scholarly journals Studies on the Reproductive Biology of New Zealand Freshwater Eels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Peter Robin Todd
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Immature Stage ◽  
Anguilla Australis ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Spawning Areas ◽  
Growth Zones ◽  
Parallel Features ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Freshwater Eels

<p>Macroscopic and histological observations of the gonads from 1,739 non-migrant freshwater eels, the shortfin Anguilla australis schmidtii Phillipps and the longfin A. dieffenbachii Gray, showed that they pass through seven stages of development. Shortfins become sexually differentiated at body lengths of 35.0cm to 56.9cm and longfins at lengths of 50.0cm to 67.0cm. No intersexual stage was present, as in A. anguilla L., and although 1% of 350 migrating longfin males examined contained ribbon-like testes, the typical lobed organ of Syrski (testis) can be used as diagnostic of maleness. Histologically, the maximum stage of development attained in the non-migrant, immature stage, was spermatogonia in the males and vacuolated oocytes in females. At the time of seaward migration, based on gonad histology, gonadosomatic indices and ova diameters, migrating longfins were more sexually developed than shortfins. These differences may relate to the location of different oceanic spawning areas: that for the longfin possibly being closer to New Zealand. The autumnal migratory runs, from March to May, of the sexually maturing adults in the Makara stream showed no particular species or sex sequence. The movement of eels was coincident with a rise in stream level and the second half of the lunar cycle. Other relevant environmental factors are discussed. In Lake 0noke peak catches of seaward migrating shortfins were made before the longfins and movements of eels occurred throughout the lunar cycle. Once at sea, the eels apparently disappear. A published note is included on the first eel of the New Zealand species, a longfin female, to be caught at sea. Age determinations from 995 eels were made by otoliths, which were burnt lightly to intensify the growth zones for reading purposes. Shortfin males are younger than females at migration. Longfins are older than shortfins at migration but the males are younger than the females. In the non-migrant stage, sexually undifferentiated shortfins grow more slowly relative to the males, and males relatively more slowly than the females. Similar but less significant differences in growth occur in longfins. Migrant males held in seawater were induced to mature and spawn with injections of mammalian hormones or carp pituitaries, over temperatures of 11.8 degrees C to 28 degrees C. The maturation period was dependent on temperature. Testes of experimental eels that survived maturation regressed to the pre-migrant or migrant stage. Two eels that had regressed were induced to mature a second time. Females held at 20 degrees C and injected with mammalian hormones showed significant increases in sexual development but died before maturity. Females injected with carp pituitaries matured and spawned. Mature longfin eggs, 0.9mm to 1.2mm in diametar, and mature shortfin eggs, 0.9mm to 1.2mm in diameter, are translucent and contain one to many oil globules. A blastodisc formed in water hardened eggs but attempts at fertilization were unsuccessful. Gametogenesis, observed from non-migrant, migrant and hormone injected eels is similar to that described for other teleosts. Electron microscope observations showed parallel features of spermiogenesis in both species. Mature spermatozoa have crescent shaped heads with an anteriorly placed mitochondrion. A flagellum of the unusual 9 + 0 pattern arises from the posterior region of the head, and a short, striated rod-like structure is positioned adjacent to the main flagellum. A complex of subfibrils which extend along either side of the head to the mitochondrion arise from the proximal centriole.</p>

scholarly journals Studies on the Reproductive Biology of New Zealand Freshwater Eels

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Peter Robin Todd
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Lunar Cycle ◽  
Immature Stage ◽  
Anguilla Australis ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Spawning Areas ◽  
Growth Zones ◽  
Parallel Features ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Freshwater Eels

