Shape variation in a benthic stream fish across flow regimes

Evolution of fish body shapes in flowing and non-flowing waters have been examined for several species. Flowing water can select for fish body shapes that increase steady swimming efficiency, whereas non-flowing water can favor shapes that increase unsteady swimming efficiency. Benthic stream fishes often use areas near the substrate that exhibit reduced or turbulent flow, thus it is unclear which swimming forms would be favored in such environments, and how shape might change across flow regimes. To test the relationship between fish body shape and flow regime in a benthic stream fish, we used geometric morphometric techniques to characterize lateral body shape in mountain sucker (Catostomus platyrhynchus) across flow rates, using stream gradient as an indicator of stream flow. Mountain suckers from low-flow environments were more streamlined, consistent with steady swimming body shapes, whereas mountain suckers from high flows had deeper bodies, consistent with unsteady swimming body shapes. In addition, smaller individuals tended to have more robust body shapes. These patterns are opposite to those predicted for stream fishes in the mid-water column. The benthic stream environment represents a distinct selective environment for fish shape that does not appear to conform to the simple dichotomy of flowing versus non-flowing water.     

Monogenea of the fishes from Chu River basin

Results of the long-term faunistic study of Monogenea from fishes of the Chu River basin are reported. Fauna of Monogenea in the studied area was found to include 51 species of 11 genera and 5 families. Thirteen parasite species occurred in the mountain part of the basin, and 40 species inhabit the valley zone, including 10 species of the Amur faunistic complex probably introduced to Kyrgyzstan together with acclimatized fishes.     

中国大鲵的食性研究

１９８５－１９８８年，在陕西秦岭，大巴山中，先后１０个月共采集中国大鲵标本７１尾，其中幼林４０尾，成体３１尾。经过剖胃，观察胃容物并称重，分析中国大鲵食物的种类和数量。解剖中空胃４０尾，实胃３１尾，中国大鲵是肉食性捕食动物，幼体以螃蟹，昆虫等小型水生动物为食；成体以螃蟹，鱼，青蛙和水麝鼯等水生动物为食。     

Can common species provide valuable information for conservation?

To demonstrate the importance of genetic data for multispecies conservation approaches, we examined the distribution of genetic variation across the range of the mountain whitefish (Prosopium williamsoni) at microsatellite and allozyme loci. The mountain whitefish is a common species that is particularly well suited for accurately revealing historical patterns of genetic structure and differs markedly from previously studied species in habitat requirements and life history characteristics. As such, comparing the population genetic structure of other native fishes to similar data from mountain whitefish could inform management and conservation strategies. Genetic variation for mountain whitefish was hierarchically distributed for both allozymes and microsatellites. We found evidence for a total of five major genetically differentiated assemblages and we observed subdivision among populations within assemblages that generally corresponded to major river basins. We observed little genetic differentiation within major river basins. Geographic patterns of genetic differentiation for mountain whitefish were concordant with other native species in several circumstances, providing information for the designation of conservation units that reflect concordant genetic differentiation of multiple species. Differences in genetic patterns between mountain whitefish and other native fishes reflect either differences in evolutionary histories of the species considered or differences in aspects of their ecology and life history. In addition, mountain whitefish populations appear to exchange genes over a much larger geographic scale than co-occurring salmonids and are likely to be affected differently by disturbances such as habitat fragmentation.     

Variation in the diet of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in mountain habitats: Effects of altitude and season

The diet of red fox was studied on the basis of faecal analysis (2242 specimens) in mountain habitats. Three different areas of the ?umava Mts. (SW Bohemia, Czech Republic) were examined during the growing and non-growing seasons in 1998–2008. Related taxa were pooled, merging similar items into 17 groups for subsequent analysis. Patterns of food composition were interpreted using Principal Component Analysis. The diet of the red fox in mountain habitats comprises a broad spectrum of items, including big ungulates (the red fox makes use of carcass), other vertebrates, various invertebrate species, fruits, and also indigestible items. Principal components reflected the seasonal pattern in food composition (56.7% of variation in taxonomic groups among the areas and seasons) as well as altitudinal gradient (24.0% of this variation). We refer to proportional increase of Carnivora, Reptilia, Amphibia, earthworms, Mollusca, fruits, Coleoptera and other Insects in growing season compared with non-growing season at the expense of decrease in proportion of Rodentia, Artiodactyla and galliform birds. The higher occurrence of Lagomorpha, fishes, plants and indigestible items in the diet consumed in the foothills reflects their wide supplies in the urbanised areas or their functioning as prey alternatives under food conditions in lower altitudes.     

