Microhabitat use by stream-dwelling spirlin Alburnoides bipunctatus and accompanying species: implications for conservation
2010
Copp, G.H.,CEFAS, Lowesoft (United Kingdom). Salmon and Freshwater Team | Kovac, V.,Univerzita Komenskeho, Bratislava (Slovak Republic). Katedra Ekologie | Siryova, S.,Univerzita Komenskeho, Bratislava (Slovak Republic). Katedra Ekologie
Microhabitat use in the endangered cyprinid species spirlin Alburnoides bipunctatus and accompanying species was examined in three water courses of Slovakia to determine the species' environmental requirements as a basis for informing conservation policy and management. In all three rivers, water velocity, water depth and substratum character were central features of spirlin microhabitat use, regardless of year or season of sampling, with only limited variation in microhabitat associations as a function of time of day. Clear differences in microhabitat use and intra-specific associations during development were observed in two of the rivers. In particular, a shift in velocity preference towards faster flowing waters appears characteristic of spirlin during their larval and juvenile development, and possibly also that of Gobio gobio, Phoxinus phoxinus and Leuciscus cephalus. Disproportionate use of deeper waters tended to increase with age in spirlin, in gudgeon and in barbel. Of particular importance to young-of-the-year spirlin are lentic zones with some sort of ligneous debris - habitat also used by young-of-the-year gudgeon and minnow. Contrary to previous reports elsewhere, spirlin did not avoid in-stream vegetation where present, and in one river it was preferred by young-of-the-year and 1+ spirlin.
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