Modern ichthyofauna of the Lower Don basin in conditions of the anthropogenic transformation of its runoff

A list of ichthyofauna of the Lower Don basin based on modern material and comprising 71 species of fish and Pisciformes belonging to 16 families is provided. Considerable variation in the species composition and in the relative numbers of the aboriginal ichthyofauna that occurred within the last decades and the appearance of new invading species is noted. The assessment of the influence of damming and the seasonal redistribution of the Don River runoff on the conditions of reproduction of its ichthyofauna is given.     

Ichthyofauna of Russian exclusive economic zone of the Bering Sea: 2. Ecological and zoogeographical characteristics

The ecological and zoogeographical characteristics of 344 species of Pisces and fish-like species comprising the ichthyofauna of the Bering Sea (Russian Exclusive Economic Zone) are presented for the study period of 1995?2012 (original studies) and those for previous findings in this area. The benthic species (elittoral, mesobenthic, and sublittoral; 216 species, or 62.8%) dominate if one takes into account the biotopic characteristics of the species; the majority belongs to the wide-boreal Pacific, wide-boreal Asiatic, and arcticboreal species (255 species, or 74.1%) by the zoogeographic characteristics. The comparative analysis of the fish communities of the western Bering Sea evidences to the significant changes of the ichthyofauna within the depth southwards Navarin Cape. Arctic-boreal species can be considered as a specific faunistic “margin” between the northern and the southern ichthyofauna of the western Bering Sea due to their eurybiont characteristics.     

Fish species composition before and after construction of a main stem reservoir on the White River,Colorado

Synopsis The completion in the fall of 1984 of Taylor Draw Dam on the White River, Colorado, formed Kenney Reservoir — thus impounding the last significant free-flowing tributary in the Upper Colorado River Basin. Fishes were sampled above and below the dam axis prior to closure of the dam and in the reservoir and river downstream following impoundment. While immediate effects of the dam to the ichthyofauna included blockage of upstream migration to 80 km of documented range for endangered Colorado squawfish, the reservoir also proved to have profound delayed effects on the river's species composition. Pre-impoundment investigations in 1983–1984 showed strong domination by native species above, within, and below the reservoir basin. By 1989–1990, non-native species comprised roughly 90% of the fishes collected in the reservoir and 80% of the fishes collected in the river below the dam. Initially, fathead minnow, whose numbers quickly increased in the new reservoir, dominated all post-impoundment collections, but red shiner became the most abundant fish collected in the river below the dam by 1989–1990. While agency stocking programs for the reservoir sought to emphasize a sport fishery for salmonids, primarily rainbow trout, local enthusiasm for warmwater sport fishes resulted in illicit transfers of these species from nearby impoundments. Several species, formerly rare or unreported in the White River in Colorado, including white sucker, northern pike, green sunfish, bluegill, largemouth bass and black crappie, were present in the river following impoundment. Our investigation indicates smaller-scale, main-stem impoundments that do not radically alter hydrologic or thermal regimes can still have a profound influence on native ichthyofauna by facilitating establishment and proliferation of nonnative species.Cooperators are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, and Colorado State University     

Materials on the ichthyofauna of the Middle Don basin

List of ichthyofauna of the Middle Don basin, including 53 species of Cyclostomata and fish belonging to 11 families, is presented. Comparison of modern ichthyofauna of the Middle Don and the downstream river section under conditions of a regulated flow is provided. The disappearance of some aboriginal anadromous fish species because of the Don River flow regulation, as well as the appearance of new invading species as a result of their self-dispersal, are noted. Brief data on the pattern of distribution of some species for each family are presented.     

Ria de Alvor as a spawning place and a nursery ground

Ria de Alvor is a small estuary between Lagos and Portimão on the south coast of Portugal, 37°7'–37°10'N, 8°35'–8°38'W.
Samples were collected monthly in the period April 1985–March 1986 in an ichthyoplankton and ichthyofauna survey of the estuary. A WP-2 plankton net was used for catching ichthyoplankton, and a beam trawl and a beach seine were used for catching ichthyofauna.
Scaldfish, Arnoglossus laterna (Walbaum, 1792), even though the most abundant species in ichthyoplankton samples, was never found in ichthyofauna samples.
From the results obtained, it is concluded that a great part of the fish species are temporary marine visitors using the Ria as a nursery ground, although this system appears to provide a spawning area for species with benthic eggs. No evidence was found of pelagic spawning.     

