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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 60(4)

Radio-tagging and tracking of translocated trout cod (Maccullochella macquariensis: Percichthyidae) in an upland river

B. C. Ebner A B D , L. Johnston A and M. Lintermans A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Parks, Conservation and Lands, Department of Territory and Municipal Services, ACT Government, GPO Box 158, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.

B Present address: Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia.

C Present address: Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2601, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: b.ebner@griffith.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 60(4) 346-355 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF08257
Submitted: 9 September 2008  Accepted: 14 December 2008   Published: 29 April 2009

Abstract

Radio-tracking provides an effective means of studying the spatial ecology of threatened fishes where almost inaccessible habitats and species rarity render conventional mark–recapture methods impractical. Initially, validation of an effective radio-tagging method is required; in the present study, an aquaria trial based on nine hatchery-reared, adult male Maccullochella maquariensis (Percichthyidae) was conducted. Fish resumed feeding within days of being internally implanted with a radio-tag, and tag rejection was not observed (0%, n = 9) based on a 2-month observational period. Following release into an upland stream, individual-specific movements resulted in upstream (n = 1) and downstream (n = 6) dispersal as well as fidelity to the release site (n = 2) at the completion of the study. Individuals established small home-ranges (mean length of river used by an individual per diel period ranged from 47 to 292 m) and were most active in the early morning and evening (n = 6). Complete survivorship of individuals bearing active radio-transmitters (n = 8) was recorded up until 4 months after release. However, an estimated zero or one individual was alive when the last active radio-tag expired 11 months after release (n = 8). The present study highlights the use of radio-tracking in monitoring the dispersal and survivorship of small numbers of hatchery-reared threatened fish released into natural habitats as part of species re-introduction programs.

Additional keywords: captive breeding, dispersal, habitat use, mortality, re-introduction.


Acknowledgements

This research was funded through the Natural Heritage Trust and Environment Act. ACTEW AGL provided the aerial imagery used for spatial mapping of the study area and we are grateful to Stewart Hay for rectifying these images. Will Andrew, Mark Dunford, Mark Jekabsons, Matthew Beitzel, Jason Thiem, Ben Broadhurst and Minal Khan provided assistance to the project. Murray Evans provided statistical advice and the manuscript was improved by comments from Jason Thiem, David Crook, Ben Broadhurst, David Shorthouse, Shaun Meredith and three referees including Simon Nicol and Ivars Reinfelds. The University of Canberra Committee for Ethics in Animal Experimentation approved the project. Research was conducted in Ngunnawal Country.


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