Life history of Pike Gudgeon, Pseudogobio esocinus (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae): differences between the upper and lower reaches in a single river

The variability of life history traits in Pseudogobio esocinus was investigated in a single river (Nakagawa River, Kyushu Island, Japan) by comparing two sub-populations inhabiting river reaches with different thermal characteristics. A total of 689 individuals in the upper reach (St. A) and 705 individuals in the lower reach (St. B) were collected from April 2004 to March 2006 at monthly intervals. Water temperatures of both stations were measured by a logger during the period of survey, and these dates clearly showed that St. A was colder than St. B. The sub-population of St. A consisted of six age groups, and the age at maturity was 2 or 3 years. Spawning occurred between April and July, and peaked in May. The sub-population of St. B consisted of four age groups, the age at maturity was 1 or 2 years and spawning occurred between March and July, peaking in April. The length–weight relationship and body condition were also different between the two sub-populations. In conclusion, the sub-population in the colder reach was characterised as longer lived, slower growing and later maturing, with larger body size and higher fecundity compared with the sub-population of the warmer reach. These results showed that the life history traits of P. esocinus were variable under the influence of water temperature, even in a single small river.