Diversity of fish species in the trawl catches in the southeastern Barents Sea in 1980–2008

Analysis of trawl catches in the southeastern Barents Sea was performed for the period of 1980–2008. One lamprey and 48 fish species were defined, including 38 marine fish species, 8 anadromous and amphidromous species, and 1 freshwater species. The ichthyofauna of several areas of the southeastern Barents Sea was described (Cheshskaya Inlet, Pomorskiy Strait, southeastern Pechora Sea, Pechora Sea, Khaipudyrskaya Inlet and adjacent areas). Biodiversity indexes and Shannon Index were applied to describe the species diversity. Cluster analysis was applied to compare the species lists from different areas. Multiyear dynamics of ichthyofauna was studied. The tendency of geographical range expansion eastward was observed for boreal species.     

Ecological and zoogeographic characterization of the ichthyofauna of Sivuch’ya Bay (Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan)

An inventory of the ichthyofauna of Sivuch’ya Bay (Far Eastern State Marine Biosphere Reserve) was made for the first time. Based on the results of our research (during all seasons of 1994–2004), the list of Sivuchya Bay fishes includes 108 species belonging to 15 orders, 45 families, and 84 genera. The greatest number of taxa was found for the orders Perciformes (17 families, 33 genera, and 40 species) and Scorpaeniformes (8, 18, and 28, respectively). The following families dominate in terms of the number of species: Stichaeidae, 15 species; Cottidae, 11; Pleuronectidae, 9; Gobiidae, 5; Hexagrammidae, 5; Clupeidae, 4; and Tetraodontidae, 4. These seven families include 53 species (49.1%). The data, confirmed by the results of regression analysis, show that the bay ichthyofauna is well studied. Zoogeographical analysis indicates that the bulk of ichthyofauna is constituted by fishes of Asian origin (low boreal, low boreal-subtropical and widely distributed boreal), 80 species (74.1%). Bottom and near-bottom fishes are dominating elements of the Sivuch’ya Bay ichthyofauna, with 83 species (76.9%); pelagic fishes 25 species make up (23.1%).     

Ichthyofauna of littoral of the gulf Arguin,Mauritania

According to the materials of 2000–2004, in littoral of the gulf Arguin (at the coast of Northern Africa) dwell 91 fish species. Fish young, accumulating 97.9–99.7% of ichthyofauna, endure main cycle of development in the zone of littoral, use it for pasture and as a shelter. Five types of littoral are distinguished in the gulf. Ichthyofauna composition of different littoral types has significant similarity, but differs essentially from ichthyofauna of open ocean littoral. The role of the gulf Arguin, taking into consideration its dimensions, is unique in reproduction, biodiversity maintenance and existence of numerous fish species (including fishery species) of Northern Africa.     

Species abundance and ichthyofaunistic zoning of pelagial of the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan

Having evaluated data collected by the TINRO Center for a period of 23 years on the distribution of pelagic ichthyofauna, conclusions regarding the ichthyofaunistic zoning of the northwestern part of the Sea of Japan are here presented. Areas presenting the most dramatic changes in abundance and variety of species delineate 12 basic ichthyofaunistic zones whose species-clustering information, when examined in its entirety, clearly reveals the state of the faunistic province of the northern Sea of Japan.     

Faunal structure of Japanese freshwater fishes and its artificial disturbance

The hierarchical structure of areas of endemicity of freshwater fishes in the Japanese Archipelago was analyzed using parsimony analysis of endemicity (PAE) and its modification. Supporting the results of previous studies, the present analysis, which includes species, subspecies, intraspecific monophyletic lineages, and/or hypothetical ancestors, revealed the uniqueness of the local ichthyofauna in northeastern Hokkaido, large changes in ichthyofauna across the Fossa Magna region, central Honshu, and some additional new patterns. A split network analysis was used to represent the complex relationships among local faunas in the archipelago and also in East Asian regions. Artificially disturbed fish faunas have recently lost part of their original endemic areas, producing a remarkable ??homogenization?? among local faunas (+9.0% in Jaccard??s similarity coefficient). The majority of this homogenization can be explained by introduction of domestic species (+8.6%), especially from Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan.     

Species composition and structure of the ichthyofauna of the Barents Sea

The species composition and brief characteristic of some elements of structure of the ichthyofauna of the Barents Sea within its geographic boundaries are represented. During the whole historic period of observations in the Barents Sea, 182 species and subspecies of fish were recorded, belonging to 59 families, 28 orders, and 5 classes. Most species and subspecies belong to the boreal complex (59.3%), occur principally in the bottom layers (56.6%), more than a half feed on bottom and demersal invertebrates (52.2%), and are commercial species (52.7%). In the Barents Sea, 21 species and subspecies are commercial. Their ration in catches depends on the integral impact of natural and anthropogenous factors. In the arctic zone of the Barents Sea, the part of noncommercial species makes by biomass 1.18%; in the boreal zone—0.26%; in the Pechora Sea—10.6%.     

Fish fauna of the Bering Sea (within Russian waters). Communication 3: Perspectives of commercial fishery

The commercial value of the ichthyofauna of the Bering Sea within Russian waters (Exclusive Economic Zone) is discussed. The ichthyofauna of this region comprises 344 species of fish and fish-like. Most of the species (283 species, or 82.3%) have no commercial value. The rest have commercial value (47 species, or 13.7%) or have the potential commercial value (14 species, 4.1%). Active and large-scale fishery is performed for 27 commercial species both in the open sea and in the coastal areas (mostly by ships); another twenty species are harvested irregularly by local coastal or nearshore fishery.     

云南沾益海峰湿地鱼类区系及地理成因分析

对云南海峰自然保护区鱼类区系调查,结果共获鱼类11种,隶属4目6科11属。其中引入种9种,土著种仅2种,无特有种类。海峰湿地间歇性干涸明显,是一较为封闭的高原水域生态系统。以湿地鱼类区系组成为线索,认为在湿地内无土著种,更未形成狭域分布的特有种。此事实强烈地暗示,海峰湿地的形成历史可能极近,只在数万年之内。海峰湿地属于内陆湿地中的时令湖生态系统,还兼有人工湿地中蓄水区湿地类型的特点。     

Dynamics of species diversity of Cyclostomata and fishes in the Kuybyshev Reservoir

For the first time, the precise species composition of Cyclostomata and fishes of the Kuybyshev Reservoir is presented at various phases of formation of its ecosystem. Special traits and tendencies of distribution of alien species in it are analyzed. The greatest changes occurred at the first phase. During subsequent phases, the species composition was supplemented mainly due to penetration of southern short-lived alien species with fractional spawning which successfully withstand the increasing anthropogenous impact. Penetration of alien species did not entail disappearance of aboriginal species as the colonizers occupied new limnophilic biotopes not demanded by the aboriginal ichthyofauna.     

Annotated list of fish-like vertebrates and fish of the Kara Sea

Based on literature and new actual data from 2007–2012, a revised list of fish species inhabiting the Kara Sea is given. The modern ichthyofauna of the Kara Sea comprises 77 species of marine, anadromous, and freshwater fish from 24 families of 14 orders. For the first time, 12 fish species are indicated for this region.     

Distribution of fish in the Virgin River,a tributary of the lower Colorado River

Synopsis The Virgin River, a major tributary of the lower Colorado River, contains a unique, though impoverished, native ichthyofauna (six species) that is largely intact despite the introduction of exotic fishes (13 species) and alterations of the river. The main conclusions of the study are: (1) The longitudinal distribution pattern of the native species does not follow theoretical expectations of a downstream increase in species richness; (2) for the size of the basin (>15,000 km²), the native ichthyofauna is extremely depauperate; and (3) most of the exotic fish are not established in the river, but persist through repeated invasions from downstream reservoirs.     

Fishes of the Bellingshausen Sea and Peter I Island

The unknown benthic ichthyofauna of the Bellingshausen Sea was analysed. Some data concerning the ichthyofauna of Peter I Island were also included. A total of 583 specimens belonging to 32 species were collected mainly by an Agassiz trawl and baited traps set between 86 and 1,947 m depth. A total of 72.2% of the specimens (89.0% of them Nototheniidae) were caught with the Agassiz trawl, whereas 27.8% of the individuals (90.1% of them Zoarcidae) were captured with traps. The Bellingshausen Sea ichthyofauna was dominated by Zoarcidae (43.9% of individuals, 35.8% by weight) and Nototheniidae (43.0 and 15.2%, respectively). Twenty-two of the 23 species captured in the Bellingshausen Sea are reported for the first time from this area. Trematomus scotti was the dominant nototheniid in the Bellingshausen Sea whereas Lepidonotothen larseni was dominant off Peter I Island.     

