Habitat overlap of juvenile and adult lake trout of Great Bear Lake: Evidence for lack of a predation gradient?

A range of organisms, from plankton to fish, commonly shift their habitat distributions horizontally or vertically due to predation risk. Juvenile lake trout, Salvelinus namaycush, are generally viewed as occupying deep areas of lakes to decrease predation pressure from adults. In contrast, we found that juvenile lake trout from Great Bear Lake, NT, Canada, occupied a variety of habitats and from shallow to deep depths (0–150 m), overlapping with adult lake trout. No evidence occurred for a length depth‐based segregation (e.g., ontogenetic shift). Genetic variation was also similar among juveniles in the different depth zones. However, isotopic niches and C:N ratios among juveniles showed some variability in niche widths and positions for individuals caught from the 51–150 m zone compared to juvenile individuals caught from 0–20 m and 21–50 m zones. The uniformly distributed adult lake trout in Great Bear Lake may evenly distribute predation pressure (including cannibalism) across shallow‐ and deep‐water habitats more than in other lakes. As a result, juveniles may respond to differences in foraging opportunities rather than predation risks. Juvenile lake trout did not appear to conform to the general pattern of juveniles seeking a deep‐water refuge to reduce predation risks. In contrast, juvenile lake trout of Great Bear Lake displayed broad resource use across all depths and habitats.     

Larval and early juvenile fish dynamics in main channel and backwater lake habitats of the Illinois River ecosystem

The spatial and temporal complexity of large river ecosystems likely promotes biological diversity within riverine larval fish assemblages. However, the focus of most previous riverine studies of larval fish distribution has tended to concentrate mainly on backwater habitats. There has been less focus on the value of the main channel for larval fishes. We sampled two habitats types (three main channel sites and three backwater lakes) along 20 km of the Illinois River ecosystem during 2 years to compare the larval fish distribution along both spatial and environmental gradients between these habitats. Across the 2 years of this study, we found similar trends in the spatial and temporal distribution of larval fish, although there were some differences in densities between years. The relative abundance and size of many of the different fish taxa varied among habitats. Centrarchids, clupeids, poeciliids, cyprinids (excluding common carp) and atherinids were more abundant within backwater lake habitat. In contrast, common carp (Cyprinus carpio), sciaenids, moronids and catostomids were more abundant in main channel habitats. Furthermore, sciaenid and clupeid larvae captured in the backwater lake habitat were larger as the season progressed than those captured in the main channel. Our study suggests that larval fish show habitat specialisation, similar to adults, indicating that both the backwater lakes and the main channel are both important for larval fish and preserving the diversity of the fish assemblages in large floodplain rivers.     

The effects of distance from coral reefs on seagrass nursery use by 5 emperor fishes at the southern Ryukyu Islands,Japan

Whilst the importance of seagrass beds as nurseries for coral reef fishes has been clearly recognized, the vast majority of early studies on fish nursery habitats emphasized the close proximity of the latter to coral reefs. To determine the potential nursery role of isolated seagrass beds, we investigated the degree to which juvenile emperor fishes (Lethrinidae) utilized seagrass beds in the presence/absence of adjacent coral habitats at Ishigaki Island (southern Japan), such fishes being known to use seagrass beds as nurseries. Seagrass beds in close proximity to coral habitats (distance between the two habitats of 50–200 m) had greater densities of lethrinid juveniles than those without adjacent coral habitats (2.5–4 km) for 3 different sites investigated, although a significant difference was obtained only for 1 site. Juveniles of Lethrinus atkinsoni, L. obsoletus, L. harak, and L. nebulosus were observed in seagrass beds with and without adjacent coral habitats, whereas L. ornatus occurred only in the former. Overall, most lethrinid juveniles utilize seagrass beds irrespective of the presence of adjacent adult coral habitat, suggesting that both types of seagrass beds would contribute to lethrinid adult populations. Therefore, management efforts for lethrinid populations should be applied not only to contiguous coral-seagrass habitat systems but also to isolated habitats.     

