Convoluted shorelines confound diel‐range estimates of radio‐tracked fish
Brendan C. Ebner A B E , Mark Lintermans A C , Mark Jekabsons A and Mark Dunford A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Parks, Conservation & Lands, Department of Territory & Municipal Services,ACT Government, GPO Box 158, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
B Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia.
C Present address: Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, Australia.
D Present address: Geospatial and Earth Monitoring Division, Geoscience Australia,GPO Box 378, Canberra, ACT 2609, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: b.ebner@griffith.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 61(12) 1360-1365 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10043
Submitted: 19 February 2010 Accepted: 3 August 2010 Published: 13 December 2010
Abstract
Understanding the spatial ecology of animals is an important part of conserving biodiversity. In this context, manual radio‐tracking is a primary means for understanding the movement of freshwater fish. Our aim was to determine the suitability of using linear or area‐based estimates to quantify diel use of space by Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica (Percichthyidae), in a reservoir. Area‐based estimates were calculated as minimum convex polygons (MCPs). Four‐hourly radio‐tracking of 23 adults within diel periods resulted in 136 pairs of linear and area‐based estimates. We encountered problems with MCPs that were not associated with outlying radio‐fixes. MCPs were more likely to overlap with land as the extent of an individual’s range increased. Corrections were applied to account for land intersecting with MCPs (33.1% of cases); however, underestimates of diel range occurred in most of these cases. MCPs were also small despite substantial movement along one dimension if individuals occupied only straight‐edged sections of the reservoir and did not traverse bays or peninsulas (8.1% of estimates). Mean (±s.e.) diel‐range length was 516 ± 89 m (n = 23) and records varied from 6 to 1972 m. In waterways with convoluted shorelines, linear estimates of diel range are more reliable than area‐based estimates derived from manual radio‐tracking.
Additional keywords: bias, minimum convex polygon, Percichthyidae, radio‐tracking, reservoir, threatened species.
References
Abell, R., Thieme, M. L., Revenga, C., Bryer, M., Kottelat, M., et al. (2008). Freshwater ecoregions of the world: a new map of biogeographic units for freshwater biodiversity conservation. Bioscience 58, 403–414.| Freshwater ecoregions of the world: a new map of biogeographic units for freshwater biodiversity conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baras, E. (1998). Selection of optimal positioning intervals in fish tracking: an experimental study on Barbus barbus. Hydrobiologia 371/372, 19–28.
| Selection of optimal positioning intervals in fish tracking: an experimental study on Barbus barbus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baumgartner, L. J. (2007). Diet and feeding habits of predatory fishes upstream and downstream of a low‐level weir. Journal of Fish Biology 70, 879–894.
| Diet and feeding habits of predatory fishes upstream and downstream of a low‐level weir.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Börger, L., Franconi, N., Ferretti, F., Meschi, F., De Michele, G., et al. (2006a). An integrated approach to identify spatio‐temporal and individual‐level determinants of animal home range size. The American Naturalist 168, 471–485.
| An integrated approach to identify spatio‐temporal and individual‐level determinants of animal home range size.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17004219PubMed |
Börger, L., Franconi, N., De Michele, G., Gantz, A., Meschi, F., et al. (2006b). Effects of sampling regime on the mean and variance of home range size estimates. Journal of Animal Ecology 75, 1393–1405.
| Effects of sampling regime on the mean and variance of home range size estimates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17032372PubMed |
Bunnell, D. B., Isely, J. J., Burrell, K. H., and Van Lear, D. H. (1998). Diel movement of brown trout in a Southern Appalachian river. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 127, 630–636.
| Diel movement of brown trout in a Southern Appalachian river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burgman, M. A., and Fox, J. C. (2003). Bias in species range estimates from minimum convex polygons: implications for conservation and options for improved planning. Animal Conservation 6, 19–28.
| Bias in species range estimates from minimum convex polygons: implications for conservation and options for improved planning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Butler, G. L. (2001). Age, growth and telemetric tracking of the eastern freshwater cod, Maccullochella ikei (Pisces: Percichthyidae), within the Mann–Nymboida River System, NSW. Honours Thesis, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW.
