Interannual variability in seasonal dynamics and species composition of drifting young-of-the-year fishes in two European lowland rivers

st young-of-the-year (YOY) fishes in two lowland rivers in the Czech Republic (Danube Basin) drifted from mid-May to mid-July and almost exclusively at night. The peak of drift density lasted c . 3 weeks and depended on water temperature (by its effect on fish spawning), but not on discharge. Peak drift densities varied between years and rivers from 80 to 1354 fish 1000 m⁻³. More than 98% of drifting fish were cyprinids. Rutilus rutilus, Rhodeus sericeus, Gobio spp., Alburnus alburnus and Abramis brama were dominate in the 22 species encountered in the River Morava. Carassius auratus gibelio and R. sericeus were the most common of 17 species in the River Kyjovka. Species composition of drifting fishes was similar among years in the Morava but varied in the Kyjovka. The species composition of drifting fishes did not differ from those of the YOY fish assemblage in nursery areas during the drift season. Relative abundances in nursery areas decreased after the drift season in species that dominated in the drift, but increased in those that avoided drift. It is suggested that drift is a regular part of the life history of many cyprinid fishes and interannual variability in density and species composition of drifting YOY fish can be explained by variable spawning success among years. Differences in the relative abundances of the YOY fish assemblage in nurseries during and after the drift season suggests that drift may cause significant mortality.     

Fish recruitment in a canal with intensive navigation: implications for ecosystem management

The young-of-the-year (YOY) fish community in Oder-Havel-Kanal, a navigable canal in the German lowlands, assessed from May to October 1999, was dominated by tolerant species especially roach Rutilus rutilus and perch Perca fluviatilis . Roach dominance was high in May and June and low during the rest of the sampling period. The dominance pattern of perch was inversely related to that of roach. Significantly higher densities of significantly smaller YOY fishes were found in bays compared with the straight reaches of the main channel which was the result of an aggregation of 0+ year roach in bays in May and June. Parallel to low structural variability (spawning and nursery habitats), the intensive ship traffic may have been a major force structuring the fish communities in the canals. Measured ship-induced flow velocity in straight reaches was about four times higher than in bays of the canal. Maximum flow velocities caused by barge tows were also four times higher than those induced by pleasure boats. The study demonstrated the relatively low fish reproductive potential of a navigable, artificially embanked lowland canal. To improve fish reproduction, modification of canal banks is highly advisable to preserve existing bays and tributaries and even to create additional ones.     

Spatial distribution of four freshwater fish species in different types of artificial European water bodies

Spatial distribution of young-of-the-year (YOY) and older roach, rudd, perch and ruffe was compared in two artificial lakes with macrophytes present and absent, and a valley reservoir, using gillnets. Almost all species of interest and both age categories preferred benthic habitats. The depth distribution in benthic habitats was relatively consistent across water bodies with the highest fish densities found in the shallowest depths. In the macrophyte-rich lake, YOY roach and perch utilize the 3–6 m benthic layer the most, whereas the fish preferred the 0–3 m benthic layer in the macrophyte-poor lake and reservoir. No differences were found in the depth distribution in pelagic habitats sampled by pelagic gillnets for YOY fish between the water bodies. Older fish usually utilized the surface water layer. Macrophytes influenced the depth distribution of YOY fish in benthic habitats, where their density maximum shifted deeper in the macrophyte-rich lake when fewer macrophytes were present in the shallowest benthic depth. In lakes, YOY fish utilized a wider depth spectrum due to the deeper thermocline when compared to the reservoir. Oxygen and temperature stratification are the main factors influencing fish distribution, whereas macrophyte presence particularly influences the depth distribution of YOY fish in benthic habitats.     

Comparison of Fish Assemblage Diversity in Natural and Artificial Rip‐Rap Habitats in the Littoral Zone of a Large River (River Danube,Hungary)

We studied day‐night patterns in fish diversity in natural, gravel‐sand stretches and boulder covered rip‐rap habitats in the littoral zone of the River Danube. Sample‐based rarefaction indicated marked differences in species richness between day and night, and smaller differences between habitats for both day and night. Whereas, individual‐based rarefaction indicated no such substantial differences in species richness. However, distinct fish assemblages were found based on relative abundance data, and species of great conservation concern tended to link to natural habitats. The diversity of biological traits/attributes were generally higher in rip‐rap habitats. The differences in fish assemblage characteristics between habitats revealed the importance of gravel‐sand habitats in maintaining natural assemblages and that rip‐rap sections increase compositional beta diversity at the mesohabitat scale. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The drift of early life stages of Percidae and Gobiidae (Pisces: Teleostei) in a free-flowing section of the Austrian Danube