Seasonal habitat use of alligator gar in a river–floodplain ecosystem at multiple spatial scales

Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) populations are declining throughout their range in the United States, even where considered stable. Similar declines in other riverine species are occurring worldwide due to alteration of habitat in river–floodplain systems. Most rivers in the world are highly regulated, resulting in departures from historic hydrology that provides connection to the floodplain habitats used by riverine fishes. Knowledge of the seasonal habitat requirements of alligator gar and similar riverine fishes at a watershed scale is limited, hindering management practices. We used radiotelemetry to monitor movements and habitat use of adult alligator gar (N = 32; 25.0–84.5 kg; 149–224 cm) at macro‐ and microhabitat scales during 2 years of varying hydrology. Fish showed seasonal differences in their use of main channel and floodplain macrohabitats. Floodplain tributaries and their upper reaches were especially important to reproductive ecology. Minimum distance travelled per day varied seasonally. While using the main channel Fourche LaFave River, gar selected low velocity, shallow depth and complex structure along channel margins. The Fourche LaFave River is unique in its connection to floodplain habitats on a relatively predictable basis, with frequent flooding during the spring and summer reproductive period. Our study emphasises the importance of connectivity between the main river channel and floodplain habitats to a floodplain‐obligate riverine species. An intact, heterogeneous riparian zone creates essential microhabitat for the species. Understanding habitat requirements of alligator gar at multiple spatial scales in a river–floodplain system is crucial to management of many other species and river systems.     

Association of early juvenile yellowfin tuna <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thunnus albacares</Emphasis> with a network of payaos in the Philippines

To understand how early juvenile yellowfin tuna use the habitat and environment provided by fish aggregating devices (FADs), fish (19–31 cm FL) implanted with ultrasonic transmitters into their abdominal cavities were released in a network of payaos in Panay Gulf, the Philippines. Self-recording receivers were attached to the anchor ropes of the payaos to detect the presence of the fish. Some aspects of the behavior of juveniles were similar to those reported in adults. One juvenile showed a diurnal vertical swimming pattern, swam within a limited shallow range during the nighttime, and dived to deeper waters during the daytime. Two juveniles performed deep dives over 100 m during payao-to-payao excursion. Three juveniles showed a diurnal horizontal swimming pattern that was synchronized. In contrast, juveniles stayed <6 days in the network, shorter than adults. No juveniles returned to the same payao after an interruption of over 24 h. It is suggested that juveniles in this area are just starting to migrate and are temporarily staying around a payao for a few days to forage before continuing their migration.     

Ecology and conservation of the American eel in the Caribbean region

The majority of American eel, Anguilla rostrata LeSueur, knowledge is derived from temperate regions in the United States and Canada, with little known from its tropical Caribbean distribution. Findings of original research on American eel distribution, abundance, population biology, habitat ecology and threats from the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico were synthesised. American eel were captured from 48 of 116 sites (41.4%) in 26 of 49 river basins (53.1%) during 2005–2016, and it was extirpated upstream of dams and migration barriers >3.0 m high (38.9% of habitat). Mean density and biomass were 438.9 fish/ha and 23.44 kg/ha, respectively. Upstream habitats favoured larger individuals, and females were larger than males. The swim‐bladder parasite Anguillicoloides crassus Kuwahara, Niimi & Hagaki was not found in 120 eels examined. Realised threats include dams and other migratory barriers, habitat loss and alteration and pollution; exotic species and commercial fishing are impending threats; and the least understood is climate change.     

