Marron Literature Review

Transcription

Marron Cherax cainii (Austin) in
Victoria – a Literature Review
David Bryant and Phil Papas
2007
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research
Technical Report Series No. 167
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 167
Marron Cherax cainii (Austin) in
Victoria – a literature review
David Bryant and Phil Papas
123 Brown Street, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084
November 2007
Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Sustainability and
Environment. Heidelberg, Victoria.
Report produced by:
Department of Sustainability and Environment
PO Box 137
Heidelberg, Victoria 3084
Phone (03) 9450 8600
Website: www.dse.vic.gov.au/ari
© State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2007
This publication is copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism
or review as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced, copied, transmitted in
any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical or graphic) without the prior written permission of the
State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment. All requests and enquires should be
directed to the Customer Service Centre, 136 186 or email [email protected]
Citation
Bryant, D. and Papas, P. (2007). ‘Marron Cherax cainii (Austin) in Victoria – a literature review’. Arthur
Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series No. 167. (Department of Sustainability
and Environment: Heidelberg).
ISBN 978-1-74208-219-6 (Print)
ISBN 978-1-74208-220-2 (Online)
ISSN 1835-3827 (Print)
ISSN 1835-3835 (Online)
Disclaimer
This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee
that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and
therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying
on any information in this publication.
Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne.
Printed by: NMIT Printroom, 77-91 St Georges Road, Preston 3072
Contents
List of figures and tables...................................................................................................... ii
Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. iii
Summary ................................................................................................................................ iv
1
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1
2
Biology and ecology of marron................................................................................... 1
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
3
Marron translocations................................................................................................... 7
3.1
3.2
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.2.5
4
Taxonomy ........................................................................................................ 1
Habitat.............................................................................................................. 2
Biology.......................................................................................................................... 2
Environmental tolerances ........................................................................................ 4
Translocations outside Victoria ...................................................................... 7
Translocations within Victoria ........................................................................ 8
History of marron in Victoria ............................................................................. 8
Known and established populations................................................................. 9
Unconfirmed populations following reports of marron............................. 10
Other known occurrences of marron in Victoria ......................................... 11
Summary of marron observations in Victoria............................................... 11
Potential distribution of marron............................................................................... 12
4.1
Predicting the potential distribution of marron ..........................................12
4.2
The potential distribution of redclaw within Victoria .................................13
5
Potential impacts of marron in Victoria.................................................................. 14
5.1
5.2
6
Disease ...........................................................................................................14
Competitive interactions between crayfish ..................................................14
Knowledge gaps and future considerations........................................................... 16
6.1
Predicting the potential spread of marron in Victoria .................................... 16
6.2
Presence of marron in private waters ................................................................. 16
6.3
The impact of marron on endemic crayfish ...................................................... 16
7
References..................................................................................................................... 17
Appendix 1. Climex climactic matching.......................................................................... 20
i
List of figures and tables
Figure 1. Marron (Cherax cainii) characters for identification, from Fisheries
Western Australia (2004)........................................................................................................... 3
Figure 2. Yabby (Cherax destructor/albidus) characters for identification,
from Fisheries WA (2004).......................................................................................................... 4
Figure 3. Map showing distribution of marron in Western Australia (courtesy
of Fisheries Western Australia). ............................................................................................... 8
Figure 4. Confirmed marron populations on the Mornington Peninsula,
southeast of Melbourne. ..........................................................................................................10
Figure 5. Timeline of marron observations in Victoria.....................................................11
Figure 6. The area of Australia potentially suitable for marron farming (from
Lawrence (1998)). Note that the claim that marron farming is not permitted
in Victoria is not accurate. If the proposed activity is consistent with NAS
policy statement, an aquaculture licence and NAS permit can be issued for
farming of marron (Paul Mainey, Fisheries Victoria, pers. comm. 2007)......................12
Figure 7. Climate zones of Australia (from the Bureau of Meteorology). .....................12
Figure 8. Current production area for redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus)
within Australia (from Jones (1998)). ...................................................................................13
Table 1. Environmental tolerances for marron (Cherax cainii)......................................... 5
Table 2. Environmental tolerances for the yabby (Cherax destructor/albidus)
and redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus). .................................................................................. 6
Table 3. Summary of the environmental tolerances for the marron (Cherax
cainii), the yabby (Cherax destructor/albidus) and redclaw (Cherax
quadricarinatus). Values are the means from tables 1 and 2. .......................................... 7
ii
Acknowledgements
Funding for the review was provided by Melbourne Water. The following people are
thanked for their comments on the draft: Louise Galli (Fisheries Victoria, Department
of Primary Industries), Paul Mainey (Fisheries Victoria, Department of Primary
Industries), Bill O’Connor (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, Department of
Sustainability and Environment), Vin Pettigrove (Melbourne Water), Tarmo Raadik
(Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research, Department of Sustainability and
Environment), Ed Tsyrlin (Melbourne water) and Matt Ward (Fisheries Victoria,
Department of Primary Industries).
iii
Summary
Marron (Cherax cainii), a freshwater crayfish endemic to Western Australia, is a
declared noxious species within Victoria. The species has been translocated into
Victoria with two self sustaining populations known on the Mornington Peninsula,
southeast of Melbourne. Both populations occur in artificial waterbodies – Devilbend
reservoir and OT Dam. It is suspected that attempts to translocate marron sourced
from these populations have been made. The true extent of the marron population in
Victoria is unknown as private waters (farm dams for example) have not been
surveyed.
