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<br />General Tracking: Habitat Utilization <br /> <br />For bonytail tracked in the Colorado and Green rivers during 1997 through 2000, specific habitat <br />locations were recorded for 574 contacts. Contacts were most frequent during the fIrst two <br />months following release. Due to minimal longitudinal movements in this period, habitat <br />utilization was likely dependant on habitat available near the release sites. In the Colorado River, <br />runs and shorelines were the primary habitats used during March through May. Habitat use varied <br />widely during June while fish were making longer longitudinal movements (Figure 17). By July <br />and August bonytail in the Colorado were found primarily in eddies and runs (Figure 17). The <br />initial pattern observed in the Green River was different, with the fish remaining in the eddy in <br />which they were released. After flows peaked on the Green River, however, the pattern of habitat <br />use was similar to that observed in the Colorado River. As was observed by Chart and Cranney <br />(1993) bonytaillocated in eddies were often reported to be near or in the eddy line. During the <br />cool water months of October through December, bonytails were found in runs on 68-83% of the <br />contacts (Figure 17). <br /> <br />Although many habitats were utilized throughout the study period, we believe that after the period <br />of acclimation adult bonytail were selecting areas which offered a combination of eddy and run <br />habitats. This is very similar to the assertions by Chart and Cranney (1993) that eddy line habitats <br />were preferred by healthy adult bonytail. In addition, the few collections of wild bonytail in the <br />Colorado and Green rivers have also suggested a preference for eddies or areas adjacent to deep <br />swift water (Vanicek 1967; Kaeding et al. 1986; Valdez 1990). <br /> <br />Intensive Tracking:: Summary <br /> <br />The typical pattern observed for radio-tagged bonytail was a relatively sedentary acclimation <br />period of one to two months following release. During this period, bonytail were typically in deep <br />portions of eddies or runs 15 to 30 meters (m) from shore during the diurnal period, with <br />occasional movements into shallower habitats around dawn. As water temperatures and flows <br />increased, individuals began increasing both local and longitudinal activity. During late-May <br />through August, diurnal positions were still primarily in deep portions of eddies or runs 15 to 30 <br />m from shore. However, crepuscular activity increased with fish moving into shallow areas <br />generally less than 5 m from shore. These results are nearly identical to those compiled by Chart <br />and Cranney (1993), which can be referred to for a comprehensive analysis of adult bonytail diel <br />activity patterns. In future monitoring of the adult portion of the bonytail population, <br />effectiveness may be increased by focusing on either late-spring or early-fall crepuscular <br />electrofIshing or trammel netting in appropriate habitats. <br /> <br />17 <br />