Conservation status of New Zealand freshwater fish, 2009

The threat status of 74 freshwater and estuarine fish present in New Zealand was determined. Fifty-one native taxa were ranked of which 67% were considered Threatened or At Risk. A single species was classified as Extinct, the New Zealand grayling, which has not been observed since the 1920s. Four taxa were classified in the highest threat category, Nationally Critical, and a further 10 taxa as Threatened (Nationally Endangered or Nationally Vulnerable). Twenty taxa were ranked in the At Risk group with the majority ranked as Declining. Endemic galaxiids (Galaxiidae) dominated the Threatened and At Risk taxa. The majority (68%) belonged to the Galaxias genus, comprising 81% of recognised taxa in this genus and all five species in the genus Neochanna were also ranked as Threatened or At Risk. In addition to 51 native taxa, a further three fish species were considered colonists and 20 introduced species were classified as naturalised, although two of these are considered rare. The majority of the Threatened species occur in the Canterbury and Otago regions where a suite of rare non-migratory galaxiids exist. Threat mechanisms that were identified as causal in the decline of freshwater fish species were the impact of introduced fish species, declining water quality, effects of water abstraction, loss of habitat via land-use change and land-use activities, and river modifications.     

The life history of Galaxias vulgaris Stokell,with a comparison with G. maculatus attenuatus

Galaxias vulgaris Stokell is a totally freshwater fish species and the adults usually live a cryptic life under stones. The life history of this species, with special emphasis on its embryology, growth rate, and sex ratio, is described. Comparisons are made with other members of the family Galaxiidae, especially G. maculatus attenuatus     

Life history of Galaxias divergens (Salmonoidea: Galaxiidae)

Galaxias divergent Stokell is a small, bottom‐dwelling fish inhabiting streams in the North Island and the northern part of the South Island. Its ecology is similar in many respects to that of G. vulgaris. The fry develop in the same environment as the adults, unlike the sea‐going young of several other Galaxias spec'es. Spawning occurs in spring and summer, and at least some of the fish mature at the beginning of their second year. The maximum age attained seems to be about 3 years, and the fish can reach a length of about 80 mm in this time. The food consists mostly of small benthic invertebrates taken from both the stream bed and the drift fauna.     

The Canterbury mudfish,Galaxias burrowsius Phillipps,a vanishing species

Examination of available samples and of ecological knowledge of Galaxias burrowsius Phillipps (Galaxiidae) suggests that this species is confined to the Canterbury Plains and is now nearly extinct.

Possible reasons for its decline are analysed and it is suggested that this decline may have started nearly 1,000 years ago with the changes in the climate‐vegetation pattern. It has been hastened by the recent drastic transformation of the environment by European settlers. Distribution and habitats of two other New Zealand mudfishes, Neochanna apoda and N. diversus (Galaxiidae) are related to those of G. burrowsius     

Variation and taxonomic changes in the family Retropinnidae (Salmonoidea)

The family Retropinnidae contains one monotypic genus, Stokellia, in New Zealand, and nine nominal species of Retropinna: five in New Zealand, three in Australia, and one on Chatham Island. Four Chatham Island populations contain much of the recorded range of variation for the family for head length in standard length ratios, numbers of dorsal and anal rays, and numbers of scale rows. These characters are analysed for 29 populations incorporating five nominal species from New Zealand and Chatham Island. When interrelated these characters are shown to be linked (loosely) and high values are typical of coastal populations. When related to latitude their values increase to the south. The reverse trend is found with increase in altitude. Decrease in salinity depresses the values. Area of the lake habitat has little effect.

Observations suggest that size of fish and numbers of teeth vary predictably. Thus all observed variation is related to environmental conditions. The four nominal lake species are submerged in Retropinna retropinna (Richardson), the type species of the genus, which is considered to be highly adaptable rather than highly variable. R. osmeroides Hector is recognised as distinct from R. retropinna on one character and on sympatric distribution. Records of Australian and Tasmanian species suggest that R. victoriae Stokell differs fundamentally from all other species but that R. semoni Weber and jR. tasmanica McCulloch do not differ greatly from R. retropinna Similar environmentally correlated variation is suggested to relate some diadromous species of Galaxias and their lacustrine isolates.     

