Spawning site selection,egg development,and larval drift of Galaxias postvectis and G. fasciatus in a New Zealand stream

Twelve Galaxias postvectis (shortjaw kokopu) and four G. fasciatus (banded kokopu) spawning sites were found on the margins of the Katikara Stream, Taranaki, New Zealand. This is the first time G. postvectis spawning sites have been documented. G. fasciatus spawning sites discovered in this study confirm previous observations elsewhere in New Zealand. These spawning sites were all found out of water, variable distances from the base flow water level amongst stony substrate, vegetation, and debris. Most G. fasciatus appeared to lay their eggs, and subsequently hatch, c. 3 weeks earlier than G. postvectis, which spawned from 9 to 17 May 2001. G. brevipinnis (koaro) larvae were also identified drifting downstream in late May and mid June 2001. Deposition of eggs and subsequent hatching were found to be associated with elevated flows.     

Halosaurus pectoralis McCulloch (Pisces: Halosauridae) in the New Zealand region (note)

Halosaurus pectoralis McCulloch is recorded from off Gisborne, New Zealand, and from south‐east of Lord Howe Island, thus adding a second species of the order Heteromi to the New Zealand fauna.     

Spawning patterns of four species of predominantly temperate pelagic fishes in the sub-tropical waters of southern Queensland

The diverse pelagic fish assemblage of sub-tropical southern Queensland includes fishes with predominantly temperate distributions, such as tailor Pomatomus saltatrix, sardine Sardinops sagax, round herring Etrumeus teres, and Australian anchovy Engraulis australis. The peak spawning seasons of P. saltatrix, S. sagax and E. teres occur during late winter and early spring (June–October). Eggs and larvae of these three species are widely distributed in shelf waters and comprise >50% of the ichthyoplankton assemblage during this period. Mean monthly sea surface temperatures (SSTs) during late winter and early spring range from 21 to 23 °C, and are thus similar to those recorded in southern Australia during summer and autumn, which is the spawning season of these three species in those temperate waters. E. australis eggs occur mainly in inshore waters, and comprise >50% of fish eggs collected during summer and autumn when mean monthly SSTs in southern Queensland exceed 27 °C. E. australis also spawns mainly during summer and autumn in temperate Australia. Hence, water temperature may be less important as a determinant of the spawning season of E. australis than it is for the other three species. The suitability of southern Queensland for spawning by predominantly temperate species during late winter and early spring may contribute to the high diversity of the region's pelagic fish assemblage. Adult P. saltatrix, S. sagax and E. teres appear to migrate northwards into southern Queensland during early winter to spawn, and larvae may be transported southwards into temperate waters by the East Australian Current. This dispersal-migration pattern is similar to those observed for several species, including P. saltatrix, in the western boundary current systems off the east coasts of North America and Africa. Hence, pelagic fishes in ecosystems off the east coast of three continents migrate into sub-tropical waters to spawn, and larvae are transported back into temperate nursery areas by the prevailing current.     

Sediments of lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti,South Island,New Zealand

The chemistry and mineralogy of the sediments of Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti, South Island, New Zealand (41° 51 S, 172° 38 E and 41° 50 S, 172° 50 E respectively) , were studied. In general, the cation exchange properties, element concentrations, and mineral compositions of the sediments show little variation between samples from each lake. However, some nutrient concentrations, notably exchangeable calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and total nitrogen and sulphur, are higher in sediments from weed beds than in sediments underlying deeper water; iron and manganese concentrations tend to show the opposite trend. Concentrations of exchangeable calcium and total nitrogen, sulphur, manganese, and iron generally decrease down the sediment profiles from the sediment/water interface. Differences between lakes, notably higher concentrations of illite and of the elements potassium, aluminium, titanium, and zirconium, and lower concentrations of calcium in the sediments of Lake Rotoiti than in those from Lake Rotoroa, are probably due mainly to the different geological settings rather than to differences in the diagenetic processes operating within the lakes. Mineralogical analyses indicate that the lake sediments are derived mainly from the valleys of the major inflow rivers rather than from the slopes at the sides of each lake.     

Rates of coastal erosion and accretion in New Zealand

Abstract

Rates of coastal erosion and accretion for New Zealand are calculated for the period since early European colonisation. Methods used for calculating rates from cadastral plans, vertical aerial photographs and field measurements are described, evaluated, and illustrated with examples. The most natural reference line for measurements of shoreline changes and for defining the seaward boundary of land is the seaward limit of land vegetation. Measurements made from air photographs and plans at scales larger than 1:4000 have errors less than ± 1 m. As scales become small, errors increase proportionately. Along depositional shorelines, erosion and accretion generally occur at 0.5–4.0 m.y^?1. Maximum erosion and accretion rates are 25.4 m.y^?1 at North Kaipara Head and 68.9 m.y^?1 at Farewell Spit respectively. Cliff recession generally occurs at 0.25 ‐ 1.0 m.y^?1 with maximum rates of 2.25 m.y^?1 for mudstone cliffs at Cape Tumagain and 3.46 m.y^?1 for conglomerate cliffs at Ngapotiki.     

Planktonic stages of the teleost family carapidae in eastern New Zealand waters

The occurrence of planktonic carapid eggs in Otago waters, of young stages of Echiodon rendahli off Castlepoint, and the possible presence of unrecorded members of the family Carapidae in New Zealand waters is discussed. Young E. rendahli possess a long spine which originates dorsally to a distinctive suspended gut.     

The early life history of fish in coastal waters of northern New Zealand: A review

Studies on the early life history of fish in New Zealand started during the 1950s off the Northland coast. Since then taxonomy, seasonality in abundance, and vertical and horizontal distribution patterns have been described as well as aspects at the level of individuals, such as age, growth, and condition. I discuss the findings and issues that have developed from these studies and illustrate three undescribed presettlement reef fish. Results indicate that different taxonomic groups typically have different vertical and horizontal distribution patterns as well as different temporal patterns of abundance. This implies that general models of how “larval fish” behave are unrealistic. As a result, the importance of physical and biological processes that may influence the distribution and survival of ichthyoplankton will vary among categories of fish (such as pelagic and reef fish) and taxonomic groups within these. Based on knowledge of the distribution pattern of some species, there is considerable scope for focusing future research on specific groups offish in terms of ontogenetic changes in morphology, sensory abilities, growth, diet, condition, interrelationships with other plankters, and, in the case of reef fish, onshore transport.     

First record of the crocodile shark,Pseudocarcharias kamoharai (Chondrichthyes: Lamniformes), from New Zealand waters

Commercial tuna longline fishing targeting bigeye tuna, Thunnus obesus (Lowe 1839), on the Three Kings Rise, northern New Zealand, resulted in the bycatch of a single specimen of a mature male crocodile shark, Pseudocarcharias kamoharai (Matsubara 1936). This is the first record for the New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone, and a major southern range extension of the species in the Indo‐Pacific.     

长江口及其邻近水域鱼卵、仔鱼的种项组成与分布特征

鱼卵、仔鱼作为海洋生物的被捕食者、捕食者,不仅种类多,而且数量大,常是研究海洋生态系统重要的组成部分.通过对鱼卵、仔鱼的调查研究,可了解和掌握鱼类产卵场和产卵期,确定中心渔场的位置和寻找产卵鱼群,鱼卵仔鱼尚决定着资源的补充,从而为资源量的估算提供理论基础.     

