore-line spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. The total number of LRS captured in 1999 and ratio of males to females are presented in the upper right hand corner of each graph. 20 E QJ D 160 i 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 A) 1999 LR Length Frequency ( 3/ 18/ 99- 4/ 30/ 99) DMale • Female • male = 457 xM = 541.4 i siaev - jo. y female = 60 xF = 611.9 stdev = 77.2 (—| Qy O ^ D 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 # 4? B) o - I— # $ # C) # # $ # 1999 LR Length Frequency ( 5/ 1/ 99 - 6/ 8/ 99) DMale • Female male = 219 xM = 531.4 5> lUeV — H 1 , , — i remaie = bB xF = 582 8 stdev = 68.1 • y . _ _ # ^ # # # # # # # ^ 1999 SN Length Frequency ( 4/ 30/ 99 - 5/ 30/ 99) 1 U 14 - 12 - 10 s p. A 2 0 - , Dmale • female y y • l i y n male = 8 xM = 363 stdev - 29.7 fpryiolp — ft xF = 357.1 stdev = 35.5 Forklength ( mm) Figure 4. Length frequency for Lost River ( LRS) and shortnose ( SNS) suckers captured at shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. Graphs represent A) LRS caught from March 19- April 30, 1999, B) LRS caught from May 1- June 8, 1999, and C) SNS caught from April 30- May 30, 1999 ( all SNS sampling days were combined due to limited SNS numbers). Four LRS with unknown gender were not included in the graph, two were caught before May 1st, and two after May 1st. Three SNS with unknown gender were not included in the graph. 21 BOULDER SPRINGS 20 i 18 16 - I 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 O) O) O) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) in CM O) $ § I co o L? 5 LO O) O) O) g> g> g> o r^ •<*• n ^ CN CD CD CD 45 40 - 35 30 25 20 15 10 - 5 0 CINDER FLATS 0 ) 0 ) OO - f - r in in 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) C D C D C D 1 sw 20 18 16- 14- 12 - 10 8 6 4 OUXYSPRNGS Jl 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) OO 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) C N I O C D O) O) O) O) Q < o z: ? z in CD CD 20- 18 - 16 14 - 12 - 10 - 8 6 4 - 2 - 0 - SILVER BUILDING SPRINGS ii , II p l, « u u •———,—— O) O) O) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) in CN O) T- CM CM O) O) O) O) O) O) CO O h » - in O) O) O) ill CD CD CD SUCKER SPRINGS ALL SITES Figure 5. Summary of catch per unit effort ( CPUE) of Lost River suckers at shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. Note change in scale for the Cinder Flats and the All Sites graphs. 22 BOULDER SPRINGS 14 12 10 8 -| 6 4 2 0 n= 0 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) O) CD CN O) CD CO O T - C\| ^ ^ T- CNJ CO CO CO ^" ^" ^" OUXY SPRINGS 1 C D n= 2 14 1 8 4 2^ 0 oo S ^ ^ SUCKER SPRINGS ^ £ j CNJ in in to n= 22 - U-CD CO O j - CM CO 1 C D 14 12 -\ 10 8 -] 6 4 2 - 0 CINDER FLATS n= 7 LJl 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) T^ Cr^ N ^? ^ T- 14 12 10 - 8 6 4 - 2 0 SILVER BUILDING SPRINGS Tt x- 00 - CN CN in in in n= 1 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) O) CD CN O> CD CO ^ CJ ^ ^ ^ CN co co ^ j- "< t ALL SITES O) O) O) O) O) O) in in in n= 32 I 0 0) in in in Figure 6. Summary of the number of Lost River suckers recaptured at shoreline spawning areas, Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. Recaptured fish were originally tagged betweeen 1988- 1998. 23 Appendix Table A. Summary of recapture data for Lost River Suckers in the Upper Klamath Lake Basin from 1985- 1999. Sampling was generally conducted from March- July of each year, although the emphasis in sampling was during the spawning period. Recapture data includes fish that were tagged with Floy and PIT tags. Site Last Recaptured Site Originally Captured Cinder Flats Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs Sucker Springs Williamson River Sprague River Upper Lake Middle Lake Total Cinder Flats 1 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 7 Ouxy Springs 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 Silver Bldg. Springs 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 7 Sucker Springs 0 0 6 288 4 0 0 0 298 Williamson River 0 0 0 1 6 3 0 0 10 Sprague River 0 0 0 0 1 13 1 0 15 Upper Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Middle Lake 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 Total 1 1 9 300 12 16 3 0 342 Appendix Table B. Summary of recapture data for shortnose suckers in the Upper Klamath Lake Basin from 1985- 1999. Sampling was generally conducted from March- July of each year, although the emphasis in sampling was during the spawning period. Recapture data includes fish that were tagged with Floy and PIT tags. Site Last Recaptured Site Originally Captured Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs Sucker Springs Williamson River Sprague River Lower Lake Middle Lake Total Ouxy Springs 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Silver Bldg. Springs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sucker Springs 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Williamson River 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 Sprague River 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 