Spooky stories in fish health and aquatic invasive species

Dr. Nick Phelps

Associate Professor, University of Minnesota

Abstract

Addressing Grand Challenges in today's complex and rapidly changing world requires an interdiscplinary and collaborative approach. This is evident in the fields of fish health and aquatic invasive species where problems often exist at the interface between animals, humans, and the environment. In this seminar, four (scary Halloween-themed!) stories will be presented, highlighting recent solutions-oriented research activities in the Phelps Lab:

1. Attack of the killer viruses: The more you look, the more you find

Numerous novel viruses have been discovered in Minnesota fish populations in recent years - some of which have resulted in large-scale mortality events. These discoveries have provided insight into the presence and emergence of important viruses, and filled key knowledge gaps in the ecology of important diseases. While protection from killer viruses is an ongoing management objective, perhaps some viruses should be intentionally released... 

2. The mystery of an old parasite in a new town

Often identified as a 'pathogen of concern', the ovarian parasite, Ovipleitophora ovariae, was first identified in golden shiners in the early 1960's. Assumptions, uncertainty, and potential risk have resulted in a complex and tangled mess with significant implications. To inform local conversations, surveys were conducted to determine the current and historical distribution of O. ovariae in Minnesota. The results revealed a surprising history, one that nobody expected...

3. Too hot… and nowhere to go

The frequency and scale of mass mortality events within animal populations has been increasing around the world. For fish populations subjected to changing lake conditions with no/few opportunities for refuge, stress-induced mortality is not only increasingly possible, but probable...

4. Runaway invasion: They are coming for you!

Aquatic invasive species are spreading rapidly between lakes, often facilitated by the movement of boats and recreational equipment. Eco-epidemiological models aimed at understanding human-mediated invasion patterns and forecasting future risk have been developed. While these tools can successfully guide cost-effective intervention strategies, the highly interconnected landscape and limited available resources pose ongoing challenges for continued spread...