Morphology and Incidence of Yabby (Cherax Albidus) Burrows in Western Australia

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Morphology and Incidence of Yabby (Cherax Albidus) Burrows in Western Australia FISHERIES RESEARCH REPORT NO. 129, 2001 Morphology and incidence of Yabby (Cherax albidus) burrows in Western Australia Craig S. Lawrence Project Staff : Joshua I. Brown and Justin E. Bellanger CULT UA UR Q E A D E L V I E C LO UN PMENT CO Fisheries Research Division WA Marine Research Laboratories PO Box 20 NORTH BEACH Western Australia 6920 Department of Fisheries Fisheries Research Report Titles in the fisheries research series contain technical and scientific information that represents an important contribution to existing knowledge, but which may not be suitable for publication in national or international scientific journals. Fisheries Research Reports may be cited as full publications. The correct citation appears with the abstract for each report. Numbers 1-80 in this series were issued as Reports. Numbers 81-82 were issued as Fisheries Reports, and from number 83 the series has been issued under the current title. Enquiries Department of Fisheries 3rd floor SGIO Atrium 168-170 St George’s Terrace PERTH WA 6000 Telephone (08) 9482 7333 Facsimile (08) 9482 7389 Website: http://www.wa.gov.au/westfish/res Published by Department of Fisheries Perth, Western Australia November 2001 ISSN: 1035 - 4549 ISBN: 0 7309 8457 5 An electronic copy of this report will be available at the above website where parts may be shown in colour where this is thought to improve clarity. Fisheries research in Western Australia The Fisheries Research Division of the Department of Fisheries is based at the Western Australian Marine Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 20, North Beach (Perth), Western Australia, 6020. The Marine Research Laboratories serve as the centre for fisheries research in the State of Western Australia. Research programs conducted by the Fisheries Research Division and laboratories investigate basic fish biology, stock identity and levels, population dynamics, environmental factors, and other factors related to commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries and aquaculture. The Fisheries Research Division also maintains the State data base of catch and effort fisheries statistics. The primary function of the Fisheries Research Division is to provide scientific advice to government in the formulation of management policies for developing and sustaining Western Australian fisheries. Contents Page List of Tables ...................................................................................................... iii List of Figures ...................................................................................................... iii Abstract ...................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Background.............................................................................................. 4 1.2 Need ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objectives ................................................................................................ 4 2.0 Materials and Methods .................................................................................... 5 2.1 Evaluation of methods for casting yabby burrows.................................. 5 2.2 Survey of yabby burrows from WA ........................................................ 5 2.2.1 Survey 1: Study areas .................................................................. 5 2.2.2 Survey 2 : Study areas.................................................................. 7 2.3 Field measurement of burrows and yabby populations .......................... 8 2.4 The influence of dam age, diet, yabby density and sex on burrowing habits...................................................................................... 10 2.5 Statistical analysis .................................................................................. 11 3.0 Results ...................................................................................................... 12 3.1 Evaluation of methods for casting yabby burrows.................................. 12 3.2 Survey of yabby burrows ........................................................................ 12 3.3 Relationship between burrows and environmental parameters .............. 15 3.3.1 Soil composition .......................................................................... 15 3.3.2 Water chemistry .......................................................................... 16 3.4 The influence of dam age, diet, yabby density and sex on burrowing habits...................................................................................... 17 4.0 Discussion ...................................................................................................... 19 4.1 Burrow morphology and implications for export markets...................... 19 4.2 Burrow Morphology................................................................................ 19 4.3 Why do yabbies burrow? ........................................................................ 20 4.4 How do physical or chemical parameters induce burrowing? ................ 21 4.5 How do burrows disappear from farm dams? ........................................ 22 5.0 Conclusions and recommendations ................................................................ 22 6.0 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................... 22 i 7.0 Appendices ...................................................................................................... 23 Appendix 1: Table 1: Matrix of correlations of burrow morphology and density and soil conditions from survey 1............................................ 23 Table 2: Matrix of correlations of burrow morphology and density with water chemistry from survey 1 ........................................ 23 Appendix 2: ...................................................................................................... 24 Table 1: Matrix of correlation coefficients for burrow density and water chemistry and soil parameters from survey 2 ................ 24 8.0 References ...................................................................................................... 25 ii List of Tables Table 1: Comparison of methods for casting yabby burrows .................... 12 Table 2: Mean depth of burrows directly into dam wall (n = number of burrows characterised in each water body) ........ 13 Table 3: Summary of the morphology of yabby burrows in farm dams, channels and research ponds. ...................................................... 13 Table 4. Burrow density and sex ratio of yabbies from dams. .................. 14 Table 5: Classification of burrows (based on Figure 5 after Grow, 1981).................................................................................. 14 Table 6: Change in burrow occurrence and density in commercial yabby dams over time. ................................................................ 15 Table 7: Survey 1 soil composition and type from burrow sites (n=7) .... 15 Table 8: Survey 2 Summary data of soil composition from burrow sites (n=39) .......................................................................................... 15 Table 9: Water chemistry for burrow sites from Survey 1......................... 16 Table 10: Water chemistry for burrow sites from Survey 2......................... 16 List of Figures Figure 1: Commercial yabby harvesting region (shaded) in Western Australia with location of Survey 1 study sites. .......................... 6 Figure 2: Commercial yabby harvesting region (shaded) in Western Australia with location of Survey 2 study sites .......................... 7 Figure 3: Graphical view of a farm dam with areas measured for burrow density: A - 0.5 m either side of the waters edge; B - Above view of area measured. .............................................. 8 Figure 4: Polyurethane cast of a yabby burrow displaying measurements of depth into dam wall (a) and actual burrow length (b)............. 8 Figure 5: Burrow classification (after Grow, 1981)..................................... 9 Figure 6: Trawl net used determining sex ratios of dams .......................... 9 Figure 7: Soil classification (according to Boyd & Tucker 1992) .............. 10 Figure 8: Change in burrow incidence in research ponds over time (n=139) ........................................................................................ 17 Figure 9: Effect of feeding and density on burrow incidence of yabbies (n=6). .............................................................................. 18 Figure 10: Differences in burrowing habits between male, female and mixed sex populations of yabbies (n=6). .................................... 18 iii iv Morphology and incidence of Yabby (Cherax albidus) burrows in Western Australia Dr. Craig S. Lawrence Western Australian Marine Research Laboratories PO Box 20, North Beach WA 6920 Abstract Yabby (Cherax albidus) burrows were recorded from dams, channels and ponds in Western Australia. Twenty five sites were sampled during Spring, 1998 and the burrow morphology and density was described from six of these locations where burrows were present. To improve the sample size and address seasonal trends 49 commercially harvested yabby dams were sampled over the summer of 1999/2000 and the number and density of yabby burrows were recorded. Burrow incidence and morphology
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