5 Lower Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Middle Lake 0 0 0 1 2 0 5 8 Upper Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reeder Road Bridge 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Total 2 0 0 7 5 0 6 20 25 5 2iu5 Appendix Figure A. Summary of the size range of Lost River suckers captured at shoreline sampling areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999, by date sampled. Title: Monitoring of Lost River and Shortnose suckers and shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999 Author: Shively, Rip S.; Bautista, Mark F.; Kohler, Andre E. Year: 1999, 2005 Monitoring of Lost River and Shortnose Suckers at Shoreline Spawning Areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999 Prepared by: Rip S. Shively1 Mark F. Bautista2 Andre E. Kohler2 1 U. S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division Klamath Falls Duty Station 6937 Washburn Way Klamath Falls, OR 97603 2 Johnson Controls World Services Inc. NERC Operation Post Office Box 270308 Fort Collins, CO 80527 Executive Summary In 1999, we sampled Lost River { Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose ( Chasmistes brevirostris) suckers from 5 April to 17 June at five shoreline spawning locations in Upper Klamath Lake ( UKL). Trammel nets were set to encompass identified spawning areas and were fished approximately 1- 1.5 hours before sunset until 3 hours after sunset or until 20 or more fish were captured. A total of 808 Lost River and 19 shortnose suckers were captured from Sucker, Silver Building, Ouxy, and Boulder springs, and Cinder Flats. The majority of Lost River suckers were captured at Cinder Flats ( 35%) and Sucker Springs ( 34%), followed by Ouxy Springs ( 16%), Silver Building Springs ( 12%), and Boulder Springs ( 3%). Males dominated the catch at all sites, but the sex ratios at Cinder Flats and Silver Building Springs were particularly skewed towards males. We recaptured 32 Lost River suckers that had been tagged during previous years sampling efforts. All of these fish, with the exception of two fish tagged at Ball Point in July, were originally tagged during the spawning season at shoreline spawning areas in UKL. This information provides further evidence that distinct stocks of Lost River suckers exist based on spawning location ( i. e., UKL and Williamson River). We also recaptured 23 Lost River suckers that were tagged in 1999 at shoreline spawning areas. Approximately half of these fish were recaptured at different locations than tagged indicating these fish were moving between spawning areas. The size offish captured at shoreline spawning areas decreased as the spawning season progressed, although the decrease in size was not as dramatic as reported in previous years. A limited number of shortnose suckers were captured at shoreline spawning areas in 1999, with a majority sampled after 1 May. Previous data for shortnose suckers at these sites is limited with respect to size, timing of spawning, sex composition, and relative numbers. Continuation of systematic sampling efforts at shoreline spawning areas will provide valuable information on the demographics and life history of Lost River and shortnose suckers utilizing these areas. Acknowledgements We thank Anita Baker, Brooke Bechen, Lani Hickey, and Tonya Wiley for assisting with sampling offish at shoreline spawning areas. Mark Buettner and Brian Peck ( U. S. Bureau of Reclamation) provided support during the early phases of our sampling as well as helpful comments on this report. We also appreciate the cooperation and support of Larry Dunsmoor ( Klamath Tribes) for identifying spawning areas, providing logistical support, and for the thoughtful review of this report. Cassandra Watson and Elizabeth Neuman produced finalized versions of tables and figures within this report and their efforts are greatly appreciated. This research was funded by the U. S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division through the Western Reservoirs Initiative. Introduction Severe water quality problems in Upper Klamath Lake ( UKL) have led to critical fisheries concerns for the region. Historically, UKL was eutrophic but has become hypereutrophic ( Goldman and Home 1983) presumably due to land- use practices within the basin ( USFWS 1993). As a result, the algal community has shifted to a monoculture of the blue- green algae Aphanizomemon flos- aquae and massive blooms of this species have been directly related to poor water quality episodes in UKL. The growth and decomposition of dense algal blooms in the lake frequently cause extreme water quality conditions characterized by high pH ( 9- 10.5), widely variable dissolved oxygen ( anoxic to supersaturated), and high ammonia concentrations (> 0.5 mg/ 1 unionized). In addition to water quality problems associated with A. flos- aquae, it is believed the loss of marsh habitat near the lake, timber harvest, removal of riparian vegetation, livestock grazing, and agricultural practices within the basin has contributed to hypereutrophic