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Study area and location () in the Czech Republic (VE, Vermířovský stream; ST, Starozuberský stream; ZA, Zákopecký stream).
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The distribution patterns of alpine bullhead Cottus poecilopus in three tributary streams of the Rožnovská Bečva River (Danube basin) were studied with respect to temperature, oxygen concentration and saturation, shading, current, conductivity, total organic carbon (TOC), nitrates and phosphates, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), pH, redox potentia...
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This work analyzes the seasonal and spatial variability of the Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) and its influence on the composition of the organic matter deposited on the bottom sediments of Mejillones Bay. The obtained results indicate that the upper limit of the OMZ fluctuated during the year between 20 and 45 m depth. In summer, this limit ranged from...
Citations
... Bullheads are characterized by sedentary behavior (Reyjol et al. 2009) that allows for the assessment of local environmental disturbances (Jolly et al. 2012). It was found that these fish avoid habitats with a high density of brown trout (Salmo trutta) (Baran et al. 2015). In the Tatra mountains, the most numerous populations were recorded at altitudes between 911 and 979 m a.s.l. ...
Skulls of alpine bullhead sampled from the Javorinka stream in the Tatra Mountains, West Carpathians, were analyzed to determine concentrations of S, Cl, K, Ca, P, Rb, Zn, Mn, Mb, Fe, Ti, Sn, Co, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Pb, Sb, Ba, Hg, Cr, Ag, and Cd. The stage of development is the most influential factor determining element concentrations in the sampled bullhead, as fry were more polluted than adult fish. The different diets consumed by fry and adult bullhead plays a key role in the accumulation of chemical elements in their bodies. Young bullheads live in small natural embankments containing higher levels of a mixture of sedimentary minerals and microorganisms than in running water. Thus, newly hatched bullheads may serve as excellent indicators of water quality in mountain creeks or streams, as they can indicate the higher pollution of water or prey in their habitats (small bays with sandy bottoms) when compared to the preferred habitat of adult individuals.
... The cold water fish Cottus poecilopus was also reported to be abundant in streams with high oxygen saturation and high abundance of macroinvertebrates (Baran et al., 2015). Another study of aquatic organisms found that among-pond variation in community structure of freshwater zooplankton was partially explained by pH and dissolved oxygen (HolmesSingh, 2016). ...
As a widely distributed species along the Irtysh River, Phoxinus phoxinus ujmonensis (Kaschtschenko, 1899) was used as a model to investigate genetic diversity and population structure as well as the influence of environmental factors on population genetics. In this study, we specifically developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci. The analysis of microsatellite and mtDNA markers revealed a high and a moderate genetic diversity across seven populations, respectively. Moderate differentiation was also detected among several populations, indicating the impact of habitat fragmentation and divergence. The absence of isolation by distance implied an extensive gene flow, while the presence of isolation by adaptation implied that these populations might be in the process of adapting to divergent habitats. Correlation analysis showed that abiotic factors like dissolved oxygen, pH, total dissolved solids, and conductivity in water as well as biotic factors like plankton diversity and fish species diversity had impact on genetic diversity and divergence in P. phoxinus ujmonensis populations. The results of this study will provide an insight into the effect of environmental factors on genetic diversity and contribute to the study of population genetics of sympatric species. Results from combined data of microsatellite and mtDNA markers revealed high and moderate genetic diversity across seven populations, respectively. Moderate differentiations were also detected among several populations, indicating the impact of habitat fragmentation and divergence. Absence of isolation by distance implied extensive gene flow along distance, while presence of isolation by adaptation implied that these populations might in process on adapting to divergent habitats.
... Stocking hatchery brown trout is known to have a negative impact on the growth and survival of various stream dwelling species (Buoro, Olden, & Cucherousset, 2016). Alpine bullhead are less abundant at sites with a high abundance of S. trutta (Baran et al., 2014). However, the effect of habitat degradation and trout stocking on the capacity of Alpine bullhead populations to resist natural disturbances like flash floods has not been addressed. ...
In freshwater streams, flooding is a typical source of natural disturbance that plays a key role in the dynamics of animal populations and communities. However, habitat degradation and fish stocking might increase the severity of its impact. We tested the effects of a flash flood on the abundance of three size classes of headwater dwelling Alpine bullhead, Cottus poecilopus, in the streams of the Carpathian Mountains in the Czech Republic, that are stocked with hatchery-reared brown trout, Salmo trutta. We showed that the overall abundance of Alpine bullhead was highest at the sites with the least degraded habitat (i.e., natural habitat) and we caught almost no Alpine bullhead at the sites with the most degraded habitat. The flash flood had a strong negative effect on the abundance of the largest individuals of Alpine bullhead. Abundance of small and medium size Alpine bullhead was negatively affected by the abundance of adult stocked brown trout before as well as after the flash flood. However, negative effect of adult brown trout abundance on abundance of large Alpine bullhead was not significant before the flash flood, and it became significant after the flash flood. This could indicate an accumulation of negative impacts of trout stocking and flash flood on this size class. Overall, our results suggest that stocking of hatchery trout and habitat degradation can reinforce the impact of flash floods on the population of Alpine bullhead in the streams of the Carpathian Mountains.
Microhabitat suitability models are useful tools to enhance the reintroduction success of fish. Since 2008, a translocation and reintroduction program has been carried out in Flanders to prevent substantial loss of genetic variability in the Cottus perifretum (bullhead) population, and to meet the goals set by the Habitat Directive. To this end, habitat suitability of potential headstreams was assessed on a macrohabitat and microhabitat scale prior to the reintroduction. On a macrohabitat scale, water quality, habitat structure, food availability and fish community were screened. Based on microhabitat models for bullhead in the summer period, microhabitat suitability was assessed in headstreams where macrohabitat characteristics showed a high potential for success. Both macro‐ and microhabitat assessment showed that reintroduction of bullheads in the Nellebeek, Bruelbeek and Mollendaalbeek would most likely lead to self‐sustaining populations. For the Sint‐Annabeek, the microhabitat suitability model, considering depth and stream velocity, estimates that 7.5‐9.5% of the headstream is suitable for bullhead. However, when substratum is taken into account, the microhabitat suitability index shows that only 4.3% to 5.8% of the brook is suitable. The current habitat quality and quantity in the Sint‐Annabeek is estimated to support a mean total population of 812 bullheads. However, the microhabitat suitability can be substantially improved by the artificial deposition of medium sized gravel (5‐50mm) and large gravel (50‐100mm). By doing so, the mean estimated population size could increase up to 1330 individuals. Our results show that habitat improvement is necessary prior to the reintroduction of bullheads in the Sint‐Annabeek.
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