Publication Abstract

Growth and condition of dace Leuciscus leuciscus in the River Lee (Hertfordshire) relative to selected populations elsewhere in Europe

Growth and condition of dace Leuciscus leuciscus in the River Lee (Hertfordshire) relative to selected populations elsewhere in Europe

G.H. Copp*, J. England, R. Tyner, M.G. Carter, S. Stakėnas, M. Przybylski, K.J. Wesley

From fisheries surveys in the River Lee, Hertfordshire, the frequency of occurrence and relative numbers of dace Leuciscus leuciscus were observed to be low relative to similar streams elsewhere in England. Length-frequency distributions were constructed from the available data, including data from Environment Agency surveys, the growth of dace captured in 1998 was back-calculated from scales, and von Bertalanffy growth parameters were applied available length-at-age data to construct composite growth trajectories separately for English and European dace populations. Early growth in River Lee dace was fast and is similar to that observed in other chalk streams of the UK. The composite growth trajectories for English and Continental European dace populations suggest that English dace populations have generally faster early growth than those on the Continent. Apparent fluctuations in population status do not appear to result from poor growth. However, life span may be shorter and body condition may to be lower than in other populations for which data are available. The survey data suggest that dace in the middle stretches of the Lee near Hertford may be the core of the population, but this requires further study.

Reference

G.H. Copp*, J. England, R. Tyner, M.G. Carter, S. Stakėnas, M. Przybylski, K.J. Wesley (2007) Growth and condition of dace Leuciscus leuciscus in the River Lee (Hertfordshire) relative to selected populations elsewhere in Europe. The London Naturalist 86: 71-85

G.H. Copp*, J. England, R. Tyner, M.G. Carter, S. Stakėnas, M. Przybylski, K.J. Wesley

The London Naturalist 86: 71-85