The influence of phytoestrogens and oestradiol-17β on growth and sex determination in the European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

Under aquaculture conditions, European eels (Anguilla anguilla) produce a high percentage of males (80–95%) that normally stop growing at 100–200 g. Females continue to grow to 500–750 g and obtain higher market value. Therefore, increasing the percentage of females in a population would be beneficial to the culture of eels. The present study was carried out in order to examine the effect of oestradiol and phytooestrogens on sex differentiation and growth rate of eels. Juvenile European eels with undifferentiated gonads were fed pellets containing oestradiol‐17β (E2) or phytooestrogens for 100–150 days. Feeding E2 resulted in 50–61% increase in body weight compared with the control. Oestradiol‐17β and phytooestrogens both elevated significantly the percentage of females in the population. Feeding E2 at 20 mg kg^?1 feed resulted in 70% females, while lower concentration of E2 (2 mg kg^?1) resulted in only 30% after 100 days (Experiment 1). The same dose given for 150 days (Experiment 2) resulted in 88% females, indicating that both, the concentration and duration of E2 treatments had a significant effect on sex differentiation. Fish fed genistein at 2 mg kg^?1 for 100 days, resulted in 55% of females, but at a higher dose of 20 mg kg^?1 there were only 15% females. These results demonstrate that phytooestrogens can be used as alternatives to gonadal steroids for sex manipulation in eels, but the optimal concentrations and duration are still to be determined.     

Variation in the demographic characteristics of yellow‐phase Japanese eels in different habitats of the Hamana Lake system,Japan

Abstract – Yellow‐phase Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica) were investigated in the Hamana Lake system, Japan, from 2003 to 2004 to understand how their demographic attributes vary within the lake system. A total of 779 yellow eels were collected during sampling in two inlet rivers and two brackish/saltwater lakes within the lake system. Female eels predominated, constituting 84% of the 75 sex‐determined eels in the river, and 50% of the 151 sex‐determined eels in the lakes. Total lengths (TL) of all eels examined ranged from 54.2 to 715.0 mm (mean = 320.4 ± 145.4 SD). In the inlet river, the TL of eels showed a significant positive relation with the distance from the river mouth. The estimated relative abundances of eels ranged from 0 to 1.8 eels·m^?2 effort (mean: 0.3 ± 0.41) in the river and was negatively correlated with the distance from the river mouth. This suggested that larger eels might tend to be distributed at lower abundances in upstream reaches of the river. Mean age of yellow eels determined by their otolith annuli was younger in the lake (N = 117, 3.3 ± 1.4 years) than in the river (N = 214, 4.3 ± 1.7 years). Growth rate was higher in the lake than in the river at age 1–2 years (131.9 and 104.4 mm·year^?1, respectively). The results of this study suggest that, although Japanese eels can adapt to various types of environments, significant differences can occur in population structures and growth patterns among habitats.     

Population density, growth and diet of eels, Anguilla anguilla L., in two rivers in eastern England

Abstract. The population density, growth and diets of eels, Anguilla anguilla L., from four sites on two rivers in eastern England were studied over 2 years. Eel population density varied greatly between sites and seasons, few eels being caught during the winter. Mean population densities ranged from 50 to 518 eels/ha and mean biomass from 35 to 210kg/ha. Older eels were more numerous at upstream sites. Growth rates in the two rivers were generally similar, but eels 9–13 years old at upstream sites were significantly larger in terms of length and weight than their downstream counterparts.
Of 868 eels examined, only 425 stomachs contained food, the percentage of empty stomachs being negatively correlated with temperature. Asellus aquaticus was the predominant food item at all sites in all seasons and in the three size classes of eels studied. Megaloptera and Trichoptera were also important. Fish, largely bottom-dwelling species, were found mainly in the largest size-class of eels and in the winter, when few large eels were feeding. Niche breadth expands with increasing size of cel.     

