Hydroacoustic observation of fish spatial patterns and behavior in the ship lock and adjacent areas of Gezhouba Dam, Yangtze River

The split-beam echo sounders were used in the No. 1 ship lock and the adjacent areas of the Gezhouba Dam Reach separately, to observe fish spatial distribution and the behavior of local fish about the Gezhouba Dam, and figure out whether the ship lock could served as a channel for fish migration in a way. The resulted showed that there were significance difference in both fish size (converted from the TS of individual fish) and abundance in the five marked sub-areas. Beyond that, there was an analogical fish distribution format in the analogical environmental condition. It might well be that fish species distributed in this area with the regioselectivity, which might resulted in the spatial differentiation. The horizontal fixed-location detection of the No. 1 ship lock revealed that, there were many ups and downs in the fish density with significant difference during a diurnal period, which might be resulted by the law of diel vertical distribution. There were all together 38 fishes moving up- or downstream the ship lock were detected during the period of ship-lock opening. In spite of the fact that, we cannot regard that the ship lock can served as the channel for fish migration. Because the evidence originated from the fish spatial differentiation and behavior in preference to that, it was the general behavior of that the fish swam backwards and forwards across the ship lock.     

厚颌鲂和圆口铜鱼耗氧率与窒息点的测定

用封闭静水式装置测定了体重2.3-4.7g厚颌鲂幼鱼的耗氧率和窒息点,用封闭静水式和封闭流水式装置测定了体重9.9-55.1g圆口铜鱼的耗氧率和窒息点。结果表明:在15-27℃条件下,厚颌鲂的耗氧率随着温度的升高而升高,耗氧率与水温呈线性关系;在水温24.8℃时厚颌鲂的窒息点为(0.91±0.08)mg/L。在水温23-27℃、封闭静水实验条件下,圆口铜鱼的耗氧率随体重增加而降低,两者呈指数关系;圆口铜鱼耗氧率昼夜变化明显,夜间耗氧率大于白天,推测圆口铜鱼夜间活动较多。在水温24.5-26.0℃条件下,体重21.8-46.3g圆口铜鱼的窒息点变幅较小,平均(1.14±0.23)mg/L。研究表明两种鱼都为耗氧率和窒息点较高的鱼类。       

Genetic diversity in population of largemouth bronze gudgeon (Coreius guichenoti Sauvage et Dabry) from Yangtze River determined by microsatellite DNA analysis

Largemouth bronze gudgeon (Coreius guichenoti Sauvage et Dabry 1874), one of the endemic fish species in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China, is a benthic and potamodromous fish that is typically found in rivers with torrential flow. Three dams in the Yangtze River, Ertan Dam, Three Gorges Dam and Gezhouba Dam, may have had vital impacts on the habitat and spawning behaviors of largemouth bronze gudgeon, and could ultimately threaten the survival of this fish. We studied the population genetic diversity of C. guichenoti samples collected at seven sites (JH, GLP, BX, HJ, MD, SDP and XB) within the Yangtze River and one of its tributaries, the Yalong River. Genetic diversity patterns were determined by analyzing genetic data from 11 polymorphic microsatellite loci. A high genetic diversity among these largemouth bronze gudgeon populations was indicated by the number of microsatellite alleles (A) and the expected heterozygosity (HE). No significant population variation occurred among GLP, BX, HJ and MD populations, but dramatic population differentiation was observed among JH and XB, two dam-blocked populations, versus other populations. Tests for bottlenecks did not indicate recent dramatic population declines and concurrent losses of genetic diversity in any largemouth bronze gudgeon populations. To the contrary, we found that dams accelerated the population differentiation of this fish.     

