Community structure of temperate reef fishes in kelp-dominated subtidal habitats of northern Chile

An important aim of fish ecology is to understand and predict patterns of distribution and abundance in marine communities. Such patterns were examined at four kelp-dominated sites along the northern coast of Chile (19° through 30° S) over 1 year. Fish species richness, diversity and abundance estimates obtained via observational and destructive sampling methods were compared among sites as were habitat and environmental variables that characterised the sites; including sea water temperature below the surface, nutrients, productivity, visibility, density of macroalgae stands, and percentage cover of observed microhabitats (including understorey algae and faunal assemblages). In total, 19 fish species belonging to 14 families were observed from all sites. Species richness and diversity were highest in sites where kelp canopy was composed of two species and where kelp was densest, although only species diversity was significantly different among sites. The sites with high kelp density, in turn, sustained abundant habitat-forming species in the kelp understorey. Principal coordinate analysis indicated that the composition and structure of the fish assemblages varied significantly with depth at all study sites. The depth distribution of fishes was correlated with the arrangement of site-specific biological microhabitats, defined by the algae or invertebrate species that form the microhabitat. Temperature, productivity, and nutrients did not vary consistently across study sites, but did vary within individual sites. We suggest that kelp cover and composition strongly affects the diversity and distribution of fishes at shallow coastal habitats in northern Chile through the availability of microhabitats.

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Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems

Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems ◽

10.47886/9781888569735.ch21 ◽

2005 ◽

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Fish Species ◽

Endemic Species ◽

Largemouth Bass ◽

Fish Assemblage ◽

Life Histories ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Habitat Alterations ◽

Intensity Index ◽

Specialist Species

Abstract.—We examined fish assemblage responses to urban intensity gradients in two contrasting metropolitan areas: Birmingham, Alabama (BIR) and Boston, Massachusetts (BOS). Urbanization was quantified by using an urban intensity index (UII) that included multiple stream buffers and basin land uses, human population density, and road density variables. We evaluated fish assemblage responses by using species richness metrics and detrended correspondence analyses (DCA). Fish species richness metrics included total fish species richness, and percentages of endemic species richness, alien species, and fluvial specialist species. Fish species richness decreased significantly with increasing urbanization in BIR (r = –0.82, P = 0.001) and BOS (r = –0.48, P = 0.008). Percentages of endemic species richness decreased significantly with increasing urbanization only in BIR (r = – 0.71, P = 0.001), whereas percentages of fluvial specialist species decreased significantly with increasing urbanization only in BOS (r = –0.56, P = 0.002). Our DCA results for BIR indicate that highly urbanized fish assemblages are composed primarily of largescale stoneroller Campostoma oligolepis, largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, and creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus, whereas the highly urbanized fish assemblages in BOS are dominated by yellow perch Perca flavescens, bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, yellow bullhead Ameiurus natalis, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed L. gibbosus, brown bullhead A. nebulosus, and redfin pickerel Esox americanus. Differences in fish assemblage responses to urbanization between the two areas appear to be related to differences in nutrient enrichment, habitat alterations, and invasive species. Because species richness can increase or decrease with increasing urbanization, a general response model is not applicable. Instead, response models based on species’ life histories, behavior, and autecologies offer greater potential for understanding fish assemblage responses to urbanization.

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Seascape context modifies how fish respond to restored oyster reef structures

ICES Journal of Marine Science ◽

10.1093/icesjms/fsz019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 1131-1139 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ben L Gilby ◽

Andrew D Olds ◽

Christopher J Henderson ◽

Nicholas L Ortodossi ◽

Rod M Connolly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Fish Species ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Oyster Reef ◽

