Fish and freshwater crayfish in streams in the
Cape Naturaliste region & Wilyabrup Brook
Prepared for the Cape to Cape Catchments Group & GeoCatch
S Beatty & D Morgan C Jury J Mitchell
Freshwater Fish Research & CENTRE FOR FISH & FISHERIES RESEARCH
Acknowledgements
Funding for the project was provided from the Cape to Cape Catchments Group through the
South West Catchments Council (National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality).
We would like to thank the many landholders in the region for providing site access, including
Mark Joliffe, David Burch, Paul Hick, Brookland Valley and Juniper Estate.
An electronic copy of the report is available from:
wwwscieng.murdoch.edu.au/centres/fish/curres/Freshwater.html
The report should be sited as:
Beatty, S., Morgan, D., Jury, C. & Mitchell, J. (2006). Fish and freshwater crayfish in streams in the Cape Naturaliste region & Wilyabrup Brook. Report to the Cape to Cape Catchments Group and GeoCatch.
1
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Background
This study was conducted in order to determine the fish and freshwater crayfish communities of a number of streams in the Cape Naturaliste region and Wilyabrup
Brook. This information will be used by the Cape to Cape Catchment Group and
GeoCatch in the development of river action plans for the various systems. Systems examined during this study include Wilyabrup Brook, Jingarmup Brook, Dugulup
Creek, Dandatup Brook and Meelup Brook (see Figures 1 and 2).
Freshwater fishes of south-western Australia
The south-west region of Western Australia houses 10 species of native freshwater fish,
80% of which are found nowhere else. Nine of these species are widespread or restricted in distribution within the relatively high rainfall region from the Moore River in the north to just east of Albany. The relatively common and widespread species include the Western Minnow (Galaxias occidentalis), the Western Pygmy Perch (Edelia vittata), the Nightfish (Bostockia porosa) and the Freshwater Cobbler (Tandanus bostocki).
The Mud Minnow (Galaxiella munda) and Balston’s Pygmy Perch (Nannatherina balstoni) are threatened species restricted to the south-western corner from Margaret River to the
Albany (with disjunctive populations also occurring in the Moore River catchment).
The Black-stripe Minnow (Galaxiella nigrostriata) and the Salamanderfish (Lepidogalaxias salamandroides) are also threatened species found in pools from Augusta to Albany with disjunct populations of Black-stripe Minnows also occurring in pools near Bunbury and the Swan River catchment.
The inland distribution of many of these species has contracted substantially, due largely to habitat alterations, particularly: secondary salinisation, eutrophication, riparian degradation and river regulation. Another major threat to these native fishes has been impacts of introduced fishes, particularly: Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Brown Trout (Salmo trutta), Redfin Perch (Perca fluviatilis), Eastern Mosquitofish
(Gambusia holbrooki) and Goldfish (Carassius auratus). The impacts that these species
2
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish have on native fishes, freshwater crayfishes and the freshwater ecosystems as a whole are beginning to be determined and include direct predation and competition for resources such as food and habitat (Pen and Potter 1991, Gill et al. 1999, Beatty 2000,
Morgan et al. 2002, 2004).
Estuarine fishes of south-western Australia
There are several estuarine species in south-western Australia that are also found, and able to breed, in freshwater environments. The most common of these species (in freshwaters) are the Swan River Goby (Pseudogobius olorum), the Western Hardyhead
(Leptatherina wallacei) and Big-headed Goby (Afurcagobius suppositus) (Morgan et al.
1998). Although several other species also occasionally enter freshwater systems in the region, the most commonly encountered are Black Bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri),
Yellow-tail Trumpeter (Amniataba caudavittata) and Sea Mullet (Mugil cephalus).
Freshwater crayfishes of south-western Australia
Western Australia contains six naturally occurring species of freshwater crayfish from the genus Cherax, all of which are found within the south-western corner of the State.
Translocation of the widespread Marron (Cherax cainii) has resulted in it now being found as far north as the Hutt River (north of Geraldton) to the Esperance region. The common Gilgie (Cherax quinquecarinatus) and the common koonac (Cherax preissii) are found from approximately Moore River to just east of Albany (Austin and Knott 1996).
The Margaret River Hairy Marron (Cherax teniumanus) is only found in that river and the remaining two species, the restricted Gilgie (Cherax crassimanus) and restricted
Koonac (Cherax glaber) are found in the extreme southern corner of the south-west within the region approximately from Margaret River to Walpole (Austin and Knott
1996).
