A new optimal foraging model predicts habitat use by drift-feeding stream minnows

Abstract – There is substantial need for models that accurately predict habitat selection by fishes for purposes ranging from the elaboration of ecological theory to the preservation of biodiversity. We have developed a new and highly tractable optimal foraging model for drift‐feeding fishes that is based on the profitability of occupying varying focal‐point velocities in a stream. The basic model can be written as: I_x = (E_x * P_x) = {(D * A * V) * [1/(1 + e^{(b + cV)})]} ? S_x, where: (1) I_x is the net energy intake at velocity x; (2) E is prey encounter rate; (3) P is prey capture success rate which can be modelled as 1/(1 + e^{(b + cV)}) where b and c are fitting constants from the prey capture success curve; (4) D is the energy content of prey (J/m³) in the drift; (5) A is the visual reactive area of the fish; (6) V is velocity (cm/s); and (7) S is the cost of maintaining position (J/s). Given that D, A and S can be considered constant over the range of velocities occupied by these fishes, the model reduces to e^{(b + cV)} = 1/(cV ? 1) which we solved iteratively to yield an optimal focal‐point velocity for species in each sample. We tested the model by comparing its predictions to the mean focal‐point velocities (i.e. microhabitats) occupied by four species of drift‐feeding minnows in two sites in a stream in North Carolina, USA. The model successfully predicted focal‐point velocities occupied by these species (11 out of 14 cases) in three seasonal samples collected over 2 years at two sites. The unsuccessful predictions still were within 2 cm/s of the 95% confidence intervals of mean velocities occupied by fishes, whereas the overall mean deviation between optimal velocities and mean fish velocities was small (range = 0.9 and 3.3 cm/s for the warpaint shiner and the Tennessee shiner, respectively). Available focal‐point velocities ranged from 0–76 to 0–128 cm/s depending on site and season. Our findings represent one of the more rigorous field tests of an optimal foraging/habitat selection model for aquatic organisms because they encompass multiple species and years, and for one species, multiple sites. Because of the ease of parameterization of our model, it should be readily testable in a range of lotic habitats. If validated in other systems, the model should provide critical habitat information that will aid in the management of riverine systems and improve the performance of a variety of currently used management models (e.g. instream flow incremental methodology (IFIM) and total maximum daily load calculations (TMDL)).     

东海区主要经济鱼类开捕规格的初步研究

根据1997-2000年东海区底拖网渔、№资源调查资料，以Beverton—Holt模型的单位补充量渔获最方程估算东海区18种主要经济鱼类的最适开捕年龄。运用von Bertalanffy，丰长方程估算最适开捕体长。结合鱼类生长的拐点年龄、临界年龄和初届性成熟年龄的体长，以及各鱼种实测最小性成熟体长，确定开捕规格。结果表明，目前东海区产量较高的带鱼（Trichiurus japonicus）和小黄鱼（Larimichthys polyactis）的建议开捕规格分别应为体长230mm和170mm。调整后的开捕规格与旧开捕规格相比，带鱼、短尾大眼鲷（Priacanthus macracanthus）、灰鲳（Pampus cinereus）、自姑鱼（Argyrosomus argentatus）均有所增大，小黄鱼、银鲳（Pampus argenteus）的开捕规格有所减小，变化较小的有蓝点马鲛（Scomberomorus niphonius）、日本鲭（Somber japonicus）、慌圆鲹（Decapterus maruadsi）等。建议以这18种主要经济鱼类为指标种类，制定新的法定开捕体长和幼鱼比例检查措施，实现东海区渔业资源的可持续利用。     

Length–weight relationships for 21 coastal fish species of the Azores, north-eastern Atlantic

Length–weight relationships were estimated for 21 coastal fish species of the Azores, namely Abudefduf luridus, Bothus podas, Chromis limbata, Coris julis, Diplodus sargus, Echiichthys vipera, Gaidropsarus guttatus, Labrus bergylta, Mullus surmuletus, Phycis phycis, Pomatomus saltator, Sarda sarda, Scorpaena maderensis, Scorpaena notata, Seriola rivoliana, Serranus atricauda, Sparisoma cretense, Sphyraena viridensis, Synodus saurus, Thalassoma pavo and Trachinotus ovatus. Significant length–weight relationships were found for all species. Sexual dimorphism did not affect the length–weight relationships, except in the cases of S. cretense and C. julis. Length–length equations for converting size measurements (standard length (SL) and fork length (FL) to total length (TL)) are also presented for all fish species.     

