Age, growth, condition and reproduction of roach Rutilus rutilus (Teleostei : Cyprinidae), in south-eastern Australia
Daniel J. Stoessel
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
Department of Environment and Primary Industries, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia. Email: daniel.j.stoessel@depi.vic.gov.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 65(3) 275-281 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF13095
Submitted: 30 January 2013 Accepted: 30 July 2013 Published: 18 October 2013
Abstract
The roach, Rutilus rutilus, endemic to large portions of Europe, was introduced to Australia in 1861. Because of a lack of ecological knowledge of populations in Australia, life-history aspects of specimens collected in 2000 and 2001 from Lake Eildon were investigated. Fish ranged in length (LF) from 83 to 240 mm, in weight from 63 to 187 g and in age from 1.1 to 8.6 years. Parameters of growth for male R. rutilus were L∞ = 209 and t0 = –2.2 (n = 62), for female R. rutilus L∞ = 211 and t0 = –0.8 (n = 147), and for all aged individuals L∞ = 203 and t0 = –1.6 (n = 380). Mean size and age at sexual maturity (Lm50) was 161 mm and 3.6 years for males and 156 mm and 3.3 years for females. Latitudinal variation in environmental conditions, especially temperature, is suggested to be largely responsible for inter-population differences of growth and condition described in the present study.
Additional keywords: freshwater, introduced, life-history.
References
Allen, G. R., Midgley, S. H., and Allen, M. (2003). ‘Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia.’ Revised edn. (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)Arthington, A. H., and McKenzie, F. (1997). Review of impacts of displaced/introduced fauna associated with inland waters, Australia. State of the Environment Technical Paper Series (Inland Waters), Department of Environment, Canberra.
Astronomical Application Department of the United States Naval Observatory (2005). Website of the Astronomical Application Department of the United States Naval Observatory. Available at http://aa.usno.navy.mil/ [accessed on 8 June 2005]
Brown, P., Sivakumaran, K. P., Stoessel, D., and Giles, A. (2005). Population biology of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in the mid-Murray River and Barmah Forest wetlands, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 56, 1151–1164.
| Population biology of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in the mid-Murray River and Barmah Forest wetlands, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brumley, A. R. (1996). Family Cyprinidae–carps, minnows, etc. In ‘Freshwater Fishes of South-eastern Australia’. (Ed. R. McDowall.) pp. 99–106. (Reed Books: Sydney.)
Burrough, R. J., and Kennedy, C. R. (1979). The occurrence and natural alleviation of stunting in a population of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.). Journal of Fish Biology 15, 93–109.
| The occurrence and natural alleviation of stunting in a population of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cadwallader, P. L., and Rogan, P. L. (1977). The Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica (Pisces: Percichyidae), of Lake Eildon, Victoria. Australian Journal of Ecology 2, 409–418.
| The Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica (Pisces: Percichyidae), of Lake Eildon, Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chen, Y., Jackson, D. A., and Harvey, H. H. (1992). A comparison of von Bertalanffy and polynomial functions in modelling fish growth data. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 49, 1228–1235.
| A comparison of von Bertalanffy and polynomial functions in modelling fish growth data.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clements, J. (1988). ‘Salmon at the Antipodes.’ (Eels: Skipton, Vic.)
Cragg-Hine, D., and Jones, J. W. (1969). The growth of dace (Leuciscus leuciscus L.), roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), and chub (Squalius cephalus L.), in willow brook, Northhamptonshire. Journal of Fish Biology 1, 39–82.
Everand, M. (2006). ‘The Complete Book of the Roach.’ (Medlar Press: Ellesmere, UK.)
GEMP (2001). ‘Goulburn Eildon Management Plan – Draft.’ (Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute: Snobs Creek, Vic.)
Goldspink, C. R. (1979). The population density growth rate and production of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) in Tjeukemeer, The Netherlands. Journal of Fish Biology 15, 473–498.
| The population density growth rate and production of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) in Tjeukemeer, The Netherlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hellawell, J. M. (1972). The growth, reproduction and food of the roach Rutilus rutilus L. of the river Lugg, Herefordshire. Journal of Fish Biology 4, 469–486.
| The growth, reproduction and food of the roach Rutilus rutilus L. of the river Lugg, Herefordshire.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holcik, J. (1967). Life history of the roach Rutilus rutilus L. in the Klicava reservoir. Vestnik Ceskoslovenske SpoleCnosti Zoologicke 31, 213–229.
