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Kokopu
Kokopu ( mi, kōkopu) is a common name used for three species of fish of the genus ''Galaxias''. They are found in the rivers, lakes and swamps of New Zealand, to which they are endemic. Kokopu are galaxiids and like others members of that family lacks scales and has a thick, leathery skin covered with mucus. Kokopu inhabit streams with plenty of cover (e.g. logs and overhanging boulders) but can also be found in swamps and larger waterways. They mostly feed on invertebrates that live in the stream beds but also eat insects that fall into the water and will move into the open at night for feeding. There are three known species of Kokopu in New Zealand: * Giant kōkopu, ''Galaxias argenteus'' * Banded kōkopu, ''Galaxias fasciatus'' * Shortjaw kōkopu, '' Galaxias postvectis'' Kokopu live for between 5 and 10 years but can reach in excess of 21 years. They spawn in leaf debris in stream beds or during spring tides and the eggs hatch about 30 days after being laid. The hatchli ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Giant Kōkopu
The giant kōkopu (''Galaxias argenteus'') is a threatened species of ray-finned fish in the genus ''Galaxias'', found only in New Zealand. It can reach up to in length and in weight, making it the largest species in the family Galaxiidae. It is a mainly lowland species, commonly found in slow-flowing streams, wetlands, lakes, and lagoons. Most populations have an amphidromous life cycle, with larvae going to sea soon after hatching and returning about four months later as small juveniles, . Juvenile giant kōkopu form a small part of the annual whitebait catch. Etymology The first species in the family Galaxiidae to be described by scientists, the giant kōkopu was initially placed in the genus ''Esox'' (pikes) by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789. Cuvier recognised that it was not a pike and in 1816 coined the genus name ''Galaxias'' as a reference to its star-like (galaxy) markings. The genus was later expanded to include numerous other species, most of which lack this patter ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Banded Kōkopu
The banded kōkopu (''Galaxias fasciatus'') is a galaxiid of the genus '' Galaxias'', found only in New Zealand, including the Chatham and Stewart/Rakiura islands. It commonly grows to 20–25 cm, but has been recorded growing to around 30 cm. Juvenile banded kōkopu are good climbers and can climb up waterfalls and other vertical surfaces by moving into the splash zone and wriggling up the surface, using the water surface tension and their large downturned fins for grip. Description Banded kōkopu are a stout-bodied fish, with a large head and mouth. The fish are strong, rounded and fleshy. Like other galaxiids, the dorsal and anal fins are positioned close to the tail fin, which is short and square. The caudal peduncle is short and deep, with thick fleshy flanges which join the tail fin. Adults are usually a dark, earthy brown or olive brown, with pale yellow vertical bands along the body. The belly is light coloured and unpatterned. Behind the operculum and above ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shortjaw Kōkopu
The shortjaw kōkopu (''Galaxias postvectis'') is a galaxiid fish, endemic to New Zealand. They are large, scaleless fish which inhabit stable pools in cascading, bouldery streams with forest cover. Shortjaw kōkopu are amphidromous, with the fry going to sea after hatching, and returning as juveniles to fresh water where they grow to adulthood. They may grow to a maximum of in total length Fish measurement is the measuring of individual fish and various parts of their anatomies. These data are used in many areas of ichthyology, including taxonomy and fisheries biology. Overall length * Standard length (SL) is the length of a fish ..., but more commonly reach . The shortjaw kōkopu live in microhabitats that have more large particles at the bed of the body of water (substrates) and more places to seek safety compared to all nearby possible habitats. During the night, they remain in calmer areas like pools, whereas during the day shortjaw kōkopu spend their time in places ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Acclimatisation Society
Acclimatisation societies were voluntary associations in the 19th and 20th centuries that encouraged the introduced species, introduction of non-native species in various places around the world, in the hope that they would acclimatization, acclimatise and adaptation, adapt to their new environments. The societies were formed during the colonialism, colonial era, when Europeans began to settle in unfamiliar locations. One motivation for the activities of the acclimatisation societies was that introducing new species of plants and animals (mainly from Europe) would enrich the flora and fauna of a region. The movement also sought to establish plants and animals that were familiar to Europeans, while also bringing exotic and useful foreign plants and animals to European centres. Today, it is widely understood that introducing species to foreign environments is often harmful to indigenous (ecology), native species and their ecosystems. For example, in Australia rabbits in Australia, the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
National Park
A national park is a nature park, natural park in use for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes, created and protected by national governments. Often it is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently, there is a common idea: the conservation of 'wild nature' for posterity and as a symbol of national pride. The United States established the first "public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people", Yellowstone National Park, in 1872. Although Yellowstone was not officially termed a "national park" in its establishing law, it was always termed such in practice and is widely held to be the first and oldest national park in the world. However, the Tobago Main Ridge Forest Reserve (in what is now Trinidad and Tobago; established in 1776), and the area surrounding Bogd Khan Mountain, Bogd Khan Uul Mountain (Mongolia, 1778), wh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Biodiversity
