Transplant experiments demonstrate that larger brains are favoured in high-competition environments in Trinidadian killifish

The extent to which the evolution of a larger brain is adaptive remains controversial. Trinidadian killifish (Anablepsoides hartii) are found in sites that differ in predation intensity; fish that experience decreased predation and increased intraspecific competition exhibit larger brains. We evaluated the connection between brain size and fitness (survival and growth) when killifish are found in their native habitats and when fish are transplanted from sites with predators to high-competition sites that lack predators. Selection for a larger brain was absent within locally adapted populations. Conversely, there was a strong positive relationship between brain size and growth in transplanted but not resident fish in high-competition environments. We also observed significantly larger brain sizes in the transplanted fish that were recaptured at the end of the experiment versus those that were not. Our results provide experimental support that larger brains increase fitness and are favoured in high-competition environments.     

Biology of the marbled lungfish, Protopterus aethiopicus Heckel, in Lake Baringo, Kenya

In this paper we provide life history characteristics for an introduced marbled lungfish (Protopterus aethiopicus) population in Lake Baringo, Kenya, including their length–weight relationship, body condition, fecundity, sex ratio, reproduction and food. These data are compared with those of other populations. Samples were obtained from the commercial fishery between January and October 2001. The lungfish exhibited positive allometric growth, with the length–weight relationship described by the equation: logW = ?6.41 + 3.52 logTL. The mean relative condition factor was close to unity, did not vary much between months and was not significantly different between sexes. The overall sex ratio was skewed in favour of females. The size of fish at first maturity was 70–76 cm total length (TL) for females and 82–88 cm TL for males. Fish in maturity stages III–IV occurred in all monthly samples suggesting year round spawning. The marbled lungfish in Lake Baringo is largely piscivorous and its impact on other fishes certainly warrants further research.     

Postglacial genetic differentiation of reproductive ecotypes of kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka in Okanagan Lake, British Columbia

Okanagan Lake, south-central interior of BC, contains two reproductive ecotypes of kokanee Oncorhynchus nerka ; individuals spawn in tributary streams ('stream-spawners') as well as on shoreline gravel areas ('beach-spawners'). We tested the hypothesis that these sympatric ecotypes comprise a single panmictic population by assaying variation in morphological traits and at allozyme, mitochondrial and minisatellite DNA loci in fish collected from three stream-spawning and two beach-spawning sites. No morphological traits consistently distinguished the reproductive ecotypes with the exception of the number of anal fin rays which was greater in stream-spawning kokanee. Four of 18 allozyme loci screened were polymorphic, but no significant allele frequency differences were detected among populations within ecotypes or between ecotypes. Similarly, allele frequencies at two minisatellite DNA loci were not significantly different among populations or between ecotypes. By contrast, significant differences in the frequencies of mitochondrial DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (mtDNA RFLP) haplotypes were detected between stream- and beach-spawners, but not among populations within ecotypes. Further, two RFLPs that distinguished stream- and beach-spawning adults were found in juvenile kokanee sampled from the limnetic zone of Okanagan Lake. The two mtDNA RFLPs and a d-loop sequence variant appear to be unique to Okanagan Lake kokanee because we did not observe these haplotypes in sockeye salmon and kokanee sampled outside of Okanagan Lake. Our data suggest that: (i) there is restricted female-mediated gene flow between stream- and beach-spawning kokanee in Okanagan Lake, (ii) the forms have diverged within the lake basin since the retreat of the Wisconsinian glaciers (< ≊ 11 000 years ago), and (iii) distinct reproductive niches may promote divergence in north temperate freshwater fish faunas.     

Relationships among tributary length,census population size,and genetic variability of white-spotted charr, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvelinus leucomaenis</Emphasis>, in the Lake Biwa water system

The relationships between census population size and tributary length and between haplotype diversity of the mitochondrial DNA and census population size in ten white-spotted charr populations in the Lake Biwa water system and its adjacent basins were investigated. The census population size (number of fish with ≥100 mm in standard length) significantly increased with the tributary length. In the eastern part of the Lake Biwa water system, haplotype diversity increased with the census population size. On other hand, in the western part of the water system and adjacent basins, haplotype diversity was zero irrespective of the census population size. These results suggest that white-spotted charr populations in the eastern and western part of the Lake Biwa water system have undergone different levels of bottlenecks related to the habitat size in the postglacial warming.     

