European eel distribution and body condition in a river floodplain: effect of longitudinal and lateral connectivity

Abstract – We studied eel population characteristics (size classes, densities and body condition) in the lower Loire River floodplain (France) to evaluate the effects of longitudinal and lateral gradients. A total of 36 sites were electrofished in June 2005. The sites were grouped first into three river segments according to the distance inland corresponding to a longitudinal gradient and secondly into three lateral connectivity categories. Results indicate that small eels, especially those ≤300 mm, were very abundant downstream but density rapidly decreased upstream. In addition, eels ≤150 mm tended to be most abundant in connected waterbodies. Conversely, the distribution of larger eels was quite uniform across both dimensions. Eel condition decreased upstream. In parallel, in downstream river segment, eels had a lower condition in disconnected waterbodies than in connected ones. Eel specialists still have only a longitudinal perception of eel habitat. Our results suggest that lateral gradients should be also taken into consideration.     

Management issues relating to the European eel, Anguilla anguilla

In many European countries there is growing concern over reduced recruitment and catches of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.). Evidence of the decline, together with possible reasons for the changes as detailed by various authors, are reviewed. It is suggested that the problems need to be addressed now and on various levels. Proposals for management actions, as outlined by the Environment Agency for England and Wales, are summarized by way of example.     

Analysis of distribution patterns of yellow European eels in the Loire catchment using logistic models based on presence–absence of different size-classes

Abstract –  We used logistic models to analyse the longitudinal distribution patterns of yellow European eels in the Loire catchment (France). Our models for predicting the presence of yellow eels supported contrasting spatial patterns according to the size of individuals and catchments. The smallest eels (mainly <150 mm and secondly 150–300 mm) were confined to downstream areas, but rapidly colonised upstream reaches. By contrast, larger eels were distributed further inland but tended to become more sedentary. In addition, a higher density of barriers to migration in the Maine catchment (a large catchment within the Loire catchment) probably delayed the upstream colonisation compared with the rest of the Loire catchment. These results suggest that logistic models may be a useful and efficient tool: (1) for the assessment of eel status and trends in freshwater systems; and (2) for the assessment of the consequences of local perturbations or conversely improvement of colonisation.     

Spatial organisation of European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) in a small catchment

Abstract –  Modelling-governing patterns of European eel ( Anguilla anguilla L.) distribution of four eel size classes (<150, 150–300, 300–450 and >450 mm) in the Frémur basin (northwest France) was done using artificial neural network (ANN) techniques and ecological profiles. Our results demonstrate the high predictive power of the ANN models. Some macro- and microscale factors, such as distance from the sea, depth and flow velocity, have the most significant influence on the models. Influence of distance from the sea appears to be very different from the spatial organisation usually described in river systems. In fact, the general tendencies of total eel densities according to the distance from the sea showed that densities increase weakly upstream. Another outcome was the variations in habitat preference according to the eel size, even if this species is spread over practically every type of microhabitat. Small eels were mainly found in shallow habitats with strong abundance of aquatic vegetation, whereas large eels tend to be found in intermediate to high depth with small to intermediate abundance of aquatic vegetation. Finally, we hypothesise that European eels change behaviour and microhabitat characteristic preference around a size of 300 mm.     

Implications of the precautionary approach for the management of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla

The European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), has a complex life history and many aspects of the biology and population dynamics of this species remain unknown or, at best, poorly understood. Relatively little is also known about the status of the stocks and fisheries, but available data suggest that recruitment of glass eels has been falling for the last 20 years and is at historically low levels. Yellow and silver eel catches have also been falling in many parts of the species range over a similar time‐scale. Re‐examination of the principles applied to fisheries management over recent years has resulted in the adoption of a ‘precautionary approach’ to the conservation, management and exploitation of fish stocks, and in an explicit need to take account of uncertainties in management to reduce risks to stocks and their environment. Such an approach is highly relevant to the management of the European eel and requires that urgent consideration is given to harvest strategies and decision structures for the national and international management of stocks and fisheries. Provisional biological reference levels should be established to provide an equable assessment of the status of stocks in all parts of Europe and to evaluate the need for management measures in all fisheries. These will need to be reviewed as further information comes available. Monitoring and research on eel stocks should therefore be enhanced and co‐ordinated to improve our understanding of the status of stocks throughout Europe and the biology of the species.     