There are also five species of the ‘land crayfishes’ belonging to the genus Engaewa.
These are generally found where the water table remains under the ground surface and
3
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish include E. subcoerulea, E. reducta, E. similis Riek, E. walpolea and E. pseudoreducta
(Horwitz and Adams 2000). As with the fish fauna of this State, there is a high rate
(100%) of endemism of the native crayfishes.
Two introduced species of crayfish are also found in Western Australia, being the redclaw (C. quadricarinatus) (found in the Kimberley region) and the widespread Yabbie
(C. destructor) which is found throughout the south-west region and the subject of aquaculture in the wheatbelt region. The Yabbie has escaped into many wild systems in the south-west (see Discussion) and has the potential to severely impact aquatic ecosystems (Beatty et al. 2005a).
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook
The streams of Cape Naturaliste examined during this study are small, mostly ephemeral and flow north into Geographe Bay. Wilyabrup Brook, which flows west into the Indian Ocean, is the largest, with a catchment of ~90 km2 and a mean annual flow the second largest in the region after Margaret River. The fish and freshwater crayfish fauna of these streams has not previously been documented. The upstream sections of the streams largely flow through semi-intensive agriculture (mostly viticulture, dairy or grazing) with downstream-most sections of most streams passing through either national park (particularly on the western side of the Cape (Leeuwin-
Naturaliste National Park)) or urban areas (e.g. Dugulup Creek and Dandatup Brook that pass through Dunsborough). With the exception of Meelup Brook which is almost completely within the regional park, the proportion of catchments that are cleared ranges from approximately 50-75%. The flow regimes of some of these systems, in particular Wilyabrup Brook, are substantially altered by a number of large dams.
Aims and utilisation of the study
The aim of this study was to determine the fish and freshwater crayfish communities of
Jingarmup Brook, Meelup Brook, Dugulup Creek, Dandatup Brook and Wilyabrup
4
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Brook (see Figures 1 and 2). This information will be utilised in the development of
River Action Plans for those systems that are being prepared by the Cape to Cape
Catchments Group and GeoCatch.
Methodology
A total of 10 sites were sampled during the study in September 2005: three sites on
Jingarmup Brook, two on each of Dugulup Creek and Dandatup Brook; one on Meelup
Brook; and four sites on Wilyabrup Brook. An additional two sites were sampled on
Wilyabrup Brook during November 2005 (Figures 1, 2 and 3). As flows were high in
Wilyabrup Brook during the 2005 sampling, in March 2006 two sites were re-sampled and compared with previous sampling.
At each site, three replicates of water temperature (°C), conductivity (µS/cm), pH and dissolved oxygen (ppm) were measured and a mean determined.
Each site was sampled over an area of up to 360 m2 depending on the degree of variable habitat in order to ensure that all prevailing fish and freshwater crayfish fauna was recorded. Sampling was primarily undertaken using a back-pack electrofisher (Smith-
Root Model 12-A), which temporarily stuns fish and crayfish up to a diameter of approximately 2 m. A variety of seine nets were also deployed depending on the habitat (suitable, for example, in the wider, shallow reaches of the systems).
All fish and freshwater crayfish were identified to species and measured to the nearest
1-mm total length (TL) (for fish) or orbital carapace length (OCL) (for freshwater crayfish). To determine the population structures of the fish and crayfish fauna within each system, length-frequency histograms of each species (particularly those captured in adequate numbers to allow analysis) were produced.
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Jingarmup 3
Jingarmup 2
Meelup 1
Jingarmup 1
Dugulup 2 Dugulup 1
Dandatup 2
1 km Dandatup 1
Figure 1 Sites sampled in streams in the Cape Naturaliste region during spring 2005 to determine their fish and freshwater crayfish communities.
Wilyabrup 1
Wilyabrup 6
Wilyabrup 5
Wilyabrup 2
Wilyabrup 4 1 km Wilyabrup 3
Figure 2 Sites sampled on Wilyabrup Brook during spring 2005 to determine the fish and freshwater crayfish communities. 6
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Jingarmup 2 Meelup 1
Dugulup 2 Dandatup 1
Wilyabrup 3 Wilyabrup 6
Figure 3 Examples of sites sampled for fish and freshwater crayfish communities in streams flowing from Cape Naturaliste and Wilyabrup Brook.
7
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Results and Discussion
Jingarmup Brook
Physicochemical variables
The mean temperature, conductivity and pH increased markedly between the uppermost site on Jingarmup Brook and the two downstream sites whereas the dissolved oxygen was lower at the more downstream sites (Figure 4).