Growth characteristics,pigmentation, and the identificaton of whitebait (galaxias spp., Salmonoidea)

Definitions are given for stages in the development of five species of Galaxias, family Galaxiidae, which have marine larvae.

Larvae of Galaxias maculates attenuates and G. brevipinnis are large, and those of G. fasciatus relatively small as they enter fresh water from the sea. Development as whitebait involves shrinkage by about 25% in total length; the head length, considered separately, shrinks by about 15%. The ratio of standard length to head length alters from the larval to the adult value before positive growth recommences. These features are probably similar for G. postvectis and G. argenteus

Minimum observed pigmentation is described for the late larvae of G m. attenuates, G. brevipinnis, and G. fasciatus and for early whitebait of these and of G. postvectis and G. argenteus Subsequent development of melanophores and of colour pattern is described and figured. Large melano‐phores along the lateral line distinguish early whitebait of G. m. attenuates, but no distinguishing feature of pigmentation has been found in other species until the juvenile pattern is apparent. This pattern is characteristic for each species, and it persists in adult G. m. attenuates. G. argenteus has distinct juvenile and adult patterns, the latter being developed in a second, superficial, layer of pigment cells. Adult G. postvectis develop a distinctive fin colour pattern unlike other New ‐Zealand Galaxias; the superficial pigment layer is without definite pattern. In adult G. brevipinnis this layer resembles the persistent juvenile pattern and the two layers combined give a reticulate appearance. In G. fasciatus the juvenile pattern persists and develops as the fish grow; the superficial pigment layer is present in adults but is not usually apparent.

Until now positive identification of whitebait has depended on colour pattern. Recently recorded identifications of unpigmented whitebait are shown to be misleading. A key is given for the identification of early and late whitebait using absolute measurements as an important character.     

Description of the larval development of Galaxies maculatus in landlocked lentic and lotic systems in Western Australia

The larvae and larval development of Galaxias maculatus are described from a freshwater lake and a saline river in southwestern Western Australia. The size at hatching (7.0 mm total length) was similar to that recorded elsewhere for G. maculatus and the sequence of fin development (i.e., caudal, dorsal, anal, pectoral, and pelvic fins) was identical to that recorded for galaxiids generally. There were relative increases in the proportions of head length and body depth with larval growth and a decrease in proportion of pre‐anal length. Larvae from river habitats were smaller throughout larval stages of development than those from the lake. Fins of riverine fish began and completed development at a smaller size of fish than the lacustrine population, presumably as a response to the need for great motility at a smaller fish size in lotic environments.     

Emigrating larvae of koaro,Galaxias brevipinnis Günther (Teleostei: Galaxiidae), from the Otira River,New Zealand

Fish larvae were collected in stream benthic invertebrate drift nets from the Otira River, near Arthur's Pass, New Zealand during a study of benthic drift. They are identified as probably those of koaro (Galaxias brevipinnis Gunther) on the basis of estimates of myomere counts (indicating Galaxiidae or Retropinnidae); by a process of elimination of likely species on the basis of distance up stream, elevation, and habitat characteristics; and by determining fish species in the Otira River tributaries upstream of the sampling location. This comprises the first likely record of emigrating larvae of koaro, a species known to be diadromous by the return migrations from the sea of whitebait juveniles during spring. A newly hatched larva of koaro is described and figured.     

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.     