conditions. It is likely that these disturbances have altered the UKL ecosystem substantially enough to contribute to the near monoculture of A. flos- aquae. Investigations in 1913 documented the algal community as a diverse mix of blue- green and diatom communities, however, by the 1950' s A. flos- aquae was dominant ( USFWS 1993). The Lost River sucker ( Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose sucker ( Chasmistes brevirostris) are endemic to the Upper Klamath Basin of California and Oregon ( Moyle 1976). Declining population trends for both species were noted as early as the mid- 1960' s, however, the severities of the population declines were not evident until the mid- 1980' s. In 1988 the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed both Lost River and shortnose suckers as endangered. Suspected reasons for their decline included damming of rivers, dredging and draining of marshes, water diversions, hybridization, competition and predation by exotic species, insularization of habitat, and water quality problems associated with timber harvest, removal of riparian vegetation, livestock grazing, and agricultural practices ( USFWS 1993). The U. S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division ( BRD) has been conducting field investigations on Lost River and shortnose suckers in UKL since 1994. The majority of these sampling efforts have focused on catching fish in UKL and the Lower Williamson River. Sampling in the Lower Williamson River focused on developing indices of relative abundance of Lost River and shortnose suckers. In 1999, Oregon State University continued sampling in the Lower Williamson River fishing trammel nets from April to August at four standardized locations. In addition to sampling efforts in the Lower Williamson River, BRD crews conducted periodic sampling at several shoreline spawning areas on the east side of UKL. This sampling was beneficial because it provided information on species composition, size, and sex ratios of suckers utilizing these areas. However, temporal changes in abundance may have been missed because consistent sampling never occurred throughout the entire spawning season ( Perkins et al, In preparation). Recently, there has been increased concern on the effects of water level management in UKL on spawning suckers. Information is needed on the timing, relative abundance, and distribution of sucker spawning in UKL to make informed decisions with respect to management of lake elevation. In 1999, we conducted systematic trammel netting surveys at Sucker, Silver Building, Ouxy, and Boulder springs and Cinder Flats along the east shore of UKL. In addition, we sampled periodically at Barkley Springs and Modoc Point to determine if suckers were utilizing these areas for spawning. This report summarizes data collected in 1999 on shoreline spawning populations of Lost River and shortnose suckers with emphasis on timing, species composition, sex ratios, and relative abundance. Methods We conducted systematic trammel netting surveys at five locations along the east shore of UKL ( Figure 1). We began sampling at Cinder Flats, Sucker, Silver Building, and Ouxy springs in early April with Boulder Springs added to the list of sampling sites on 27 April. In addition to these sites, we periodically sampled at Barkley Springs and Modoc Point ( Table 1). We attempted to sample each site twice per week although certain sites were only sampled once per week when catch rates of suckers were low ( i. e., less than 5 fish per evening). Trammel nets were fished for about 4 hours ( approximately 1- 1.5 hours before sunset until 3 hours after dark) or until we captured 20 or more fish. Nets used at individual sites varied in length from 15- 30 m, were 1.8 m tall with two outer panels ( 30cm bar mesh), an inner panel ( 3.8 cm bar mesh), a foam core float line, and a lead core bottom line. Generally, we set 1- 2 nets starting at the shoreline and extending out to encompass the perimeter of the identified spawning area. Nets were checked at approximately 1 hour intervals and captured fish were cut from the inner mesh panel and placed in a mesh cage and processed within 2 hours. Suckers were identified by species and sex, measured to the nearest mm ( fork length), inspected for tags ( both PIT and Floy tags), and examined for physical afflictions ( e. g., presence oiLernaea spp. and lamprey scars). If a sucker did not have a PIT tag, one was inserted with a hypodermic needle along the ventral surface 1- 2 cm anterior of the pelvic girdle. The catch per unit effort ( CPUE) of adult Lost River suckers was calculated for individual sampling locations for each evening sampled. Because identified spawning areas varied in size we used different length trammel nets to encompass the spawning areas. We did not attempt to standardize CPUE based on length of trammel nets used at each location. Results We sampled shoreline spawning areas from 5 April - 17 June capturing a total of 808 Lost River suckers and 19 shortnose suckers from 5 sites ( Table 1). Lost River