中华鲟的保护生物学研究进展

中华鲟是一种洄游性的鲟科鱼类,平时生活于海洋,亲鲟成熟后溯游到江河里繁殖。在长江葛洲坝修筑以前,中华鲟产卵场位于长江上游和金沙江下游江段。６０－７０年代中期,一些科研单位对上游中华鲟繁殖群体及产卵场等进行了较为全面的调查,撰写出现敢《长江鲟鱼类生物学与人工繁殖研究》,中华鲟的人工繁殖也于１９７１年产首获成功。葛洲坝枢纽建成以后,中华鲟繁殖群体被阻隔于葛洲坝下游宜昌江段,围绕大坝对中华鲟生存带来的不     

Assessing the effect of Separation Levee Project on Chinese sturgeon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipensor sinensis</Emphasis>) spawning habitat suitability in Yangtze River,China

Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) is a protected anadromous fish species. The migration pattern of the fish has been blocked by the construction of Gezhouba Dam, reducing the natural spawning site length to less than 7 km along the Yangtze River. However, the fish has since established an alternative spawning ground in the narrow reach downstream of Gezhouba Dam. To enhance navigation, a Separation Levee Project (SLP) was implemented in the new-found spawning habitat of the fish. To therefore evaluate the effect of the SLP on Chinese sturgeon spawning habitat suitability, the conditions in the spawning habitat were simulated using River2D (a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model). Two main approaches (habitat kinetic energy and circulation metrics) were used in the simulation. The study showed that SLP only slightly changed the physical conditions in the spawning habitat. Using hydrodynamic simulation, the weighted usable area (WUA) before and after the SLP construction was also computed and habitat preference curve developed for water depth and velocity. On the average, SLP reduced WUA—a finding that was consistent with field-measured data. Based on WUA, the habitat conditions were more sensitive to SLP proximity than metrics based on velocity gradients. SLP posed detrimental impacts on the suitability of spawning habitats of Chinese sturgeon. The findings in this study provide further basis for the protection and restoration of Chinese sturgeon spawning habitats in especially the lower reach of Yangtze River.     

长江中华鲟繁殖群体资源现状的初步研究

根据1994—1998年获得的246尾标本,对中华鲟繁殖群体的性比、性腺发育成熟个体比例、年龄结构、体长和体重特征等进行了研究。并结合历史资料,对其种群资源现状进行评价,提出了相应的资源保护措施建议。     

中华鲟的性腺发育与退化问题研究

中华鲟(Acipenser sinensis) 是我国的一级重点保护野生动物, 也是长江水生动物保护的旗舰物种。近年来, 中华鲟已多次被监测到未进行野外自然繁殖, 其生存前景堪忧。有关其没有繁殖的原因存在多方面的争议, 尤其是黄真理等提出葛洲坝水利枢纽修建造成中华鲟性腺退化严重, 是导致中华鲟种群数量急剧减少的主要因素; 同时, 还宣称“中科院水生所有关否定中华鲟性腺退化的方法和材料, 是不充分和不可靠的”。为了避免该错误观点对中华鲟的保护造成误导, 文章从中华鲟的性腺发育过程及退化的判断标准、中华鲟的生活史阶段及性腺状态、葛洲坝与三峡工程对中华鲟繁殖影响等方面, 分析该观点的谬误之处。柯福恩等将正常发育的中华鲟III期性腺误判为是“退化性腺”; 文章认为刚进入长江不久的中华鲟亲鱼即出现性腺退化, 不符合中华鲟性腺发育的规律。多年监测数据显示, 葛洲坝水利枢纽导致中华鲟洄游距离缩短并没有改变中华鲟繁殖的时间格局, 也没有改变中华鲟性腺成熟的比例。黄真理等歪曲他人实际监测的数据, 提出的洄游距离影响中华鲟性腺发育的模型纯粹是不懂鱼类生物学的人玩弄的数学游戏。尽管现阶段中华鲟的保护确实遇到了困境, 但随着“长江十年禁渔”的实施, 电捕和滚钩等彻底取缔, 限制产卵场区域人类活动, 加强中华鲟野外产卵场的修复, 并进行更大规格、更大规模的群体放流, 中华鲟的种群还是有可能恢复的。     

Influences of dams with different levels of river connectivity on the fish community structure along a tropical river in Southeastern Brazil

