Eastern Australian Waters Research Articles

Relationships among black marlin, Makaira indica, in eastern Australian coastal waters, inferred from parasites

Parasites of black marlin, Makaira indica, from Queensland coastal waters were examined in order to evaluate their usefulness as biological tags providing information on host movements. Sixty-three black marlin were sampled between 1987 and 1989 from five localities between Cape Moreton in southern Queensland and Lizard Island in the north. Black marlin carried 31 parasite taxa of which 21 were new host records, including one new species, Maricostula makairi Bruce & Cannon, 1989. Multi-dimensional scaling and cluster analysis of data on eight parasite taxa considered to be long-lived indicated that juvenile black marlin in Queensland coastal waters are isolated from the adults of Lizard Island. There was a tendency for parasite infections to increase with latitude within a cohort of juvenile fish, which is consistent with a hypothesis of southerly migration in coastal waters. Information from nine short-lived parasite taxa suggested that similar short-term movements by juveniles and adults, but with recently matured males at around 50 to 80 kg showing greater association with the adult population; these latter results were interpreted as, not a mixing of the juvenile and adult subpopulations, but an acquisition of short-lived infections by adults, similar to those of the juvenile marlin, during movement into shelf-edge water for spawning.

Hyperiid amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyperiidae) collected recently from eastern Australian waters

A taxonomic report on hyperiid amphipods collected during the period 1970-1977 from waters off New South Wales, and in 1989 from off Sydney and slightly north-east of Brisbane, is presented. The collection consists of sixty one species of which nineteen are new ]Jecords for Australian waters. Taxonomic features of all of the latter, and some of the lesser known species, are illustrated. A brief diagnosis and a list of synonymies is given for each species and r.~marks on systematics to aid future identification and comments on taxonomic difficulties are provided where appropriate. Most of the species represent a tropical or warm-temperate fauna indicating the influence of warm-core eddies in the Tasman Sea. ZEIDLER, W., 1992. Hyperiid amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Hyperiidea) collected recently from eastern Australian waters. Records of the Australian Museum 44(1): 85-133. 85 The hyperiid amphipod fauna of Australian waters has not received much attention in the past. Previous records of hyperiids, mainly from eastern Australia, are by Barnard (1931), Dakin & Colefax (1940), Stebbing (1888), Young & Anderson (1987), and Zeidler (1978). Watson & Chaloupka (1982) record a few species from Bass Strait. Very few of these papers provide a taxonomic treatment of the species studied and our knowledge of the Australian fauna is thus limited with identifications relying on the availability of a variety of, often difficult to obtain, literature concerning fauna from other parts of the world. Previous to this study, seventy four species of hyperiids were known from Australian waters (Young & Anderson, 1987; Zeidler, 1978); nearly all records being from the shallower (less than 400 m) waters of eastern Australia. In most cases hyperiids were only collected as part of a general sampling program and it is thus likely that many more species will be added to the Australian fauna in the future. In particular there are very few plankton samples available from deep water (greater than 1000 m) which is the domain of most Physosomata which represent about one third of the world's fauna of about 240 species. Also opening and closing nets were rarely used so that information on the depth preference of species in Australian waters (and indeed worldwide) is very limited. Since 1971, the New South Wales State Fisheries (now the Fisheries Division of the NSW Department of Agriculture) has been carrying out trawling surveys

The use of HPLC protein profiles in fish species identification

A method for the rapid identification of fish species by high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of water-soluble sarcoplasmic protein extracts is described. The method relies on the visual comparison of a star-symbol plot constructed from the sample's HPLC profile with those obtained from the mean profile data of morphologically identified species. A library of plots is presented for 15 common edible marine fish species from eastern Australian waters, but any suitable data can be used for star construction. The data presented are applicable to the identification of samples from any season or location, whether they are raw, gamma-irradiated, or dried with infra-red radiation. The procedure involves a single 10 min extraction followed by a 60 min analysis, without the use of an internal standard.

Hyperiid amphipods (Crustacea : Peracarida) from a warm-core eddy in the Tasman Sea

Hyperiid amphipods were sampled from a warm-core eddy in the Tasman Sea in August, September and October 1979. Samples were taken at night to a depth of 400 m using a midwater trawl (RMT-8). In all, 22 798 hyperiids representing 38 species and 10 families were identified, adding 13 new records for eastern Australian waters. For each species, synoptic information is given on taxonomy, life history, vertical distribution, geographic range and associations with gelatinous zooplankton. Hyperiids were confined mainly to the upper 100 m of water at night. Evidence for a summer breeding season was found in three abundant species (Scina crassicornis, Primno johnsoni and Brachyscelus crusculum). Tropical hyperiid species may be transported into the Tasman Sea by the southward movement of eddies from their origin in the Coral Sea.