Fish ecology and management of the Sepik-Ramu,New Guinea,a large contemporary tropical river basin

Synopsis The ichthyofauna of the Sepik-Ramu basin is composed of diadromous species and the freshwater derivatives of marine families. Fish species diversity, ichthyomass and fish catches are low even by Australasian standards. Three major factors have produced the depauperate ichthyofauna and restricted fishery within the basin: First, the zoogeographic origins of the ichthyofauna. Australasian freshwater fishes, being mainly derived from marine families, generally exhibit ecological characteristics that have evolved for life in estuaries, not rivers. This has led to peculiarities in river fish ecology and explains the probable low fish production from rivers in this region in general. Several important riverine trophic resources are not exploited by the Australasian freshwater ichthyofauna. The modes of reproduction amongst the Australasian freshwater ichthyofauna have limited the colonisation and exploitation of floodplain habitats. Second, Sepik-Ramu lowland habitats, especially floodplains, are very young. This has resulted in low fish species diversity in lowlands, whilst diversity at higher altitudes is equable, in comparison to river systems in southern New Guinea/ northern Australia. Third, the Sepik-Ramu lacks an estuary in sharp contrast to river systems in southern New Guinea or northern Australia. Most of the 18 families of Australasian fishes missing from the Sepik-Ramu are probably absent because of this factor alone. In particular, the Sepik-Ramu has not been colonised by any family of fishes having pelagic eggs, resulting in the loss from the fauna of the few Australasian fish taxa with high reproductive rates. Consequently, the general problems with river fish ecology in Australasia are exacerbated within the Sepik-Ramu by the particular development and morphology of the basin. Fish species diversity in the Sepik-Ramu is low, even in comparison with those taxa representative of marine families resident in rivers in nearby zoogeographic regions (S.E. Asia) whose ichthyofaunas are otherwise dominated by freshwater dispersant groups. The Sepik-Ramu ichthyofauna is considered noteworthy for what is absent, not what is present. Ichthyomass and fish production can be increased by fish species introductions whilst, in theory, biodiversity of the native fish fauna can be maintained. The directions in which ecological evaluations of proposed introductions might proceed in practice for the Sepik-Ramu are discussed but are constrained by the lack of knowledge on species interactions from other areas.     

Revisiting the ichthyodiversity of Java and Bali through DNA barcodes: taxonomic coverage,identification accuracy,cryptic diversity and identification of exotic species

Among the 899 species of freshwater fishes reported from Sundaland biodiversity hotspot, nearly 50% are endemics. The functional integrity of aquatic ecosystems is currently jeopardized by human activities, and landscape conversion led to the decline of fish populations in several part of Sundaland, particularly in Java. The inventory of the Javanese ichthyofauna has been discontinuous, and the taxonomic knowledge is scattered in the literature. This study provides a DNA barcode reference library for the inland fishes of Java and Bali with the aim to streamline the inventory of fishes in this part of Sundaland. Owing to the lack of available checklist for estimating the taxonomic coverage of this study, a checklist was compiled based on online catalogues. A total of 95 sites were visited, and a library including 1046 DNA barcodes for 159 species was assembled. Nearest neighbour distance was 28‐fold higher than maximum intraspecific distance on average, and a DNA barcoding gap was observed. The list of species with DNA barcodes displayed large discrepancies with the checklist compiled here as only 36% (i.e. 77 species) and 60% (i.e. 24 species) of the known species were sampled in Java and Bali, respectively. This result was contrasted by a high number of new occurrences and the ceiling of the accumulation curves for both species and genera. These results highlight the poor taxonomic knowledge of this ichthyofauna, and the apparent discrepancy between present and historical occurrence data is to be attributed to species extirpations, synonymy and misidentifications in previous studies.     

Impact of glass eel fishery on by-catch fish species: a quantitative assessment

The present study evaluated the effect of the glass eel fishery on by-catch ichthyofauna in the Ebro River delta by investigating the primary responsible factors of discard mortality, in order to assess the adequacy of fishing and sorting procedures, and assess the ecological impact of this traditional activity. Results revealed that glass eel fishery had a negative impact on by-catch ichthyofauna mainly composed of mugilid fry and small-size estuarine species. Data showed that between 10 and 69% of incidental species died as a consequence of glass eel capture and sorting procedures. Differences in by-catch fish mortality rates depended on the glass eel sorting time, the total weight of catch, the discard ratio, by-catch fish size, and by-catch fish species composition. The total weight of the catch and the discard ratio were two of the main parameters affecting discarded fish mortality, since both had a direct effect on the period of time required for glass eel sorting during which by-catch fish were exposed to air and suffered from very aggressive sorting procedures that caused severe external and internal injuries. By-catch fish measuring less than 40 mm L _T were more susceptible to glass eel fishery procedures than those larger (>60 mm L _T), independent of the species considered or their stage of development. This fishery, similar to other ones, should strive to minimization the amount of discards and the mortality of discarded fish, by improving the selectivity of the fish trap and developing new sorting and selection procedures. E. Gisbert and M. A. López have contributed equally to this study. Guest editors: S. Dufour, E. Prévost, E. Rochard & P. Williot Fish and diadromy in Europe (ecology, management, conservation)