Tolerance data for marron indicate that the spread of marron in Victoria would not
be constrained by water temperature. The impact of marron on native freshwater
crayfish in Victoria is unknown. Further study on the distribution of marron in
Victoria, its physiological tolerances under Victorian conditions and its interaction
with native freshwater crayfish is required before an adequate assessment of the
impact of the species on the freshwater ecology of Victorian waters can be
confidently ascertained.
iv
Marron Cherax cainii (Austin) in Victoria – a literature review
1 Introduction
Marron, Cherax cainii (Austin 2002), formerly Cherax tenuimanus (Smith 1912) are
endemic to the south-west of Western Australia (WA). In recent times, its distribution in
Australia has been widely extended by the commercial aquaculture and recreational
fishing industries in WA (Morrissy 1978, Horwitz 1990b, Arthington and McKenzie
1997); the aquaculture industry in South Australia (Zeidler 2000), Queensland and New
South Wales (Merrick and Lambert 1991); and aquaculture overseas (Smith 1988),
Avenant-Oldewage 1993).
There have been several unconfirmed reports of marron in Victoria over the past 30
years. The only survey conducted specifically to establish the presence of marron in
Victoria was undertaken in 1996-1997 by the Freshwater Ecology Section of the Arthur
Rylah Institute (ARI) in response to a report of marron on and near the Mornington
Peninsula. Two populations of marron were confirmed in that region: Devilbend
Reservoir and OT Dam. Little attention has been given to the presence of marron in
Victoria since the initial survey.
Marron were declared noxious in Victoria in 1986 due to concerns they may become
established in Victorian waters, impacting on local biota and introducing novel disease
organisms not present at the time in Victoria (Victorian Fisheries Notes 1988). Overseas
examples of exotic crayfish establishment are numerous including reporting of local
extinctions and population decline of endemic crayfish (Hill and Lodge 1999, Usio et al.
2001), hence the concern would seem justified.
This literature review compiles information on the distribution of marron in Victoria,
investigates the likelihood of its further spread using climatic modeling and investigates
the impacts of such a spread on other freshwater biota. Knowledge gaps in these areas
are identified. Issues raised in this review may also be applicable to another Cherax
species, Cherax quadricarinatus, commonly referred to as redclaw, which is briefly
covered in the review.
2 Biology and ecology of marron
2.1 Taxonomy
Marron can be readily distinguished from other Cherax species by the presence of five
keels on the dorsal surface of their head and two small spines on the telson (Figure 1).
Yabbies (Cherax destructor/albidus), the other Cherax species within Victoria, in contrast
have four keels along the head with only two easily discernible, no spines on the telson
and have elongate and large chelipeds (Figure 2).
There are two discrete forms of marron, a smooth form and hairy form. They were
considered to be sub species (Austin and Knott 1996) until 2002 when allozyme evidence
indicated these forms were distinct species (Austin and Ryan 2002). The hairy form,
restricted to the Margaret River system in WA, maintained the name Cherax tenuimanus
(Smith), while the smooth and widely translocated form was given the name Cherax
cainii (Austin). This name change is being disputed and is currently before the
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (Case No. 3267).
The Victorian populations are both assumed to be Cherax cainii based on the results of
1
DNA analysis of marron from the Mornington Peninsula, reported by Nguyen et al.
(2002). Described only as being from an inundated quarry near Arthur’s Seat State Park it
is assumed the marron sourced for analysis were from Devilbend Reservoir. As such,
unless stated otherwise ‘marron’ in this review refers to Cherax cainii.
2.2 Habitat
In their natural environment, marron inhabit the clear, deep water reaches of
permanently flowing rivers (Merrick and Lambert 1991, Mosig 1998, Wingfield 1998),
preferring sandy reaches with structure (e.g. snags and rocks) for shelter (Molony et al.
2004). Marron are not considered to be burrowers but do excavate short unbranched
burrows under structures (Clunie et al. 2002). Mosig (1998) however, reports that
burrowing may occur in the banks of dams where refuge habitat is limiting. In Devilbend
Reservoir, marron have been observed using multi entranced burrows in soft mud banks
and under timber debris (T. Raadik, Department of Sustainability and Environment,
pers.comm. 2006).
Marron farming has proven to be extremely successful in clay bottomed farm dams and
aquaculture ponds (Morrissy 1976, Fisheries and Wildlife 1977, Morrissy et al. 1990,
Merrick and Lambert 1991, Lawrence 1998, Mosig 1998, Wingfield 1998). Habitat in the
form of tyres, rope fibre, piping or other materials is often added to the dams to provide
refuge. In natural waters where marron have been translocated, they have been
successful in streams that are seasonally reduced to isolated pools with large
fluctuations in turbidity (Mosig 1998).
Marron are predated upon by cormorants, water rats, tortoises and fish (Mosig 1998, Tay
et al. 2007). They are also subject to cannibalism by larger marron (Merrick and Lambert
1991), making the availability of refuge habitat is especially important for young
individuals.
2.3 Biology
The biology and behavior of marron is largely similar to the yabbie and well documented
(e.g. Mosig 1998, Merrick and Lambert 1991). This review does not attempt to
incorporate all this information, rather a brief overview of biology and behaviour is
provided.
