Identification of galaxiid nests, emigrating larvae and whitebait, using mitochondrial DNA control region sequences

Abstract

We used mitochondrial (mt) DNA sequences to identify nests, emigrating larvae, and whitebait of three species of diadromous galaxiids, collected from eight locations in Taranaki and Manawatu, New Zealand. DNA was extracted from whole larvae and fin clips, and a 416 base pair (bp) sequence of mtDNA control region was determined. Four Galaxias fasciatus Gray (banded kokopu) and 12 G. postvectis Clarke (shortjaw kokopu) nests were identified. Galaxias postvectis, G. fasciatus, and G. brevipinnis Günther (koaro) individuals were detected migrating downstream from drift samples collected between May and June 2001. Furthermore, we identified three species from samples of whitebait revealing three G. postvectis, six G. fasciatus, and three G. brevipinnis. Species of larval eggs, larvae, and whitebait can be accurately identified by molecular methods. These methods provide an opportunity to help in the understanding of nest habitat choice, hatching time, migration, and choice of rivers by whitebait species. © 2002, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.