The influence of three types of dams with different degrees of river connectivity on the structure of fish communities along the Paraíba do Sul River was studied: total blockage (Dam 1); partial blockage allowed by a permanent lateral channel (Dam 2); and total blockage, but with a mechanism operating in the summer for fish passage (Dam 3). The tested hypothesis is that the degree of river connectivity influences the fish community. The largest differences in fish fauna were expected between the reservoir and downriver stretch in Dam 1 with total blockage; an intermediate difference in Dam 3 with total blockage but with a fish passage; and the least difference in Dam 2 with partial blockage. Fish were caught by gill nets between January and March 2010 and between January and February 2011 (wet seasons) in two zones: the reservoir and the downriver stretch from the dam. A total of 43 fish species was recorded, including eight non‐native and two marine species. The 13 most abundant species (n > 100; frequency of occurrence >20%) occurred in all three stretches of the river. The community structure changed significantly between the reservoir and associated downriver stretch, with higher richness downriver compared to the reservoir zone. A trend for higher occurrence of migratory fishes (e.g. Pimelodus maculatus, Pimelodus fur, Leporinus copelandii and Prochilodus lineatus) was found in the downriver zone, suggesting the influence of dams on their upriver migration. The predictions were not fully matched. Although the most significant difference in the fish community structure between the reservoir and the downriver was found for Dam 1, the partial blockage in Dam 2 showed broader differences in the fish fauna than the total blockage in Dam 3 with the fish ladder, which may indicate that the latter is not a guarantee that species and genetic flux will be interchanged, since the water velocity may be a constraint to upriver fish migration.     

水坝拆除对黑水河鱼类群落结构和空间分布的影响

水坝拆除引起河流连通性、水动力、河流地貌等一系列变化,直接影响了鱼类群落结构和空间分布。黑水河为金沙江左岸一级支流,其上共建四级电站,出于支流生境恢复需求,第四级水坝老木河水坝于2018年12月实行拆除。为探明低水头坝拆除对鱼类群落的影响,结合2018年6月和2019年6月黑水河下游60.4km河段10个点位的渔获物调查,对拆坝前后鱼类群落结构和生态类型变化、优势物种与单位捕捞努力量以及不同河段间的群落相似性进行了分析。结果表明,水坝拆除半年后优势物种仍以鲤科和鳅科为主,但物种数和丰度整体上增加;生态类型上以杂食、喜急流和产微粘性卵鱼为主;拆坝后鱼类群落空间分布变化明显,靠近河口的自然河段鱼类上溯洄游到原坝址的上下游,部分长江上游特有鱼类在原坝址附近发生定殖行为,且拆坝后各河段的鱼类组成结构有同质化趋势。总体上,老木河水坝的拆除对黑水河下游的鱼类群落结构和空间分布产生了积极的影响。     

Spatiotemporal patterns of the fish assemblages downstream of the Gezhouba Dam on the Yangtze River

An explicit demonstration of the changes in fish assemblages is required to reveal the influence of damming on fish species. However, information from which to draw general conclusions regarding changes in fish assemblages is insufficient because of the limitations of available approaches. We used a combination of acoustic surveys, gillnet sampling, and geostatistical simulations to document the spatiotemporal variations in the fish assemblages downstream of the Gezhouba Dam, before and after the third impoundment of Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). To conduct a hydroacoustic identification of individual species, we matched the size distributions of the fishes captured by gillnet with those of the acoustic surveys. An optimum threshold of target strength of ?50 dB re 1 m² was defined, and acoustic surveys were purposefully extended to the selected fish assemblages (i.e., endemic Coreius species) that was acquired by the size and species selectivity of the gillnet sampling. The relative proportion of fish species in acoustic surveys was allocated based on the composition (%) of the harvest in the gillnet surveys. Geostatistical simulations were likewise used to generate spatial patterns of fish distribution, and to determine the absolute abundance of the selected fish assemblages. We observed both the species composition and the spatial distribution of the selected fish assemblages changed significantly after implementation of new flow regulation in the TGR, wherein an immediate sharp population decline in the Coreius occurred. Our results strongly suggested that the new flow regulation in the TGR impoundment adversely affected downstream fish species, particularly the endemic Coreius species. To determine the factors responsible for the decline, we associated the variation in the fish assemblage patterns with changes in the environment and determined that substrate erosion resulting from trapping practices in the TGR likely played a key role.     

