ORCID Profile
0000-0001-5780-0074
Current Organisation
Charles Darwin University
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Natural Resource Management | Ecosystem Function | Ecological Applications | Environmental Management |
Coastal and Estuarine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity | Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-09-2017
DOI: 10.1007/S00267-017-0941-1
Abstract: Widespread flooding in south-eastern Australia in 2010 resulted in a hypoxic (low dissolved oxygen, DO) blackwater (high dissolved carbon) event affecting 1800 kilometres of the Murray-Darling Basin. There was concern that prolonged low DO would result in death of aquatic biota. Australian federal and state governments and local stakeholders collaborated to create refuge areas by releasing water with higher DO from irrigation canals via regulating structures (known as 'irrigation canal escapes') into rivers in the Edward-Wakool system. To determine if these environmental flows resulted in good environmental outcomes in rivers affected by hypoxic blackwater, we evaluated (1) water chemistry data collected before, during and after the intervention, from river reaches upstream and downstream of the three irrigation canal escapes used to deliver the environmental flows, (2) fish assemblage surveys undertaken before and after the blackwater event, and (3) reports of fish kills from fisheries officers and local citizens. The environmental flows had positive outcomes mean DO increased by 1-2 mg L
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-01-2017
DOI: 10.1111/COBI.12882
Abstract: Small body size is generally correlated with r-selected life-history traits, including early maturation, short-generation times, and rapid growth rates, that result in high population turnover and a reduced risk of extinction. Unlike other classes of vertebrates, however, small freshwater fishes appear to have an equal or greater risk of extinction than large fishes. We explored whether particular traits explain the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List conservation status of small-bodied freshwater fishes from 4 temperate river basins: Murray-Darling, Australia Danube, Europe Mississippi-Missouri, North America and the Rio Grande, North America. Twenty-three ecological and life-history traits were collated for all 171 freshwater fishes of ≤120 mm total length. We used generalized linear mixed-effects models to assess which combination of the 23 traits best explained whether a species was threatened or not threatened. We used the best models to predict the probability of 29 unclassified species being listed as threatened. With and without controlling for phylogeny at the family level, small body size-among small-bodied species-was the most influential trait correlated with threatened species listings. The k-folds cross-validation demonstrated that body size and a random effect structure that included family predicted the threat status with an accuracy of 78% (SE 0.5). We identified 10 species likely to be threatened that are not listed as such on the IUCN Red List. Small body size is not a trait that provides universal resistance to extinction, particularly for vertebrates inhabiting environments affected by extreme habitat loss and fragmentation. We hypothesize that this is because small-bodied species have smaller home ranges, lower dispersal capabilities, and heightened ecological specialization relative to larger vertebrates. Trait data and further model development are needed to predict the IUCN conservation status of the over 11,000 unclassified freshwater fishes, especially those under threat from proposed dam construction in the world's most bio erse river basins.
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 02-2020
Abstract: Most fish recruitment models consider only one or a few drivers in isolation, rarely include species’ traits, and have limited relevance to riverine environments. Despite their ersity, riverine fishes share sufficient characteristics that prediction of recruitment should be possible. Here we synthesize the essential components of fish recruitment hypotheses and the key features of rivers to develop a model that predicts relative recruitment strength, for all fishes, in rivers under all flow conditions. The model proposes that interactions between flow and physical complexity will create locations in rivers, at mesoscales, where energy and nutrients are enriched. The resultant production of small prey will be concentrated and prey and fish larvae located (through dispersal or retention) so that the larvae can feed, grow, and recruit. Our synthesis explains how flow and physical complexity affect fish recruitment and provides a conceptual basis to better conserve and manage riverine fishes globally.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-10-2012
DOI: 10.1111/J.1095-8649.2012.03394.X
Abstract: This study presents the first histology-based assessment of the reproductive dynamics of south-west Pacific striped marlin Kajikia audax. Maturity and reproductive status were assessed from histological sections of ovaries (n = 234) and testes (n = 243) of fish caught in commercial longline and recreational fisheries between 2006 and 2009. Spawning peaked in the Coral Sea during November and December at sea surface temperatures between 24.8 and 28.3° C. Lower jaw fork length (L(LJF)) at 50% maturity (L(LJF50)), a key variable for stock assessment, was estimated to be 2100 ± 102 mm (mean + s.e.) for females and 1668 ± 18 mm for males. Unlike large pelagic tunas Thunnus spp., the proportion of females increased with length and spawning fish formed multiple large-scale aggregations within a broad latitudinal band. This study provides a starting point for biological parameters needed for stock assessment and conservation of K. audax and introduces the multiple aggregation spawning concept as a reproductive mechanism to explain genetic heterogeneity observed in some highly migratory species.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-03-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-10-2020