Marron are the third largest freshwater crayfish species in the world and largest Cherax
species, reaching a length of 380 mm and weighing up to 2.7 kg (Merrick and Lambert
1991, Molony et al. 2004). Maturity under favorable conditions can be reached in two
years, although is commonly three years (Merrick and Lambert 1991). Breeding occurs
annually in spring, triggered by water temperature and day length (Mosig 1998). Females
have been reported to carry between 95 and 900 berries (Merrick and Lambert 1991) but
generally average 150 (Mosig 1998). Growth rate and early development is similar to the
yabbie with marron continuing to grow well beyond that for the yabbie.
2
a
b
c
Figure 1. Marron (Cherax cainii) characters for identification, from Fisheries Western Australia
(2004). a) Five keels along their head, b) two small spines on the telson, and c) narrow, pincerlike chelipeds.
In order to reduce the risk of predation, greatest activity is observed at night when
marron commonly move to shallower water to feed (Merrick and Lambert 1991). During
daylight hours marron seek refuge under available habitat or in deeper water (Merrick
and Lambert 1991, Mosig 1998). Marron are opportunistic feeders, consuming largely
plant material but also carrion and small animals where available (Merrick and Lambert
1991). Mosig (1998) reports “they will eat just about anything you put in front of them”.
Beatty (2006) demonstrated in the Hutt River in WA that marron assimilated mostly
animal matter in the form of the exotic fish, Gambusia holbrooki, abundant in the river
system.
In reference to aquaculture ponds, Lawrence (1998) reports that ponds should have a
perimeter fence to stop marron crawling out and water rats or other predators from
getting in. This infers that marron are capable of moving across land to some degree in
search of other waters. This behavior is known in other freshwater crays including
species of Euastacus and yabbies and as such would not be unexpected (Tarmo Raadik,
Department of Sustainability and Environment, pers. com. 2007).
3
a
b
c
Figure 2. Yabby (Cherax destructor/albidus) characters for identification, from Fisheries WA
(2004). a) Four keels on head but only two obvious, b) no spines on the telson, c) chelipeds
elongated and quite large.
2.4 Environmental tolerances
The interest in marron for aquaculture purposes has led to their environmental
tolerances to basic physico-chemical water parameters being relatively well known under
aquaculture conditions. No tolerance data was found relating to specific conditions in
the natural environment. Tolerance data presented in this review is for aquaculture
conditions and as such may not accurately represent tolerances in natural waters.
Tolerance data is likely to provide an accurate prediction of the likely success of a
marron population at any particular site. This will be particularly true for artificial water
bodies from which the tolerance data was derived. Using tolerance data to predict
habitat suitability over a broader spatial scale is limited due to the variability in physicochemical parameters between different waterbodies and reaches, even within the same
region.
Marron have a greater tolerance to salinity than the yabby (Cherax destructor/albidus)
and redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus) (Table 1 and 3). This may be due to Western
Australia’s comparatively high natural (background) salinity concentrations. Their
endemic home range occurs within flowing water (i.e. typically higher oxygen levels)
habitat, which may explain why they have the least tolerance to low dissolved oxygen
concentrations of the three species. Like members of Euastacus, marron have been
observed to leave unfavorable conditions by physically removing themselves from the
water (Morrissy 1978).
4
Marron is the cooler climate species of the three, having a lower optimal temperature of
17.5°C and an upper optimal temperature of 24.5°C (Table 3). Morrissy (1990) reports
water temperature extremes of 8 and 26oC in the central part of the marron’s natural
distribution, where its abundance is highest. Survival for short periods (50% survival
over 2 – 3 days) at temperatures as low as 4oC has however been stated (D, Sampey,
Marron Growers Association, WA, pers.comm. 2007). In contrast, redclaw, endemic to
northern Queensland and the north of the Northern Territory (Jones 1990), tolerate high
water temperatures and lower oxygen levels (Table 2 and 3). The yabby displays the
greatest tolerance range (Table 2) of the two southern species (marron and yabby (Table
3)) attributing to the success of the Yabby in aquaculture across Australia.
Table 1. Environmental tolerances for marron (Cherax cainii).
8.5
(Morrissy et
al. 1990)
Merrick and
Lambert
(1991)
≥6
Fisheries
NSW (2006)
>6
25
Mossig
(1998)
>6
18-24
7
8
D. Sampey,
Marron
Growers
Association,
WA
(pers.comm,
2007)
18-24
>6
2.5
0.9
7
8.25
12.5
24
>60008000
30
1213
24
17-25
Morrissy
(1990)
Mean
30
17.524.5
Max
7
Growth
impaired
3
Max for
growth
6
Min for
growth
(Lawrence
1998)
Salinity (ppm)
Max
0.9
Min
2.0
optimal
death
6.5
High
distress
(Shipway
1951)
Water Temperature (oC)
pH
Low
optimal
Source of
informatiom
Dissolved
Oxygen (ppm)
15000
17000
31
4 (for
short
periods,
2-3 days,
50%
survival)
8 (for
prolonged
periods)
26
8
(Exposure
in
endemic
range)
26
(Exposure
in
endemic
range)
>4
28.6
17000
12
12.3
24
5
7000
16333
Table 2. Environmental tolerances for the yabby (Cherax destructor/albidus) and redclaw
(Cherax quadricarinatus).