and shortnose suckers were captured at Sucker Springs, Silver Building Springs, Ouxy Springs, and Cinder Flats, while only Lost River suckers were captured at Boulder Springs. No suckers were captured at Barkley Springs and Modoc Point ( Table 1). The majority of Lost River suckers were captured at Cinder Flats ( 35%) and Sucker Springs ( 34%; Figure 2). Males dominated the catch at all sites and were generally smaller ( mean length = 538 mm) than females captured ( mean length = 596 mm). In particular, sex ratios ( males to females) were most skewed at Cinder Flats and Silver Building Springs ( Figure 3). Large females (> 650 mm) were captured at most sites, except Boulder Springs, and the size range offish captured over time remained similar with the exception that a fewer large individuals (> 600 mm) were captured in the late sampling period ( 1 May - 17 June) as compared to the early sampling period ( 6- 30 April; Figure 4; Appendix Figure A). The catch of shortnose suckers was limited at all sites sampled. Most ( 12 of 19) of the shortnose suckers were collected at Sucker Springs, with 1- 3 fish captured at Cinder Flats, Ouxy Springs, and Silver Building Springs ( Table 1). We identified 8 males and 8 females during the sampling period and were unable to determine sex for three individuals. The mean size of shortnose suckers was 360 mm ( range 289- 528 mm) similar to data reported by Perkins et al. ( In preparation) from Sucker, Silver Building, and Ouxy springs. We observed the highest CPUE of Lost River suckers at Cinder Flats ( mean CPUE= 12.7/ h) followed by Sucker Springs ( mean CPUE= 6.0/ h), Silver Building Springs ( mean CPUE = 2.8/ h), and Ouxy Springs ( mean CPUE= 2.4/ h) ( Figure 5). On three occasions at Cinder Flats, 20 or more suckers were captured within an hour or less resulting in the termination of sampling for the evening. CPUE was calculated for sampling dates at Boulder Springs ( mean CPUE= 1.4/ h), although comparisons with other sites is not applicable because this site was not initially included in systematic sampling efforts. We did not calculate CPUE for shortnose suckers. We captured a total of 32 Lost River and 2 shortnose suckers that were tagged during previous years sampling efforts. The majority ( 96%) of these fish was originally tagged at shoreline locations ( Table 2), which is consistent with historical recapture data ( Appendix Table A). Two Lost River suckers were originally tagged at Ball Point in UKL in July, after the spawning season. In addition, most Lost River suckers were recaptured before 1 May, including 15 fish that were collected at Sucker Springs during two sampling occasions in March ( Figure 6). We also recaptured a total of 21 Lost River suckers that were tagged in 1999 at shoreline spawning areas. Approximately half of these fish were recaptured at different areas than where they were tagged, indicating that some suckers are moving between spawning areas within the season ( Table 3). Discussion Our sampling indicated the spawning period for Lost River suckers lasted from mid- March through the beginning of June at shoreline spawning areas in 1999. The catch of Lost River suckers was dominated by males at all sites sampled, particularly at Cinder Flats and Silver Building Springs. Perkins et al., ( In preparation) reported skewed sex ratios at shoreline spawning locations following the fish kills that occurred in UKL from 1995- 1997. However, the ratios we observed were considerably higher than those reported by Perkins et al., ( In preparation). At this time we are unable to determine the reason for the sex ratios observed. It is possible that males remain longer at the spawning areas than females making them more vulnerable to capture. Perkins et al., ( In preparation) observed spawning acts and reported that males remained near the actual site where spawning occurs while females move onto the spawning site only when ready to spawn. We captured 23 Lost River suckers twice in 1999 and all but one of these fish were males. However, it is difficult to determine if this percentage is due to males remaining at these sites longer than females or a reflection of the existing sex ratios. Another possible explanation could be the large numbers of males in the catch are from the 1991- 1993 year classes and females from these year classes have yet to be recruited into the adult population. The majority of males captured ( 81%) were between 475 - 574 mm. Age and growth information from Lost River suckers collected during the 1996- 1997 fish kills indicate these fish would be between 5- 9 years old ( USGS, BRD, 10 unpublished data). Perkins et al., ( In preparation) reported that male Lost River suckers migrating up the Williamson River begin to be recruited into the adult population starting at age 4+, while females did not begin to mature until age 7+ . These data were based on examining length frequency distributions and noting when fish from the 1991 year class, which is presumed to be a strong year class, began showing up in trammel net catches. Fish