ArticlePDF Available

Abundance of Cottus poecilopus is influenced by O2 saturation, food density and Salmo trutta in three tributaries of the Rožnovská Bečva River, Czech Republic

Journal of Fish Biology

December 2014
86(2)

DOI:10.1111/jfb.12565

Authors:

Roman Baran

University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice

Jan Kubecka

Institute of Hydrobiology CAS

Miroslav Kubín

Palacký University Olomouc

Show all 7 authorsHide

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 potential, bottom grain structure, density of macroinvertebrates and the abundance of brown trout Salmo trutta. Sites with lower abundance per hectare of C. poecilopus differed significantly in dissolved oxygen saturation, density of macroinvertebrates during the autumn period (positive correlation with C. poecilopus) and in abundance per hectare of S. trutta (negative correlation). These results indicate that these factors significantly influence the distribution of this endangered species in the studied catchment and that stocking of S. trutta will impair its recovery.

Study area and location () in the Czech Republic (VE, Vermířovský stream; ST, Starozuberský stream; ZA, Zákopecký stream).

…

Log10 (n + 1) of Cottus poecilopus ha−1 (Y) on (a) oxygen saturation (XO) (Y = −78·531 + 0·811XO; r2 = 0·899, t = 8·03, d.f. = 6, P < 0·001), (b) density of macroinvertebrates in autumn (XM m−2) (Y = −0·835 + 0·0024XM; r2 = 0·6394, t = 3·83, d.f. = 6, P < 0·01) and (c) number of Salmo trutta ha−1 (log10 XS) (Y = 8·7255 − 1·9057XS; r2 = 0·1884, t = −3·04, d.f. = 6, P < 0·05). 95% c.l. are given ().

…

Figures - uploaded by Martin Rulík

Content may be subject to copyright.

Content uploaded by Martin Rulík

Content may be subject to copyright.

Journal of Fish Biology (2015) 86, 805–811

doi:10.1111/jfb.12565, available online at wileyonlinelibrary.com

BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS

Abundance of Cottus poecilopus is inuenced by O2

saturation, food density and Salmo trutta in three tributaries

of the Rožnovská Beˇ

cva River, Czech Republic

R. B*†, J. K*‡, M. K§‖, B. L¶, T. M

**,

D. R*  M. R§

*Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Hydrobiology,

Na Sádkách 7, 370 05, ˇ

Ceské Budˇ

ejovice, Czech Republic, †Faculty of Science, University of

South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05, ˇ

Ceské Budˇ

ejovice, Czech Republic, §Department of

Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Palack´

y University in Olomouc,

Šlechtitel˚

u 11, 783 71, Olomouc, Czech Republic, ‖Správa CHKO Beskydy, Nádražní 36, 756

61, Rožnov pod Radhoštˇ

em, Czech Republic, ¶Faculty of Science, Ostrava University, 30.

Dubna 22, 701 03, Ostrava, Czech Republic and **Faculty of Economics, University of

South Bohemia, Studentská 13, ˇ

Ceské Budˇ

ejovice, Czech Republic

(Received 30 July 2014, Accepted 26 September 2014)

The distribution patterns of alpine bullhead Cottus poecilopus in three tributary streams of the

Rožnovská Beˇ

cva River (Danube basin) were studied with respect to temperature, oxygen con-

centration and saturation, shading, current, conductivity, total organic carbon (TOC), nitrates and

phosphates, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), pH, redox potential, bottom grain structure,

density of macroinvertebrates and the abundance of brown trout Salmo trutta. Sites with lower

abundance per hectare of C. poecilopus differed signicantly in dissolved oxygen saturation, density

of macroinvertebrates during the autumn period (positive correlation with C. poecilopus)andin

abundance per hectare of S. trutta (negative correlation). These results indicate that these factors

signicantly inuence the distribution of this endangered species in the studied catchment and that

stocking of S. trutta will impair its recovery.

Key words: Alpine bullhead; brown trout; macroinvertebrates; organic carbon; shading; water temper-

ature.

Alpine bullhead Cottus poecilopus Heckel 1837 inhabits European mountain streams.

Its main areas are Scandinavia and the Baltic region, and the Carpathian Mountains

(Kottelat & Freyhof, 2007). In the Czech Republic, C. poecilopus is limited to the Odra

River (Baltic Sea basin) and Morava River (Black Sea basin) drainages. In this coun-

try, the ecologically similar, close relative bullhead Cottus gobio L. 1758 occurs in the

Elbe River (North Sea basin) (Starmach, 1965; ˇ

Cihaˇ

r, 1969). Cottus poecilopus often

coexists with brown trout Salmo trutta L. 1758 in well-oxygenated mountain streams

‡Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel.: +420387775891; email: kubecka@hbu.cas.cz

805

806 R. BARAN ET AL.

012345 kmZákopecký stream

ZA2

ZA1

Solanecký stream

Vermirovský stream

Roznovská Becva

ST1

ST2

ST3VE3

Czech Republic

VE2

VE1

Starozuberský stream

F. 1. Study area and location ( ) in the Czech Republic (VE, Vermíˇ

rovskýstream; ST, Starozuberskýstream;

ZA, Zákopeckýstream).

(Lusk et al., 2008) and is categorized as being of least concern on the European red list

(Freyhof & Brooks, 2011) while in the Czech Republic it is categorized as near threat-

ened (Lusk et al., 2011). Cottus poecilopus is adapted to a narrow range of conditions,

and can therefore be considered a bio-indicator species (Hanel & Lusk, 2005). In the

Czech Republic, the occurrence of C. poecilopus is limited to clear unpolluted streams

as they are particularly sensitive to water temperature and dissolved oxygen concen-

trations. The aim of this study is to investigate the inuence of physical and chemical

factors on C. poecilopus and to identify the main determinants of its abundance.

Cottus poecilopus were sampled in three tributaries of the Rožnovská Beˇ

cva River

(the Vermíˇ

rovsk´

y, Starozubersk´

y and Zákopeck´

y streams) in October 2010 (Fig. 1).

Electroshing was performed in eight 100 m long sections, three sections located in

each of the Vermíˇ

rovsk´

y and Starozubersk´

y streams and two in the Zákopeck´

y stream

(Table I). Mean width varied between 3⋅6 and 4⋅3 m. The water depth was measured

with a calibrated bar at 10 sites in each section and the average depth was calculated.

Before sampling, the study sections were screened off with a 5 mm bar mesh net. This

prevented the sh from escaping. Each section was sampled twice, 1 h apart, in the

upstream direction with a battery electroshing device SEN 8 A, 192– 423 V(manu-

factured by Bednáˇ

r; www.vojtechbednar.cz) and two catches were conducted in each

section. As the smallest individuals are very difcult to catch, only C. poecilopus 1

year and older and total length >40 mm were sampled. Fish abundance (number of sh

ha−1) was calculated for each sampling event and the overall abundance estimate was

determined using the two-catch method of Seber & LeCren (1967).

The middle part of each section was marked and physical and chemical vari-

ables of water (temperature, dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation, pH, conductivity,

redox potential and current) were measured on the day of sampling, and every

month from October 2010 to September 2011. Water temperature was measured

in the shade at a depth of c. 10 cm away from the main stream ow. Temperature,

OCCURRENCE OF COTTUS POECILOPUS 807

T I. Basic characteristics of each sampled river section, mean ±.. of oxygen saturation, abundance of macroinvertebrates in autumn (Ma) and

in spring (Ms), mean ±.. of Cottus poecilopus (Cp) and Salmo trutta (St) total length (LT), captured numbers and calculated sh per hectare

Locality

Length

(km)

Slope

(%)

Oxygen

saturation (%)

(nm−2)

LT(mm)

(n100 m−1)

(nha−1)

