Migrating eels in a Canterbury river,New Zealand

A fish trap in the upper reaches of the South Branch stream, Canterbury, New Zealand, caught eels from December 1957 to October 1964. The downstream migrations of immature and adult eels of both New Zealand freshwater species (short‐finned Anguilla australis and long‐finned A. dieffenbachii) were recorded. These migrations showed a seasonal and a lunar periodicity, and the larger runs were also influenced by rainfall, water volume, or the passage of a depression. Seasonal peaks were marked for mature eels of both species, and for immature A. australis, but not for immature A. dieffenbachii.     

Freshwater fishes of the Chatham Islands

Indigenous freshwater fishes of the Chatham Islands include Geotria australis, Anguilla australis schmidti, A. dieffenbachi, Retropinna retropinna, R. chathamensis, Galaxias argenteus, G. fasciatus, G. attenuatus, G. brevipinnis, and Gobiomorphus huttoni. Their habitats are described and attempts at introducing trout are discussed.     

Prey selection and dietary overlap of shortfinned (Anguilla australis) and longfinned (A. dieffenbachii) eels during summer in the Horokiwi Stream,New Zealand

Benthic macroinvertebrates were collected and the diets of shortfinned eels (Anguilla australis) and longfinned eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii) inhabiting a small coastal New Zealand stream were examined to investigate intraspecific and interspecific trophic partitioning and prey selection. Our results showed intraspecific segregation of preferred prey among three size classes of juvenile shortfinned eels, but there was significant overlap between different size classes of longfinned eels. All size classes of both species of eel fed nocturnally on similar prey, and so there was no indication of temporal or trophic segregation. Therefore, habitat separation is assumed to be the main mechanism to reduce interspecific competition in these two co‐occurring species of eels.     

Distribution of helminths in the digestive tracts of New Zealand freshwater eels 1. Distribution of digeneans

The distributions of Stegodexamene anguillae and Telogaster opisthorchis in Anguilla dieffenbachii and A. australis studied over two years are described. Peak occurrence of S. anguillae was in the anterior intestine, declining posteriorly, except for mature flukes under crowded conditions in A. dieffenbachii which predominated in the mid intestine, declining anteriorly and posteriorly. Peak occurrence of T. opisthorchis was in the rectum of A. australis and posterior intestine of A. dieffenbachii; occurrence declined anteriorly. Distributions appeared to be maintained by selective site segregation. Flukes moved down the tract, with or without subsequent loss, in both host species held live or examined after death. T. opisthorchis were lost before S. anguillae, and the larger mature flukes of both parasite species were lost before the less mobile immature flukes. Fluke loss from electric‐fished A. dieffenbachii was more rapid than from netted A. australis. Chilling and freezing retarded movement in, and evacuation from, dead hosts.     

Notes on the presence of the brown mudfish (Neochanna apoda günther) on the west coast of the south Island of New Zealand

Two visits to the West Coast revealed that Neochanna apoda Giinther is present in six clearly defined types of habitat examined between Oparara and Whataroa.

The location of habitats varied from heavily forested country to open pakihi bog, between sea level and 200 m. A Neochanna apoda habitat was generally uninhabited by any other species of fish; occasionally short‐finned eels (Anguilla australis) and, once, banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) were present. An association with freshwater crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons) was often noted.

Neochanna apoda was found in all stages of development from fry to adults over 150 mm in length, and all size ranges were present in some places.     

Summer spatial patterns of the fish community in a large,shallow, turbid coastal lake

Several water quality parameters, marginal vegetation, and the fish community in Lake Ellesmere, a large, shallow, turbid lake situated on the east coast of the South Island, New Zealand, were sampled along selected transects in late summer to determine species spatial patterns. Thirteen species offish were caught, with seven of them comprising major populations, although only four of these were adequately sampled by the method used—they included inanga (Galaxias maculatus), common smelt {Retropinna retropinna), shortfinned eel (Anguilla australis), and common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus). Inanga were almost exclusively confined to areas on the western side of the lake which has a convoluted shoreline with a variety of small embayments with scattered vegetation along the margins. Common smelt occupied both marginal and offshore areas, but they too were more abundant along the margins particularly on the western side. Both the common bully and shortfinned eel were widespread and abundant in the lake, although their abundance and biomass were higher within the vicinity of the lake outlet, major inflowing tributaries, and other marginal habitats. All three species of flounders of the genus Rhombosolea were poorly represented in our samples. However, in commercial catches they were reasonably abundant, with the sand flounder (R. plebeia) and yellowbelly (R. leporina) being more common in offshore than inshore catches, whereas the black flounder (R. retiaria) showed no difference in the catches between areas. Our overall findings are consistent with the hypothesis that bottom‐dwelling species (eels, bullies, flounders) are more widely distributed than free‐swimming forms (inanga, common smelt), which were largely confined to areas sheltered from prevailing winds. The highly turbid nature of the lake, primarily because of re‐suspension of fine bottom sediments by frequent winds, is considered an important factor in the distribution of the fish fauna.     

