Parr dispersal between streams via a marine environment: A novel mechanism behind straying for anadromous brown trout?

Otolith Sr:Ca profiles demonstrated that juvenile anadromous brown trout (ABT) Salmo trutta may descend to the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea from their natal streams as parr or fry and then migrate into non‐natal streams before transforming into smolt. To our knowledge, no such published documentation exists for ABT. The ecological significance of this life‐history strategy is presently not clear. However, stream shifting through the marine environment should to be considered with regard to stock management and the assessment and restoration of salmonid populations and their potential habitats.     

Migration pattern of shirauo Salangichthys microdon Bleeker, in the Ishikari River system and adjacent nearshore sea area, Japan, as estimated by otolith microchemistry analysis

ABSTRACT:   The purpose of the present paper was to reveal the migration pattern of shirauo Salangichthys microdon Bleeker, in the Ishikari River system and its adjacent coastal sea areas. To this end, the strontium–calcium (Sr:Ca) ratios of the otoliths of 98 individuals were examined. Profiles of the Sr:Ca ratios during the life history after hatching in the estuary of the Ishikari River fell into two different patterns. One was characterized by a high (slightly fluctuating) Sr:Ca ratio throughout the life history; the other was characterized by an initial high Sr:Ca ratio followed by a lower value later in life. The former pattern was considered to be that of estuary–sea residents and the latter that of upstream migrants. Most upstream migrants migrated upstream once, although several did it twice. Back-calculated body lengths during the upstream and seaward migrations of the upstream migrants varied widely from 6.4 mm to 39.8 mm and from 13.5 mm to 79.4 mm, respectively. These findings suggest that estuary–sea residents and upstream migrants co-occurred spatiotemporally, and suggest a wide variation in migration patterns in the shirauo's life history.     

Comparison of habitat use during early life stage between ayu Plecoglossus altivelis and ice goby Leucopsarion petersi along the sanriku coast of Japan, as determined from otolith microchemistry

ABSTRACT:   The habitat use and migration of ayu Plecoglossus altivelis was compared to that of ice goby Leucopsarion petersi using otolith microchemistry analysis. Both species were collected along the Sanriku Coast. Otolith Sr : Ca ratios of ayu fluctuated strongly along the life history transect in accordance with the migration (habitat) pattern from fresh water to sea water. The Sr : Ca ratios of the center region averaged 3.2 × 10⁻³; thereafter, the ratios increased sharply, averaging 9.2 × 10⁻³, and were maintained at the higher levels until the outermost regions. By contrast, the Sr : Ca ratios of ice goby showed consistently high values along the life history transect of the otolith, ranging 9.0 × 10⁻³ in the center to 9.2 × 10⁻³ in regions outside the center, with further increases around the otolith edge. These findings indicate that ayu shows a typical amphidromous migratory pattern, while ice goby does not show the anadromous migratory pattern previously reported. The use of a freshwater environment during the early developmental stage in ice goby along the Sanriku Coast was less prominent than that of ayu in the same region.     

Discrimination of wild and hatchery trout by natural chronological patterns of elements and isotopes in otoliths using LA‐ICP‐MS

Abstract The potential to discriminate between wild and hatchery trout [Salmo trutta f. fario L. and Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)] by chronological microchemical patterns of different otolith regions was tested. Central and rim regions of otoliths were analysed for life stage specific elemental patterns of strontium (Sr), sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) as well as of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). Classification to life stage specific habitats was achieved with 100% accuracy by ⁸⁸Sr/⁴³Ca, ²³Na/⁴³Ca and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios resulting in a discrimination of hatchery fish from wild fish. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios and Sr concentration in otoliths were positively correlated with the ratio and amount in the water. Na content in otoliths did not directly reflect the concentration in the water, although the ²³Na/⁴³Ca ratio in otoliths contributed to the discrimination. Clear differences in otolith chemistry were found for fish experiencing different geological units or a groundwater‐fed environment in a hatchery. Natural chronological microchemical patterns in otoliths proved to be a valuable tool for discriminating wild and hatchery fish without the necessity to use marking methods. LA‐ICP‐MS is well suited for this application because of its limited need for sample preparation, its potentially high sample throughput and the possibility of simultaneous measurement of multiple elemental and isotopic fingerprints.     

