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Clear as mud: the ecology and conservation of a secretive wetland fish (Neochanna cleaveri:Galaxiidae) in a heavily altered landscape

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Abstract

The rediscovery of presumed extirpated populations provides a second chance opportunity for species and habitat conservation. This study details the redetection of a westerly outlying population of a secretive wetland fish, the Australian Mudfish Neochanna cleaveri, as a positive note in the face of major environmental change. It also documents the basic ecology of the population to inform natural resource management and better understand the needs of similar habitat specialists. Nuclear genetic markers (allozymes) revealed the rediscovered population to be closely related to those in other parts of the range. Targeted sampling in the south east of South Australia indicated a robust population, occupying vegetated ephemeral wetlands and drains across two fragmented and contrasting systems. Movement sampling failed to detect migrating juveniles, which was supported by otolith trace elemental chemistry, that implied a wholly freshwater or at least non-marine lifecycle. Together these data indicate specific conservation management is warranted for a regionally disjunct and independent population and emphasises the importance of both remnant ephemeral wetlands and some artificial habitats for maintaining freshwater biodiversity across heavily altered landscapes.

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Acknowledgements

The present study arose predominately from two research projects funded by the South Australian (SA) Department for Water (now subsumed into the SA Department for Environment and Water (DEW)). Other aspects were conducted, along with the decision to submit this manuscript for publication, by the authors independently of funding agencies. Thanks go to Mark de Jong (South Eastern Water Conservation Drainage Board, SEWCDB, also part of DEW) for supporting monitoring and conservation efforts focused on the species. Ben Taylor (Nature Glenelg Trust), Ruan Gannon (Aquasave–NGT), Scott Slater and Kate Mason (DEW), Randall Johnson, Allison Chambers, Kaye Best and Patrick Matthews assisted with field sampling. We also thank the private landowners and the SEWCDB for access to sampling sites. Editor-in-Chief Barry G. Warner, J. Matthew Hoch and three anonymous reviewers provided constructive review of the manuscript.

Funding

The present study arose predominately from two research projects funded by the South Australian (SA) Department for Water (now subsumed into the SA Department for Environment and Water (DEW)). Other aspects were conducted, along with the decision to submit this manuscript for publication, by the authors independently of funding agencies.

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Author notes

  1. Thomas C. Barnes

    Present address: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, NSW, 2315, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquasave−Nature Glenelg Trust, Hindmarsh Valley, SA, 5211, Australia

    Nick S. Whiterod, Michael P. Hammer, Thomas C. Barnes & Mel Tucker

  2. Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, GPO Box 4646, Darwin, NT, 0801, Australia

    Michael P. Hammer

  3. Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    Thomas C. Barnes

  4. Southern Seas Ecology Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Thomas C. Barnes

  5. Wetland Research & Management, Burswood, WA, 6100, Australia

    Mel Tucker

  6. Evolutionary Biology Unit, South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia

    Mark Adams

  7. School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia

    Mark Adams

  8. Applied Aquatic Ecology Section, Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, 123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia

    Tarmo A. Raadik

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  1. Nick S. Whiterod
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Contributions

NW—participated in field sampling and lead manuscript preparation. MH—developed study, participated in field sampling and had strong role in manuscript preparation. TB—participated in field sampling and undertook otolith microchemistry sampling and analyses. MT—participated in field sampling. MA—undertook molecular analyses. TR—provided guidance over the duration of the study and critical review of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Nick S. Whiterod.

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The study was conducted in accordance with all necessary permits and approvals. This included PIRSA (Fisheries) Collection Permit (ME9902425).

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Whiterod, N.S., Hammer, M.P., Barnes, T.C. et al. Clear as mud: the ecology and conservation of a secretive wetland fish (Neochanna cleaveri:Galaxiidae) in a heavily altered landscape. Wetlands Ecol Manage 28, 779–795 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-020-09748-7

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