Effects of damming on population sustainability of Chinese sturgeon, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acipenser sinensis</Emphasis>: evaluation of optimal conservation measures

The numbers of spawning sites for Chinese sturgeon have been drastically reduced since the construction of the Gezhouba Dam across the Yangtze River. This dam has blocked migration of Chinese sturgeon to their historic spawning ground causing a significant decline of the Chinese sturgeon population. We conducted a VORTEX population viability analysis to estimate the sustainability of the population and to quantify the efficiency of current and alternative conservation procedures. The model predicted the observed decline of Chinese sturgeon, resulting from the effect of the Gezhouba Dam. These simulations demonstrated the potential interest of two conservation measures: increasing spawning area and reducing predation on sturgeon eggs. The simulations also demonstrated that the actual restocking program is not sufficient to sustain sturgeon population as the artificial reproduction program induce the loss of more wild mature adults that the recruitment expected by the artificial reproduction.     

基于水声学方法的天目湖鱼类季节和昼夜空间分布研究

采用水声学方法系统地对天目湖春夏秋冬四季鱼类水平和垂直空间分布进行了调查研究,同时对昼夜探测的差异性进行了比较,并对不同季节间鱼类聚群形态进行了探讨。研究结果表明,天目湖鱼类在不同季节间存在规律性水平迁移,从全湖角度分析,天目湖鱼类资源昼夜间的水平空间分布无明显差异特征,但在春末和夏季的局部区域里,昼夜间鱼类存在一定近岸—远岸的水平迁移;不同季节和昼夜间,鱼类垂直分布差异明显,且在存在温跃层的夏季7月昼间,鱼类密度垂直分布与水温的垂直分布关系密切,温跃层以下的鱼类密度基本为0;天目湖鱼类在四个季节都属于成群分布类型,但季节间鱼类聚群形态不同,在冬季的1月呈现出典型的聚集,相对于昼间,春夏季鱼类在夜间分布更为均匀、分散,且水平探测表明在夜间水体表层存在大量鱼类分布。     

Genetic variation at mtDNA and microsatellite loci in Chinese longsnout catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leiocassis longirostris</Emphasis>)

Genetic variability and population structure of the Chinese longsnout catfish Leiocassis longirostris Günther in the Yangtze River was examined with mitochondrial control region sequences and nuclear microsatellite markers. A 705-bp segment of the mitochondrial DNA control region was sequenced from 132 samples, which identified a total of 61 haplotypes. The Chinese longsnout catfish in the Yangtze River was characterized with high haplotype diversity (h = 0.9770 ± 0.0041) but low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0081 ± 0.0043). Median-joining network analysis revealed a star-shaped pattern and mismatch distribution analysis found a smooth unimodal distribution, which suggested that this species in the Yangtze River underwent a population expansion following bottlenecks and/or they originated from a small size of founding population. It was estimated that the possible time of population expansion was 139,000–435,000 years before present, a time period in the middle Pleistocene. The analysis of molecular variance and phylogenetic reconstructions did not detect significant geographic structure between different river sections. This pattern of genetic variation was further evidenced with nuclear microsatellite markers. The genetic differentiation between above and below the Gezhouba Dam and Three Gorges Dam is very small at mitochondrial and nuclear levels, which suggested that these recently developed dams might have not significantly resulted in population genetic fragmentation in the Chinese longsnout catfish. However, the potential exacerbation of genetic structuring by the dams should not be overlooked in the future.     