Ecology of Galaxias platei in a depauperate lake

Galaxias platei is widespread and common in southern South America, but its ecology is poorly documented relative to other native species, especially those of commercial importance. Galaxias platei occurs across a large range of environmental conditions, including hydrologically isolated, high‐elevation lakes. Consequently, there were several lakes in the Patagonian region where it was the only native fish species. Introduction of salmonids into almost all lakes in Patagonia where G. platei occurs has potentially resulted in changes in its ecology and behaviour. Thompson Lake is a small, high‐elevation lake located in the Aysen River basin (Chile) where G. platei still occurs essentially in isolation. We collected G. platei from this lake to characterise the ecology of the species in the absence of other native and introduced fishes. We documented age and growth patterns from otolith analysis and characterised size‐ and age‐specific habitat use, diet and trophic niche. In Thompson Lake, G. platei is long‐lived and grows to comparatively large size (max. age = 18 years; max. TL = 348 mm). As it grows, it exhibits an ontogenetic niche shift in habitat use, diet and trophic niche. Large adults are piscivorous, and they occupy deep benthic habitats. Preservation of the last few remaining lakes where G. platei is found in isolation is an important priority for maintaining the full expression of ontogenetic niche variation in this species.     

Water levels in a highland lake control the quantity and quality of spawning habitat for a littoral‐spawning galaxiid fish

1. In comparison with other habitats, the littoral zone can be disproportionately important to lentic fishes, especially for species that rely on it for reproduction. Impoundment of lentic waters can alter hydrological regimes, littoral inundation patterns and hydrodynamic processes, which can affect the quantity and quality of littoral habitats.
2. This study examined the effects of water‐level fluctuations on the quantity and quality of rocky littoral spawning habitat for the threatened Galaxias auratus in the Crescent–Sorell lake system, Tasmania (Australia) using GIS analyses, sediment measurements and observations of the composition and condition of littoral substrates under varying hydrological conditions.
3. The extent of littoral rocky substrate was found to be limited in Lake Crescent (<1.3% of the lake's bed). The relationship between water levels and G. auratus spawning habitat (littoral rocky substrates at depths of 0.2–0.6 m) was non‐linear with spawning habitat quantity and quality declining markedly at water levels <802.20 m Australian Height Datum (AHD). Hydrological impacts of global climate change on the Crescent–Sorell lake system are likely to increase the occurrence of water levels below this threshold in Lake Crescent in the future, thereby limiting the ability of G. auratus to sustain its population in this lake.
4. The structure of littoral areas of rocky substrate in Lake Crescent and Lake Sorell, and influential processes acting on these areas under varying hydrological conditions, were conceptualized to assist transferability of this knowledge to other lentic waters and species with similar habitat requirements.
5. Global climate change is predicted to alter lacustrine hydrological regimes and shoreline environments. This is likely to have significant ramifications for fishes that use littoral habitats during their life cycles, especially crucial reproductive phases. We believe the influence of alterations to hydrological regimes on the availability of these habitats to lacustrine fishes requires further investigation globally.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influence of oceanographic conditions on abundance and distribution of post‐larval and juvenile carangid fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Relationships between abundance of post‐larval and juvenile carangid (jacks) fishes and physical oceanographic conditions were examined in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) in 2011 with high freshwater input from the Mississippi River. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to explore complex relationships between carangid abundance and physical oceanographic data of sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height anomaly (SSHA) and salinity. The five most abundant carangid species collected were: Selene setapinnis (34%); Caranx crysos (30%); Caranx hippos (10%); Chloroscombrus chrysurus (9%) and Trachurus lathami (8%). Post‐larval carangids (median standard length [SL] = 10 mm) were less abundant during the spring and early summer, but more abundant during the late summer and fall, suggesting summer to fall spawning for most species. Juvenile carangid (median SL = 23 mm) abundance also increased between the mid‐summer and early fall. Most species showed increased abundance at lower salinities and higher temperatures, suggesting entrainment of post‐larval fishes or feeding aggregations of juveniles at frontal convergence zones between the expansive river plume and dynamic mesoscale eddy water masses. However, responses were species‐ and life‐stage specific, which may indicate fine‐scale habitat partitioning between species. Ordination methods also revealed higher carangid abundances at lower salinities for both post‐larval and juvenile life stages, with species‐ and life‐stage specific responses to SST and SSHA, further suggesting habitat separation between species. Results indicate strong links between physical oceanographic features and carangid distributions in the dynamic northern GoM.     