Yabby
Morrissy et al
.(1990)
Merrick and
Lambert
(1991)
≥4
7.5
Redclaw
>4
6
9
7.5
10.5
5-7
2
7
7.5
5
2
7
8.9
Jones (1998)
Merrick and
Lambert
(1991)
Mosig (1998)
6.5
2528
>5
2026
2228
2227.5
2331
2328
1
Jones (1990)
1
6.5
death
Max
1400015000
22000
>6000
15
1
35
1
36
15
1
35.5
15
10
36
10
35
28
>5
Growth
impaired
Min for
growth
Max
Stress
60008000
34
34
>5000
6000
16000
17000
25000
15750
21000
12000
18000
8
Fisheries NSW
(2005)
Mean
Min
High
8.5
28
Mosig (1998)
Mean
Salinity (ppm)
15
Mills (1983)
Fisheries NSW
(2005)
Yabbie
Growers
Association
(1992)
optimal
pH
Low
distress
optimal
Source of
information
Dissolved
Oxygen
(ppm)
8
2034
2231
34
17000
18000
10
35.5
34
6
12000
18000
Table 3. Summary of the environmental tolerances for the marron (Cherax cainii), the yabby
(Cherax destructor/albidus) and redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus). Values are the means from
tables 1 and 2.
Min for growth
Max for growth
8
28.6
12.5
24
2
7
8.9
22
27.5
1
35.5
15
1
6.5
8
22
31
10
35.5
5
>5
7000
17250
34
6000
15750
21000
12000
18000
death
Max
24.5
0.9
Max
Upper
17.5
2.5
Min
Lower
8
>6
death
High
Redclaw
Low
Yabby
6.8
distress
optimal
Marron
Salinity (ppm)
Growth impaired
Stress
pH
optimal
Dissolved Oxygen
(ppm)
Key
Lowest tolerance of the three species
Intermediate tolerance of the three species
Highest tolerance of the three species
Insufficient data to draw comparisons
3 Marron translocations
3.1 Translocations outside Victoria
International and domestic interest in marron farming has seen marron translocated
domestically and internationally. Marron farming has been trialed with varying success
in Queensland (Jones 1990, Merrick and Lambert 1991, Mosig 1998), New South Wales
(Merrick and Lambert 1991) and South Australia (Lawrence 1988, Mosig 1998, Zeidler
2000). Overseas, marron have been translocated to America (Merrick and Lambert 1991,
Lawrence and Morrissy 2000), South Africa (Avenant-Oldewage 1993, Lawrence and
Morrissy 2000), New Zealand (McDowall 1988), Japan, Zimbabwe, China, Chile and the
Caribbean (Lawrence and Morrissy 2000).
Initial translocation of marron within Australia occurred in WA (Figure 3) where its range
was extended as far as the Chapman River, north of Geraldton (Morrissy 1978),
Esperance in the east (Merrick and Lambert 1991) and as far inland as Kalgoorlie
(Fisheries and Wildlife 1977).
7
Figure 3. Map showing distribution of marron in Western Australia (courtesy of Fisheries
Western Australia).
Jones (1990) reports the introduction of marron into southeast Queensland in 1979.
Marron farming expanded in the area until 1986 when a particularly hot summer
resulted in water temperatures exceeding the lethal limit for the species, resulting in
mass mortality. Similarly, marron introduced into northeastern NSW, also suffered high
mortality in the same summer (Fisheries NSW). Redclaw has since largely replaced
marron in this area due to its tolerance of higher water temperatures. Marron were
introduced onto Kangaroo Island, South Australia (SA) in the early 1980’s. They quickly
became established in the natural waterways and now reside in many of the permanent
waters on the island (Zeidler 2000).
3.2 Translocations within Victoria
3.2.1 History of marron in Victoria
Documented information on the presence of marron in Victoria is scarce. The earliest
documents sourced are applications for fish culture permits for marron, one submitted
in 1978 (Narracan, Gippsland) and the other 1982 (Kangaroo Ground, outer Melbourne) –
both applications were refused. Reference to the ‘probable’ presence of marron in
Victoria was made in 1987 in a letter published in the Austasia Aquaculture Magazine.
The letter referred to the inspection of several dams in the Stawell area for marron by
Fisheries Inspectors and Police (Tayler 1988).
In 1996, a verbal report by a member of the public, Ben Scullun (Ben Scullun, pers.
comm. 2007), was made to the Arthur Rylah Institute, inferring marron were present in
waterways on the Mornington Peninsula (T. Raadik, Department of Sustainability and
Environment pers. comm. 2007) including Devilbend Reservoir and OT Dam. A survey
following up on this report led to the first documented presence of marron in Victorian
8
waters. The only other marron specimen known from Victorian waters was handed in by
a fisherman in the south-west of the state to the Department of Sustainability and
Environment and later identified to be Cherax cainii (Chris Austin, Charles Darwin
University, pers. comm. 2007).This specimen was reported as being caught in the Merri
River at Warnambool.
3.2.2 Known and established populations
Devilbend Reservoir
Devilbend Reservoir is located on the Mornington Peninsula, between Mount Martha on
Port Phillip Bay and Hastings on Western Port Bay (Figure 4). The reservoir was
constructed in 1964 and primarily served as a backup supply of drinking water for the
Mornington Peninsula during peak summer demand (Melbourne Water 2000). The
Reservoir was decommissioned in 2000 as a consequence of an upgrade of Melbourne
Water’s supply system on the Mornington Peninsula (Melbourne Water 2001).
The reservoir has a surface area of 3 km2 with water depth ranging from a 3 m fringing
ledge to a main body of 10-20 m (McGuckin 2001). It has a capacity of 14,600 ML
(Department of Water Resources 1989). After extensive consultation between Melbourne
Water, the public, and government authorities, it was decided that the reservoir and the
surrounding land, 1057 hectares in total, would be maintained as public parkland
following decommissioning. Parks Victoria assumed management of the area in March
2007 and is currently finalizing a management plan for the area (due in mid 2008).
