Age structure of the Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri)

PLoS One. 2019 Jan 23;14(1):e0210168. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210168. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The Australian lungfish has been studied for more than a century without any knowledge of the longevity of the species. Traditional methods for ageing fish, such as analysis of otolith (ear stone) rings is complicated in that lungfish otoliths differ from teleost fish in composition. As otolith sampling is also lethal, this is not appropriate for a protected species listed under Australian legislation. Lungfish scales were removed from 500 fish from the Brisbane, Burnett and Mary rivers. A sub-sample of scales (85) were aged using bomb radiocarbon techniques and validated using scales marked previously with oxytetracycline. Lungfish ages ranged from 2.5-77 years of age. Estimated population age structures derived using an Age Length Key revealed different recruitment patterns between river systems. There were statistically significant von Bertalanffy growth model parameters estimated for each of the three rivers based on limited sample sizes. In addition, length frequency distributions between river systems were also significantly different. Further studies will be conducted to review drivers that may explain these inter-river differences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Scales / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Fishes / physiology*
  • Longevity*
  • Radiometric Dating / methods*
  • Rivers

Grants and funding

We received funding from the Australian Research Council Linkage Projects grant scheme, LP130100118 to JH. The purpose of “The Linkage Projects scheme promotes national, and international, collaboration and research partnerships between key stakeholders in research and innovation including higher education institutions, government, business, industry and end-users. Research and development is undertaken to apply advanced knowledge to problems, acquire new knowledge and as a basis for securing commercial and other benefits of research” (https://www.arc.gov.au/grants/linkage-program/linkage-projects). Our commercial partner SEQWater provided funds to the Australian Research Council which were then distributed to the Australian National University and Griffith University. Their funds covered salaries for DS and technician support at ANU. The funds also covered the radiocarbon sample analysis. DTR (SEQWater) is their scientific research officer and his specific role is articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. SEQWater did not play a role in any decision to publish.