<p>Macroscopic and histological observations of the gonads from 1,739 non-migrant freshwater eels, the shortfin Anguilla australis schmidtii Phillipps and the longfin A. dieffenbachii Gray, showed that they pass through seven stages of development. Shortfins become sexually differentiated at body lengths of 35.0cm to 56.9cm and longfins at lengths of 50.0cm to 67.0cm. No intersexual stage was present, as in A. anguilla L., and although 1% of 350 migrating longfin males examined contained ribbon-like testes, the typical lobed organ of Syrski (testis) can be used as diagnostic of maleness. Histologically, the maximum stage of development attained in the non-migrant, immature stage, was spermatogonia in the males and vacuolated oocytes in females. At the time of seaward migration, based on gonad histology, gonadosomatic indices and ova diameters, migrating longfins were more sexually developed than shortfins. These differences may relate to the location of different oceanic spawning areas: that for the longfin possibly being closer to New Zealand. The autumnal migratory runs, from March to May, of the sexually maturing adults in the Makara stream showed no particular species or sex sequence. The movement of eels was coincident with a rise in stream level and the second half of the lunar cycle. Other relevant environmental factors are discussed. In Lake 0noke peak catches of seaward migrating shortfins were made before the longfins and movements of eels occurred throughout the lunar cycle. Once at sea, the eels apparently disappear. A published note is included on the first eel of the New Zealand species, a longfin female, to be caught at sea. Age determinations from 995 eels were made by otoliths, which were burnt lightly to intensify the growth zones for reading purposes. Shortfin males are younger than females at migration. Longfins are older than shortfins at migration but the males are younger than the females. In the non-migrant stage, sexually undifferentiated shortfins grow more slowly relative to the males, and males relatively more slowly than the females. Similar but less significant differences in growth occur in longfins. Migrant males held in seawater were induced to mature and spawn with injections of mammalian hormones or carp pituitaries, over temperatures of 11.8 degrees C to 28 degrees C. The maturation period was dependent on temperature. Testes of experimental eels that survived maturation regressed to the pre-migrant or migrant stage. Two eels that had regressed were induced to mature a second time. Females held at 20 degrees C and injected with mammalian hormones showed significant increases in sexual development but died before maturity. Females injected with carp pituitaries matured and spawned. Mature longfin eggs, 0.9mm to 1.2mm in diametar, and mature shortfin eggs, 0.9mm to 1.2mm in diameter, are translucent and contain one to many oil globules. A blastodisc formed in water hardened eggs but attempts at fertilization were unsuccessful. Gametogenesis, observed from non-migrant, migrant and hormone injected eels is similar to that described for other teleosts. Electron microscope observations showed parallel features of spermiogenesis in both species. Mature spermatozoa have crescent shaped heads with an anteriorly placed mitochondrion. A flagellum of the unusual 9 + 0 pattern arises from the posterior region of the head, and a short, striated rod-like structure is positioned adjacent to the main flagellum. A complex of subfibrils which extend along either side of the head to the mitochondrion arise from the proximal centriole.</p>

scholarly journals Aspects of the Biology of Juvenile Freshwater Eels (Anguillidae) in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Donald John Jellyman
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Spring Tide ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Upstream Migration ◽  
Coastal Lake ◽  
Anguilla Australis ◽  
Glass Eels ◽  
Freshwater Eels

<p>The early freshwater life of the two species of New Zealand freshwater eels, Anguilla australis schmidtii Phillipps and A. dieffenbachii Gray was studied involving an examination of 8131 glass-eels, 5275 migratory elvers, and 4291 resident eels of less than 26 cm. Most eels were collected from the Makara Stream, Wellington by set-net, hand-net and electric fishing. These extensive samples together with subsidiary collections from elsewhere in New Zealand show that glass-eels of both species arrive in fresh-water from July to December. Their otoliths indicate a marine larval life of about 18 months but it is not possible as yet to locate the precise oceanic spawning areas. Migratory movements of glass-eels are in two phases: an invasion of fresh-water from the sea and an upstream migration. The former occurs only at night with a periodicity corresponding to the daily ebb-flood tidal rhythms. There is a seasonal reversal in this response which is attributable to the onset of the behavioural transition taking place prior to the second migratory phase. Increased pigmentation and changes in response to light, flowing fresh-water and schooling tendencies characterise this latter migration which occurs primarily at spring tide periods. Such juvenile eels show specific habitat preferences and a high degree of olfactory differentiation of water types. This behaviour, together with pigment development and physical tolerances, was studied in the laboratory. Measurements of invading glass-eels show that mean length, weight and condition all decline throughout the season of arrival but mean vertebral numbers remain constant. An upstream migration of small eels (elvers) occurs each summer and is readily observed at many hydro-electric stations. These migrations, comprising eels of mixed sizes and age groups, penetrate progressively further upstream each year. In both species, scales begin formation at body lengths of 16.5-20 cm. All features of scale formation, including the number of scale rings, are related to length with relative differences in rate of development occurring between the species. In contrast to scale rings, otolith rings are annual in formation and become visible after grinding or burning the otolith. Growth rates established for 273 eels to 29 cm in length from the Makara Stream, Wellington, are slow, with mean annual increments of 2.2 and 2.1 cm respectively for shortfins and longfins. In contrast, shortfins from a coastal lake near Wellington reach 26 cm in their third year of freshwater life. Length-weight relationships for small eels are given together with mean monthly condition factors. Growth studies on elvers held in a multiple tank unit in which temperature, density, and amount and frequency of feeding could be controlled, show that young eels grow more slowly than normal under such conditions. However, growth appears optimum at 20 degrees C with a feeding rate of 5-7% body weight per day. Feeding efficiency decreases with higher temperatures. At both glass-eel and elver stages, shortfins adapt and survive better under artificial conditions.</p>

