Project Detail
Project: Assessment of the risk of Myxobolus cerebralis Introduction as a Result of Straying Adult Steelhead and Spring Chinook Salmon in the Columbia River Basin
Primary Investigator: Jerri BartholomewProject Summary: One of the critical unknowns for managing systems containing anadromous fish is whether straying of infected adult fish plays a significant role in introducing Myxobolus cerebralis, and other pathogens, to new areas. Data from the Deschutes River risk assessment suggests that this is true. However, it is likely that stray rates differ between rivers. Analysis of data for recovery locations of adult salmon could identify rivers at high risk for introduction. This project assesses the role of straying adult steelhead and spring Chinook salmon in disseminating M. cerebralis in the Columbia River Basin (CRB). The study integrates and expands on previous work on the effects of M. cerebralis on anadromous salmonids in the upper CRB, risk management assessments conducted on the Deschutes River (central CRB), and current investigations on establishment of the parasite in a tributary of the lower CRB. Specific study objectives are to: (1) estimate the frequency of adult salmonids straying into tributaries of the lower and mid-Columbia River, (2) determine the proportion of these fish infected with M. cerebralis, (3) integrate this data with existing data from the Deschutes River to develop estimates of introduction risk for these tributaries, and (4) determine infection efficiency under differing T. tubifex densities, susceptibilities, and under different flow regimes using a laboratory model.
Funding Period: 2004-2005
Final Report: 2004-2005 final report not yet available
Dataset(s) associated with this project:
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