Premium
Success of a large riverine cyprinid smallmouth yellowfish L abeobarbus aeneus in a southern A frican impoundment
Author(s) -
Ellender B. R.,
Weyl O. L. F.,
Winker H.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
fisheries management and ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1365-2400
pISSN - 0969-997X
DOI - 10.1111/fme.12154
Subject(s) - juvenile , biology , population , ecology , aquatic science , fishery , colonisation , aquatic ecosystem , colonization , demography , sociology
Abstract Rheophilic cyprinids have been detrimentally affected by impoundments, which alter flow regimes, the physical environment and block migration routes. Initial evidence for a southern African cyprinid, smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus , suggested that dependence on riverine spawning areas limits their success within the turbid impoundments of the Orange River system. However, well‐established impoundment populations have since been documented. A comprehensive assessment of L. aeneus biology and population dynamics was undertaken to understand the drivers of successful colonisation in Lake Gariep, South Africa's largest impoundment. Labeobarbus aeneus exhibited slow growth, delayed maturity and longevity, most likely resulting in slow population growth rates. Highest adult and juvenile abundances were observed >100 km from the inflowing Orange River during the peak and post‐spawning seasons, respectively, suggesting that the species displays high ecological plasticity and may not be dependent on inflowing rivers for spawning. Meta‐analyses of life history parameters indicated consistency among riverine and lacustrine populations. Although experiencing an initial lag phase, L. aeneus has successfully adapted to the lacustrine environment.