16.4
C) 16.2 o 16.0
15.8
15.6 Temperature ( Temperature
15.4 1300 1200 1100 S/cm) µ 1000 900 800 700
Conductivity ( Conductivity 600 500 7.45 7.40 7.35 7.30 pH 7.25 7.20 7.15
10.0 9.8 9.6 9.4 9.2 9.0 O2 (ppm) 8.8 8.6 8.4 2 3 in Jin 1 Jin J Sites Figure 4 Mean temperature, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen (+ 1 S.E.) of the sites sampled in Jingarmup Brook during spring 2005.
8
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Fish fauna
There were no native freshwater fishes captured in Jingarmup Brook during this study
(Appendix 1). However, the first record of a wild population of the introduced Rosy
Barb (Puntius conchonius) (often referred to as Barbus conchonius) in W.A. was recorded at Jin 2 (Eagle Bay) where it was found at a density of 0.14/m2 (Appendix 1, Figure 5).
The wide size range of this species (20-58 mm TL) (Figure 6) suggests that it has formed a self-maintaining population and was probably established after the deliberate release of aquarium specimens (see Fish fauna general discussion).
Relatively high densities of the estuarine Swan River Goby and the Sea Mullet were near the mouth of the stream (Appendix 1, Figures 5 and 6). The Swan River Goby is able to complete its life-cycle in freshwater whereas the Sea Mullet spawns in deep water off the coast (Thomson 1963) and uses estuaries and rivers as a nursery ground
(Orr 2000). Although their length-frequency distributions demonstrated that their size ranges were similar, all Sea Mullet captured were juveniles while the population of
Swan River Goby comprised adults and juveniles (Figure 6).
Freshwater crayfish
The Gilgie was captured at all three sites in Jingarmup Brook, the greatest densities occurring at the uppermost site (Appendix 1). This declining trend in the densities of
Gilgies moving downstream was consistent with that observed in the other streams sampled (see Figure 7). Two distinct cohorts of Gilgies were present, with the 0+ cohort
(new recruits) dominating the population (Figure 6). As mentioned, this species has a very wide distribution in the south-west where it occupies almost the entire range of freshwater habitats (Austin and Knott 1996). Its success is attributed to an ability to occupy seasonally inundated systems by burrowing into the water table, being able to spawn multiple times over spring and summer, and being capable of tolerating low oxygen and relatively extreme water temperatures (Austin and Knott 1996; Beatty et al.
2005b).
9
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Native freshwater fish Native estuarine fish
Western Hardyhead Western Minnow Introduced freshwater fish
Sea Mullet
Swan River Goby Rosy Barb
Native Introduced freshwater crayfish freshwater crayfish
Marron
Yabbie
Gilgie
Figure 5 The fish and freshwater crayfishes captured during the present study.
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Native freshwater crayfish Gilgie 40
30
20
Frequency 10
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 Orbital carapace length (mm)
Native estuarine fish Sea Mullet 20
15
10
Frequency 5
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Swan River Goby 10 8 6 4
Frequency 2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Total length (mm) Introduced freshwater fish Rosie Barb 10 8 6 4
Frequency 2 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 Total length (mm) Figure 6 Length-frequency histograms of the most abundant species of fish and freshwater crayfish captured in Jingarmup Brook during the study.
11
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
3.0
2.5
) 2.0 2
1.5
Density (per m Density 1.0
0.5
0.0
1 2 2 1 1 2 5 n n g il il il Ji Ji Jin 3 u Dug 1 D Dan Dan 2 W W Wil 4 W
Site
Figure 7 Densities of the Gilgie captured at sites in Jingarmup Brook (Jin), Dugulup Brook (Dug), Dandatup Brook (Dan) and Wilyabrup Brook (Wil) during spring 2005. N.B. General decline in densities from upstream to downstream sites.
Meelup Brook
Physicochemical variables
Meelup Brook was only sampled near the mouth upstream and downstream of the dam adjacent to the beach. This site had the highest conductivity of any site sampled in the study (2197±36 µS/cm).
12
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Fish fauna
Juvenile Sea Mullet (Figure 5) were captured near the mouth of Meelup Brook downstream of the dam. Its presence here represents the fact that small juvenile mullet use rivers and their estuaries as nursery areas.
Freshwater crayfish fauna
Marron was the only freshwater crayfish recorded in Meelup Brook (Appendix 1,
Figure 5). This species is likely to have been introduced into the artificial dam approximately 100 m from the mouth of Meelup Brook, with some individuals moving downstream into rocky areas on the beach. Meelup Brook may also house Gilgies in upstream sections that were not sampled during the current study, however none was found in the lower part of the stream above the dam.
Dugulup Brook
Physicochemical variables
The temperature and conductivity was greater and the pH and dissolved oxygen lower at the uppermost site on Dugulup Brook compared with the downstream site in central
Dunsborough (Figure 8).
Fish fauna
There were no fish captured in Dugulup Brook during sampling (Appendix 1). The mouth of the stream was not sampled where estuarine species (e.g. Swan River Goby and Sea Mullet) may have been expected to have been captured.
Freshwater Crayfish
The Gilgie was recorded at both sites in Dugulup Creek (Appendix 1, Figure 7). This species had multiple age cohorts with a relatively wide size range indicatitive of a self- maintaining population (Figure 9). As with the other streams, the greatest density of
Gilgies was recorded at the uppermost site (Figure 7).
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
15.7
C) 15.6 o 15.5
15.4
15.3 Temperature ( Temperature
15.2 820
810 S/cm) µ 800
790
780 Conductivity ( 770 7.15 7.10 7.05 7.00 pH 6.95 6.90 6.85
10.0
9.8
9.6
9.4 O2 (ppm) 9.2
9.0
2 g 1 g u u D D Sites
Figure 8 Mean temperature, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen (+ 1 S.E.) of the sites sampled in Dugulup Brook during spring 2005.
Native freshwater crayfish Gilgie 25
20
15
10 Frequency 5
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 Orbital carapace length (mm) Figure 9 Length-frequency histogram of the Gilgie captured in Dugulup Brook during the study.
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Dandatup Brook
Physicochemical variables
In Dandatup Brook, the temperature, conductivity and pH was lower at the upstream site compared to the downstream site whereas dissolved oxygen was relatively similar
(Figure 10).
15.4
C) 15.2 o 15.0
14.8
14.6 Temperature ( Temperature
14.4 780 760 740 S/cm) µ 720 700 680 660
Conductivity ( Conductivity 640 620 7.3 7.2 7.1 7.0 6.9 pH 6.8 6.7 6.6 6.5
9.30 9.25 9.20 9.15
O2 (ppm) O2 9.10 9.05
Dan 1 Dan 2 Sites
Figure 10 Mean temperature, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen (+ 1 S.E.) of the sites sampled in Dandatup Brook during spring 2005.
Fish fauna
There were no fish captured in Dandatup Brook during sampling (Appendix 1).
Although one site sampled was located only ~300 m from the mouth of the stream, no
15
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish estuarine species were recorded but may have been present further toward the mouth.
Freshwater Crayfish
The Gilgie was again present in relatively high densities and was most abundant at the upstream site (Appendix 1, Figure 7). As with the previous two streams, the length- frequency distribution showed a dominance of 0+ individuals with older cohorts also present indicating a sustainable population (Figure 11).
Native freshwater crayfish Gilgie 16 14 12 10 8 6 Frequency 4 2 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 Orbital carapace length (mm)
Figure 11 Length-frequency histogram of the Gilgie captured in Dandatup Brook during the study.
Wilyabrup Brook
Physicochemical variables
Aside from Wil 1 (on the northern branch of the stream), there was a general trend for mean temperature, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen to increase from downstream to upstream (Figure 12).
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
21 20 C) o 19 18 17 16
Temperature ( Temperature 15 14 650 600 550 S/cm) µ 500 450 400 350
Conductivity ( 300 250 8.0 7.8 7.6 7.4 7.2
pH 7.0 6.8 6.6 6.4 6.2
11.0 10.5 10.0 9.5 9.0 8.5 O2 (ppm) 8.0 7.5 7.0
1 2 Wil Wil Wil 3 Wil 4 Wil 5 Wil 6 Sites Figure 12 Mean temperature, conductivity, pH and dissolved oxygen (+ 1 S.E.) of the sites sampled in Wilyabrup Brook during spring 2005.
Fish Fauna
Wilyabrup Brook was the only stream sampled during this study where the Western
Minnow and Western Pygmy Perch were recorded (Appendix 1, Figure 5). The
Western Minnow was recorded at a high density at Wil 3 (Howard Park/Madfish
Winery) with large numbers present below an artificially created barrier (see Figure 3).