Pivotal Role ◽

Oyster Reefs ◽

Total Abundance ◽

Fish Recruitment ◽

Abundance And Diversity ◽

Species Specific

Abstract The seascape context of coastal ecosystems plays a pivotal role in shaping patterns in fish recruitment, abundance, and diversity. It might also be a principal determinant in structuring the recruitment of fish assemblages to restored habitats, but the trajectories of these relationships require further testing. In this study, we surveyed fish assemblages from 14 restored oyster reefs and 14 control sites in the Noosa River, Queensland, Australia, that differed in the presence or absence of seagrass within 500 m, over four periods using baited cameras. Fish assemblages at oyster reefs differed from those at control sites, with higher species richness (1.4 times) and more individuals of taxa that are harvested by fishers (1.8 times). The presence or absence of seagrass nearby affected the abundance of a key harvestable fish species (yellowfin bream Acanthopagrus australis) on oyster reefs, but not the overall composition of fish assemblages, species richness, or the total abundance of harvestable fishes overall. These findings highlight the importance of considering species-specific patterns in seascape utilization when selecting restoration sites and setting restoration goals, and suggest that the effects of restoration on fish assemblages might be optimized by focusing efforts in prime positions in coastal seascapes.

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Influence of some physico-chemical variables on wild fish richness beneath sea-cage fish farms in the Aegean Sea, Turkey

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315420001034 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 100 (7) ◽

pp. 1171-1179

Author(s):

Okan Akyol ◽

Aytaç Özgül ◽

F. Ozan Düzbastılar ◽

Halil Şen ◽

José M. Ortiz de Urbina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Fish Species ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Wild Fish ◽

Light Transmittance ◽

Fish Farms ◽

Physico Chemical ◽

Sea Cage ◽

The Relationship ◽

Cage Fish

AbstractThis study aims to determine the relationship between physico-chemical variables on a seasonal basis and wild fish assemblages beneath sea-cage fish farms. Assemblages of wild fish were counted monthly on two separate days at each of six fish farms between August 2015 and July 2017, by six rapid visual counts (RVC) in 5 minutes with scuba by two divers. Seawater samples were simultaneously taken by a Nansen bottle during the RVC from the fish farm barge. SST (°C), salinity (ppm), dissolved oxygen (mg l−1) and pH were measured by YSI multiparameter, while Secchi disk was also used for light transmittance. Wild fish species richness went up with increasing temperature and salinity in the Izmir region, however, this stopped at about 26°C and about 39 ppm. Wild fish richness increased when the DO was at a level of 7 mg l−1 and the pH at about 7.9 in Izmir. Between 10 and 20 m, light transmittance showed greater wild fish species richness in Izmir region. In contrast, the wild fish species richness of the Muğla region fluctuated more. In terms of wild fish species richness, these fluctuations increased with salinity and DO, while they decreased with SST, pH and light transmittance. However, the range of variation of the recorded physico-chemical variables is rather narrow. The results of the correlation matrix indicate that the relationship between wild fish species richness and pH and SST was statistically significant in Izmir region (P < 0.05).

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Reef Fishes Colonization Rate Around Artificial Reef in Putus-putus Island, South-East Minahasa District

JURNAL ILMIAH PLATAX ◽

10.35800/jip.5.1.2017.14969 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 21

Author(s):

Laurentius T. X. Lalamentik ◽

Unstain N. W. J. Rembet ◽

Adnan S. Wantasen

Keyword(s):