Biology and life history of Dabry's sturgeon, Acipenser dabryanus, in the Yangtze River

Dabry's sturgeon, Acipenser dabryanus, is a relatively small (130 cm, 16 kg) and now rare sturgeon restricted to the Yangtze River Basin. It behaves as a resident freshwater fish, does not undertake long distance migrations (except for spawning), and lives in a variety of habitats. It historically spawned in the upper Yangtze River, but the spawning sites are unknown. Acipenser dabryanus reaches maturity earlier than do other Chinese sturgeons, which gives the species aquaculture potential, and artificial spawning has been carried out. However, the native population in the Yangtze has sharply declined in the last two decades due to overfishing, pollution and habitat alteration and destruction, especially since the construction of the Gezhouba Dam, which was built in 1981 across the Yangtze River at Yichang, Hubei Province. Since 1981, Dabry's sturgeon rarely occurs below the Gezhouba Dam because downstream movements are blocked. Clearly, conservation of Dabry's sturgeon must be emphasized. Conservation methods may include protecting habitats, controlling capture and stock replenishment.     

Microsatellite DNA variation among samples of bronze gudgeon, Coreius heterodon, in the mainstem of the Yangtze River, China

Bronze gudgeon, Coreius heterodon, is an endemic and economically important fish in the Yangtze River, whose abundance has declined dramatically because of dam construction, overfishing, and water pollution. The Gezhouba and Three Gorges dams block connection of the bronze gudgeon populations above and below the dams. We collected bronze gudgeon from four sites in the mainstem of the Yangtze River, with one site above the dams and three sites below the dams, and studied genetic structure within and among the samples using 12 microsatellite DNA markers. Differences in indexes of genetic diversity were not significant among all the samples. No recent dramatic decrease of effective population size was inferred for all the samples using the population bottleneck test. Overall and pairwise genetic differentiation showed no significant genetic differentiation. Membership proportions of three genetic clusters inferred using assignment analysis were not significantly different among the samples. These results suggested that the genetic diversity and structure of bronze gudgeon were uniform across the samples. However, the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test, fixation index and linkage disequilibrium test indicated genetic subdivision of bronze gudgeon in the upper reach of the Three Gorges Dam. The present study and future studies including tributary samples will provide an important baseline of genetic diversity and population structure of bronze gudgeon in the Yangtze River, which is critical for monitoring and evaluating impacts of the large-scale dams on this species.     

Genetic variation of the Chinese longsnout catfish Leiocassis longirostris in the Yangtze River revealed using mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences

The mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b of 132 Leiocassis longirostris collected from 12 localities in the upper to lower reaches of the Yangtze River were amplified and partially sequenced using the PCR technique. The results showed that 27 nucleotide sites were variable along 817 bp length of homologous sequence (3.3%), base substitutions happened mostly at the third codon position. A total of 22 haplotypes were identified, which were characterized with moderate haplotype diversity (h = 0.5417 ± 0.0519), but low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.0019 ± 0.0012). Median-joining network analysis revealed star-shaped patterns with one common central haplotype (H3), whereas mismatch distribution analysis found that the Chinese longsnout catfish fitted a smooth unimodal distribution, which suggested that this species underwent population expansion following bottlenecks and/or they originated from a small number of founding individuals. The time that the total population of Chinese longsnout catfish in the Yangtze River expanded was estimated 169,000–337,000 years before present. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and phylogenetic reconstructions did not detect significant geographic structure between different river sections, especially between above and below the Gezhouba Dam and the Three Gorges Dam, which suggested that these recently developed dams might have not significantly resulted in population genetic differentiation in the Chinese longsnout catfish.     

东海大陆架鱼类群落的空间结构

根据1997～2000年东海大陆架水深30～200米海域4个航次的底拖网调查资料,运用多元分析(聚类分析和非度量多维标度(NMDS))、SIMPER以及BIO-ENV方法分析了东海鱼类群落的空间格局以及与非生物环境因子之间的关系。结果表明,东海大陆架海域鱼类群落在空间上可分为3个群落类型,分别为东海近海群落、东海大陆架外缘群落以及这两个群落之间的东海大陆架混合群落。东海大陆架鱼类群落的种类组成沿着水深梯度的变化明显,每种鱼类均有一定的水深范围。不同的流系具有不同的温盐特征,影响了鱼类的分布及其洄游,从而控制了不同鱼类群落类型的种类组成。东海大陆架鱼类群落类型中,大陆架外缘群落类型各调查季节在空间分布和种类组成上相对稳定,而东海近海群落类型和东海大陆架混合群落类型在夏季融合在一起,其它季节保持各自的空间结构。同时东海陆架区只在一种群落类型中出现的鱼类相对较少,多数鱼类同时出现在两个群落类型中或3个群落类型中,但是它们相对较集中的区域明显不同,在不同群落类型中的生物量和出现频率有很大的差异,这些鱼类在其不同的生长发育阶段由于对海洋环境的不同需求,它们根据繁殖或摄食需求而在东海陆架区范围内洄游以寻找最适的海洋环境,因此对3个群落类型定义是相对的,很难严格确定一个永久的鱼类群落地理区域,以形成相互隔离的鱼类群落,而且鱼类群落之间的边界随着季节不同发生变化。     

