Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Diel vertical migration of fish in a Neotropical reservoir

I. G. Prado A B C and P. S. Pompeu A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Laboratório de Ecologia de Peixes. Setor de Ecologia, Departamento de Biologia – Universidade Federal de Lavras. Campus Universitário, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-000, Brazil.

B Pisces – Consultoria e Serviços Ambientais, Rua Comandante Vilas Boas 35, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-000, Brazil.

C Corresponding author. Email: ivogaviaoprado@gmail.com

Marine and Freshwater Research 68(6) 1070-1078 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF16009
Submitted: 9 January 2016  Accepted: 8 August 2016   Published: 13 September 2016

Abstract

Vertical distribution of fish was studied immediately upstream of the Três Marias hydroelectric power plant dam from December 2010 to December 2011. Eighteen field trips were conducted for hydroacoustic sampling over a period of 24 h each time, with 6-h diel sampling intervals within each of the 18 sample dates. Gill nets were used to collect information on fish species composition and length. The greater fish abundance near the surface during the night and at higher depths during the daytime over a 1-day period suggests that the behavioural phenomenon known as diel vertical migration occurs at Três Marias reservoir. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the occurrence of diel vertical migration of fish in a Neotropical reservoir, the possible relationship with the operation of the hydroelectric power plant and the variables that may affect fish distribution in water column. Analysis of some limnological and operational variables showed that water transparency, temperature and dissolved oxygen were correlated with vertical fish distribution patterns. These results are important for proposing management measures to mitigate the effects of hydroelectric power plants on fish, such as fish passage through turbines.

Additional keywords: freshwater fish, hydroacoustics, management, migratory behaviour, Três Marias reservoir.


References

Adams, C. F., Foy, R. J., Kelley, J. J., and Coyl, K. O. (2009). Seasonal changes in the diel vertical migration of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the northern Gulf of Alaska. Environmental Biology of Fishes 86, 297–305.
Seasonal changes in the diel vertical migration of walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) in the northern Gulf of Alaska.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Agência Nacional de Energial Elétrica (2008). ‘Atlas de energia elétrica do Brasil.’ (ANEEL: Brasília, Brazil.)

Appenzeller, A. R., and Leggett, W. C. (1995). An evaluation of light-mediated vertical migration of fish based on hydroacoustic analysis of the diel vertical movements of rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52, 504–511.
An evaluation of light-mediated vertical migration of fish based on hydroacoustic analysis of the diel vertical movements of rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Barletta, M., Jaureguizar, A. J., Baigun, C., Fontoura, N. F., Agostinho, A. A., Almeida-Val, V. M. F., Val, A. L., Torres, R. A., Jimenes-Segura, L. F., Giarrizzo, T., Fabre, N. N., Batista, V. S., Lasso, C., Taphorn, D. C., Costa, M. F., Chaves, P. T., Vieira, J. P., and Correa, M. F. M. (2010). Fish and aquatic habitat conservation in South America: a continental overview with emphasis on neotropical systems. Journal of Fish Biology 76, 2118–2176.
Fish and aquatic habitat conservation in South America: a continental overview with emphasis on neotropical systems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3crhtlensg%3D%3D&md5=dd3117b80d51299fdeb598c150dcc50eCAS | 20557657PubMed |

Baxter, R. M. (1977). Environmental effects of dams and impoundments. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 8, 255–283.
Environmental effects of dams and impoundments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bezerra-Neto, J. F., and Pinto-Coelho, R. M. (2002). Migração vertical das larvas de Chaoborus brasiliensis (Theobald 1901) (Diptera, Chaoboridae) em um reservatório tropical: Lagoa do Nado, Belo Horizonte, estado de Minas Gerais. Acta Scientiarum 24, 329–336.

Bezerra-Neto, J. F., Mello, N., Maia-Barbosa, P. M., and Pinto-Coelho, R. M. (2009). The role of predation in the diel vertical migration of zooplankton in two tropical freshwaters ecosystems. Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia 21, 45–56.