东海几种鳗鲡目鱼类DNA条形码研究

本研究采集了分布于中国东海的前肛鳗(Dysomma anguillaris)、短尾蛇鳗(Ophichthus brevicaudatus)、艾氏蛇鳗(Ophichthus evermanni)、海鳗(Muraenesox cinereus)、黑尾吻鳗(Rhynchoconger ectenurus)、微鳍新鳗(Neenchelys parvipectoralis)、大头蚓鳗(Moringua macrocephalus)、梅氏美体鳗(Ariosoma meeki)和星康吉鳗(Conger myriaster)9种鳗鲡目(Anguilliformes)鱼类,采用PCR技术扩增了线粒体COI基因片段序列, 结合GenBank数据库中下载的5种鳗鲡目鱼类同源序列, 分析比较了序列组成和差异, 并以光海鳝(Muraena argus)和细点海鳝(Muraena augusti)为外群, 基于最大似然法构建了鳗鲡目中6科11属14种鱼类的系统发育树, 探讨了该类群鱼类的系统进化关系。结果显示:72条序列共检测到43种单倍型, 4种碱基含量分别为27.4%(T)、28.2%(C)、25.8%(A)、18.6%(G), 平均A+T含量(53.2%)高于G+C含量(46.8%), 表现出明显的碱基组成偏好性。基于K2P(Kimura 2-parameter)模型计算得出不同种间的平均遗传距离为0.218 8, 不同属间的平均遗传距离为0.225 0, 不同科间的平均遗传距离为0.232 7, 分类阶元越高, 遗传距离越大。系统进化树显示蛇鳗科物种都能够形成独立的分支, 并得到有效的区分, 而其他类群存在混杂现象。以上结果表明, 由于鳗鲡目鱼类种类多且分布广,线粒体COI基因只适用于较低分类阶元(如科内属间、属内种间)间的物种鉴定, 该类群鱼类系统发育关系还有待于结合多种DNA条形码进行深入探讨。     

Feeding habits of two fish species in relation to invertebrate drift in a New Zealand river

The relationship between the composition of the invertebrate drift fauna and the feeding habits of the common river galaxias Galaxias vulgaris and the upland bully Phily pnodon breviceps was examined in the Glentui River, Canterbury, New Zealand, between 1500 h on 12 November and 1500 h on 13 November 1971. The drift consisted of both night‐active and day‐active components. Galaxias vulgaris fed mainly at night, with peaks of feeding at dusk and dawn. Philypnodon breviceps had two peaks of feeding, at midday and midnight, between the peak feeding times of G. vulgaris. Feeding of G. vulgaris on its major food items coincided with the presence of the food items in the drift, whereas feeding of P. breviceps did not coincide with the occurrence of the food items in the drift. It is concluded that G. vulgaris is primarily an open‐water feeder and that P. breviceps searches for food on the river bed.     

Diadromy and longitudinal patterns of upstream penetration of freshwater fish in Taranaki,New Zealand

Diadromous fish species dominate the New Zealand freshwater fish fauna and make up 15 of the 17 native fish species found on the Taranaki Ring Plain. Trajectories of occurrence in relation to elevation and distance from the sea are described for 11 diadromous and 2 non‐diadromous species using data from the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database and data collected over the summer of 1997/ 98. Distinctive distributions were found for most of the species related to their differing migratory strategies and abilities. The species were ranked based on components of these trajectories to compare their penetrative ability. Comparison of the ranking methods used revealed they produced similar results. The ranking of the 11 diadromous species in Taranaki relative to each other revealed similar rankings to those for the same species from the West Coast of the South Island. The non‐migratory native fish, Cran's bully (Gobiomorphus basalis), was not found on the western side of the mountain. This distribution is thought to be the result of the local extinction of non‐migratory species in high gradient or unstable streams.     

Diets of alpine galaxias (Galaxias paucispondylus Stokell) and longjawed galaxias (G. prognathus Stokell) in a South Island,New Zealand,high‐country stream

Thedietsofthealpinegalaxias(Galaxias paucispondylus Stokell, 1938) and the longjawed galaxias (G. prognathus Stokell, 1940) were studied in Deep Creek, a high‐country stream in the central South Island of New Zealand. Both species are small, slender fish with entirely freshwater life cycles. Their diets were very similar and consisted of aquatic invertebrates, dominated by the larvae of Deleatidium spp. (Ephemeroptera), Hydrobiosis spp. (Trichoptera), and Chironomidae (Diptera). Although diets partly reflected what was available in the stream, both fish selected soft‐bodied prey in preference to cased or harder shelled prey. Both species are probably nocturnal feeders.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of landlocked Galaxias maculatus and Galaxias platei (Pisces: Galaxiidae) in a lake in the South American Andes