Invasion of a New Zealand freshwater stream by glass‐eels of two Anguilla spp.

Recruitment of glass‐eels into freshwater is in two distinct phases characterised by behavioural differences: an initial invasion from the sea, and an upstream migration. Catches made at night in the Makara Stream, Wellington (41° 13'S, 174° 43’ E) indicate that the invasion by both New Zealand species commences in July, with that of the long‐finned eel Anguilla dieffenbachii Gray finishing by November, and that of the short‐finned eel A. ausiralis schmidlii Phillipps by December.

The length of post‐metamorphic sea‐life influences both morphology and behaviour of the glass‐eels. Differences in this period of sea‐life between early and late season glass‐eels explain the initial avoidance but later attraction of fresh water to the glass‐eels. Responses to fresh water also explain the preference for early season glass‐eels to invade on the flood tide and late season glass‐eels on the ebb tide. Neither the lunar cycle nor rainfall appear to be significant influences on invasion periodicity.     

Electrophoretic identification of larval and O‐group flounders iRhombosolea spp.) from Wellington Harbour

Four enzymes and one protein were tested in starch and cellulose acetate gels as biochemical tags for the separation of flounder (Rhombosolea spp.) larvae and O‐groups. Lactate dehydrogenase phenotypes separated O‐groups and larvae (longer than about 5 mm) of R. plebeia from R. leporina and R. retiaria. General protein phenotypes separated similar specimens of R. leporina from R. plebeia and R. retiaria. Most Rhombosolea larvae and O‐groups caught in Wellington Harbour were R. plebeia.     

Differences in the distributions of freshwater fishes and decapod crustaceans in urban and forested streams in Auckland,New Zealand

Using data from existing studies, assemblages of freshwater fishes and decapod crustaceans were examined at 39 sites in urbanised catchments and 57 sites in forested (reference) catchments within the greater Auckland region, New Zealand. Eleven native and 1 exotic fish species and 2 native decapod crustacean species were recorded. Species richness and fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scores were lower overall in streams in urbanised catchments. Shortfin eel (Anguilla australis) and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were more dominant in urban streams; all other commonly occurring species were found significantly more often in reference streams. Non‐diadromous native species (Cran's bully (Gobiomorphus basalts) and freshwater crayfish (Paranephrops planifions)) were absent from urban streams, but relatively abundant in reference streams. This absence of non‐diadromous species, together with the urban occurrence of five diadromous species suggests that migratory barriers pose less of a threat to freshwater communities than physico‐chemical disturbance in streams in the Auckland urban region.     

Oxygen consumption and apnoea in the shortfin eel,Anguilla australis schmidtii

Patterns of ventilation, oxygen consumption (VO₂), blood gas tensions (PaO₂ and PaCO₂) and pH were determined in shortfin eels (Anguilla australis schmidtii (Phillips)). At rest, shortfin eels (average weight 646.5 ± 64.5 g) had a VO₂ of 20.4 ± 1.2 ml. kg^‐1.h^‐1 (n = 13) at 17.5 ± 0.2°c, with smaller fish having the highest metabolic rates. The frequency of ventilation was inversely proportional to body weight in both A. australis schmidtii and A. dieffenbachii. In air‐saturated water 10 eels exhibited periodic apnoea (mean duration 3.59 min); periods of ventilation were more variable in duration (mean 4.92 min). After 2.62 min of apnoea, the PaO₂ of dorsal aortic blood had fallen from 9.12 to 1.91 kPa. Thus, although the blood has a high affinity for oxygen and the haemoglobins are 30% oxygen‐saturated at this low PaO₂, the eel allows its blood to be significantly depleted in oxygen during apnoeic pauses at rest. When ventilating its gills at rest, PaO₂ does not approach the PO₂ of the inspired water. It is suggested that these features of respiration in eels result in a saving of metabolic costs involved in ventilation. The results are discussed in terms of the eel's ability to withstand hypoxic conditions.     