Biodiversity or biological diversity is the variety and variability of life on Earth. Biodiversity is a measure of variation at the genetic (''genetic variability''), species (''species diversity''), and ecosystem (''ecosystem diversity'') level. Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on Earth; it is usually greater in the tropics as a result of the warm climate and high primary productivity in the region near the equator. Tropical forest ecosystems cover less than 10% of earth's surface and contain about 90% of the world's species. Marine biodiversity is usually higher along coasts in the Western Pacific, where sea surface temperature is highest, and in the mid-latitudinal band in all oceans. There are latitudinal gradients in species diversity. Biodiversity generally tends to cluster in hotspots, and has been increasing through time, but will be likely to slow in the future as a primary result of deforestation. It encompasses the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Whitebait
Whitebait is a collective term for the immature fry of fish, typically between long. Such young fish often travel together in schools along coasts, and move into estuaries and sometimes up rivers where they can be easily caught using fine-meshed fishing nets. Whitebaiting is the activity of catching whitebait. Individual whitebait are tender and edible, and are considered a delicacy in New Zealand. The entire fish is eaten - including head, fins, bones, and bowels. Some species make better eating than others, and the particular species that are marketed as "whitebait" vary in different parts of the world. As whitebait consists of immature fry of many important food species (such as herring, sprat, sardines, mackerel, bass and many others) it is not an ecologically viable foodstuff and several countries impose strict controls on harvesting. Whitebait by region Alboran Sea The Alboran Sea is the westernmost element of the Mediterranean Sea. Whitebait have been consumed ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spring Tide
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the Moon (and to a much lesser extent, the Sun) and are also caused by the Earth and Moon orbiting one another. Tide tables can be used for any given locale to find the predicted times and amplitude (or " tidal range"). The predictions are influenced by many factors including the alignment of the Sun and Moon, the phase and amplitude of the tide (pattern of tides in the deep ocean), the amphidromic systems of the oceans, and the shape of the coastline and near-shore bathymetry (see '' Timing''). They are however only predictions, the actual time and height of the tide is affected by wind and atmospheric pressure. Many shorelines experience semi-diurnal tides—two nearly equal high and low tides each day. Other locations have a diurnal tide—one high and low tide each day. A "mixed tide"—two uneven magnitude tides a day—is a third regular category. Tide ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Spawn (biology)
Spawn is the Egg cell, eggs and Spermatozoa, sperm released or deposited into water by aquatic animals. As a verb, ''to spawn'' refers to the process of releasing the eggs and sperm, and the act of both sexes is called spawning. Most aquatic animals, except for aquatic mammals and marine reptile, reptiles, reproduce through the process of spawning. Spawn consists of the reproductive cells (gametes) of many aquatic animals, some of which will become fertilized and produce offspring. The process of spawning typically involves females releasing Ovum, ova (unfertilized eggs) into the water, often in large quantities, while males simultaneously or sequentially release spermatozoa (milt) to fertilize the eggs. Most fish reproduce by spawning, as do most other aquatic animals, including crustaceans such as crabs and shrimps, molluscs such as oysters and squid, echinoderms such as sea urchins and sea cucumbers, amphibians such as frogs and newts, aquatic insects such as mayflies and mos ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Galaxias Postvectis
''Galaxias'' is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Galaxiidae, and are frequently referred to as the galaxiids. These highly adaptable fish are typically found at temperate latitudes across the Southern Hemisphere. Galaxiids are scaleless and somewhat tubular in body form, ranging from very slender to quite bulky. They are somewhat torpedo-shaped, with the dorsal and anal fins positioned close to the tail. They are generally small, with typical adults ranging between in total length, with some stocky species attaining around . The largest, ''Galaxias argenteus'', has been recorded at , although is a more typical adult length. Species The 46 recognized species in this genus are: * ''Galaxias aequipinnis'' Raadik, 2014 (East Gippsland Galaxias) * '' Galaxias anomalus'' Stokell, 1959 (Roundhead Galaxias) * ''Galaxias arcanus'' Raadik, 2014 (Riffle Galaxias) * ''Galaxias argenteus'' Gmelin, 1789 (Giant Kōkopu) * ''Galaxias auratus'' Johnston, 1883 (Golden Galax ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Galaxias Fasciatus
''Galaxias'' is a genus of small freshwater fish in the family Galaxiidae, and are frequently referred to as the galaxiids. These highly adaptable fish are typically found at temperate latitudes across the Southern Hemisphere. Galaxiids are scaleless and somewhat tubular in body form, ranging from very slender to quite bulky. They are somewhat torpedo-shaped, with the dorsal and anal fins positioned close to the tail. They are generally small, with typical adults ranging between in total length, with some stocky species attaining around . The largest, ''Galaxias argenteus'', has been recorded at , although is a more typical adult length. Species The 46 recognized species in this genus are: * '' Galaxias aequipinnis'' Raadik, 2014 (East Gippsland Galaxias) * '' Galaxias anomalus'' Stokell, 1959 (Roundhead Galaxias) * '' Galaxias arcanus'' Raadik, 2014 (Riffle Galaxias) * ''Galaxias argenteus'' Gmelin, 1789 (Giant Kōkopu) * '' Galaxias auratus'' Johnston, 1883 (Golden ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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