How to translate text using browser tools
1 December 2011 Update and analysis of fish occurrences in the lower Potomac River drainage in the vicinity of Plummers Island, Maryland—Contribution XXXI to the natural history of Plummers Island, Maryland
Wayne C. Starnes, John Odenkirk, Matthew J. Ashton
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

On a local scale, the biota of the Plummers Island, Maryland, vicinity is among the most intensively studied in the world. The fishes occurring in Potomac River and its tributaries in the vicinity of that island have been subjected to periodic scrutiny since the early 1900s, with the latest thorough analysis published in 2002. Herein, we present an updated and comparative analysis of this fish fauna using data gathered over the past decade. Our findings reveal that the complement of fish species that inhabits the area is particularly dynamic in nature. Compared to data presented in 2002, we report a net increase in the numbers of species (up to 93 species) occurring or formerly occurring near Plummers Island. These changes are the result of the return of several migratory species fostered by improved fish passage on the Potomac River, the return of some native resident fishes, and the establishment of additional nonnative species that now constitute 22–35% of the fauna, balanced against several probable extirpations. Species involved in these changes are treated in detail, and a number of novel records, vouchered and nonvouchered, are discussed. Factors that likely play key and interrelated roles in the dynamic nature of the Plummers Island area fish fauna, including hydrographic context and anthropogenic activities, are revisited and discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of improved practices in the documentation of local species occurrences in the future.

Wayne C. Starnes, John Odenkirk, and Matthew J. Ashton "Update and analysis of fish occurrences in the lower Potomac River drainage in the vicinity of Plummers Island, Maryland—Contribution XXXI to the natural history of Plummers Island, Maryland," Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington 124(4), 280-309, (1 December 2011). https://doi.org/10.2988/11-17.1
Published: 1 December 2011
JOURNAL ARTICLE
30 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
C&O Canal
fish distributional determinants
fish passage
fishes
invasive species
nonnative fishes
Plummers Island
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top