The drift of early development stages is an essential element of dispersal in many fish species. It is caused by a multitude of factors and is thus highly specific for each taxon and developmental stage. In this paper, we examined the drift of free embryos, larvae, and juveniles of percids and gobiids in a free-flowing stretch of the Austrian Danube. We assessed the drift density (DD) at different distances from the shore, described seasonal and diel patterns, and how size of drifting fish changed throughout the season. The seasonal patterns as well as the DDs were highly specific for each genus, while the diel patterns and changes in size of drifting fishes differed primarily at family level. In addition, we compared two opposed shorelines—a near-natural gravel bar and a rip-rap stabilized shore. The shores differed significantly and on both shores the DD of gobies was higher compared to percids. Among the Gobiidae, the invasive Neogobius species clearly dominated (99% of total gobiid catch) over the native tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris. Percid DD was substantially higher on the near-natural shore, with Zingel and Sander as the most abundant genera.     

The modular habitat model (MHM) for the ide, Leuciscus idus (L.) - a new method to predict the suitability of inshore habitats for fish

Groynes are the dominant river engineering structures along the lowland section of large European rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and the Elbe. More than 6000 groynes structure the 400 km stretch of the potamal of the Elbe River. After 1945, destruction of the groynes increased through ice and flood events in the eastern part of Germany. In the past ten years, groyne reconstruction was accompanied by a controversial discussion in the context of the ecological integrity of the Elbe River. With the modular habitat model (MHM) a tool was developed to evaluate the suitability and to balance the availability of fish habitats in groyne fields of different conditions. The morphodynamic module produced a digital terrain model and a spatial model of flow velocity for each groyne field separately. Based on point abundance sampling by electro‐fishing, models of habitat preference were developed for different life history stages by logistic regression. Statistical models predicting the preference of fish‐environment relationships (Leuciscus idus) at different life history stages. The models were discriminated and validated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The link between the statistical and the spatial model was realised in the suitability module. The suitability of microhabitats is expressed in classes for each species and life history stage separately. Habitat availability is balanced on the level of mesohabitat, e.g. different types of groyne fields. The temporal dynamics of habitat availability are analysed by considering different levels of discharge. For the stage ‘juvenile A’ and preadult the habitat suitability is better in fields downstream of destroyed groynes. For ‘juvenile B’ and adult stages of the ide, groyne fields in general constitute low habitat suitability. Differences in spatial availability are higher than the differences in temporal habitat availability.     

Abundance and night-time habitat use patterns of Ponto-Caspian gobiid species (Pisces, Gobiidae) in the littoral zone of the River Danube, Hungary

We examined the abundance and meso‐habitat use of gobiid species during both day and night along 43 stretches (500‐m long) of the littoral zone at five locations of the Middle Danube, Hungary, in spring and in summer 2004. Electro‐fishing catch per unit effort sampling revealed significantly higher relative densities at night than during the day. Gobiids occupied all the available habitats encountered during sampling. Habitat‐abundance relationships from night‐time samples revealed that the two most abundant species, round goby Neogobius melanostomus and bighead goby Neogobius kessleri, were found in highest relative density along gravel beach and artificial rip‐rap habitats; these species were in relatively low density in sandy areas. Monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis was more abundant in natural shorelines than in rip‐rap habitats and dispersed more consistently between sandy and gravel beaches. Tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus demonstrated great plasticity in meso‐habitat use. In conclusion, Ponto‐Caspian gobies occurred rather consistently along the Hungarian section of the Danube, occupying all available habitats examined. Abundance‐habitat relations suggest plasticity in meso‐habitat use but partial segregation between species. Further studies are required at multiple spatial scales to assess how micro‐ and meso‐habitat use varies with fluctuating population densities.     