The growth of New Zealand freshwater eels in three Canterbury streams

The growth of both species of New Zealand freshwater eel, Anguilla australis and A. dieffenbachii, was studied by tagging in three streams using a stainless steel subcutaneous tag. Possible causes of the differences in growth rates are discussed.     

Variation in sunscreen compounds (mycosporine‐like amino acids) for marine species along a gradient of ultraviolet radiation transmission within doubtful sound,New Zealand

We examined the response of four species of New Zealand marine algae (Ecklonia radiata, Apophlaea lyallii, Rhodymenia spp., Ulva lactuca) and a sea urchin (Evechinus chloroticus) to spatial variation in ultraviolet radiation (UV‐R) by examining the concentration of UV‐R absorbing compounds known as mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs). The purpose was to understand how, and the degree to which, local marine species could potentially respond to any future increases in incident UV‐R in the New Zealand marine environment. The research was undertaken in Doubtful Sound, where we observed a gradient of water column UV‐R transmission along the 40 km length of the fiord. We examined spatial differences in MAAs along the UV‐B gradient in the macrophytes and temporal changes in MAAs in sea urchin gonads. Among the algae, thallus MAA concentrations (nmol mg^–1 protein) ranged from 12.5 to 87.8 in E. radiata, from 433.1 to 1446.4 in A. lyallii, 12.7 to 103.4 in Rhodymenia spp., but were not detected in U. lactuca. For E. chloroticus, gonadal MAA concentrations ranged from 83.9 to 224.3 nmol mg^–1 protein spatially, and over the year from 1.85 to 14.12 nmol mg^–1 dry weight (DW) depending on site and gametogenic cycle. Laboratory manipulations indicated that concentrations of MAAs in E. chloroticus gonads and eggs are influenced by diet. MAA concentration could be correlated with UV‐B intensities in two of the algal species. E. chloroticus MAA concentrations could also be correlated with UV‐B transmission, which we concluded was a reflection of the greater ingestion and accumulation of MAA‐rich macrophytes at those sites where higher ambient UV‐R induced greater MAA concentrations to occur in the algae. Given this, we suggest that one response of marine species to increases in UV‐B would be an increase in the synthesis and/or accumulation of MAAs for photoautotrophs and a dietary accumulation of those MAAs in E. chloroticus, an important herbivore in this system.     

Habitat use and longitudinal distribution patterns of native fish from a near pristine Stewart Island,New Zealand,stream

Distribution, abundance, and habitat preferences of native fish were investigated down the length of a relatively pristine, medium‐sized, fourth‐order stream on Stewart Island, New Zealand. A limited fish fauna was recorded (six species), including three threatened large galaxiid species (Galaxias argenteus, Galaxias fasciatus, and Galaxias brevipinnis), which have restricted distributions on mainland New Zealand. Results indicated that these large galaxiids occupy diverse habitats including pools and backwaters within the mainstems of this stream. Their extensive distributions and wide habitat usage were attributed to factors such as the intact catchment vegetation, unmodified stream channel, and the absence of introduced fishes, particularly salmonids. Results suggest that some native species have been excluded from mainstem habitats elsewhere in New Zealand. It was also evident that interactions among the native species influenced habitat use; G. brevipinnis avoided backwaters, runs, and pools in reaches occupied by G. fasciatus and Anguilla dieffenbachii; whereas G. fasciatus appeared to avoid habitats occupied by G. argenteus and A dieffenbachii. Maximum densities and biomass of galaxiids and eels occurred in deepwater habitats (>0.75 m). Furthermore the fish inhabiting these deeper waters were larger and more likely to be female. These findings have significant implications for the design and application of sampling protocols for native New Zealand fishes and for the protection of their habitats. If deeper waters are not sampled then species, sex, and size biased data may result.     

First endozoic record of a trichodinid ciliate in fish (note)

Unidentified trichodinid ciliates (Protozoa: Ciliophora: Urceolariidae) were recorded within the tissues of the New Zealand freshwater eels, Anguilla australis schmidtii (Phillips) and Anguilla dieffenbachii (Gray). Organisms were small, measuring approximately 10 μm in diameter, and it is not known how they enter the eels. This is thought to be the first recording of usually ectoparasitic trichodinids occurring within their hosts.     

