scholarly journals Fish distribution patterns in the White Drin (Drini i Bardhë) river, Kosovo

2020 ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Linda Grapci-Kotori ◽  
Theocharis Vavalidis ◽  
Dimitris Zogaris ◽  
Radek Šanda ◽  
Jasna Vukić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Large River ◽  
Fish Distribution ◽  
Main Stem ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Network Analyses

Fish assemblages and their distributions in the western Balkan rivers have rarely been investigated. This study provides initial insights into the spatial patterns of fish distributions in the main-stem of the White Drin in Kosovo. Sampling primarily utilized back-pack electrofishing at 11 sites along the river's entire main stem, recording 21 species. Identification of most fish species was confirmed through DNA barcode analyses; two yet unnamed species are present and some taxonomic problems were discovered. The abundance of non-native species was low (5.9% of the catch) but seven of the eight non-natives have established populations. A longitudinal fish zonation pattern was described for the first time in this river; fish assemblages in an upstream-to-downstream gradient were characterized by a decrease of cold-water species (salmonids, minnows) and an increase of large-river cyprinids and non-native species. Multivariate ordination and network analyses demarcate preliminary fish assemblage types and specific environmental and anthropogenic pressure attributes are shown to influence assemblage structure. Natural assemblage patterns may be locally disrupted by anthropogenic pressures such as pollution and hydromorphological disturbances, however most sites show semi-natural features and conditions. Recommendations for conservation and further research are provided.

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
River System ◽  
Endangered Species Act ◽  
Large River ◽  
Main Stem ◽  
Lake Mead ◽  
Virgin River ◽  
Native Fishes

<em>Abstract.</em>—The Virgin–Moapa River system supports nine native fish species or subspecies, of which five are endemic. Woundfin <em>Plagopterus argentissimus </em>and Virgin River chub <em>Gila seminuda </em>are endemic to the main-stem Virgin River, whereas cooler and clearer tributaries are home to the Virgin spinedace <em>Lepidomeda mollispinis</em>. Moapa dace <em>Moapa coriacea </em>and Moapa White River springfish <em>Crenichthys baileyi moapae </em>are found in thermal springs that form the Moapa River, and Moapa speckled dace <em>Rhinichthys osculus moapae </em>is generally found below the springs in cooler waters. The agricultural heritage of the Virgin–Moapa River system resulted in numerous diversions that increased as municipal demands rose in recent years. In the early 1900s, trout were introduced into some of the cooler tributary streams, adversely affecting Virgin spinedace and other native species. The creation of Lake Mead in 1935 inundated the lower 80 km of the Virgin River and the lower 8 km of the Moapa River. Shortly thereafter, nonnative fishes invaded upstream from Lake Mead, and these species have continued to proliferate. Growing communities continue to compete for Virgin River water. These anthropogenic changes have reduced distribution and abundance of the native Virgin–Moapa River system fish fauna. The woundfin, Virgin River chub, and Moapa dace are listed as endangered, and the Virgin spinedace has been proposed for listing. In this paper we document how the abundance of these species has declined since the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Currently, there is no strong main-stem refugium for the Virgin River native fishes, tributary refugia continue to be shortened, and the Moapa River native fishes continue to be jeopardized. Recovery efforts for the listed and other native fishes, especially in the Virgin River, have monitored the declines, but have not implemented recovery actions effective in reversing them.

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Colorado River ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Large River ◽  
Main Stem ◽  
Past Century ◽  
The West ◽  
Gila River ◽  
Nonnative Fish

<em>Abstract.</em>—The Gila River originates in southwestern New Mexico and courses its way for over 700 km to the west before emptying into the main-stem Colorado River near Yuma, Arizona. Historically, this river was a major watercourse across the Sonora Desert of Arizona. At present, main-stem dams and numerous diversions have markedly altered the historic hydrology of the river. Seventeen native species once occupied the main stem of this large southwest desert river. More than twice that number (40) of nonnative fish species have been introduced into the waters of the Gila over the past century. Currently, less than half of the native fauna is present in the main stem and then primarily in the upper three reaches of the river. The majority of the species (70%) are federally listed as threatened, endangered, or sensitive. The combination of hydrological alteration and accompanying introductions of nonnative, principally sport fishes has basically extirpated the native fauna in all but the uppermost reaches of the Gila River main stem.