Larval and juvenile Australian smelt Retropinna semoni somatic and otolith growth parameters – implications for growth interpretation of wild fish

Abstract –  Relationships between fish length, otolith size, age and weight were assessed for a population of wild Australian smelt ( Retropinna semoni ) larvae and juveniles captured over a 4-year period to aid further interpretation of growth and condition during the early life history of the species. Nonlinear smoothed generalized additive models best described the fish–otolith size relationship during the larval and juvenile period, indicating that the proportionality between fish length and otolith size varies in relation to size. It is proposed that back-calculated predictions of fish size at a previous age or otolith size, accounting for individual variation is possible by assuming a body proportional hypothesis. Growth rate of larval and juvenile Australian smelt was best described using the Gompertz model that indicated a steady decline in growth rate after around 30 days of age. The allometric growth of larval and juvenile Australian smelt established from the length/weight relationship can subsequently be used to assess the condition of fish within this population using a relative condition or relative weight condition index. The results of the study have provided significant information to enable more precise growth reconstruction and condition assessment for the species in Australian lowland rivers.     

Validation of daily increment formation and the effects of different temperatures and feeding regimes on short-term otolith growth in Australian smelt Retropinna semoni

Abstract –  To aid otolith interpretation of wild fish, we conducted a laboratory study using metalarval Australian smelt ( Retropinna semoni ) collected from the Murray River, to examine daily increment deposition and the effects of different temperatures and feeding regimes on otolith growth. Daily increment deposition was confirmed by comparing the number of increments from an oxytetracycline mark with the known number of days from marking. After holding fish at two temperature levels and three feeding rates, both food density and temperature were found to have a significant effect on otolith growth, with food density having the greatest influence. Overall trends in final lengths and condition of fish were well represented by recent otolith growth. The results of the experiment have implications for estimating growth histories and its relationship to various environmental conditions.     

Future prospects and their implications for research on the ecology of freshwater fish

Abstract– Projected world population increases imply demand for an increase of 60 million tonnes on the present world fish production of 100 million tonnes. Capture fisheries are unlikely to yield more because many stocks are already overexploited, there are few remaining unexploited and management shows few signs of redressing problems. Aquaculture is a possible source of the required production, given maintenance of current rates of increase. If this potential is to be realized, the importance of maintaining the quality of freshwater, brackish and coastal marine environments can scarcely be overstated. In a world of rapid change, there is an urgent need for research at all levels of biological and social organization that relate to the ecology of freshwater fish. At the organismic level, genetics, migratory behaviour and physiological ecology will be emphasized. Population genetics research is needed to enlighten controversies concerning the impact of cultural practices and the effects of harvesting natural populations. Greater attention will be given to interactions between species, including fish and their parasites, and the dynamics of multispecies interactions in pond culture and in capture fisheries. Issues of multiple uses of water resources will force research on freshwater fish ecology into broader contexts. The march of discovery in all branches of science will have major implications for freshwater fisheries research. The next few decades will be demanding of the creative energies of young researchers.     

Functional role of environmental stimuli for the spawning migration in Danube nase Chondrostoma nasus (L.)

Abstract –  In spring 2004 and 2005, an online monitoring by horizontal split-beam hydroacoustics complemented by trap net catches and electro fishing was conducted to investigate the spawning migration of nase Chondrostoma nasus (L.) into the Fischa River, a tributary of the Danube River east of Vienna, Austria. Upstream-moving adult nase could be counted hydroacoustically based on their dominance (93%) of fish in the range 45–55 cm total length. Significant correlations were observed between the number of migrants and three environmental factors (water temperature, water level and turbidity), with special focus on their fluctuations. Thresholds of water temperature, water level and turbidity were revealed as general environmental cues on a seasonal scale. On a fine temporal scale, the fluctuations of the environmental factors over days, especially in the main river, represent relevant stimuli; they initiate and control the fine-scaled temporal pattern as well as the intensity of the spawning migration. In addition, a combination of increasing water temperatures and decreasing water levels, corresponding to the period after a flood peak, offers high predictability of favourable spawning conditions at the spawning place and acts as a stimulus for the right timing for upstream migration in Danube nase.     

斜管虫研究进展

斜管虫是发现于我国淡水养殖鱼类的一种原生动物,对温水性和冷水性淡水鱼可造成危害,并引发斜管虫病,造成鱼苗与鱼种大量死亡。根据其繁殖快、适温广、宿主多的特性,今后可能会对淡水养殖鱼类造成很大的危害。为此,本文对斜管虫的种类、感染宿主种类、研究方法、流行情况与生活方式、患病症状与诊断、主要防治方法等研究进展做了归纳和总结,阐述其相关状况。同时,以一些常见宿主为例,了解其感染途径及防治措施,为今后科学防治斜管虫病提供参考。