Linking genetic assignment tests with telemetry enhances understanding of spawning migration and homing in sea trout Salmo trutta L.

Telemetric and molecular techniques are powerful tools for investigating patterns of species dispersal, habitat use, and reproductive behavior. Yet, these methods are rarely combined when studying spatial structures of migrating animals. This study combines migration data with genetic assignment tests of radio-tagged sea trout, Salmo trutta L., in two Swedish rivers. We investigate how the genetic information enhances the interpretation of the telemetry data. Individual gene frequencies of tagged fish are assigned to baseline samples of brown trout collected in tributaries and the main stems. The genetic assignment tests confirm that individuals returned from the sea to their natal stream, but also suggest that some individuals migrated to other than their native habitat. In total, 82% (R. Piteälven) and 37% (R. Vindelälven) of fish that were successfully assigned to a sample in a baseline migrated to an area in the vicinity of the sample location. The difference between rivers is likely due to low genetic differentiation among baseline samples and effects of stocking of fish in the R. Vindelälven. Combining the two techniques enhances understanding of migration behavior, important for conservation and management.     

葛洲坝水利枢纽兴建后对青、草、鲢、鳙繁殖生态效应的研究

本文分析了葛洲坝枢纽截流后,大坝上、下游草、青、鲢、鳙的繁殖条件,产卵场位置,产卵规模,鱼卵、鱼苗成色以及4种鱼的群体组成等。指出除原宜昌产卵场发生变化外,其余产卵场基本存在,并在上游新发现了几处产卵场。讨论了大坝对4种鱼的影响程度和上游存在草鱼地方性群体,论证了4种鱼不必过坝产卵的理由。       

Hydrological Status of the spawning ground of Acipenser sinensis underneath the Gezhouba Dam and its relationship with the spawning runs

The spawning runs of Chinese Sturgeon (CS; Acipenser sinensis) were observed 37 times below Gezhouba Dam of Yangtze River between 1983 and 2004. Five hydrological factors (water temperature, water level, flow discharge, silt content and current velocity) were monitored on a daily basis at the spawning ground between October and November for 22 consecutive years (1983–2004). The effect of current velocity on the spawning ground at the bottom layer of the river, where CS was spawning for four years, was measured (1996–1999). The authors of this study analyzed the relationship between the five hydrological factors and the respective spawning runs. Twenty-two years of continuous observations indicated that the daily mean values of all the five hydrological factors fluctuated within a certain range when CS was spawning. It was concluded that the optimal values for the hydrological factors during the spawning runs are 18.0–20.0°C for temperature, 14100 m³/s for discharge volume, 42.0–45.0 m for water level above the sea level, and 0.2–0.3 kg/m³ for silt content in the water, wherein the current velocity above the bottom layer to stimulate the fish to spawn should be between 1.0–1.7 m/s. The optimal water temperature might provide an essential precondition for other factors to trigger spawning. As water temperature reaches the optimal values and most of the other parameters are at the brink of deviation from their optimal range of values (water level, current velocity and silt content in the water), CS would begin to spawn. By 2009, when the Yangtze Three Gorges Project, which is located 45 km upstream of the Gezhouba Dam, is completed and begins to operate normally, changes in the downstream water temperature are expected to occur, which may have a negative effect on the development of gonad and the stimulation of spawning of CS; however, the anticipated decrease of the silt content in the water may be considered favorable for the performance of the spawning site.