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Large River ◽  
Platte River ◽  
Water Diversions ◽  
The North ◽  
As Species ◽  
South Platte ◽  
The City

<em>Abstract.</em>—From its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains, the Platte River drains 230,362 km<sup>2</sup> in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. The Platte River is formed by the confluence of the North Platte and South Platte near the city of North Platte, Nebraska, and receives additional flow from the Loup and Elkhorn rivers that drain the Sand Hills region of Nebraska. Water diversions for mining and irrigation began in the 1840s in Colorado and Wyoming, and irrigation diversions in Nebraska began in the 1850s. Construction of dams for control of river flows commenced on the North Platte River in Wyoming in 1904. Additional dams and diversions in the North Platte, South Platte, and Platte rivers have extensively modified natural flow patterns and caused interruptions of flows. Pollution, from mining, industrial, municipal, and agricultural sources, and introductions of 24 nonnative species have also taken their toll. Fishes of the basin were little studied before changes in land use, pollution, and introduction of exotic species began. The current fish fauna totals approximately 100 species from 20 families. Native species richness declines westward, but some species find refugia in western headwaters streams. Declines in 26 native species has led to their being listing as species of concern by one or more basin states.

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Land Management ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Large River ◽  
Nonnative Species ◽  
Quarter Century ◽  
Aggressive Management ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
River Fish

<em>Abstract.</em>—Fish assemblages in the Verde River, Arizona have changed markedly over the last quarter century. Nonnative fishes increase from headwaters toward the mouth and individual native species decrease. River hydrograph and the introduction of nonnative species appear to be the major factors determining fish assemblages, although information is lacking on water quality and other land management impacts. During floods, native species dominated fish assemblages. By contrast, during droughts and sustained base flows, nonnative fishes increased. The threatened spikedace <em>Meda fulgida </em>has been collected only in the uppermost reach of this desert river and, even here, has been absent since 1997. Five other native species also have become less abundant or rare. Continued monitoring of fish assemblages, comparison with another large southwestern river, the Gila, and aggressive management are critical to sustain the native fish component of this river.

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Large River ◽  
Anadromous Fish ◽  
Susquehanna River ◽  
Assessment Specialists ◽  
Industrial Operations

<em>Abstract.</em>—The Susquehanna River drains portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and is the 18th largest river (by discharge) in the United States. Although relatively undeveloped (i.e., 63% of the basin is forested, whereas 9% is urban), the river and its fish assemblage have experienced stresses associated with coal mining, logging, electric power generation, population growth, and agricultural and industrial operations. Surveys of Susquehanna River fishes have a rich history, with the qualitative surveys of 19th century naturalists giving way to the quantitative studies of 20th century environmental impact assessment specialists. Ichthyofaunal surveys of the Susquehanna drainage were compiled and summarized herein to examine species composition, losses, and additions. Collection records indicate that the Susquehanna River drainage supports a diverse and relatively stable assemblage of 60 native species (or 51% of all species), 33 (28%) alien species, 22 (19%) euryhaline or diadromous fishes, and 2 (2%) extirpated or extinct species. Stocking efforts, bait-bucket releases, range extensions, and new species descriptions accounted for most contemporary species additions. Overall reduction in species richness has been limited to one cyprinid that has not been collected since 1862, and one darter species that has not been collected since 1987. Construction of four large hydroelectric dams on the lower Susquehanna (in the early 20th century) eliminated 98% of historic anadromous fish habitat, leading to notable reductions in commercial/ recreational clupeid stocks. Recent increases in the occurrence and abundance of anadromous fish in the Susquehanna River are a credit to an extensive restoration program that began with fish trap and transfer operations in 1972, included fish culture programs, and led to the installation of fish passage technologies at each of the four dams.

scholarly journals Decline in New Zealand's freshwater fish fauna: Effect of land use

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Joy ◽  
KJ Foote ◽  
P McNie ◽  
M Piria
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Land Cover ◽  
Freshwater Fish ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Fish Distribution ◽  
Individual Species ◽  
Freshwater Fish Fauna ◽  
Over Time

© 2019 CSIRO. The number of New Zealand's freshwater fish listed as threatened has increased since 1992 when the first New Zealand threat classification system list was compiled. In this study, temporal and land cover-related trends were analysed for data on freshwater fish distribution, comprising more than 20 000 records for the 47 years from January 1970 to January 2017 from the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database. The analysis included individual species abundance and distribution trends, as well as an index of fish community integrity, namely the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI). Of the 25 fish species that met the requirements for analysis to determine changes in the proportion of sites they occupied over time, 76% had negative trends (indicating declining occurrence). Of the 20 native species analysed for the proportion of sites occupied over time, 75% had negative trends; 65% of these were significant declines and more species were in decline at pasture sites than natural cover sites. The average IBI score also declined over the time period and, when analysed separately, the major land cover types revealed that the IBI declined at pasture catchment sites but not at sites with natural vegetation catchments.