VE1 0⋅82⋅596⋅67 ±13⋅61 834 2168 0 ±0 148 ±30 0 122 0 3050

VE2 2⋅14⋅0 100⋅00 ±12⋅50 1445 2525 80 ±18 106 ±20 9 131 215 3119

VE3 3⋅16⋅5 100⋅25 ±11⋅13 2094 2223 70 ±10 118 ±30 90 38 2093 884

ST1 0⋅72⋅597⋅42 ±10⋅92 584 2102 0 ±0 128 ±16 0 88 0 2200

ST2 2⋅63⋅0 100⋅50 ±13⋅83 1602 1119 77 ±9 116 ±27 11 114 262 2715

ST3 3⋅85⋅0 100⋅33 ±12⋅56 897 1614 82 ±14 119 ±25 27 14 750 389

ZA1 0⋅92⋅5 100⋅83 ±10⋅94 1792 3940 80 ±20 147 ±20 83 40 1977 953

ZA2 1⋅85⋅0 101⋅83 ±10⋅75 1312 3143 90 ±11 117 ±29 50 53 1163 1233

n, number; VE, Vermíˇ

rovskýstream; ST, Starozuberskýstream; ZA, Zákopeckýstream.

808 R. BARAN ET AL.

pH and redox potential were measured using a Greisinger GHM 3530 portable

multimeter (http://gsg-messtechnik.de/). Dissolved oxygen content and oxygen

saturation were measured by a Hanna Oxy-check dissolved oxygen meter, and

temperature-compensated conductivity was determined by a Hanna DIST3 conductiv-

ity meter (www.hannainst.com). A Flo-mate 2200 owmeter (www.ow-tronic.com)

was used to measure current velocity at three points in the main stream ow of each

section. Total organic carbon (TOC) was measured by Pt-catalysed high-temperature

combustion on a Formacs analyser (Skalar Analytical; www.skalar.com). Determina-

tion of nitrates and phosphates was done on mixed water samples taken from each

section. To prevent further microbial decomposition, 1⋅5 ml of chloroform CHCl3was

added to the sample. A Dr 2000 spectrophotometer (Hach Company; www.hach.com)

was used to analyse nitrate and phosphate levels. Determination of biochemical

oxygen demand (BOD5) was made during August 2011 using an OxiTop Control 6

BOD respirometer system (Wissenschaftlich-Technische Werkstätten; www.wtw.de).

Macroinvertebrate sampling was performed during the autumn (October 2010) and

spring (April 2011). A metal frame benthic net with a mesh size of 500 μm and an area

of 1089 cm2was used for quantitative sampling of macroinvertebrates at three points

of each stream section. The macroinvertebrates were preserved in a 4% formaldehyde

solution. Macroinvertebrates were identied to family level and density was expressed

as number m−2. Three samples of the bottom substratum were taken in each section

in July 2011 with a metal shovel. After drying, sediment samples were sieved through

mesh sizes 20, 10, 7, 3, 0⋅7, 0⋅4, 0⋅09 and 0⋅083 mm. All grain size fractions were

weighed and the per cent mass of each size was calculated.

The abundance ha−1of C. poecilopus was log10(x+1) transformed prior to the anal-

ysis to ensure the normality of data. Forward stepwise regression was used to choose

appropriate explanatory variables. Because of the low number of data points, the

Akaike information criterion (AIC) (R Core Team; www.r-project.org) did not reach

its minimum value before a total t was achieved (a total t corresponds to using all of

the seven available variables). Therefore, the chosen criterion was that the increase in

r2with each added variable needed to be at least 3%. These revised stepwise analyses

were conducted in Statistica 10 (Statsoft Inc.; http://www.statsoft.com/).

The abundance of C. poecilopus (Y, numbers ha−1) increased with the O2saturation

(XO,%;r2=0⋅89), increased with density of macroinvertebrates with autumn (XM,

numbers m−2;r2=0⋅94) as a second predictor variable and decreased with density

of S. trutta as a third predictor variable (XS, numbers ha−1;r2=0⋅98) (Table I). The

correlations between C. poecilopus abundance and each of these factors are shown

in Fig. 2 and the full model is Y=−41⋅4400 +0⋅4579XO+0⋅0010XM−1⋅0622XS

(F3,4 =103⋅03, P<0⋅001). The other factors were not signicantly correlated with C.

poecilopus abundance and not included in the model.