Factors affecting habitat selection by a small spawning charr population, bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus: implications for recovery of an endangered species

Bull trout, Salvelinus confluentus (Suckley), populations are declining in many streams of North America and are listed under the Endangered Species Act in the United States. Many small populations are isolated in fragmented habitats where spawning conditions and success are not well understood. Factors affecting habitats selected for redds by spawning bull trout and redd habitat characteristics within Gold Creek, a headwater stream in the Yakima River within the Columbia River basin, Washington State, USA, were evaluated. Most spawning (>80% of the redds) occurred in upstream habitats after dewatering of downstream channels isolated fish. Habitats were selected or avoided in proportions different to their availability. For example, most bull trout selected pools and glides and avoided riffles despite the latter being more readily available. Although preferences suggest influences of prolonged fish entrapment, site fidelity could be important. A habitat with redds commonly contained abundant cover, gravel substratum and higher stream flows. The major factors influencing habitat selection by spawning fish and their persistence in streams of the Yakima and Columbia River regions include entrapment of fish by dewatering of channels and geographical isolation by dams. The goal of the US Government's recovery plan is ‘to ensure the long‐term persistence of self‐sustaining bull trout populations’. Recovery plans linked to provisions for protecting and conserving bull trout populations and their habitats were recommended. Landscape approaches are needed that provide networks of refuge habitats and greater connectivity between populations. Concurrent recovery efforts are encouraged to focus on protecting small populations and minimizing dangers of hybridization.     

Differential response to disturbance factors for the population of sympatric crocodilians (Gavialis gangeticus and Crocodylus palustris) in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary,India

1. Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary along the Indo‐Nepal border in India harbours a well‐known breeding gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) population in its global distribution range together with a substantial population of breeding muggers (Crocodylus palustris). However, no systematic information on size and structure is available for either of the species' populations in the protected area.
2. This study was undertaken in winter and the ensuing summer of 2010–2011 to estimate the relative population density and structure of the two crocodilian species and to examine the effect of various disturbance factors, with the main focus on the effects of tourism and illegal fishing on the behavioural attributes of the two species.
3. Five daytime surveys were conducted from December 2010 to April 2011. Relative density based on encounter rate (number per 20 km) was highest for gharial juveniles followed by gharial adults and gharial sub‐adults in all the five surveys. Muggers, on the other hand, showed the opposite trend, with the lowest encounter rate being for juveniles, followed by sub‐adults and adults. The encounter rate of both species declined with increase in the mean ambient temperature from December to April.
4. The river habitat was divided into 2 km segments and disturbance factors were recorded at intervals of 100 m on both river banks. Wariness was taken as an indicator of response to disturbance caused by human beings and was measured from mechanized boats used for tourism and non‐mechanized boats used for illegal fishing.
5. Segments with sandbars, in spite of moderate to high disturbance rate, were preferred for basking by both species. In conclusion, with suitable habitat for basking, gharials and muggers were observed to tolerate moderate levels of disturbance. Wariness resulting from disturbances from the non‐mechanized boats was higher than that from the mechanized boats. Gharials tend to avoid humans, possibly with age/size acquired experience and knowledge, whereas muggers become more tolerant to human presence with increased age/size.
6. Despite many disturbance factors, the crocodilian population in Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is doing relatively well compared with populations in other habitats in India. With the involvement of local stakeholders and strict implementation of forest laws, the habitat can be further improved and a healthy gharial population can be ensured.