Two surveys have confirmed the presence of marron within the Reservoir. The first was
conducted in 1996-1997 by the Freshwater Ecology group of the Arthur Rylah Institute
using spot-lighting and electrofishing techniques (O’Connor 1997). The second,
undertaken in October 2001, was a fish survey conducted as part of the
decommissioning process (McGuckin 2001). In both surveys, Cherax cainii was the only
crayfish species recorded in Devilbend Reservoir although weir keepers claim Cherax
destructor/albidus was present in earlier years (O’Connor 1997). Public access to the
Reservoir is currently restricted and fishing is not permitted.
OT Dam
O.T. Dam is situated within the Arthur’s Seat State Park between Dromana and Red Hill
(Figure 4) and managed by Parks Victoria. The dam was constructed in 1922 by OT
Cordial to provide water for fruit tree irrigation. The dam is comprised of a 12.5 m high,
115 m long, earth-fill embankment and has a capacity of 75 ML (B. Brinkman, Parks
Victoria, pers. comm., 2007). The dam no longer serves any commercial function and is
accessible by walkers and management vehicles only.
The presence of marron in O.T. Dam was confirmed on the 1996–1997 survey by ARI
when both marron and yabbies were recorded (O’Connor 1997). It is suggested marron
were introduced into OT Dam around the same time as they were into Devilbend
Reservoir, sometime in the 1970’s (pers. comm. A. Kidd, Parks Victoria, 2007). Fishing
within the dam is permitted with and abiding by a current Recreational Fishing License.
9
Devilbend
Reservoir
OT Dam
Figure 4. Confirmed marron populations on the Mornington Peninsula, southeast of
Melbourne.
3.2.3 Unconfirmed populations following reports of marron
French Island
The following information was derived from email correspondence between Fisheries
Victoria and ARI. In late 2000, information was received by Fisheries Victoria that
marron had been stocked into dams on French Island. In response, Fisheries Victoria, in
conjunction with Parks Victoria, and after consultation with ARI, conducted a survey of
nine dams using opera house and drop nets to determine the validity of these claims.
Yabbies were caught in three of the nine dams with no marron recorded in the survey.
No further trapping was conducted and it was concluded that marron were not present.
Discussions with French Island residents during the time of the survey revealed that
some locals referred to large blue yabbies as marron, while others refer to them as
“Queensland Blues”. This may possibly explain the initial report of marron to Fisheries
Victoria. It should be noted that the opera house nets were set and collected in daylight
hours, while marron are known to be most active at night. Marron are also harder to
coax into nets than yabbies, not responding as well to conventional baits (B. Scullen pers.
comm., 2007).
Merri River
A crayfish reported as being captured in 2000 at Bromfield Street Weir, on the Merri
River in Warnambool, was confirmed by Chris Austin (Charles Darwin University) to be C.
cainii. The specimen, caught by a fisherman was submitted to the local Department of
Sustainability and Environment for identification and is now lodged with the Museum of
Victoria. Further sampling by Chris Austin subsequent to the capture failed to record
any other specimens, although a Glenelg Spiny Freshwater Crayfish (Euastacus bispinosis)
was captured at the site (Chris Austin, Charles Darwin University, pers. comm. 2007).
The capture of two non-endemic crayfish at this site in 2000 would suggest there was an
10
attempt to establish crayfish in this area at the time. No further specimens of Cherax
cainii are known to have been recorded in the area and it is assumed the species did not
become established at the site.
3.2.4 Other known occurrences of marron in Victoria
Restaurants
Fisheries Victoria recently intercepted an import of live marron intended for the
restaurant trade. A newspaper reported in late 2006 (Dubecki 2006) that the import was
destined for two Melbourne restaurants, and was seized under the Fisheries Act. At the
time of writing this report, Fisheries Victoria’s policy position changed such that permits
can now be issued for the restaurant trade of live marron (Paul Mainey, Fisheries
Victoria, pers. comm. 2007).
3.2.5 Summary of marron observations in Victoria
Marron observations in Victoria date back to the late 1970’s (Figure 8). Confirmation of
their establishment was not officially made until 1996 after the verbal report was
followed up by ARI. Public access restrictions to the established populations have been
their management to date.
1978
•
•
Application for marron farming permit received from Narracan, Gippsland and
refused by Fisheries and Wildlife.
Suspected time frame for introduction of marron into Devilbend Reservoir and
OT Dam.
1982
Application for marron farming permit received and refused (Kangaroo Ground,
outer Melbourne).
1986
Marron declared noxious by Fisheries Department.
1987
Inspection of dams in Stawell area for marron by Fisheries inspectors.
Verbal report of marron on and around the Mornington Peninsula made to ARI.
1996
1996-1997
2000
2001
Survey undertaken by ARI for marron on and around the Mornington Peninsula.
Two populations confirmed on the Mornington Peninsula.
•
•
•
•
•
Devilbend Reference Group formed to discuss future use of Devilbend
Reservoir. Marron an item for discussion.
Marron reported from Merri River in the southwest of Victoria.
Melbourne Water contract a fish survey of Devilbend and Bittern reservoirs
as part of decommissioning process.
Report of marron on French Island received. Survey performed with no
marron recorded.
Parks Victoria take over management of Devilbend Reservoir and
surrounding land.
2007
2008
Management plan for Devilbend Reservoir and surrounding parkland.