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.15363
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-09-2019
DOI: 10.1111/GEB.13009
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 11-04-2014
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 23-02-2018
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 30-04-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-11-2021
DOI: 10.1111/GEB.13227
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-10-2020
DOI: 10.1111/JFB.14494
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1071/MF18178
Abstract: Different populations of organisms can vary widely in their responses to environmental conditions and this variation is fundamental to the persistence of species. Using a common garden experiment, we examined temperature-specific growth and survival responses of larvae among populations of Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii) from four regions of the Murray–Darling Basin (MDB), Australia. Fish larvae from the four regions differed significantly in their growth and survival responses at high water temperatures ≥26°C. At 30°C, survival rates of larvae by Day 20 ranged from 0% in the Lachlan region to 82% in the southern region. Opposite to the geographical differences in survival, growth of larvae was highest in the Lachlan (14.8–15.4-mm standard length 95% CI) and lowest in the southern region (13.4–13.9-mm standard length 95% CI) at 26°C where sufficient numbers survived for comparison. Geographical differences in growth and survival responses did not follow a consistent latitudinal gradient as observed for other species, but were closely linked with previously described genetic structure. Our results suggest that the upper thermal limit of M. peelii larvae is near common river temperatures in the MDB and that maintaining functional response ersity and underlying genetic ersity will be important for ensuring the resilience of this apex predator under future climate change.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1002/FEE.2072
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 13-07-2011
Abstract: Kopf, R. K., Davie, P. S., Bromhead, D., and Pepperell, J. G. 2011. Age and growth of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) in the Southwest Pacific Ocean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1884–1895. This study describes the first validated model of age and growth developed for striped marlin (Kajikia audax). Daily periodicity of otolith microincrements was corroborated by back-calculated hatch dates that matched the known spawning season in the Southwest Pacific Ocean (SWPO). Yearly annulus formation in fin-spine sections was corroborated by daily otolith microincrements and by a marginal increment analysis. Ages of females ranged from 140 d to 8.5 years in fish between 990 mm and 2872 mm lower-jaw fork length (LJFL), and ages of males from 130 d to 7.0 years in fish between 1120 mm and 2540 mm LJFL. Sex-specific differences in growth were significant, with females growing to a larger asymptotic size and greater age than males. An instantaneous growth rate of 3.1 mm d–1 at 6 months and an estimated length of 1422–1674 mm LJFL by age 1 year makes this species among the fastest growing bony fish. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to commercial longline and recreational fisheries management of striped marlin in the SWPO and in relation to the biology of pelagic fish growth.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-01-2021
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 08-2006
DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2006.36690
Abstract: This review investigates how recreational fishing affects the physiology, behaviour, and welfare of fish. Sentience and the capacity of fish to experience pain, suffering and fear are discussed, and practical recommendations for improving the treatment of fish during recreational fishing are provided. Handling procedures used in recreational fishing should match the environment where the fish is caught and the size and strength of the fish. Minimising the number of hooks on lures and baits, and using barbless hooks and circle hooks generally reduce rates of injury and the severity of tissue trauma. Capture time, handling time, and exposure to air play significant roles in the stress responses of fish and should be minimised by anglers. Keep-nets, gaffs, landing-nets, live-wells and other restraining devices should only be used when necessary because each device can prolong or intensify the negative influences of catching fish by hook-and-line. The use of fish as bait is discouraged unless they have been euthanised. Euthanasia of fish used as bait or fish captured recreationally should include a stunning blow to the head, followed by bleeding-out, or pithing the brain and spinal cord. Fish should be euthanised if they are bleeding, injured, deeply-hooked, foul-hooked, or severely exhausted, but local fisheries' regulations must be obeyed. Fish that are released after being caught may be subjected to additional factors that influence their welfare, such as elevated stress, barotrauma, suppressed feeding and growth, impaired reproductive function, increased potential for disease, infection, and delayed mortality.
