Robust Redhorse Conservation Committee: Research Projects and Management Activities

Supplement Breeding Program

Annual broodfish collection and spawning,
Development of propagation techniques and breeding protocols to maximize genetic diversity,
Short and long-term cryopreservation studies to preserve healthy sperm and to establish and manage the robust redhorse sperm repository,
Fry production and fingerling distribution to state and federal hatcheries, and
Establishment of refugial populations to facilitate successful reintroductions by providing larger individuals and a broader age structure.

Evaluation of the effect of sedimentation and substrate composition on reproductive and emergence success,
Investigation of the effect of various contaminants on eggs and larvae,
Determination of temperature and flow requirements for young-of-year,
Establishment of feeding and culture requirements of larvae through juvenile stages in the hatchery environment, and
Development of a hatchery pond management plan.

Maintain a database of all Robust Redhorse captures,
Investigation of movement patterns of juveniles using radio telemetry devices to help determine the habitat preferences and fate of this age group,
Population modeling, and
Otolith microchemistry analysis of the ratio of strontium to calcium to evaluate whether the current wild populations are associated with saline environments during some life-history phase.

Annual status surveys of the major rivers in the three states to evaluate the presence and extent of wild populations and introduced individuals,
Hatchery pond harvests, river stockings and monitoring through surveys, and
Development of culture, broodfish collection and disease protocols.

Investigation of the population structure and genetic diversity in the Oconee, Savannah and Pee Dee rivers,
Genetic sensitivity analysis of the supplemental breeding program
Development of a molecular approach to identification of larvae, and
Comparison of mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA divergence between robust and silver redhorse from three populations.

Production of a 30-minute educational video,
Exhibition of robust redhorse at the South Carolina Aquarium's Piedmont River Exhibit and educational panels to increase public awareness,
Development of three-panel table-top display
Development of a mounted spawning triade display, and
Development of an Internet site.