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Presented by Rachel Barlow

Study to Refine Comal Springs Riffle Beetle Collection Methods and Establish Riffle Beetle Population Distribution. Presented by Rachel Barlow. According to the EAA Request for Proposals (RFP ) for this study: Comal Springs riffle beetle (CSRB) distribution is currently unknown

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Presented by Rachel Barlow

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  1. Study to Refine Comal Springs Riffle Beetle Collection Methods and Establish Riffle Beetle Population Distribution Presented by Rachel Barlow

  2. According to the EAA Request for Proposals (RFP) for this study: • Comal Springs riffle beetle (CSRB) distribution is currently unknown • CSRB collection methods can be improved Per the RFP, this study is intended to: • Establish a distribution of springs serving as CSRB habitat • Test the success rate of at least three collection methods • Collect CSRB for use in other 2014 Applied Research studies

  3. 425 mapped springs in Landa Lake and the Comal System (Norris and Gibson 2013)

  4. Currently Understood CSRB Distribution within the Comal System • Western shoreline • Off northeastern tip of Spring Island • Between western shoreline and northernmost peninsula of Pecan Island • Spring runs 1-3

  5. BIO-WEST 2002

  6. BIO-WEST 2002

  7. Previous Collection Methods • Fingers and/or soft forceps • Dip nets • Cotton cloth lures • Cotton lures inside PVC tubing • Drift net sampling Cotton cloth lure allowed to “culture” in situ for a period of four weeks

  8. Study Objectives • Test the success rate of three lure types • Establish CSRB distribution within the Comal System

  9. Methodology Beetle Collection and Housing • Preliminary trials with surrogate species • Collect 250 CSRB (maximum) • Store in aquaria

  10. Methodology (con’t) • Four experimental chambers - Three test systems - Control • Treatments (24 hour test cycle x 3) - Cotton cloth lure - Lighted cotton cloth lure - Hemp cloth lure • 50 CSRB per chamber • Expected results and analysis - % CSRB captured per test cycle - ANOVA (lure type) Laboratory Experimental Design

  11. Methodology (con’t) • Adaptive sampling - Only sample springs with CSRB habitat - CSRB present, move on • Exclude springs with known CSRB • Use most effective lure realized in laboratory study • Survey (check traps) up to 3 times • Survey no more than twice weekly Population Distribution Study

  12. CSRB Habitat Criteria(based on physical parameters measured by Norris and Gibson 2013) • Spring type: upwelling • Temperature: 68-75°F • Substrate consisting of organics, sand, course sand, very small gravel, small gravel, medium gravel, rubble, small cobble, and large cobble • Flow sufficient to maintain clear substrate conditions

  13. Expected Results • Tested collection method • Updated map of CSRB distribution • Animals per trap across spring orifices • Examination of other contributing parameters • Number of surveys leading to presence/absence determination • Nature of changing spring locations in relation to presence/absence studies

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