from the 1991 year class would have been age 8+ in 1999. Buettner and Scoppetone ( 1990) examined opercles from Lost River suckers collected during the 1986 fish kill in UKL and reported that individuals matured between 6- 14 years of age with the peak being 9 years. It is possible that in the next few years more females from the 1991- 93 year classes will be recruited into the adult population spawning at shoreline areas. Our data provides additional evidence that distinct stocks of Lost River suckers may exist based on fidelity to spawning area. Of the 32 suckers we recaptured from previous years sampling efforts, all but two were originally tagged at shoreline spawning locations. The two fish that were not originally tagged at shoreline spawning locations were captured at Ball Point in July and were not presumed to be spawning in this location. Perkins et al. ( In preparation) reported that of 316 Lost River and 11 shortnose suckers recaptured at shoreline spawning areas all were originally tagged at shoreline spawning locations. Continuation of systematic sampling at both shoreline spawning areas and the Williamson and Sprague rivers will continue to provide information on potential separation of spawning populations. The majority of recaptured fish were tagged during the first half of our sampling efforts including 13 fish that were recaptured on 25 March while sampling with Larry Dunsmoor of the Klamath Tribes. Historically, the majority of sampling effort at 11 shoreline spawning locations occurred prior to 1 May, which may explain why most recaptures were collected during the early part of our sampling period. In fiiture years, we plan to continue systematic sampling through June to determine if temporal aspects of spawning remain consistent between years. The size offish captured at shoreline spawning areas decreased as the spawning season progressed, particularly near the end of our sampling period, although the decrease was not as dramatic as reported by Perkins et al., ( In preparation). It is possible that individual timing of Lost River sucker spawning is affected by size. Scoppettone et al., ( 1986) observed that smaller, younger cui- ui ( Chasmistes cujus) at Pyramid Lake spawned at the end of the spawning season. We believe further investigation is needed to determine if differences in spawning timing among individuals is due to size or related to stock differences. A limited number of shortnose suckers were captured in 1999. Sampling continued well into June and was sufficient to detect spawning concentrations of shortnose suckers at these sites. Based on previous sampling conducted at shoreline spawning areas, there appears to be a decreasing trend in the number of shortnose suckers captured at these sites ( Perkins, et al., In preparation). Our sampling efforts at shoreline spawning areas on the east side of UKL represents the first time these areas have been systematically sampled during the spawning season. Continuation of systematic sampling at these areas is important to provide information on species composition, timing and duration of spawning, fidelity to spawning areas, sex ratios, size distribution, and relative abundance. How these 12 population characteristics change over time will also provide important insights into the population stability of Lost River and shortnose suckers in UKL. 13 Literature Cited Buettner, M. And G. Scoppettone. 1990. Life history status of catostomids in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. U. S. F. W. S. Completion Report. 108 pp. Goldman, C. R. and A. J. Home. 1983. Limnology. McGraw Hill, New York. Moyle, P. B. 1976. Inland fishes of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, CA. Perkins, D. L., G. G. Scoppettone, and M. Buettner. In preparation. Reproductive biology and demographics of endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Lost River ( Deltistes luxatus) and shortnose ( Chasmistes brevirostris) sucker recovery plan. Portland, Oregon. 108 pp. 14 Table 1. Summary of the shoreline locations sampled in Upper Klamath Lake and the number of Lost River ( LRS) and shortnose ( SNS) suckers captured in 1999. Sampling Dates Sampled Number of days Number of LRS Number of SNS Location ( range) Sampled Captured Captured Barkley Springs 4/ 5- 4/ 27 4 0 0 11 21 0 19 284 2 4 0 0 20 129 3 19 100 2 Sucker Springs 4/ 5- 6/ 17 20 274 13 Total 808 20 Boulder Springs Cinder Flats Modoc Point Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs 4/ 27- 4/ 6- 4/ 13- 4/ 6- 4/ 5- 6/ 17 6/ 17 4/ 21 6/ 17 6/ 17 15 Table 2. Summary of the number of Lost River suckers recaptured from previous years sampling efforts at shoreline spawning locations in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. Site Originally Captured Boulder Springs Cinder Flats Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs Sucker Springs Ball Point Total Boulder Springs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Site Cinder Flats 0 1 0 0 4 2 7 Recaptured Ouxy Springs 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 in 