scholarly journals Aspects of the Biology of Juvenile Freshwater Eels (Anguillidae) in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Donald John Jellyman
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Spring Tide ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Upstream Migration ◽  
Coastal Lake ◽  
Anguilla Australis ◽  
Glass Eels ◽  
Freshwater Eels

<p>The early freshwater life of the two species of New Zealand freshwater eels, Anguilla australis schmidtii Phillipps and A. dieffenbachii Gray was studied involving an examination of 8131 glass-eels, 5275 migratory elvers, and 4291 resident eels of less than 26 cm. Most eels were collected from the Makara Stream, Wellington by set-net, hand-net and electric fishing. These extensive samples together with subsidiary collections from elsewhere in New Zealand show that glass-eels of both species arrive in fresh-water from July to December. Their otoliths indicate a marine larval life of about 18 months but it is not possible as yet to locate the precise oceanic spawning areas. Migratory movements of glass-eels are in two phases: an invasion of fresh-water from the sea and an upstream migration. The former occurs only at night with a periodicity corresponding to the daily ebb-flood tidal rhythms. There is a seasonal reversal in this response which is attributable to the onset of the behavioural transition taking place prior to the second migratory phase. Increased pigmentation and changes in response to light, flowing fresh-water and schooling tendencies characterise this latter migration which occurs primarily at spring tide periods. Such juvenile eels show specific habitat preferences and a high degree of olfactory differentiation of water types. This behaviour, together with pigment development and physical tolerances, was studied in the laboratory. Measurements of invading glass-eels show that mean length, weight and condition all decline throughout the season of arrival but mean vertebral numbers remain constant. An upstream migration of small eels (elvers) occurs each summer and is readily observed at many hydro-electric stations. These migrations, comprising eels of mixed sizes and age groups, penetrate progressively further upstream each year. In both species, scales begin formation at body lengths of 16.5-20 cm. All features of scale formation, including the number of scale rings, are related to length with relative differences in rate of development occurring between the species. In contrast to scale rings, otolith rings are annual in formation and become visible after grinding or burning the otolith. Growth rates established for 273 eels to 29 cm in length from the Makara Stream, Wellington, are slow, with mean annual increments of 2.2 and 2.1 cm respectively for shortfins and longfins. In contrast, shortfins from a coastal lake near Wellington reach 26 cm in their third year of freshwater life. Length-weight relationships for small eels are given together with mean monthly condition factors. Growth studies on elvers held in a multiple tank unit in which temperature, density, and amount and frequency of feeding could be controlled, show that young eels grow more slowly than normal under such conditions. However, growth appears optimum at 20 degrees C with a feeding rate of 5-7% body weight per day. Feeding efficiency decreases with higher temperatures. At both glass-eel and elver stages, shortfins adapt and survive better under artificial conditions.</p>

Is the subspecies classification of the freshwater eels Anguilla australis australis Richardson and A. a. schmidtii Phillipps still valid?