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Research Effort ◽

Artificial Reef ◽

Environmental Parameters ◽

Reef Fishes ◽

Artificial Reefs ◽

Colonization Rate ◽

Study Sites ◽

Number Of Individuals

A comprehensive research effort was directed to increase the ecological role of Putus-Putus island coral reefs. This study was an implementation of artificial reef technology as fish colonization locality. The artificial reefs were made of 20x20x100 cm-concrete blocks placed in 6 levels and located at the depth of 8-10 m. Reef fish observations were done three times in two locations. Environmental parameters, such as temperature, salinity and visibility, were also measured. Environmental parameters (temperature, salinity a. Water temperature (29.65oC and 29.64oC) supported the coral growth as well. Salinity distribution was not significantly different among the study sites. This study also found 37 reef fish species belonging to 18 families. Number of species varied with observed time and localities. Total number of individuals increased with number of fish species. Mean number of individuals and species of reef fish in locality B were higher than those in locality A. Moreover, the reef fish colonization rate in the study site followed the model y = 4.3801e0.5249x with R2= 0.9297 in the strait and y = 5.0397e0.5493x with R2= 0.9297 for the Bay. Keywords: Artificial reefs, reef fish. Abstrak Suatu upaya penelitian yang komprehensif diarahkan untuk peningkatan fungsi ekologi terumbu karang Pulau Putus-Putus. Penelitian ini berupa penerapan teknologi terumbu buatan sebagai tempat hunian ikan. Terumbu buatan terbuat dari balok cor beton berukuran 20x20x100 cm bersusun 6 dan ditempatkan pada kedalaman 8-10 m. Pengamatan ikan karang dilakukan 3 kali di 2 lokasi berbeda. Parameter lingkungan, seperti suhu, salinitas, dan kecerahan, juga diukur. Hasil pengukuran yang diperoleh (29,65 oC dan 29,64 oC) termasuk suhu yang optimal untuk pertumbuhan karang. Dari hasil penelitian, ditemukan 37 spesies yang masuk dalam 18 famili ikan karang. Jumlah spesies yang ditemukan bervariasi pada setiap waktu dan lokasi pengamatan. Pengambilan spesies ikan karang dilakukan pada 2 lokasi dengan masing-masing lokasi dilakukan 3 kali pengambilan sampel. Berdasarkan hasil yang diperoleh (tabel 03) dapat dilihat bahwa jumlah individu bertambah seiring dengan banyaknya jumlah spesies ikan karang yang didapat. Rata-rata jumlah individu dan jumlah spesies ikan karang pada lokasi B lebih banyak. Laju hunian ikan karang di lokasi penelitian mengikuti model y = 4.3801e0.5249x dengan R2= 0,9297 untuk lokasi Selat dan y = 5.0397e0.5493x dengan R2= 0,9297 untuk lokasi Teluk. Kata kunci : Terumbu buatan, ikan karang

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Patterns of species richness and composition of fish assemblages in streams of the Ivinhema River basin, Upper Paraná River

Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia ◽

10.1590/s2179-975x2011000200008 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 177-188 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Yzel Rondon Súarez ◽

Marcelo Maldonado de Souza ◽

Fabiane Silva Ferreira ◽

Maiane Jardim Pereira ◽

Ediléia Amancio da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

River Basin ◽

Fish Species ◽

Fish Assemblage ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

River Mouth ◽

Common Species ◽

Assemblage Organization ◽

Paraná Basin ◽

Parana Basin

AIM: The present study analyzed the spatial variation in fish species richness and composition in streams of the Ivinhema River basin, Upper Paraná basin, determining the relationship between local and regional descriptors of the fish assemblage organization; METHOD: From 2001 to 2011 we sampled 200 stream stretches, using different sampling methods. Local species richness and composition were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods to detect patterns of variation in the fish assemblage organization; RESULTS: We identified 111 fish species in the streams, and estimated the occurrence of 117 fish species (CIα0.05 = 111 to 123) with lower species richness in headwater streams compared to the lower parts of the basin. The fish species recorded were predominantly of small size, and the mean size increased from the headwaters to the river mouth. The four most common species are widely distributed in the basin. However, 24 species are allocthonous to the Upper Paraná basin, and two species (Chaetobranchopsis australis and Apistogramma commbrae) are recorded here for the first time in the Upper Paraná basin. Altitude was the main determinant of local fish species richness and composition, and a discontinuity in assemblage organization (richness, composition, fish size) was detected at approximately 430 m a.s.l.; CONCLUSION: Streams of the Ivinhema River basin are inhabited mainly by small-sized fishes; and longitudinal variation, interacting with local characteristics, determines the fish assemblage patterns.

