Search USGS⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70218744

Avoidance of cold-, cool-, and warm-water fishes to Zequanox® exposure

Matthew T. Barbour·James A. Luoma·Todd J. Severson·Jeremy K. Wise·Barbara Bennie
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Zequanox® is a biopesticide registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency for controlling dreissenid mussels with demonstrated selective toxicity. However, some research has indicated that Zequanox may impact the body condition and survival of some non-target species. We assessed avoidance behaviors of two species of cold-, cool-, and warm-water fishes to Zequanox at the maximum concentration allowed by the USEPA label (100 mg/L as active ingredient). Naïve, juvenile fish (n = 30 per species) were individually observed in a two-flume choice tank through which Zequanox-treated and untreated water simultaneously flowed in an unobstructed arena. Individual fish were observed during an untreated control period (20 min) and two Zequanox-exposure periods (20 min each). Treatment was alternated between arena sides to account for potential side bias in the test subjects. Positional data were collected and tabulated in real time with EthoVision® XT software. Zequanox concentrations and water quality properties (pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and specific conductance) were monitored during each trial. Analysis of treatment response was performed using a contrast within linear mixed-effects models. Our results indicate that Brook Trout, Lake Trout, and Bluegill avoided Zequanox-treated water, Yellow Perch were indifferent to Zequanox-treated water, and Lake Sturgeon and Fathead Minnow were attracted to Zequanox-treated water. These results combined with existing species sensitivity literature may help inform resource managers of potential treatment-related risks.

Explore related subjects

Management of Biological InvasionsArticle

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Matthew T. Barbour, James A. Luoma, Todd J. Severson, Jeremy K. Wise, Barbara Bennie. 2021. Avoidance of cold-, cool-, and warm-water fishes to Zequanox® exposure. https://doi.org/10.3391/mbi.2021.12.1.07

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2026

Bait baskets reduce trap disturbance and rebaiting for invasive Argentine black and white tegus (Salvator merianae) in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, USA

Effective invasive species management can be informed by strategies that maximize removal while minimizing costs. In the southeastern United States, metal-mesh bait baskets are routinely used to protect chicken egg lures in traps targeting invasive Argentine black and white tegu lizards ( Salvator merianae ). These bait baskets are designed to reduce bait loss and nontarget species captures, potentially lowering rebaiting frequency and associated labor. Using data from a multi-year trapping effort and from a crossover experiment on the periphery of Everglades National Park, Florida, we evaluated the influence of bait baskets on tegu and nontarget capture rates, trap disturbance, and rebaiting needs. We found no evidence that bait baskets affected tegu or nontarget capture in either the multi-year or crossover experiment datasets, but they did reduce trap disturbance and rebaiting frequency in the multiyear dataset following their implementation in 2016. In the crossover experiment, rebaiting frequency declined only in the first trial. Overall, bait baskets may enhance trap efficiency by extending functional trap time and reducing maintenance costs.

Florida↗
USGS2026

Evaluating ichthyoplankton sampling as an effective method for early detection of novel aquatic invasive species in large bays of western Lake Erie

Early detection and monitoring are critically important for effective management of invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Specifically, Lake Erie is at high-risk for aquatic invasive species introductions due to many factors such as shoreline development, warm water temperatures, and transoceanic shipping traffic. Rare species captured are often used as a surrogate to assess sampling effectiveness for new or rare invasive species in vulnerable areas, such as Maumee and Sandusky bays of western Lake Erie. We compared species catches from multiple larval fish collection methods to those from adult and juvenile fish sampling. The specific objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate the effectiveness of larval fish sampling for aquatic invasive species early detection in two bays of western Lake Erie: Maumee Bay and Sandusky Bay; 2) evaluate the effectiveness of passive and active sampling techniques at capturing different larval fish taxa; and 3) compare effectiveness of larval sampling techniques to juvenile and adult fish sampling methods for detecting new and rare species. While no new non-native species were captured during the study, we found that larval fish sampling techniques were not effective for detecting new or rare species but could be used with other life-stage sampling. Active sampling with bongo nets was more effective than light trap sampling, capturing a higher number of individuals and taxa. Juvenile and adult fish sampling methods provided higher precision in fish identification without the use of genetic tools. Because of the finer taxonomic resolution possible when identifying juvenile and adult fishes, sampling for adult and juveniles was found to be more robust and reliable for early detection of new and rare species compared to larval fish sampling. However, larval fish sampling can still be appropriate depending on study goals and objectives or as emerging technologies allow for greater taxonomic resolution of sampled fish.

Michigan, Ohio↗
USGS2026

Global framework for communication of biological invasion risks

Biological invasions, driven by the spread of non-native species, have become a critical global issue because of their far-reaching ecological and socioeconomic impacts. Effective communication of the risks of biological invasions is essential for implementing robust policy and legislation and gaining public support for conservation efforts. However, current policies often suffer from fragmentation and ineffectiveness, largely due to inadequate risk communication and complex multilevel governance. To address this challenge, we develop a global framework designed to enhance clearer communication about biological invasion risks. The framework contextualizes key terms across three domains in invasion science: species invasiveness, risk analysis, and decision support tools. Using both diffusion-of-English and ecology-of-language paradigms, and following a three-step process involving preliminary consensus, AI querying, and ground-truthing with final consensus, we validate the framework in 70 non-English languages which, together with English, have official status in at least one country and collectively cover all 195 countries worldwide. Our findings reveal that while terminology for risk analysis is well established, terminology for species invasiveness and, especially, for decision support tools remains underdeveloped in many languages, hindering effective communication and policy implementation. Our framework underscores the importance of cultural and political neutrality. By promoting clearer risk communication among scientists, policymakers, and the public globally, we aim to reduce policy fragmentation and foster enhanced collaboration in risk mitigation. We recommend expanding multilingual decision support tools to include the full risk analysis process: risk identification, risk assessment, and risk management. This will support intergovernmental mitigation efforts and promote a unified global response to biological invasions.

Management of Biological Invasions↗