The lowest limit of oxygen saturation tolerated by C. gobio is 74% (Legalle et al.,

2008). ˇ

Cihaˇ

r (1969) reported a higher oxygen requirement for C. poecilopus and this

may be the reason why this species occupies higher altitude sites than C. gobio in

the Carpathian Mountains. There were no, or very limited, local sources of pollution

in the area studied, and the values of BOD5and TOC indicated good water quality.

The observed variations in oxygen saturation observed along the 1– 3 km long stream

sections were sufcient, however, to inuence the distribution of C. poecilopus during

its seasonal cycles, particularly in summer.

OCCURRENCE OF COTTUS POECILOPUS 809

Oxygen saturation (%)

Macroinvertebrates (XM m

–2

)

96 97 9899 100 101 102 103

400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200

2·6 2·83·0 3·2 3·4 3·6 3·8

Log10 number of

Salmo trutta

0·0

0·5

1·0

1·5

2·0

2·5

3·0

3·5

4·0

0·0

0·5

1·0

1·5

2·0

2·5

3·0

3·5

4·0

0·0

0·5

1·0

1·5

2·0

2·5

3·0

3·5

4·0

(b)

Log

(n + 1) of Cottus poecilopus

(a)

(c)

F. 2. Log10 (n+1) of Cottus poecilopus ha−1(Y) on (a) oxygen saturation (XO)(Y=−78⋅531 +0⋅811XO;

r2=0⋅899, t=8⋅03, d.f. =6, P<0⋅001), (b) density of macroinvertebrates in autumn (XMm−2)

(Y=−0⋅835 +0⋅0024XM;r2=0⋅6394, t=3⋅83, d.f. =6, P<0⋅01) and (c) number of Salmo trutta ha−1

(log10 XS)(Y=8⋅7255 −1⋅9057XS;r2=0⋅1884, t=−3⋅04, d.f. =6, P<0⋅05). 95% .. are given ( ).

The dominant families of macroinvertebrates found in all the sampled sections were

Gammaridae, Heptagenidae, Baetidae, Elmidae, Chironomidae and Leuctridae. The

abundance of autumn macroinvertebrates in all sections was within an order of mag-

nitude of that reported in the spring (Table I). Higher temperatures may speed up the

emergence of adult insects and result in the lower abundance found in warmer sections.

810 R. BARAN ET AL.

This was reported by Vannote & Sweeney (1980) and Marten & Zwick (1989). The pre-

ferred diet of C. poecilopus is usually Chironomidae, Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera

larvae (Holmen et al., 2003; Hesthagen et al., 2011).

The abundance ha−1of C. poecilopus showed an inverse relationship with the abun-

dance ha−1of S. trutta. While Lusk et al. (2009) assumed that shery management

does not have a signicant effect on C. poecilopus, the present data suggest a negative

inuence from the S. trutta stocking that occurs in this river. A dense S. trutta popula-

tion in the investigated streams has been supported by the angling association, which

periodically stocks and harvests S. trutta in 2 year cycles. Over 75% of S. trutta were

age 2+years. Both C. poecilopus and S. trutta appeared to prefer the most productive

parts of the mountain streams where they may compete for food when their popula-

tion density is high (Hesthagen & Heggenes, 2003). In Norway, an 80% diet overlap

was found between C. poecilopus and S. trutta (Hesthagen et al., 2004) and the newest

observations of Louhi et al. (2014) suggest a negative effect of young S. trutta on C.

poecilopus.

Thus, C. poecilopus occurs in streams with high oxygen saturation and high abun-

dance of macroinvertebrates, but appears to avoid areas with a high density of S. trutta.

The other factors studied appeared have minor inuence on the distribution of C. poe-

cilopus in the study streams. Salmo trutta stocking can hence have a negative effect on

the occurrence and distribution of this rare sh species.

