Santa Cruz Island Reserve

23 May, 07 AM - 27 May, 05 AM

Historically, the streams of Santa Cruz Island (SCI) have lacked fish. Research conducted in the summers of 2002 and 2003 have established a lack of nocturnal drift periodicity in an island stream. Is it possible to induce nocturnal drift in SCI streams? The best way to answer this question would be via direct introduction of fish into the island streams. However, this direct approach is not possible as the introduction of species to island environments is ecologically unethical. Fortunately, an indirect measure of insect response to trout presences is possible. Dr. LeeAnn Martinez has developed a behavioral assay that quantifies the response of aquatic insects to the presence of trout odor. She has observed that insect from streams containing trout exhibit both nocturnal drift and a negative response to trout exudates in behavioral assays. Insects from fishless streams exhibit aperiodic drift and random responses to trout exudates in behavioral assays. However, a negative response to trout exudates occurs if these same insects are conditioned in water containing trout odor. Note: negative response relative to those insects conditioned in water lacking trout odor. Work this summer will include additional drift sampling from Prisoners stream and behavioral assays using insects (mayfly nymphs) from both Christy and Prisoners streams.

Visit #7235 @Santa Cruz Island Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 5378 | Research

Insect Drift

faculty - Northwestern College

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 2 Other May 23 - 27, 2005 (5 days)
Group of 2 Faculty May 23 - 27, 2005 (5 days)
Group of 2 Undergraduate Student May 23 - 27, 2005 (5 days)
Laura Furlong May 23 - 27, 2005 (5 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Dorm 7 May 23 - 27, 2005
Jeep 7 May 23 - 27, 2005