1999 Silver Bldg. Springs 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Sucker Springs 0 0 1 2 19 0 22 16 Table 3. Summary of the number of Lost River suckers recaptured at shoreline locations in Upper Klamath Lake originally tagged in 1999. Site Originally Captured in 1999 Boulder Springs Cinder Flats Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs Sucker Springs Total Boulder Springs 0 0 0 0 0 0 Site Cinder Flats 0 3 1 3 1 8 Recaptured Ouxy Springs 0 1 0 0 3 4 in 1999 Silver Bldg. Springs 0 0 1 1 0 2 Sucker Springs 0 2 0 1 6 9 17 1. Sucker Springs 2. Silver Building Springs 3. Ouxy Springs 4. Cinder Flats 5. Boulder Springs Figure 1. Map of Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes showing major tributaries and shoreline spawning areas sampled in 1999. 18 o I 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 BOULDER SPRINGS 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 D LRS Male • LRS Female * No Fish Jtt * * * * * * OUXY SPRINGS D LRS Male • LRS Female * No Fish 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 CINDER FLATS D LRS Unknow n _ r i • LRS Male • i_ r\ o remaie ic No Fish EII1IJ n „ * * * * 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 > SILVER BUILDING SPRINGS • LRS Unknow n • LRS Male • LRS Female * No Fish D n n p » * * * * * SUCKER SPRINGS ALL AREAS COMBINED • LRS Unknown D LRS Male • LRS Female • LRS Unknow n • LRS Male • LRS Female / / / / / / Figure 2. Summary of the number and sex of Lost River Suckers ( LRS) captured at shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999 sampling. LRS unknown refers to captured individuals in which sex could not be determined. 19 70% -, 60% 50% 40% - 30% - 20% - 10% 0% CINDER FLATS _ o_ n= 283 9.1 : 1 8C O in io in om CD o i n 70% -, 60% - 50% - 40% - 30% - 20% - 10% - 0% - BOULDER SPRINGS y n 11 7 6 2 n= 21 9.5: 1 • g si n 8 CD omr o in oo § 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% OUXY SPRINGS om CN oi n co o ini o in in SUCKER SPRINGS 70% -, 60% - 50% - 40% - 30% - 20% - 10% - 0% - n= 129 4.1 : 0 • _ o in CD omh omoo n= 273 3.5: 1 U • - - sC O oi n oi nm om o i n 00 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% - 10% 0% SILVER BUILDING SPRINGS 70% 60% - 50% - 40% 30% 20% 10% - 0% 8 CM ALL SITES 8 CO JL 8 8 i n n= 99 8.1 : 1 • H „ - in in in CD h- 00 n= 805 5.3: 1 _ D • Male • Female 8 C N O O O O O O O O O O O i n o m oin i nin oCDi nCDo i n o i nco Fork length Figure 3. Length frequency histogram of male and female Lost River suckers ( LRS) captured at shore-line spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. The total number of LRS captured in 1999 and ratio of males to females are presented in the upper right hand corner of each graph. 20 E QJ D 160 i 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 A) 1999 LR Length Frequency ( 3/ 18/ 99- 4/ 30/ 99) DMale • Female • male = 457 xM = 541.4 i siaev - jo. y female = 60 xF = 611.9 stdev = 77.2 (—| Qy O ^ D 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 # 4? B) o - I— # $ # C) # # $ # 1999 LR Length Frequency ( 5/ 1/ 99 - 6/ 8/ 99) DMale • Female male = 219 xM = 531.4 5> lUeV — H 1 , , — i remaie = bB xF = 582 8 stdev = 68.1 • y . _ _ # ^ # # # # # # # ^ 1999 SN Length Frequency ( 4/ 30/ 99 - 5/ 30/ 99) 1 U 14 - 12 - 10 s p. A 2 0 - , Dmale • female y y • l i y n male = 8 xM = 363 stdev - 29.7 fpryiolp — ft xF = 357.1 stdev = 35.5 Forklength ( mm) Figure 4. Length frequency for Lost River ( LRS) and shortnose ( SNS) suckers captured at shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. Graphs represent A) LRS caught from March 19- April 30, 1999, B) LRS caught from May 1- June 8, 1999, and C) SNS caught from April 30- May 30, 1999 ( all SNS sampling days were combined due to limited SNS numbers). Four LRS with unknown gender were not included in the graph, two were caught before May 1st, and two after May 1st. Three SNS with unknown gender were not included in the graph. 21 BOULDER SPRINGS 20 i 18 16 - I 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 O) O) O) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) in CM O) $ § I co o L? 5 LO O) O) O) g> g> g> o r^ •<*• n ^ CN CD CD CD 45 40 - 35 30 25 20 15 10 - 5 0 CINDER FLATS 0 ) 0 ) OO - f - r in in 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) C D C D C D 1 sw 20 18 16- 14- 12 - 10 8 6 4 OUXYSPRNGS Jl 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) OO 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) C N I O C D O) O) O) O) Q < o z: ? z in CD CD 20- 18 - 16 14 - 12 - 10 - 8 6 4 - 2 - 0 - SILVER BUILDING SPRINGS ii , II p l, « u u •———,—— O) O) O) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) in CN O) T- CM CM O) O) O) O) O) O) CO O h » - in O) O) O) ill CD CD CD SUCKER SPRINGS ALL SITES Figure 5. Summary of catch per unit effort ( CPUE) of Lost River suckers at shoreline spawning areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. Note change in scale for the Cinder Flats and the All Sites graphs. 