Genetic structure of a native cyprinid in a reservoir‐altered stream network

1. Reservoirs modify riverine ecosystems worldwide, and often with deleterious impacts on native biota. The immediate effects of reservoirs on native fish species below dams and in impounded reaches have received considerable attention, but it is unclear how reservoirs may affect fish species at larger spatial and temporal scales. Documented declines of stream fish populations in direct tributaries of reservoirs suggest reservoir pools may reduce gene flow among historically connected populations. 2. Because of increased predator densities in reservoirs and the extent of habitat alteration in impounded reaches, I predicted reservoir habitats would reduce gene flow among small‐bodied fish populations separated by reservoir habitat. I used microsatellite markers to assess the spatial genetic structure of populations of the red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis), in a reservoir‐fragmented stream network (Lake Texoma, U.S.A.). I also tested the prediction that populations in two direct tributaries that have experienced population declines would have low genetic diversity. Individuals were collected from six sites upstream of the reservoir, three sites in the reservoir and three sites in direct tributaries of the reservoir during 2008 and 2009. 3. Results indicate that most populations were isolated by distance with little divergence among populations. In one direct tributary population, however, there was substantial genetic divergence, and genetic diversity was significantly lower than in other populations. Gene flow also seemed to be lower in reservoir habitats than in intact stream habitats, suggesting reservoir habitats may be reducing gene flow among the reservoir‐separated populations. These results indicate that reservoirs may reduce gene flow among reservoir‐fragmented stream fish populations, altering the evolutionary trajectories of fragmented populations.     

Climate–water quality relationships in three Western Victorian (Australia) lakes 1984–2000

To achieve robust simulations of past and future climate and their effect on aquatic biota, it is desirable to integrate results from palaeolimnology, contemporary monitoring and process modelling. Here we analyse over 15 years of water quality monitoring data from three lakes, Purrumbete, Colac and Bullen Merri from Western Victoria, Australia and their relationship to climate. In the context of a large number of limnological and palaeoenvironmental studies from the region, we seek to refine understanding of the primary forcing mechanisms that explain present, past and potentially future water quality variability in the lakes. Our analysis shows that there are strong relationships between climate and water quality in these lakes of varied size and salinity (average conductivity range 740–14,000 μS cm⁻¹). The strongest climate–water quality relationship exists between air and water temperature, particular during the colder months. Strong relationships also exist with air temperature and other parameters, most notably nutrient concentrations. Effective precipitation also appears to exert a strong influence on water quality in these lakes. This influence is, by contrast with the influence of air temperature, less direct. Nevertheless, these lakes of varying salt concentration exhibit a coherent pattern of conductivity response to variation in effective precipitation, particularly during times of high moisture stress.     

Genetic differentiation of piscivorous chub (genus Opsariichthys) in Japan,Korea and Russia

A comparison of allozyme variation, restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the mitochondrial DNA and partial sequences of the ND II gene (496 bp) was made among two lacustrine populations of the piscivorous chub (Opsariichthys uncirostris uncirostris) in Japan, four fluvial populations in Korea, one lacustrine population in Russia and one specimen from the Amur River (O. u. amurensis). All analyses indicate that the Japanese populations of piscivorous chub are separable from the Asian mainland populations of Korea and Russia. The latter populations were further divided into the Korean and Russian fish. Although opinions are divided on the phylogenetic position of the population in Lake Mikata, Japan, which shows unique morphological traits intermediate between those of the population in Lake Biwa and the mainland populations, the current analysis indicates a closer relationship to the population in Lake Biwa.     

Food and growth of hatchery-produced chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), in landlocked Lake Purrumbete, Victoria, Australia

One-year old hatchery-produced chinook salmon were released into landlocked Lake Purrumbete, Victoria, in 1976 and specimens were recaptured at three-monthly intervals during the next two years. Examination of their stomach contents revealed that fish, particularly Galaxias maculatus , formed the bulk of the food of the salmon. Other items eaten included Amphipoda, Cladocera, Ostracoda and Decapoda (Crustacea), Odonata, Coleoptera, Diptera, Trichoptera and Hemiptera (Insecta) and Gastropoda (Mollusca). At the end of their first three months in the lake the salmon had increased 85% in length and over 670% in weight. After two years in the lake, their length was 582 mm and their weight was 2.73 kg. Growth rate was lowest in spring when the relative amount of fish in the stomach contents was at its lowest and there was a greater diversity of food types in the dict.     