Fish recruitment in a large,temperate floodplain: the importance of annual flooding,temperature and habitat complexity

1. Large river floodplains are considered key nursery habitats for many species of riverine fish. The lower Volga River floodplains (Russian Federation) are still relatively undisturbed, serving as a suitable model for studying the influence of flooding and temperature on fish recruitment in floodplain rivers. 2. We examined the interannual variability in recruitment success of young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) fish in the lower Volga floodplain in relation to flood pulse characteristics and rising water temperatures in the spring. We sampled four areas with different flooding regimes, in three consecutive years (2006–2008). 3. Extensive areas with a long duration of flooding accommodated high densities of young fish. This suggests that extended inundation improves the recruitment success of river fish. In areas with extensive flooding, the biomass of YOY of most fish species was about three times higher in 2006 and 2007 than in 2008. We hypothesise that low spring temperatures in 2008 may have caused this reduced recruitment and that a flood synchronised with rising temperature enhances recruitment success. 4. Extensive flooding was particularly favourable for species characterised by large body size, delayed maturation, high fecundity and low parental investment, such as pike Esox lucius, roach Rutilus rutilus and ide Leuciscus idus. Gibel carp Carassius gibelio, a species tolerant of high temperature and hypoxia, did particularly well in small waterbodies in the driest parts of the floodplain. 5. Structural characteristics of floodplain waterbodies explained much of YOY fish density. These species–environment associations varied from year to year, but some species such as common bream Abramis brama, roach and gibel carp showed consistent relationships with structural habitat characteristics in all years, despite large interannual fluctuations in flood pulse and spring temperature.     

Selective Feeding of age-0 Arctic Grayling in Lake-Outlet Streams of the Northwest Territories, Canada

A paucity of information exists on the diet of Arctic grayling, Thymallus arcticus, particularly for young-of-the-year (YOY). We examined the diet of YOY Arctic grayling in relation to food availability, in the Barrenlands region of the Northwest Territories, Canada, where lake-outlet streams serve as nursery habitat for these fish. Given the small size of YOY grayling and the abundance of lake-derived microcrustacea in the drift of these lake-outlet streams, we anticipated that these prey would make up a major component of the YOY's diet. Food selectivity by YOY grayling, however, was strongly sized-biased; although microcrustacea dominated the drift, YOY primarily consumed larger taxa, especially Chironomidae and Simuliidae. Even among these taxa, grayling tended to select the larger individuals. As they grew, YOY grayling took larger numbers of both large and small prey, particularly the larger invertebrates, although prey size range did not change after mid-July. Selection of pupae and avoidance of Ephemeroptera suggest that prey characteristics other than size also contribute to selectivity by YOY grayling. The relatively limited consumption of terrestrial invertebrates and other large prey may reflect the small sizes of fish in this arctic study, as well as differences in prey availability. Despite the abundance of lake-derived prey, instream production of invertebrates should largely determine the productive capacity of Barrenlands streams as fish habitat.     

Cascading life-history interactions: alternative density-dependent pathways drive recruitment dynamics in a freshwater fish

Although density-dependent mechanisms in early life-history are important regulators of recruitment in many taxa, consequences of such mechanisms on other life-history stages are poorly understood. To examine interacting and cascading effects of mechanisms acting on different life-history stages, we stocked experimental ponds with fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) at two different densities. We quantified growth and survival of the stocked fish, the eggs they produced, and the resulting offspring during their first season of life. Per-capita production and survival of eggs were inversely related to density of stocked fish; significant egg cannibalism by stocked minnows resulted in initial young-of-the-year (YOY) densities that were inversely related to adult densities. Subsequent growth and survival of YOY were then inversely related to these initial YOY densities, and survival of YOY was selective for larger fish. Because of these compensatory processes in the egg and YOY stages, treatments did not differ in YOY abundance and mean size at the end of the growing season. Because of differences in the intensity of size-selective mortality, however, variation in end-of season sizes of YOY was strongly (and inversely) related to densities of stocked fish. When mortality was severe in the egg stage (high densities of stocked fish), final YOY size distributions were more variable than when the dominant mortality was size-selective in the YOY stage (low stocked fish densities). These differences in size variation could have subsequent recruitment consequences, as overwinter survival is typically selective for YOY fish larger than a critical threshold size. Density-dependent effects on a given life stage are not independent, but will be influenced by earlier stages; alternative recruitment pathways can result when processes at earlier stages differ in magnitude or selectivity. Appreciation of these cascading effects should enhance our overall understanding of the dynamics of stage-structured populations.     

