Anguillid eels as a surrogate species for conservation of freshwater biodiversity in Japan.

ABSTRACT: To monitor and manage biodiversity, surrogate species (i.e., indicator, umbrella and flagship species) have been proposed where conservation resources are focused on a limited number of focal organisms. Using data obtained from 78 sites across six rivers in the mainland Japan and the Amami-Oshima Island, we demonstrate that two anguillids - the Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) and the giant mottled eel (A. marmorata) - can act as surrogate species for conservation of freshwater biodiversity. Anguillid eels were the widest topographically-distributed species ranging from near the mouth to the upper reaches of rivers. Moreover, stable isotopic analyses indicated that eels are likely one of the highest-order predators in freshwater ecosystems. A significant positive relationship was found bet

SUBMITTER: Itakura H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7260186 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature