The ongoing invasion of translocated sleepy cod (Oxyeleotris lineolata) in the Lake Eyre Basin, central Australia
David Sternberg A B and Bernie Cockayne A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, 22–30 Wood Street, Mackay, Qld 4740, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: David.Sternberg@dnrme.qld.gov.au
Wildlife Research 45(2) 164-175 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR17140
Submitted: 9 October 2017 Accepted: 10 February 2018 Published: 1 May 2018
Abstract
Context: Present-day distribution records show that Oxyeleotris lineolata (sleepy cod) has colonised many ephemeral streams and refugial waterholes of the Cooper Creek catchment in the Lake Eyre Basin within a decade of the first record or capture. When introduced to new habitats outside its natural range, this species is considered to be a serious conservation risk to native fish species.
Aims: The present study aims to document the transport, establishment, colonisation and integration of O. lineolata in the Lake Eyre Basin, and quantify its impact on native fish assemblages.
Methods: Fish samples were taken annually in 21 waterholes between 2011 and 2016, by using a combination of single- and double-winged fyke nets. We collected novel diet and life-history information from 242 O. lineolata individuals across their known distribution.
Key results: Abundance, length distribution and life-history information suggested a ‘colonising front’ moving downstream, across state jurisdictional boundaries and into the Coongie Lakes Ramsar site. Oxyeleotris lineolata diet is most similar to that of two native generalist invertivore–piscivores and preys on several native fish species. With a derived longevity in excess of 15 years and a life-history strategy that combines batch spawning, high fecundity and parental care (i.e. high juvenile survivorship), there is real potential for O. lineolata to dominate fish assemblages in waterholes that provide refuge for native fishes during dry periods.
Conclusions: The present study showed that O. lineolata has the potential to negatively influence native fish assemblages through both competition and predation in refugial waterholes. Eradication of O. lineolata from the Cooper Creek catchment in central Australia is highly unlikely, given its widespread distribution, the remoteness of the receiving landscape and a current lack of resources to monitor spread and attempt eradication at the moving front of the Cooper Creek population.
Implications: Achieving greater awareness of the potential impacts of introducing or spreading non-native species is an important first step towards preserving the native fish fauna of the Lake Eyre Basin. Further research is warranted to fully understand the current and potential future distribution of O. lineolata in the basin, its biological and ecological requirements, and influence on native fish species and assemblages.
Additional keywords: Cooper Creek catfish, competition, colonising front, piscivory, refugium.
References
Arthington, A. H. (1991). Ecological and genetic impacts of introduced and translocated freshwater fishes in Australia. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 48, 33–43.| Ecological and genetic impacts of introduced and translocated freshwater fishes in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arthington, A. H., and Balcombe, S. R. (2011). Extreme flow variability and the ‘boom and bust’ ecology of fish in arid-zone floodplain rivers: a case history with implications for environmental flows, conservation and management. Ecohydrology 4, 708–720.
| Extreme flow variability and the ‘boom and bust’ ecology of fish in arid-zone floodplain rivers: a case history with implications for environmental flows, conservation and management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arthington, A. H., Balcombe, S. R., Wilson, G. A., Thoms, M. C., and Marshall, J. (2005). Spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblage structure in isolated waterholes during the 2001 dry season of an arid zone river, Cooper Creek, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 56, 25–35.
| Spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblage structure in isolated waterholes during the 2001 dry season of an arid zone river, Cooper Creek, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arthington, A. H., Olden, J. D., Balcombe, S. R., and Thoms, M. C. (2010). Multi-scale environmental factors explain fish losses and refuge quality in drying waterholes of Cooper Creek, an Australian arid-zone river. Marine and Freshwater Research 61, 842–856.
| Multi-scale environmental factors explain fish losses and refuge quality in drying waterholes of Cooper Creek, an Australian arid-zone river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtVansL%2FL&md5=59340501e756831e18b93cb793854e0cCAS |
Balcombe, S. R., Bunn, S. E., McKenzie-Smith, F. J., and Davies, P. E. (2005). Variability of fish diets between dry and flood periods in an arid zone floodplain river. Journal of Fish Biology 67, 1552–1567.