Effect of water temperature and growth variation on the sex ratio of experimentally reared eels

In a controlled experiment, elvers (Anguilla anguilla L.) were reared for 137 weeks at 17, 20 and 26°C. Most eels with macroscopically sexable gonads were males. The proportions of females were 14% of sexable individuals at 26°C and 7–8% at 17 and 20°C. During the first 15 weeks, 20–50% of initial numbers were lost, but this early mortality was not significantly size selective. In spite of a long term experiment, a significant number of the survivors never attained a sexable size. Nongrowers (7–9 cm) were still alive nearly three years after being caught as glass eels. Among the earliest fast growers, 5% females, or less, were found. The proportion of females increased in later grading groups, but the pattern of increase did not indicate that males and females have separated mean ranks in a fixed growth hierarchy. Water temperature influenced observed sex ratios, but probably not through direct influence on the sex differentiation. Some alternative hypotheses, dealing with population density and individual growth status, are discussed.     

Sexual dimorphism in yellow European eels, Anguilla anguilla (L.)

Sexual dimorphism in yellow eels, Anguilla anguilla (L.). was studied to clarify the differences between sexes. The focus was on the relationship between length/weight and sex. Three samples of eels, grown in captivity in different places in Israel, were studied. Females were significantly lighter than undifferentiated eels in the length range 33-47 cm. The regression coefficient did not differ significantly between females and undifferentiated eels. Sex induction, by a single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin, resulted in a higher loss of body weight during differentiation into the female than into the male.     

Effect of protein level in purified diet and of density,ammonia and O2 level on growth of juvenile European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.)

The influence of protein level in a purified diet and of density on the growth of Anguilla anguilla in indoor and outdoor containers was examined. The average weight increase of eels that were fed on a diet of pellets containing 35%, 45%, or 55% protein was significantly higher than the mean weight increase of eels fed on pellets containing 25% protein. The production per m³ was higher in the groups fed 45% or 55% protein level in the diet than in the groups fed 25% or 35% protein. Dissolved oxygen in the water of the growing tanks was 7–9 ppm in all groups. Ammonia production was lower in the group fed on pellets containing 25% protein and higher in the groups receiving higher protein diets.Eel growth at low density (4 kg/m³) was almost the same as at high density (30 kg/m³) for both slowly growing and moderately growing eels. Production was higher in the groups stocked at high density and lower in those stocked at low densities. The production of slowly growing eels was lower than that of moderately growing eels.     

Estimation of production and long‐term changes in the population of European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) in an Irish lake

Monitoring of yellow‐phase and silver‐phase Anguilla anguilla during their continental life history is necessary for evaluation of stock recovery measures. Eel population data for an Irish lake (Lough Sheelin) were compiled for the period 1993–2014. Catch data from 2009 to 2014 provided minimum estimates of recent silver eel production ranging annually from 0.79 to 1.84 kg/ha. Long‐term changes in yellow eel abundance and silver eel size structure were assessed as part of a fishery monitoring programme. Yellow eel catch per unit effort (CPUE) in the lake (from longline surveys) was considerably higher in the 1990s (52.2–62.1 eels/100 hooks) than 2002–2008 (1.9–15.8 eels/100 hooks). Conversely, during 1993–2014, the mean size of silver eels migrating from the lake increased significantly (p < .001), from 659 mm to 838 mm. The results suggest that in the absence of direct yellow eel abundance data, interannual variation in silver eel size structure may be a useful monitoring tool for local eel stocks as part of Eel Management Plans (EMP's).     

Patterns of silver eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) sex ratio in a catchment

Abstract –  Changes in the numbers and size-class structure of European silver eels, Anguilla anguilla , in the River Frémur (France) were examined over a 9-year period after installation of downstream eel passes. The number of silver eels migrating downstream peaked in 1999, then decreased strongly and steadily after 2000, reaching relatively low levels. At the same time, a gradual shift in the silver eel sex ratio from a dominance of males (size from 270 to 442 mm, age from 3 to 6 years) to females (size from 366 to 1112 mm, age from 4 to 9 years) was recorded. Possible explanations for the escapement patterns observed are environmental sex determination and the installation of eel passes on the main hydraulic engineering structures in 1992 and 1996.     