BioSonics Inc. (2004). ‘Calibration of BioSonics Digital Scientific Echosounder Using T/C Calibration Spheres.’ (BioSonics Inc: Seattle, WA, USA.)

Brandt, S. B. (1996). Acoustic assessment of fish abundance and distribuition. In ‘Fisheries Techniques’. (Eds R. B. Murphy and D.W. Willis.) pp. 385–419 (American Fisheries Society: Bethesda, MD, USA.)

Brett, J. R. (1971). Energetic response of salmon to temperature: a study of some thermal relations in the physiology and freshwater ecology of sockeye salmon. American Zoologist 11, 99–113.
Energetic response of salmon to temperature: a study of some thermal relations in the physiology and freshwater ecology of sockeye salmon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Britski, H. A., Sato, Y., and Rosa, A. B. S. (1984). ‘Manual de identificação de peixes da região de Três Marias.’ (Câmara Dos Deputados/CODEVASF: Brasília, Brazil.)

Busch, S., and Mehner, T. (2009). Hydroacoustic estimates of fish population depths and densities at increasingly longer time scales. International Review of Hydrobiology 94, 91–102.
Hydroacoustic estimates of fish population depths and densities at increasingly longer time scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Da Silva, A. M. A., Medeiros, P. R., Silva, M. C. B. C., and Barbosa, J. E. L. (2011). Diel vertical migration and distribution of zooplankton in a tropical Brazilian reservoir. Biotemas 22, 49–57.
Diel vertical migration and distribution of zooplankton in a tropical Brazilian reservoir.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dodson, S. I. (1988). The ecological role of chemical stimuli for the zooplankton: predator-avoidance behavior in Daphnia. Limnology and Oceanography 33, 1431–1439.

Esteves, F. A., Amorim, J. C., Cardoso, E. L., and Barbosa, F. A. R. (1985). Caracterização limnológica preliminar da Represa de Três Marias (MG) com base em alguns parâmetros ambientais básicos. Ciencia e Cultura 37, 608–617.

Foote, K. G. (1987). Fish targets strengths for use in echo integrator surveys. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 82, 981–987.
Fish targets strengths for use in echo integrator surveys.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Foote, K. G., Knudsen, H. P., Vestnes, G., MacLennan, D. N., and Simmonds, E. J. (1987) ‘Calibration of Acoustic Instruments for Fish Density Estimation: a Practical Guide.’ (ICES: Copenhagen, Denmark.)

Gal, G., Loew, E. R., Rudstam, L. G., and Mohammadian, A. M. (1999). Light and diel vertical migration: spectral sensitivity and light avoidance by Mysis relicta. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 56, 311–322.
Light and diel vertical migration: spectral sensitivity and light avoidance by Mysis relicta.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gaudreau, N., and Boisclair, D. (2000). Influence of moon phase on acoustic estimates of the abundance of fish performing daily horizontal migration in a small oligotrophic lake. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 57, 581–590.
Influence of moon phase on acoustic estimates of the abundance of fish performing daily horizontal migration in a small oligotrophic lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Ghidini, A. R., and dos Santos-Silva, E. N. (2011). Composition, species richness and patterns of nycthemeral vertical distribution of planktonic cladocereans in a black water Amazonian lake. Nauplius 19, 101–119.
Composition, species richness and patterns of nycthemeral vertical distribution of planktonic cladocereans in a black water Amazonian lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Godinho, H. P., and Godinho, A. L. (2003). ‘Águas, peixes e pescadores do São Francisco das Minas Gerais.’ (PUC Minas: Belo Horizonte, Brazil.)

