Multi-scale habitat selection by Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii in two lowland rivers

This study provides information on habitat selection by the threatened Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii at two spatial scales in the Ovens and Murray Rivers in south-eastern Australia. Both adult (>450 mm total length, L _T) and age 0 year (<150 mm L _T) M. p. peelii selected macro and microhabitats based on structural variables. At the macrohabitat scale, adults selected channel habitats in the river, floodplain channels at high floods and within Lake Mulwala, whereas the floodplain proper was avoided. Adult and age 0 year fish selected similar microhabitats regardless of site or hydrologic conditions, and selection was primarily influenced by the presence of higher loadings of structural woody habitat, higher c.v. in depth, more overhanging vegetation, shallower comparative depths and lower water velocities, closer to the bank. Age 0 year M. p. peelii appeared to select shallower habitats with greater amounts of structural woody habitat, closer to the river bank than adult fish.     

The effects of turbidity, prey density and environmental complexity on the feeding of juvenile Murray cod Maccullochella peelii

Juvenile Murray cod Maccullochella peelii exhibited a type II functional response while preying on blackworms Lumbriculus variegatus, and the parameters of the type II model did not differ significantly between clear (0 NTU) and turbid (150 NTU) treatments. Further experiments showed that vision may not be necessary for prey detection and capture by juvenile M. peelii; consumption of inanimate prey was not significantly different between light and dark (<1 × 10(-4) μE m(-2) s(-1)) trials. These results imply that the sensory physiology of M. peelii is well adapted to a turbid visual environment. In addition, habitat complexity increased the food consumption rate of juvenile M. peelii, perhaps by relaxing innate predator avoidance behaviours that depress foraging in more open environments.     

Temporal dynamics of oocyte development, plasma sex steroids and somatic energy reserves during seasonal ovarian maturation in captive Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii.

The temporal dynamics of oocyte growth, plasma sex steroids and somatic energy stores were examined during a 12 month ovarian maturation cycle in captive Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii under simulated natural photothermal conditions. Ovarian function was found to be relatively uninhibited in captivity, with the exception that post-vitellogenic follicles failed to undergo final maturation, resulting in widespread pre-ovulatory atresia. Seasonal patterns of oocyte growth were characterised by cortical alveoli accumulation in March, deposition of lipids in April, and vitellogenesis between May and September. Two distinct batches of vitellogenic oocytes were found in Murray cod ovaries, indicating a capacity for multiple spawns. Plasma profiles of 17beta-oestradiol and testosterone were both highly variable during the maturation period suggesting that multiple roles exist for these steroids during different stages of oocyte growth. Condition factor, liver size and visceral fat stores were all found to increase prior to, or during the peak phase of vitellogenic growth. Murray cod appear to strategically utilise episodes of high feeding activity to accrue energy reserves early in the reproductive cycle prior to its deployment during periods of rapid ovarian growth.     

Fatty acid metabolism in the freshwater fish Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) deduced by the whole-body fatty acid balance method

The whole-body fatty acid balance method was used to investigate the fatty acid metabolism in Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) fed diets containing canola (CO) or linseed oil (LO). Murray cod were able to elongate and desaturate both 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3. In fish fed the CO diet, 54.4% of the 18:2n-6 consumed was accumulated, 38.5% oxidized and 6.4% elongated and desaturated to higher homologs. Fish fed the LO diet accumulated 52.9%, oxidized 37% and elongated and desaturated 8.6% of the consumed 18:3n-3. The overall roles of n-6 fatty acids appeared more important in Murray cod compared to other freshwater species. Murray cod also showed a preferential order of utilization of C18 fatty acid for energy production (18:3n-3 > 18:2n-6 > 18:1n-9). Moreover, it is demonstrated that an increase in dietary 18:3n-3 is directly responsible of increased desaturase activity and augmented saturated fatty acid accumulation in the fish body. The present study also suggests that, in the context of the possible maximization of the natural ability of fish to produce long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, the whole-body approach can be considered well suited and informative and Murray cod is a suited candidate to fish oil replacement for its diets.     

