Length–weight and length–length relationships of four native fish species of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau,China

This study presents the length–weight (LWR) and length–length relationships (LLR) of four fish species (Gymnocypris namensis Wu & Ren, 1982; Herzensteinia microcephalus Herzenstein, 1891; Triplophysa stenura Herzenstein, 1888; and Triplophysa brevicauda Herzenstein, 1888) collected from the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, China. A total of 291 specimens was collected using electric fishing (12V), gill nets (mesh size: 2 × 2 cm, 3 × 3 cm) and cast nets (mesh size: 2 × 2 cm), in July 1998 and October 2014.     

Length‐weight relationships of four fish species from the Yellow River,China

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for four fish species [Schizopygopsis anteroventris Wu & Tsao, 1989, Schizothorax lissolabiatus Tsao, 1964, Triplophysa markehenensis (Zhu & Wu, 1981) and Triplophysa siluroides (Herzenstein, 1888)] from the Yellow River. Samples were collected seasonally from August 2016 to October 2017, using various fishing gears [set nets (mesh: 1.5 cm × 2.0 cm), hook, drift gill nets (mesh: 1.0 cm × 2.0 cm × 3.0 cm) and electro fishing]. Four new maximum standard length were recorded for S. anteroventris, S. lissolabiatus, T. markehenensis and T. siluroides.     

Length–weight relationships of six fish species from the Zengqu River and the Ouqu River,southwest China

This study provides the first report of length–weight relationships (LWRs) for six endemic fish species collected from the Zengqu River and the Ouqu River, two of the tributaries to the upper reaches of the Jinsha River, southwest China. Samples were obtained in May 2013 and September 2013 using various types of fishing gear. A total of 413 specimens belonging to six fish species were analyzed; their LWRs were W = 0.0069L^3.086 (r² = 0.987) for Schizothorax wangchiachii (Fang, 1936), W = 0.0076L^3.029 (r² = 0.980) for Schizothorax dolichonema (Herzenstein, 1889), W = 0.0029L^3.315 (r² = 0.961) for Schizopygopsis malacanthus (Herzenstein, 1891), W = 0.0082L ^2.970 (r² = 0.950) for Ptychobarbus kaznakovi (Nikolsky, 1903), W = 0.0017L^3.464 (r² = 0.957) for Triplophysa stolioczkae (Steindachner, 1866), and W = 0.0037L ^3.190 (r² = 0.956) for Triplophysa orientalis (Herzenstein, 1888). Prior to this study, the LWRs for S. dolichonema, P. kaznakovi and T. orientalis were unknown. In addition, new maximum sizes for four of the species are provided.     

Length–weight relationships for five loach species collected from the Jinshajiang River,China

Length–weight relationships were estimated for the first time for five loaches of the Jinshajiang River, China. Four of the species are endemic to China. The scientific names are: Clea dabryi (Sauvage, 1874); Homatula variegata (Dabry de Thiersant, 1874); Sinibotia superciliaris (Gunther, 1892); Triplpphysa anterodorsalis (Zhu & Cao, 1989); and Triplophysa leptosoma (Herzenstein, 1888).     

Length‐weight relationships for three zoarcoid fish species from the coastal waters of the northern Yellow Sea,China

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for three zoarcoid fish species: Zoarces elongatus Kner, 1868, Pholis fangi (Wang & Wang, 1935) and Chirolophis japonicus Herzenstein, 1890. Samples were collected from the coastal waters of the northern Yellow Sea (near Dalian City) using bottom trawl nets (20 mm stretched mesh size in the cod‐end) for Zoarces elongatus and Pholis fangi and set gill nets (mesh size 15.6 mm) for Chirolophis japonicus. Samples were taken from mid‐March to early April 2017. Parameter b values in the fitted LWRs were 3.119, 3.440 and 3.423 for Z. elongatus, P. fangi and C. japonicus, respectively.     

Length–weight relationships for three fish species from the Yalong River,southwestern China

Length–weight relationships were determined for three fish species: Gymnodiptychus pachycheilus (Herzenstein, 1892), Discogobio yunnanensis (Regan, 1907), and Triplophysa pseudostenura (He, Zhang & Song, 2012). Samples were collected from the Yalong River, southwestern China using fishing gear (gillnets, 30 × 15 m, mesh‐size 5 mm) and electroshock fishing (CWB‐2000 P, 12 V, 250 HZ) in June 2007. Prior to this study, length–weight relationships for these three species were unknown. For two of the species [Discogobio yunnanensis (Regan, 1907) and Triplophysa pseudostenura (He, Zhang & Song, 2012)], new maximum standard lengths not yet reported in the scientific literature were noted.     

