Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Distribution and Biology of the South Pacific Species of Anguil

  • Chapter
Eel Biology

Abstract

Although the Pacific Ocean and associated islands contain the most diverse assemblage of the genus Anguilla of the 15 species), the biology of several species is little known. The best studied species are those of Australasia (A. australis, A. reinhardtii, and A. dieffenbachii), and hence much of the comparative biology described in this chapter comes from these species. Because many of the features of the biology of the eels of the South Pacific are generally similar to those of the better-known northern hemisphere species (A. anguilla, A. japonica, and A. rostrata), emphasis is given to describing features that are different or unique.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Aoyama J, Tsukamoto K (1997) Evolution of the freshwater eels. Naturwissenschaften 84:17–21

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aoyama J, Mochioka N, Otake T, Ishikawa S, Kawakami Y, Castle P, Nishida M, Tsukamoto K(1999) Distribution and dispersal of anguillid leptocephali in the western Pacific Oceanrevealed by molecular analysis. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 188:193–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai T, Otake T, Jellyman DJ, Tsukamoto K (1999a) Differences in the early life history of the Australasian shortfinned eel Anguilla australis from Australia and New Zealand, as revealed by otolith microstructure and microchemistry. Mar Biol 135:381–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai T, Otake T, Limbong D, Tsukamoto K (1999b) Early life history and recruitment of the tropical eel Anguilla bicolor pacifica, as revealed by otolith microstructure and microchemistry. Mar Biol 133:319–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai T, Limbong D, Otake T, Tsukamoto K (1999c) Metamorphosis and inshore migration of tropical eels Anguilla spp. in the Indo-Pacific. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 182:283–293

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai T, Aoyama J, Limbong D, Tsukamoto K (1999d) Species composition and inshore migra¬tion of the tropical eels Anguilla spp. recruiting to the estuary of the Poigar River, Sulawesi Island. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 188:299–303

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai T, Limbong D, Tsukamoto K (2000) Validation of otolith daily increments in the tropicaleel Anguilla celebesensis. Can J Zool 78:1078–1084

    Google Scholar 

  • Arai T, Limbong D, Otake T, Tsukamoto K (2001a) Recruitment mechanisms of tropical eels Anguilla spp. and implications for the evolution of oceanic migration in the genus Anguilla. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 216:253–264

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arai T, Aoyama J, Ishikawa S, Miller MJ, Otake T, Inagaki T, Tsukamoto K (2001b) Early life history of tropical Anguilla leptocephali in the western Pacific Ocean. Mar Biol 138:887–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arai T, Marui M, Miller M, Tsukamoto K (2002) Growth history and inshore migration of thetropical eel, Anguilla marmorata, in the Pacific. Mar Biol 140:309–316

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beentjes MP, Chisnall BL, Boubee JAT, Jellyman DJ (1997) Enhancement of the New Zealand eel fishery by elver transfers. N Z Fish Tech Rep 45:44

    Google Scholar 

  • Best E (1929) Fishing methods and devices of the Maori. Dom Mus Bul 12:1–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Beumer JP (1985) The eel resources of Fiji. Rep Qld Dept Primary Ind. Report QS85010: 33 Beumer JP (1996) Family Anguillidae. Freshwater eels. In: McDowall RM (ed) Freshwater fishesof Southeastern Australia. Reed, Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  • Beumer J, Sloane R (1990) Distribution and abundance of glasseels Anguilla spp. in East Australian waters. Int Rev Gesamten Hydrobiol 75:721–736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beumer JP, Pearson RG, Penridge LK (1981) Pacific shortfinnedeel, Anguilla obscura Gunther,1871 in Australia: recent records of its distribution and maximum size. Proc R Soc Vic 92:85–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Boubee JA, Mitchell CP, Chisnall BL, West DW, Bowman EJ, Haro A (2001) Factors regulatingthe downstream migration of mature eels (Anguilla spp,) at Aniwhenua Dam, Bay of Plenty,New Zealand. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 35:121–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Budimawan B (1997) The early life history of the tropical eel Anguilla marmorata (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) from four Pacific estuaries, as revealed from otolith microstructural analysis. J Appl Ichthyol 13:57–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnet AMR (1952a) Studies on the ecology of the New Zealand freshwater eels. I. The design and use of an electric fishing machine. Aust J Mar Freshw Res 3:111–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnet AMR (1952b) Studies on the ecology of the New Zealand longfinned eel, Anguilla dieffenbachii Gray. Aust J Mar Freshw Res 3:32–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnet AMR (1968) A study of the relationships between brown trout and eels in a New Zealand stream. N Z Mar Dept Fish Tech Rep 26:49