     

Seasonally tracking vertical and horizontal distribution of unionid mussels (Pronodularia japanensis): implications for agricultural drainage management

• 1. The vertical and horizontal distribution of unionoid mussels (Pronodularia japanensis) were examined in spring, late summer and winter for different size classes, including juveniles (<20 mm) and large adults (>50 mm), in an agricultural drainage channel in Central Japan.
• 2. A large number of small‐sized juveniles were found at the surface (0–3 cm depth) in spring, whereas approximately half of the adults remained in the deep layer (3–8 cm depth). Most individuals were found in the surface layer irrespective of size classes in summer, and approximately 70% of all individuals descended to the deep layer in winter.
• 3. Horizontal distribution did not substantially change across seasons and high density patches were consistently found in the areas where substrate appeared to be stable or hydraulically sheltered. Spatial distribution of small juveniles was relatively well predicted by the abundance of adults.
• 4. The size–frequency distribution was multi‐modal in three seasons and estimated numbers of newly recruited juveniles were highly variable in recent years, suggesting that juveniles were rarely found owing to irregular reproduction and/or recruitment not the overlooked habitat preferred by small‐sized juveniles.
• 5. As P. japanensis is characterized by the behaviour of burrowing down to a depth of ～10 cm, maintaining the processes of sediment deposition appears to be one of the critical criteria for the conservation of mussel habitats in agricultural drainage channel systems, which are commonly lined with smooth concrete materials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

Ecological significances of ontogenetic shifts in the stream-dwelling catfish, Hatcheria macraei (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae), in a Patagonian river

Abstract –  The relationship between ontogenetic changes and both feeding and habitat preferences was studied in a stream catfish population of Argentine Patagonia. Fish capture, as well as habitat data recording, was performed during a 1-year long period. Larvae–juvenile transition was determined between 22.4 and 29.4 mm standard length (SL), on the basis of the relative growth changes and morphogenesis, and juvenile–adult shift was established between 61 and 65 mm SL using a macroscopic criterion of gonadal development and gonadosomatic index. Spawning period was estimated to be in the summer season, from December to February. Larvae preferred shallow marginal pools and fed mainly on small Chironomidae larvae, while juveniles and adults inhabited riffles and preyed on Ephemeroptera nymphs and Chironomid larvae. Morphological constraints during the larval period were related to habitat and feeding preferences. A complete development of fins allowed juveniles to colonise faster water habitats while a bigger mouth gape permitted them to prey on new items and on a larger size prey range.     

Dispersal and tributary immigration by juvenile coho salmon contribute to spatial expansion during colonisation

Anadromous fishes are frequently restricted by artificial barriers to movement such as dams and culverts, so measuring dispersal helps identify sites where improved connectivity could promote range expansion and population viability. We used a combination of DNA‐based parentage analysis and mark–recapture techniques to evaluate dispersal by juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in a population in the initial stages of colonisation following installation of fish passage structures at a previously impassable dam on the Cedar River, WA, USA. The spatial distribution of individuals within maternal families revealed that dispersal was common. Among the offspring of radio‐tagged mothers, 28% were collected outside the spawning reach and dispersed up to 6.3 km (median = 1.5 km). Most juveniles captured in a tributary (Rock Creek, where few adults spawned) had immigrated from the Cedar River and represented many different families. Juvenile dispersal therefore provided a secondary phase of spatial expansion following initial colonisation by adults. Consistent with the condition‐dependent dispersal hypothesis, juveniles that dispersed farther upstream in the tributary were larger than fish collected near the tributary mouth. Overall, the results demonstrated widespread dispersal in a system with low coho salmon densities, and this might increase the rate of population growth if it reduces the effects of local density dependence. By implication, juveniles can take advantage of rearing habitats reconnected through barrier removal, even when such areas are located several kilometres from adult breeding grounds.     

Population structure of Ctenochaetus striatus (Acanthuridae) in Tutuila,American Samoa: The use of size-at-age data in multi-scale population size surveys