基于随机森林模型的国家重点保护陆生脊椎动物物种优先保护区的识别

准确可靠地识别国家重点保护陆生脊椎动物物种的优先保护区,是生物多样性保护的热点问题之一。采用随机森林(random forests)模型,基于12个环境变量,对中国263种国家重点保护陆生脊椎动物建模,并预测各个物种在背景点的适生概率,迭加计算得到国家重点保护陆生脊椎动物物种的生境适宜性指数。此外,基于对生境适宜性指数的空间自相关分析,识别和确定国家重点保护陆生脊椎动物物种优先保护区,并对优先保护区目前的被保护情况进行分析。结果表明,国家重点保护陆生脊椎动物物种的优先保护区的面积为103.16万km~2,约占我国国土面积的10.90%。优先保护区主要分布在我国的西部地区,包括西南地区的秦岭-大巴山山区、云南省与印度及缅甸的交界地区、武陵山山区、喜马拉雅山-横断山脉山区、阿尔泰山脉山区、天山山脉山区、昆仑山山脉山区;东北的大、小兴安岭、东北-华南沿海地区及长江中下游地区有少量分布。优先保护区中被保护的面积为50.40万km~2,占优先保护区总面积的48.86%,保护率偏低,未被充分保护。利用系统聚类分析,将未被保护的优先保护区划分成3种优先保护顺序,以期为相关部门的决策提供科学依据,更好地保护生物多样性。     

High altitude adaptation of the schizothoracine fishes (Cyprinidae) revealed by the mitochondrial genome analyses

The schizothoracine fishes, also known as “mountain carps” are widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its peripheral regions. Although they provide a prime example of high altitude adaptation, the phylogenetic relationships and the divergence times among these carp lineages are still controversial. Moreover, the genetic basis for high altitude adaptation is also poorly understood. In this study, we determined the mitochondrial genomes from two species of the schizothoracine fishes, representing a “morphologically primitive” clade and “morphologically specialized” clade, respectively. The phylogenetic tree and the divergence times were estimated within the evolutionary framework of the entire order Cypriniformes. Our results indicate a polyphylyetic relationship of the schizothoracine fishes and suggest two independent migration events into the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: one by the “morphologically primitive” clade in the Late Miocene and another by the “morphologically specialized” clade in the Eocene. Rapid speciation events of each clade from the Late Miocene to the Pliocene correspond to the timing of the geologic acceleration of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Interestingly, we found evidence for positive selection acting on the protein coding genes in the mitochondrial genomes of the “morphologically specialized” clade, implying a possible genetic basis for high altitude adaptation in this derived lineage of cypriniform fishes.     

Habitat partitioning in juvenile fishes associated with three vegetation types in selected warm temperate estuaries,South Africa

Three common vegetation types were studied to assess habitat partitioning in juvenile fishes in select warm temperate estuaries of South Africa. Vegetated habitat types are known as productive and important areas for predator avoidance and feeding and are often preferred by juvenile fishes. Habitat partitioning is not well understood, with previous studies mostly focusing on seagrass (Zostera capensis). This study aimed to assess three common vegetated fish nursery areas in estuaries to aid conservation planning. Fishes were collected by means of double-winged, six-hooped fyke nets, 1 mm mesh size secured in placed on the nocturnal flood tide at each inundated vegetation type (Phragmites australis, Zostera capensis, Spartina maritima) and at an adjacent unvegetated site for three consecutive months in 2014 and 2015 during the summer recruitment period for juvenile fishes. Higher catches were frequently recorded in vegetated areas for solely estuarine and marine estuarine dependent species. In general, the previously unstudied reed, P. australis showed the highest species richness and abundance of juvenile fishes overall, followed by, Z. capensis and the intertidal salt marsh species, S. maritima. Results from this study supports international trends on the value of vegetated areas as refugia for young fishes in estuaries.     