Length–weight relationships of six fish species from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River,southwest China

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for six endemic fish species [Glyptothorax fokiensis (Rendahl, 1925), Lepturichthys fimbriata (Günther, 1888), Liobagrus marginatus (Günther, 1892), Percocypris pingi (Tchang, 1930), Pseudobagrus pratti (Günther, 1892) and Sinibotia superciliaris (Günther, 1892)] from the Pan Zhihua reach of the Jinsha River, which is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, southwest China. Samples were obtained between May 2004 and April 2012 using various types of fishing gear and electroshock fishing techniques. For each species, the sample size, length range, weight range, LWR, 95% confidence intervals of a and b, and coefficient of correlation were determined. Values of b were between 2.306 for P. pratti and 2.934 for P. pingi, and r² values ranged from 0.952 for G. fokiensis to 0.995 for P. pingi. Prior to this study, the LWRs for three of these endemic species were unknown.     

Length–weight relationships of three fish species from the Yalong River,China

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were determined for three fish species (Gymnodiptychus pachycheilus (Herzenstein, 1892), Triplophysa bleekeri (Sauvage & Dabry de Thiersant, 1874) and Triplophysa pseudostenura (He, Zhang & Song, 2012)) from the Yalong River in China. Samples were obtained between March 2009 and July 2013 using gillnets (25 × 12 m, mesh size 0.5 cm) and fish cages (0.5 × 0.5 × 10 m, mesh size 0.5 cm mesh). For each species, the sample size, length range, weight range, LWR, 95% confidence intervals of a and b, and coefficient of correlation were determined. Prior to this study, the LWRs for these three species were unknown.     

Length–weight and length–length relationships of 26 fish species from the Yiluo River,a tributary of the Yellow River,China

From February to October 2016, a total of 9,754 fish specimens were collected from the Yiluo River, a tributary of the Yellow River, China's second longest river. Based on these samples, length–weight relationships (LWRs) and length–length relationships (LLRs) were estimated for 26 species. Among these data, LWRs for 1 species, LLRs for 11 species, and maximum total lengths for six species were not previously recorded in FishBase. The a values of the LWRs varied between 0.0019 and 0.0116, and b values from 2.805 to 3.883. All regressions for LWRs and LLRs were highly significant (p < .001). These results will be useful for sustainable management and conservation of the fish resources in the Yiluo River and the Yellow River ecosystem.     

Length‐weight relationships of three indigenous fish species from National Nature Reserve for Rare and Endemic Fishes of the upper Yangtze River,China

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for three small indigenous fish species, (Sinogastromyzon szechuanensis, Sinogastromyzon sichangensis and Sinocrossocheilus labiatus) in the upper Yangtze River, China. Samples were collected using three types of local traditional fishing gears, including gill nets (mesh size: 1 cm), fish cages (mesh size: 0.5 cm), and electrofishing techniques (CWB‐2000 P, 12V, 250 Hz), in April, July and October 2013 and 2014, and April and October 2016. The sample size for each species were gathered separately, with 100 for S. szechuanensis, 381 for S. sichangensis and 49 for S. labiatus from National Nature Reserve for rare and endemic fishes of the upper Yangtze River, China. The length‐weight relationship parameter values of b were calculated as 2.986 for S. szechuanensis (b: 2.854–3.118), and 3.284 for S. sichangensis (b: 3.209–3.359) and 3.119 for S. labiatus (b: 2.911–3.326). The primary data will be meaningful for further research about sustainable development and scientific management of fishery resources of the upper Yangtze River.     

