Spatial distribution of an eel population (Anguilla anguilla L.) in a small coastal catchment of northern Brittany (France). Consequences of hydraulic works

Feunteun, Éric; Acou, Anthony; Guillouët, Jérôme; Laffaille, Pascal; Legault, Antoine

doi:10.1051/kmae:1998038

Cited by 59 publications

(100 citation statements)

References 8 publications

(9 reference statements)

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“…Meanwhile, American eel densities are poorly or not correlated with habitat variables such as stream width, depth, substrate or flow (Huish and Pardue 1978;Smogor et al 1995;Wiley et al 2004). The same lack of association between physical habitat and densities has been reported for European eel (Feunteun et al 1998). Our review of the literature indicates that the perception of ecological processes deemed important in explaining observed patterns changes with the scale of study (see also Morris 1987) and it remains a challenge to synthesise the ecological processes underpinning not only variation in somatic growth and sex ratio but other relevant life history traits and movement patterns of American eel across their range.…”

Section: The Synthesissupporting

confidence: 59%

A synthesis of the ecological processes influencing variation in life history and movement patterns of American eel: towards a global assessment

Vélez‐Espino

Koops

2009

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

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American eel, Anguilla rostrata, is a catadromous fish that spawns in the Sargasso Sea and migrates to coastal waters and freshwater systems ranging from Greenland down the Atlantic coast to South America and has been regarded as comprising a panmictic population. American eel is in decline across much of its range. Research and management is primarily conducted at local to regional scales, yielding inconsistent research results and management recommendations that may be inhibited by large-scale processes. We review the research on American eel ecology demonstrating that its variable life history and movement patterns can be explained based on: (1) latitudinal productivity gradients; (2) ideal free habitat selection; (3) conditional evolutionarily stable life history strategies; (4) size at arrival to the coast (correlated with distance from the spawning grounds); and, (5) temperature variance and annual degree-day effects on somatic growth. Using these ecological processes, we outline how local and largescale effects on American eel dynamics can be integrated in a panmictic (or quasi-panmictic) modelling framework to enable defensible predictions of population responses to anthropogenic and oceanic phenomena. Due to its widespread distribution and existing knowledge gaps, the conservation and management of American eel will require international cooperation.

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Section: The Synthesissupporting

confidence: 59%

A synthesis of the ecological processes influencing variation in life history and movement patterns of American eel: towards a global assessment

Vélez‐Espino

Koops

2009

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

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“…Feunteun (2002) suggested that the opening of migration pathways was one of the most important management tools, mainly by constructing fishways (Legault, 1994;Knights and White, 1998;Laffaille et al, 2005c) or dam management (Legault, 1990;Laffaille et al, 2007). Scientists and managers need to assess the results of modifications of river network connectivity, and small eels should be good bioindicators of connectivity and permit the detection of dysfunctions (Feunteun et al, 1998;. For instance, systems which have no small eels in reaches where they would be expected to be present may suffer from low longitudinal connectivity, and could therefore be targeted for management measures (e.g.…”

Section: > Assessment Of Changes In River Longitudinal Connectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the freshwater distribution of yellow eel

Lasne

Laffaille

2008

Knowl. Managt. Aquatic Ecosyst.

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In the global context of the decline in wild species, modeling the distribution of populations is a crucial aspect of ecological management. This can be a major challenge, especially for species, such as the European eel, that have complex life cycles, exhibit cryptic behavior, or migrate over long distances. A review of the literature suggests that eel size data could be used to assess and analyze freshwater distribution of eel. We argue that analyses based on small yellow eels (≤ 300 mm) along the longitudinal course of rivers could provide a valuable tool for population monitoring. We propose a standardized catchment recruitment index and a colonization index based on the probability of occurrence (presence/absence data) using logistic models for different size classes. The model developed here provides a convenient guide for assessing yellow eel stages in freshwater areas, and should have concrete applications for management of the species. RÉSUMÉ Évaluation de la distribution des anguilles jaunes en eau douceDans le contexte actuel de déclin des espèces, la modélisation de la distribution des populations est une étape importante pour la gestion de la biodiversité. Cependant, cette modélisation peut s'avérer difficile, particulièrement pour les espèces qui, comme l'anguille européenne, possèdent des cycles de vie complexes, ont un mode de vie cryptique ou effectuent de grandes migrations. Un examen de la littérature suggère que la taille des anguilles peut être utilisée comme critère pour évaluer et analyser la distribution des anguille en eau douce. Nous suggérons que l'examen des patrons de distribution des petites anguilles (≤ 300 mm) le long des réseaux hydrographiques peut fournir des informations précieuses pour le suivi des populations. Nous proposons un indice standardisé de recrutement et de colonisation des bassins versants sur la

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“…It is obstructed by several dams, but the main one is equipped with both an eel lift and a trapping system (Bois Joli, 5 km from the estuary). The fishing pressure in the short estuary is very limited as there is no professional fishery and angling mainly focuses on game fish (FEUNTEUN et al, 1998).…”

Section: Description Of the Study Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Contribution of Springtime and Autumn Glass Eels (Anguilla Anguilla) to Stock : Results Based on Otolith Morphometry.

Briand¹,

Mounaix²,

Fatin³

et al. 2003

Bull. Fr. Pêche Piscic.

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A double mark, called a transition ring, or elver mark, was identifiable in light microscopy on otoliths of young yellow eels. In the Vilaine watershed, the radius of this mark decreased from 178 µm in yellow eels corresponding to glass eels arriving in autumn 1997 to 163 µm in yellow eels arriving in spring 1998. The mean transition ring radius of the freshwater eel population in the Vilaine river had an intermediate value between spring and autumn recruits. This implies that it consisted of a mixture of spring and autumn recruits. In the Vilaine estuary and the Frémur populations, the mean radius of the transition rings was close to the autumn one. The springtime recruits formed 68 % of freshwater and 15 % of estuarine population in the Vilaine for the 1998 cohort. This result was in sharp contrast with the available assessments of recruitment, which both in estuary and in the fluvial part of the watershed, were dominated by spring recruits. This contrast is possibly the consequence of density-dependent mortality, which would have been particularly important in springtime for glass eels whose migration was inhibited by the dam.

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Spatial distribution of an eel population (Anguilla anguilla L.) in a small coastal catchment of northern Brittany (France). Consequences of hydraulic works

Cited by 59 publications

References 8 publications

A synthesis of the ecological processes influencing variation in life history and movement patterns of American eel: towards a global assessment

A synthesis of the ecological processes influencing variation in life history and movement patterns of American eel: towards a global assessment

Assessing the freshwater distribution of yellow eel

The Contribution of Springtime and Autumn Glass Eels (Anguilla Anguilla) to Stock : Results Based on Otolith Morphometry.

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