Variable stocking effect and endemic population genetic structure in Murray cod Maccullochella peelii

Microsatellite markers were utilized to examine the genetic structure of Murray cod Maccullochella peelii throughout its distribution in the Murray--Darling Basin (MDB) of eastern Australia, and to assess the genetic effects of over three decades of stocking hatchery-reared fingerlings. Bayesian analysis using the programme Structure indicated that the species is largely genetically panmictic throughout much of its extensive range, most probably due to the high level of connectivity between catchments. Three catchments with terminal wetlands (the Lachlan, Macquarie and Gwydir), however, contained genetically distinct populations. No stocking effects were detected in the catchments that were genetically panmictic (either because of low genetic power or lack of effects), but the genetically differentiated Gwydir and Macquarie catchment populations were clearly affected by stocking. Conversely, there was no genetic evidence for survival and reproduction of stocked fish in the Lachlan catchment. Therefore, stocking of M. peelii throughout the MDB has resulted in a range of genetic effects ranging from minimal detectable effect, to substantial change in wild population genetic structure.     

Factorial aerobic scope is independent of temperature and primarily modulated by heart rate in exercising Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii)

Several previous reports, often from studies utilising heavily instrumented animals, have indicated that for teleosts, the increase in cardiac output (Vb) during exercise is mainly the result of an increase in cardiac stroke volume (V(S)) rather than in heart rate (fH). More recently, this contention has been questioned following studies on animals carrying less instrumentation, though the debate continues. In an attempt to shed more light on the situation, we examined the heart rates and oxygen consumption rates (Mo2; normalised to a mass of 1 kg, given as Mo2kg) of six Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii; mean mass+/-SE = 1.81+/-0.14 kg) equipped with implanted fH and body temperature data loggers. Data were determined during exposure to varying temperatures and swimming speeds to encompass the majority of the biological scope of this species. An increase in body temperature (Tb) from 14 degrees C to 29 degrees C resulted in linear increases in Mo2kg (26.67-41.78 micromol min(-1) kg(-1)) and fH (22.3-60.8 beats min(-1)) during routine exercise but a decrease in the oxygen pulse (the amount of oxygen extracted per heartbeat; 1.28-0.74 micromol beat(-1) kg(-1)). During maximum exercise, the factorial increase in Mo2kg was calculated to be 3.7 at all temperatures and was the result of temperature-independent 2.2- and 1.7-fold increases in fH and oxygen pulse, respectively. The constant factorial increases in fH and oxygen pulse suggest that the cardiovascular variables of the Murray cod have temperature-independent maximum gains that contribute to maximal oxygen transport during exercise. At the expense of a larger factorial aerobic scope at an optimal temperature, as has been reported for species of salmon and trout, it is possible that the Murray cod has evolved a lower, but temperature-independent, factorial aerobic scope as an adaptation to the largely fluctuating and unpredictable thermal climate of southeastern Australia.     

Biomanipulation: a review of biological control measures in eutrophic waters and the potential for Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii to promote water quality in temperate Australia

Biomanipulation is a method of controlling algal blooms in eutrophic freshwater ecosystems. The most common approach has been to enhance herbivores through a reduction of planktivorous fish and introduction of piscivorous fish. The method was originally intended to reduce grazing pressure on zooplankton, thereby increasing grazing pressure on phytoplankton to increase water clarity and promote the growth of aquatic macrophytes. Biomanipulation has received considerable attention since it was proposed in 1975 where innovative approaches and explanations of the processes have been developed. Although many successful biomanipulation exercises have been conducted internationally, it has received comparatively little attention in the Southern Hemisphere and has not been trialled in the southern temperate climate of South Australia. This is a review to speculate upon the criteria for and against the application of biomanipulation in southern temperate Australia using the native species Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) and to suggest future research.     