Variations in the spores of Myxidium zealandicum Hine, 1975 (Protozoa: Myxosporidea)

Myxidium zealandicum Hine, 1975 was recorded from several tissues in New Zealand freshwater eels. The gills were the most frequent site of infection, but spores also matured on the gill arch, in the skin, and occasionally in the urinary and swim bladders. Thus M. zealandicum is a histozoic species that may have evolved from a coelozoic form.

Variation in spore size (8.0–11.5 jam) was found in relation to site of infection; variation in the number and arrangement of valve striations was also observed. Deposition of fibro‐blasts occurred at all sites of sporogony, except among the goblet cells of the epidermis.

The small size (6.0–10.5μm) of unstriated spores occurring with normal spores in the gills of eels from Lake Otomangakau appeared to be related to the size of the cysts in which they occurred, and to the host Anguilla dieffenbachii.     

Effects of riparian manipulation on stream communities in small streams: Two case studies

The effects of riparian manipulation in New Zealand are described for two case studies, one a short‐term study of the effects of the removal of riparian vegetation on fish, and the second, a long‐term study of the effect of re‐establishment of riparian vegetation on fish and benthic macro invertebrates. The first case study was an experiment carried out between November 2001 and May 2002. Overhanging bank vegetation and in‐stream wood were removed from short reaches of a small pastoral stream that had intact riparian margins, resulting in a change in stream structure with the formation of shallow uniform runs rather than pool and riffle structures as in unmodified reaches. The removal of bank cover and consequential instream habitat changes reduced inanga (Galaxias maculatus) densities by a factor of four within months of vegetation removal, showing the importance of instream cover and habitat to inanga. Adult longfin eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii) also became less abundant in the cleared reaches, but elvers (Anguilla spp.) became more abundant. In the second case study, pastoral sections in two small streams draining from native forest catchments were restored in 1995/96 by planting riparian vegetation and preventing stock access. After 10 years, the restoration efforts had more than doubled the numbers of giant kokopu (G. argenteus) and redfin bullies (Gobiomorphus huttoni), slightly increased numbers of banded kokopu (G. fasciatus), and decreased shortfin eel (A. australis) numbers by about 40%. The macroinvertebrate communities changed so that they became more similar to those at upstream native forest reference sites. These two case studies show that riparian margins can influence the composition of the fish and macroinvertebrate communities in small streams through the effects on cover, instream habitat and probably water temperature. Riparian restoration was most effective for the fish species that use cover and pool habitat.     

First record of male freshwater eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii) caught at sea

Two silver (migratory) male freshwater eels, Anguilla dieffenbachii, were caught in a commercial trawl net in the South Taranaki Bight in April 2014. The capture date and the relatively small eye size indicated that both eels had probably only recently entered the sea. This is the first record of male A. dieffenbachii caught at sea, en route to the presumed spawning area in the South Fiji Basin.     

Eimeria anguillae léger & hollande, 1922 parasitic in New Zealand eels

Eimeria anguillae Léger & Hollande, 1922 (Sporozoa: Coccidia) is recorded from Anguilla australis Richardson, 1848 and A. dieffenbachii Gray, 1842 introduced as elvers into a New Zealand eel farm. The parasite is identified by the hexagonal cross section of the sporocysts, dimensions, and lack of asexual and early sexual stages in the mucosal and submucosal tissues. Discrepancies in previously published details of the micropyle and sporocyst vestigal body are attributed to the limitations of earlier microscopes.

In heavy infections the mucosa and submucosa are partially or totally destroyed, and both oocysts and sporocysts are passed out with necrotic tissue.     

Factors affecting the size of spores of Myxidium zealandicum Hine, 1975 (Protozoa : Myxosporida)

Variations in the size and shape of Myxidium zealandicum spores were not related to cyst size or host size, but variation was apparent between host species and individual fish. Spores from Anguilla australis were larger (7.9–15.3 μm long) and more uniform in shape than the small (6.1–11.7 μm long) inegularly shaped spores from A. dieffenbachii. Spore size was also consistent between cysts in individual A. australis, but variable between cysts in A. dieffenbachii. Abnormal spores were rare in A. australis, but more common and associated with small arcuate spores in A. dieffenbachii.

It is proposed that size and shape are genetically determined but may be highly modified by the biochemistry/physiology of the host at the site of sporogony. A. australis is a more suitable host for M. zealandicum than A. dieffenbachii, and constancy in spore size between cysts in A. australis was attributed to plasmotomy prior to sporogony. Spore valve striation numbers are genetically determined and variable, but no trends in variation were discernable. Cyst shape may be of taxonomic use within a host species, but not between host species.