Variation in body colour in western Irish populations of Cepaea nemoralis (L.)

Samples of Cepaea nemoralis (L.) taken from sand-dune, lowland and mountain populations show differences in body colour. Overall, sand-dune populations are much paler than those in the other two areas. On sand-dunes, darker and more variable populations are found in densely vegetated habitats; in the lowland, darker forms occur further inland but there is no correlation with vegetation; mountain populations are darker and less variable on north- than south-facing slopes. Overall differences between areas can be ascribed to climatic selection and differences in variation within areas to niche width.     

The fish community of a high mountain stream in Taiwan and its relation to dam design

Synopsis The fish community of a high mountain stream in Taiwan was studied from 1988 to 1990 in a 16 km section of Ta-chia river where a new dam is planned for construction. There were 16 species of fish belonging to 7 families; 15 genera were recorded. Six species are endemic to Taiwan. The dominant species wereZacco pachycephalus, Acrosscheileus paradoxus andRhinogobius brunneus. The composition of fish fauna was different between the eight study sites. Adjacent sites did not show a higher similarity than remote ones. AdultZ. pachycephalus andA. paradoxus showed seasonal aggregation behavior in the stream. At two distinct sites, Kukan and Tungmau, these two species had similar breeding and stock composition patterns with an intensified production period of juveniles from late autumn to early winter and a low, but continuous production period of juveniles in summer months. This information suggest that fishes in the river have special adaptations to the typhoon season in summer and benthic algal blooming in winter. The similarity of fish community and the independent breeding sites of endemic fishes in Kukan and Tungmau also suggest that these are important factors to consider for conservation when the flooding area of a high mountain dam is designed.     

Survey of Zoonotic Trematode Metacercariae in Fish from Water systems of Geum-gang (River) in Republic of Korea

The infection status of zoonotic trematode metacercariae (ZTM) was surveyed in freshwater fishes from the water systems of Geum-gang (River) in the Republic of Korea (Korea). A total of 1,161 freshwater fishes from 6 local sites of Geum-gang were examined with the artificial digestion method for 4 years (2012–2015). Clonorchis sinensis metacercariae were detected in 122 (37.2%) out of 328 fishes in the positive fish species from 4 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 43 per fish infected. Metagonimus spp. metacercariae were found in 432 (51.7%) out of 835 fishes in the positive fish species from all 6 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 30 per fish infected. Centrocestus armatus metacercariae were detected in 285 (75.0%) out of 380 fishes in the positive fish species from 6 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 2,100 per fish infected. Echinostoma spp. metacercariae were found in 56 (19.7%) out of 284 fishes in the positive fish species from 5 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 10 per fish infected. Clinostomum complanatum metacercariae were detected in 98 (57.3%) out of 171 fishes in the positive fish species from only 2 surveyed areas, and their mean intensity was 11 per fish infected. Conclusively, the endemicity of ZTM is not so high in fishes from water systems of Geum-gang in Korea although it is more or less different by fish species, surveyed areas and ZTM species.     

广东南岭国家级自然保护区鱼类多样性及保护

南岭国家级自然保护区鱼类有36种,隶属于4目10科28属,其中以鲤科鱼类最多,占52.78%。有热带平原复合体、江河平原复合体、上第三纪复合体、中印山区复合体构成。植物食性占22.22%,动物食性占13.89%,杂食性占33.33%,碎屑食性占30.56%。有8.34%的种处于濒危状态。     

Backwater areas as nursery habitats for fishes in pool 13 of the Upper Mississippi River

