Aerial view of the 91次元 campus and buildings around UM's Oval in Missoula, MT.

Research Compliance and Tech Transfer

Guidance on Entering Fish Species in Cayuse

Number: IACUC-GUID-009 

Responsible Office: Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS)  

Applies to: Principal Investigators Conducting Animal Research  

1. Purpose

The 91次元 Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) recognizes the administrative challenges of entering large numbers of fish species in research protocols for review and approval in an electronic system. This guidance is designed to reduce the burden on Principal Investigators (PIs) conducting research with native game fish, native non-game fish, and non-native fish while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. 

By allowing fish to be grouped under a single category—such as "Native game fish," "Native non-game Fish," or "Non-Native Game Fish"— when specific criteria are met—this guidance streamlines the protocol submission process while maintaining compliance with the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and other applicable regulations.  

This policy applies specifically to wildlife/field studies involving fish and outlines when species may be grouped in a single protocol in Cayuse versus when individual species entries are required. 

This guidance aims to: 

  • Simplify the protocol submission process for research involving multiple fish species. 
  • Ensure compliance by providing clear criteria for when species may be grouped or must be listed individually. 
  • Reduce administrative burden without compromising animal welfare or regulatory oversight. 

2. General Guidelines

Principal Investigators (PIs) conducting research with native game fish, native non-game fish, and non-native fish may group species under a single entry in Cayuse (“Fish > 10 Species”) if the following criteria are met: 

  1. Species Count: The study must involve more than 10 different species. 
  2. Procedural Consistency: The same procedures must be applied uniformly across all species in the group. 
  3. Species of Concern: Any species listed as threatened, endangered, or otherwise designated as a species of concern must be entered individually and not grouped. 
  4. Bycatch and Species Status: Species included in a grouping must have genus and species listed, along with their species status, in the methodology section along with identification of potential bycatch 
  5. The PI must consult with the IACUC office and gain approval before entering species under a grouped category. 

If any of these criteria are not met, each species must be entered individually in Cayuse, with the appropriate sections completed for each species. 

3. Requirements for Entering Species in Cayuse

A. Grouping Species Under a Single Entry

If all criteria in Section 2 are met, PIs may enter species as a grouped entry in Cayuse. In this case: 

  • A general description of the group (e.g., "Native Game Fish") must be provided. 
  • The protocol must detail how procedures are consistent across all species in the group. 
  • The PI must confirm that no species of concern are included. 
  • Genus and species names, species status, and bycatch details must be listed in the methodology section. 
  • Species of concern may be listed on the same protocol but must be entered individually. 

B. When Individual Species Entry Is Required

PIs must enter species individually in Cayuse if any of the following apply: 

  • Fewer than 10 species are proposed. 
  • The study involves species from different groupings (e.g., mixing native game fish and non-native fish). 
  • Different procedures will be performed on different species. 
  • The study includes a species of concern (e.g., threatened, endangered). 

For individually entered species, the appropriate protocol sections must be fully completed. 

4. Oversight and Compliance

The IACUC Office and Attending Veterinarian (AV) are responsible for ensuring compliance with this guidance. 

  • PIs must consult with the IACUC Office if there is uncertainty about whether species may be grouped together. 
  • The IACUC Manager or AV may request clarification or additional documentation as needed. 
  • Non-compliance with this guidance will result in a protocol hold until corrected. 

5. Review, Approval, and Version History

Review and approval version history for this guidance

Version 

Date 

Description of Changes 

Approved By 

1.0 

4/8/2025 

Initial guidance adoption 

IACUC Committee