Hughes, L. (2003). Climate change and Australia: trends, projections and impacts. Austral Ecology 28, 423–443.
| Climate change and Australia: trends, projections and impacts.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Humphries, P. (1989). Variation in the life history of diadromous and landlocked populations of the spotted galaxias, Galaxias truttaceus Valenciennes, in Tasmania. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 40, 501–518.
| Variation in the life history of diadromous and landlocked populations of the spotted galaxias, Galaxias truttaceus Valenciennes, in Tasmania.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jamet, J.-L., and Desmolles, F. (1994). Growth, reproduction and condition of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), perch (Perca fluviatilis, L.) and ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus L.) in eutrophic Lake Aydat (France). International Review of Hydrobiology 79, 305–322.
| Growth, reproduction and condition of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.), perch (Perca fluviatilis, L.) and ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus L.) in eutrophic Lake Aydat (France).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Karels, A., and Oikari, A. (2000). Effects of pulp and paper mill effluents on the reproductive and physiological status of perch (Perca fluviatilus L.) and roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) during the spawning period. Annales Zoologici Fennici 37, 65–77.
Kitchell, M., and Ware, E. D. (1975). Report on a proposed land use determination for part of the upper Goulburn water supply catchment. Soil Conservation Authority, Melbourne.
Kortet, R., Taskinen, J., Vainikka, A., and Ylönen, H. (2004). Breeding tubercles, papillomatosis and dominance behaviour of male roach (Rutilus rutilus) during the spawning period. Ethology 110, 591–601.
| Breeding tubercles, papillomatosis and dominance behaviour of male roach (Rutilus rutilus) during the spawning period.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lappalainen, J., and Tarkan, A. S. (2007). Latitudinal gradients in onset date, onset temperature and duration of spawning of roach. Journal of Fish Biology 70, 441–450.
| Latitudinal gradients in onset date, onset temperature and duration of spawning of roach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lappalainen, J., Tarkan, A. S., and Harrod, C. (2008). A meta-analysis of latitudinal variations in life-history traits of roach, Rutilus rutilus, over its geographical range: linear or non-linear relationship? Freshwater Biology 53, 1491–1501.
| A meta-analysis of latitudinal variations in life-history traits of roach, Rutilus rutilus, over its geographical range: linear or non-linear relationship?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
(a) Levene, H. (1960). Robust tests for equality of variances. In ‘Contributions to Probability and Statistics. Essays in Honour of Harold Hotelling’. (Ed. I. Okin.) pp. 278–292. (Stanford University Press: Redwood City, CA.)
Libosvarsky, V. A., Saeed, D. W., and Nemcova, M. (1985). Fecundity of roach in a newly built reservoir. Folia Zoologica 34, 357–372.
Linfield, R. S. J. (1979). Age determination and year class strength in a stunted roach (Rutilus rutilus) population. Journal of Fish Biology 14, 73–87.
| Age determination and year class strength in a stunted roach (Rutilus rutilus) population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Maitland, P. S., and Campbell, R. N. (1992). ‘Freshwater Fisheries.’ (Harper Collins: London.)
Mann, R. H. K. (1991). Growth and production. In ‘Cyprinid Fishes. Systematics, Biology and Exploitation’. (Eds I. J. Winfield and J. S. Nelson.) pp. 456–482. (Chapman and Hall: London.)
Marcum, V. (2007). An observational study of the microhabitat use, dietary habits and inferred impacts of the introduced freshwater fish roach (Rutilus rutilus) in urban creeks. B.Sc.(Hons) Thesis, Monash University, Melbourne.
Mills, C. A. (1988). The effect of extreme northerly climate conditions on the life history of the minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.). Journal of Fish Biology 33, 545–561.
| The effect of extreme northerly climate conditions on the life history of the minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Munro, J. L., and Pauly, D. (1983). A simple method for comparing the growth of fishes and invertebrates. Fishbyte 1, 5–6.
Muus, B. J., and Dahlstrom, P. (1971). ‘The Freshwater Fishes of Britian and Europe.’ (Collins: London.)
Papageorgiou, N. K. (1979). The length weight relationship, age, growth and reproduction of the Roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) in Lake Volvi. Journal of Fish Biology 14, 529–538.
| The length weight relationship, age, growth and reproduction of the Roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) in Lake Volvi.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pauly, D., and Munro, J. L. (1984). Once more on the comparison of growth of fish and invertebrates. Fishbyte 2, 21.