scholarly journals Molecular assessment of native fish diversity in UNESCO heritage site, Tasik Raban, using DNA barcoding

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramizah Abdull Rahman ◽  
Nurul Fizatul Nabilah Osman ◽  
Adibah Abu Bakar ◽  
Syazwan Saidin ◽  
Intan Faraha Abdul Ghani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Diversity Management ◽  
Freshwater Fishes ◽  
Animal Protein ◽  
Fish Diversity ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
The World

Freshwater species are the most threatened group to be assessed to date by the IUCN. Freshwater fish has enormous importance as animal protein supplies for human, and it is estimated that 6% of the world annual animal protein supplies come from freshwater fishes. Barcoding projects have been initiated all over the world and the field is constantly growing. In Malaysia however, the field has not been deeply investigated and not many barcoding projects have been undertaken especially for freshwater fishes. The aim of our study is to support the progress of DNA barcode project, especially for inland reservoirs like Tasik Raban, Perak. A Standard methodology using Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) marker was developed to ensure native fishes are barcoded taxonomically and molecularly and ready to be accessed through online databases. Such public references can help increase awareness on local fish diversity management. Information on taxonomy and molecular characterization can be used to plan further conservation programmed especially for depleted, unrecognized, and cryptic native species.

scholarly journals Morphological diversity of fish along the rio das Velhas, Minas Gerais, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nara Tadini Junqueira ◽  
Cecília Gontijo Leal ◽  
Carlos Bernardo Mascarenhas Alves ◽  
Paulo Santos Pompeu
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Morphological Attributes ◽  
Morphological Organization ◽  
Minas Gerais State ◽  
Major Tributary ◽  
Euclidean Distances

The rio das Velhas, located in central Minas Gerais State (Brazil), is a major tributary of the rio São Francisco. Despite several anthropogenic pressures, this basin supports more than 115 fish species. The aim of this study was to compare the morphological space occupied by fish assemblages in four regions (headwaters, upper, middle, and lower course) along the channel of the rio das Velhas. We try to answer the following question: Is there a change in the morphological organization of the fish along the longitudinal gradient of the river? Individuals from 67 species, collected at several sites in the basin from 1999 to 2008, were measured for 11 morphological attributes related to swimming behavior and habitat use. Through the graphs, the first two dimensions of the PCA suggest that the morphological volume occupied by the headwaters region is smaller than the other sections, because of the low richness of the site. However, morphological hypervolumes of the four reaches analyzed by Euclidean distances were not statistically different. The results indicated that only the density of morphological types increases along the rio das Velhas, and there is no difference between the headwaters and upper courses. Therefore, in order to use functional groups related to the morphology of the species as tools to take measures for the conservation and revitalization of the rio das Velhas, it is necessary analyze the density of species within these groups, as well as their composition.

Historical Changes in Large River Fish Assemblages of the Americas

2005 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Fish Fauna ◽  
Large River ◽  
Gold Rush ◽  
Physical Habitat ◽  
San Joaquin River ◽  
The Status ◽  
Native Fishes

<em>Abstract.</em>—In this paper, we review information regarding the status of the native fishes of the combined Sacramento River and San Joaquin River drainages (hereinafter the “Sacramento–San Joaquin drainage”) and the factors associated with their declines. The Sacramento–San Joaquin drainage is the center of fish evolution in California, giving rise to 17 endemic species of a total native fish fauna of 28 species. Rapid changes in land use and water use beginning with the Gold Rush in the 1850s and continuing to the present have resulted in the extinction, extirpation, and reduction in range and abundance of the native fishes. Multiple factors are associated with the declines of native fishes, including habitat alteration and loss, water storage and diversion, flow alteration, water quality, and invasions of alien species. Although native fishes can be quite tolerant of stressful physical conditions, in some rivers of the drainage the physical habitat has been altered to the extent that it is now more suited for alien species. This interaction of environmental changes and invasions of alien species makes it difficult to predict the benefits of restoration efforts to native fishes. Possible effects of climate change on California’s aquatic habitats add additional complexity to restoration of native fishes. Unless protection and restoration of native fishes is explicitly considered in future water management decisions, declines are likely to continue.

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