Morphological selection in an extreme flow environment: body shape and waterfall-climbing success in the Hawaiian stream fish Sicyopterus stimpsoni

Blob, Richard W.; Bridges, William C.; Ptacek, Margaret B.; Maie, Takashi; Cediel, Roberto A.; Bertolas, M. M.; Julius, Matthew L.; Schoenfuss, Heiko L.

doi:10.1093/icb/icp111

Cited by 20 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…the ramp angle used by Blob et al . ()) but only to 45° for C. acutipinnis as preliminary tests demonstrated that individuals of this species were unable to climb the ramp at a steeper angle. The experimental arena was set in a temperature‐regulated room at approximately 24°C, a temperature frequently observed in Reunionese rivers (Teichert et al ., ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…The experimental arena was similar to the one used by Blob et al . (). It consisted of a 2.40 m ramp made with a semicircular plastic rain gutter linking two identical tanks (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Previous studies that performed climbing trials up artificial ramps (Blob et al ., , ; Kawano et al ., ; Moody et al ., ) have identified relationships between fish morphology and waterfall‐climbing performance in the inching species Sicyopterus stimpsoni from the Pacific Island of Hawai'i, and the powerburst species Sicydium punctatum from the Caribbean island of Dominica. In those studies, the best performing inching climbers generally had a narrow and flat, streamlined body that minimized drag, and a large pelvic sucker to improve adhesion to the substrate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Intra‐ and inter‐specific morphological diversity of amphidromous gobies influences waterfall‐climbing performance

Lagarde

Borie²,

Blob

et al. 2018

Journal of Zoology

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The morphology of an individual can affect functional performance and, ultimately, survival and fitness. To study these links, a first step is to evaluate the relationship between morphology and performance. Sicydiine fishes are an interesting model for such studies, because successful completion of their life cycle depends on a functionally demanding task: climbing waterfalls when they return to freshwater from the ocean. Previous studies identified two different climbing modes among sicydiines: ‘inching’ and ‘powerburst’. Relationships between morphology and climbing performance have been found for inching and powerburst species present on different islands from distant oceans (Pacific and Caribbean), but species from the same island have not been compared. In this study, we challenged two different sicydiine species from Réunion Island to an artificial climbing ramp: the inching climber Sicyopterus lagocephalus and the powerburst climber Cotylopus acutipinnis. For each species, we evaluated differences in morphology between successful and unsuccessful climbers. We predicted that species with similar climbing styles (S. lagocephalus and S. stimpsoni) would show differences between successful and unsuccessful climbers that more closely resembled each other than differences between successful and unsuccessful climbers across species from the same island (S. lagocephalus and C. acutipinnis). This prediction was only partially met. S. lagocephalus individuals with a streamlined body showed better climbing performance, as observed for S. stimpsoni. However, the size of the pelvic sucker, which fish use to attach to the substrate while resting, appeared less important for S. lagocephalus than for S. stimpsoni and C. acutipinnis. Instead, the size of the mouth, which inching species use to attach to the substrate while moving up, seemed important for S. lagocephalus but not for other species. Thus, differences in the morphology–performance relationship among sicydiines may relate not only to differences in climbing mode, but also to species‐specific specializations within each climbing mode.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…The experimental arena was similar to the one used by Blob et al . (). It consisted of a 2.40 m ramp made with a semicircular plastic rain gutter linking two identical tanks (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Intra‐ and inter‐specific morphological diversity of amphidromous gobies influences waterfall‐climbing performance

Lagarde

Borie²,

Blob

et al. 2018

Journal of Zoology

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“…While climbing, route selection may also affect whether a juvenile S. stimpsoni will be successful in scaling the obstacle. Previous studies by Blob et al (2008, 2010) have indicated that even on a small waterfall (2 m high), failure rates for S. stimpsoni juveniles average 30–40%, suggesting that under natural conditions with waterfalls tens to hundreds of metres high, failure rates may be much higher. This possibility is supported by 20 years of observational data indicating that annual recruitment into upstream reaches is small despite tens of thousands of juveniles returning into streams annually (Nishimoto & Kuamo'o, 1997; H. L. Schoenfuss pers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…In this study, choice trials were used to assess whether conspecific odours guide migrating juveniles to follow a specific climbing path and whether climbing juveniles deposit a mucous trail that guides subsequent climbing juveniles was examined. Previous studies have shown that waterfall climbing exerts a strong selective force on migrating juvenile S. stimpsoni (Blob et al , 2008, 2010), so that choosing an incorrect climbing route might preclude a migrating juvenile from successfully scaling a high waterfall. Together, these studies will provide evidence for the extent to which environmental cues influence the climbing behaviour of amphidromous gobies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Finding paradise: cues directing the migration of the waterfall climbing Hawaiian gobioid Sicyopterus stimpsoni