Publisher: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
Date: 14-03-2011
DOI: 10.1643/CG-10-021
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-2005
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1071/MF19035_CO
Abstract: Although the effects of mass fish mortality (MFM) events on fish populations and water quality are frequently reported, the effects on consumers of fish and other water-dependent fauna are relatively poorly understood. Managing the effects of MFM events on other fauna is important when they occur in ecologically or culturally sensitive locations, or involve protected or significant species or ecosystems. Better understanding of the effects of such events on fish consumers and other water-dependent fauna would aid proactive management of predictable events, such as pest-fish biocontrol releases. We conducted a global literature review to synthesise the effects of unexpected MFM events on fish consumers and other water-dependent fauna in freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems. We then constructed two conceptual models distinguishing between the short-term (hours to weeks) and long-term (months to years) effects of such events, highlighting the importance of key factors in determining the magnitude of the response. Last, we used these models and relevant literature to explore the potential implications of the proposed release of cyprinid herpes virus 3 as a biological control agent for the invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Australia and develop recommendations to minimise adverse effects of carp mass mortality on food webs.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-05-2017
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1071/MF19035
Abstract: Although the effects of mass fish mortality (MFM) events on fish populations and water quality are frequently reported, the effects on consumers of fish and other water-dependent fauna are relatively poorly understood. Managing the effects of MFM events on other fauna is important when they occur in ecologically or culturally sensitive locations, or involve protected or significant species or ecosystems. Better understanding of the effects of such events on fish consumers and other water-dependent fauna would aid proactive management of predictable events, such as pest-fish biocontrol releases. We conducted a global literature review to synthesise the effects of unexpected MFM events on fish consumers and other water-dependent fauna in freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems. We then constructed two conceptual models distinguishing between the short-term (hours to weeks) and long-term (months to years) effects of such events, highlighting the importance of key factors in determining the magnitude of the response. Last, we used these models and relevant literature to explore the potential implications of the proposed release of cyprinid herpes virus 3 as a biological control agent for the invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Australia and develop recommendations to minimise adverse effects of carp mass mortality on food webs.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 30-10-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
Publisher: EDP Sciences
Date: 20-10-2009
DOI: 10.1051/ALR/2009045
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 08-2023
DOI: 10.1098/RSOS.231035
Abstract: Bold behaviour of non-native species is hypothesized to facilitate invasion success, yet extreme boldness in wild and domesticated animals can be maladaptive. The purpose of this study was to compare in idual behaviour among Australian native hatchery-reared ( n = 33) and wild ( n = 38) Murray cod ( Maccullochella peelii ) with invasive common carp ( Cyprinus carpio n = 30). Three laboratory tests measured in idual behaviour: (1) emergence from a shelter, (2) exploration of a novel environment, and (3) approaching a predator. Wild invasive carp and hatchery-reared cod were generally faster and more likely to emerge and explore novel environments when compared with wild Murray cod. The ‘bold-type’ behaviours of hatchery-reared native cod were more like invasive carp than they were to ‘shy-type’ wild conspecifics, yet an important difference was that hatchery-reared cod spent substantially more time near a large predator while carp rapidly escaped. We suggest that these results are consistent with a bold-type invasion syndrome in invasive carp and learned boldness of hatchery-reared Murray cod. The propensity of invasive carp to rapidly explore and enter new environments, along with a fast predator escape response may have been important to their invasion success, while extreme risk-taking and predator naivety of hatchery-reared Murray cod may exacerbate post-release mortality rates in fisheries and conservation stocking programmes.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 14-04-2020
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 04-2022
Abstract: Supporting the recovery of large carnivores is a popular yet challenging endeavour. Estuarine crocodiles in Australia are a large carnivore conservation success story, with the population having extensively recovered from past heavy exploitation. Here, we explored if dietary changes had accompanied this large population recovery by comparing the isotopes δ 13 C and δ 15 N in bones of crocodiles s led 40 to 55 years ago (small population) with bones from contemporary in iduals (large population). We found that δ 13 C and δ 15 N values were significantly lower in contemporary crocodiles than in the historical cohort, inferring a shift in prey preference away from marine and into terrestrial food webs. We propose that an increase in intraspecific competition within the recovering crocodile population, alongside an increased abundance of feral ungulates occupying the floodplains, may have resulted in the crocodile population shifting to feed predominantly upon terrestrial food sources. The number of feral pigs consumed to sustain and grow crocodile biomass may help suppress pig population growth and increase the flow of terrestrially derived nutrients into aquatic ecosystems. The study highlights the significance of prey availability in contributing to large carnivore population recovery.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 18-07-2015
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 2019
Abstract: The biomass of organisms of different sizes is increasingly being used to explore macroscale variation in food-web and community structure. Here we examine how invasive species and river flow regulation affect native fish biomass and fish community log 10 biomass – body mass scaling relationships in Australia’s largest river system, the Murray–Darling. The log 10 biomass – body mass scaling exponent (scaling B) of invasive fishes (95% CI: −0.14 to −0.18) was less negative than for native fishes (95% CI: −0.20 to −0.25), meaning that invasive species attained a higher biomass in larger size-classes compared to native species. Flow alteration and invasive common carp (Cyprinus carpio) biomass were correlated with severe reductions in native fish biomass ranging from −47% to −68% (95% CI). Our study provides novel evidence suggesting that invasive and native communities have different biomass – body mass scaling patterns, which likely depend on differences in their trophic ecology and body size distributions. Our results suggest that restoration efforts using environmental flows and common carp control has potential to boost native fish biomass to more than double the current level.
Start Date: 10-2021
End Date: 09-2024
Amount: $391,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity