Barriers to hybridisation and their conservation implications for a highly threatened Australian fish species

Ethology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 125 (3) ◽  
pp. 142-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl G. Moy ◽  
Peter J. Unmack ◽  
Mark Lintermans ◽  
Richard P. Duncan ◽  
Culum Brown
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Australian Fish

scholarly journals Food resource variability in an Australian dryland river: evidence from the diet of two generalist native fish species

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sternberg ◽  
Stephen Balcombe ◽  
Jonathan Marshall ◽  
Jaye Lobegeiger
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Filamentous Algae ◽  
Boom And Bust ◽  
Dryland River ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Terrestrial Insects ◽  
Australian Fish ◽  
Resource Variability

To examine how food resource availability links with natural variation in primary productivity in the Moonie River, south-west Queensland, the diets of two native Australian fish species (Nematalosa erebi and Macquaria ambigua) were examined from fifteen waterholes in February, May and September 2006. N. erebi diets reflected strong ‘boom and bust’ patterns of food consumption, with high concentrations of benthic (non-filamentous) algae during boom (flow) times, moving to higher concentrations of filamentous algae and detritus during bust (no flow) periods. M. ambigua diets were primarily dominated by aquatic insects in all sampling periods. Although there was no clear ‘boom to bust’ pattern in relation to flow, M. ambigua secondary prey consumption revealed a compensatory switch between high energy prey (crustaceans) during more productive periods with terrestrial insects during less productive periods. The ability of both species of fish to switch from high to low concentrations of food quality under a variable environmental background allows them to persist through both high productive and low productive periods. This interaction between native biota and variable ‘boom’ and ‘bust’ conditions, and how changes to the natural hydrology will affect it is an important consideration of any future water resource development plans.

Effects of season and location of catch on the fatty acid compositions of some Australian fish species

1994 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharyn G. Armstrong ◽  
S.Grant Wyllie ◽  
David N. Leach
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Australian Fish ◽  
Fatty Acid Compositions

scholarly journals MFO Induction of three Australian fish species

2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent James Smith ◽  
Marthe Monique Gagnon
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Australian Fish

Proteolytic activities in fillets of selected underutilized Australian fish species

2013 ◽  
Vol 140 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 238-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Ahmed ◽  
O. Donkor ◽  
W.A. Street ◽  
T. Vasiljevic
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Proteolytic Activities ◽  
Australian Fish

Predicting hydraulic structure-induced barotrauma in Australian fish species

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (12) ◽  
pp. 1954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett D. Pflugrath ◽  
Craig A. Boys ◽  
Bruce Cathers
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Pressure Profiles ◽  
Rapid Decompression ◽  
Australian Fish ◽  
Murray Cod ◽  
Specific Species ◽  
Insight Into

When fish pass downstream through river infrastructure, such as dams and weirs, barotrauma may occur as a result of rapid decompression. In severe cases, barotrauma may lead to mortality. Different species are likely to respond differently to these decompressions. Therefore, to predict barotrauma for a specific species, surrogate species may not be a valid approach, and it may be necessary to examine each species individually. For the present study, Australian bass and carp gudgeon were exposed to a range of rapid decompressions using hyper- and hypobaric hydro-chambers and examined for injuries and mortality. Rapid decompression data from these two fish species, in addition to previously examined Murray cod and silver perch, were evaluated to determine which injuries were highly associated with and likely to predict mortality. Dose–response logistic regression models were developed for each species to predict injury and mortality over a range of rapid decompressions. These models are valuable for estimating injury and mortality rates for fish passing though river infrastructure and can be applied to specific sites where pressure profiles have been developed. Applying these models to current and future infrastructure can provide important insight into what measures or design alterations may be necessary to reduce negative effects of infrastructure on fish populations.

scholarly journals Cryopreservation of testicular tissue from Murray River Rainbowfish, Melanotaenia fluviatilis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Rivers ◽  
Jonathan Daly ◽  
Robert Jones ◽  
Peter Temple-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Germ Line ◽  
Large Cell ◽  
Testicular Tissue ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Endangered Fish ◽  
Successful Isolation ◽  
Murray River ◽  
Australian Fish

Abstract Globally, fish populations are in decline from overfishing, habitat destruction and poor water quality. Recent mass fish deaths in Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin highlight the need for improved conservation methods for endangered fish species. Cryopreservation of testicular tissue allows storage of early sperm precursor cells for use in generating new individuals via surrogacy. We describe successful isolation and cryopreservation of spermatogonia in an Australian rainbowfish. Testis histology showed rainbowfish spermatogonia are large (> 10 μm) and stain positive for Vasa, an early germ line-specific protein. Using size-based flow cytometry, testis cell suspensions were sorted through “A” (> 9 μm) and “B” gates (2–5 μm); the A gate produced significantly more Vasa-positive cells (45.0% ± 15.2%) than the “B” gate (0.0% ± 0.0%) and an unsorted control (22.9% ± 9.5%, p < 0.0001). The most successful cryoprotectant for “large cell” (> 9 μm) viability (72.6% ± 10.5%) comprised 1.3 M DMSO, 0.1 M trehalose and 1.5% BSA; cell viability was similar to fresh controls (78.8% ± 10.5%) and significantly better than other cryoprotectants (p < 0.0006). We have developed a protocol to cryopreserve rainbowfish testicular tissue and recover an enriched population of viable spermatogonia. This is the first step in developing a biobank of reproductive tissues for this family, and other Australian fish species, in the Australian Frozen Zoo.

scholarly journals Ecology of the Critically Endangered Singidia Tilapia (Teleostei: Cichlidae: Oreochromis esculentus) of lake Kayanja, Uganda and its conservation implications

