Project: Myxobolus cerebralis Risk to Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Related to Variation in T. tubifex Abundance and Susceptibility

Primary Investigator: Billie Kerans
Project Summary: The consequences of the introduction of exotic pathogens to native susceptible species are of great concern for conservation of indigenous species. Myxobolus cerebralis has the potential to devastate native fauna in the continental United States. Myxobolus cerebralis has spread to two tributaries to Yellowstone Lake. Spawning Yellowstone cutthroat trout have declined and whirling disease infection severity is high in Pelican Creek, whereas in the Yellowstone River spawning cutthroat trout have not declined and whirling disease infection severity is lower. It is important to determine the factors that cause the substantial variation in the severity of whirling disease risk among different river systems, geographic areas and salmonid species in order to predict the effects of the anticipated range expansion and to develop appropriate management actions. Variations in local stream populations of Tubifex tubifex and their interactions with the environment may contribute to whirling disease severity in Yellowstone cutthroat trout, but how variation in the ecology of tubificids influences the whirling disease ecology of salmonids is not well understood. Previous work by this research team has focused on quantifying important factors for Yellowstone cutthroat trout including the fish host, the environment, the worm host and its biotic community, and spatial and temporal overlap of susceptible hosts and the parasite. The goals of this project are to develop quantitative parameters for a risk assessment for Yellowstone cutthroat trout and improve our understanding of T. tubifex genetics and ecology and their relationships to infection of Yellowstone cutthroat trout by M. cerebralis. The Yellowstone area is an ideal location to investigate these aspects of tubificid ecology because tributaries to Yellowstone Lake have varying whirling disease risk and environmental conditions. Our specific objectives are to: (1) determine if susceptible T. tubifex strains are more prevalent and abundant where whirling disease risk is severe, (2) determine habitat selection of T. tubifex strains, (3) determine susceptibility of T. tubifex strains from locations with varying whirling disease risk, and (4) field validate and test our results concerning T. tubifex strains and habitat conditions.
Funding Period: 2005-2006
Final Report: 2005-2006 final report not yet available
Dataset(s) associated with this project:

There are no datasets associated with this project.