Figure 5. Timeline of marron observations in Victoria.
11
4 Potential distribution of marron
4.1 Predicting the potential distribution of marron
Lawrence (1998) predicted the area of Australia potentially suitable for marron farming
(Figure 6). The predicted range covers approximately the southern half of the eastern
band of New South Wales, the southern half of Victoria and the eastern coastal band of
South Australia. Based on air temperature the predicted range is, not surprisingly,
similar to climatic zone maps of Australia (Figure 7). The range was not extended further
north along the east coast due to aquaculture failures in this area (C. Lawrence, Fisheries
Western Australia, pers. comm. 2007).
Figure 6. The area of Australia potentially suitable for marron farming (from Lawrence (1998)).
Note that the claim that marron farming is not permitted in Victoria is not accurate. If the
proposed activity is consistent with NAS policy statement, an aquaculture licence and NAS permit
can be issued for farming of marron (Paul Mainey, Fisheries Victoria, pers. comm. 2007).
Figure 7. Climate zones of Australia (from the Bureau of Meteorology).
12
The minimum water temperature tolerance of marron (Table 1) is likely to exclude
marron from colonizing the higher altitude and smaller lowland streams in Victoria. The
majority of studies relating to water temperature tolerances of marron has been
performed in Western Australia, where the focus has been on upper tolerance levels.
Hence, caution is needed when extrapolating this information to Victorian conditions.
Accurate determination of the marron’s lower temperature threshold is yet to be
determined and is an area for further research.
Climate matching using CLIMEX software (Sutherst et al. 1999) was performed to identify
areas with suitable environmental conditions for marron in Victoria (see Appendix).
Based on the matching of air temperature, CLIMEX not unexpectedly predicted a range
very similar to that illustrated by Lawrence (1998). The relationship between air
temperature and water temperature has previously been shown to be weak (Hawkins et
al. 1995) and as such predicted ranges must be treated with caution. This was also
reported by Koehn (2004) who used CLIMEX to predict the potential spread of Carp
(Cyprinus carpio) in Australia. As previously stated, mapping water temperature
extremes may provide a more useful picture but was beyond this review.
4.2 The potential distribution of redclaw within Victoria
Current redclaw production is restricted to northern Western Australia, the Northern
Territory, Queensland and the north eastern part of NSW (Figure 8). Sites chosen for
CLIMEX climatic matching north of the northern NSW border showed no matches within
Victoria. It would seem winter water temperatures in Victoria would make the
establishment of redclaw in Victorian natural waters unlikely. The predicted warming of
southern Australia due to climate change may make Victoria more favorable for redclaw
in the future.
Figure 8. Current production area for redclaw (Cherax quadricarinatus) within
Australia (from Jones (1998)).
13
5 Potential impacts of marron in Victoria
There are many overseas examples of exotic and translocated freshwater crayfish
impacting on endemic biota (Horwitz 1990b, Arthington and McKenzie 1997, Westman et
al. 2002). Overseas translocations of freshwater crayfish have led to the displacement of
native species, competition with endemic crayfish and other biota (Hill and Lodge 1999,
Lodge et al. 2000, Usio et al. 2001), habitat alteration (Nystroem and Strand 1996,
Rodriguez et al. 2005) and the spread of disease (Horwitz 1990b). Given the numerous
examples of impacts on native biota from introduced crayfish, there is cause for concern
regarding the impact on Victorian species from marron.
5.1 Disease
Australian freshwater crayfish are relatively free of diseases (Horwitz 1990b, Merrick
and Lambert 1991, Mosig 1998) such as the North American crayfish plague
(Aphanomyces astaci), which has devastated European crayfish populations (Arthington
and McKenzie 1997, Mosig 1998). Endemic diseases of Cherax species include bacterial,
fungal, protozoan and nematode infections; however, outbreaks are largely a result of
intensive aquaculture where unnaturally high densities of crayfish occur (Mills 1983,
Merrick and Lambert 1991). Merrick and Lambert (1991) present a summary report of
pathogens, parasites and commensal organisms for the three Cherax aquaculture
species.
Spread of marron within Victoria is likely to occur from the translocation of marron
sourced from Devilbend Reservoir or OT Dam. As these marron are likely to have
originated from a single introduction, the likelihood of an introduced disease associated
with the population is reduced. Diseases that threaten the marron aquaculture industry
in WA appear to already occur within the native yabbie population in Victoria and only
pose a threat in high density aquaculture. It is likely that other endemic Victorian
decapods have also been exposed to these diseases. The Mornington Peninsula marron
populations would seem to pose little disease threat to endemic decapod species;
however, the absence of yabbies in Devilbend Reservoir where marron are present, is
cause for some concern and investigation.
5.2 Competitive interactions between crayfish
Literature on the competitive interaction between marron and other freshwater crayfish
is scant. In WA, where yabbies are an invasive species, they pose a threat to marron.
Competition for food resources between marron and yabbies has been reported in the
Hutt River in WA (Beatty 2006) but no account of changes in overall population numbers
were presented and it would appear these populations have coexisted for a relatively
extended period of time (Sampey, D. Marron Growers Association of Western Australia,
pers.comm. 2007).
In areas of the Western Australian wheatbelt, yabbies have reportedly replaced marron
as the dominant crayfish in many dams. This occurred following a heavy rain event in
the region, which washed large organic loads into many dams leading to population
declines in freshwater crayfish. Yabbies re-established quicker than marron and have
14
dominated since (C. Lawrence, Fisheries Western Australia, pers. comm. 2007).