Length–weight relationships for four species in the Dogxung Zangbo River,a main tributary of the Yarlung TsangpoRiver,Tibet, China

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) for four species are presented, captured in the Dogxung Zangbo River, a main tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Tibet, China. Fish were captured in summer and autumn between May 2006 and September 2017 with three fyke nets from six sites.The results of LWRs for Schizothorax oconnori Lloyd, 1908, Schizopygopsis stoliczkai Steindachner, 1866, Triplophysa orientalis (Herzenstein, 1888), and Glyptosternon maculatum (Regan, 1905) provide basic data useful in fisheries science. They can assist in converting length data in to weight and biomass in cases where weight can not be taken during field studies. If regularly taken in an annual monitoring programm together with other parameters, using a standardized sampling procedure, they can also helpful in stock assessment of fish species in the Dogxung Zangbo River and the upper reaches of the Yarlung Tsangpo River basin.     

Fish and fisheries in the Upper Mekong: current assessment of the fish community, threats and conservation

The Mekong flows north to south, through six countries in south–east Asia. Many studies have concentrated on fish and fisheries in the Lower Mekong, which has been identified as one of the largest inland fisheries in the world with an incredibly rich diversity of species. In contrast, fish and fisheries in the Upper Mekong (Lancang River) have remained relatively undocumented. In this paper, we synthesized information on freshwater fish biodiversity and fisheries in the Upper Mekong and documented 173 species and subspecies (including 87 endemic species) among 7 orders, 23 families and 100 genera. We divided the Upper Mekong into 17 sub-basins based on Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and then used fish species data to cluster the sub-basins. Four parts (the headwater, the upper reach, the middle reach and the lower reach) and one lake have distinct fish species communities associated with them. There was a linear relationship between fish species (x) and endemic species (y) as y = 0.5464x − 3.2926. Relationship between species number or endemic species number (y) and mean altitude (x) can be described as y = −54.352 ln(x) + 460.79 or y = −30.381 ln(x) + 253.85, respectively. Fisheries kept as about 6,000 t from 1989 to 1998, and then steadily increased to 10,000 t in 2004. We reviewed the overall threats to the Upper Mekong fish and fisheries, and found that hydrological alteration is the largest threat in the basin, followed by over fishing and the introduction of exotic species. In terms of specific river sections, water pollution was the most serious threat to fishes in the upper reach of the Upper Mekong, whilst migratory fishes in the lower reach of the Upper Mekong are seriously threatened by the construction of cascade dams. The Buyuan River and the Nanla River were identified as important feeding and spawning habitats for upstream migrant species and should be considered as a priority for conservation.     

Length-weight and length-length relationships of three fish species from the lower Yalong River,China

Length-weight relationships (LWRs) and length-length relationships (LLRs) were evaluated for three endemic fish species sampled from the lower Yalong River and its biggest tributary (the Anning River), in China. Specimens were captured using set gillnet (mesh size 4 cm) and backpack electro-fishing (power output 400 W, depth fished 1 m, area covered 3 m²) from June to July 2018. LWRs and LLRs are presented for the following species (Sinogastromyzon sichangensis, Micropercops swinhonis and Percocypris pingi).     

Multiple species of grayling (Thymallus sp.) found in sympatry in a remote tributary of the Amur River

Large-scale phenotypic and genetic studies of the salmonid genus Thymallus (grayling) in the Palaearctic suggest that most major phylogeographic lineages represent good biological species. Evaluating such a premise in areas involved in palaeo-hydrological dynamics where multiple species are found in sympatry should serve to assess the level of reproductive isolation, the traditional sine qua non of species recognition. Molecular sequence (mtDNA) and microsatellite (nDNA, seven loci) analysis of grayling in the upper Bureya River watershed support the occurrence of three distinctive species of grayling living in sympatry in this large oligotrophic tributary of the Amur River. One of these lineages is primarily found throughout the Lena River basin and is recognized as Baikal-Lena grayling Thymallus baicalolenensis; the second, the upper Amur grayling Thymallus grubii is found over large areas of the Amur catchment including the entire headwater region; and the third, the Bureya grayling Thymallus burejensis is endemic to the study area. A limited number of hybrids were identified, primarily between Baikal-Lena grayling T. baicalolenensis and Bureya grayling T. burejensis with little to no signs of introgression among non-hybrid individuals. Morphological distinctiveness among populations of these species living in sympatry was greater than between populations living in allopatry, suggesting character displacement. Divergence estimates among taxa range up to 6.2 MY, and allopatric origins for all three species’ is suggested. To our knowledge, this is the first data-based confirmation of three species of grayling living in sympatry.     