The population of Western Minnow recorded here and downstream at Wil 4 (Juniper
Winery site), again below a small artificial barrier, included large numbers of juveniles as well as lager adult fish up to 95 mm TL (Figure 13). Relatively high densities of
Western Pygmy Perch were also recorded at Juniper Winery in amongst partially submerged riparian grasses with low densities also recorded upstream at Wil 3.
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Native freshwater crayfish Gilgie 14 12 10 8 6
Frequency 4 2 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40 Marron 4
3
2
Frequency 1
0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32 36 40
Orbital carapace length (mm)
Native freshwater fish Native estuarine fish
Western Pygmy Perch Western Hardyhead 12 12 10 10 8 8 6 6
Frequency 4 Frequency 4 2 2 0 0 0 20406080100 0 20406080
Western Minnow Swan River Goby 12 12 10 10 8 8 6 6
Frequency 4 Frequency 4 2 2 0 0 0 20406080100 0 20406080 Total length (mm) Total length (mm)
Figure 13 Length-frequency histograms of the most abundant species of fish and freshwater crayfish captured in Wilyabrup Brook during spring 2005.
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
This species spawns in spring (approximately the time of sampling) which would have resulted in only a single 0+ juvenile being recorded with age 1+ or greater fish (>~35 mm
TL) dominating catches (Figure 13).
The high density of the Western Minnow below the barrier at Wil 3 (and their absence above) suggests that it acts as a barrier to upstream movement of this species
(Appendix 1, Figure 3). Furthermore, the very low density of Western Pygmy Perch above the small barrier at Juniper Winery compared with the high densities below also suggests that this may be acting as a barrier to its upstream movement (Appendix 1).
The fast-swimming, streamlined Western Minnow is more accomplished at overcoming barriers than the Western Pygmy Perch that would explain its ability to negotiate the relatively small barrier at Juniper Winery and attain the high densities recorded at Wil
3. However, the considerable barrier upstream at Howard Park Winery would not be able to be negotiated by this species (see Figure 3).
The Swan River Goby was recorded at sites Wil 3, Wil 4, and Wil 6 (mouth) (Figure 3).
The high densities and wide size range incorporating multiple cohorts indicates that this is a self-maintaining population in Wilyabrup Brook (Appendix 1, Figure 13). The other estuarine species captured was the Western Hardyhead that was only recorded at the mouth at a relatively high density (0.76/m2) (Appendix 1, Figure 13). There are reports of several other estuarine species within the mouth of this system.
Freshwater crayfish
Three species of freshwater crayfish were captured in Wilyabrup Brook (Appendix 1).
The Gilgie was the most widespread and abundant species in Wilyabrup Brook being found in four of the six sites (Appendix 1). The Gilgie was absent at the Howard
Park/Madfish Bay site where the introduced Yabbie was recorded at a density of
0.04/m2 (Appendix 1). This site also contained Marron at the same density as the Yabbie and the presence of these two species may have resulted in the exclusion of the Gilgie from that stretch of stream below the artificial barrier (see Figures 3 and 13).
19
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Fish fauna general discussion
The only stream that contained native freshwater fishes was Wilyabrup Brook, which contained self-maintaining populations of Western Pygmy Perch and Western Minnow.
The other systems are relatively small and generally flow from May-November. The native freshwater fish of this region, such as the two species captured in Wilyabrup
Brook, and others not present in these streams but known to be found in this region
(such as the Nightfish and Freshwater Cobbler), require permanent water to survive at least in the form of refuge pools with adequate water quality should the system cease to flow in summer. Therefore, the presence of native freshwater fish only in Wilyabrup
Brook (the largest of these systems) is not unexpected. It is however, unusual that the
Nightfish was not captured within Wilyabrup Brook as it is certainly found within nearby systems. There is also evidence, supplied by landholders, that the Mud Minnow has previously been sighted within this system. This species is not always abundant when found and is often associated with stream headwaters. Having a one year life- cycle it is thus susceptible to habitat modification.
All of the streams sampled were connected to the ocean at the time of sampling and this allowed migration of fishes between salt and fresh water in the lower reaches of
Jingarmup, Meelup and Wilyabrup Brooks. As with many streams and estuaries in south-western Australia, the lower reaches of these systems act as important nursery areas for species such Sea Mullet and also support populations of the Swan River Goby and the Western Hardyhead.
Of considerable concern was the discovery of the introduced Rosy Barb within
Jingarmup Brook (in the Eagle Bay town site). This is the first recorded wild population of this species within Western Australia, but it has previously been reported from a suburban creek near Brisbane, Queensland (McKay 1984). The Rosy Barb is a native of the Indian subcontinent (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh) (Allen et al.
