SPAWNING ECOLOGY, DIET, AND POPULATION DYNAMICS OF THE BIGEYE CHUB (Hybopsis amblops)

Once thought to be completely eliminated from the waters of Illinois, the Bigeye Chub (Hybopsis amblops) has shown a dramatic recovery in many streams in East-Central Illinois. Though relatively wide-spread throughout the Midwest and Southern states, little is known about the life history of this species. In order to ensure the continued success of this species, we need to fill in these life history gaps to better our conservation efforts. We will be performing observational studies to determine when and where this species spawns.

REASSESSING IOWA DARTER (Etheostoma exile) HABITAT IN ILLINOIS

A threatened species in Illinois, the Iowa Darter was only thought to inhabit the clear, glacial lakes and a few streams in northeastern Illinois. Recent fish community samples in advance of transportation projects located them in extremely small streams away from their know distributions. We have created historical and current species distribution models that we have evaluated through repeated field samples. Field samples have allowed us to further refine our SDM to provide a more accurate prediction of the range of Iowa Darters in Illinois.

STATUS OF GRAVEL CHUB (Erimystax x-punctatus) IN ILLINOIS

Although listed as threatened in the state, the entire breadth of this species’ range in Illinois is not well understood. A habitat specialist, Gravel Chubs prefer swift chutes of medium to large rivers. These habitats are not easy to sample using common boat electrofishing techniques. We are performing targeted samples across suitable habitats, in basins with known Gravel Chub populations in hopes to locate the bulk of Gravel Chub populations in the state.

GENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE RAPID EXPANSION OF BANDED KILLIFISH (Fundulus diaphanus) IN ILLINOIS 

In conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, IDNR, and WIU we are examining the genetic signatures of Banded Killifish populations in Illinois, and other Midwestern states.Specifically, our aim is to determine whether the recent increase in Banded Killifish populations in Illinois is from the expansion of the native Western subspecies (F.d. menona) or an invasion of the Eastern subspecies (F.d. diaphanus).