Assessing the effects of sewage effluents in a Mediterranean creek: fish population features and biotic indices

Sewage effluents are one of the main anthropogenic stressors in Mediterranean rivers. The establishment of a cause?Ceffect relationship is hindered in natural systems by the existence of confounding factors (i.e. biotic interactions). Here we analysed the effects that anthropogenic stressors have on a mono-specific fish community (Iberian redfin barbel population, Barbus haasi) inhabiting the northern edge of its distribution range. In Spring 2004, a total of 40 consecutive sampling sites were surveyed in Vallvidrera creek, and 1,331 specimens were measured and weighed. A principal component analysis was performed to synthesize the information provided by 22 environmental variables. Analysis of variance, bivariate correlation analyses and multiple linear regressions were then used to determine the influence of the environmental gradients built (water quality, hydromorphology, woods and macrophytes, and degree of silting) on fish population features (fish size, body condition status, density and biomass). The findings revealed that water quality was the most significant environmental gradient for this fish population. In particular, fish density decreases and fish length increases in those sites exposed to sewage. Additionally, our results showed the best body condition of those specimens inhabiting fast flow reaches which confirms the rheophilous condition of B. haasi. However, these findings were unnoticed for the current version of the index of biotic integrity using fish as bioindicators in Catalonia. Resource managers need to refine diagnostic tools in order to detect subtle deleterious changes on fish communities before they become evident at population scale. Conservation measures should be focused in these small streams in where the best preserved native fish populations usually inhabit. This study suggests the need to change water management policies in Mediterranean rivers to improve the water quality of sewage effluents and increase the dilution power of these rivers.     

A Comparative Study of Primary Production and Related Factors in Four Saline Lakes in Victoria,Australia

The purpose of the study was to compare the primary plankton productivities of lakes of different salinities and to determine the causative factors involved in their production rates. Four lakes (specific conductivity —mS cm⁻¹ at 18°C) were initially chosen: Coragulac (9), Red Rock (25), Corangamite (38), Pink (250). Sampling and production measurements were made every two to three weeks. Three lakes were dominated by specific phytoplankton blooms: Red Rock (Anabaena spiroides), Corangamite (Nodularia spumigena). Pink (Dunaliella salina). Coragulac Lake had more diverse populations. Red Rock Tarn had some of the highest production values ever recorded. Extremely high soluble phosphate and inorganic carbon concentrations were the most important causative factors. Pink Lake had very low production rates. High salinity and low nutrient concentrations were limiting factors. The other lakes were intermediate in production and nutrient levels. Zooplankton populations were also determined.     

武汉东湖圆形盘肠溞种群遗传结构分析

为了评估人工堤坝分隔对武汉东湖浮游动物种群遗传结构的影响,以细胞色素氧化酶亚基Ⅰ（mitochondrial cytochrome coxidase subunit Ⅰ,COⅠ）基因为分子标记,通过PCR扩增和DNA测序技术并结合GenBank数据库中已有的相关序列,对武汉东湖圆形盘肠溞（Chydorus sphaericus）种群遗传多样性进行了分析。结果显示:7个样点采集的圆形盘肠溞并没有分为不同的类群,全局检验和种群间两两差异检验均显示7个圆形盘肠溞类群没有显著的遗传差异。构建的邻接树显示武汉东湖的圆形盘肠溞COⅠ基因聚为一枝,除加拿大育空地区Kookatsoon湖与武汉东湖的部分圆形盘肠溞COⅠ基因聚为一枝外,其他地区的圆形盘肠溞COⅠ基因都分别聚为不同的枝。对圆形盘肠溞COⅠ基因序列两两距离与样点间的地理距离进行相关分析显示,不论是东湖内的小空间尺度还是更大尺度上的圆形盘肠溞COⅠ基因都存在序列相似性随地理距离增加而降低（距离-衰减模式）,说明圆形盘肠溞存在分布限制。研究结果表明武汉东湖50年前修建的人工堤坝并未对武汉东湖圆形盘肠溞的种群遗传结构造成显著影响。       

Stocking of captive-bred fish can cause long-term population decline and gene pool replacement: predictions from a population dynamics model incorporating density-dependent mortality

Releasing captive-bred fish into natural environments (stocking) is common in fisheries worldwide. Although stocking is believed to have a positive effect on fish abundance over the short term, little is known about the long-term consequences of recurrent stocking and its influence on natural populations. In fact, there are growing concerns that genetically maladapted captive-bred fish can eventually reduce the abundance of natural population. In this study, we develop a simple model to quantitatively investigate the condition under which recurrent stocking has long-term effects on the natural population. Using a population dynamics model that takes into account a density-dependent recruitment, a gene responsible for the fitness difference between wild and captive-bred fish, and hybridization between them, we show that there is little or no contribution of recurrent stocking to the stock enhancement without a replacement of the wild gene pool by the captive-bred gene pool. The model further predicted that stocking of an intermediate level causes a reduction, rather than enhancement, of population size over the long term. The population decline due to stocking was attributed to the fitness disadvantage of captive-bred fish and strong overcompensation at recruitment stage. These results suggest that it would be difficult to simultaneously attain population size recovery and conservation of the local gene pool when captive-bred fish have fitness disadvantage in the wild, although caution is needed when applying the predictions from the simplified model to a specific species or population.     