Movements of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) in a chalk stream

Abstract – The movements of wild European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) were monitored continuously over a 2‐year period in a tributary of the River Itchen, Hampshire, UK, using a passive integrated transponder (PIT) antenna system. The time of these movements was then related to a number of monitored and calculated environmental parameters. No eel movements were recorded in the winter months when mean stream temperature was below 10 °C. The numbers of movements peaked in May, when mean water temperatures and day length were increasing. The movement of eels was significantly (P < 0.001, R² = 0.45, N = 72) correlated with the time of sunset, with the majority (72%) recorded during the hours of darkness. The results of this investigation have implications for the design/timing of surveys of yellow eel populations and their habitat associations and suggest that successfully determining the microhabitat preferences of active resident eels will require remote monitoring throughout the 24‐h period.     

养殖鳗鲡红头病的研究

1995年2月—1996年10月,对欧洲鳗鲡红头病进行了病原菌分离、人工感染、病原菌生理、生化特性和药物敏感性的测定,观察了病理组织变化。结果认为病原菌鲁氏不动杆菌为革兰氏染色阴性、无动力的双杆状菌,接触酶阳性,氧化酶、旷V—P反应、MR反应、吲哚反应、H_2S产生阴性、对四环素、强力霉素、妥布霉素敏感。主要病变为头部水肿、出血、鳃丝水肿、溃烂,肝脏细胞实质性坏死,形成坏死结疖、肾小管上皮层分解,血细胞浸润形成溃疡灶、脾脏充血、肿大、细胞相互融合。     

Effect of different methods for the induction of spermiation on semen quality in European eel

Five hormonal treatments with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were tested for the induction of maturation and spermiation in male farmed eels. The main aim was to optimize previously used hormonal treatments to achieve shorter induction treatments, longer spermiation periods and/or higher sperm quality. Fish treated for just 3 weeks (treatment E) or until the onset of spermiation (treatment C) showed the worst results, while the treatment consisting of weekly administration of 1.5 IU hCG g^?1 fish (treatment A) induced the highest percentage of spermiating males, the highest number of sperm samples and sperm volumes and densities similar to the rest of the treatments (B: half hormone dosage, or D: biweekly administration). Evaluation of the sperm quality was performed by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA), considering the percentage of total motile spermatozoa, the percentage of fast and medium‐velocity spermatozoa, as well as different motility parameters. Sperm samples from A‐D groups showed between 44% and 54% motile spermatozoa, and between 10% and 15% fast spermatozoa, while samples from E‐treated males showed 0% motile cells. No significant differences were found in the spermatozoa straight line velocity (VSL), curvilinear velocity (VCL) or the angular velocity (VAP), neither spermatozoa beating cross frequency (BCF) between A–D groups.     

Differences in head shape of the European eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.)

Differences in eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), head shape were the result of greater increases in head width, rather than changes in head length. The ratio of head width:total length (HW:TL) increased significantly ( t -test, P < 0.05) from the glass-yellow eel stage. Cultured yellow eels were exclusively narrow headed (mean HW:TL = 0.027, range = 0.023–0.032), while wild yellow eels displayed an array of head shapes (mean HW:TL = 0.033, range = 0.023–0.046). Therefore, broad heads (HW:TL 0.033) occurred only among wild yellow eels sampled and may have resulted from diet. Cultured yellow eels consumed only small pellet material. Of wild yellow eels stomachs containing food, 78% of broad-headed eels consumed large and/or hard-bodied organisms (e.g. beetles, fish, molluscs and Notonecta sp.), while 83% of narrow-headed eels consumed exclusively small/soft-bodied prey (e.g. amphipods and chironomids).     

The eel fishery in Lough Neagh,Northern Ireland – an example of sustainable management?

Abstract  Lough Neagh produces over 500 t of grown eel annually and employs 300 people fishing yellow and silver eel. Glass eel are transported upstream and stocked into the Lough. Since glass eel returns crashed in the 1980s, additional glass eel seed has been purchased from other fisheries. The fishery now faces ecological, social and economic pressures. Prices for the product have fallen; recruitment to the fishery has declined, and seed has decreased in availability and increased in price. Fishers are less inclined to take up the hard work required to make a living fishing eel and the fisher population is ageing. The European Commission has recognised the decline of eel and proposed emergency measures, which may further affect the viability of the fishery. The sustainability of the fishery is examined, based on the relationship between glass eel input and grown eel outputs over a period of 45 years, set against increasing environmental, socio-economic, and natural resource pressures. Spawning escapement of silver eel is estimated by mark–recapture experiments.     

