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Freshwater invasions have occurred worldwide with significant ecological, evolutionary, and economic impacts on recipient ecosystems. Researchers now have access to a combination of approaches to better identify their potential ecological impacts on recipient communities. We used an integrative approach based on morphological traits, stomach contents, and stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ15N) to examine multiple dimensions of the niche of native Texas cyprinodontids, Red River pupfish (Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis) and plains killifish (Fundulus zebrinus), and their sympatric invasive congeners sheepshead minnow (C. variegates) and gulf killifish (F. grandis). We analyzed specimens from the Brazos River and Red River basins in Texas collected during multiple surveys. Because of their phylogenetic relatedness, we predicted high overlap in the feeding habits and habitat-use between native and invasive congeners. A principal component analysis performed on 24 morphological traits associated with habitat-use and feeding ecology suggested some overlap on trait space occupied by the two Cyprinodon species, but no overlap between the two Fundulus species. High overlap on dietary and isotopic niche space was observed between the native and invasive Cyprinodon congeners. There was a large degree of seasonal variation in all four species stomach contents and isotopic signatures, which could be partially explained by low sampling sizes across certain seasons. While species differed in their trait space, similarities in the feeding ecology between cyprinodontid congeners could lead to negative ecological interactions related to food resources depending on the time of year. Our findings highlight the needs for continued monitoring of invasive cyprinodontids to prevent their spread into upstream reaches of the Brazos River to ensure conservation of native congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variation was evaluated for spotted bass ( Micropterus punctulatus) at the edge of the species native range in central Texas. We analyzed mitochondrial D-Loop sequences from 64 individuals representing nine sites within the Brazos and Trinity River watersheds. Our primary objectives were to 1) compare the genetic diversity of spotted bass in central Texas to genetic diversity estimates of conspecifics in other geographic regions and to other species from similar geographic regions, to 2) determine whether there was evidence for within or between drainage genetic structure, and to 3) test whether the D-Loop sequence was a reliable marker for discriminating among native and introduced Texas micropterids. Genetic diversity was low relative to sympatric micropterids, as well as for the marker in general, but our results are similar to patterns observed for this species in Oklahoma and fit with broader multi-species patterns observed for this geographic area. AMOVA, SAMOVA, and isolation by distance analyses provided evidence that genetic differentiation exists among population groups. The sequence data suggests the D-Loop would be useful for discriminating among M. floridanus, M. salmoides, and M. dolomieu, but not among M. punctulatus, M. coosae, M. henshalli, and M. treculii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrations of several solutes - nitrate, arsenic, sulfate, boron, chloride, and bromide - along with total dissolved solids (TDS) in ten counties bordering the Brazos River in east-central Texas were compiled, mapped, and analyzed relative to regional land use and geology. Agriculture and oil/gas production are major activities and potential sources of groundwater contamination in the study area. Data were compiled from 104 water wells with a median depth of 446 ft (136 m) in the outcrop zones of six sedimentary aquifers: Carizzo-Wilcox, Queen City, Sparta, Yegua-Jackson, Gulf Coast, and Brazos Alluvium. Only two observations surpassed the 44.3 mg/L drinking water standard for nitrate, and four observations exceeded the 10 ug/L standard for arsenic. The median chloride concentration was 53 mg/L; however, the maximum level was almost three times the secondary drinking water standard of 250 mg/L. Chloride, bromide, sulfate, and boron concentrations resembled TDS patterns, with numerous samples exceeding secondary TDS drinking water standards in the Yegua-Jackson Aquifer. Most chloride/bromide ratios were between 100 and 300. Overall, results of this study suggest that natural processes exert a primary control on solute concentrations in the above aquifers, with a potential for modest anthropogenic impacts from agriculture and oil/gas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazos River, the second largest basin in Texas, represents one of the most highly developed river systems in the state. Thirty-nine reservoirs with capacities greater than 5,000 acre-feet are currently in operation in the basin. Impacts on stream ecosystems are evidenced by changes in flow regimes and resulting changes in fish assemblages over the past 50 years. These changes have been widely attributed to human impacts, through the construction of dams, diversion of water supplies for agricultural and municipal uses, and land use change. However, streamflow regimes result from a complex mix of drivers that include climate, topography, land cover, land use practices, reservoir management practices, dam releases, and water consumption patterns, making determination of anthropogenic impacts problematic. This study quantifies changes in flow regime and probable historical drivers including precipitation, dam construction, population growth, and changing water demand in the Brazos River basin over the past 100 years. Results indicate that the climate of the basin has been relatively stable over the study period, while large-scale changes in human population densities and intense water resources development are correlated with impacts on flow regimes, decreasing the frequency and magnitude of high flow events and stabilizing low flows. These changes have resulted in an increase of habitat generalist fish species, a decrease of native obligate riverine fishes, and an overall homogenization of species assemblages. The results of this study indicate the importance of combining ecological data with an assessment of social drivers for a greater understanding of the dynamics of river basin systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floodplain habitats have been inferred to provide a variety of functions for aquatic organisms, yet few studies have documented movement between channel and aquatic floodplain habitats. We exploited spatial variation in stable isotope ratios of gizzard shad ( Dorosoma cepedianum) to document movement between floodplain lakes and the main river channel of the Brazos River, Texas, during a period of frequent hydrologic connectivity. Additionally, we examined stomach contents of shad to determine if ontogenetic diet shifts or faunal exchange best explained variation in isotopic ratios. Regression analysis indicated significant relationships between gizzard shad size and isotopic ratios in oxbow lakes, whereas these relationships were not significant for the main channel. Plots of individual fish in each habitat suggested that adult shad migrated into oxbow lakes during floods whereas juveniles assimilated material produced in oxbows. Some adults in oxbows had signatures similar to juveniles, and these individuals were probably long-term oxbow residents. The proportion of adults with a “river” signature was greater in the oxbow with the shortest flood recurrence interval where opportunities for faunal exchange were more frequent. Analysis of stomach contents indicated almost total overlap between adult and juvenile diets indicating that movement between habitats having different isotopic ratios of basal resources rather than ontogenetic dietary shifts best explained patterns of isotopic variation in Brazos River gizzard shad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]