The influence of redd site selection, groundwater upwelling, and over-winter incubation temperature on survival of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) from egg to alevin

Abstract

We measured survival of bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) embryos to the alevin stage in areas selected and not selected by females for spawning. In this study we tested the hypotheses that (1) females are utilizing habitats influenced by discharging groundwater and that (2) there is a reproductive advantage to spawning at these selected sites. Embryo survival was assessed by placing fertilized eggs in capsules that could be retrieved once they were placed in selected and nonselected locations. The survival rate was significantly higher (88.6 vs. 76.1%) and less variable in the selected area, but alevin lengths did not differ significantly between areas. The selected areas were, on average, locations of groundwater discharge and higher water temperatures over the incubation period, while nonselected locations were in areas of surface-water recharge and lower water temperatures. The results suggest that appropriate reproductive habitats which offer the best incubation environments may be limited in bull trout systems, and that site selection by females may increase fitness and be critical for population viability.