黄河口及邻近海域鱼卵、仔稚鱼群落结构及多样性的年间变化

为了解黄河口及邻近海域鱼卵、仔稚鱼的群落结构动态,分别于2014年、2015年、2017年和2018年的6月利用大型浮游生物网对黄河口及邻近海域进行4个航次的表层水平拖网调查。根据鱼卵、仔稚鱼的种类组成、数量分布等群落结构特征,运用生物多样性指数、聚类分析和皮尔逊相关性矩阵分析等方法对该海域鱼卵、仔稚鱼的资源分布进行了综合研究。结果表明,4年调查共采获鱼卵3 829粒,仔稚鱼234尾,隶属于7目14科15属。鱼卵的主要优势种为鳀（Engraulis japonicus）和短吻红舌鳎（Cynoglossus joyeri）,仔稚鱼的主要优势种为斑鰶（Konosirus punctatus）和虾虎鱼科未定种Gobiidae sp.。生物多样性各指数均以2015年最高,2018年最低。利用R语言对鱼卵、仔稚鱼年间种类组成相似性进行聚类,将4个调查年份划分为3组,各分组之间主要的分歧种均为鳀。生物多样性各指数与环境因子之间皮尔逊相关性分析表明,盐度与鱼卵、仔稚鱼生物多样性的关系较为密切。分析认为,黄河口及邻近海域鱼卵、仔稚鱼群落分布和多样性的年间变化特征体现了鱼类对环境变异的响应。     

Frigate tuna Auxis thazard in New Zealand waters (note)

Previous records of the frigate tuna Auxis thazard (Lacépède, 1802) were probably misidentifications of the slender tuna Allothunnus fallai. Frigate tuna were caught on the north‐east coast of New Zealand during 1975–76; the modal fork length of 176 specimens was 32–34 cm, and more detailed morpho‐metry and counts from 4 specimens are presented.     

Spawning behaviour of snapper,Chrysophrys auratus,in captivity (note)

Spawning of snapper was observed in the public aquarium at Napier. Spawning males were characterised by a grey coloration and spawning females were the typical silvery‐pink colour. On four occasions spawning behaviour activity involved several males and one female and on one occasion it initially involved one male and one female, although other males joined in the spawning act. At each spawning event the female swam vertically towards the surface closely pursued by males. Eggs and sperms were released near the surface.     

长江口及邻近水域夏季鱼卵、仔鱼数量分布特征

根据2001~2003年间,每年8月共3个航次对长江口及其邻近水域20个定点测站(30°05′~31°15′N;121°30′~122°50′E)鱼卵、仔鱼调查的资料,着重就该水域鱼卵、仔鱼的数量时空分布的年际变化特征以及有关的水文生物环境影响因子做了分析和探讨。结果表明,鱼卵、仔鱼的数量3 a的年际变化较大,2002年数量为高峰期。平面分布主要集中于长江口和舟山渔场内,杭州湾相对较少。种类以中华小公鱼(Stolephorus chinensis)的卵和仔鱼的分布最多,其变动直接影响总量的变化。盐度相对水温对鱼卵、仔鱼所产生的效应更为明显,降盐以及径流量的加大对鱼卵、仔鱼总量的增加产生一定的影响。而浮游桡足类的数量变动对鱼卵、仔鱼产生一定的作用。调查区内经济性鱼类资源量的日益减少,低值鱼类比例的增加成为资源结构的变动趋势。     

First record of Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Pisces: Gempylidae) from New Zealand

Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1849) is widespread in warmer oceanic waters and has recently been recorded in the catches of tuna longline vessels in the New Zealand region. Twenty‐five specimens were caught at 31°46′‐32°03′S, 170°49′‐171°11′ E on 23–27 June 1979, thus extending the known range of the species to northern New Zealand.     

Planktonic cyanobacteria in New Zealand inland waters: Distribution and population dynamics

One hundred and four taxa of planktonic cyanobacteria (blue‐green algae) have been recorded from New Zealand lakes: 32 belong to the Chroococcales, 72 to the Nostocales. None of the taxa is endemic to New Zealand; most (if not all) are cosmopolitan. On average, more taxa have been reported from North Island (7.8 ± 6.7, N = 69) than South Island lakes (3.3 ± 3.9, N = 59). This difference is attributable, in part, to the large proportion of glacial lakes in the South Island, which are commonly poor in plant nutrients and possess sparse phytoplankton populations. Many of the taxa show a strong preference for eutrophic conditions. Notable exceptions are Anabaena affinis and Gomphosphaeria lacustris, which occur in a large proportion of mesotrophic (48%) and oligotrophic lakes (43%), respectively. Taxa which are often abundant and frequently responsible for conspicuous water‐blooms are Microcystis aeruginosa, Anabaena circinalis, A. flos‐aquae and A. spiroides. The limited population data available indicate a high level of interannual variability in the timing, magnitude, and duration of cyanobacterial blooms in New Zealand lakes.     

