The influence of calcium concentration on the distribution of the river bullheadCottus gobioL. (Teleostes, Cottidae)

Abstract

The influence of some environmental parameters, i.e. dissolved oxygen, water temperature, Ca concentration, pH, conductibility, on populations of the river bullhead, Cottus gobio, in Northern Apennines (Tuscany) has been considered. The bullhead seemed to prefer waters with low levels of calcium. The Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) showed congruent results and highlighted the role of calcium concentration and pH levels in determining suitable habitats for C. gobio (overall correct classification: 84.1%). The influence of calcium concentration in the water is not only critical in the definition of the presence/absence pattern, but clearly had a negative effect on the growth of C. gobio. The distribution pattern linked to the geological substrate composition of the studied area was confirmed by the distribuition of the C. gobio in two other areas in Northern Italy (the Orobie and the Maritime Alps).

Perturbateurs endocriniens

“…Le chabot a été beaucoup étudié en terme de génétique des populations (Knaepkens et al 2002;Knapen et al 2003), de modélisation de la dynamique des populations Chaumot et al 2006), de comportement reproducteur De Silva,1985), de stratégies d'histoire de vie (Smyly 1957), et de l'influence de différentes conditions environnementales (Nocita et al 2009;Pont 2006;Abdoli et al 2005Brown 1989).…”

Reviewing zoology

“…The reviews published last year covered varied topics, ranging from the history of animal ecology (Gatto 2009), to the immune defences of a fish species (Randelli et al 2009), from the influence of some physical factor on the biology of a species (Nocita et al 2009), to the reproductive biology of Rotifers (Ricci and Fontaneto 2009). The range of topics does not cover the whole spectrum of zoology, yet.…”