We would like to thank E. Tošenovsk´

y, V. Uvíra and the Palack´

y University in Olomouc

for providing eld and technical assistance and T. J˚

uza and J. Matˇ

ena for help writing the

manuscript. L. Tse kindly corrected the English. We are grateful to anonymous reviewers and

assistant editor of Journal of Fish Biology for helpful suggestions. The study was supported by

the project 181 145/2013/P of the Grant Agency of the University of South Bohemia.

References

Cihaˇ

r, J. (1969). Taxonomical and ecological notes on Cottus gobio Linnaeus, 1758, and Cottus

poecilopus Heckel, 1836 (Osteichthyes: Cottidae). Acta Societatis Zoologicae Bohemi-

cae 33, 102–110.

Freyhof, J. & Brooks, E. (2011). European Red List of Freshwater Fishes. Gland: IUCN.

Hanel, L. & Lusk, S. (2005). Fishes and Lampreys of the Czech Republic: Distribution and Con-

servation.Vlašim: ˇ

Cesk´

ysvazochránc

rírody ˇ

CSOP(in Czech with English summary).

Hesthagen, T. & Heggenes, J. (2003). Competitive habitat displacement of brown trout by

Siberian sculpin: the role of size and density. Journal of Fish Biology 62, 222–236.

Hesthagen, T., Saksgård, R., Hegge, O., Dervo, B. K. & Skurdal, J. (2004). Niche overlap

between young brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Siberian sculpin (Cottus poecilopus)ina

subalpine Norwegian river. Hydrobiologia 521, 49 – 59.

Hesthagen, T., Austigard, A. & Holmedal, K. (2011). Diurnal and seasonal resource partitioning

in young brown trout (Salmo trutta), Artic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and Alpine bul-

head (Cottus poecilopus) in a subalpine lake in southeastern Norway. Boreal Environment

Research 16, 149– 157.

Holmen, J., Olsen, E. M. & Vøllestad, L. A. (2003). Interspecic competition between

stream-dwelling brown trout and Alpine bullhead. Journal of Fish Biology 62,

1312–1325.

Kottelat, M. & Freyhof, J. (2007). Handbook of European Freshwater Fishes. Cornol: Publica-

tions Kottelat.

Legalle, M., Mastrorillo, S. & Céréghino, R. (2008). Spatial distribution patterns and causes

of decline of free freshwater species with different biological trans (white-clawed cray-

sh, C. gobio, freshwater pearl mussel): a review. Annales de Limnologie – International

Journal of Limnology 44, 95– 104.

OCCURRENCE OF COTTUS POECILOPUS 811

Louhi, P., Mäki-Petäys, A., Huusko, A. & Muotka, T. (2014). Resource use by juvenile brown

trout and alpine bullhead: inuence of interspecic versus intraspecic competition.

Ecology of Freshwater Fish 23, 234– 243.

Lusk, S., Bartoˇ

nová, E., Lusková, V., Lojkásek, B. & Košˇ

co, J. (2008). Siberian sculpin Cot-

tus poecilopus: distribution and genetic diversity in the Morava, Odra (Czech Republic),

and Hornád (Slovakia) drainage areas. Biodiversity of Fishes of the Czech Republic VII,

67–80.

Lusk, S., Lojkásek, B. & Lusková, V. (2009). Siberian bullhead, Cottus poecilopus, in the trout

rearing brook system. Bulletin Lampetra 6, 99– 107.

Lusk, S., Lusková, V., Hanel, L., Lojkásek, B. & Hartvich, P. (2011). The red list of lampreys

and shes of the Czech Republic – Version 2010. Biodiversity of Fishes of the Czech

Republic VIII, 68–78.

Marten, M. & Zwick, P. (1989). The temperature dependence of embryonic and larval develop-

ment in Protonemura intricata (Plecoptera: Nemouridae). Freshwater Biology 22, 1–14.

Seber, G. A. F. & Lecren, E. D. (1967). Estimating parameters from catches large relative to

population. Journal of Animal Ecology 36, 631– 634.

