Freshwater and Estuarine Fish of New York State
Table of Contents
	Conservation	References

RESEARCH NEEDS

Watercolor of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) by Hugh Chrisp

Periodic surveys are needed to monitor trends in distribution and abundance of all species and autecological studies of poorly known species are integral to intelligent management of critical habitat. Both survey work and natural history studies are needed. Synoptic surveys of certain areas of the state, such as the Delaware and Susquehanna river drainages and the tributaries of Lake Ontario have not been undertaken in decades. Although any survey will provide valuable information, survey designs that provide estimates of population size are most useful when assessing changes in biodiversity. Traditionally, surveys provide little more than presence/absence information. These surveys tend to provide a false impression of the abundance of the rarer, widely distributed species because the results emphasize the wide range but mask the rarity within the range. Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) still widely distributed, seems to be represented by relatively few individuals when taken. Gap analysis, which links species distribution to general habitat type, may provide information useful in identifying undiscovered populations and predicting trends in distribution and abundance. This type of study should be pursued, but it cannot replace the information available from carefully planned surveys.

The autecology of many species remains understudied. The life history of most minnow, darter, and sucker species is incompletely documented. Even rare species, such as eastern sand darter and gravel chub, lack comprehensive studies detailing spawning or foraging behavior. Recovery plans that are developed without these types of information are inadequate. Many rarer species are poorly studied, but the ubiquitous silver redhorse and redbreast sunfish, for example, are equally poorly known.

The taxonomic status of most fishes in New York is stable. However, a few questions remain. For example, taxonomic studies on the two dwarf suckers (Catostomus commersoni utawana and Catostomus catostomus nannomyzon) and the many populations of tessellated darter could provide interesting results. Descriptions of most larval forms are required. In biodiversity studies, the researcher must positively identify the study organisms; without descriptions this task can be difficult.

The effect that exotic species will have on native or long-established species is a valuable and potentially crucial area of study within biodiversity research. The focus has typically been on the direct effect of the exotic species on the native species (e.g., Whittier and Kincaid 1999, Whittier et al. 2000). However, certain exotic species, such as zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), have the ability to alter ecosystems. The effect a species of this type will have on individual fish species and species assemblages is largely unstudied.

Finally, it is increasingly important to identify and understand the effects changes in land-use practices have on aquatic systems in general and on critical habitats of imperiled species in particular. It is no longer possible to study aquatic systems without recognizing the critical role of extralimital factors. Declines in population size of redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) may be directly related to loss of riparian vegetation and a heavily utilized terrestrial food source rather than in-stream habitat changes (Daniels and Wisniewski 1994).

This web site was developed by the New York State Biodiversity Project
and is maintained by the New York State Biodiversity Research Institute