The disappearance of yabbies from Devilbend Reservoir following the introduction of
marron (O’Connor 1997), may be due to competition and is cause for some concern and
investigation.
In Victoria, other genera of freshwater crayfish (ie. Euastacus spp.) may be more
vulnerable than the yabbie to the increased competition from the establishment of
marron. Some Euastacus species can take up to nine years to reach breeding maturity
(Honan and Mitchell 1995, Merrick 1997), compared to two to four years for marron and
one to two years for yabbies (Merrick and Lambert 1991). Additionally, many Euastacus
species have restricted distributions (Horwitz 1990a), making them more vulnerable to
environmental disturbance than yabbies.
Two of Victoria’s Euastacus species (E. crassus and E. diversus) are listed as
internationally endangered and three (E. armatus, E. bispinosus, E. neodiversus) as
vulnerable (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). The
same species are listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act as species of
conservation significance. No Euastacus have been recorded near the present marron
populations; however, the Yarra Spiny Cray (E. yarraensis) is found immediately north of
the Mornington Peninsula, the Central Highlands Spiny Cray (E. woiwuru) to the
northeast and the Gippsland Spiny Cray (E. kershawi) to the east. E. bispinosus occurs in
the west of the state and may be prone to impacts from translocations from South
Australia.
The impact on Victoria’s lesser known crayfish genera, Engaeus, Geocharax and
Gramastacus is unknown. While Engaeus and Geocharax (commonly known as land
yabbies) would be expected to utilize dissimilar habitats, Engaeus are regularly recorded
in stream systems (T. Raadik, Department of Sustaianbility and Environment, pers.
comm. 2007) and could interact with the marron. Six Engaeus and one Gramastacus
species are currently listed under the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act as
species of conservation significance.
15
6 Knowledge gaps and future considerations
To date, two known populations of marron have become established in Victorian waters.
The potential for further spread remains unknown. Our knowledge on the distribution of
marron in Victoria is incomplete as no data has been collected from private waters. The
consequences of the spread of marron in Victoria are largely unknown but potentially
significant. Key knowledge gaps are as follows:
6.1 Predicting the potential spread of marron in Victoria
Very few studies have been undertaken to accurately determine the lower temperature
threshold for marron survival and breeding. Existing studies have been performed under
aquaculture conditions. By accurately determining this lower temperature threshold and
overlaying this information with Victorian water temperature data, the potential range of
marron in Victoria could be ascertained.
Additionally, there is little information on the mobility of marron out of water. A study
to track the movement would provide valuable data enabling us to determine the
potential of marron to spread from one waterbody to the next.
6.2 Presence of marron in private waters
Anecdotal reports suggest marron may be established in private waters (dams) on the
Mornington Peninsula. To gain a better understanding of the actual population of
marron in Victoria, information on the stocking and distribution of marron in such dams
is required. Possible means of obtaining this information include:
•
Consulting landholders about the presence of marron in their dams, which may be
done by a survey questionnaire and/or interview.
•
Survey landholders’ dams with their consent.
6.3 The impact of marron on endemic crayfish
This is the greatest concern with respect to the presence of marron in Victoria. More
information on the likely impacts is required. This may be obtained through:
•
Controlled laboratory experiments observing interactions.
•
Consultation with the aquaculture industry (which may have first hand experience of
interactions between yabbies and marron).
•
Establishing a working group to provide advice on approaches for minimizing risk of
translocations.
•
Undertaking public education – through community groups such as Waterwatch,
Landcare and/or schools.
16
7
References
Arthington, A. H., and McKenzie, F. (1997). ‘Review of Impacts of Displaced/Introduced Fauna
Associated with Inland Waters. Central Queensland University Publishing Unit: Canberra).
Austin, C. M., and Knott, B. (1996). Systematics of the freshwater crayfish genus Cherax Erichson
(Decapoda: Parastachidae) in South Western Australia: electrophoretic, morphological and
habitat variation. Australian Journal of Zoology 44, 223-258.
Austin, C. M., and Ryan, S.G. (2002). Allozyme evidence for a new species of freshwater crayfish of
the genus Cherax Erichson (Decapoda: Parastachidae) from the south-west of Western
Australia. Invertebrate Systematics 16, 357-367.
Avenant-Oldewage, A. (1993). Occurrence of Temnocephala chaeropsis on Cherax tenuimanus
imported into South Africa, and notes on its infestation of an indigenous crab. South
African Journal of Science 89, 427-428.
Beatty, S. J. (2006). The diet and trophic positions of translocated, sympatric populations of
Cherax destructo and Cherax cainii in the Hutt River, Western Australa: evidence of
resource overlap. Marine and Freshwater Research 57, 825-835.
Clunie, P., Stuart, I., Jones, M., Crowther, D., Schreiber, S., McKay, S., O’Connor, J., McLaren, D.,
Weiss, J., Gunasekera, L., and Roberts, J. (2002). ‘A Risk Assessment of the Impacts of Pest
Species in the Riverine Environment in the Murray Darling Basin’. (Murray Darling Basin
Commission: Canberra).
Department of Water Resources (1989). ‘Water Victoria - A Resource Handbook’. (Department of
Water Resources: Melbourne).
Dubecki, L. (2006).Fisheries Raids Take Marron off the Menu in ‘The Age’. (Fairfax: Melbourne).
Department of Fisheries (2004). http://www.fish.wa.gov.au/ Department of Fisheries: Perth).
