Comparative Population Dynamics of <i>Schizothorax wangchiachii</i> (Cyprinidae: Schizothoracinae) in the Middle Reaches of the Yalong River and the Upper Reaches of the Jinsha River, China
Zhi He,
Kuo Gao,
Hongjun Chen,
Deying Yang,
Yong Pu,
Li Zheng,
Yuanyuan Jiao,
Jinxin Xiong,
Qiqi Chen,
Bolin Lai,
Mingwang Zhang,
Ziting Tang,
Taiming Yan
Affiliations
Zhi He
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Kuo Gao
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Hongjun Chen
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Deying Yang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Yong Pu
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Li Zheng
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Yuanyuan Jiao
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Jinxin Xiong
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Qiqi Chen
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Bolin Lai
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Mingwang Zhang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Ziting Tang
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Taiming Yan
College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
To explore the differences in the growth characteristics and population dynamics of Schizothorax wangchiachii populations in the Jinsha River (JSR) and the Yalong River (YLR), samples were collected in the upper reaches of the JSR (n = 230) from 2019 to 2020 and the middle reaches of the YLR (n = 187) from 2017 to 2018. In the JSR and YLR populations, the age range was 11 and 12 years old, respectively, and the best growth equation was the Von Bertalanffy equation. The comparative analysis of the two populations showed that the growth coefficient, initial sexual maturity age and age at first capture of the YLR population were greater than those of the JSR population. Comparing the mortality rates of the two groups, we found that the YLR population had the higher female mortality rate (0.658 years−1) and the lower male mortality rate (0.453 years−1). Our assessment of the three natural mortality rates showed that the Fcur of both male and female populations was greater than F25%, indicating that both populations were in an overexploited state. Therefore, we suggest considering the two groups as separate protection units and implementing management measures such as ecological regulation, restoration of tributary habitat and strengthening of fishing ban monitoring to protect their resources.