Habitat Use by YOY in the Littoral Zone of an Artificially Heated Reservoir

Both temporal and spatial distributions of a young of the year (YOY) fish community were studied in the littoral zone of a French reservoir. The time survey indicated that littoral occupation highly depends on YOY time of appearance. During late spring and summer, the smallest white bream YOY (L_T < 20 mm) were restricted to complex habitats whereas those of pumpkinseed occupied all available habitats. Growing white bream progressively migrated to open water areas. At that time, pumpkinseed was the only species sampled in abundance in the littoral zone and was still collected in all habitats. The success of the introduction of pumpkinseed might be explained by both its late hatching and its opportunistic strategy in habitat selection enabling it to exploit physical spaces left vacant. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effects of marine reserves versus nursery habitat availability on structure of reef fish communities

No-take marine fishery reserves sustain commercial stocks by acting as buffers against overexploitation and enhancing fishery catches in adjacent areas through spillover. Likewise, nursery habitats such as mangroves enhance populations of some species in adjacent habitats. However, there is lack of understanding of the magnitude of stock enhancement and the effects on community structure when both protection from fishing and access to nurseries concurrently act as drivers of fish population dynamics. In this study we test the separate as well as interactive effects of marine reserves and nursery habitat proximity on structure and abundance of coral reef fish communities. Reserves had no effect on fish community composition, while proximity to nursery habitat only had a significant effect on community structure of species that use mangroves or seagrass beds as nurseries. In terms of reef fish biomass, proximity to nursery habitat by far outweighed (biomass 249% higher than that in areas with no nursery access) the effects of protection from fishing in reserves (biomass 21% lower than non-reserve areas) for small nursery fish (≤ 25 cm total length). For large-bodied individuals of nursery species (>25 cm total length), an additive effect was present for these two factors, although fish benefited more from fishing protection (203% higher biomass) than from proximity to nurseries (139% higher). The magnitude of elevated biomass for small fish on coral reefs due to proximity to nurseries was such that nursery habitats seem able to overrule the usually positive effects on fish biomass by reef reserves. As a result, conservation of nursery habitats gains importance and more consideration should be given to the ecological processes that occur along nursery-reef boundaries that connect neighboring ecosystems.     

Mangrove Habitat Use by Juvenile Reef Fish: Meta-Analysis Reveals that Tidal Regime Matters More than Biogeographic Region

Identification of critical life-stage habitats is key to successful conservation efforts. Juveniles of some species show great flexibility in habitat use while other species rely heavily on a restricted number of juvenile habitats for protection and food. Considering the rapid degradation of coastal marine habitats worldwide, it is important to evaluate which species are more susceptible to loss of juvenile nursery habitats and how this differs across large biogeographic regions. Here we used a meta-analysis approach to investigate habitat use by juvenile reef fish species in tropical coastal ecosystems across the globe. Densities of juvenile fish species were compared among mangrove, seagrass and coral reef habitats. In the Caribbean, the majority of species showed significantly higher juvenile densities in mangroves as compared to seagrass beds and coral reefs, while for the Indo-Pacific region seagrass beds harbored the highest overall densities. Further analysis indicated that differences in tidal amplitude, irrespective of biogeographic region, appeared to be the major driver for this phenomenon. In addition, juvenile reef fish use of mangroves increased with increasing water salinity. In the Caribbean, species of specific families (e.g. Lutjanidae, Haemulidae) showed a higher reliance on mangroves or seagrass beds as juvenile habitats than other species, whereas in the Indo-Pacific family-specific trends of juvenile habitat utilization were less apparent. The findings of this study highlight the importance of incorporating region-specific tidal inundation regimes into marine spatial conservation planning and ecosystem based management. Furthermore, the significant role of water salinity and tidal access as drivers of mangrove fish habitat use implies that changes in seawater level and rainfall due to climate change may have important effects on how juvenile reef fish use nearshore seascapes in the future.     

Fish predation affects the structure of a benthic community

1. We conducted an experimental study of predation by benthivorous fish on a natural community of stream invertebrates using a reach‐scale approach. Over a 2‐year period (experimental phase), the benthic invertebrate community of a stretch containing two species of benthivorous fish was compared with a fishless stretch. Thereafter, all fish were removed and benthic community structure was analysed again to account for natural differences between the two stretches (reference phase). 2. Benthivorous fish at the moderate densities investigated did not affect total benthic biomass or density, but did alter species composition. In addition, the fish effect differed between pool and riffle habitats, with larger effects in the pools indicating a habitat‐specific predation effect. In the reference phase, when all fish were removed from the stream, the difference between the two stretches was reduced. 3. The benthivorous fish reduced the densities of four taxa (Pisidium sp., Dugesia gonocephala, Gammarus pulex, Limoniidae), representing 29% of total biomass. It is possible that density reductions of other species were masked by prey migration despite the relatively large spatial scale. Indeed, higher drift activity in the upstream fishless stretch could have increased the density of Baetis rhodani in the fish stretch, as indicated by the results of a drift model. 4. Our results provide insights into stream food web ecology because fish predation showed effects even in a natural system where habitat complexity was high, environmental factors were highly variable and many predator and prey species interacted and because benthivorous fish were the focus, whereas the majority of previous predation experiments in streams have used drift‐feeding trout.     