Nitrates in eastern Australian coastal waters

Mean monthly temperature, salinity and nitrate concentration of eastern Australian coastal waters, at 0 and 50 m depth, for periods of up to 36 years have been determined. Using the seasonal changes in the mean properties it has been shown that the prime source of nitrates in coastal waters of eastern Australia between Evans Head and Eden is the intrusion, at various times in the spring-summer seasons, of subsurface slope waters, which are relatively rich in nitrates. Once present in the bottom layers of these coastal waters, these nitrates form a reservoir from which local processes of mixing in the autumn-winter seasons create a surface nitrate maximum, which persists for several months into the following spring. Off Evans Head and particularly off Laurieton, upwelling later in the spring creates a secondary nitrate maximum but these are of a transient time scale and little residual surface nitrate remains after the upwelling ceases. In summer, thermal capping, aided, particularly in the north, by surface salinity dilution, greatly limits the vertical mixing of nitrates to the surface, resulting in very low surface nitrate concentrations in summer. Off Eden, the spring introduction of nitrates by slope-water intrusions is impeded by a northward flow of Bass Strait waters which, because of their low nitrate content, act as a nutrient diluent. It is only when this northward flow ceases in early summer that these slope-water intrusions occur off Eden and provide the nitrate reservoir for the winter turnover. Off Maria I., slope-water intrusions are not an important contribution to the nitrate economy. The winter maximum in nitrate concentration at the Maria I. site is attributed to an onshore drift of nitrate-richer offshore waters, containing Sub-Antarctic elements. In spring, snow-melt waters mix with these winter waters off Maria I. and decrease both the salinity and nitrate content of these waters. In summer, subtropical waters of low nitrate content occur off Maria I.

Infestation of the jack mackerel, Trachurus declivis (Jenyns), with the cymothoid isopod, Ceratothoa imbricatus (Fabricus), in south eastern Australian waters

The tongue biter, Ceratothoa imbricatus, a cymothoid isopod, commonly found on a number of Australian inshore temperate fish species, was recorded in the pelagic jack mackerel, Trachurus declivis, in 26 of 43 trawls. The infestation rate was low (1·76%) in the 26 trawls where the association was noted. It is suggested that infestation occurs at an early age and that subsequent growth by the isopod is mediated by the host. Estimates of the growth parameters indicate that the isopods are long lived, and can remain for at least nine years on the host fish. Protandrous hermaphroditism, common in the Cymothoidae, is found in C. imbricatus with females attaining a large size in the bucco‐pharyngeal cavity while the male, with suppressed growth, is restricted to the branchial arches.Although cymothoid isopods are commonly described as parasites, observable damage on the jack mackerel was restricted to the tissues at the points of attachment of the isopods. The effect of the isopod on the jack mackerel may not be as debilitating as might be expected and it is argued that the relationship may best be described as commensalism.

Age and growth of jackass morwong (Nemadactylus macropterus Bloch & Schneider) in eastern Australian waters

N. macropterus, landed at the port of Eden, were sampled from July 1976 to June 1979. Saggital otoliths were used for age determination. A hyaline and an opaque ring were found to be formed during winter and summer. respectively. The growth of adult N. macropterus was adequately described by the von Bertalanffy growth curve. Females (K = 0.13, L∞ = 51.13) were found to grow faster, and to a greater age, than males (K = 0.17. L∞ = 45.50). No significant difference between sexes was apparent in the length-weight relationships.

Leaf productivity of the seagrass, Posidonia australis, in eastern Australian waters

Leaf blade production rates of Posidonia australis Hook. f. have been found to range from 0.7 to 5.5 g dry wt. m −2 day −1, depending on site and season. Leaf-blade production (m −2) was significantly higher in Jervis Bay (New South Wales) compared to Botany Bay (New South Wales) and summer and winter values from a Spencer Gulf (South Australia) site were higher than those of Jervis Bay. In Botany Bay, the average turnover rate of Posidonia leaves is about 0.8–1.1% of leaf biomass per day (i.e. three to four crops of leaves produced per year). Biomass, shoot density and some leaf characteristics are also presented for each site. The contribution of seagrass communities to total primary production in the waters of Botany Bay is estimated to be of major importance, and the continued reduction in this contribution, due to urban development, is a matter of concern.

Description of Labidocera farrani sp. nov., a pontellid copepod known from eastern and northern Australian waters, (Crustacea, Copepoda)

Both sexes of a form previously recorded from Australian waters are described, and the species is named after its original discoverer. Features of the new species and of related species from the super-species detruncata, are tabulated and discussed.