Samples of larval and juvenile fishes were collected at two depths weekly during spring and summer 1983 near the mouths of backwater areas in Pool 13 of the Upper Mississippi River. The study was conducted to determine the relative value of these habitats as nursery areas for fishes present and to note any interactions that might occur between the backwaters which are being rapidly lost to siltation, and the main channel. The larvae and juveniles collected represented 13 families divided into 27 lower taxa. Cyprinidae, Clupeidae, and Sciaenidae made up 90% of the total catch. Both larvae and juveniles were more abundant near the surface than near the bottom. Densities differed greatly among the three backwater areas studied. Larval fishes were grouped on the basis of their relative abundance in the backwaters or main channel. Overall, more larvae were captured in the backwaters than in main-channel habitats, indicating that backwaters were more productive. In the main channel, densities were greater downstream from the mouths of the backwaters than upstream-possibly indicating that (1) larval fish drifted out of the backwater areas, (2) water rich in nutrients or zooplankton that flowed into the main channel created productive downstream sites that were used as nursery areas, or (3) adult fishes selected downstream sites as spawning areas. Juvenile forms were more abundant in the backwater areas then in the main-channel habitats, some bottom-dwelling fishes excepted. The backwater areas were judged to be important nursery areas for larval and juvenile fishes, and seemed to benefit downstream main-channel sites. Any loss of these habitats would be detrimental to the Mississippi River as a whole.     

The diet of the mountain hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus) on coastal grassland

Across most of their range in Europe, mountain hares are usually restricted to upland areas with poor food quality. In these areas they generally feed on browse species such as heather or twigs and barks of trees. On lowland areas in Europe, with better food quality, the mountain hare is replaced by the brown hare ( Lepus europaeus ) which feeds predominantly on greasses. This khas led some authors to conclude that mountain hares are primarily adapted for browsing. In the absence of brown hares in Ireland, mountain hares are found on a wide variety of habitats including grassland. On grassland, their diet consists almost exclusively of grasses, up to 94% of their annual diet, which is more than has been reported for brown hares on similar habitat. Based on this evidence, and other work, it is proposed that the mountain hare in primarily a grazing animal and competitive exclusion by brown hares may underlie much of their present distribution in Europe.     

Why on the snow? Winter emergence strategies of snow‐active Chironomidae (Diptera) in Poland

A long‐term study of adult non‐biting midges (Chironomidae) active in winter on the snow in mountain areas and lowlands in Poland yielded 35 species. The lowland and mountain communities differed significantly in their specific composition. The mountain assemblage was found to be more diverse and abundant, with a substantial contribution from the subfamily Diamesinae, whereas Orthocladiinae predominated in the lowlands. Orthocladius wetterensis Brundin was the most characteristic and superdominant species in the winter‐active chironomid communities in both areas. Only a few specimens and species of snow‐active chironomids were recorded in late autumn and early winter. The abundance of chironomids peaked in late February in the mountain and lowland areas with an additional peak in the mountain areas in early April. However, this second peak of activity consisted mainly of Orthocladiinae, as Diamesinae emerged earliest in the season. Most snow‐active species emerged in mid‐ and late winter, but their seasonal patterns differed between the 2 regions as a result of the different species composition and the duration of snow cover in these regions. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient tests yielded positive results between each season and the number of chironomid individuals recorded in the mountain area. A positive correlation between air temperature, rising to +3.5 °C, and the number of specimens recorded on the snow in the mountain community was statistically significant. The winter emergence and mate‐searching strategies of chironomids are discussed in the light of global warming, and a brief compilation of most important published data on the phenomena studied is provided.     