22 BOULDER SPRINGS 14 12 10 8 -| 6 4 2 0 n= 0 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) O) CD CN O) CD CO O T - C\| ^ ^ T- CNJ CO CO CO ^" ^" ^" OUXY SPRINGS 1 C D n= 2 14 1 8 4 2^ 0 oo S ^ ^ SUCKER SPRINGS ^ £ j CNJ in in to n= 22 - U-CD CO O j - CM CO 1 C D 14 12 -\ 10 8 -] 6 4 2 - 0 CINDER FLATS n= 7 LJl 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) T^ Cr^ N ^? ^ T- 14 12 10 - 8 6 4 - 2 0 SILVER BUILDING SPRINGS Tt x- 00 - CN CN in in in n= 1 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) 0 ) O) CD CN O> CD CO ^ CJ ^ ^ ^ CN co co ^ j- "< t ALL SITES O) O) O) O) O) O) in in in n= 32 I 0 0) in in in Figure 6. Summary of the number of Lost River suckers recaptured at shoreline spawning areas, Upper Klamath Lake, 1999. Recaptured fish were originally tagged betweeen 1988- 1998. 23 Appendix Table A. Summary of recapture data for Lost River Suckers in the Upper Klamath Lake Basin from 1985- 1999. Sampling was generally conducted from March- July of each year, although the emphasis in sampling was during the spawning period. Recapture data includes fish that were tagged with Floy and PIT tags. Site Last Recaptured Site Originally Captured Cinder Flats Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs Sucker Springs Williamson River Sprague River Upper Lake Middle Lake Total Cinder Flats 1 0 0 4 0 0 2 0 7 Ouxy Springs 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 Silver Bldg. Springs 0 0 1 6 0 0 0 0 7 Sucker Springs 0 0 6 288 4 0 0 0 298 Williamson River 0 0 0 1 6 3 0 0 10 Sprague River 0 0 0 0 1 13 1 0 15 Upper Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Middle Lake 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 Total 1 1 9 300 12 16 3 0 342 Appendix Table B. Summary of recapture data for shortnose suckers in the Upper Klamath Lake Basin from 1985- 1999. Sampling was generally conducted from March- July of each year, although the emphasis in sampling was during the spawning period. Recapture data includes fish that were tagged with Floy and PIT tags. Site Last Recaptured Site Originally Captured Ouxy Springs Silver Bldg. Springs Sucker Springs Williamson River Sprague River Lower Lake Middle Lake Total Ouxy Springs 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Silver Bldg. Springs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Sucker Springs 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Williamson River 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 4 Sprague River 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 5 Lower Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Middle Lake 0 0 0 1 2 0 5 8 Upper Lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reeder Road Bridge 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Total 2 0 0 7 5 0 6 20 25 5 2iu5 Appendix Figure A. Summary of the size range of Lost River suckers captured at shoreline sampling areas in Upper Klamath Lake, 1999, by date sampled. Close

• 1300. [Image] Oregon lampreys : natural history, status, and analysis of management issues

  	Executive Summary The jawless lampreys are remnants of the oldest vertebrates in the world. Oregon has somewhere between eight and a dozen species of these primitive fishes. Their taxonomy is obscure ...
  	Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon lampreys : natural history, status, and analysis of management issues Author: Kostow, Kathryn Year: 2002, 2008, 2005 Executive Summary The jawless lampreys are remnants of the oldest vertebrates in the world. Oregon has somewhere between eight and a dozen species of these primitive fishes. Their taxonomy is obscure because different species tend to look very similar through most of their life cycle, and they have not been well-studied in Oregon. Lampreys occur in the Columbia Basin, including the lower Snake River, along the Oregon coast, in the upper Klamath Basin, and in Goose Lake Basin in southeastern Oregon. They all begin life in fresh water where juveniles burrow into silt and filter feed on algae. As some species approach adulthood they migrate to the ocean or to lakes where they briefly become ecto-parasites, feeding on other live fishes by attaching to them with sucker disc mouths. Other species remain non-parasitic. In addition to some enigmatic species identities, we generally have very little information about the detailed distributions, life histories and basic biology of lampreys. Lampreys became a conservation concern in the early 1990s when tribal co-managers and some Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) staff noted that populations of Pacific Lampreys, Lampetra tridentata, were apparently declining to perilously low numbers. Pacific Lampreys were listed as an Oregon State sensitive species in 1993 and were given further legal protected status by the state in 1997 (OAR 635-044-0130). Lamprey status is difficult to assess for several reasons: 1) Most observations of lampreys in fresh water are of juveniles and it is difficult to tell the various species apart, even to the extent that the various species are currently clearly designated; 2) Data on lamprey is only collected incidental to monitoring of salmonids. The