2002, www.fishbase.org), and is a popular aquarium species. Its presence in Jingarmup
20
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Brook is undoubtedly the result of a deliberate aquarium release. Within its natural range, the species is omnivorous and is therefore likely to be important in the structuring of food webs (Malhotra and Gupta 1990) and is likely to impact on the prevailing aquatic community in Jingarmup Brook. Furthermore, the Rosy Barb matures in its first year of life (Cek et al. 2003) which, together with an omnivorous diet would aid in its rapid establishment in a new environment. An assessment of the upstream extent of its distribution, its biology (including life-history) and ecology (diet) of the species in this system should occur and an eradication program designed and implemented.
Importantly, Wilyabrup Brook, or indeed none of the stream sampled during this study, contained the undesirable introduced Eastern Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), a species that is known to be detrimental to native fishes via competition and aggression
(Gill et al. 1999, Morgan et al. 2004).
Much of the upstream catchment of the streams in the current study was primarily farmland and there was a resultant decline in the quality of instream habitat at those sites. A number of sites within Wilyabrup Brook that have excluded stock from streamlines demonstrate the benefits of improved instream habitat by allowing riparian vegetation to re-establish. A noticeable difference in stream habitat quality was observed at sites between the fenced and unfenced sections on Wilyabrup Brook.
Riparian protection in turn improves bank stability and allows re-generation of fish and crayfish habitats in the form of rushes and woody debris, while also minimising summer temperatures and turbidity.
Potential barriers to fish migration were encountered at a number of sites on Wilyabrup
Brook and also within Jingarmup Brook (see Figures 2 and 3). The major problems associated with in-stream barriers are: the prevention of upstream spawning migrations of native fishes (such as the Western Minnow and Western Pygmy Perch) which reduces the overall spawning habitat available to these populations, and the potential
21
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish for increased mortalities (e.g. bird predation) of these species that can congregate below these obstructions. Aside from complete removal of the obstruction, fishway construction is proving an effective mechanism for allowing fish to negotiate these barriers as recently shown in the Margaret River (Morgan and Beatty 2004a), the
Goodga River (Morgan and Beatty 2004b), and the Hotham River (Morgan et al. 2005).
A further assessment should be made on the potential benefit to the fishes of Wilyabrup
Brook that the construction of fishway/s may have. This should involve identifying other obstructions that may exist on the stream and the further sampling of sites
(particularly upstream) for fishes to ensure that these barriers are in fact preventing the establishment of native populations further upstream.
Freshwater crayfish fauna general discussion
The Gilgie was clearly the dominant species of freshwater crayfish in all systems (aside from Meelup Brook; which was only sampled at the mouth). As mentioned, the Gilgie has a very widespread distribution in the south-west and is found in all types of freshwater environments including swamps, stream and rivers. Its ability to burrow to escape drought allows it to occupy both permanent and seasonal water bodies.
Although not documented, the fact that it is a burrowing species suggests that it is tolerant of relatively low oxygen and high temperatures. Good recruitment of the species were found in systems where they were present with modal lengths of the new recruits (0+ cohort) varying marginally between system, suggesting either growth or breeding period is slightly different between the systems (see Figure 14). Further, the
0+ Gilgies were largest in the larger streams, suggesting that permanency of habitat (e.g.
Wilyabrup Brook) may lead to an earlier breeding period.
The physicochemical parameters in the streams were not extreme; however, they were relatively small systems which do not favour Marron, a species that is most often associated with larger, permanent waterbodies (Austin and Knott 1996). The presence of Marron near the mouth of Meelup Brook and in Wilyabrup Brook possibly
22
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish represents escaped stock from nearby farm dams. At the Marron capture sites, permanent water provided habitat (including an artificial dam at the mouth of Meelup
Brook).
40
35
30
25
Dandatup - C. quinquecarinatus Dugalup - C. quinquecarinatus 20 Jingarmup - C. quinquecarinatus Wilyabrup - C. quinquecarinatus Frequency
15
10
5
0 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 98 Orbital carapace length (mm)
Figure 14 Length-frequency distributions of the Gilgie in the four streams sampled in spring 2005. N.B. all populations were largely dominated by the smaller (<20 mm OCL) cohorts and the modal length of the smallest (0+) cohort in Jingarmup (10-12 mm) and Wilyabrup (12 -14 mm) populations were slightly greater than those in Dandatup Brook and Dugulup Brook (8-10 mm).