Ecological relevance of temporal stability in regional fish catches

The concept of habitat selection based on 'Ideal Free Distribution' theory suggests that areas of high suitability may attract larger quantities of fishes than less suitable or unsuitable areas. Catch data were used from groundfish surveys to identify areas of consistently high densities of whiting Merlangius merlangus , cod Gadus morhua and haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus in the Irish Sea and plaice Pleuronectes platessa , sole Solea solea , lemon sole Microstomus kitt in the English Channel over a period of 10 and 9 years respectively. A method was introduced to delineate areas of the seabed that held consistently high numbers of fishes objectively from large datasets. These areas may constitute important habitat characteristics which may merit further scientific investigations in respect to 'Essential Fish Habitats'(EFH). In addition, the number of stations with consistently high abundances of fishes and the number of stations where no fishes were caught gave an indication of the site specificity of the fish species analysed. For the gadoids, whiting was found to be less site specific than cod and haddock, while for the flatfishes, plaice and sole were less site specific than lemon sole. The findings are discussed in the context of previously published studies on dietary specializm. The site specificity of demersal fishes has implications for the siting process for marine protected areas as fish species with a strong habitat affinity can be expected to benefit more from such management schemes.     

Gelatinous zooplankton (ctenophores,salps and medusae): an important food resource of fishes in the temperate SW Atlantic Ocean

This study quantifies the occurrence of gelatinous zooplankton in the stomach contents of fishes from the southwest Atlantic Ocean (33°–55°S). More than 69,000 fish stomachs belonging to 107 species were examined. A total of 39 fishes were documented as consumers of gelatinous zooplankton, 23 of which were newly discovered. Three gelatinous organism consumption categories are recognized: (1) very frequent consumers (10 species, six of which were exclusive); frequent consumers (five species); and occasional consumers (26 species). Three types of gelatinous prey (ctenophores, salps and medusae) were found in the stomach contents of fishes. Ctenophores were consumed at high levels across almost the entire continental shelves of Argentina and Uruguay. Salps were frequent prey on the slope and southern shelf. In contrast, medusae were consumed in coastal areas, slopes and the southern shelf. Classification methods (group average sorting of the Bray–Curtis similarity measures based on log (X?+?1)-transformed percentage data) determined six areas where fishes predated on gelatinous organisms. SIMPER (similarity percentages) analysis determined which fishes contributed more to the consumption of gelatinous organisms. Results revealed that two fish species (Stromateus brasiliensis and Squalus acanthias) had high gelatinous zooplankton predation rates throughout the entire study area, while another six species (Patagonotothen ramsayi, Helicolenus dactylopterus lahillei, Macrourus holotrachys, Merluccius hubbsi, Schroederichthys bivius, and Macruronus magellanicus), while widely distributed, seemed to have specific areas where consumption occurred. This study not only provides new knowledge about the importance of gelatinous zooplankton in the diet of numerous fishes, but might also be valuable for planning and managing local fisheries.     

Mountain lions on the prairie: habitat selection by recolonizing mountain lions at the edge of their range

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) have historically experienced large‐scale range contractions, but are beginning to recolonize portions of their former range. To reach potential suitable habitats in eastern North America, mountain lions need to move across the grassland and agriculture‐dominated habitats of the Great Plains, which are different from the forested areas associated with mountain lions in western North America. To inform restoration planning in this area, it is important to understand differences in mountain lion habitat selection in this “nontraditional” grassland habitat. We tracked GPS‐collared mountain lions in the Northern Great Plains of Montana and identified movement states (localized or exploratory) using behavioral change point analysis and net‐squared displacement. We compared habitat selection between the different states using step‐selection functions that included several environmental covariates. Similar to elsewhere throughout their range, across both movement states, mountain lions tended to select forested environments that were farther from human development. In contrast to more traditionally occupied mountainous regions, mountain lions in the Great Plains selected areas of lower elevations. They selected areas both near and far from water, but avoided riparian areas and selected more rugged environments when in exploratory movement states. This suggests that mountain lions in the Northern Great Plains are utilizing river corridors, particularly those with rough or broken topography during exploratory phases. To enhance future recolonization and connectivity of mountain lions to the east of our study area, we encourage managers to maintain and restore forest fragments along river corridors in the Great Plains.     