Fisheries and Wildlife (1977). ‘Marron of Western Australia’. (Fisheries and Wildlife: Perth).
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(Department of Primary Industries: Victoria).
Hawkins, C, Hogue, J., Decker, L. and Feminella, W. (1995). Morphology, water temperature, and
assemblage structure of stream insects. Journal of the North American Entomological
Society 16, 728-743.
Hill, A. M., and Lodge, D.M. (1999). Replacement of resident Crayfishes by an exotic crayfish: the
roles of competition and predation. Ecological Applications 9, 678-690.
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Horwitz, P. (1990a). The conservation status of Australian freshwater crustacea. Australian National
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Horwitz, P. (1990b). The translocation of freshwater crayfish in Australia: potential impact, the
need for control and global relevance. Biological Conservation 54, 291-305.
17
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (2006). ‘International Union
for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources List’. International Union for
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Cherax quadricarinatus’. Information Series vol. Q190028. (Queensland Department of
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(Rural Industries and Research Development Corporation: Barton).
Lawrence, C. (1998). Marron. in ‘The New Rural industries, a handbook for Farmers and Investors’.
pp 114-119. (Rural Industries and Research Development Corporation: Barton).
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Lodge, D. M., Taylor, C.A., Holdich, D.M. and Skurdal, J. (2000). Nonindigenous crayfishes threaten
North American freshwater biota: Lessons from Europe. Fisheries 25, 7-20.
McDowall, R. M. (1988). New Zealand marron. Letter to the Editor. Austasia Aquaculture Magazine
3, 18.
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spinifer (Decapoda: Parastacidae), from the Sydney Region, Australia. Proceedings of the
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Merrick, J. R., and Lambert, C.N. (1991). ‘The Yabby, Marron and Red Claw: Production and
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West of Western Australia’.
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and the Potential of Marron for Aquaculture. Fisheries Research Bulletin of Western
Australia 17, 1-27.
Morrissy, N. M. (1978). The past and present distribution of marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith), in
Western Australia. Fisheries Research Bulletin of Western Australia 22, 1-38.
Morrissy, N. M., Evans, L. and Huner, J.V. (1990). Australian freshwater crayfish: aquaculture
species. World Aquaculture 21, 113-120.
Mosig, J. (1998). ‘Australian Yabby Farmer’. (CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood).
18
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (2005). ‘Aquaculture Prospects for Freshwater
Crayfish. (Department of Primary Industries: Orange).
Nguyen, T. T. T., Meewan, M., Ryan, S. and Austin, C.M. (2002). Genetic diversity and translocation
in the marron, Cherax tenuimanus (Smith): implications for management and conservation.
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Nystroem, P., and Strand, J.A. (1996). Grazing by a native and an exotic crayfish on aquatic
macrophytes. Freshwater Biology 36, 673-682.
O’Connor, J. (1997). ‘A Survey of the Mornington Peninsula and Surrounding Areas in Search of the
Noxious Species Cherax tenuimanus’. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research,
Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Heidelberg.
Rodriguez, C. F., Becares, E., Fernandez-alaez, M., and Fernandez-alaez, C. (2005). Loss of diversity
and degradation of wetlands as a result of introducing exotic crayfish. Biological Invasions
7, 75-85.
Shipway, B. (1951). The natural history of the marron and other freshwater crayfishes of south
Western Australia. Western Australian Naturalist 3, 7-12; 27-34.
Smith, A. (1988). Marron in the Unites States Many questions to be answered. Austasia Aquaculture
Magazine 2, 13-14.
Sutherst, R. W., Maywald, G.F., Yonow, T. and Stevens, P.M. (1999). ‘CLIMEX: Predicting the Effects
of Climate on Plants and Animals’. (CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood).
Tay, M., Lymbery, A., Beatty, S., and Morgan, D. (2007). Predation by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus
mykiss) on a Western Australian icon: marron (Cherax cainii). New Zealand Journal of
Marine and Freshwater Research 41, 197-204.
Tayler, D. (1988). South Australia and Victoria get tougher on marron imports. Austasia
Aquaculture Magazine 2, 17-19.
Usio, N., Konishi, M. and Nakano, S. (2001). Species Displacement Between an Introduced and a
‘vulnerable’ Crayfish: The Role of Aggressive Interactions and Shelter Competition.
Biological Invasions 3, 179-185.
Westman, K., Savolainen, R. and Julkumen, M. (2002). Replacement of the native crayfish Astacus
astacus by the introduced species Pacifastacus leniusculus in a small, enclosed Finnish
lake: a 30 year study. Ecography 25, 53-73.
Wingfield, M. (1998). ‘An Overview of Production Techniques Practiced in the Australian Crayfish
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Association Inc.).
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of the South Australian Museum 33,71-72.
19
Appendix 1. Climex climatic matching.
a) Manjimup
b) Pemberton
c) Esperance
d) Dwellingup
e) Kingscote
f) Mornington
CLIMEX climatic matching (Match level
= 70%+) for endemic marron sites a) Manjimup, b)
Pemberton; extended WA range c) Esperance, d) Dwellingup; and interstate translocated
populations, e) Kingscote and f) Mornington.
20
0-24
25-49
50-75
75-100
CLIMEX climatic matching for Mornington with matching requirements reduced to 0%.
21
ISBN 978-1-74208-219-6 (Print)
ISBN 978-1-74208-220-2 (Online)
ISSN 1835-3827 (Print)
ISSN 1835-3835 (Online)

Marron Literature Review

Transcription

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