We combined size-at-age and underwater survey (UVS) data to investigate the spatio-temporal distribution of life-history stages of the bristletooth surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus striatus, around Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Three age-based size categories (recruits, juveniles and adults) were determined by examining the relationship between size, age and gonad maturity. The results from combining size-at-age with UVS density data showed varying densities at the scales examined (years, exposure, sector, and habitat) on the fore-reef slopes of Tutuila Is. While recruit densities were uniform, juvenile densities varied by year, exposure and sector, and adult densities were significantly higher at topographic sites that were comparatively more exposed to water motion than inside bays. Densities of recruits were positively correlated with habitat (rubble) illustrating the importance of this substratum for the survivorship of early life history stages. Densities of adults were positively correlated with coralline algae, which may suggest co-occurrence responding to similar physical environment of adult habitat that is possibly indirectly correlated to feeding. However, densities of juveniles were negatively correlated with food source although the variance accounted for was low. We hypothesize that some other substratum may possibly be important for juveniles. There was a negative correlation between recruit and adult densities, indicating the presence of ontogenetic shifts in habitat with age and size. It is proposed that ecosystem-based fishery management of C. striatus in Tutuila Is should consider the high abundance of adults in exposed topographic habitats in the establishment of marine protected areas. We have shown that size-at-age data when combined with underwater fish surveys significantly expands its utility in the study of the population structure of a coral reef fish thus allowing the identification of areas characterized by high abundance of particular life stages for management.     

Objective classification of Navarro River salmon habitat: a watershed‐based critical habitat case study

• 1. Prevailing freshwater conservation approaches in the USA stem from policy‐based ecosystem management directives, science‐based gap analyses, and legal interpretations of critical habitats. In California, there has been no systematic prioritization of freshwater habitats critical to the persistence of anadromous salmonid populations.
• 2. Anadromous salmonids provide an optimal focal species for conservation prioritization of freshwater habitats in California owing to their flagship, umbrella and keystone status.
• 3. The Navarro River is a key watershed for both Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act recovery efforts in the state of California. This watershed serves as a case study in the use of iterative discriminant analysis to objectively classify freshwater habitats critical to the persistence of two species of threatened anadromous salmonids, steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch).
• 4. Riverscape parameters were used initially to define suitable habitat for focal species; subsequent refinement accounted for human disturbance within the watershed. Results from this study identify 22.1 km of riverine habitat critical to the persistence of coho salmon in the Navarro River watershed, which need active conservation or restoration; it also identified an additional 269.4 km of riverine habitat in need of protection for its aquatic habitat values.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Environmental requirements and heterogeneity of rheophilic fish nursery habitats in European lowland rivers: Current insights and future challenges

The large-scale degradation of riparian ecotones and of the connectivity between rivers and their floodplains has resulted in a drastic decline of rheophilic fish populations in European temperate lowland rivers. Recent river restoration projects have had variable success in effectively restoring these fish populations. Knowledge on nursery habitat requirements is considered essential for effective population restoration. However, a detailed understanding of the role of habitat heterogeneity in young-of-the-year (YOY) fish population development is limited. Therefore, we carried out a synthesis of the available knowledge on nursery habitat requirements of rheophilic fish species found in European temperate lowland rivers (<200 m elevation). From a total of 603 papers, 77 studies with primary information were selected, containing 390 associations between habitat features and YOY fish. As expected, most studies focused on static components of physical riparian habitat. Generally, YOY fish require habitats of shallow depth (<0.5 m), with slow-flowing water (<0.2 m/s), gentle bank slope (<20°), variety in substratum types (fine sand to gravel), relatively warm water and high food availability. Surprisingly, no clear ontogenetic habitat shifts between larvae and juveniles were found, which may be explained by the limited spatial–temporal resolution of most studies. Since 2011, studies on habitat heterogeneity have increased, but few have explicitly assessed its role in relation to movement patterns of YOY fish for nursery success. Therefore, we recommend that future research focuses on fish movement patterns between habitat patches in heterogeneous (river-floodplain) environments, to increase the knowledge base for effective recovery of rheophilic fish populations.     

