Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Christopher S. Guy. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-72).

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2004. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Alexander V. Zale. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-53).

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2009. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-115). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (PhD)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2008. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Billie L. Kerans. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Billie Kerans. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-120).

Myxobolus cerebralis, a myxozoan parasite of salmonids, is the causative agent of whirling disease. The parasite is considered widespread throughout northeastern Oregon in the Grande Ronde and Imnaha River basins where threatened and endangered salmonid populations exist. The work presented in this thesis comprises several studies that assess the effects of M. cerebralis on resident and anadromous salmonids in Oregon. Laboratory challenges to determine the susceptibility of indigenous Deschutes River, Oregon, salmonids to M. cerebralis were conducted as part of a study to assess the risk of reintroducing anadromous salmon above a migration barrier on that river. This study was the first to assess the susceptibility of kokanee salmon Oncorhynchus nerka to M. cerebralis, and results contribute to the understanding of salmonid susceptibility as it relates to species and age. Further, this study demonstrates that the indigenous salmonids present in the river are susceptible to infection, but resident rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss would be most at risk should introduction of M. cerebralis occur in this system. The susceptibility of chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha to M. cerebralis was assessed following laboratory challenges at different ages to different parasite levels. Results from this study indicate that chinook salmon are more resistant to M. cerebralis infection than susceptible rainbow trout; resistance to disease developed in chinook salmon exposed after 3 weeks of age. Sustained exposures to a low parasite dose were performed to model the conditions chinook salmon would encounter in a natural exposure. Following continuous exposure to low parasite densities, chinook salmon were very resistant to infection and disease. Managed populations of chinook salmon and steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss juveniles are held in acclimation facilities on their natal streams before release to commence their seaward migration. Rainbow trout fry were held at each of the acclimation facilities to detect the presence of M. cerebralis and to assess the prevalence of exposure during the acclimation period. Results from these exposures indicate that the Wallowa acclimation facility is a high-risk site for parasite exposure of steelhead juveniles. Further, detection was confirmed in several rivers and streams where the presence of M. cerebralis has been suggested. Finally, a preliminary study on the effect of M. cerebralis on survival of steelhead juveniles upon transfer to saltwater was conducted. Results from this study indicate that M. cerebralis exposure and infection may increase mortality among juvenile steelhead during saltwater adaptation. / Graduation date: 2003

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2004. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on June 12, 2006). Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Thomas McMahon. Includes bibliographical references.

In addition to a loss of potential revenues from Utah's $393 million sport fishing industry, the state expends millions of dollars every year on costs associated with whirling disease mitigation and prevention. A state fish hatchery at Midway, Utah was closed when the shallow unconfined aquifer being used for fish culture by spring discharge was deemed to be contaminated by whirling disease. An alternative water source may exist in a confined aquifer below this contaminated unconfined aquifer. However, the complex hydrostratigraphy presents a challenge in determining if this source is a viable resource for fish culture. Geological, physical, chemical, geophysical, and isotopic data were combined to create a conceptual model of the groundwater flow at the site and to determine the interactions this confined aquifer may have with the contaminated aquifer. This model divides groundwater at the hatchery into a shallow unconfined system, an upper confined system, and a lower confined system. The shallow unconfined system is characterized by a water table ~1m below ground surface, several active springs, fast travel times, modern water mixed with ancient hydrothermal water, relatively high TDS, and relatively enriched isotopic values. The confined aquifers have a smaller hydrothermal component, relatively depleted isotopic values, lower TDS, and modern recharge components. Two orthogonal shallow high-resolution seismic reflection profiles indicate substantial heterogeneity in the subsurface at the level of the confined systems at the hatchery. Several north-south trending normal discontinuities were interpreted as possible faults from the seismic profile oriented as a dip line, whereas the strike profile shows discontinuous layering without noticeable faulting. A well log profile for the site shows discontinuous tufa layers amid heterogeneous alluvium material. These tufa layers separate upward leaking confined aquifers from the unconfined system. It is only through the integration of several methods that such mixed systems, can be understood. In this study, the lower confined aquifer was found to be a sufficient and safe resource through the integration of numerous methods.