Sperm velocity in an Alpine whitefish: effects of age, size, condition, fluctuating asymmetry and gonad abnormalities

The relationship between sperm velocity and individual age, size, body condition and fluctuating asymmetry was investigated in Alpine whitefish Coregonus fatioi . The fish analysed belonged to one among several sympatric whitefish populations of Lake Thun, Switzerland, which are characterized by a high prevalence of gonad alterations. Therefore, sperm velocity data were also tested for a link between gonad deformation and sperm swimming speed. Sperm velocity was significantly lower in larger-grown individuals and in individuals of higher body condition. As expected, sperm velocity was higher in males with higher levels of fluctuating asymmetry, but it did not significantly vary with male age. Moreover, variation in sperm velocity was found to be significantly higher in individuals showing some types of gonad alterations but it did not significantly correlate with the presence of other types of alterations.     

Effects of forage availability on growth and maturation rates in water voles

1. In populations of small mammals, food supplementation typically results in higher population densities, body weights, growth rates and reproductive rates. However, few studies have demonstrated a relationship between forage levels and demographic rates in wild populations in the absence of supplementation. 2. We examined the association of levels of available forage with individual growth rates and time to sexual maturity in eight re-introduced and three naturally occurring populations of water voles (Arvicola terrestris). 3. Range sizes were smaller at sites with higher population densities. Mean forage availability and individual growth rates covaried with range size at each site. 4. The weight at which water voles became sexually mature was 112 g for females and 115 g for males and did not vary between study sites. Differences in growth rates therefore translated into differences in the time taken to reach maturity between sites. 5. In the re-introduced populations, mean days to maturity varied inversely with mean range length. Females took 7 days (18%, range 40-47 days) longer and males 5 days (13%, range 40-45 days) longer to reach breeding condition at the sites with the shortest mean range lengths. 6. Evidence from this study suggests a possible mechanism by which increased population densities may reduce maturation rates in water voles through a reduction in mean range size, thereby limiting the availability of forage to each individual.     

Reproductive biology, length-weight relationship and relative condition of pond raised Tilapia zilli (Gervais)

In 'runted' populations of Tilapia zilli positive correlations were found between maturation stages and the following: gonadosomatic index, gonad weight, fish weight and fish length. The minimum size at maturity was 9·0 cm in males and 11·0 cm in females. The mean fecundity in the 'stunted' females was 2359 eggs and it increased with length ( L ) weight (HO and depth ( D ) of the fish. There was, however, no correlation between fecundity and egg size. The results indicated that growth in this 'stunted' T. zilli population was not isometric. The relative condition factor ( Kn ) which approached one indicates good condition.     

Growth and population size of crayfish in headwater streams: individual- and higher-level consequences of acidification

1. Environmental stress may have indirect positive effects on population size through modification of food‐web interactions, despite having negative effects on individuals. Here we evaluate the individual‐ and population‐level effects of acidification on crayfish (Cambarus bartonii) in headwater streams of the Allegheny Plateau (PA, U.S.A.) with field experiments and survey data. Median baseflow pH of 24 study reaches in nine streams varied from 4.4 to 7.4, with substantial variation found both among and within streams. 2. Two bioassays were conducted to evaluate the relationship between stream pH and crayfish growth rates. Growth rates were always higher in circumneutral reaches than in acidic reaches. Crayfish originating in acidic water grew less when transplanted into neutral water than did crayfish originating in neutral water, providing some evidence for a cost of acclimation to acidity. 3. Stream surveys showed that fish were less abundant and crayfish more abundant in acidified streams than in circumneutral streams. Crayfish density was sixfold higher in reaches with the lowest pH relative to circumneutral reaches. Large crayfish made up a higher proportion of crayfish populations at sites with high fish biomass, consistent with the hypothesis that fish predation on small individuals may be limiting crayfish population size at these sites. 4. Although individual crayfish suffered lower growth in acidified streams, increased acidity appeared to cause an increase in crayfish population size and shifts in size structure, possibly by relieving predation pressure by fish.     