Hamrin, S. F. (1986). Vertical distribution and habitat partitioning between different size classes of Vendace, Coregonus albula, in thermally stratified lakes. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 43, 1617–1625.
Vertical distribution and habitat partitioning between different size classes of Vendace, Coregonus albula, in thermally stratified lakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Harvey, B. C., and Stewart, A. J. (1991). Fish size and habitat depth relationships in headwater streams. Oecologia 87, 336–342.
Fish size and habitat depth relationships in headwater streams.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hrabik, T. R., Jensen, O. P., Martell, S. J. D., Walters, C. J., and Kitchell, J. F. (2006). Diel vertical migration in the Lake Superior pelagic community. I. Changes in vertical migration of coregonids in response to varying predation risk. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 63, 2286–2295.
Diel vertical migration in the Lake Superior pelagic community. I. Changes in vertical migration of coregonids in response to varying predation risk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hurst, T. P., Cooper, D. W., Scheingross, J. S., Seale, E. M., Laurel, B. J., and Spencer, M. L. (2009). Effects of ontogeny, temperature, and light on vertical movements of larval Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus). Fisheries Oceanography 18, 301–311.
Effects of ontogeny, temperature, and light on vertical movements of larval Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Janssen, J., and Brandt, S. B. (1980). Feeding ecology and vertical migration of adult alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) in Lake Michigan. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 37, 177–184.
Feeding ecology and vertical migration of adult alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) in Lake Michigan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Jensen, O. P., Hansson, S., Didrikas, T., Stockwell, J. D., Hrabik, T. R., Axenrot, T., and Kitchell, J. F. (2011). Foraging, bioenergetic, and predation constraints on diel vertical migration: field observations and modeling of reverse migration by young-of-year herring Clupea harengus. Journal of Fish Biology 78, 449–465.
Foraging, bioenergetic, and predation constraints on diel vertical migration: field observations and modeling of reverse migration by young-of-year herring Clupea harengus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3M7mtFegtw%3D%3D&md5=b3e2e1483430469364e402d89f8980b9CAS | 21284628PubMed |

Junk, W. J., and da Silva, C. J. (1995). Neotropical floodplains: a comparison between the pantanal of Mato Grosso and the large Amazonian river floodplain. In ‘Limnology in Brazil’. (Eds J. G. Tundisi, C. E. M. Bicudo, and T. Matsumura-Tundisi.) pp. 195–218. (Academia Brasileira de Ciências/Sociedade Brasileira de Limnologia: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.)

Krumme, U. (2004). Patterns in tidal migration of fish in a Brazilian mangrove channel as revealed by a split-beam echosounder. Fisheries Research 70, 1–15.
Patterns in tidal migration of fish in a Brazilian mangrove channel as revealed by a split-beam echosounder.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Levy, D. A. (1991). Acoustic analysis of diel vertical migration behavior of Mysis relicta and kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) within Okanagan Lake, British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 48, 67–72.
Acoustic analysis of diel vertical migration behavior of Mysis relicta and kokanee (Oncorhynchus nerka) within Okanagan Lake, British Columbia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Loures, R. C. F. (2011). Avaliação temporal e espacial da comunidade de peixes no canal de fuga da usina hidrelétrica de Três Marias, rio São Francisco, MG. M.Sc. Thesis, Universidade Federal de Lavras.

Loures, R. C., and Pompeu, P. S. (2012). Temporal variation in fish community in the tailrace at Três Marias Hydroelectric Dam, São Francisco River, Brazil. Neotropical Ichthyology 10, 731–740.
Temporal variation in fish community in the tailrace at Três Marias Hydroelectric Dam, São Francisco River, Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Love, R. H. (1971). Dorsal aspect target strength of an individual fish. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 49, 816–823.
Dorsal aspect target strength of an individual fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lucas, M. C., and Barras, E. (2001). ‘Migration of Freshwater Fishes.’ (Blackwell Science: Oxford, UK.)

