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1 December 2011 Ecology of Unique Lentic Populations of Roundtail Chub, Gila robusta
Sarah M. Laske, Frank J. Rahel, Wayne A. Hubert, Peter A. Cavalli
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Abstract

Although roundtail chub (Gila robusta) is generally considered a riverine species, 6 natural lakes in the upper Green River basin, Wyoming, have resident populations of this fish. In 2 of the lakes, Halfmoon and Little Halfmoon, we investigated the ecology of resident roundtail chub, including their habitat use, diet, weight—length relationships, growth, and reproduction. Lentic roundtail chub used littoral and mid-depth benthic habitats most often, with the highest catch rates in littoral habitats. Roundtail chub were rarely caught in pelagic or deep benthic habitats. Opportunistic foraging was observed in both lakes, with roundtail chub consuming terrestrial and aquatic insects, vegetation, and fish. Roundtail chub from both lakes had weight—length relationships similar to those reported for lotic populations but slower annual growth rates. Fish in spawning condition were captured from mid-June to late July when water temperatures ranged from 8.7 to 18.3 °C and snowmelt runoff was at its maximum. Knowledge of roundtail chub ecology in lentic systems will influence management decisions and conservation actions important to preserving this species in the Colorado River basin.

© 2011
Sarah M. Laske, Frank J. Rahel, Wayne A. Hubert, and Peter A. Cavalli "Ecology of Unique Lentic Populations of Roundtail Chub, Gila robusta," Western North American Naturalist 71(4), 507-515, (1 December 2011). https://doi.org/10.3398/064.071.0408
Received: 2 March 2011; Accepted: 1 June 2011; Published: 1 December 2011
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