Biology and Conservation of <i>Moxostoma</i> spp. Occurring in Canada with Emphasis on the Copper Redhorse (<i>M. hubbsi</i>, Legendre 1952), an Endemic Species on an Extinction Trajectory

Biology and Conservation of <i>Moxostoma</i> spp. Occurring in Canada with Emphasis on the Copper Redhorse (<i>M. hubbsi</i>, Legendre 1952), an Endemic Species on an Extinction Trajectory

Freshwater fishes are one of the most threatened animal taxa in North America. In Canada, roughly 30% of the occurring species are currently listed and under protection, including redhorses. This review covers <i>Moxostoma</i> spp. ecology, biology, conservation efforts, and highlights c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nathalie R. Le François, Charles Drouin-Johnson, Hugo C. Marchand, Sophie Lemire, Pierre U. Blier
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Conservation
Subjects:
biodiversity
<i>Catostomidae</i>
<i>Moxostoma</i>
conservation physiology
conservation aquaculture
freshwater fishes
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/5/2/27
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Summary:Freshwater fishes are one of the most threatened animal taxa in North America. In Canada, roughly 30% of the occurring species are currently listed and under protection, including redhorses. This review covers <i>Moxostoma</i> spp. ecology, biology, conservation efforts, and highlights challenges to galvanize actions and outcomes through research. The threats to their survival are strongly associated to increasing anthropogenic pressures, superimposed by climate change effects. In Canada, recovery plans for the copper and the black redhorse, and a management plan for the river redhorse, are operational. The recovery strategy for the copper redhorse relies on stocking campaigns of 0<sup>+</sup> juveniles, which was exclusively based on artificial breeding of captured wild broodstock. A conservation aquaculture program that includes genetic diversity and adaptation considerations was recently initiated, and the areas of refinement identified are the following: broodstock and early-life rearing protocols and environmental and physical enrichment protocols to improve juveniles’ post-release fitness. Research through the prism of conservation physiology is proposed in the identification welfare and health bioindicators and adaptability/response to climatic change. Concurrently, aquatic ecosystem protection/restoration, control of invasive species, eDNA detection/telemetry tracking, and post-release monitoring efforts should also be reinforced.
ISSN:2673-7159

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