Biogeography of helminth parasites of freshwater fishes in Mexico: the search for patterns and processes

Aim To uncover and describe patterns of biogeography of helminth parasites in freshwater fishes of Mexico, and to understand processes that determine them. Three predictions about host‐specificity, faunal exchange in transitional areas, and the biogeographical ‘core’ fauna, are evaluated, all of which follow from a fundamental hypothesis: that parasites show characteristic associations with particular host clades. The parasite fauna of the southern Mexican cichlids and of the fishes of the Mesa Central are examined as case studies that reflect Neotropical and Nearctic historical influences. Location The region covered in this study includes most of Mexico, with emphasis on six biogeographical areas: the Yucatán Peninsula (area 1), the Grijalva‐Usumacinta drainage (area 2), the Papaloapan and Pánuco drainages (area 3), the Balsas drainage (area 4), the Lerma‐Santiago drainage (area 5), and the Bravo drainage (area 6). Methods A parasite data base containing all the records of helminth parasites of freshwater fishes of Mexico was filtered to extract records of adult helminth parasites in freshwater fishes from the six biogeographical areas designated in this study. Jaccard's similarity coefficients and cluster analyses (using upgma ) were used to analyse the extent of faunal similarity between the designated biogeographical areas and between host (fish) families. Taxonomic composition of parasite assemblages in different host groups was also qualitatively compared from summary data. These data were used to test the three main predictions. Results To date, 184 species of helminths (120 as adults) have been recorded from 127 freshwater fishes in Mexico (almost 33% of the total fish diversity of Mexico). Of these parasite species, 69 are digenetic flukes, 51 are nematodes, 33 are monogeneans, 25 are tapeworms, and only six are acanthocephalans. The data and analyses from the six biogeographical areas corroborate the predictions that: (1) the adult parasite fauna is largely circumscribed by higher levels of monophyletic host taxa (families, orders, etc.), and that this pattern is independent of areas; (2) areas within a certain biogeographical region, and consequently with similar fish composition (e.g. areas 1, 2 and 3) have more similar parasite faunas compared to areas with less similar fish faunal composition; and (3) ‘core’ parasite faunas persist to some extent in transitional areas with limited host‐sharing. Main conclusions Helminth biodiversity in Mexican freshwater fishes is determined by the historical and contemporary biogeography of their hosts. Host lineage specificity, mainly at the level of the host family, appears to be an important factor in the distribution of the parasites. Most fish families (Characidae, Cichlidae, Pimelodidae, Ictaluridae, Catsotomidae, Goodeidae, Atherinidae) possess their own characteristic ‘core’ helminth fauna, with limited host‐sharing in transitional areas (e.g. areas 3 and 4). A re‐evaluation of the helminth fauna of Mexican cichlids questions the hypothesis that cichlids lost parasites during the colonization of Mexico from South America. The evidence supports the idea that they acquired new parasites by host switching, possibly from marine or brackish‐water percomorphs. In contrast, the parasite fauna of the Mesa Central remains enigmatic and reflects the region's history of endemicity with historical marine and Nearctic connections.     

Food and feeding ecology of piscivorous fishes at Lake St Lucia, Zululand

The food and feeding ecology of piscivorous fish in Lake St Lucia was monitored for two years. Piscivorous fishes feed predominantly on the planktivorous Gilchristella aestuarius and Thryssa vitrirostris but a wide range of prey species was recorded. Numbers of the predominant piscivores, Argyrosomus hololepidotus and Elops machnata , in an area appear to be related to the densities of their major prey, T. vitrirostris and G. aestuarius . Large piscivorous fishes are restricted to the deeper portions of the lake, whereas small piscivores such as Johnius belengerii and Terapon jarbua feed predominantly on small fishes in the littoral zone. The highly significant correlation between the composition of prey fish species in the lake and prey fish species in the diet of piscivorous fishes, indicates that piscivores are feeding in a density dependent manner. However, factors such as habitat, fish size and swimming speed of prey species are shown to be important in prey selection. Juvenile fish of species such as Sarotherodon mossambicus, Liza macrolepis and Acanthopagrus berda remain in shallow marginal areas, thus avoiding large piscivorous fishes. However by frequenting shallow areas these species become vulnerable to bird predators, especially egrets and herons.