| Variability of fish diets between dry and flood periods in an arid zone floodplain river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Blackburn, T. M., Pyšek, P., Bacher, S., Carlton, J. T., Duncan, R. P., Jarošik, V., Wilson, J. R. U., and Richardson, D. M. (2011). A proposed unified framework for biological invasions. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 26, 333–339.
| A proposed unified framework for biological invasions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bruton, M. (1986). Life History styles of invasive fishes in southern Africa. In ‘The Ecology and Management of Biological Invasions in Southern Africa’. (Eds I. A. W. Macdonald, F. J. Kruger and A. A. Ferrar.) pp. 201–208. (Oxford University Press: Cape Town, South Africa.)
Bunn, S. E., Thoms, M. C., Hamilton, S. K., and Capon, S. J. (2006). Flow variability in dryland rivers: boom, bust and the bits in between. River Research and Applications 22, 179–186.
| Flow variability in dryland rivers: boom, bust and the bits in between.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Burrows, D. W. (2004). ‘Translocated Fishes in Streams of the Wet Tropics Region, North Queensland: Distribution and Potential Impact.’ (Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management: Cairns, Qld.)
Cockayne, B., Schmarr, D., Duguid, A., Colville, S., Mathwin, R., and McNeil, D. (2012). Lake Eyre Basin rivers assessment 2011 monitoring report. A report to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC) Canberra.
Cockayne, B., Schmarr, D., Duguid, A., and Mathwin, R. (2013). Lake Eyre Basin rivers assessment 2012 monitoring report. A report to the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, (DSEWPC), Canberra.
Costelloe, J. F., Hudson, P. J., Pritchard, J. C., Puckridge, J. T., and Reid, J. R. W. (2007). ARIDFLO scientific report: environmental flow requirements of arid zone rivers with particular reference to the Lake Eyre drainage basin. Final report to South Australian Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage, University of Adelaide, Adelaide.
Crivelli, A. J. (1995). Are fish introductions a threat to endemic freshwater fishes in the northern Mediterranean region? Biological Conservation 72, 311–319.
| Are fish introductions a threat to endemic freshwater fishes in the northern Mediterranean region?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cucherousset, J., and Olden, J. D. (2011). Ecological impacts of nonnative freshwater fishes. Fisheries 36, 215–230.
| Ecological impacts of nonnative freshwater fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DNRME (2017). Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Hydstra Database. Available at https://water-monitoring.information.qld.gov.au/ [Accessed 19 April 2017].
Dudgeon, D., Arthington, A. H., Gessner, M. O., Kawabata, Z., Knowler, D. J., Lévêque, C., Naiman, R. J., Prieur-Richard, A. H., Soto, D., Stiassny, M. L., and Sullivan, C. A. (2006). Freshwater biodiversity: importance, threats, status and conservation challenges. Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society 81, 163–182.
| Freshwater biodiversity: importance, threats, status and conservation challenges.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Duguid, A., Mathwin, R., Sternberg, D., Cheshire, D., Schmarr, D., Cockayne, B., Eldridge, S., and McNeil, D. (2016). Lake Eyre Basin rivers assessment (LEBRA) 2013/14 monitoring report. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPC): Canberra.
Fairfax, R., Fensham, R., Wager, R., Brooks, S., Webb, A., and Unmack, P. (2007). Recovery of the red-finned blue-eye: an endangered fish from springs of the Great Artesian Basin. Wildlife Research 34, 156–166.
| Recovery of the red-finned blue-eye: an endangered fish from springs of the Great Artesian Basin.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fawcett, J. (2009). Muddy waters: a molecular approach to clarifying freshwater mussel diversity in Australia. Ph.D. Thesis, Griffith University, Brisbane.
