Black Spot Disease on Fish Species in the French Creek Watershed
Project Author
Issue Date
2023-04
Authors
Chodkowski, Chase
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First Reader
Choate, Beth
Additional Readers
Demi, Lee M.
Keywords
Black Spot Disease , French Creek , Human Degredation , Parasite , Freshwater Ecosystem , Fish
Distribution
Abstract
Freshwater habitats like French Creek are home to rich biodiversity and various species of plants and animals. In today's day and age human activity has caused degradation to freshwater ecosystems. These negative externalities that are caused by humans are being experienced first hand by these fish and plant species. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between stream health and Black Spot Disease parasite loads in fish. Fish were sampled at various sites along French Creek on 3 dates in the fall of 2022. Areas of the stream were electroshocked, fish were collected, and data gathered. Location, species name, and severity of BSD found on each fish was recorded. Additionally, water chemistry data including water temperature, pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) was collected. Data was analyzed to determine if water chemistry metrics were related to the abundance of BSD. It was determined that water temperature, pH, and TDS did not impact the abundance of BSD found on fish species. Future studies should look at snail populations around the same stream locations to see if they are carrying BSD and if so, do any water chemistry metrics affect their abundance of BSD. This in all could draw a correlation between human environmental degradation and disease in French Creek watershed.
Description
Chair
Major
Environmental Science
Department
Environmental Science / Studies