Why and when do freshwater fish migrate? Observations of migration patterns of the native fishes from the Iberian Peninsula (SW Europe)

Autores/as

  • Marc Ordeix i Rigo Coordinador del Centre d'Estudis dels Rius Mediterranis (CERM, Center for the Study of Mediterranean Rivers), Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia). MUSEU DEL TER (TER RIVER MUSEUM). Plaça de les dones del Ter, 1, 08560 Manlleu - Catalunya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7083-2396
  • Frederic Casals Department of Animal Science, University of Lleida, Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Catalonia (Spain).

Resumen

We reviewed information on Iberian freshwater fish to characterize their migratory status and identify migration reasons and periods. Most species migrate (87.3 %; 62 species from 15 families). A large number are potamodromous species (45 species from 6 families) but diadromous species (17 species from 11 families) also exist, including anadromous (9 species) and cata­dromous (8 species). The spawning period is a primary driver of fish migration but feeding and refuge-associated migrations also take place. Sexual maturity is the most important cue triggering fish migration, and other important factors include water temperature, river flow, currents, salinity and photoperiod. Spawning and migrating periods are in general prolonged and vary among years, as a response to the environmental variability of Mediterranean river systems, which are the most frequent in the Iberian Peninsula. Migratory movements of the various native species of each site cover almost the whole or the whole year. Therefore, to allow fish migration, Iberian freshwaters should always be connected, or their fish passes should be permanently, or practically always, in operation.

Biografía del autor/a

Marc Ordeix i Rigo, Coordinador del Centre d'Estudis dels Rius Mediterranis (CERM, Center for the Study of Mediterranean Rivers), Universitat de Vic – Universitat Central de Catalunya (University of Vic – Central University of Catalonia). MUSEU DEL TER (TER RIVER MUSEUM). Plaça de les dones del Ter, 1, 08560 Manlleu - Catalunya

Marc Ordeix Rigo (Vic, 1966) studied biology at the University of Barcelona and doctorate at the University of Lleida (Fish migration in Mediterranean rivers: a case study of the fish pass assessment in Catalonia, NE Iberian Peninsula). From 1989 to 2001, he worked in water analysis, control and development of wastewater treatment plants in Catalonia. Simultaneously, he carried out numerous zoological and limnological studies. Since 2001, he coordinates the CERM, Center for the Study of Mediterranean Rivers, which is the environmental area of the Ter River Museum, focussed in research (riparian vegetation, macroinvertebrates, fish), ecological restoration and land stewardship, and environmental education in freshwaters. Since 2016, the CERM is part of the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic- UCC), an independent University with public supervision.

 Between 2005 an 2018, he taught the subject of hydrogeology in the degree of Environmetal Sciences at UVic-UCC. Since 2016, he teaches the subject of Animal Biology in the degrees of Biology and Biotechnology, and of Environmental Restoration Techniques in the degree of Biology at UVic-UCC.

 Since 2019, he is also codirector of the chair of  Water, Nature and Welfare from UVic-UCC and UdG.

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Publicado

2024-01-11

Número

Vol. 43 Núm. 1 (2024): Limnetica

Sección

Research Paper

Licencia

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