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 16251-16256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Olwa ◽  
Herbert Nakiyende ◽  
Elias Muhumuza ◽  
Samuel Bassa ◽  
Anthony Taabu-Munyaho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Nile Tilapia ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Nile Perch ◽  
Introduced Fish ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
In The Wild

Singidia Tilapia Oreochromis esculentus is a Critically Endangered native tilapia fish species endemic to lakes Victoria and Kyoga basins of East Africa, however, it disappeared from these main lakes due to overfishing, environmental degradation and predation by the introduced Nile Perch Lates niloticus.  Remnant populations of this fish species is now restricted to satellite lakes including Lake Kayanja of the Victoria basin.  This study provides updated information about the population abundance, critical habitat, threats and diet of Singidia Tilapia to inform conservation decisions to revive its populations in the wild.  Fish data collection and mapping of nursery and breeding habitats of Singidia Tilapia on Lake Kayanja was conducted between February 2016 and October 2017.  In all the areas mapped and sampled, Singidia Tilapia (with a size range of 11–27 cm TL) was the most abundant (43%) relative to exotic Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (21%) and Redbelly Tilapia Coptodon zillii (36%).  The emergence of introduced (exotic) tilapias like Nile Tilapia recorded in this study could be attributed to cage fish farming being carried out in this Lake.  The diet of Oreochromis esculentus consisted mainly of detritus (60.8 %), plant materials (27.7%) and blue-green algae (5.5%).  Destruction of critical habitats and presence of introduced fish species were noted as the major threats to this fish and its habitats.  The generated information could contribute to guiding stakeholders to undertake appropriate actions to conserve this threatened fish species and its habitats.

scholarly journals Low light levels increase avoidance behaviour of diurnal fish species: Implications for road culverts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John K. Keep ◽  
Jabin R. Watson ◽  
Rebecca L. Cramp ◽  
Matthew J. Jones ◽  
Matthew A. Gordos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Diel Activity ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Diel Activity Patterns ◽  
Australian Fish ◽  
Diurnal Species

AbstractInadequately designed culverts are known to pose hydraulic barriers to fish passage, but they may also be behavioural barriers if they adversely affect light levels within them. To test this, we performed a choice experiment and quantified the amount of time individuals of four Australian fish species spent in darkened and illuminated areas of an experimental swimming fume. Behavioural responses were reflective of the species’ diel activity patterns; diurnal species preferred illuminated regions, while nocturnal species preferred the darkened region. We then determined a threshold light level of only ~100-200 lux (c.f. midday sunlight ~100,000 lux) was required to overcome the behavioural barrier in ~ 70% of the diurnal fish tested. Placing these threshold values into field context, 100% of culverts sampled recorded inadequate light levels. Attention is required to better understand the impacts of low light levels in culverts on fish passage and to prioritise restoration.

scholarly journals Swimming performance traits of twenty-one Australian fish species: a fish passage management tool for use in modified freshwater systems

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jabin R. Watson ◽  
Harriet R. Goodrich ◽  
Rebecca L. Cramp ◽  
Matthew A. Gordos ◽  
Yulian Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Swimming Performance ◽  
Fish Passage ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Performance Data ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Freshwater Systems ◽  
Australian Fish ◽  
The Impact

AbstractFreshwater ecosystems have been severely fragmented by artificial in-stream structures designed to manage water for human use. Significant efforts have been made to reconnect freshwater systems for fish movement, through the design and installation of dedicated fish passage structures (fishways) and by incorporating fish-sensitive design features into conventional infrastructure (e.g. culverts). Key to the success of these structures is making sure that the water velocities within them do not exceed the swimming capacities of the local fish species. Swimming performance data is scarce for Australian fish, which have a reduced swimming capacity when compared to many North American and European species. To help close this knowledge gap and assist fisheries management and civil engineering, we report the swimming performance capacities of twenty-one small-bodied fish and juveniles (< 10 cm) of large bodied species native to Australia as measured by critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and burst swimming speed (Usprint) in a recirculating flume. This data is complemented by endurance swim trials in a 12-meter hydraulic flume channel, and by measures of flume traverse success. Building on the utility of this dataset, we used a panel of morphological, behavioural and ecological traits to first assess their relative contributions to the observed swimming performance data, and second, to determine if they could be used to predict swimming performance capacity – a useful tool to assist in the management of species of conservation concern where access to swimming performance data may be limited. We found that body length combined with depth station (benthic, pelagic or surface) explained most of the interspecific variation in observed swimming performance data, followed by body shape and tail shape. These three traits were the most effective at predicting swimming performance in a model/unknown fish. This data will assist civil engineers and fisheries managers in Australia to mitigate the impact of in-stream structures on local fish populations.

Characterization and evolution of spearfishing in Madeira archipelago, Eastern Atlantic

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Roi Martínez-Escauriaza ◽  
Claudio Vieira ◽  
Lídia Gouveia ◽  
Nuno Gouveia ◽  
Margarida Hermida
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Teleost Fishes ◽  
The North ◽  
Southeast Coast ◽  
Madeira Archipelago ◽  
First Time

Data obtained from licenses of spearfishers and surveys conducted in 2004 and 2017 allowed for the analysis, for the first time, of the practice of spearfishing in the Madeira archipelago. Only a small percentage of the population practices spearfishing, mostly local young men. Most of them practice the activity with a partner throughout most of the year and along most of the island's coastal areas, although preferentially along the North and Southeast coast. Results show how, in recent years, despite the population of spearfishers decreasing, the abundance in the annual catch potentially increased, probably due to the higher investment of time in this activity. It has been observed that many fishers complement their catches with manual collecting of invertebrates. Overall, 40 teleost fishes and also 4 crustaceans and 8 molluscs were identified. The most frequently captured fish species were parrotfish and white seabream, while limpets were the most collected invertebrates in both selected periods.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document