The presence of the introduced Yabbie in Wilyabrup Brook poses a threat to the native fauna in this system (see Beatty et al. 2005a). As with the Marron recorded at the site, the presence of this invasive species would be a result of escape from a nearby dam.
This species can be differentiated from the native Gilgie by the presence of setae
(‘hairs’) on the merus (‘arm’) and carpus (‘wrist’) of the chelae (‘front claws’) and the lack of a central carinae (‘ridge’) on the dorsal region of the cephalon (‘head’) of the yabbie (Figure 14). No native freshwater crayfish species in Western Australia possess setae on the wrist or arms of their claws (although they may have setae on the inside margin of the end segment of their claws) (Horwitz 1995).
23
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
a) yabbie
setae
b) gilgie
smooth
Figure 15 Differences between the introduced Yabbie and the native Gilgie. Note the setae on the carpus (‘wrist’) and merus (‘arm’) of the Yabbie (top), compared to the smooth condition in all the native freshwater crayfish of Western Australia, including the Gilgie.
The Yabbie is the most widely distributed freshwater crayfish in Australia and (like the
Gilgie) is tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions and occupies an array of permanent and temporary habitats in its natural range in eastern Australia (Riek 1969,
24
Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Austin 1985, Morrissy and Cassells 1992). It was introduced into Western Australia in
1932 and is cultured in wheat-belt farm dams, however, it has escaped into a number of natural river systems in the south-west including the Hutt River, Phillips River,
Chapman River, Irwin River, Murray River, Canning River, Swan River, Harvey River and the nearby Vasse River and Gunyulgup Brook (Morgan and Beatty 2004c, 2005,
Beatty et al. 2005a). Its potential to out-compete native species has previously been acknowledged (Austin 1985, Beatty et al. 2005a). Their presence in Wilyabrup and
Gunyulgup Brooks in the Cape Naturaliste region highlights the risks associated with introducing non-native animals into areas with highly endemic biota, such as the south- west of Western Australia (Beatty et al. 2005a). Eradication of the Yabbie from
Wilyabrup Brook would be desirable, however, total eradication would be difficult and would depend on how far it has spread throughout the system; this distribution should be investigated and an assessment made on the potential for its eradication.
REFERENCES
Allen, G.R., Midgley, S.H. and Allen, M. (2002). Field guide to the freshwater fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum, Perth, Western Australia. Austin, C.M. (1985). Introduction of the yabbie, Cherax destructor (Decapoda: Parastacidae) into southwestern Australia. Western Australian Naturalist 16, 78–82. Austin, C.M. and Knott, B. (1996). Systematics of the freshwater crayfish genus Cherax Erichson (Decapoda: Parastacidae) in south-western Australia: Electrophoretic, Morphological and Habitat Variation. Australian Journal of Zoology 44, 223–58. Beatty, S.J. (2000). The reproductive biology and ecological role, using stable carbon isotope analysis, of marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith, 1912), in Lake Navarino, south-western Australia. BSc (Hons) Thesis, Murdoch University, Australia. Beatty, S.J., Morgan, D.L. and Gill, H.S. (2005a). Role of life history strategy in the colonisation of Western Australian aquatic systems by the introduced crayfish Cherax destructor Clark, 1936. Hydrobiologia 549,219-237. Beatty, S.J., Morgan, D.L. and Gill, H.S. (2005b). Life history and reproductive biology of the gilgie Cherax quinquecarinatus, a freshwater crayfish endemic to south-western Australia. Journal of Crustacean Biology 25(2). Cek, S, Bromage, N., Randall, C. and Rana, K. (2003). Oogenesis, Hepatosomatic and Gonadosomatic Indexes, and Sex Ratio in Rosy Barb (Puntius conchonius). Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 3 (1). 33-41. Gill, H.S., Hambleton, S.J. and Morgan, D.L. (1999). Is Gambusia holbrooki a major threat to the native
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