Growth differences of Japanese eels Anguilla japonica between fresh and brackish water habitats in relation to annual food consumption in the Kojima Bay‐Asahi River system,Japan

To learn about the relationships between feeding and growth of temperate eels in freshwater and brackish water habitats, we analysed 533 yellow‐phase Japanese eels Anguilla japonica collected in both types of habitats in southeastern Japan. Because male eels were very rare in each habitat (FW, N = 1; BW, N = 20), characteristics of female eels were compared between the different habitats. Annual food consumption was evaluated with the consideration of instantaneous food consumption and annual activity period. Stomach fullness index (stomach content weight/body weight) was used as an indicator of instantaneous food consumption. The ratios of number of months with eel catch to those when eel sampling was conducted were used as an indicator of activity period. Female yellow eels tended to be older and slower growing in fresh water (N = 78; age, mean ± SD = 7.9 ± 2.4 years; growth rate, 59.8 ± 14.0 mm year^?1) than in brackish water (N = 229; age, 5.5 ± 1.8 years; growth rate, 90.1 ± 24.4 mm year^?1). Irrespective of sex, yellow eels in brackish water had a higher stomach fullness index and a greater ratio of months with eel catches, indicating greater annual food consumption by brackish water eels. These results indicate that greater annual food consumption contributes to the greater growth rates of Japanese eels in brackish water habitats.     

Recovery from transportation by road of farmed European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of transportation of marketable eel (0.15 kg) in the Netherlands with respect to welfare. Eels (Anguilla anguilla) were obtained from a commercial farm and acclimatized for 7 weeks at the laboratory. Fish were transported according to regular commercial procedures. The animals were placed in water‐filled transport tanks on the trailer. Fish density increased from 72 kg m^?3 (husbandry) to 206 kg m^?3 (fasting) and was further increased to 270–290 kg m^?3 during transport. Fish transport lasted 3 h after which the eels were returned to laboratory recirculation systems to measure parameters indicative of stress load, i.e. mortality, plasma cortisol, lactate and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) as well as gill morphology. Samples were taken at 0, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h after transport in transported fish and non‐transported counterparts (controls). Transportation affected water quality within known tolerable limits. No mortality during or after transport was observed. After 6 h, plasma cortisol levels had returned to baseline. However, energy metabolism had increased suggesting that transportation of eels resulted in an increased energy demand that lasted for at least 72 h in the fasted animals. Thus, it is conceivable that exposure to adverse conditions, prior to stunning/killing, in a slaughterhouse may result in allostatic overload in eel.     

The home range and behaviour of yellow‐stage European eel Anguilla anguilla in an estuarine environment

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Long‐term records (1781–2013) of European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) production in the Comacchio Lagoon (Italy): evaluation of local and global factors as causes of the population collapse

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Response of downstream migrating adult European eels (Anguilla anguilla) to bar racks under experimental conditions

Russon IJ, Kemp PS, Calles O. Response of downstream migrating adult European eels (Anguilla anguilla) to bar racks under experimental conditions.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 197–205. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – The behavioural response of downstream migrating nonsalmonid fish to hydraulic conditions associated with river infrastructure is poorly understood. The response of downstream migrating adult European eels (Anguilla anguilla) to bar racks (12 mm bar spacing) angled on the vertical and horizontal planes under different flow regimes and during periods of darkness was assessed. Eels predominantly moved along the channel floor and wall, tending to follow routes where turbulence intensity was high. Time taken to approach the racks was greater than expected if fish had moved passively with the flow. Eels did not exhibit clear avoidance behaviour prior to encountering the racks, instead marked changes in behaviour occurred only after physical contact was made with the structure. No impingement or passage through the racks occurred, and passes per approach were high (98.3%), when vertical racks were angled 15°, 30° or 45° relative to the flow. Impingement and passage through the racks only occurred when horizontally inclined racks were placed perpendicular to the flow. The time eels were impinged on the racks was negatively related to discharge when angled at 30° relative to the channel floor, and positively related when upright. Frequency of impingement was higher under low discharge (132.9 ± 16.6 l·s^?1). Impinged eels escaped from racks at approach velocities of 0.90 ± 0.05 m·s^?1. Passage through the upright rack was common under high discharge (278.9 ± 36.2 l·s^?1). The information presented will improve current fish passage criteria for European eels that are required to develop more effective fish passage facilities.     

Molecular mechanisms of sex determination and gonadal sex differentiation in fish

We have used various genetic and molecular approaches to investigate the mechanisms of sex determination and gonadal sex differentiation in fish. DMY was identified as the sex-determining gene of medaka. In tilapia, endogenous estrogens act as natural inducers of ovarian differentiation, while DMRT1 may be important for testicular differentiation. The roles of these regulators in sex determination and gonadal sex differentiation were ascertained using a gene or hormonal blockade strategy.     