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnet AMR (1969a) The growth of New Zealand freshwater eels in three Canterbury streams. N Z J Mar Freshwater Res 3:376–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burnet AMR (1969b) Migrating eels in a Canterbury river, New Zealand. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 3:230–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cairns D (1941) Life-history of the two species of New Zealand freshwater eel. Part I. Taxonomy, age, growth, migration, and distribution. N Z J Sci 23:53–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Cairns D (1942) Life-history of the two species of freshwater eel in New Zealand. III. Development of sex. Campaign of eel destruction. N Z J Sci 23:173–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Castle PHJ (1963) Anguillid leptocephali in the southwest Pacific. Vic Univ Wellington Zool Pub 33:1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Castle PHJ (1968) Anguilla obscu.) on Rennell Island. The natural history of Rennell Island, British Solomon Islands 5: 61–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Castle PHJ (1972) A biologist’s appraisal. Prospects for the New Zealand freshwater eel industry. N Z Comm Fish 11:13–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Castle PHJ, Williamson GR (1974) On the validity of the freshwater eel species Anguilla ancestral.) Ege, from Celebes. Copiea 1974:569–570

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chisnall BL (1993) Age and growth of freshwater eels in the Waikato River. NIWA Report to Electricity Corporation of New Zealand: 20

    Google Scholar 

  • Chisnall BL, Hicks BJ (1993) Age and growth of longfinned eels (Anguilla dieffenbachi.) in pastoral and forested streams in the Waikato River basin, and in two hydro-electric lakes in the North Island, New Zealand. NZJ Mar Freshw Res 27:317–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chisnall BL, Kalish JM (1993) Age validation and movement of freshwater eels (Anguilla dieffenbach.) and A. australi.) in a New Zealand pastoral stream. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 27:333–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dijkstra LH, Jellyman DJ (1999) Is the subspecies classification of the freshwater eels Anguilla australis austral.) Richardson and A. a schmidt.) Phillipps still valid? Mar Freshw Res 50:261–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ege V (1939) A revision of the genus Anguil.) Shaw. A systematic, phylogenetic and geographical study. Dana Rep 3:1–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Glova GJ (1999) Cover preference tests of juvenile shortfinned eels (Anguilla australi.) and longfinned eels (A. dieffenbachi.) in replicate channels. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 33:193–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gooley GJ, McKinnon LJ, Ingram BA, Larkin BJ, Collins RO, De Silva SS (1999) Assessment of juvenile eel resources in south-eastern Australia and associated development of intensive eel farming for local production. Report of the Marine and Freshwater Resources Institute, Alexandra, Victoria, p 124

    Google Scholar 

  • Graynoth E, Taylor MJ (2000) Influence of different rations and water temperatures on the growth rates of shortfinned eels and longfinned eels. J Fish Biol 57:681–699

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griffin LT (1936) Revision of the eels of New Zealand. Trans Proc R Soc N Z 66:12–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Herre AWCT (1923) Philippine eels. Philipp J Sci 23:123–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Hicks BJ, McCaughan HMC (1997) Land use, associated eel production, and abundance of fish and crayfish in streams in Waikato, New Zealand. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 31:635–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins CL (1970) Some aspects of the bionomics of fish in a brown trout nursery stream. New Zealand Marine Department, Wellington. Fish Bull 4:38

    Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins CL (1971) Production of fish in two small streams in the North Island of New Zealand. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 5:280–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horn PL (1996) A review of age and growth data for New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.). NZ Fish Assessment Res Doc 96/6:26

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyle SD, Jellyman DJ (2002) Longfin eels need reserves: modelling the impacts of commercial harvest on stocks of New Zealand eels. Mar Freshw Res 53:887–895

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ingram B, Gooley G (1996) Intensive tank and pond culture of Australian shortfinned eel in Victoria. Aust Aquacult 10:74–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishikawa S (1998) Molecular study on the population structure of Anguilla marmora). PhD thesis, University of Tokyo, Tokyo

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (1977a) Invasion of a New Zealand freshwater stream by glass-eels of two Anguil.) spp. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 11:193–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (1977b) Summer upstream migration of juvenile freshwater eels in New Zealand. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 11:61–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (1979a) Upstream migration of glass-eels (Anguil.) spp.) in the Waikato River. N Z J Mar Freshwater Res 13:13–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (1979b) Scale development and age determination in New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.). N Z J Mar Freshw Res 13:23–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (1987) Review of the marine life history of Australasian temperate species of Anguil.) Am Fish Soc Symp 1:276–285

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (1991) Biology of the shortfinned eel Anguilla obscu.) in L ake Te Rotonui, M itiaro, Cook Island. Pac Sci 45:362–373

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (1993) A review of the fishery for freshwater eels in New Zealand. N Z Freshw Res Rep 10:51