Thresholds in seascape connectivity: the spatial arrangement of nursery habitats structure fish communities on nearby reefs

Ecosystems are linked by the movement of organisms across habitat boundaries and the arrangement of habitat patches can affect species abundance and composition. In tropical seascapes many coral reef fishes settle in adjacent habitats and undergo ontogenetic habitat shifts to coral reefs as they grow. Few studies have attempted to measure at what distances from nursery habitats these fish migrations (connectivity) cease to exist and how the abundance, biomass and proportion of nursery species change on coral reefs along distance gradients away from nursery areas. The present study examines seascape spatial arrangement, including distances between habitats, and its consequences on connectivity within a tropical seascape in Mozambique using a seascape ecology approach. Fish and habitat surveys were undertaken in 2016/2017 and a thematic habitat map was created in ArcGIS, where cover and distances between habitat patches were calculated. Distance to mangroves and seagrasses were significant predictors for abundance and biomass of most nursery species. The proportions of nursery species were highest in the south of the archipelago, where mangroves were present and decreased with distance to nurseries (mangroves and seagrasses). Some nursery species were absent on reef sites farthest from nursery habitats, at 80 km from mangroves and at 12 km from seagrass habitats. The proportion of nursery/non-nursery snapper and parrotfish species, as well as abundance and biomass of seagrass nursery species abruptly declined at 8 km from seagrass habitats, indicating a threshold distance at which migrations may cease. Additionally, reefs isolated by large stretches of sand and deep water had very low abundances of several nursery species despite being within moderate distances from nursery habitats. This highlights the importance of considering the matrix (sand and deep water) as barriers for fish migration.     

Eelgrass,Zostera marina,as essential fish habitat for young‐of‐the‐year winter flounder,Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum, 1792) in Maine estuaries

Distribution and density by habitat for age‐0, young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum, 1792), were compared for two Maine estuaries to help define essential fish habitat for this life history stage. Two estuaries (Weskeag River and Penobscot Bay) along Mid‐coast Maine were sampled monthly with daytime 1.0 m² fixed‐frame throw traps around neap low tide, May–December over two consecutive years (2003–2004). Both eelgrass and adjacent sand/mud (20–60 cm deep) were randomly sampled with equal effort (4–12 samples per month) at two sites in both the Weskeag River and Penobscot Bay. Significantly higher densities of YOY winter flounder (2–9 cm TL) occurred in eelgrass relative to sand/mud. Density increased significantly in both habitats in 2004, and was higher in Penobscot Bay relative to the Weskeag River. YOY densities compared by eelgrass coverage within throw traps were found to be significantly higher in eelgrass that exceeded 30% coverage when compared with adjacent sand/mud areas and eelgrass coverage of 10–20%. YOY occurred in all months sampled (May–December); no density differences existed by month. These results indicate that very shallow (<0.6 m) eelgrass habitat is of key importance to YOY winter flounder in Maine estuaries and should be viewed as essential fish habitat (EFH) for this species and life stage.     

Resistance to ship-induced waves of benthic invertebrates in various littoral habitats

1. Ship‐induced waves disturb benthic invertebrate assemblages colonizing littoral zones of lakes and rivers. However, the impact of ship‐induced waves on invertebrates has rarely been quantified, and the influencing factors have not been addressed. 2. In an experimental wave tank, five benthic invertebrate species, Bithynia tentaculata, Calopteryx splendens, Dikerogammarus villosus, Gammarus roeseli and Laccophilus hyalinus, were exposed to waves of increasing shear stress (0.43–2.19 N m^?2). Mean number of detached individuals was recorded for five littoral habitats [coarse woody debris (CWD), reeds, sand, stones and tree roots], representing different levels of structural complexity as quantified by their fractal dimensions (FD). 3. Results showed that detachment of invertebrates was significantly related to shear stress in all habitats except tree roots. Detachments averaged for the five species were significantly lower in habitats with a high degree of structural complexity, decreasing in the habitat sequence: sand, CWD, stones, reeds and tree roots. 4. Consistent with their different morphologies and methods of attachment to substrates, the five species displayed differences in their response to hydraulic stress that were dependent on habitat. 5. The increasing sheltering effect of structural habitat complexity was mirrored by increasing dissipation of the kinetic energy of waves; i.e. the FD of the habitat was positively correlated with shear stress reduction due to the flow resistance of the habitat. 6. Network habitats such as tree roots provided the best sheltering conditions against hydraulic disturbance, because they combined good refuge availability for all studied invertebrate species and maximal dissipation of kinetic wave energy. Consequently, persistent anthropogenic impacts, such as lakeshore modification or long‐term exposure to ship‐induced waves, which cause disappearance of complex littoral habitats such as tree roots or dense reed belts, will drastically increase the adverse effects of boating and ship traffic on littoral invertebrate assemblages.     