Temporal dynamics of oocyte development, plasma sex steroids and somatic energy reserves during seasonal ovarian maturation in captive Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii

The temporal dynamics of oocyte growth, plasma sex steroids and somatic energy stores were examined during a 12 month ovarian maturation cycle in captive Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii under simulated natural photothermal conditions. Ovarian function was found to be relatively uninhibited in captivity, with the exception that post-vitellogenic follicles failed to undergo final maturation, resulting in widespread pre-ovulatory atresia. Seasonal patterns of oocyte growth were characterised by cortical alveoli accumulation in March, deposition of lipids in April, and vitellogenesis between May and September. Two distinct batches of vitellogenic oocytes were found in Murray cod ovaries, indicating a capacity for multiple spawns. Plasma profiles of 17β-oestradiol and testosterone were both highly variable during the maturation period suggesting that multiple roles exist for these steroids during different stages of oocyte growth. Condition factor, liver size and visceral fat stores were all found to increase prior to, or during the peak phase of vitellogenic growth. Murray cod appear to strategically utilise episodes of high feeding activity to accrue energy reserves early in the reproductive cycle prior to its deployment during periods of rapid ovarian growth.     

Movements and Habitat Use by the Endangered Australian Freshwater Mary River cod, Maccullochella peelii mariensis

The decline of the endangered Mary River cod, Maccullochella peelii mariensis, of Queensland, Australia, has been attributed to anthropomorphic habitat alterations, however, the relationships between this subspecies and its physical environment are poorly understood. We used radiotelemetry to investigate the movements and use of habitats by nine Mary River cod (total length 420–760mm; weight 1.3–5.5kg) in the Mary River system over a 20 month period. The mean distance moved each month was positively correlated with monthly stream discharge, but the direction of movements was unpredictable. Patterns of movement varied considerably among individuals and appeared to be unrelated to size. Cod established home ranges of between 70 and 820m in length. Five of the tagged cod returned to a previous home range after moving more than 10km, whereas three did not move more than 2km from their capture location for the duration of the study. Cod used large woody debris complexes more than any other type of habitat, and rarely used areas of open water. Managers should give high priority to maintenance of fish passage and protection/rehabilitation of large woody debris habitats if cod populations are to recover.     

Histiostoma papillata sp. n. (Acari: Histiostomatidae), a mite attacking fish in Australia

Histiostoma papillata sp. n. (Acari: Histiostomatidae) is described from Victoria, Australia. It was found in the fins and gills of juvenile Murray cod, Maccullochella peelii peelii (Mitchell), where it appeared to inflict injuries thought to be responsible for the mortality of fish in a diet trial.     

Diet of Murray cod (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Maccullochella peelii peelii</Emphasis>) (Mitchell) larvae in an Australian lowland river in low flow and high flow years

Researchers have hypothesised that influxes of pelagic zooplankton to river channels after floods and high flows are necessary for strong recruitment of some native fish species, including Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) (Mitchell), in the Murray–Darling river system, Australia. This study investigated the composition of the diet and gut fullness of drifting Murray cod larvae weekly during two spawning seasons with contrasting flows, to determine if pelagic zooplankton comprised a greater proportion of the gut contents and guts were fuller in a high flow (2000) than in a low flow (2001) year. Gut fullness and yolk levels of 267 larvae were ranked, and prey identified to family level. Approximately 40 and 70% of individuals had been feeding in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Gut fullness increased with declining yolk reserves. Larvae in both the years had an almost exclusively benthic diet, irrespective of the flow conditions at the time. Substantial inundation of dry ground in 2000, albeit restricted to in-channel benches, anastomosing channels and oxbow lakes, did not lead to an influx of pelagic, floodplain-derived zooplankton subsequently exploited by Murray cod larvae. These results have the implications for the management of regulated temperate lowland rivers: high flows cannot automatically be assumed to be beneficial for the fish larvae of all species and their food resources, and caution should be exercised with the timing of flow releases.     