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman D J (1995) Longevity of longfinned eels Anguilla dieffenbach.) in a New Zealand high country lake. Ecol Freshw Fish 4:106–112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (1997) Variability in growth rates of freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.) in New Zealand. Ecol Freshw Fish 6:108–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ (2001) The influence of growth rates on the size of migrating female eels ( Anguilla australi.) in Lake Ellesmere, New Zealand. J Fish Biol 57:725–736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ, Coates GD (1976) The farming of freshwater eels in New Zealand. Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council 17th Session, Symposium on the Development and Utilisation of Inland Fisheries Resources, panel II (c), p 6

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ, Ryan CM (1983) Seasonal migration of elvers (Anguil.) spp.) into Lake Pounui, New Zealand, 1974–1978. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 17:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ, Tsukamoto K (2002) First use of archival transmitters to track migrating freshwater eels Anguilla dieffenbach.) at sea. MarEcol Prog Ser 233:207–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ, Chisnall BL, Todd PR (1995) The status of the eel stocks of Lake Ellesmere. NIWA Sci Tech Ser 26:62

    Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ, Chisnall BL, Dijkstra LH, Boubée JAT (1996) First record of the Australian longfinned eel, Anguilla reinhardt.., in New Zealand. Mar Freshw Res 47:1037–1040

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ, Chisnall BL, Bonnett ML, Sykes JRE (1999) Seasonal arrival patterns of juvenile freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.) in New Zealand. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 33:249–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellyman DJ, Chisnall BL, Bonnett ML, Sykes JRE (1999) Seasonal arrival patterns of juvenile freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.) in New Zealand. N Z J Mar Freshw Res 33:249–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jespersen P (1942) Indo-Pacific leptocephalids of the genus Anguil..) Dana Rep 22:1–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones JB, Astill M, Kerei E (1983) The pond culture of Anguilla austral.) in New Zealand-with special reference to techniques and management of the experimental farm at Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty. Estratto dalla Rivista Italiana di Piscicoltura e Ittiopatologia Anno 18:85–117, 138–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Kailola PJ, Williams MJ, Stewart PC, Reichelt RE, McNee A, Grieve C (1993) Australian Fisheries Resources. Bull Resour Sci Dept Primary Ind, p 422

    Google Scholar 

  • Marquet G, Galzin R (1991) The eels of French Polynesia: taxonomy, distribution and biomass. Mer (Tokyo) 29:8–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Marquet G, Lamarque P (1986) Acquisitions recente sur la biologie des anguillies de Tahiti et de Moorea (Polynesie Francaise): A. marmorata, A. megastoma, A. obscu..) Vie Milieu 36:311–315

    Google Scholar 

  • Marui M, Arai T, Miller MJ, Jellyman DJ, Tsukamoto K (2001) Comparison of early life history between New Zealand temperate eels and Pacific tropical eels revealed by otolith microstructure and microchemistry. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 213:273–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCosker JE (1989) Freshwater eels (family Anguillidae) in California: current conditions and future scenarios. Calif Fish Game 75:4–10

    Google Scholar 

  • McDowall RM (1990) New Zealand freshwater fishes: a natural history and guide. HeinemannReed, Auckland

    Google Scholar 

  • McKinnon LJ, Gooley GJ (1998) Key environmental criteria associated with the invasion of Anguilla austral.) glass eels into estuaries of South-Eastern Australia. Bull Fr Peche Piscic 349:117–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller MJ, Mochioka N, Otake T, Tsukamoto K (2002) Evidence of a spawning area of Anguilla marmora.) in the western North Pacific. Mar Biol 140:809–814

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moriarty C (2000) Monitoring results for glass eel and elver 1965–1999. Dana 12:69–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishi G, Imai S (1969) On the juvenile of Anguilla marmora.) Quoy et Gaimard in Yakushima (Yaku Island). Its ecology and morphology. Mem Fac Fish Kagoshima Univ 18:65–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver G (1999) Preliminary evaluation of longfin and shortfin eels for semi-intensive aquaculture. Aust Aquacult 13:41–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Pantulu VR (1957) Studies on the biology of the Indian freshwater eel, Anguilla bengalens.) Gray. Proc Nat Inst Sci India 22:259–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt J (1922) The breeding places of the eel. Philos Trans R Soc Lond 211: 179–208