Starmach, J. (1965). Koppen in der Karpathenüssen. II. Antreten und Charakteristik der Bunt-

ossenkoppe (Cottus poecilopus Heckel) und weissossigen Koppe (Cottus gobio L.) in

Raba Flussgebiet. Acta Hydrobiologica 7, 109– 140.

Vannote, R. L. & Sweeney, B. W. (1980). Geographic analysis of thermal equilibria: a concep-

tual model for evaluating the effect of natural and modied thermal regimes on aquatic

insect communities. American Naturalist 115, 667–693.

Does the karst spring improve fish abiotic habitat in mountain streams?

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024

Mountain streams constitute challenging habitat for many fish species due to rapid and variable flow, cool temperature, and limited food resources. Groundwaters recharge by karst spring may however mitigate harsh habit conditions of mountain streams providing niches for different fish species. This study aims to assess the suitability of mountain streams, replenished by karst springs, for various fish species like alpine bullhead, European grayling, brown and brook trout. The study was conducted in the Chochołowski Stream in the Western Tatra Mountains, Poland. The assessment of abiotic habitat is based on different characteristics of hydrological and thermal regimes as well as water chemical composition investigated between 01.09.2012 and 31.09.2014. The findings reveal that: 1) downstream variability of habitat abiotic conditions (such as water temperature, flow, water chemical composition) may affect the distribution of fish species, 2) karst springs contribute up to 100% of the stream’s recharge during periods of winter low flow, 3) karstic groundwater reduces the variability and amplitudes of stream water temperature and weaken the periodicity in water temperature associated with daily course of air temperature and solar radiation, 4) groundwaters prevent stream freezing in winter and moderate summer temperatures, 5) increasing mineralisation of water below the spring recharge may positively affect fish distribution. The findings underscore the importance of karst springs in modifying the abiotic conditions of fish habitat in mountain streams.

Different accumulation of some elements in the fry and adults of alpine bullheads (Cottus poecilopus)

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2023
ENVIRON SCI POLLUT R

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.

Comprehensive analysis of population genetics of Phoxinus phoxinus ujmonensis in the Irtysh River: Abiotic and biotic factors

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2019

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.

Habitat degradation and trout stocking can reinforce the impact of flash floods on headwater specialist Alpine bullhead Cottus poecilopus – A case study from the Carpathian Mountains

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2018
J APPL ICHTHYOL

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 as a tool to improve the success rate of a translocation or reintroduction, case-study of the bullhead ( Cottus perifretum ) in Flanders, Belgium: Reintroduction of bullhead in Flanders

Article

Nov 2018

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. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Diurnal and seasonal resource partitioning in young brown trout (Salmo trutta), Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and Alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) in a subalpine lake in southeastern Norway

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2011
BOREAL ENVIRON RES

Diurnal habitat and food segregation in young Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus), brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus) were studied in Atnsjø, a lake in southeastern Norway. The mean lengths ± SD of the three species were 118 ± 20 mm (n = 872), 112 ± 14 mm (n = 109), and 66 ± 8 mm (n = 70), respectively. Epibenthic gillnet catches of all three species were much higher at night (21.00-05.00 GMT) than during the day (09.00-17.00 GMT). In general, there was segregation by depth zone between these three species, which were caught at night at mean depths of 17.3 ± 6.2 m, 7.9 ± 3.3 m, 13.6 ± 5.0 m, respectively. During the hours of darkness in spring and late summer, Alpine bullhead were more likely to be associated with the bottom than Arctic charr and brown trout. Artic charr fed almost exclusively on zooplankton, while brown trout and Alpine bullhead fed largely on insect larvae and Eurycercus lamellatus. Although selective differences are partly responsible for resource partitioning between the two salmonid species and Alpine bullhead, interactive segregation may also occur.