1999 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. H. Dijkstra ◽  
D. J. Jellyman
Keyword(s):  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Fisheries Management ◽  
Gene Pool ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Analysis Of Molecular Variance ◽  
Molecular Variance ◽  
Anguilla Australis ◽  
Freshwater Eels

The validity of the subspecies classification of Anguilla australis was reviewed by sequencing the control region of mitochondrial DNA. Samples of A. a. australis (Australia) and A. a. schmidtii (New Zealand), collected from two sites within each country were compared by analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and neighbour joining. There was no molecular evidence to support the present subspecies designation and they would be more appropriately merged into the single classification of A. australis, the Australasian shortfinned eel. As Australian and New Zealand populations of this species share a common gene pool, fisheries management needs to be carried out cooperatively between the two countries.

scholarly journals Seasonal changes of biological condition and reproductive cycle of hampback shrimp Pandalus hypsinotus (Caridea, Pandalidae) in the Tatar Strait

2021 ◽  
Vol 201 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-560
Author(s):  
D. N. Yuriev ◽  
G. V. Zhukovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Japan Sea ◽  
Biological Condition ◽  
Tatar Strait ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Trawl Catches

Research and commercial trawl catches of humpback shrimp Pandalus hypsinotus from the Tatar Strait (Japan Sea) in 2004–2020 were investigated, with bioanalysis of about 45 thousand specimens. Average timing of group molting, spawning, and eggs laying are determined, terms of gonads and eggs development are estimated. Prespawning and molting of the females occur between January-April, with the peaks in early February and middle February, respectively. All oviparous females have 30–40 days to lay eggs, and molt during 50–55 days; the peak of the eggs laying occurs in late June. The males molt in July-August, afterwards the largest individuals change gender and new intersexes are formed. The males have the second molting in October-December, with the peak in late November. In January, after finish of the males molting, a new annual reproduction cycle starts from the prespawning molting of females. Both vitellogenesis and embryogenesis are observed through the year, though females with developing gonads prevail from August to January (because of a long time span between winter and summer moltings while the egg carrying continued 15 months) but oviparous females — from February to July. The individual reproductive cycle of Pandalus hypsinotus in the Tatar Strait lasts 24 months, with 9 months of vitellogenesis (quick growth of gonads) and 15 months of embryogenesis. During the 2-year reproductive cycle, most of females pass through the following stages: i) gonads development (just after eggs laying) when almost all oviparous females (up to 95 % in May) have green gonads under carapace that corresponds to the stage of development «eggs laid — gonads weakly developed»; ii) summer molting from August when females lose hairs on pleopods and the gonads growth accelerates; iii) respawning in January-March (together with the firstly spawning intersexes, with slight delay of the latter); iv) initial developing of eggs during summer; v) stage of «eyed eggs» from December to March; and vi) eggs laying and molting from late March to late May; then the 2-year reproductive cycle repeats.

scholarly journals SUBSTANTIATION OF THE FORM AND DETERMINATION OF THE CONSTRUCTIVE PARAMETERS OF THE ROTATION ROLLER OF SOIL

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 72-76
Author(s):  
Гумар Булгариев ◽  
Gumar Bulgariev ◽  
Геннадий Пикмуллин ◽  
Gennadiy Pikmullin ◽  
Ильгиз Галиев ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Study ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Industrial Complex ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Pass Through ◽  
Spiral Plate ◽  
Working Device ◽  
Important Design

At the present stage of development of the country’s agro-industrial complex, the technological process of surface tillage by combined soil-cultivating machines, simultaneously combining a number of operations in one pass through the field, causes the presence in their designs of the necessary set of various promising working organs. In view of the foregoing, a rotary soil ripper with a spiral-plate working member equipped with radially directed teeth and connected by means of rods with end flanges has been developed. Also, the researched ripper has the limits of penetration of the working element in the form of flat discs equipped with flanges and the radial stop have the ability to rotate around their axes independently of the ripper shaft. An analytical study of the working units of this ripper was carried out from the point of view of the influence of their size and teeth on the process of interaction with the soil, on the basis of which some of their parameters were determined. In conclusion, it was concluded that the analytical equations obtained allow us to justify the choice of the most important design parameters of the proposed new design and design a toothed rotary working device that reduces to constructive implementation after calculating their basic dimensions.