Ontogenetic patterns of habitat use by fishes within the main channel of an Australian floodplain river

The ontogenetic patterns of habitat use by a community of fishes in the main channel of the Broken River, an Australian lowland river, was investigated. Stratified sampling was conducted fortnightly across six habitat types throughout the spring‐summer period within the main channel. As predicted by the 'low flow recruitment hypothesis', backwaters and still littoral habitats were important nursery habitats for most species. These habitats were found to be used by some species throughout all stages of their life cycle, while other species showed clear ontogenetic shifts in habitat preference. Only one species, Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii , was never found in backwaters. This study confirms the significance of main channel habitats in the rearing of larvae of some riverine fish species, and emphasizes the importance of considering the habitat requirements of all stages of a fish's life cycle in the management and restoration of rivers and streams.     

Diet and feeding habits of predatory fishes upstream and downstream of a low-level weir

A study investigating the influence of a low-level weir on the diets of three migratory percithyid species was undertaken on the Murrumbidgee River, Australia. A combination of fish community sampling and stomach flushing determined that Yanco Weir substantially impacted upon the abundance and feeding habits of golden perch Macquaria ambigua , Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii and trout cod Maccullochella macquariensis . The relative abundance of all three species was significantly greater downstream of the weir, where individuals attempting upstream migrations were obstructed. In areas of fish aggregations, some species displayed altered feeding strategies and exploited different prey taxa upstream and downstream of the weir. Diet overlap, and the proportion of individuals with empty stomachs, was also substantially greater from downstream zones. These results suggest that competition among species may be greater in areas of increased predator abundance and some species could be partitioning resources to minimize competitive interactions. Reducing accumulations of predatory species, by providing suitable fish passage facilities, would be an effective means to prevent such trophic interactions occurring at other low-level weirs.     

Microsatellite loci for studies of wild and hatchery Australian Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii (Percichthyidae)

Murray cod is a species of conservation concern that is subject both to wild harvest and to aquaculture production. Six polymorphic microsatellite loci have been developed for this species, which will facilitate studies of wild‐stock structure, will help the management of hatchery diversity, and will aid genetic improvement programmes. The markers exhibited nonindependence of genotypes between loci and deviations from Hardy–Weinberg expectations, although these most probably reflect practices at the hatchery from which the genotyped individuals were sourced.     

Cytochemical characterisation of the leucocytes and thrombocytes from Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii,Mitchell)

Cytochemistry has proven effective in differentiating specific cell lineages and elucidating their functional properties. This study utilised a range of cytochemical techniques to further investigate the leucocyte populations from Murray cod, an iconic Australian teleost fish species. This analysis provided clear insight into the structure and function of the leucocytes from this fish, which were found to be broadly similar to those of other fish species. However, some important differences were identified in Murray cod, such as the presence of naphthol AS chloroacetate esterase activity in the heterophil population, positive staining for periodic acid Schiff's, alkaline phosphatase and Sudan black B in the lymphocyte population, and a prevalent population of myeloid precursor cells.     

Age-related changes in ovarian characteristics, plasma sex steroids and fertility during pubertal development in captive female Murray cod Maccullochella peelii peelii

Age-related changes in ovarian development characteristics and plasma sex steroids in female Murray cod were examined throughout their second, third and fourth years of life to better understand the physiological and endocrine processes associated with puberty in this species in captivity. Spawning performance of 2+ and 3+ year old females was also assessed to identify ontogenetic differences in egg fertility. Puberty was acquired in 38% of 1+ year old females and 100% of age 2+ females. By age 3+, all females had developed full (adult) reproductive function. Ovarian development in pubertal fish was characterised by a rapid transition between cortical alveoli and lipid droplet oogenic phases, coinciding with significantly lower plasma 17β-oestradiol in age 2+ females (p < 0.05). Mean mature oocyte diameter (2.44 mm), post-fertilisation viability (30.80%) and hatchability (0.99%) of eggs from age 2+ females were significantly reduced relative to age 3+ adults (2.81 mm, 84.89% and 23.58%, respectively). Ovaries of pubertal Murray cod exhibited both vitellogenic and ovulatory capacities, yet functional abnormalities during secondary oocyte growth are likely to have contributed to poor egg fertility and consequently, evaluations of age-at-first maturity based on the presence of advanced ovarian stages may overestimate the reproductive potential of younger broodstock populations.     

