Spatial and temporal variation in fish community structure and diversity in the largest tropical flood‐pulse system of South‐East Asia

The Tonle Sap River and Lake (TSRL) is South‐East Asia's largest tropical flood pulse with a flow‐reversal system that supports one of the world's largest freshwater fisheries. However, among the world's tropical floodplains, the resources of the TSRL have received little ecological research. Here, we described the spatiotemporal TSRL fish diversity and community variation using daily records from 2012 to 2015 on fish abundance from six sites covering the TSRL system. We found that high fish diversity occurred in sites located in the middle of Tonle Sap Lake, and the lowest diversity was observed in the southern section. The spatial abundance distribution patterns displayed a river–lake gradient, with three fish assemblages that were clustered based on their composition similarities and were characterised by 96 indicator species. In the southern section, fish assemblages were characterised by longitudinal migratory fishes; in contrast, in the middle system, fish assemblages were represented by species with combined ecological attributes (i.e. longitudinal and lateral migratory species and floodplain residents). Towards the northern section, fish assemblages were composed of lateral migratory and floodplain resident species. Species richness and abundance peaked at approximately 2–2.5 and 4 months, respectively, after the peak flow in early October, during which Tonle Sap River resumes its normal flow direction (outflow). This suggests that seasonal flood pulses (i.e. rising and falling water levels) play a pivotal role in structuring spatiotemporal variation in the TSRL fish assemblages. Our study has implications for fisheries monitoring and conservation initiatives.     

长江口青草沙水库正式供水前的鱼类群落结构特征

为研究上海青草沙水库的鱼类物种组成、多样性及其空间变化,2010年7--10月在该水库共捕获鱼类993尾,隶属5目,18种,其中淡水鲤形目鱼类最多,占总物种数的72.2％.群落优势种为贝氏(鳖)、刀鲚、鲫、光泽黄颡鱼.聚类分析表明,鱼类群落类型存在较显著的空间差异,刺网网目大小对渔获物物种组成有较显著的影响.物种多样性与丰富度和均匀度均显著正相关,但更多地受丰富度的影响.单因素方差分析表明,鱼类物种多样性在空间上无显著差异.4种摄食功能群中,无脊椎动物食性(44.4％)和杂食性(33.3％)鱼类物种数比例较高;4种生态类群中,定居性鱼类占绝对优势(77.8％).青草沙水库鱼类群落表现出淡水或长江口低盐淡水区鱼类区系的主要特征,与以近海鲈形目鱼类为优势的长江口邻近水域的鱼类群落差异巨大,推测水库建设导致的隔离与盐度下降是形成该水库鱼类群落趋于淡水区系的主要原因.     

祟明东滩团结沙鱼类群落多样性与生长特性

研究了长江口祟明东滩团结沙5~8月间的鱼类多样性和生长特性。初步调查表明,祟明东滩团结沙共有鱼类9目19种,以鲤形目最多,鲻形目次之。这些鱼类分为4个主要生态类型,包括河口性鱼类4种、近海鱼类3种、江海洄游型鱼类4种和淡水鱼类8种。鱼类群落多样性较低,以个体数为单位计算的Shannon-Wiener多样性指数H′为2.790,Simpson优势度指数λ为0.198,Pielou种类均匀度指数J′为0.657。主要优势鱼类为窄体舌鳎、刀鲚、长蛇鮈、鲻、鲫、中国花鲈和中华鲟等7种,个体都较小。这7种鱼中窄体舌鳎、刀鲚、长蛇鮈、鲻、鲫和中华鲟呈等速生长,而中国花鲈为异速生长,肥满度最大的是鲫,最小的是刀鲚。5~8月间每个月渔获物的种类与数量组成有一定差异。为了更好地保护长江口祟明东滩的鱼类资源,应加强长江口渔业生态环境的综合治理,加大增殖和保护鱼类资源的力度,充分发挥长江口中华鲟自然保护区的保护功能。     

Biogeographical region and environmental conditions drive functional traits of estuarine fish assemblages worldwide

