Reconstructing the population history of native westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) in Avalanche Lake, through analysis of fossil zooplankton assemblages in profundal sediments (Glacier National Park, Montana). Final report
Verschuren D and Wright HE. 1993. Reconstructing the population history of native westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) in Avalanche Lake, through analysis of fossil zooplankton assemblages in profundal sediments (Glacier National Park, Montana). Final report. University of Minnesota. Limnological Research Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
This study aimed to find out whether the lake-resident native trout in Avalanche Lake really established itself through successful natural colonization, or whether it became established more recently through an undocumented introduction in the decades prior to the creation of Glacier National Park in 1910. Genetically pure populations of native westslope cutthroat trout in headwater lakes of Glacier National Park could play an important role in the recovery of cutthroat trout in the Lake McDonald basin. The study design involved examination of fossil zooplankton assemblages contained in the lake's profundal sediments, based on the premise that recent introduction of planktivorous trout to a naturally fishless lake would have caused abrupt changes in the lake's zooplankton community. The results indicate that predation by fish kept Daphnia populations at or below present levels during most of this period and excluded Chaoborus from the lake, a pattern indicative for the original and continued presence of cutthroat trout.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Verschuren, Dirk; Wright, H
- Date of Issue
- 1993-06-18
- Publisher
- University of Minnesota
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Avalanche Lake, Distribution historic, Fish, Fish population, Fossils, Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi, Westslope cutthroat trout, Zooplankton