Date of Award

Spring 5-5-2022

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Ecological Restoration

Committee Chair

Amy Kuenzi

First Advisor

Robert Pal

Second Advisor

Joel Graff

Third Advisor

Dan Autenrieth

Abstract

Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae is a microscopic myxozoan parasite of freshwater bryozoans and salmonid fish. Infection by T. bryosalmonae under certain environmental conditions causes a deadly immune response in salmonid hosts known as proliferative kidney disease (PKD). Although T. bryosalmonae is present in rivers in western Montana, its distribution, as well as that of its bryozoan hosts, is poorly understood. Environmental chemistry, environmental DNA (eDNA), and bryozoan surveys were conducted at 10 study sites on the Big Hole River and Madison River to assess the presence of the parasite and bryozoans in these areas. T. bryosalmonae DNA was detectable across a wide spatial and temporal scale on both rivers. Increases in occurrence of T. bryosalmonae were correlated with seasonally driven warmer river water temperature and increased conductivity. Cristatella mucedo statoblasts were collected from the Madison River. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this species in Montana. T. bryosalmonae DNA was detected in the statoblast samples, indicating that C. mucedo may contribute to the spread of T. bryosalmonae in southwest Montana.

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