Observations on the Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea (L.), in Australia

Nesting of leatherback turtles in eastern Australia is confined to low-density nesting on mainland subtropical Queensland. Measurements of adults, eggs and hatchlings from this area are presented. The species is relatively common in central eastern Australian waters though rarely sighted elsewhere in northern, eastern and southern Australia. The origin of the non-breeding eastern Australian leatherback turtles is postulated in terms of the colonies reported on the islands north of the Coral Sea.

Area of Distribution, Movements, Age Composition and Mortality Rates of the Australian Salmon Population in Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales

Two subspecies of the Australian salmon, a perciform fish, occur in eastern Australian waters. The western subspecies, Arripis trutta esper (Whitley), is found only in Tasmania and Victoria. In Tasmanian waters fish do not occur above an age of 2+ years. In Victoria about 300 000 fish (180 tonnes) of an age range from of to 5+ years are caught annually. The younger age groups are found in sheltered areas, and the older age groups along the open coastline, especially in western Victoria. Returns of tags from fish thought to be of the western subspecies indicate that movement towards Western Australia takes place via western Victoria and South Australia, rather than by a direct seawards movement. For the eastern subspecies, Arripis trutta marginata (Cuvier & Valenciennes), young fish from 0+ to 2+ years are found predominantly in Tasmania and Victoria, and older fish from 4+ years in New South Wales. Recaptures of tagged fish indicate that there is a continual movement at all stages of the life cycle from Tasmania to Victoria and then to New South Wales. Fish within New South Wales also show evidence of a movement southwards, which probably occurs only once, to the eastern Bass Strait area. Fish older than 5+ years move increasingly northwards in New South Wales waters. For the eastern subspecies estimates of M, the instantaneous annual natural mortality coefficient, range from 0.5 to 1.0, and estimates of F, the instantaneous annual fishing mortality coefficient, range from 0.3 to 0.7. It is suggested that in the present eastern subspecies fishery greater yields should result from increasing the fishing pressure up to about twice the present value.

Eastern Australian Pleurobranchomorpha (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia)

Collections of pleurobranchomorph gastropods made in 1968 are described, and compared with material in the British Museum (Natural History) and with live Mediterranean specimens examined in the Naples Aquarium. All the eastern Australian species obtained are illustrated by line diagrams. Three species new for Australia are described, one is transferred to another known species, and six others are re‐described. A list of the 12 species (with synonyms) reliably reported for eastern Australian waters concludes the paper, together with a key for their identification.

Effect of some myotropic substances on mollusc hearts.

The hearts from a number of estuarine molluscs typical of eastern Australian waters have been examined for their response to acetylcholine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and serotonin. Under the conditions of these experiments Anadara trapezia showed the highest sensitivity to acetylcholine, being depressed by 0�001 p.g/ml. Adrenaline in concentrations of 0�005 p.g/ml produced a decrease in the amplitude of contractions of Regozara flava heart which also responded to 0�01 p.g/ml noradrenaline. Hearts from other species did not respond to catecholamines. Fragum unedo and Regozara jlava heart showed greatest sensitivity to serotonin 'which increased amplitude of contraction. Pinna menkei heart was unresponsive to myotropic substances under the conditions used. The factors affecting sensitivity of response to myotropic substances are discussed.

Species groups in the zooplankton of eastern Australian slope waters, 1938–1941 : Sheard Keith (deceased), 1965. Australian J. mar. freshwat. Res., 16 (2): 219–254.

Species groups in the zooplankton of eastern Australian slope waters, 1938–1941 : Sheard Keith (deceased), 1965. Australian J. mar. freshwat. Res., 16 (2): 219–254.

Species groups in the zooplankton of eastern Australian slope waters, 1938-41

Some 1700 plankton net hauls (642 on the slope reglon of the continental shelf and 1100 in neritic waters) were made during surveys carried out by F.R.V. Wavreen (C.S.1 R., Division of Fisheries) in the eastern Australian Pacific Ocean area between latitudes 24�S. and 44�S from 1938 to 1941. The Tunicata. Euphausiacea, Hyperiidae. Chaetognatha, and Pteropoda totalling 118 species in the slope and shelf hauls were identified by various authors. In this paper 27 species which were frequently a part of each other's biological environment in the slope plankton, were assorted into groups: (1) by the use of an index derived from the corrected geometric mean of the joint occurrence of pairs of species, following Fager and McGowan (1963); and (2) by assessing the significance (using X 2 ) of the departure of a joint occurrence from an expected value calculated on the basis of empirical probability for each pair of species. Groups were set up according to the method of Fager (1957). The tests yielded similar results. Groups found, using test (2), and their tentative water mass affiliations were follows. (i) Central Tasman and south-west Tasman: GROUP A, Sagitta planctonis, S. lyra, S. minima, Krohnitta subtilis, Eukrohnia hamata; GROUP B, Thysanoessa gregaria, Euphausia recurva, N. dificilis, E. spinifera. (ii) South equatorial and Coral Sea: GROUP C, Oikopleura fusiformis, O. cophocerca, O. longicauda; GROUP D Stegosoma magnum, Megalocercus huxleyi, Oikopleura rufescens, Traustedtia multitentaculata, Doliolum denticulatum; GROUP E, Sagitta hexaptera, Pterosagitta draco, S. regularis, S. serratodentata pacifica, S. bipunctata, S. enflata, S. ferox, S. robusta, and Stylocheiuon carinatum. Recent references to the grouped species are discussed. The major affiliations and the temperature, chlorinity, and latitudinal ranges of the three forms of Sagitta serratodentata (tasmanica, atlantica, and pacifica) are set out and a tentative list of the water mass preferences of a number of the ungrouped species is given.