Aspects of ecology and conservation of sympatric,prosobranch snails in a large river

We examined factors influencing distribution of prosobranch snails with field surveys, lab substrate-choice and movement experiments, and outdoor artificial stream experiments manipulating current, substrate and temperature. Restriction of Lithasia obovata to shallow, isolated rock patches and the more continuous distribution of Pleurocera canaliculatum on diverse substrates (shallow to deep water) seem related to food availability, predator vulnerability, wave resistance and dispersal abilities. Shallow, rocky habitats favored by the relatively fragile-shelled Lithasia maximize the more nutritious, epilithic microalgal food while minimizing wave displacement (firmer substrate) and exposure to molluscivorous fish inhabiting deeper waters. The broader distribution of the heavily-armored Pleurocera is attributed mostly to greater dispersal abilities (e.g. via deep water, gravel pathways), prevalence in more substrate types, and resistance to fish predators, but their relatively small foot may account for low densities in very shallow, wave-swept habitats. Lithasia is vulnerable because of its restriction to isolated, shallow rocky habitats, inability to reach deeper gravel dispersal pathways, and greater susceptibility to cold temperatures (slowing colonization of other habitats). Impoundments increase this threat by blocking inter-reach dispersal and hindering intra-reach dispersal through siltation. Pleurocera's survival is threatened by biofouling from zebra mussels which are more prevalent in depths inhabited by this species.     

Fish drift in a Danube sidearm‐system: II. Seasonal and diurnal patterns

Seasonal and diurnal patterns of larval and juvenile fish drift were investigated in the Marchfeldkanal, a man‐made side branch of the Danube River near Vienna, Austria. A clear seasonal pattern with peak densities in mid‐June was found. Species composition varied over time, showed a site specific pattern and was dominated by tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus . Water temperature was the main factor responsible for the increase of drift densities until the median drift date and repeated occurrence of early larval stages in drift indicated repeated spawning for many species. Significant differences in drift densities between different time periods of the day (day, dusk, night and dawn) were found for common bream Abramis brama , barbel Barbus barbus , chub Leuciscus cephalus , tubenose goby and roach Rutilus rutilus . The highest drift rates occurred at night (2200–0400 hours), with 86% of all larvae drifting during the hours of darkness. Fish larvae of different lengths drifting at different phases of the day were found for common bream, bleak Alburnus alburnus and chub, with largest larvae drifting during dusk (chub) and day (bleak and common bream). For bleak, all gudgeon species Gobio spp., tubenose goby, roach and for all cyprinid species combined, one 2 h night sample was found to be sufficient to predict the total 24 h drift.     

Microsatellite analysis of relatedness structure in young of the year of the endangered Zingel asper (Percidae) and implications for conservation

1. Zingel asper is one of the most endangered freshwater fish of Western Europe. Because of critical habitat loss and fragmentation, stocking or reintroduction protocols are sometimes considered even though few data are available about the behaviour and biology of the species.
2. The present study is the first attempt to explore the population genetic structure of juveniles (young of the year, YOY) of this endangered species using genetic markers (microsatellite loci). In the Beaume River (ardeche, France), Z. asper exhibits very low densities (10–80 fish per hectare), and it was expected that annual recruitment would comprise only few clutches (full- or half-sibs groups).
3. However, sibship reconstruction in one YOY cohort showed that more than 60% of the adult population reproduced. Dispersal rate in early YOY was high: relatedness estimates showed that only few months after hatching, YOY sibs were mixed among study sites. A large number of breeders together with high dispersal rates explain the high genetic variability observed in small populations of Z. asper .
4. Conservation strategies for the species are discussed based on these results, emphasizing the importance of conserving population genetic variability and preserving habitat connectivity for juveniles.