Differences in initial and acquired resistance to Ichthyophthirius multifiliis between populations of rainbowfish

Wild-caught rainbowfish Melanotaenia spp. originating from three isolated populations were infected with a quantified dosage of parasites Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in a controlled environment. The Melanotaenia eachamensis from Dirran Creek were much more susceptible to ichthyophthiriasis than were M. splendida from the Lake Tinaroo or Bluewater Creek populations. When the highly susceptible Dirran Creek rainbowfish were crossed with rainbowfish from a fourth population, Lake Eacham M. eachamensis , they produced hybrids with significantly higher resistance than pure-bred Dirran Creek, but not higher than pure-bred Lake Eacham fish. Hence, intraspecific hybridization increased resistance to I. multifiliis infection in M. eachamensis. Hosts from all three populations were much less susceptible to infection on their second exposure to the parasite. However, the Bluewater Creek population was better able to acquire immunity to I. multifiliis than either the Dirran Creek or Lake Tinaroo populations. It is tentatively suggested that there may be a link between the heterozygosity of populations of rainbowfish and their initial ability to resist infection by Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.     

淀山湖鱼类生物多样性调查样本量的优化设计

样本量大小影响估算鱼类种群动态和鱼类群落特征的准确性和精确度.本文以淀山湖渔业资源调查为例,研究估算淀山湖鱼类群落特征所需的样本量大小.2010年7月—2011年6月研究期间每月进行一次淀山湖渔业资源调查,共捕获14科45种鱼类.利用重采样方法,估算淀山湖渔业资源调查最优调查频次和最佳站点数.结果表明: 在淀山湖渔业资源调查中,站点数和调查频次呈负相关关系;保持95%的探测率探测90%的物种,每年调查11和12次相应需要设置21和19个站点.Shannon多样性指数随着每次调查站点数的增多而变大,增长到一定程度之后逐渐趋于稳定.淀山湖鱼类群落的物种多样性调查最佳站点数为21.本文的研究方法和结果可以为其他类似研究提供借鉴.     

鄱阳湖及洞庭湖红鳍原鲌的群体分化研究

结合形态和线粒体Cyt b数据, 研究了鄱阳湖及洞庭湖定居性鱼类红鳍原鲌的6个地理群体(湖口群体、星子群体、都昌群体、鄱阳群体、余干群体和洞庭湖群体)共186尾样本的群体分化情况. 形态分析结果显示地理群体间形态差异较小. 遗传分析结果中, 群体间遗传分化指数(Fst) 为-0.00567-0.33429, 显示群体间存在较大遗传差异, 而单倍型分布和分子变异分析(AMOVA)也得到相似的结果. 根据群体遗传距离构建的系统树, 6个群体分为两大支: 洞庭湖群体与其他群体距离最远, 单独聚为一支; 星子、都昌、鄱阳和余干4群体聚成另一支, 而湖口群体处于两支的过渡位置. 因此, 群体间已产生显著遗传分化, 且主要体现在洞庭湖和鄱阳湖各群体间. 综合上述分析结果及红鳍原鲌的生活习性认为, 鄱阳湖及洞庭湖红鳍原鲌群体间的遗传分化是红鳍原鲌定居性的生活习性导致不同地理群体间长期的群体隔离、缺乏基因交流的结果.       

Genetic and morphological variation of three freshwater lake populations of Coilia ectenes (Engraulidae)

Population structure of the important commercial fish, Coilia ectenes was investigated in samples from three freshwater lakes in the Eastern China using a multivariate approach of morphometries and mitochondrial DNA control region sequencing. A total of eighteen morphological distances of truss method and eight morphometric variables were taken from each fish. Multivariate analyses of the morphometric data revealed significant morphological differences among the three lake populations, especially for those samples from Taihu Lake. Discriminant functions were used to compare sites, and these permitted an 83% success rate in distinguishing fish from the three sites. However, no obviously geographical differentiation was found among those populations of C. ectenes based on the genetic data. In the AMOVA analysis, only 2.2% genetic variability came from different populations, and most of them were present within the sub-populations. Experience a recent population expansion and some movement of fish among those areas, quite possibly enough to bring about relative genetic homogeneity, but there is insufficient to prevent the three populations from differing phenotypically. The diversified environmental factors may be playing an important role in shaping morphological variations among those populations.