Movements and Habitat Use of Southeastern Blue Sucker Cycleptus Meridionalis in the Lower Pearl River

Habitat alterations have resulted in the imperiled status of many catostomids across the United States. In the Pearl River, sedimentation, dam construction, and other hydrologic modifications have negatively impacted habitats used by southeastern blue suckers Cycleptus meridionalis. We assessed southeastern blue sucker abundance through electrofishing surveys and examined habitat selection by radio telemetry. In 2010 and 2011, we collected southeastern blue suckers from the main branch of the Pearl River, but at significantly lower catch rates (Mean CPUE = 0.053/minute) relative to three other common benthic Pearl River fishes, smallmouth buffalo Ictiobus bubalus (P< 0.0018), channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (P< 0.0001)  and flathead catfish Pylodictus olivaris (P< 0.0017).  However, CPUE for southeastern blue suckers was similar to quillback Carpiodes cyprinus (P=0.999) and highfin carpsucker Carpiodes velifer (P=0.999), and the low CPUE values for these three catostomids indicate that the availability of suitable habitat may be limiting some sucker populations. Radio telemetry of southeastern blue suckers indicated an affinity for deeper, outside bends with accumulations of large woody debris and gravel; with high habitat specificity indicated by extended periods of little movement from these areas. Limited movements suggest a low potential for colonization of new areas or recolonization of abandoned habitats.