European Red List of Freshwater Fishes

Technical Report

Full-text available

Jan 2011

Interspecific competition between stream‐dwelling brown trout and Alpine bullhead

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2003
J FISH BIOL

Density and composition of benthic invertebrates and the diet of brown trout Salmo trutta and Alpine bullhead Cottus poecilopus were studied at two sites in one Norwegian stream. The sites were separated by an impassable waterfall, and brown trout density was five to 10 times higher at the upper, allopatric site than downstream where it lived in sympatry with the Alpine bullhead. Benthic invertebrate communities did not differ between sites; however, the size distribution of chironomids and trichopterans were skewed towards lighter individuals at the sympatric site. Diet composition suggested that sympatric brown trout foraged more on invertebrate drift and from the surface than allopatric brown trout. Alpine bullhead diet did not differ significantly from brown trout diet, except that the Alpine bullhead fed on heavier individual prey within a few taxa and did not consume chironomid pupae or surface insects. The collected data support the hypothesis that brown trout living in sympatry with Alpine bullhead feed at locations with higher predation risk, which is a probable explanation for their lower population density.

Niche overlap between young brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Siberian sculpin (Cottus poecilopus) in a subalpine Norwegian river

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2004

The density, diet and habitat use of brown trout (Salmo trutta) and Siberian sculpin (Cottus poecilopus) were studied in the subalpine River Atna in southeastern Norway in the autumn during a six year period (1986–1991). There was an inverse relationship between the density of brown trout and Siberian sculpin. Diet overlap, as indicated by the Schoener index, was high between the two species, ranging between 0.48 and 0.86. Chironomid larvae and other aquatic insects were the most common food items for both species. Brown trout also consumed substantive amounts of surface insects. Siberian sculpin typically occupied sites with finer substrates and greater water depths than brown trout, even though there was considerable overlap in habitat use between the two species. Because the two species shared similar habitats, we suggest that the potential for species interactions exists, particularly at sites where density of sculpin is high.

Estimating Population Parameters From Catches Large Relative to the Population

Article

Oct 1967

Where two successive catches, c1 and c2 are taken with the same effort from a population, an estimate of the size of the population, ñ, is given by

\tilde{n}=c_{1}{}^{2}/(c_{1}-c_{2})

, with a variance

{\rm var}\ [\tilde{n}]=[c_{1}{}^{2}c_{2}{}^{2}(c_{1}+c_{2})]/(c_{1}-c_{2})^{4}

Estimates from more than two successive catches, from single catches and of mortality rates are discussed and formulae given. Simple mark-recapture experiments can be combined with repeated catch experiments.

Resource use by juvenile brown trout and Alpine bullhead: Influence of interspecific versus intraspecific competition

Article

Apr 2014
ECOL FRESHW FISH

Stream-dwelling salmonids and bullheads occupy similar resource niches in northern rivers. It is therefore tempting to assume that they might be involved in a competitive interaction, with potential implications for the habitat use and growth of brown trout (Salmo trutta). We conducted artificial-stream experiments to test whether a putative competitor, Alpine bullhead (Cottus poecilopus), had an effect on the habitat use of under-yearling (0+) and yearling (1+) trout. We hypothesised that (i) 1+ trout would be competitively superior to 0+ trout, forcing the younger fish to suboptimal habitats, and that (ii) bullhead might affect the habitat use and prey selection of 0+ trout but less so that of 1+ trout. Against our predictions, no effect of bullhead was found on the habitat use of either age class of brown trout. Instead, yearling trout seemed to force bullheads to suboptimal microhabitats with high current velocities. Presence of yearlings also decreased the growth of under-yearling fish and caused a shift in their diet composition. These findings suggest that competitive interactions may not limit the coexistence of brown trout and bullheads in boreal rivers. Intraspecific interactions between trout age classes may be more important, with potentially detrimental effects on the growth and overwintering success of 0+ trout.