Luecke, C., and Wurtsbaugh, W. A. (1993). Effects of moonlight and daylight on hydroacoustic estimates of pelagic fish abundance. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 122, 112–120.
Effects of moonlight and daylight on hydroacoustic estimates of pelagic fish abundance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

McCauley, R. W., and Huggins, N. W. (1979). Ontogenetic and nonthermal seasonal effects on thermal preferenda of fish. American Zoologist 19, 267–271.
Ontogenetic and nonthermal seasonal effects on thermal preferenda of fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mehner, T. (2012). Diel vertical migration of freshwater fishes – proximate triggers, ultimate causes and research perspectives. Freshwater Biology 57, 1342–1359.
Diel vertical migration of freshwater fishes – proximate triggers, ultimate causes and research perspectives.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Mehner, T., Kasprzak, P., and Hölker, F. (2007). Exploring ultimate hypotheses to predict diel vertical migrations in coregonid fish. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 64, 874–886.
Exploring ultimate hypotheses to predict diel vertical migrations in coregonid fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Munk, P., Kiorboe, T., and Christensen, V. (1989). Vertical migrations of herring, Clupea harengus, larvae in relation to light and prey distribution. Environmental Biology of Fishes 26, 87–96.
Vertical migrations of herring, Clupea harengus, larvae in relation to light and prey distribution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Neverman, D., and Wurtsbaugh, W. A. (1994). The thermoregulatory function of diel vertical migration for a juvenile fish, Cottus extensus. Oecologia 98, 247–256.
The thermoregulatory function of diel vertical migration for a juvenile fish, Cottus extensus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Parker-Stetter, S. L., Rudstam, L. G., Sullivan, P. J., and Warner, D. M. (2009). ‘Standard Operating Procedures for Fisheries Acoustic Surveys in the Great Lakes.’ (Great Lakes Fishery Commission: Ann Arbor, MI, USA.)

Perticarrari, A., Arcifa, M. S., and Rodrigues, R. A. (2004). Diel vertical migration of copepods in a Brazilian lake: a mechanism for decreasing risk of Chaoborus predation? Brazilian Journal of Biology 64, 289–298.
Diel vertical migration of copepods in a Brazilian lake: a mechanism for decreasing risk of Chaoborus predation?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2cvpsVWhsg%3D%3D&md5=471535d4a1542ac57f2cbccfdba8e2e1CAS |

Pompeu, P. S., and Godinho, H. P. (2003). Dieta e estrutura trófica das comunidades de peixes de três lagoas marginais do médio São Francisco. In ‘Águas, peixes e pescadores do São Francisco das Minas Gerais’. (Eds H. P Godinho and A. L. Godinho.) pp. 183–194. (PUC Minas: Belo Horizonte, Brazil.)

Prado, I. G., and Pompeu, P. S. (2014). Vertical and seasonal distribution of fish in Três Marias reservoir. Lake and Reservoir Management 30, 393–404.
Vertical and seasonal distribution of fish in Três Marias reservoir.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Probst, W. N., and Eckmann, R. (2009). The influence of light on the diel vertical migration of young-of-the-year burbot Lota lota in Lake Constance. Journal of Fish Biology 74, 150–166.
The influence of light on the diel vertical migration of young-of-the-year burbot Lota lota in Lake Constance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3cjnt1OnsQ%3D%3D&md5=e87314ea0bff36af768f10c6a0d9f2a2CAS | 20735530PubMed |

Rechencq, M., Sosnovsky, A., Macchi, P., Alvear, P., and Vigliano, P. (2011). Extensive diel fish migrations in a deep ultraoligotrophic lake of Patagonia Argentina. Hydrobiologia 658, 147–161.
Extensive diel fish migrations in a deep ultraoligotrophic lake of Patagonia Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rowe, D. K., and Chisnall, B. L. (1995). Effects of oxygen, temperature and light gradients on the vertical distribution of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in two North Island, New Zealand, lakes differing in trophic status. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 29, 421–434.
Effects of oxygen, temperature and light gradients on the vertical distribution of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, in two North Island, New Zealand, lakes differing in trophic status.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Sampaio, E. V., and López, C. M. (2003). Limnologias física, química e biológica da represa de Três Marias e do São Francisco. In ‘Águas, peixes e pescadores do São Francisco das Minas Gerais’. (Eds H. P. Godinho and A. L. Godinho.) pp. 71–92. (PUC Minas: Belo Horizonte.)