Cadwallader, P. L., and Eden, A. K. (1979). Observations on the food of Macquarie Perch, Macquaria australasica (Pisces: Percichthyidae) in Victoria. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 30, 401–409.
| Observations on the food of Macquarie Perch, Macquaria australasica (Pisces: Percichthyidae) in Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cooke, S. J. (2008). Biotelemetry in endangered species research and animal conservation: relevance to regional, national, and IUCN Red List threat assessments. Endangered Species Research 4, 165–185.
| Biotelemetry in endangered species research and animal conservation: relevance to regional, national, and IUCN Red List threat assessments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Crook, D. A. (2004a). Is the home range concept compatible with the movements of two species of lowland river fish? Journal of Animal Ecology 73, 353–366.
| Is the home range concept compatible with the movements of two species of lowland river fish?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Crook, D. A. (2004b). Movements associated with home‐range establishment by two species of lowland river fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 61, 2183–2193.
| Movements associated with home‐range establishment by two species of lowland river fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Crook, D. A., Robertson, A. I., King, A. J., and Humphries, P. (2001). The influence of spatial scale and habitat arrangement on diel patterns of habitat use by two lowland river fishes. Oecologia 129, 525–533..
Ebner, B. (2006). Murray cod an apex predator in the Murray River, Australia. Ecology Freshwater Fish 15, 510–520.
| Murray cod an apex predator in the Murray River, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ebner, B. C., and Thiem, J. D. (2009). Monitoring by telemetry reveals differences in movement and survival following hatchery or wild‐rearing of an endangered fish. Marine and Freshwater Research 60, 45–57.
| Monitoring by telemetry reveals differences in movement and survival following hatchery or wild‐rearing of an endangered fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ebner, B., Broadhurst, B., Lintermans, M., and Jekabsons, M. (2007). A possible false negative: lack of evidence for trout predation on a remnant population of the endangered Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica, in Cotter Reservoir, Australia. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 41, 231–237.
| A possible false negative: lack of evidence for trout predation on a remnant population of the endangered Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica, in Cotter Reservoir, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ebner, B., Johnston, L., and Lintermans, M. (2009a). Radio‐tagging and tracking of translocated trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis: Percichthyidae) in an upland river. Marine and Freshwater Research 60, 346–355.
| Radio‐tagging and tracking of translocated trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis: Percichthyidae) in an upland river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ebner, B. C., Lintermans, M., Jekabsons, M., Dunford, M., and Andrews, W. (2009b). A cautionary tale: surrogates for radio‐tagging practice do not always simulate responses by closely‐related species. Marine and Freshwater Research 60, 371–378.
| A cautionary tale: surrogates for radio‐tagging practice do not always simulate responses by closely‐related species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fausch, K. D., Torgersen, C. E., Baxter, C. V., and Li, H. W. (2002). Landscapes to riverscapes: Bridging the gap between research and conservation of stream fishes. Bioscience 52, 483–498.
| Landscapes to riverscapes: Bridging the gap between research and conservation of stream fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gerking, S. D. (1953). Evidence for the concepts of home range and territory in stream fishes. Ecology 34, 347–365.
| Evidence for the concepts of home range and territory in stream fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gust, N., and Handasyde, K. (1995). Seasonal variation in the ranging behaviour of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) on the Goulburn River, Victoria. Australian Journal of Zoology 43, 193–208.
| Seasonal variation in the ranging behaviour of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) on the Goulburn River, Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Guy, C. S., Willis, D. W., and Jackson, J. J. (1994). Biotelemetry of white crappies in a South Dakota glacial lake. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 123, 63–70.
| Biotelemetry of white crappies in a South Dakota glacial lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hanson, K. C., Cooke, S. J., Suski, C. D., Niezgoda, G., Phelan, F. J. S., et al. (2007). Assessment of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) behaviour and activity at multiple spatial and temporal scales utilizing a whole‐lake telemetry array. Hydrobiologia 582, 243–256.
| Assessment of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) behaviour and activity at multiple spatial and temporal scales utilizing a whole‐lake telemetry array.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hesthagen, T. (1990). Home range of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, and brown trout, Salmo trutta in a Norwegian stream. Freshwater Biology 24, 63–67.
| Home range of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, and brown trout, Salmo trutta in a Norwegian stream.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hodder, K. H., Masters, J. E. G., Beaumont, W. R. C., Gozlan, R. E., Pinder, A. C., et al. (2007). Techniques for evaluating the spatial behaviour of river fish. Hydrobiologia 582, 257–269.
| Techniques for evaluating the spatial behaviour of river fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, G. P. (1984). The influence of habitat and behavioural interactions on the local distribution of the wrasse, Pseudolabrus celidotus. Environmental Biology of Fishes 10, 43–57.
| The influence of habitat and behavioural interactions on the local distribution of the wrasse, Pseudolabrus celidotus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, M. J., and Stuart, I. G. (2007). Movements and habitat use of use of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii peelii) juveniles in a large lowland Australian river. Ecology Freshwater Fish 16, 210–220..