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt J (1925) On the distribution of the fresh-water eels (Anguill.) throughout the world. II. Indo-Pacific region. Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskabs Skrifter 8:329–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt J (1927) Les anguilles de Tahiti. La Nature 15:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt J (1928) The freshwater eels of Australia with some remarks on the short-finned species of Anguil..) Rec Aust Mus 16:179–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shiao JC, Tzeng WN, Collins A, Jellyman DJ (2001) Dispersal pattern of glass eel stage of Anguilla austral.) revealed by otolith growth increments. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 219:241–250 Sloane RD (1982) The Tasmanian eel fishery: some facts and figures. Aust Fish 41:14–17 Sloane RD (1984a) Distribution and abundance of freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.) in Tasmania. Aust J Mar Freshw Res 35:463–470

    Google Scholar 

  • Sloane RD (1984b) Invasion and upstream migration by glass-eels of Anguilla australis austral.) Richardson and A. reinhardt.) Steindachner in Tasmanian freshwater streams. Aust J Mar Freshw Res 35:47–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sloane RD (1984c) Upstream migration by young pigmented freshwater eels (Anguilla australis austral.) Richardson) in Tasmania. Aust J Mar Freshw Res 35:61–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sloane RD (1984d) Distribution, abundance, growth and food of freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.) in the Douglas River, Tasmania. Aust J Mar Freshw Res 35:325–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sloane RD (1984e) Preliminary observations of migrating adult freshwater eels (Anguilla australis austral.) Richardson) in Tasmania. Aust J Mar Freshw Res 35:471–476

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sugeha HY, Arai T, Miller MJ, Limbong D, Tsukamoto K (2001a) Inshore migration of the tropical eels Anguil.) spp. recruiting to the Poigar River estuary on north Sulawesi Island. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 221:233–243

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sugeha HY, Shinoda A, Marui M, Arai T, Tsukamoto K (2001b) Validation of otolith daily increments in the tropical eel Anguilla marmora..) Mar Ecol Prog Ser 220:291–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabeta O, Takai T, Matsui I (1976a) Record of shortfinned eel from Nagata River, Shimonoseki, Japan. Bul Jpn Soc Sci Fish 42:1333–1338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tabeta O, Tanimoto T, Takai T, Matsui I, Imamura T (1976b) Seasonal occurrence of anguillid elvers in Cagayan River, Luzon Island, the Philippines. Bull Jpn Soc Sci Fish 42:421–426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tesch FW (1977) The eel. Biology and management of anguillid eels. Chapman Hall, London Todd PR (1980) Size and age of migrating New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.). N Z J Mar Freshw Res 14:283–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd PR (1981a) Timing and periodicity of migrating New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.). N Z J Mar Freshw Res 15:225–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todd PR (1981b) Morphometric changes, gonad histology, and fecundity estimates in migrating New Zealand freshwater eels (Anguil.) spp.). N Z J Mar Freshw Res 15:155–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsukamoto K (1992) Discovery of the spawning area for Japanese eel. Nature (Lond) 356:789–790

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Usui A (1974) Eel culture. Fishing News Books, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickstrom H, Enderlein O (1988) Notes on the occurrence of two tropical species of Anguil.) in reservoirs in southeastern Sri Lanka and preliminary data on the populations. Aquacult Fish Manag 19:377–385

    Google Scholar 

  • Williamson GR, Boetius J (1993) The eels Anguilla marmora.) and A. japoni.) in the Pearl River, China, and Hong Kong. Asian Fish Sci 6:129–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Wouthuyzen S, Aoyama J, Miller M, Minagawa G, Suharti S, Sugeha H, Inagaki T, Sumadhiharga K, Tsukamoto K (2001) Biodiversity and distribution of anguilliform leptocephali in the central Indonesian Seas: a research cruise of the R/V Baruna Jaya. VII. Proceedings of the international symposium, advances in eel biology, University of Tokyo, 28–30 September 2001, pp 110–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto T, Mochioka N, Nakazono A (2001) Seasonal occurrence of anguillid glass eels at Yakushima Island, Japan. Fish Sci 67:530–532

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 8602, Christchurch, New Zealand

    D. J. Jellyman

Authors
  1. D. J. Jellyman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Aquatic Bioscience, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1-1-1 Yayoi, 113-8657, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Katsumi Aida Ph.D. (Professor) (Professor)

  2. Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 1-15-1 Minamidai, 164-8639, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Katsumi Tsukamoto Ph.D. (Professor) (Professor)

  3. Division of Marine Biosciences, Graduate School of Fisheries Sciences, Hokkaido University, 3-1-1 Minatomachi, 041-8611, Hakodate, Japan

    Kohei Yamauchi Ph.D. (Professor) (Professor)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2003 Springer-Verlag Tokyo

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Jellyman, D.J. (2003). The Distribution and Biology of the South Pacific Species of Anguil . In: Aida, K., Tsukamoto, K., Yamauchi, K. (eds) Eel Biology. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-65907-5_19

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-65907-5_19

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-65909-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-65907-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation