scholarly journals The contribution of environmental factors to fish assemblages in the Río Acahuapa, a small drainage in Central America

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco S. Álvarez ◽  
Wilfredo A. Matamoros ◽  
Francisco A. Chicas
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Main Channel ◽  
Estuarine Fish ◽  
Species Origin ◽  
High Temperature Water ◽  
Distribution Of Fish ◽  
Temperature Water

ABSTRACT The ichthyofauna of the Río Acahuapa was analyzed sampling 17 sites that included the basin main channel and its tributaries. Fish were collected using dip-nets, seine-nets and electrofishing. Fish standard length and species abundance were recorded. Species origin and salinity tolerance criteria were used to classify fish species. Water physicochemical variables, habitat structure and sampling sites elevation were recorded. A total of 33 fish species were registered, 12.1% are primary, 45.5% are secondary and 42.4% are of marine derivation. Fish species richness declined with increase of elevation (R2=0.55, p=0.0006). Two assemblages of fishes were identified: the first one associated to sites of low elevations (19-184 masl), composed mainly of secondary and marine-estuarine fish species related with high temperature, water velocity, river width, dissolved oxygen and low sand and silt substrate cover; the second one associated to sites of middle and higher elevations (185-519 masl), composed by primary and secondary freshwater fishes related with high pH, logs and rocks substrate cover. In summary, elevation and environmental variables contributed to the composition and distribution of fish in the Río Acahuapa.

Estuarine characteristics, water quality and heavy metal contamination as determinants of fish species composition in intermittently open estuaries

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 941 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. O'Mara ◽  
A. Miskiewicz ◽  
M. Y. L. Wong
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Estuarine Fish ◽  
Fish Diversity ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Fish Species Composition

Estuaries are critical aquatic environments that are used by many fish during their life cycle. However, estuaries often suffer from poor water quality as a result of anthropogenic activities. Fish diversity studies in estuaries are common, although few have examined whether correlations exist between water quality, metal contamination and fish assemblages. In the present study we investigated the effect of abiotic conditions, heavy metals and estuary characteristics on the abundance, diversity and composition of fish in four intermittently open estuaries along the Illawarra coast of south-eastern Australia. The heterogeneity of environmental conditions was reflected in the fish assemblages in each estuary. Environmental variables predicted fish species composition, and estuaries in particularly poor condition contained few species (estuarine residents) in high abundance, indicating their ability to acclimatise and survive in conditions that are hostile to other species. Overall, these findings demonstrate that estuarine fish assemblages may be useful indicators of estuary condition and reveal the importance of managing anthropogenic activities in the surrounding catchment to improve water quality so that biodiversity of fish can be restored in these estuarine environments.

scholarly journals A New Method for Standardizing Inland Fish Community Surveys: Characterizing Habitat Associated with Small-Bodied Fish Species, Abundance, and Size Distributions in a Highly Modified Estuary

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph E. Merz ◽  
Meghan J. Camp ◽  
Juniper L. Simonis ◽  
Whitney Thorpe
Keyword(s):  
San Francisco ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Ecological Groups ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Sampling System ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Specific Selectivity ◽  
Potential Applications

Monitoring fish assemblages in estuary environments is often difficult to standardize due to habitat complexity and gear-specific selectivity. This is further compounded by conventional sampling methods which require fish handling that might cause stress or mortality. To ameliorate these issues, we developed the Single-Platform Aquatic Species and Habitat Sampling System (Platform), an integrated and mobile concentrator net and live box prototype, coupled with a range of physical monitoring equipment. The long-term goal of the Platform is to employ non-invasive sampling techniques such as video and eDNA; however, our aim in this study was to test the Platform’s ability to sample across different habitat types and detect differences in fish assemblages. We investigated the utility of the Platform over a short time period (2 mo) in a relatively small and complex embayment within the highly modified San Francisco Estuary, California. We were able to identify clear physical distinctions among estuary/delta habitat types and detect habitat segregation by ecological groups of sampled fishes with the Platform. The Platform also detected discernable ontogenetic shifts (i.e., size differences) within estuary habitats of commonly observed fish species. These initial results demonstrate the Platform’s ability to contrast fish density, size, and species diversity, which sets the stage to advance more passive monitoring techniques, including video and eDNA methods. The Platform has the potential to fill a methodological gap in non-invasive surveying of small-bodied fish across a range of estuarine habitats, warranting further investigation of potential applications.

scholarly journals COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FISH JUVENILE IN MANGROVE AND SEAGRASS HABITATS IN PRAMUKA ISLAND

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fathul Amin ◽  
M Mukhlis Kamal ◽  
Am Azbas Taurusman
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Fish Distribution ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Observation Area ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Line Transect Method ◽  
Distribution Of Fish

<p><em>This study was aimed to investigate the community structure of fish juvenile, spatial distribution and similarity from both adjacent habitats </em><em>of</em><em> mangrove and seagrass. This study was conducted in the eastern part of Pramuka island from April to June 2015. The samples were </em><em>collected</em><em> by using line transect method in three observation area</em><em>s</em><em> </em><em>that </em><em>were spatially connected </em><em>i.e.,</em><em> mangrove, transition and seagrass zones. The result of the study from three observation zones revealed that there w</em><em>ere</em><em> found 24 species</em><em> </em><em>of fishes from 15 families </em><em>i.e.,</em><em> Siganidae (4 species), Apogonidae (3 species), Ger</em><em>-</em><em>reidae</em><em> (2 species)</em><em>, Terapontidae</em><em> (2 species)</em><em>, Gobiidae</em><em> (2 species),</em><em> Labridae (2 species), Mugilidae, Nemipteridae, Hemiramphidae, Sphyraenidae, Monacanthidae, Atherinidae, Pomacentridae, Lut</em><em>-</em><em>janidae</em><em>,</em><em> and Lethrinidae (</em><em>each of them </em><em>1 species).</em><em> </em><em>According to community structure, the </em><em>adjacent </em><em>ob</em><em>-</em><em>servation zone</em><em>s</em><em> did not </em><em>show</em><em> a significant difference </em><em>in</em><em> the number of species, abundance</em><em>,</em><em> and bio</em><em>-</em><em>mass. According to fish distribution, fish species in transition zone and seagrass zone were relatively </em><em>similar and</em><em> dominated by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gerres</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">oblongus</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fibramia</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">lateralis</span></em><em>,</em><em> </em><em>and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Siganus</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">canaliculatus</span>. Mean</em><em>-</em><em>while, </em><em>in </em><em>mangrove zone </em><em>revealed a significant different of fish species than in transition and seagrass zones.  In mangrove zone, fish species </em><em>was dominated by <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gerres oblongus</span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Siganus</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">guttatus</span>. </em></p><p><em> </em><strong><em>Keywords:</em></strong><em> spatial distribution, juvenile, mangrove, seagrass, pramuka Island, Siganidae</em></p>

COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF FISH JUVENILE IN MANGROVE AND SEAGRASS HABITATS IN PRAMUKA ISLAND

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fathul Amin ◽  
M Mukhlis Kamal ◽  
Am Azbas Taurusman
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Community Structure ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Fish Distribution ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Siganus Canaliculatus ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Line Transect Method ◽  
Distribution Of Fish

This study was aimed to investigate the community structure of fish juvenile, spatial distribution and similarity from both adjacent habitats of mangrove and seagrass. This study was conducted in the eastern part of Pramuka island from April to June 2015. The samples were collected by using line transect method in three observation areas that were spatially connected i.e., mangrove, transition and seagrass zones. The result of the study from three observation zones revealed that there were found 24 species of fishes from 15 families i.e., Siganidae (4 species), Apogonidae (3 species), Ger-reidae (2 species), Terapontidae (2 species), Gobiidae (2 species), Labridae (2 species), Mugilidae, Nemipteridae, Hemiramphidae, Sphyraenidae, Monacanthidae, Atherinidae, Pomacentridae, Lut-janidae, and Lethrinidae (each of them 1 species). According to community structure, the adjacent ob-servation zones did not show a significant difference in the number of species, abundance, and bio-mass. According to fish distribution, fish species in transition zone and seagrass zone were relatively similar and dominated by Gerres oblongus, Fibramia lateralis, and Siganus canaliculatus. Mean-while, in mangrove zone revealed a significant different of fish species than in transition and seagrass zones.  In mangrove zone, fish species was dominated by Gerres oblongus and Siganus guttatus.  Keywords: spatial distribution, juvenile, mangrove, seagrass, pramuka Island, Siganidae

Reef fish functional composition and metrics reveal spatial differences in three protected islands in the Eastern Pacific

2020 ◽  
Vol 635 ◽  
pp. 139-150
Author(s):  
D Morales-de-Anda ◽  
AL Cupul-Magaña ◽  
FA Rodríguez-Zaragoza ◽  
C Aguilar-Betancourt ◽  
G González-Sansón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Interesting System

Reef fish assemblages in the Eastern Pacific (EP) represent an interesting system to understand how areas with lower diversity respond to multiple factors and their effect on ecosystem functions and services. Among the multiple approaches that have emerged, the evaluation of functional metrics provides an initial comprehension of these relationships. In this context, to better understand reef fish variability in the EP, we evaluated spatial differences in ecological metrics, the composition of fish assemblages, and their relationship with habitat structure in coral communities at 3 islands in Mexico (Marietas, Isabel, and Cleofas). To include a functional approach, we created a functional entity (FE) matrix using species abundance and 6 categorical functional traits; specifically, we calculated ecological metrics that reflect the representation or under-representation of species in the functions or FEs (redundancy and vulnerability) and the rarity in FEs and species and their relationship with habitat structure. Overall, most of the fish FEs in the EP were represented by 1 species (i.e. high vulnerability and low functional redundancy). Despite the low redundancy recorded in the islands, reef fish performed multiple key functions; however, many functions remained rare. Furthermore, both metrics and fish composition showed high variability among sites and islands, but this variability was only partially explained by a few variables of habitat structure (i.e. rugosity). These results, in combination with the unique characteristics of coral communities in the EP, highlight the need to identify the drivers of fish assemblages and their effect on the ecosystem processes and services in order to implement unique management strategies for each island.

scholarly journals How selection structures species abundance distributions

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1743) ◽  
pp. 3722-3726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Magurran ◽  
Peter A. Henderson
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Estuarine Fish ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Abundance Distribution ◽  
Species Abundance Distributions ◽  
Characteristic Species ◽  
Safety In Numbers

How do species divide resources to produce the characteristic species abundance distributions seen in nature? One way to resolve this problem is to examine how the biomass (or capacity) of the spatial guilds that combine to produce an abundance distribution is allocated among species. Here we argue that selection on body size varies across guilds occupying spatially distinct habitats. Using an exceptionally well-characterized estuarine fish community, we show that biomass is concentrated in large bodied species in guilds where habitat structure provides protection from predators, but not in those guilds associated with open habitats and where safety in numbers is a mechanism for reducing predation risk. We further demonstrate that while there is temporal turnover in the abundances and identities of species that comprise these guilds, guild rank order is conserved across our 30-year time series. These results demonstrate that ecological communities are not randomly assembled but can be decomposed into guilds where capacity is predictably allocated among species.

scholarly journals Using fish assemblages in different habitats to develop a management plan for the Upper Essequibo Conservation Concession, Guyana

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 260-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Wesley Willink ◽  
Eustace Alexander ◽  
Christopher Campbell Jones
Keyword(s):  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Main Channel ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Heterogeneous Distribution ◽  
Flooded Forests ◽  
Predatory Fishes ◽  
Seasonally Flooded ◽  
Distribution Of Fish ◽  
Small Forest

The Upper Essequibo Conservation Concession is a reserve in central-eastern Guyana managed by Conservation International. The site is uninhabited by people and poorly studied. The first scientific fish survey was in 2007 in conjunction with the filming of the BBC nature documentary Lost Land of the Jaguar. Aquatic habitats were primarily flowing water, ranging from the main channel of the Essequibo River to small forest creeks. Ponds and seasonally flooded forests were uncommon. Large predatory fishes were abundant in the Essequibo River. Fishes tolerant of low oxygen levels were common in flooded forests and small forest creeks. There was zero similarity between the fish assemblages of the Essequibo River and flooded forests / small forest creeks. The rest of the habitats and fish assemblages formed a continuum between these extremes. Imminent threats to the Upper Essequibo Conservation Concession include logging, mining, and over-fishing. Because of the heterogeneous distribution of fish assemblages, and because each threat will differentially affect different habitats, a two-pronged approach focusing on the ends of the habitat / fish assemblage continuum should be implemented in order to conserve the entire fish biodiversity of the Upper Essequibo Conservation Concession.

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