New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Short communication
Persistence of a significant population of rare Canterbury mudfish (Neochanna burrowsius) in a hydrologically isolated catchment
Jon S. Harding1
David A. Norton2
Angus R. McIntosh1
1 School of Biological Sciences
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
email: jon.harding@canterbury.ac.nz
2 School of Forestry
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch, New Zealand
Abstract Canterbury mudfish (Neochanna burrowsius) are endemic to a small region of Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand and classified as nationally endangered. We reviewed data from the New Zealand Freshwater Fish Database and trapped fish in July 2006, and January and February 2007 in the Waianiwaniwa Valley, Canterbury to determine the importance of this catchment for mudfish conservation. Mudfish were found in 19 of the 28 sites sampled. Waianiwaniwa Valley sites accounted for 47% of all Canterbury mudfish database records of mean catch per unit effort (CPUE) ≥6 fish. The population comprised young recruits (<60 mm total length (TL)) through to mature adult fish (>120 mm TL) indicating a healthy population. Drying of the lower mainstem, and low dissolved oxygen levels in summer create a unique catchment free of larger predatory fish and with reduced competition from other fish species. We estimated that mudfish occur in at least 24.3 km of the Waianiwaniwa River, making this catchment the most important refuge known for the conservation of this species.
Keywords endemic species; conservation status; mudfish distribution; predatory fish
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2007, Vol. 41: 309–316
0028–8330/07/4103–0309 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007
M07025; Online publication date 18 September 2007. Received 29 May 2007; accepted 16 July 2007
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