Length–weight relationships of nine fish species from the streams of Hunan Zhangjiajie Chinese Giant Salamander National Natural Reserve,China

Length–weight relationships (LWR), W = aL^b, were estimated for nine fish species belonging to three orders, four families and nine genera from the Hunan Zhangjiajie Chinese Giant Salamander National Natural Reserve, in the northwestern part of Hunan Province of central China. Six of the species are endemic to China, of which three are also endemic to the Yangtze River. The r² value ranged from 0.9546 to 0.9924. Values of b varied from 2.9177 to 3.6752. This study represents the first reference on LWR for nine species, and are new maximum length records for six species.     

Length–weight relationships for five endemic fish species in the upper Yangtze River basin,China

Length – weight relationships were estimated for five endemic fish species in the upper Yangtze River: Platysmacheilus nudiventris Luo, Le & Chen, 1977, Xenophysogobio nudicorpa (Huang & Zhang, 1986), Homatula potanini (Günther, 1896), Leptobotia rubrilabris (Dabry de Thiersant, 1872), and Euchiloglanis kishinouyei Kimura, 1934. The a values ranged from 0.0079 to 0.0134, and b values from 2.833 to 3.081. These five endemic species are rare, small and difficult to find and capture. Thus the sampling period was lengthy, from May 2010 to May 2014. A total of 718 specimens were available for analysis, and the length – weight relationships are the first reports for these five endemic fish species.     

Spatiotemporal assessment of Sickle Darter (Percina williamsi Page and Near, 2007) distribution in the upper Tennessee River Basin

The Sickle Darter Percina williamsi (Page and Near, 2007) is a species of fish endemic to the upper Tennessee River basin in eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, and western North Carolina. Because of its narrow range and presumed decline in occupied sites over the last half century, it is being proposed for federal listing under the Endangered Species Act. We analyzed the current distribution of the Sickle Darter and temporal trends in its distribution in relation to temporal trends in environmental and habitat covariates for each of the historically occupied sub-basins (upper Clinch, Emory, upper French Broad, Little, Little Pigeon, Middle Fork Holston, North Fork Holston, Powell, South Fork Holston, and Watauga) with multiple linear regression modelling. A total of 154 Sickle Darters were observed at 15 sites throughout the upper Tennessee River Basin. Sickle Darters were observed in the Little River, Emory River, and Middle Fork Holston River sub-basins. A total of 133 unique historical occurrences were used for the spatiotemporal analyses. Sickle Darters have declined in 8 out of 10 historically occupied sub-basins. Our best model for the whole distribution scale (Mallow's Cp = −0.87; Adjusted R² = .92) suggests that habitat fragmentation due to damming has had adverse effects on Sickle Darter populations across its distribution. Models were very similar for the sub-basin specific models as well. The results from this study highlight the drivers of decline in Sickle Darter distribution and outline the future research needs for this species that should be used to inform future conservation decisions regarding this species.     

Length–weight relationships of three fish species from the upper reaches of the Beijiang River,Shaoguan, China

Fish assemblages were randomly collected in March 2015 from the upper reaches of the Beijiang River, Shaoguan, China. Fish were sampled on 10 occasions using gill nets (mesh size: 3 cm) and the length–weight relationships (LWRs; W = a × L^b) of three native species recorded: Xenocypris davidi, Xenocypris macrolepis and Culter recurviceps. The exponent b varied from 2.803 to 3.096 and r² values ranged 0.985–0.992. This is the first report on the LWRs of fish from this area, with valuable results for the research, management and conservation of fishery resources in the upper reaches of the Beijiang River.     

Length‐weight relationships for three endemic fish species from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River,southwestern China

Length‐weight relationships (LWRs) were evaluated for three endemic fish species (Sinibrama taeniatus Nichols, 1941; Ancherythroculter nigrocauda Yin & Wu, 1964; and Acrossocheilus monticola Günther, 1888) from the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, southwestern China. Samples were collected using gill nets (25 × 12 m, mesh‐size 2.0 cm) and fishing cages (0.5 × 0.5 × 10 m, mesh‐size 1.0 cm) as well as by electroshock (CWB‐2000 P, 12 V, 250 Hz), from July to September in 2013–2016. Prior to this study, the LWRs for these three species (S. taeniatus, A. nigrocauda and A. monticola) were unknown. In addition, new maximum size for A. nigrocauda and A. monticola were provided.