Abstract
Squaliobarbus curriculus, commonly known as red-eye fish, is widely distributed in East Asia. It is one of the important aquatic germplasm resource and economic species in the Pearl River. To give suggestions for better protection and management, we investigated its life history and conducted elasticity analyses. Samples (n= 451) were collected between 2016 and 2017 from the western Pearl River estuary. There were no significant differences between the length-weight relationships of females and males (W= 0.00001SL3.121). The von Bertalanffy growth function was Lt= 553.2 [1 − e−0.111(t+1.009)]. The estimated length at 50% sexual maturity for females was 209.6 and 200.0 mm for males, both at 3 years of age. Oocyte size-frequency distribution suggested batch spawning. Fecundity ranged between 9,407 and 175,086 eggs per fish (mean = 51,040, or 143.9 eggs/g of fish weight). To better understand the ecological phenotypic plasticity ofS. curriculuswe conducted meta-analyses on all available life history data for this species. Our results showed that the standard lengths at ages 2 and 3 in the estuary were significantly smaller than in the upper reaches of the Pearl River basin, and there were also obvious differences in fecundity and oocyte size. For more, the standard lengths at ages 2 and 3 were correlated negatively with latitude. Elasticity analysis showed that juveniles’ (aged 1–3) survival had the largest contribution to the population growth rate, which suggests that management efforts should focus on the early life stages.
Highlights
Due to its popularity with consumers and resilience to unfavorable environmental conditions, the importance of barbel chub Squaliobarbus curriculus (Richardson, 1846) for freshwater aquaculture and capture fisheries in southern China has been steadily growing during the last few decades (Lei et al, 2012)
By analyzing the life history of S. curriculus, we aim to improve our understanding of its population dynamics and produce data necessary for designing conservation measures to prevent the decline of its aquatic germplasm resources
This study showed through meta-analysis that the life history characteristics of S. curriculus were affected by fluctuations in environmental factors, and elasticity analysis proved that the early life history stage was the most critical life history stage to maintain its population growth
Summary
Due to its popularity with consumers and resilience to unfavorable environmental conditions, the importance of barbel chub Squaliobarbus curriculus (Richardson, 1846) for freshwater aquaculture and capture fisheries in southern China has been steadily growing during the last few decades (Lei et al, 2012). Belonging to the family Cyprinidae (Leuciscinae subfamily), and commonly known as red-eye fish for its red spots on the superior border of eyes, S. curriculus is mainly distributed in Asia, including China, western Korea, Vietnam, and Amur River drainage in Russia. As it is one of the dominant species in the western Pearl River Estuary By analyzing the life history of S. curriculus, we aim to improve our understanding of its population dynamics and produce data necessary for designing conservation measures to prevent the decline of its aquatic germplasm resources
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