Fisheries Act (1994). ‘Fisheries Regulation 2008: Schedule 10B.’ (Office of the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel: Brisbane)
García-Berthou, E. (2007). The characteristics of invasive fishes: what has been learned so far? Journal of Fish Biology 71, 33–55.
| The characteristics of invasive fishes: what has been learned so far?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goldstein, E. A., Lawton, C., Sheehy, E., and Butler, F. (2014). Locating species range frontiers: a cost and efficiency comparison of citizen science and hair-tube survey methods for use in tracking an invasive squirrel. Wildlife Research 41, 64–75.
| Locating species range frontiers: a cost and efficiency comparison of citizen science and hair-tube survey methods for use in tracking an invasive squirrel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gozlan, R. E., Britton, J. R., Cowx, I., and Copp, G. H. (2010). Current knowledge on non-native freshwater fish introductions. Journal of Fish Biology 76, 751–786.
| Current knowledge on non-native freshwater fish introductions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Herbert, B., and Graham, P. (2004). Breeding and fecundity of the endemic Australian gudgeon, sleepy cod Oxyeleotris lineolatus (Steindachner 1867) (Eleotridae). Aquaculture 236, 241–252.
| Breeding and fecundity of the endemic Australian gudgeon, sleepy cod Oxyeleotris lineolatus (Steindachner 1867) (Eleotridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Huey, J. A., Baker, A. M., and Hughes, J. M. (2008). The effect of landscape processes upon gene flow and genetic diversity in an Australian freshwater fish, Neosilurus hyrtlii. Freshwater Biology 53, 1393–1408.
| The effect of landscape processes upon gene flow and genetic diversity in an Australian freshwater fish, Neosilurus hyrtlii.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXoslemu74%3D&md5=b1345e764b68d4f8261ee0348290908cCAS |
Kerezsy, A. (2010). The distribution, recruitment and movement of fish in far western Queensland. Ph.D. Thesis, Griffith University, Brisbane.
Kerezsy, A., Balcombe, S. R., Arthington, A. H., and Bunn, S. E. (2011). Continuous recruitment underpins fish persistence in the arid rivers of far-western Queensland, Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 62, 1178–1190.
| Continuous recruitment underpins fish persistence in the arid rivers of far-western Queensland, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lake Eyre Basin Ministerial Forum (2017). Draft Lake Eyre Basin state of the basin condition assessment 2016 report (public consultation document). Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Canberra.
Lintermans, M. (2004). Human assisted dispersal of alien freshwater fish in Australia. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 38, 481–501.
| Human assisted dispersal of alien freshwater fish in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Long, P. E., and Humphery, V. (1995). ‘Fisheries Study Lake Eyre Catchment: Thomson and Diamantina Drainages.’ (Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI): Brisbane.)
Marchetti, M. P., Moyle, P. B., and Levine, R. (2004). Invasive species profiling? Exploring the characteristics of non-native fishes across invasion stages in California. Freshwater Biology 49, 646–661.
| Invasive species profiling? Exploring the characteristics of non-native fishes across invasion stages in California.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Marshall, J. C., Sheldon, J., Thoms, M., and Choy, S. (2006). The macroinvertebrate fauna of an Australian dryland river: spatial and temporal patterns and environmental relationships. Marine and Freshwater Research 57, 61–74.
| The macroinvertebrate fauna of an Australian dryland river: spatial and temporal patterns and environmental relationships.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XksFyisw%3D%3D&md5=9215a90420e267ae58ee0e4af232f224CAS |
Masci, K. D., Ponniah, M., and Hughes, J. M. (2008). Patterns of connectivity between the Lake Eyre and Gulf drainages, Australia: a phylogenetic approach. Marine and Freshwater Research 59, 751–760.
| Patterns of connectivity between the Lake Eyre and Gulf drainages, Australia: a phylogenetic approach.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mathwin, R., Duguid, A., Sternberg, D., Cockayne, B., Schmarr, D., and McNeil, D. (2015). Lake Eyre Basin rivers assessment (LEBRA) 2013/14 monitoring report. A report to the Department of the Environment (DEE) Canberra.
Merrick, J. R., and Midgley, S. H. (1982). Techniques for collecting and culturing eggs of two sleepy cod species in the genus Oxyeleotris (Perciformes: Eleotridae). Bulletin of the Australian Society for Limnology 8, 27–30.
Moyle, P. B., and Light, T. (1996). Fish invasions in California: do abiotic factors determine success? Ecology 77, 1666–1670.
| Fish invasions in California: do abiotic factors determine success?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moyle, P. B., Li, H. W., and Barton, B. A. (1986). The Frankenstein effect: impact of introduced fishes on native fishes in North America. In ‘Fish culture in fisheries management’. (Ed. R. H. Stroud.) pp. 415–426. (American Fisheries Society: Bethesda, MD.)