The origin of the mammalian form of GnRH in primitive fishes

The presence of neuroendocrine hormones in extant agnathan fishes suggests that a method of control involving these hormones was operating 500–600 million years ago in emerging vertebrates. Data on a limited number of species show that several members of the GnRH family of peptides may have arisen in non-teleost fishes. Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) GnRH has a unique composition and has not been detected in other vertebrates. It is not yet clear whether the chicken II GnRH-like molecule arose in cartilaginous fishes, but a chromatographically and immunologically similar molecule is found in dogfish (Squalus acanthias) and ratfish (Hydrolagus colliei). Finally, a mammalian GnRH-like molecule is detected in three primitive bony fish: sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), reed fish (Calamoichthys calabaricus), and alligator gar (Lepidosteus spatula). Minor forms are also present, but are not yet characterized. Clearly, the basic structure of GnRH peptides was established in primitive fish. In contrast, at least three other identified forms of GnRH have been detected in teleosts or tetrapods: Salmon I, catfish I, and chicken I GnRH. Evidence for the presence of members of the GnRH family and the neurohypophysial hormone family in primitive fishes argues for the importance of neuroendocrine control throughout the history of vertebrates.     

The suitability of anadromous Arctic charr as host and vector of the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris

Abstract –  In 2000, the Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) stock in the river Signaldalselva, North Norway was found to be infected with the monogenean Gyrodactylus salaris (Malmberg). This river system has a multispecies fish community of nine species in total. Low densities of Atlantic salmon parr were found during electrofishing in October (2003) with a prevalence of 94% and a mean abundance of 848 G. salaris. This watercourse also holds a riverine stock of anadromous Arctic charr ( Salvelinus alpinus ), which is not common in Norway. Among the parr of Arctic charr, 64% were infested with an abundance of 23 parasites per fish. The most heavily infected 0+ and 1+ juvenile Arctic charr had 469 and 534 parasites, respectively, indicating that the parasites are able to reproduce on Arctic charr in the wild. There was little variation in the rates of infestation of Arctic charr along the studied stretch of the river, even in areas with very low densities of Atlantic salmon parr. The parr of anadromous Arctic charr seem to be suitable as long-term hosts for G. salaris . Moreover, a few (22%) infested adult sea-running Arctic charr were captured after ascending the river in the autumn, which shows that large fish may also act as carriers of G. salaris . However, no parasites were recorded on potential anadromous Arctic charr before descending during early spring (April 2003 and April 2004). Thus, it is still not clear whether anadromous Arctic charr are able to disperse the parasite between watercourses. So far, it is uncertain whether G. salaris may increase the mortality rates of Arctic charr and thereby be a threat to these unusual occurring riverine anadromous Arctic charr stocks.     

鱼类热忍耐温度研究进展

The paper is a review of the studies on the temperature of the thermal tolerance in fishes. It was described from four aspect: (1) The key parameters of temperature of thermal tolerance in fishes; (2) The influence factors of temperature of thermal tolerance in fishes; (3) The research methods of thermal effect of fishes; (4) The evaluation of effects of thermal pollution on fishes, especially, with the coastal power station will be‘built in China recent years, the effects of thermal discharge water on the marine fisheries resource wered iscussed.     

淡水养殖鱼类主要细菌性传染病快速诊断的研究——用SPA-CoA检测16株鱼类致病菌

用富含Ａ蛋白的金黄色葡萄球菌国际标准株（ｃｏｗａｎｌ），分别标记１６株淡水鱼类致病菌高兔血清，制备ＳＰＡ诊断液，建立了检测这１６株致病菌的ＳＰＡ－ＣｏＡ。将待检病料经分离培养１６～１８ｈ进行检测，３ｍｉｎ内可判定结果，比玻片凝集试验的敏感性高２５～５０倍。经交叉和重复性试验表明，其特异性强、重复性好、操作简便，快速，无需特殊仪器。适用于基层鱼场对淡水鱼类主要病原菌的快速鉴定和流行病调查。并将１６株致病菌用１１种药物作药敏试验，为防治上述致病菌引起的鱼病提供依据     

On species and speciation with reference to the fishes

The nature of species and the processes in which they participate are subjects of continuing debate among evolutionary biologists. I begin by examining how ichthyologists treat species empirically. Such treatments provide a pattern of species and their relationships over time and space. I suggest that this empirical record points to a predominant mode of speciation: vicariant, Model I, allopatric speciation. I also suggest that species are real and that they are individuals. There is a single species concept, the evolutionary species concept (ESC), that best captures the way we think about fish species. This concept is also well integrated with the manner in which species are treated in Phylogenetic Systematics and with the philosophical concept that species are particulars rather than universals.     

Preliminary Assessment of the Riverine Nitrogen Concentration and Load in an Agroforestry Basin in NW Spain

In this study, the concentrations and loads of different forms of nitrogen [nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total nitrogen (TN)] in the headwater catchment of the Mero River (NW Spain) were analyzed. The TN concentrations were relatively low (mean: 2.57 mg L^?1). Nitrate was the predominant form of N in the Mero catchment, accounting for 76.65 percent of the TN concentration. Measured NO₃-N concentrations were always lower than the maximum allowed drinking water concentration. An annual TN load of 61.2 Mg was computed, representing an export of 0.94 Mg km^?2 y^?1, whereas annual exports NO₃-N and TKN were of 0.79 and 0.15 Mg km^?2 y^?1, respectively.