Peczalka, A. (1968). Development and reproduction of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) in the Szczecin Firth. Polskie Archiwum Hydrobiologii 15, 103–120.
Persson, L. (1983). Food consumption and the significance of detritus and algae to intraspecific competition in roach Rutilus rutilus in a shallow eutrophic lake. Oikos 41, 118–125.
| Food consumption and the significance of detritus and algae to intraspecific competition in roach Rutilus rutilus in a shallow eutrophic lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
R Development Core Team (2011). ‘R: a Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna.) Available at http://www.R-project.org [Accessed June 2012].
Rahel, F. J., and Olden, J. D. (2008). Assessing the effects of climate change on aquatic invasive species. Conservation Biology 22, 521–533.
| Assessing the effects of climate change on aquatic invasive species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18577081PubMed |
Ricker, W. E. (1975). Computation and interpretation of biological statistics of fish populations. Bulletin of the Fisheries Research Board, Canada 191, 1–382.
Rowe, D. K., Moore, A., Giorgetti, A., Maclean, C., Grace, P., Wadhwa, S. and Cooke, J. (2008). Review of the impacts of gambusia, redfin perch, tench, roach, yellowfin goby and streaked goby in Australia. Report prepared for the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Canberra.
Schnute, J. (1981). A versatile growth model with statistically stable parameters. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 38, 1128–1140.
| A versatile growth model with statistically stable parameters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Secor, D. H., Dean, J. H., and Laban, E. H. (1991). ‘Manual for Otolith Removal and Preparation for Microstructural Examination.’ (Electric Power Research Institute and Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research: Columbia, SC.)
Simberloff, D., Martin, J. L., Genovesi, P., Maris, V., Wardle, D. A., Aronson, J., Courcamp, F., Galil, B., Garćıa-Berthou, E., Pascal, M., Pyšek, P., Sousa, R., Tabacchi, E., and Vilà, M. (2013). Impacts of biological invasions: what’s what and the way forward. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 28, 58–66.
| Impacts of biological invasions: what’s what and the way forward.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Stoessel, D. (2007). Population biology of roach (Rutilus rutilus L.) in Lake Eildon, Australia. M.Sc. Thesis, Deakin University, Warrnambool, Vic.
Tarkan, A. S. (2006). Reproductive ecology of two cyprininid fishes in an oligotrophic lake near the southern limits of their distribution range. Ecology Freshwater Fish 15, 131–138.
| Reproductive ecology of two cyprininid fishes in an oligotrophic lake near the southern limits of their distribution range.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vilizzi, L., and Walker, K. F. (1999). Age and growth of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. (Cyprinidae), in the River Murray, Australia: validation, consistency of age interpretation and growth models. Environmental Biology of Fishes 54, 77–106.
| Age and growth of the common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. (Cyprinidae), in the River Murray, Australia: validation, consistency of age interpretation and growth models.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vøllestad, L. A., and L’Abee-Lund, J. H. (1987). Reproductive biology of stream spawning roach, Rutilus rutilus. Environmental Biology of Fishes 18, 219–227.
| Reproductive biology of stream spawning roach, Rutilus rutilus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vøllestad, L. A., and L’Abee-Lund, J. H. (1990). Geographic variation in life-history strategy of female roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.). Journal of Fish Biology 37, 853–864.
| Geographic variation in life-history strategy of female roach, Rutilus rutilus (L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Walton, D. W., and Longmore, R. (1989). ‘Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Pisces – Petromyzontidae to Carangidae, 7.’ (Australian Government Publishing Service: Canberra.)
Ware, D. M. (1975). Relation between egg size, growth, and natural mortality of larval fish. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 32, 2503–2512.
| Relation between egg size, growth, and natural mortality of larval fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wood, S. (2012). ‘mgcv: Mixed GAM Computation Vehicle with GCV/AIC/REML Smoothness Estimation. R package Version 1.7-17.’ Available at http://CRAN.R-project.org/package=mgcv [Accessed June 2012].
Zar, J. H. (1984). ‘Biostatistical Analysis.’ 2nd edn. (Prentice Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ.)
Zivkov, M., and Raikova-Petrova, G. (2001). Comparative analysis of age composition, growth rate and condition of roach, Rutilus Rutilus (L.), in three Bulgarian reservoirs. Acta Zoologica Bulgarica 53, 47–60.