Reproductive biology of the leatherjacket,Meuschenia scaber (Monacanthidae) (Forster 1801) in the Hauraki Gulf,New Zealand

The leatherjacket Meuschenia scaber is widely distributed in Australasian waters, and is a valued bycatch of inshore bottom trawl fisheries although little is known of its life history. Here, we describe the reproductive biology of the species based on 651 leatherjackets sampled in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand, between July 2014 and March 2016. The maximum total length (L_T) recorded for females and males were 320 and 315?mm, respectively, with both sexes present in all size classes. Monthly analysis of gonad condition revealed a clear spawning season from late austral winter to early summer (August–December), and histological analysis of the ovaries revealed that M. scaber is an indeterminate serial spawning gonochorist. The estimated sizes at sexual maturity (L₅₀) for females (189.9?mm L_T) and males (188.4?mm L_T) did not differ significantly. Relatively small testes, sexual dimorphism and underwater observation of nesting suggest that M. scaber is a paired spawner.     

Echthrogaleus denticulatus smith (copepoda,pandaridae) in New Zealand waters

Dinematura neozealanica Thomson, 1889 is shown to be a synonym of Echthrogaleus denticulatus Smith, 1874. The male recorded as Pandarus armatus Heller by Thomson (1889) is probably E. denticulatus The latter species is redescribed from Thomson's specimens.     

Spawning and fecundity of two flounder species in the Hauraki gulf,New Zealand

Spawning grounds and spawning times of the sand flounder, Rhombosolea plebeia (Richardson), and the yellow‐belly flounder, Rhombosolea leporina Gunther, in the Hauraki Gulf are described. The occurrence of female fish at different stages of ovarian development at different stations during the year, the distribution of eggs in the plankton, and changes in ovary weight during the year were used as indicators of spawning grounds and spawning times.

The sand flounder was found to spawn in the waters to the east of Waiheke and Ponui Islands, at the northern end of the Firth of Thames, from June to November.

Yellow‐belly flounders spawned during September, October, and November, slightly to the south of the sand flounder spawning grounds in a belt extending from Tapu, on the eastern side of the Firth of Thames, north‐westwards towards Ponui Island.

Fecundity of both species was approximately proportional to the weight of the fish, or to the length cubed, and less than proportional to the ovary weight. The mean fecundity of sand flounders in the Hauraki Gulf varied from approximately 100,000 eggs in a fish of 18 cm to 500,000 in a 30 cm fish. That of yellow‐belly flounders varied from approximately 250,000 eggs in a fish of 30 cm to 1.25 million in a 45 cm fish.     

广海湾康氏小公鱼的产卵期及其鱼卵数量变动

根据2013~2015年在台山市广海湾海域(21°52'~21°56'N,112°46'~112°53'E)进行逐月调查的资料,分析了该水域康氏小公鱼(Stolephorus commersonii)鱼卵在一年中出现的时间、数量变动特征以及期间的海水温盐特征,并讨论了康氏小公鱼产卵期与水温变化的关系.结果表明,广海湾康氏小公鱼的产卵期开始于每年3月左右,结束时间在各年份不同,一般在9~11月之间.康氏小公鱼鱼卵在一年中分多个批次出现,一般可出现2~4个批次,其中第一批次为产卵盛期,数量高峰大约出现在4月前后.鱼卵出现期间平均水温的范围为19.8~31.3℃,平均盐度范围为7.66~33.65,从出现频次上看,其所在环境以高温低盐为主.康氏小公鱼产卵所需的最低温度在20℃左右,在产卵期开始前,海水温度何时升至此温度,决定了一年中康氏小公鱼鱼卵最早出现的时间.对比不同纬度的海域,康氏小公鱼产卵期的开始时间随纬度的升高而向后推迟.