Handbook of European Freshwater Fish

Book

Sep 2007

Geographic Analysis of Thermal Equilibria: A Conceptual Model for Evaluating the Effect of Natural and Modified Thermal Regimes on Aquatic Insect Communities

Article

May 1980

Adult body size and fecundity of several species of hemimetabolous aquatic insects were shown to depend largely on thermal conditions during larval growth. We suggest that an "optimum" thermal regime exists where adult size and fecundity are maximized; temperature regimes warmer or cooler than the "optimum'' result in small and less fecund adults. Two hypotheses concerning river water temperatures and size variation of adult insects are described. First, maximum adult size reflects an equilibrium between several developmental processes that appear highly temperature dependent, viz., (i) the rate and duration of larval growth, and (ii) the specific time in larval development that adult structures begin maturing and the rate of this maturation process. Second, a species distribution both locally within drainage systems and over a large geographic area is limited, in part, by lowered fecundity as adult size gradually diminishes in streams of increasingly cold or warm temperature cycles. The importance of riv...

The temperature dependence of embryonic and larval development in Protonemura intricata (Plecoptera: Nemouridae)

Article

May 2006
FRESHWATER BIOL

1. Egg development and larval growth of Protonemura intricata (Ris, 1902) (Plecoptera: Nemouridae) were studied in the laboratory and in the Breitenbach, a small stream-in Germany (F.R.G.). 2. The mean number of eggs in batches collected from the field was 627 (S=314). 3. Mean batching success in the laboratory was 60–100% at 2–18°C. Cumulative hatch in individual batches could be described by asymmetrically sigmoid curves. The length of the hatching period was positively correlated with the length of the incubation period. 4. The incubation period of I', intricata normally consists of an initial dormancy followed by subsequent development. The length of embryonic development (Y. days) is strongly inversely temperature (T, °C) dependent and can be described by the equation: 5. The length of dormancy is dependent on oviposition dale, and is shorter the later that the eggs are laid. It also depends on temperature during incubation and is increased by rising temperatures. As a consequence, larvae hatch more or less synchronously in the field during autumn. Total incubation period, i.e. dormancy and actual development, exhibits a complex dependence on both incubation temperature and oviposition date. Under constant laboratory temperatures, a late sharp fall in temperature can terminate dormancy earlier. 6. Photoperiod probably induces dormancy and may already act on the last larval instars of the parent generation. The dormancy of P. intricata is classified as an oligopause (Müller. 1970, 1976). 7. In the laboratory. P. intricata larvae from early batches with long dormancy grew faster than larvae from late batches with direct development. Final size was the same in both cases. This acted against the population synchrony induced through egg dormancy. Benthos samples suggest the same in the field. 8. Avoidance of the suboptimal summer conditions in streams by the cold stenothermous P. intricata is suggested to partly explain the success of the species, which contributes more to total emergence biomass than do other Plecoptera in the Breitenbach.

Competitive habitat displacement of brown trout by Siberian sculpin: The role of size and density

Article

Feb 2003
J FISH BIOL

Habitat competition in brown trout Salmo trutta and Siberian sculpin Cottus poecilopus was investigated by varying density, fish size, and species composition in stream channels providing areas of different substratum particle sizes. In allopatry, both small (52 ± 4 mm LT) and large (86 ± 6 mm LT) brown trout exhibited strong preference for the intermediate (8–11 cm diameter) and large (17–21 cm) gravel substrata. There was a tendency for more brown trout to occupy finer (2–4 cm) substrata with increasing density, in particular for large brown trout. Also, more small brown trout were observed on finer substrata when tested with large brown trout, suggesting interspecific competition for restricted space. Both small (56 ± 6 mm LT) and large (88 ± 10 mm LT) Siberian sculpin preferred the large gravel in all tests, and did not change their substratum preferences much with increasing densities, suggesting higher tolerance for ‘crowding’. The large Siberian sculpin preferred the coarser substratum, and the largest individuals were consistently found on it. In sympatry with large Siberian sculpin, habitat displacement of brown trout occurred, indicative of interspecific competition. A higher proportion of small and large brown trout occupied the finer substrata than in allopatry. Habitat selection by large Siberian sculpin appeared to be unaffected by species composition and density. Small Siberian sculpin were displaced to finer substrata when tested with large Siberian sculpin, suggesting intraspecific competition. The results indicate that Siberian sculpin are potential habitat competitors for young brown trout.