恩诺沙星及其代谢物环丙沙星在欧洲鳗鲡体内的代谢动力学

采用高效液相色谱法,研究药饵口灌给药途径下,恩诺沙星及其代谢物环丙沙星在欧洲鳗鲡(Anguilla anguilla)体内的药代动力学。欧洲鳗鲡口灌给药恩诺沙星10 mg/kg后,其血浆、肌肉和肝脏中药物时量曲线关系符合一级吸收的二室开放动力学模型。恩诺沙星在欧洲鳗鲡不同组织中分布较广,血浆、肌肉和肝脏的Vd分别为6.362 L/kg、8.081 L/kg和15.870 L/kg;恩诺沙星在鳗鲡体内消除较慢,在血浆、肌肉和肝脏中的消除半衰期(tβ1/2)分别为161.10 h、333.21 h和611.26 h,总体清除率(CLs)分别为27.4 mL/(kg.h)、16.8 g/(kg.h)和18.0 g/(kg.h)。代谢物环丙沙星在鳗鲡血浆、肌肉和肝脏中药物水平的变化趋势与恩诺沙星基本相似,呈现出多峰现象,但3种组织中环丙沙星出现第一个药峰时间分别为给药后第24小时、24小时和12小时,3种组织中环丙沙星峰值水平肝脏中最高、肌肉中次之、血浆中最低,环丙沙星在肌肉和肝脏中的消除速率比较缓慢。鉴于恩诺沙星和其代谢物环丙沙星在欧洲鳗鲡体内消除较慢,建议养成阶段使用其他药物。     

Temporal changes in European eel, Anguilla anguilla, stocks in a small catchment after installation of fish passes

Abstract  Changes in the abundance of European eel, Anguilla anguilla L., in the River Frémur, France, were examined over an 8-year period. Natural connectivity of the river was disturbed by three high dams that inhibited eel upstream migration and reduced recruitment by elvers and yellow eels. After eel passes were installed, fish became more abundant upstream (mean density 0.5 eel m⁻²). Moreover, except in the more upstream areas, no decline in eel numbers and biomass was found, in contrast to the general decline of eel throughout its distribution range. It was concluded that eel passes are important to conserve and/or to recover eel stocks.     

孔雀石绿及其主要代谢产物在欧洲鳗鲡体内的蓄积及消除规律

为了解孔雀石绿及其有毒代谢产物无色孔雀石绿在鱼体中的蓄积与消除规律,达到对孔雀石绿的禁用监控,本试验对初始体重为12.42±2.18 g的欧洲鳗鲡进行0.1 mg/L药浴24 h,再转移到清水中养殖120d,采用高效液相色谱法测定血液、肝脏、肾脏和肌肉组织中孔雀石绿(MG)及其代谢物无色孔雀石绿(LMG)的残留。结果表明:在药浴开始阶段,肝脏、肾脏和肌肉中的MG含量迅速上升,肝脏、肾脏和血液于浸浴6 h时即达到最高平均值,分别为859.8±127.0μg/kg、589.2±40.0μg/kg和88.6±51.3μg/kg,肌肉于浸浴12h时达最高值(720.5±192.6μg/kg),随后含量下降。鳗鲡各组织中LMG高峰出现时间都晚于MG,血液、肝脏和肾脏中的LMG都是在浸浴12 h时,达到最高平均值,分别为1 135.0±376.4μg/kg、1 730.9±538.5μg/kg和238.9±105.5μg/kg;肌肉组织LMG的高峰出现时间更晚,是清水养殖3 d(72 h)时,为960.1±251.0μg/kg。血液中的MG消除最快,于清水养殖的第2天(48 h)检测不到残留。肾脏于养殖10 d(240 h)、肝脏于养殖45 d(1 080 h)时检测不到残留MG,而肌肉中的MG在养殖90 d时才检测不到。LMG在鳗鲡血液和肌肉组织中消除时间与MG相比显著延长,血液中的LMG消除时间是养殖90 d(2 160 h),而肌肉中于养殖120 d时,仍能检测到一定含量的LMG。除了肾组织在整个试验阶段和肌肉组织在浸浴过程中,所含平均MG比LMG高以外,其余情况下都是LMG平均含量明显高于MG平均值。本试验表明,可以通过对鳗鲡肌肉中的无色孔雀石绿残留的检测达到对孔雀石绿禁用的监控。     

用RAPD技术研究3种鳗鱼的种质鉴定

利用RAPD技术从32个随机引物中筛选出20个引物,对日本鳗(Anguillajaponicus)、欧洲鳗(Anguillaanguilla)和美洲鳗(Anguillarostrata)的DNA进行扩增,均得到1～13条大小不等的DNA片段,长度大部分在500～2300bp,其中14个引物共扩增出37个特异性标记,可用来区分这3种鳗鱼。日本鳗和欧洲鳗和美洲鳗种群内相似系数分别为0.885,0.717,0.686;种间遗传距离分别为:日本鳗和欧洲鳗0.747,日本鳗和美洲鳗0.668,欧洲鳗和美洲鳗0.211。这与形态学分析的结果相一致。     

Age and growth of yellow eel, Anguilla anguilla (L.), determined by two different methods

Abstract– Ageing and calculation of growth rate of eels has always been controversial, and remarkably little validation has been reported. This article describes the growth of yellow eels from three lakes in the Burrishoole system, Ireland, as determined by back-calculation from otoliths prepared by burning and cracking. Eels captured by fyke net ranged in length from 25.0 cm to 98.5 cm and the ages ranged from 6 to 49 years. Back-calculated growth was slow, with mean annual increments of 2.08 cm, 1.40 cm and 1.97 cm for the three lakes. Yellow eels captured in the Burrishoole system in 1987 and 1988 were marked by Pan Jet inoculated alcian blue dye and released back into the three lakes. Recaptures made over the following three years yielded considerable growth data. Mean annual growth rates recorded were 2.30 cm, 1.07 cm and 0.97 cm. These data compare favorably with the calculated growth rates, thereby validating the otolith analysis for the eels in the Burrishoole system.     

Predicting catches for the Lough Neagh (Northern Ireland) eel fishery based on stock inputs, effort and environmental variables

Abstract  The Lough Neagh eel fishery is the largest remaining commercial source of wild European eels. Following the pan-European elver crash in the 1980s, the numbers of elvers entering the Lough fell drastically, prompting the Lough Neagh Fishermen's Co-operative Society Ltd (LNFCS) to purchase additional glass eels from a UK distributor. LNFCS have continued to purchase glass eels, when market prices have been favourable, to supplement the natural glass eel input. This study assesses the impact of these stocked glass eels on the Lough Neagh yellow and silver eel fisheries with a predictive model based on natural and stocked glass eel input, effort and environmental variables. Despite the final models' limitations to assess conclusively the contribution of the additional purchased glass eels the models can be used cautiously to predict, in the short term, yellow and silver eel output. The models will require reviewing, on an annual basis, as further data become available.     

Variation in numbers of eel Anguilla anguilla caught by constant effort in an Irish lake, 1981–1994

Abstract– A total of 8,903 eels were collected in 503 fyke-net samples during the months March to December from 1981 to 1994 in a small bay in Lough Derg, a mesotrophic lake. Variations in catch between months and between years are described. In addition to expected decreases in catch in the colder months, a regular reduction was observed in June. Low catches were observed from 1985 to 1987, coinciding with low water temperatures. A very low catch in August 1994 may have been a chance variation but could have been a first indication of the effects of poor recruitment or of increased commercial fishing effort. The results support the initial hypothesis that a long-term study is required to determine the extent of variation in an eel population.     

Variations in the population dynamics of the European eel Anguilla anguilla (L.) along the course of a Cantabrian river

Abstract– The size, density and production rate of eel were determined at 16 contrasting sites of 4 streams along the course of a Cantabrian river over the years 1990–1993. In addition, the diel cycles of feeding activity were determined monthly in another tributary over the year 1991–1992. Eels in the Esva were small, short-lived and mostly males (>99%). The seasonal patterns of eel density, feeding activity and condition were tightly fitted with each other, size-independent and regulated mainly by water temperature. Mean eel size increased with distance from the river mouth, but at each site, it remained similar between seasons and years. In contrast, density decreased upstream and showed marked seasonal and annual fluctuations. For all the sites, the number of eels increased in spring and summer and peaked by late autumn, coincident with higher water temperature and lower discharge. Mortality and migration rates were correlated with eel numbers for each stream, suggesting a densitydependent regulation. Production rates were correlated with distance from the river mouth, which explained only 10.2% of the variation, but they were also correlated with the initial and mean numbers, suggesting that site-specific factors acting upon density also influence production. Average production for the first year was 158.6 kg^–ha^–1. year^–1 (range 56.5–378.0) but decreased to 104.2 and 89.7 in the next 2 years. The reduction in the numbers of eels rather than the later reduction in mean size was responsible for this decrease. Monthly water temperature, distance from the river mouth and the initial number and size of eels for each site explain most of the variation observed in the population parameters along the course of the Esva River.