Further Results of Tagging Sea Mullet, Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, on the Eastern Australia Coast

An account is given of tagging operations in eastern Australian waters on sea mullet. The operations involved fish of wide age and size ranges in a variety of habitats and localities, in all months of the year except July. The recoveries from these operations are analysed for information on movement, growth, and mortality. The results show the movement of the tagged fish to be predominantly northwards and require a postulate that southward movement takes place among the young fish (and possibly eggs). The movement of individual fish can be quite rapid and cover long distances, and each fish probably migrates a number of times during its lifetime. The proportion of the population involved in these movements probably exceeds 50 per cent. The results show that there is on the coast one continuous stock of this species, of which the populations occupying the numerous rivers and lakes constantly intermingle. Confirmation was obtained of the earlier workeon the technique of scale reading in this species, and of the general results on average growth rate. Growth occurs chiefly in summer, but possibly also in the latter part of spring and the early part of autumn. The physiology of scale growth and trhe formation of annual "breaks" are discussed. Proportional recoveries from each operation are reported but these cannot serve well a s an index of intensity of fishing. On the other hand, the longevity of the tags serves to indicate the probable life expectancy of these groups of fish; this is estimated as slightly more than 3 yr.

Further Observations on the Distribution of Striped Tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis L., in Eastern Australian Waters, and its Relation to Surface Temperature

The distribution of striped tuna in eastern Australian waters, as indicated by numbers of fish caught per line trolled, was investigated between August 1950 and August 1951. The temperature of the water was recorded every half hour while the vessel was cruising. The data obtained show that the distribution extended from at least as far north as Port Macquarie, New South Wales, to 40 miles south of Tasman Island, Tasmania — much further south than observed in previous years. Occurrence in abundance was seasonal in any specific area off the coast. Movement to the south from the mid north coast of New South Wales began in late spring; movement north from the east Tasmanian coast began in mid autumn. Striped tuna were taken in eastern Australian waters of temperature ranging between 14.7 and 20.8°C., but occurred most plentifully between temperatures of 16.0 and 18.0°C. They had a preference for water of specific temperatures in the areas in which they occur seasonally. Seasonal movement north and south showed a strcng correlation with seasonal changes in water temperatures. Commencement of movement northwards from the south appeared to be influenced by downward change in temperature, which brought about the lower limit of the critical temperature tolerated; this change was coincident with the onset of the seasonal westerly winds. Degree of southerly penetration is related to temperature, whose seasonal fluctuation could explain 'abnormal' years.

Races and Populations of the Australian Pilchard, Sardinops neopilchardus (Steindachner)

The evidence of taxonomic differentiation in the Australian pilchard is reviewed. Three major groups (called races), located respectively in eastern, south-eastern, and south-western Australian waters, are distinguished by differences in growth rate. The boundary zone of the two former is near the New South Wales-Victoria bolder, but it is not certain to which of the two latter races the South Australian fish belong. The two former races are sukdivided into smaller, more or less separate stocks (populations), which are distinguished mainly by differences in mean number of vertebrae and in abundance fluctuations. There are at least two such groups in the eastern race, which meet between Port Jackson and Jervis Bay, and at least two in the south-eastern race. The pilchards of Cook Strait, New Zealand, are probably distinct from those of any Australian locality.

Refrigeration of Fish in Australia

AN account of the application of refrigeration to the Australian fishery industry has been published by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Commonwealth of Australia: Division of Food Preservation and Transport. Circular No. 4.-P, Melbourne 1, 1942). This is written in non-technical language and has been prepared to serve as a guide to the fish industry on the basic refrigeration requirements. As the result of a survey of the important fishing centres along the south coast of New South Wales and some centres in Victoria and Tasmania, it was found that it was possible to catch in eastern Australian waters considerable supplies of fish suitable for an important canning industry as well as for a substantial trade in fresh fish. Serious difficulties must, however, be overcome before any great expansion can take place. These notes are issued as a guide to future development based on the necessity for preserving fish by refrigeration to meet the requirements of a large and stable industry.