Leonard

Maie

Moody

et al. 2012

Journal of Fish Biology

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A series of waterfall-climbing trials were conducted to identify cues that direct the climbing of juvenile Sicyopterus stimpsoni. In the first experiment, whether climbing juveniles preferentially ascend water sources with conspecifics or whether the presence of just stream water is sufficient to attract fish to ascend a climbing path were assessed. In the second experiment, whether climbing juveniles create a trail of mucus that facilitates the ability of conspecifics to follow their lead was determined. The results indicate that juvenile S. stimpsoni are less likely to climb in waters devoid of organic cues but are strongly attracted to stream water with or without the odour of conspecifics. Once climbing, performance did not differ for juveniles climbing in differing water choices, suggesting an all-or-nothing commitment once climbing commences. Climbing S. stimpsoni did produce a mucous trail while climbing that was associated with a mucous gland that dramatically increases in size just prior to juveniles gaining the ability to climb. The trail was not followed closely by subsequent juveniles traversing the same channel, however, suggesting only weak trail-following in waterfall climbing S. stimpsoni. Previous genetic studies suggest that juvenile S. stimpsoni do not home to natal streams in the face of strong near-shore oceanic currents. Instead, these fish appear primarily to rely on cues that suggest the presence of organic growth in streams, a factor that may indicate suitable habitat in an ever-changing stream environment but which may also be vulnerable to interference through human activity.

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Management of a highly unlikely native fish: The case of arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus from the Southern Alps

Tiberti

Splendiani

2019

Aquatic Conservation

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1. As a result of ancient introductions, some alien species are erroneously considered native. Salvelinus alpinus (Linnaeus, 1758) is hypothesized to have survived as a postglacial relic in the northern European Alps, although documented ancient introductions contradict its native status in a few mountain lakes from the southern Alps (Trentino Alto Adige, Italy). Regardless of its uncertain origin, its recent expansion across the southern Alps (introduced into >170, mainly originally fishless, highaltitude lakes) was the result of management and alleged conservation actions.2. The present study is a review of the origin of S. alpinus in the southern Alps, and of the appropriateness of management and conservation actions.3. The autochthony of S. alpinus in this region is rejected by multiple lines of evidence and its presence is most likely the result of historical introductions. Only the origin of two populations occurring at lower altitude is uncertain, as they may be native. 4. Residual uncertainty makes it difficult to evaluate the conservation status and value of the Italian populations of S. alpinus, but it does not prevent the highlighting of several errors in the past and the present management of this species. 5. Past and present introductions have altered the original genetics of the ancient populations and have contributed to the invasion of montane aquatic habitats by modern domestic fish. Although it is now timely to consider the adverse ecological consequences of fish stocking, the many introductions of S. alpinus are associated with a misleading conservation rhetoric, providing ambiguous educational messages to people and relevant stakeholders, and probably diverting resources intended for biodiversity conservation.6. A non-intervention approach (i.e. not to stock or fish S. alpinus) would have been the wiser strategy to preserve ancient populations, their supposed conservation value, and their actual cultural value. Even now, this strategy is probably the best option, while planning definitive research.

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Morphological selection in an extreme flow environment: body shape and waterfall-climbing success in the Hawaiian stream fish Sicyopterus stimpsoni

Cited by 20 publications

References 4 publications

Intra‐ and inter‐specific morphological diversity of amphidromous gobies influences waterfall‐climbing performance

Intra‐ and inter‐specific morphological diversity of amphidromous gobies influences waterfall‐climbing performance

Finding paradise: cues directing the migration of the waterfall climbing Hawaiian gobioid Sicyopterus stimpsoni

Management of a highly unlikely native fish: The case of arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus from the Southern Alps

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