Knight, C. M., Kenward, R. E., Gozlan, R. E., Hodder, K. H., Walls, S. S., et al. (2009). Home‐range estimation within complex restricted environments: importance of method selection in detecting seasonal change. Wildlife Research 36, 213–224.
| Home‐range estimation within complex restricted environments: importance of method selection in detecting seasonal change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Koehn, J. D., Nicol, S. J., McKenzie, J. A., Lieschke, J. A., Lyon, J. P., et al. (2008). Spatial ecology of an endangered native Australian percichthyid fish, the trout cod Maccullochella macquariensis. Endangered Species Research 4, 219–225.
| Spatial ecology of an endangered native Australian percichthyid fish, the trout cod Maccullochella macquariensis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mace, G. M., and Harvey, P. (1983). Energetic constraints on home range size. American Naturalist 121, 120–132.
| Energetic constraints on home range size.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maitland, P. S. (1995). The conservation of freshwater fish: past and present experience. Biological Conservation 72, 259–270.
| The conservation of freshwater fish: past and present experience.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Minns, C. K. (1995). Allometry of home range size in lake and river fishes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52, 1499–1508.
| Allometry of home range size in lake and river fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mlewa, C. M., Green, J. M., and Simms, A. (2005). Movement and habitat use by the marbled lungfish Protopterus aethiopicus Heckel 1851 in Lake Baringo, Kenya. Hydrobiologia 537, 229–238.
| Movement and habitat use by the marbled lungfish Protopterus aethiopicus Heckel 1851 in Lake Baringo, Kenya.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nakano, S. (1995). Individual differences in resource use, growth and emigration under the influence of a dominance hierarchy in fluvial red‐spotted masu salmon in a natural habitat. Journal of Animal Ecology 64, 75–84.
| Individual differences in resource use, growth and emigration under the influence of a dominance hierarchy in fluvial red‐spotted masu salmon in a natural habitat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nicol, S. J., Barker, R. J., Koehn, J. D., and Burgman, M. (2007). Structural habitat selection by the critically endangered trout cod, Maccullochella macquariensis, Cuvier. Biological Conservation 138, 30–37.
| Structural habitat selection by the critically endangered trout cod, Maccullochella macquariensis, Cuvier.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ovidio, M., Phillippart, J.‐C., and Baras, E. (2000). Methodological bias in home range and mobility estimates when locating radio‐tagged trout, Salmo trutta, at different time intervals. Aquatic Living Resources 13, 449–454.
| Methodological bias in home range and mobility estimates when locating radio‐tagged trout, Salmo trutta, at different time intervals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Paukert, C. P., Willis, D. W., and Bouchard, M. A. (2004). Movement, home range, and site fidelity of bluegills in a Great Plains Lake. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24, 154–161.
| Movement, home range, and site fidelity of bluegills in a Great Plains Lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Reebs, S. G. (2002). Plasticity of diel and circadian activity rhythms in fishes. Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 12, 349–371.
| Plasticity of diel and circadian activity rhythms in fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rice, J. C. (2005). Understanding fish habitat ecology to achieve conservation. Journal of Fish Biology 67, 1–22.
| Understanding fish habitat ecology to achieve conservation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ryan, K. A., Ebner, B. C., and Norris, R. H. (2008). Radio‐tracking interval effects on the accuracy of diel scale crayfish movement variables. Freshwater Crayfish 16, 87–92..
Simaika, J. P., and Samways, M. J. (2010). Large‐scale estimators of threatened freshwater catchment species relative to practical conservation management. Biological Conservation 143, 311–320.
| Large‐scale estimators of threatened freshwater catchment species relative to practical conservation management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Simpson, R. R., and Mapleston, A. J. (2002). Movements and habitat use by the endangered Australian freshwater Mary River cod, Maccullochella peelii mariensis. Environmental Biology of Fishes 65, 401–410.
| Movements and habitat use by the endangered Australian freshwater Mary River cod, Maccullochella peelii mariensis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Snedden, G. A., Kelso, W. E., and Rutherford, D. A. (1999). Diel and seasonal patterns of spotted gar movement and habitat use in the lower Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 128, 144–154.
| Diel and seasonal patterns of spotted gar movement and habitat use in the lower Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thiem, J. D., Ebner, B. C., and Broadhurst, B. T. (2008). Diel activity of the endangered trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis) in the Murrumbidgee River. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 129, 167–173..
