The effects of landscape features on the distribution of Myxobolus cerebralis and occurrence of whirling disease among age-0 salmonids in the Salt River drainage, Wyoming-Idaho.

Authors(s): W. Hubert, R. Gipson, D. Zafft, K. Gelwicks, D. Money, D. Hawk and J. Burckhardt

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Publication Date: 0000-00-00

Type: annual report

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Abstract: The purpose of this study is to evaluate possible relationships between spatial variation in channel slope, summer water temperatures, seasonal variation in stream flow, and fine sediment deposition among mainstem river reaches and tributaries to the Salt River and the spatial distribution patterns of age-0 trout and whitefish infected with M. cerebralis and exhibiting clinical and histological signs of whirling disease. The objectives of this study are to: (1) determine to what extent spatial variation in stream habitat features contribute to infection by M. cerebralis and signs of whirling disease, (2) develop a risk assessment tool that will determine where impacts from M. cerebralis may occur, and (3) identify possible management interventions that my circumvent outbreaks of whirling disease within the Salt River watershed. Age-0 salmonids and associated habitat data were collected from 110 locations representing the variety of spatial characteristics within the watershed during summer 2000. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis is being conducted at the WGFD laboratory to determine M. cerebralis infection in individual fish. Histological analysis will be conducted on fish testing positive for M. cerebralis to determine the extent of whirling disease. Spatial analyses will be conducted using multivariate statistics and a GIS.

Keywords: disease, whirling disease, Myxobolus cerebrali, animal, fish, Pisces, ichthyology, Salmonidae, Salt River, Idaho, management, habitat