Is European catfish a threat to eels in southern France?

• 1. European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is recognized as a critically endangered species in the northern hemisphere. Threats such as overfishing or pollution are well known as risks for eel populations. However, much less is known about the impact of introduced fish on European eels. In particular, introduced large‐bodied predators could become new predators to eels.
• 2. The potential impact of European catfish (Silurus glanis L) on an eel population in the Camargue, southern France was studied using a combination of stable isotope and gut content analyses.
• 3. Only large‐bodied catfish (>500 mm) can consume numerous fish prey. However, catfish mostly consumed crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), these prey items being found in 79% of the guts of the largest individuals. Eel was absent from the dissected catfish guts. A mixing model based on Bayesian inference revealed that catfish diet included only 5% (0–8.5%) of marine sources (both eel and mullet).
• 4. While local economic interests prompted ecological studies to assess whether catfish exerted a new and strong predatory pressure on eel, this study found that European catfish behaved as an opportunistic omnivore, and as such was not a direct threat as a predator on eel populations in the Camargue. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Freshwater eels: A symbol of the effects of global change

Temperate eels Anguilla anguilla (European eel), A. rostrata (American eel) and A. japonica (Japanese eel) are three catadromous species which have been declining since the 1970s/1980s despite their remarkable adaptive capacity. Because of their specific life cycles, which share distant oceanic spawning grounds and continental growth stage, eels are affected by five components of the global change: (a) climate change affecting larval survival and drift, (b) an increase in pollution leading to high levels of contamination exacerbated by their high lipid levels, (c) increasing fragmentation and habitat loss that reduce dramatically the amount of available habitats and induce increased spawner mortality, (d) the appearance of Anguillicola crassus a parasitic alien nematode that impairs spawning success, and (e) the impact of commercial and recreational fisheries for all life stages of eel. In this context, the rapid increases of pressures during the “Great Acceleration” have surpassed the adaptive capacity of eels. This illustrates that cumulative effects of global change can lead to the collapse of species, even in species that have amazingly high adaptive capacities.     

Longevity of longfinned eels Anguilla dieffenbachii in a New Zealand high country lake

A sample of 146 longfinned eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii), ranging in length from 231–1203 mm, was collected from Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand. Otoliths (n= 114) of eels were difficult to read, mainly due to the considerable age (maximum age 106 years). Growth rate was slow and linear, averaging 9 mm. year^?1. These are the slowest growth rate and maximum age from any study of Anguilla spp. to date. Lakes within National Parks provide the largest commercially unfished waters within New Zealand and hence provide reserve breeding stocks of longfinned eels; however, the average generation time of 93 years for female eels from Lake Rotoiti implies that stock management should be conservative.     

An otolith microchemistry study of possible relationships between the origins of leptocephali of European eels in the Sargasso Sea and the continental destinations and relative migration success of glass eels

Martin J, Daverat F, Pécheyran C, Als TD, Feunteun E, Réveillac E. An otolith microchemistry study of possible relationships between the origins of leptocephali of European eels in the Sargasso Sea and the continental destinations and relative migration success of glass eels.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 627–637. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – Little is known about the extent to which Atlantic eels coming from different European rivers converge on the same spawning site. Our aim was to evaluate the spatial homogeneity of eel spawning area(s) with an otolith microchemistry approach. This work compared the elemental signatures of otolith’s core region of Anguilla anguilla leptocephali caught in the Sargasso Sea in 2007 with those of glass eels and elvers sampled in European estuaries during 2006, 2008 and 2009. Using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the same annular ablation trajectory along the first feeding mark was applied on otoliths of glass eels, elvers and leptocephali. The concentrations of thirteen isotopes in the otoliths of glass eels/elvers did not vary among three annual cohorts collected in eleven European locations. However, otolith elemental fingerprints of leptocephali differed significantly from glass eels otolith’s signature. Although the mechanisms that regulate the differences in trace element signatures among leptocephali and glass eels/elvers are unknown, we propose that the sampled glass eels/elvers were born in a spawning site or region where favourable transport and/or feeding conditions occurred. Conversely, the leptocephali may have been sampled in a less favourable region in the Sargasso Sea, with a low probability of reaching continental growth areas.