Eels at the Edge: Science, Status, and Conservation Concerns

2009 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Management System ◽  
Stock Assessment ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Commercial Catch ◽  
The North ◽  
Anguilla Australis ◽  
Unit Effort ◽  
Access Rights ◽  
Quota Management

<em>Abstract.</em>—The New Zealand eel fishery comprises two species, the shortfin eel <em>Anguilla australis </em>and the New Zealand longfin eel <em>A. dieffenbachii</em>. A third species, the speckled longfin eel <em>A. reinhardtii</em>, is present in small numbers in some areas. Major fisheries in New Zealand are managed under the Quota Management System. Individual transferable quotas are set as a proportion of an annual total allowable commercial catch. The Quota Management System was introduced into the South Island eel fishery on 1 October 2000 and the North Island fishery on 1 October 2004. Freshwater eels have particular significance for customary Maori. Management policies allow for customary take and the granting of commercial access rights on introduction into the Quota Management System. Eel catches have remained relatively constant since the early 1970s. The average annual catch from 1989–1990 to 2001–2002 (fishing year) was 1,313 mt. Catch per unit effort remained constant from 1983 to 1989 and reduced from 1990 to 1999. Statistically significant declines in catch per unit effort for New Zealand longfin eel were found in some areas over the latter period. For management, an annual stock-assessment process provides an update on stock status.

Colonialism Disguised as Protection

2021 ◽  
pp. 138-161
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Immature Stage ◽  
Vulnerable Species ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Vulnerable Group ◽  
Human Species ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Self Worth

Chapter 7 investigates the popular concept of environmental protection. The authors of this book timidly challenge the notion that nature needs human protection, since nature mainly needs protection from the human species. It seems more apparent that existing power structures use any vulnerable group to argue for the need to protect them, when what those disregarded groups want most is self-worth and unconditional affection, not to be kept guarded under lock and key. Often, the vulnerable species or immature stage of development said to be in dire jeopardy is not a stage at all, but tragically viewed as a stage along a ladder of conceptual merit from dependent to sovereign, and inedible seed to valuable fruit. This seems in evidence by a colonial worldview that sees juvenility as a waste of resources, rather than that brief liberty called childhood inherent to every species.

Physiological Health of Common Bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus) in the Tarawera and Rangitaiki Rivers of New Zealand: Evidence of Diminished Ecological Effects of Pulp and Paper Effluents in Wild Fish Populations

2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Landman ◽  
Natalie A. Bleackley ◽  
Nicholas Ling ◽  
Michael R. van den Heuvel
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Ovarian Tissue ◽  
Microscopic Analysis ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Steroid Production ◽  
River Population ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Pulp And Paper Effluent ◽  
Gobiomorphus Cotidianus

Abstract This study examined the comparative physiological health of the endemic New Zealand common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus) in the Tarawera and Rangitaiki Rivers. Bully were sampled downstream of pulp and paper effluent inputs in the Tarawera River and compared with a similar inland population in the Rangitaiki River. Condition factor and liver somatic index did not differ between populations, but Tarawera River bullies possessed larger gonads. Haematological assessments found smaller erythrocytes with reduced haemoglobin content, and increased leukocyte concentrations in Tarawera River females. Male and female Tarawera River bullies had significantly induced hepatic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity. Greater ovarian follicular steroid production was also found for Tarawera River females. Microscopic analysis of ovarian tissue samples found no histopathological abnormalities in either population and indicated a slightly advanced vitellogenic stage of development in the Tarawera River population. It is concluded that the difference in steroid production between populations was most likely linked to gonad size and developmental status. In line with the disappearance of physiological effects in recent controlled laboratory and mesocosm pulp and paper effluent exposures, this study further demonstrates that, with the exception of EROD induction, characteristic pulp and paper effluent effects are not obvious in wild Tarawera fish.

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