Negus, P., Blessing, J., Clifford, S., and Steward, A. (2013). ‘Riverine Assessment in Queensland’s Lake Eyre and Bulloo Catchments: Stream and Estuary Assessment Program 2012.’ (Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Queensland Government: Brisbane.)
Olden, J. D., Kennard, M. J., and Pusey, B. J. (2008). Species invasions and the changing biogeography of Australian freshwater fishes. Global Ecology and Biogeography 17, 25–37.
Olson, Z. H., Briggler, J. T., and Williams, R. N. (2012). An eDNA approach to detect eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis) using samples of water. Wildlife Research 39, 629–636.
| An eDNA approach to detect eastern hellbenders (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis) using samples of water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsVCgt7zP&md5=3898ac44d9a3575c5844810ee695fac8CAS |
Peterson, A. T., Soberôn, J., Pearson, R. G., Anderson, R. P., Martínez-Meyer, E., Nakamura, M., and Araújo, M. B. (Eds.) (2011). ‘Ecological Niches and Geographic Distributions.’ (Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ.)
Pusey, B. J., Kennard, M. J., and Arthington, A. H. (Eds.) (2004). ‘Freshwater Fishes of North-eastern Australia.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Pusey, B. J., Burrows, D., Arthington, A. H., and Kennard, M. J. (2006). Translocation and spread of piscivorous fishes in the Burdekin River, north-eastern Australia. Biological Invasions 8, 965–977.
| Translocation and spread of piscivorous fishes in the Burdekin River, north-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Scott, M. C., and Helfman, G. S. (2001). Native invasions, homogenisation and the mismeasure of integrity of fish assemblages. Fisheries 26, 6–15.
| Native invasions, homogenisation and the mismeasure of integrity of fish assemblages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Silcock, J. (2009). ‘Identification of Permanent Refuge Waterbodies in the Cooper Creek and Georgina–Diamantina River Catchments for Queensland and South Australia. South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resource Management Board.’ (DEWNR: Port Augusta, SA.)
Sternberg, D., Balcombe, S., Marshall, J., and Lobegeiger, J. (2008). Food resource variability in an Australian dryland river: evidence from the diet of two generalist native fish species. Marine and Freshwater Research 59, 137–144.
| Food resource variability in an Australian dryland river: evidence from the diet of two generalist native fish species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sternberg, D., Cockayne, B., Schmarr, D., Duguid, A., Mathwin, R., and McNeil, D. (2014). Lake Eyre Basin rivers assessment (LEBRA) 2012/13 monitoring report. A report to the Department of the Environment (DEE), Canberra.
Sternberg, D., Cockayne, B., and Burndred, K. R. (2015). Baseline assessment and proposed monitoring of surface-water dependent receptors for coal seam gas development in the Galilee Subregion of the Lake Eyre Basin. A report to the South Australian Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR), Adelaide.
Strayer, D. L. (2010). Alien species in fresh waters: ecological effects, interactions with other stressors, and prospects for the future. Freshwater Biology 55, 152–174.
| Alien species in fresh waters: ecological effects, interactions with other stressors, and prospects for the future.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Unmack, P. J. (2013). Biogeography. In ‘Ecology of Australian Freshwater Fished’. (Eds P. Humphries and K. Walker.) pp. 25–48. (CSRIO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Vermeij, G. J. (1996). An agenda for invasion biology. Biological Conservation 78, 3–9.
| An agenda for invasion biology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wager, R., and Unmack, P. J. (2000). ‘Fishes of the Lake Eyre Catchment in Central Australia.’ (Queensland Department of Primary Industries (DPI): Brisbane.)
White, P. C. L., Ford, A. E. S., Clout, M. N., Engeman, R. M., Roy, S., and Saunders, G. (2008). Alien invasive vertebrates in ecosystems: pattern, process and the social dimension. Wildlife Research 35, 171–179.
| Alien invasive vertebrates in ecosystems: pattern, process and the social dimension.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