Galaxiids are present in many of the Andean lakes in southern South America. We studied landlocked Galaxias maculatus (Jenyns) and Galaxias platei Steindachner populations in a deep oligotrophic lake (Lake Gutiérrez, Patagonia, Argentina). Their temporal and spatial distribution, intralacustrine movements (horizontal and vertical), and spawning periods were analysed using several sampling techniques (ichthyoplankton net, seine net, gill net, and baited benthic taps). We identified the early life stages of both species based on their morphology and otolith shape. The free embryos of both species migrate to the limnetic zone, where they coexist as larvae, facing the same food availability and probably the same predation risk. Each species then moves on to its own juvenile and adult habitat: the littoral and benthic zone for G. maculatus and only the deeper benthic zone for G. platei. Their adult habitats and part of their spawning periods partly overlap.     

四种不同饵料对真蛸(Octopus vulgaris)生长与肠道微生物影响的研究

本研究分析了不同饵料对真蛸(Octopus vulgaris)生长与肠道微生物的影响。实验采用4种饵料:蓝点马鲛(鱼组)、天津厚蟹(蟹组)、四角蛤蜊(贝组)和日本枪乌贼(鱿鱼组)分别投喂真蛸,分析了各实验组真蛸的日均摄食量、特定生长率、饵料转化率、经济效益比,以及饵料对肠道微生物菌群结构和多样性的影响。实验结果表明:在生长性能指标方面,贝组的日均摄食量最高,而饵料转化率低于鱼组与蟹组;鱼组与蟹组的日均摄食量差异不大,但蟹组真蛸的特定生长率和饵料转化率高于其他三组且经济效益最佳;鱿鱼组的日均摄食量、特定生长率、饵料转化率和经济效益比均低于其他三组。在真蛸肠道微生物群落的丰富度与多样性方面,鱼组均高于其他各组,而鱿鱼组的丰富度最低;在门水平上,软壁菌门、螺旋体门、变形菌门等10个门为真蛸的优势菌群;在属水平上,摄食率最大的贝组真蛸肠道菌群中的支原体、乳球菌等11种菌为优势菌群,特定生长率最大的蟹组中真蛸肠道菌群中的弧菌、小纺锤状菌等5种菌为优势菌群。综合不同饵料对真蛸生长性能指标和肠道菌群的影响,认为蟹类是真蛸理想的饵料。     

Long‐term sponge stranding along the shores of Sardinia Island (Western Mediterranean Sea)

The taxonomic richness and geographic distribution of sponges stranded along Sardinian shores were investigated in the long term by means of a revisited ancient sampling method in order to support a comprehensive species inventory. Almost all stranded species were Keratosa (n = 20), plus 6 species of other Demospongiae taxa. Dictyoceratida were dominant, with 6 genera and 19 species of the families Irciniidae, Spongiidae and Thorectidae: 9 Mediterranean endemics, 7 Atlanto‐Mediterranean and 3 widespread species. Regarding Dendroceratida, only the genus Spongionella was found. Some species (n = 8) were recorded for the first time in circum‐Sardinian seas. A high percentage (54.3%; 19 out of the 35 species) of the total Mediterranean Dictyoceratida fauna was recorded, including the most endangered Mediterranean species, that is of the genera Spongia and Hippospongia. Hippospongia communis, Ircinia variabilis, Spongia zimocca and Spongia officinalis were the most common species. Morphotraits of rare and/or poorly known species were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Comparison among Sardinian sectors, and between Sardinian and adjacent seas, revealed a high similarity of stranded Dictyoceratida, despite the fact that the data from Tyrrhenian and Balearic–Catalan seas were collected mainly from SCUBA records. The cost‐effective sampling method used in the present study seems appropriate to the gross qualitative monitoring of coastal areas (e.g. large unexplored Northern African coasts), in order to assess the conservation status of Mediterranean Keratosa species. The wide distribution of all Mediterranean bath sponge species indicates their good conservation status in circum‐Sardinian seas, a datum that could usefully support the future management of this bioresource, particularly in protected areas.     

Reduced abundance of banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) and other native fish in turbid rivers of the North Island of New Zealand

Laboratory experiments demonstrated that migrant juvenile banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus Gray) were more sensitive to suspended sediment (SS) than other native fish species. If juvenile migrants avoid waters made turbid by SS and their recruitment to adult habitats up stream is reduced, then adult abundance may decline in turbid rivers. To test this, we compared the abundance of diadromous native fish between turbid and clear rivers. The duration (% time) for which SS concentrations exceeded 120 mg litre^‐1 (a critical level from laboratory experiments) during the migration season (August‐December) was estimated for over 150 New Zealand river sites. Turbid rivers were defined as those where SS concentrations exceeded 120 mg litre^‐1 for over 20% of the time and clear rivers as those where SS concentrations exceeded 120 mg litre^‐1 for less than 10% of the time. Eight turbid rivers and seven clear ones were identified where sufficient data on SS and native fish populations existed to permit a comparison. The mean occurrence of banded kokopu was reduced by 89.5% in turbid rivers and, although other diadromous fish species were also less common, banded kokopu was most affected. Densities of adult banded kokopu were also significantly lower in optimal stream habitats in three turbid compared with three matched clear rivers. We therefore concluded that the abundance of adult banded kokopu was reduced in turbid rivers and propose that this is because of reduced recruitment of juveniles in turbid rivers.     

中国近海爱尔螺亚科九新记录(腹足纲:骨螺科)

提要为了全面了解中国沿海骨螺科(Muricidae)、爱尔螺亚科(Ergalataxinae)的物种数量、分布状况和生活习性,完成中国沿海骨螺科的系统分类学研究,采用传统的形态分类方法,对中国科学院海洋研究所历年来在我国沿海采集的骨螺科标本进行整理、分类,共鉴定出爱尔螺亚科7属,18种,其中9种为中国新记录。爱尔螺亚科主要分布于印度-西太平洋暖海区,通常栖息于潮间带至浅海水深5—200m左右的岩礁、沙、泥沙或砂砾质海底。作者依据Houart等(1995,2004)报道的分类方法,对我国沿海分布的爱尔螺亚科部分归属及种名使用混乱的种,如珠母爱尔螺Ergalatax margariticola、黄口帕斯螺Pascula ochrostoma、筐格螺Muricodrupa fiscella等常见种重新分类,分别将其归属于爱尔螺属(Ergalatax)、帕斯螺属(Pascula)和格螺属(Muricodrupa)。     

对虾鳃虱亚科(甲壳动物亚门:等足目)的分类学与动物地理学研究进展

基于对虾鳃虱亚科(Orbioninae)的形态学特征,作者比较了属间存在的差异,对该亚科的分类学研究进展进行了归纳。总结世界范围内对虾鳃虱亚科的地理分布特征,解析该亚科动物地理区系特征。迄今,对虾鳃虱亚科包括8属39种,分别为:异对虾鳃虱属(Anisorbione Bourdon,1981,1种);偏对虾鳃虱属(Asymmetrorbione Boyko,2003,2种);表对虾鳃虱属(Epipenaeon Nobili,1906,8种);小对虾鳃虱属(Minicopenaeon Bourdon,1981,4种);圆对虾鳃虱属(Orbione Bonnier,1900,8种);仿偏对虾鳃虱属(Parasymmetrorbione An,BoykoLi,2013,1种);拟对虾鳃虱属(Parapenaeon Richardson,1904,13种);仿拟对虾鳃虱属(Parapenaeonella Shiino,1949,2种)。在中国各大海域共发现对虾鳃虱亚科物种6属18种。对虾鳃虱亚科形态特征:头前板和底节板发达,体形较大。从形态特征推测的系统发育关系,作者认为对虾鳃虱亚科是寄生亚目寄生于鳃部中比较进化的类群、其地理分布范围受寄主对虾总科分布的限制、物种分布相对集中、主要分布范围于印度-西太平洋海域。根据该亚科主要属种的地理分布信息,作者推测该类群的演化是从环热带古地中海闭合开始,直到始新世。