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Zooplankton of the highland bogs of Putana, a desert wetland of the high puna, northern Chile

Crustaceana ◽

10.1163/15685403-00003482 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 88 (10-11) ◽

pp. 1235-1244 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Andrés Muñoz-Pedreros ◽

Patricio De los Ríos-Escalante ◽

Patricia Möller

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Northern Chile ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

The Andes ◽

Specific Composition ◽

Salt Flats ◽

Composition And Structure ◽

North Eastern ◽

North Western

The Atacama “puna” (high-altitude plateau) is situated among the high peaks of the Andes at over 4000 m a.s.l. This ecosystem covers parts of north-eastern Chile, north-western Argentina, south-eastern Peru, and mid-western Bolivia. The puna brings together several types of wetlands, such as salt-flats, lakes, rivers, high marshes, and highland bogs. Highland bogs are peatlands associated with endorheic basins. The object of this study was to analyse the specific composition and structure of the zooplankton of the bogs of the Putana River, on the Altiplano of northern Chile. In 2012, zooplankton samples were taken for qualitative and quantitative analysis at nine stations of the bog. Nine taxa of zooplanktonic crustaceans were recorded. The species richness is higher than records in other high Andean wetland at a similar altitude, although the species found have been reported for other high Andean wetlands and Andean lakes in Chile and from neighbouring countries.

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Longitudinal patterns in fish and macrozoobenthos assemblages reflect degradation of water quality and physical habitat in the Bílina river basin

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/14/2009-cjas ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 55 (No. 3) ◽

pp. 123-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

P. Jurajda ◽

Z. Adámek ◽

M. Janáč ◽

Z. Valová

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Species Richness ◽

River Basin ◽

Fish Species ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Physical Habitat ◽

Elbe River ◽

River Stretch ◽

The Elbe River ◽

Bílina River

The aim of this study was to provide the first account of fish and macroinvertebrate communities in a heavily degraded river basin in the Czech Republic. Fish and macrozoobenthos were surveyed at 18 sites in the Bílina River and 11 sites in tributary streams during June–July 2007. Fish were sampled by electrofishing and macrozoobenthos were collected by kick-sampling using a sweep net. The composition of macroinvertebrate assemblages in headwater and reference sites in the upper Bílina River indicated clean water with saprobic index (SI) 1.31–1.43 followed by a transitional stretch downstream the Kyjická reservoir (SI 2.05–2.32) and dramatic decline of water quality to SI 3.18 in the river stretch downstream of industrial and municipal pollution at Litvínov-Záluží. Despite several minor pollution sources on the subsequent downstream river stretch until its mouth into the Elbe River, the water quality indicators fluctuated in the range of lower betamesosaprobity (SI 2.06–2.58). Species richness and biodiversity indices followed a similar pattern as river saprobity. Twenty-three fish species were documented in the Bílina River basin. Chub (Leuciscus cephalus), gudgeon (Gobio gobio) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) were the most frequent species at the Bílina sites. Chub was the most numerous fish in the tributaries. Fish species richness in the longitudinal profile did not increase downstream in the Bílina mainstem, most likely because the presence of reservoirs and water pollution interrupted the river continuum pattern. Qualitative data on fish assemblages corresponded to the course of environmental stress. A sustainable fish community was documented only in the lowermost site in Ústí nad Labem near the confluence with the Elbe River. The Bílina River tributaries constitute potential refuges for fish in this basin.

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Juvenile pelagic fish assemblages in the coastal waters of Lebanon: Diversity, biological characteristics & landings

10.31237/osf.io/r3qcj ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Garabet Kazanjian

