New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts

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Spawning site selection, egg development, and larval drift of Galaxias postvectis and G. fasciatus in a New Zealand stream

Sjaan C. Charteris*

Institute of Natural Resources-Ecology
Massey University
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North, New Zealand
email: sjaancharteris@hotmail.com

*Present address: Department of Conservation,
Canterbury Conservancy, Private Bag 4715,
Christchurch, New Zealand.

Richard M. Allibone†

National Institute of Water and
 Atmospheric Research Limited
P.O. Box 11 115
Hamilton, New Zealand

†Present address: Department of Conservation,
P.O. Box 10 420, Wellington, New Zealand.

Russell G. Death

Institute of Natural Resources-Ecology
Massey University
Private Bag 11 222
Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract  Twelve Galaxias postvectis (shortjaw kokopu) and four G. fasciatus (banded kokopu) spawning sites were found on the margins of the Katikara Stream, Taranaki, New Zealand. This is the first time G. postvectis spawning sites have been documented. G. fasciatus spawning sites discovered in this study confirm previous observations elsewhere in New Zealand. These spawning sites were all found out of water, variable distances from the base flow water level amongst stony substrate, vegetation, and debris. Most G. fasciatus appeared to lay their eggs, and subsequently hatch, c. 3 weeks earlier than G. postvectis, which spawned from 9 to 17 May 2001. G. brevipinnis (koaro) larvae were also identified drifting downstream in late May and mid June 2001. Deposition of eggs and subsequent hatching were found to be associated with elevated flows.

Keywords  drifting larvae; eggs; flood flows; Galaxias; riparian zone; spawning; terrestrial spawning site

M02058 Received 12 May 2002; accepted 20 March 2003; Published 5 August 2003
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2003, Vol. 37: 493-505
0028-8330/03/3703-0493 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2003

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