freshwater fishes of south-western Australia? In Seret, B. and Sire, J.-Y., (eds). Proceedings 5th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference (Noumea, 3-8 November1997). pp. 79-87. Paris: Societe Francaise d’Ichtyologie and Institut de Recherche pour le Development. Horwitz, P. (1995). A preliminary key to the species of Decapoda (Crustacea: Malocostraca) found in Australian inland waters. Identification guide number 5. Co-operative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology: Albury, New South Wales, Australia. Horwitz, P. and Adams, M. (2000). The systematics, biogeography and conservation status of species in the freshwater crayfish genus Engaewa Riek (Decapoda: Parastacidae) from south-western Australia. Invertebrate Taxonomy 14, 655–80. Malhotra, Y.R., and Gupta, A. (1990). Seasonal fluctuations in food and feeding of Puntius conchonius inhabiting Lake Mansar, Jammu. Journal of Freshwater Biology 2(2), 147-151. McKay, R.J. (1984). Introductions of exotic fishes in Australia. p. 177-199. In Courtenay, W.R. Jr. and J.R. Stauffer, Jr. (eds). Distribution, Biology and Management of Exotic fishes. The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Morgan, D.L. and Beatty, S.J. (2004a). Margaret River Fishway. Report to the Margaret River Regional Environment Centre. Morgan, D.L. and Beatty, S.J. (2004b). Fish utilisation of the Goodga River Fishway - conserving the Western Australian trout minnow (Galaxias truttaceus). Report to the Department of Fisheries Western Australia. Morgan, D. and Beatty, S. (2004c). Fish fauna of the Vasse River and the colonisation by feral goldfish (Carrassius auratus). Report to Fishcare WA and Geocatch. Morgan, D. and Beatty, S. (2005). Fish and crayfish fauna of Ellen Brook, Cowaramup Brook and Gunyulgup Brook in the Cape to Cape Region of Western Australia. Report to Ribbons of Blue/Waterwatch WA. Morgan, D.L., Beatty, S.J. and McAleer, F.J. (2005). The Lion’s Weir Fishway – Hotham River, Western Australia. Report to the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council. Morgan, D.L., Gill, H.S., Maddern, M.G. and Beatty, S.J. (2004). Distribution and impacts of introduced freshwater fishes in Western Australia. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 38, 511-523. Morgan, D.L., Gill, H.S. & Potter, I.C. (1998). Distribution, identification and biology of freshwater fishes in south-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement No. 56: 97 pp. Morgan, D.L., Hambleton, S.J., Gill, H.S. and Beatty, S.J. (2002). Distribution, biology and likely impacts of the introduced redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) (Percidae) in Western Australia. Marine and Freshwater Research 53, 1211–221. Morrissy, N.M. and Cassells, G. (1992). Spread of the introduced yabbie Cherax albidus Clark 1936 in Western Australia. Fisheries Research Bulletin Western Australia, 92. Orr, P. (2000). The biology of four commercial fish species in a seasonally closed estuary. PhD Thesis, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia. Pen, L.J., and Potter, I.C. (1991). Reproduction, growth and diet of Gambusia holbrooki (Girard) in a temperate Australian river. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 1, 159–72. Riek, E.F. (1969). The Australian freshwater crayfish (Crustacea: Decapoda: Parastacidae), with the description of new species. Australian Journal of Zoology 17, 855–918.
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish
Appendix 1 The densities (per m2) of the species of fish and freshwater crayfish captured in the streams sampled during this study.
Site Native Introduced Native Native Introduced freshwater freshwater estuarine decapods decapods fish fish fish Western Western Rosy Barb Swan River Western Sea Mullet Big-headed Gilgie Marron Freshwater Yabbie Minnow Pygmy Goby Hardyhead Goby Shrimp Perch Jingarmup Bk Cape 2.6
Naturalist Rd Jin 1 Jingarmup Bk Water 0.14 0.41
Lily Cres. Jin 2 Jingarmup Bk Fern 0.39 0.14 0.07
Rd Jin 3 Meelup Bk Mouth 0.01 0.02
Jin 4 Dugulup Ck Caves 2.32 Rd Dug 1 Dugulup Ck central Dunsborough 0.80 Dug 2 Dandatup Bk Gibson 0.67 Dr. Dan 1 Dandatup Bk 0.20 Gifford Rd Dan 2 Willyabrup Bk 0.07 Puzey Rd Wil 1 Wilyabrup Bk Wil 2 1.56 Wilyabrup Bk 0.04 0.04 Howard 3.16 0.01 0.55
Park/Madfish Wil 3 Wilyabrup Bk Juniper Winery 1.17 2.66 0.28 0.12 Wil 4 Willyabrup Bk Brookland Valley 0.11 0.02 Winery Wil 5 Wilyabrup Bk 0.04 0.76 0.04 3.10 mouth
Wil 6
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Cape Naturaliste streams and Wilyabrup Brook: Fish and Freshwater Crayfish