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Niche Partitioning ◽

Common Species ◽

Indigenous Species ◽

Northern Coast ◽

First Maturity ◽

Non Indigenous Species ◽

New Recruits ◽

Boops Boops

Small pelagic fishes constituted half of the Mediterranean landings and a considerable portion of the Lebanese catches. In this study, the purse seine fishery was analyzed between 2006 and 2007 in two sites along the northern coast of Lebanon.Thirty-six different fish species were collected, out of which seven constituted morethan 97% of the landings. Engraulis encrasicolus, Sardinella aurita and Sardinapilchardus composed 57.7%, 20.9% and 5.6% of the abundance of catches respectively and 31.3%, 19.2%, 9.2% of its biomass. Non-indigenous species comprised 7.2% of the total abundance and 18.7 % of the landing biomass. The fishery targeted mainly the new recruits (0+), and the vast majority of the catches were fishes below their size at first maturity. Diversity and species richness were high in the warmer in the months and low in the colder ones. Temperature and salinity were positively correlated with species richness, while the chlorophyll content of seawater was positively associated with diversity. Clear temporal patterns with distinct shifts of dominance within the landings were detected throughout the year for the most common species. Engraulids dominated catches from October to March, while the rest of the year was characterized by clupeids, Boops boops, and Scomber colias. A temporal niche partitioning seems to exist in the easternmost Mediterranean pelagic waters, possibly to minimize competition.

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Typology of fish nurseries in shallow Mediterranean coastal zones: all habitats matter

10.21203/rs.3.rs-118728/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Adrien Cheminée ◽

Laurence Le Direach ◽

Elodie Rouanet ◽

Patrick Astruch ◽

Adrien Goujard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Fish Species ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Juvenile Fish ◽

Economic Value ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Dimensional Structure ◽

Coastal Zones ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Species Richness And Abundance

Abstract Coastal zones are ecosystems of high economic value but exposed to numerous disturbances, while they represent nurseries for many fish species, raising the issue of the preservation of their functions and services. In this context, the juvenile fish assemblages of all types of habitats present in shallow coastal zones were studied on the south-east coast of France using underwater visual censuses. The abiotic and biotic descriptors of the 14 habitat types individualized did not vary with time, except for a higher cover percentage and canopy height of macrophytes in the warm period, which increased the three-dimensional structure of some habitats. The taxonomic composition and density of juvenile fish assemblages were analyzed using both multivariate and univariate descriptors, after grouping the 57 fish species recorded into 41 well-individualized taxa. Juvenile fishes were recorded in all habitat types, with higher mean species richness and abundance during the warm than the cold period. The richest habitats in terms of both species richness and abundance were the natural rocky substrates and the interfaces between Posidonia beds and the other habitats. Although juvenile fish assemblages differed among habitat types and between periods, the most abundant fish species (Atherina sp., Sarpa salpa, Gobiidae, Symphodus spp., Pagellus spp. and several Diplodus species) colonized different habitat types (from 7 to 14) during their juvenile life. This study provided evidence of the role of all types of shallow coastal habitats as fish nurseries and their varying pattern of occupation in space and time by the different juvenile stages. It highlighted the importance of the mosaic of habitats and interfaces for the complete development of all juvenile life stages of fishes, and for the preservation of a high diversity of coastal fish assemblages and fisheries resources in the Mediterranean Sea.

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Environmental DNA metabarcoding reveals and unpacks a biodiversity conservation paradox in Mediterranean marine reserves

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2021.0112 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 288 (1949) ◽

Author(s):

Emilie Boulanger ◽

Nicolas Loiseau ◽

Alice Valentini ◽

Véronique Arnal ◽

Pierre Boissery ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Fish Species ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Marine Reserves ◽

Marked Change ◽

Environmental Dna ◽

Biodiversity Loss ◽

Conclusive Evidence ◽

Anthropogenic Pressure ◽

Local Species Richness

Although we are currently experiencing worldwide biodiversity loss, local species richness does not always decline under anthropogenic pressure. This conservation paradox may also apply in protected areas but has not yet received conclusive evidence in marine ecosystems. Here, we survey fish assemblages in six Mediterranean no-take reserves and their adjacent fishing grounds using environmental DNA (eDNA) while controlling for environmental conditions. We detect less fish species in marine reserves than in nearby fished areas. The paradoxical gradient in species richness is accompanied by a marked change in fish species composition under different managements. This dissimilarity is mainly driven by species that are often overlooked by classical visual surveys but detected with eDNA: cryptobenthic, pelagic, and rare fishes. These results do not negate the importance of reserves in protecting biodiversity but shed new light on how under-represented species groups can positively react to fishing pressure and how conservation efforts can shape regional biodiversity patterns.

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