Sato, Y., and Godinho, H. P. (2003). Migratory fishes of the São Francisco River. In ‘Migratory Fishes of South America: Biology, Fisheries, and Conservation Status’. (Eds J. Carolsfeld, B. Harvey, C. Ross and A. Baer.) pp. 199–232. (World Fisheries Trust: Victoria, BC, Canada.)

Scheuerell, M. D., and Schindler, D. E. (2003). Diel vertical migration by juvenile sockeye salmon: empirical evidence for the antipredation window. Ecology 84, 1713–1720.
Diel vertical migration by juvenile sockeye salmon: empirical evidence for the antipredation window.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Semyalo, R., Nattabi, J. K., and Larsson, P. (2009). Diel vertical migration of zooplankton in a eutrophic bay of Lake Victoria. Hydrobiologia 635, 383–394.
Diel vertical migration of zooplankton in a eutrophic bay of Lake Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Simmonds, E. J., and MacLennan, Z. N. (2005). ‘Fisheries Acoustics: Theory and Practice.’ 2nd edn. (Blackwell: Oxford, UK.)

Sims, D. W., Wearmouth, V. J., Southall, E. J., Hill, J. M., Moore, P., Rawlinson, K., Hutchinson, N., Budd, G. C., Righton, D., Metcalfe, J. D., Nash, J. P., and Morritt, D. (2006). Hunt warm, rest cool: bioenergetic strategy underlying diel vertical migration of a benthic shark. Journal of Animal Ecology 75, 176–190.
Hunt warm, rest cool: bioenergetic strategy underlying diel vertical migration of a benthic shark.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16903055PubMed |

Stensholt, B., Aglen, A., Mehl, S., and Stensholt, E. (2002). Vertical density distributions of fish, a balance between environmental and physiological limitation. ICES Journal of Marine Science 59, 679–710.
Vertical density distributions of fish, a balance between environmental and physiological limitation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Stockwell, J. D., Hrabik, T. R., Jensen, O. P., Yule, D. L., and Balge, M. (2010). Empirical evaluation of predator-driven diel vertical migration in Lake Superior. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 67, 473–485.
Empirical evaluation of predator-driven diel vertical migration in Lake Superior.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Taylor, J. C., and Maxwell, S. L. (2007). Hydroacoustics: Lakes and Reservoirs. In ‘Salmonid Field Protocols Handbook: Techniques for Assessing Status and Trends in Salmon and Trout Populations (Ed D. H. Johnson.) pp. 153–172. (American Fisheries Society in Association with State of the Salmon: Herndon, VA, USA.)

Weng, K. C., and Block, B. A. (2004). Diel vertical migration of the bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus), a species possessing orbital retia mirabilia. Fishery Bulletin 102, 221–229.

Wojtal-Frankiewicz, A., Frankiewicz, P., Jurczak, T., Grennan, J., and McCarthy, T. K. (2010). Comparison of fish and phantom midge influence on cladocerans diel vertical migration in a dual basin lake. Aquatic Ecology 44, 243–254.
Comparison of fish and phantom midge influence on cladocerans diel vertical migration in a dual basin lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXit1antLk%3D&md5=eb1bfdb2f88f57a8fbc5b874cb2e966eCAS |

Zhou, S. C., Huang, X. F., and Cai, Q. H. (2007). Vertical distribution and migration of planktonic rotifers in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 22, 441–449.
Vertical distribution and migration of planktonic rotifers in Xiangxi Bay of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zwolinski, J., Morais, A., Marques, V., Stratoudakis, Y., and Fernandes, P. G. (2007). Diel variation in the vertical distribution and schooling behaviour of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) of Portugal. ICES Journal of Marine Science 64, 963–972.
Diel variation in the vertical distribution and schooling behaviour of sardine (Sardina pilchardus) of Portugal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |