Recent studies have documented significant mortality in juvenile salmon and steelhead populations in the Klamath River due to infectious disease, primarily caused by the endemic parasites Ceratomyxa shasta and Parvicapsula minibicornis. In 2004, infection rates in juvenile Chinook salmon ranged from about 20 to 70% for C. shasta and from 40% to 96% for
P. minibicornis. In 2005, duel infection rates at or near 100% were observed for consecutive weeks in April, a critical period for outmigration of juvenile anadromous fishes.

Recent Advances in Technology: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) assays now allow researchers to quantify volumetric densities of C. shasta and P. minibicornis spores from water samples collected in the field. This technique is being used to index spatial and temporal trends of C. shasta and P. minibicornis abundance in the Klamath River. Monitoring spore densities may be useful in assessing the effectiveness of flow prescriptions or other management actions directed at decreasing infection rates in juvenile fishes. Before a large-scale spore monitoring program is implemented, a thorough understanding of the variability of spore densities in the drift is needed. These data are critical in designing an effective sampling protocol as it is currently unknown if a single sample is representative of the overall drift.

• Test the hypothesis - Ho: Densities of C. shasta spores in the mid-water column drift do not differ across the channel of riffle or riffle/run transitional habitats in the Klamath River.
• Test the hypothesis – Ho: Densities of C. shasta spores in the near-shore drift do not differ at varying depths within riffle or riffle/run transitional habitats in the Klamath River.

• Two sample events were conducted in summer 2005 at four
  locations between Iron Gate Dam and the Klamath River estuary
• A cross-channel transect was established in riffle/run habitat type at
  each location. Transects were further divided into six cells
  corresponding to proximity to right or left shore and shoreline, nearshore, and mid-channel strata.
  • One liter water samples were collected about 15 cm below the
  water surface in each of the six cells, and 0.5*depth and 10 cm off
  the bottom at one near-shore strata. Each station was sampled 3
  times.
  • Water samples were filtered for C. shasta spore DNA and
  submitted to Oregon State University’s Microbiology Dept. for
  QPCR analysis.
  • Cycle threshold values, a measure of spore disease and C. shasta
  spore densities, were compared using an analysis of variance statistical test.

Results:

• C. shasta spore DNA was present during each sample event at all sample locations. No significant differences were observed between sample depths or lateral strata within sample locations. Significant differences were identified, however, between sample events and locations. Three or more 1-L samples should be collected at each site for quantitative studies.