design and efficiency of the data collection effort is not always adequate for lampreys; and 3) We have very few historic data sets for lampreys. Therefore we often cannot determine how the abundances and distributions we see now compare with those in the past. The limited data that we have suggests that lampreys have declined through many parts of their ranges. The most precipitous declines appear to be in the upper Columbia and Snake basins where we have some historic data from mainstem dam counts. Pacific Lampreys have declined to only about 200 adults annually passing the Snake River dams. We also have evidence of declines of Pacific Lampreys in the lower Columbia and on the Oregon coast, although our data is quite limited. We have little to no information about any of the other species of lampreys. We are not even sure whether some of the recognized species, like the River Lamprey (L. ayresi), is still present in Oregon. This paper concludes with a Problem Analysis for Oregon lampreys. Our biggest problem is poor information, ranging from not knowing basic species identity to having inefficient or no systematic monitoring of lamprey abundance and distribution. ODFW continued an annual harvest on Pacific Lamprey in the Willamette Basin in 2001, but we lack the necessary information to assess the affects of the harvest on the population. Major habitat problems that affect lampreys include upstream passage over artificial barriers, a need for lamprey-friendly screening of water diversions, and urban and agricultural development of low-gradient flood plain habitats. Title: Oregon lampreys : natural history, status, and analysis of management issues Author: Kostow, Kathryn Year: 2002, 2008, 2005 Executive Summary The jawless lampreys are remnants of the oldest vertebrates in the world. Oregon has somewhere between eight and a dozen species of these primitive fishes. Their taxonomy is obscure because different species tend to look very similar through most of their life cycle, and they have not been well-studied in Oregon. Lampreys occur in the Columbia Basin, including the lower Snake River, along the Oregon coast, in the upper Klamath Basin, and in Goose Lake Basin in southeastern Oregon. They all begin life in fresh water where juveniles burrow into silt and filter feed on algae. As some species approach adulthood they migrate to the ocean or to lakes where they briefly become ecto-parasites, feeding on other live fishes by attaching to them with sucker disc mouths. Other species remain non-parasitic. In addition to some enigmatic species identities, we generally have very little information about the detailed distributions, life histories and basic biology of lampreys. Lampreys became a conservation concern in the early 1990s when tribal co-managers and some Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) staff noted that populations of Pacific Lampreys, Lampetra tridentata, were apparently declining to perilously low numbers. Pacific Lampreys were listed as an Oregon State sensitive species in 1993 and were given further legal protected status by the state in 1997 (OAR 635-044-0130). Lamprey status is difficult to assess for several reasons: 1) Most observations of lampreys in fresh water are of juveniles and it is difficult to tell the various species apart, even to the extent that the various species are currently clearly designated; 2) Data on lamprey is only collected incidental to monitoring of salmonids. The design and efficiency of the data collection effort is not always adequate for lampreys; and 3) We have very few historic data sets for lampreys. Therefore we often cannot determine how the abundances and distributions we see now compare with those in the past. The limited data that we have suggests that lampreys have declined through many parts of their ranges. The most precipitous declines appear to be in the upper Columbia and Snake basins where we have some historic data from mainstem dam counts. Pacific Lampreys have declined to only about 200 adults annually passing the Snake River dams. We also have evidence of declines of Pacific Lampreys in the lower Columbia and on the Oregon coast, although our data is quite limited. We have little to no information about any of the other species of lampreys. We are not even sure whether some of the recognized species, like the River Lamprey (L. ayresi), is still present in Oregon. This paper concludes with a Problem Analysis for Oregon lampreys. Our biggest problem is poor information, ranging from not knowing basic species identity to having inefficient or no systematic monitoring of lamprey abundance and distribution. ODFW continued an annual harvest on Pacific Lamprey in the Willamette Basin in 2001, but we lack the necessary information to assess the affects of the harvest on the population. Major habitat problems that affect lampreys include upstream passage over artificial barriers, a need for lamprey-friendly screening of water diversions, and urban and agricultural development of low-gradient flood plain habitats. Close