Polymorphic microsatellite loci for species of Australian freshwater cod, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Maccullochella</Emphasis>

The Australian freshwater cod genus, Maccullochella is represented by three species: Murray cod, M. peelii peelii, eastern freshwater cod, M. ikei, and trout cod, M.macquariensis. Seven novel microsatellite loci from M. ikei and six previously published loci from M. peelii peelii were tested on wild populations of Murray, eastern and trout cod. Levels of polymorphism varied between species with 13 loci polymorphic in Murray cod, 9 in trout cod and 7 in eastern cod. Observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.053 to 0.842. This suite of microsatellite loci will facilitate future studies of the genetic status of wild and hatchery bred populations of Maccullochella.     

小瓜虫在澳洲龙纹斑鳃器官上的分布及其影响

【目的】小瓜虫病是澳洲龙纹斑苗种阶段危害巨大的寄生虫病。探究小瓜虫在澳洲龙纹斑鳃器官上的分布及其影响可以丰富小瓜虫的致病性及病理学方面的研究内容,也可以为渔业生产中小瓜虫病的防治提供参考。【方法】采用光镜及扫描电镜技术确定病原,并观察小瓜虫在澳洲龙纹斑鳃丝、鳃小片及鳃盖上的分布情况及这些器官的变化情况。【结果】小瓜虫侵染澳洲龙纹斑的鳃器官后,分布在鳃丝、鳃小片及鳃盖的表面,上皮细胞之下及鳃小片之间,或是包裹在黏液细胞里,但侵染后期在鳃丝及鳃小片上的数量明显少于鳃盖。侵染后期,鳃丝、鳃小片及鳃盖出现一定程度的膨胀变形,黏液细胞分泌增多,鳃小片末端膨大变形甚至黏连融合,顶端充血呈球状或棒状。【结论】对于鳃部而言,侵染后期小瓜虫主要分布在澳洲龙纹斑的鳃盖上。小瓜虫主要通过侵染引发澳洲龙纹斑鳃部器官的变形膨大,使其丧失正常的功能,造成血液循环受阻、渗透压调节失衡,最终导致鱼体缺氧死亡。     

Daily age determination and growth rates of freshwater fish throughout a regulated lotic system of the Murray‐Darling Basin Australia

To facilitate future research in freshwater fish recruitment response to environmental flow delivery, size‐at‐age and growth models are presented for eight fish species occurring in south‐eastern Australia; three small‐bodied species and the juvenile 0+ age classes of five large‐bodied species. Otolith increments were used to estimate the daily age of golden perch Macquaria ambigua, bony bream Nematalosa erebi, common carp Cyprinus carpio; Murray cod Maccullochella peelii, freshwater eel‐tailed catfish Tandanus tandanus, Australian smelt Retropinna semoni, un‐specked hardyhead Craterocephalus stercusmuscarum fulvus and Murray–Darling rainbowfish Melanotaenia fluviatilis. Linear growth models provided the best fit for length‐at‐age data of juvenile 0+ age large‐bodied species; whereas von Bertalanffy growth functions provided the best fit to length‐at‐age data of small‐bodied species. The results provide novel baseline data for future research in this area.     

Isolation and characterization of 102 new microsatellite loci in Murray cod,Maccullochella peelii peelii (Percichthyidae), and assessment of cross‐amplification in 13 Australian native and six introduced freshwater species

We have isolated 102 polymorphic microsatellite loci from an enriched Murray cod DNA library and also assessed their amplification success in 13 native and six introduced freshwater fish species. The loci will serve the dual purpose of assessing wild population genetic structure for future conservation efforts, and for identifying markers for key quantitative trait loci important for aquaculture.