Characterizing the potential habitat of European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the Mediterranean Sea,at different life stages

Identification of the potential habitat of European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) at different life stages in relation to environmental conditions is an interesting subject from both ecological and management points of view. For this purpose, acoustic data from different seasons and different parts of the Mediterranean Sea along with satellite environmental and bathymetry data were modelled using generalized additive models. Similarly, egg distribution data from summer ichthyoplankton surveys were used to model potential spawning habitat. Selected models were used to produce maps presenting the probability of anchovy presence (adults, juveniles and eggs) in the entire Mediterranean basin, as a measure of habitat adequacy. Bottom depth and sea surface chlorophyll concentration were the variables found important in all models. Potential anchovy habitats were located over the continental shelf for all life stages examined. An expansion of the potential habitat from the peak spawning (early summer) to the late spawning season (early autumn) was observed. However, the most suitable areas for the presence of anchovy spawners seem to maintain the same size between seasons. Potential juvenile habitats were associated with highly productive inshore waters, being less extended and closer to coast during winter than late autumn. Potential spawning habitat in June and July based on ichthyoplankton surveys overlapped but were wider in extent compared with adult potential habitat from acoustics in the same season. Similarities and dissimilarities between the anchovy habitats as well as comparisons with sardine habitats in the oligotrophic Mediterranean Sea and other ecosystems with higher productivity are discussed.     

Evaluating light trap efficiency by application of mesh to prevent inter- and intra-specific in situ predation on fish larvae and juveniles

Amongst passive collecting gear types, light traps have been used extensively to sample the larvae and juveniles of fish in both marine and freshwater environments, and especially so in structurally complex habitats. Although a number of modifications have been proposed to increase efficiency, no account has hitherto been made of the possible loss of trapped larvae and juveniles as a result of within-trap predation by piscivorous fish. To address this issue, we evaluated the efficiency of modified light traps by the addition of mesh (3 mm knot-to-knot wrapped around the entrance chambers), by combining results from a long-term monitoring study with those from a designed field experiment. Abundance of larvae and juveniles collected during the monitoring program was higher in the years following mesh application (hence, beyond monthly variation), and this was supported by the experiment. Based on the latter, light/mesh traps consistently caught only larvae/juveniles, hence excluding adults; whereas the opposite was true of the light/no-mesh trap combination. Also, mesh/no-light traps did not capture any fish, unlike no-mesh/no-light traps, which sampled only adults. Our findings suggest that in situ predation on larvae and juveniles within light traps should not be overlooked. The occurrence of piscivorous and cannibalistic behaviour in Hypseleotris spp. is also discussed.     

Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) in Bardiya National Park,Nepal: Population,habitat and threats

1. The Critically Endangered gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) residing within Bardiya National Park (BNP) in Nepal constitutes the sixth major sub-population of this unique lineage; however, this population is not well studied. A 46 km protected stretch of the Babai River and a 60 km stretch of the Karnali River in and around BNP were surveyed for gharials in early 2017 and in 2019.
2. Gharial counts in 2017 – 17 from the Babai and one from the Karnali rivers – consisted of 10 adults, five sub-adults and three juveniles. In 2019, 19 gharials were counted – 18 for the Babai and one for the Karnali – comprising 11 adults, six sub-adults and two juveniles. In the Babai River within BNP, four breeding groups were identified. Gharials in BNP prefer sandy vs. rocky banks for basking and completely avoid sand-grass and clay banks. Habitat preference did not vary with size class.
3. Protected stretches of both rivers inside BNP (76 km) have resident gharial, intact habitats and few human threats. In contrast, the unprotected stretch of the Karnali (30 km) is threatened by boulder quarrying, sand mining and unlicensed fishing, and is avoided by gharials despite the availability of habitat.
4. This study established baseline data, including indices of population size, distribution and habitat preferences, and documented resident gharials that are breeding in the Babai River in BNP. The conservation of this Babai population is crucial for the species’ survival in BNP.
5. Based on this study, we recommend the following conservation actions on the Babai stretch: (a) determine hatching success; (b) assess juvenile recruitment; (c) consider supplementation by releasing captives; (d) study riverine features important as baselines; (e) accommodate upstream movements on the protected Babai stretch; and (f) protect the downstream Babai outside the boundary of the BNP.