Assessing trait–environment relationships is crucial for predicting effects of natural and human‐induced environmental change on biota. We compiled a global database of fish assemblages in estuaries, functional traits of fishes and ecosystem features of estuaries. And we quantified the relative importance of ecosystem features as drivers of patterns of fish functional traits among estuaries worldwide (i.e. drivers of the proportions of fish traits). In addition to biogeographical context, two main environmental gradients regulate traits patterns: firstly temperature, and secondly estuary size and hydrological connectivity of the estuary with the marine ecosystem. Overall, estuaries in colder regions, with larger areas and with higher hydrological connectivity with the marine ecosystem, have higher proportions of marine fish (versus freshwater), macrocarnivores and planktivores (versus omnivores, herbivores and detritivores) and larger fish, with greater maximum depth of distribution and longer lifespan. The observed trait patterns and trait–environment relationships are likely generated by multiple causal processes linked to physiological constraints due to temperature and salinity, size‐dependent biotic interactions, as well as habitat availability and connectivity. Biogeographical context and environmental conditions drive species richness and composition, and present results show that they also drive assemblage traits. The observed trait patterns and trait–environment relationships suggest that assemblage composition is determined by the functional role of species within ecosystems. Conservation strategies should be coordinated globally and ensure protection of an array of estuaries that differ in ecosystem features, even if some of those estuaries do not support high species richness.     

Genetics of neotropical fish: from chromosomes to populations

The Neotropical freshwater fish fauna is very rich—according to the most recent catalogue 71 families and 4,475 species have been described. However, only a small amount of general information is available on the composition of Neotropical marine fishes. In Brazil, 1,298 marine species have been recorded. General analysis of available cytogenetic and population genetic data clearly indicates research has been mainly concentrated on freshwater fishes. Thus, today, cytogenetic information is available for 475 species of Characiformes, 318 species of Siluriformes, 48 species of Gymnotiformes, 199 freshwater species that do not belong to the superorder Ostariophysi, and only 109 species of marine fishes. For the species studied, only about 6% have sex chromosomes and about 5% have supernumerary or B chromosomes. A review of the cytogenetic studies shows that these data have provided valuable information about the relationships between fish groups, the occurrence of cryptic species and species complexes, the mechanism of sex determination and sex chromosome evolution, the distribution of nucleolus organizer regions, the existence supernumerary chromosomes, and the relationship between polyploidy and evolution. In relation to populations in Neotropical marine waters, the studies have shown the presence of cryptic species, which has important implications for fishery management. Different levels of genetic structuring can be found among Neotropical freshwater migratory fish species. This raises important implications for fish population genetic diversity and consequently its sustainable utilization in inland fisheries and aquaculture, specifically for conservation of ichthyo-diversity and survival.     

Fish conservation in South African estuaries

1. Habitat degradation, mainly through land use changes and excessive freshwater abstraction, has a major negative effect on southern African estuarine systems. Less important at present, but showing increasing signs towards becoming a major problem is environmental pollution, especially organic and inorganic wastes from industrial, agricultural and domestic sources. Although the major threats to estuarine-associated fishes are usually linked to environmental degradation, there is also evidence to suggest that certain fish species are declining in abundance primarily as a result of overfishing. 2. The viability of estuaries as nurseries and feeding grounds for fishes is directly related to the accessibility and productivity of these systems. Examples of the mismanagement of South African estuaries through excessive siltation, freshwater deprivation, poorly planned dredging activities, and artificial manipulation of estuary mouths, are discussed. 3. The need for conservation legislation based on a sound knowledge of the biology and ecology of threatened fish species, their communities and their habits is highlighted. Examples of possible ‘indicator’, ‘keystone’, ‘umbrella’ and ‘flagship’ species for South African estuaries are given. 4. Although estuaries on the subcontinent have long been recognized as nursery areas for a number of recreationally important marine fish species, these systems have not formed an integral component in the selection of marine reserves. The dependence of many marine teleosts on estuarine habitats necessitates the inclusion of these ecosystems in any aquatic reserve planning exercise. 5. The plight of endemic fish species is discussed, with the effects of both environmental degradation and overexploitation being highlighted. 6. It is concluded that the future health of South Africa's estuaries and their fishes depends on imaginative resource management and on the improved implementation of conservation measures in partnership with decision-makers, managers, scientists and estuarine users. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Influences of local habitat and stream spatial position on fish assemblages in a dammed watershed,the Qingyi Stream,China

Abstract – Identifying the underlying mechanisms that explain the spatial variation in stream fish assemblages is crucial for the protection of species diversity. The influences of local habitat and stream spatial position on fish assemblages were examined from first‐order through third‐order streams within a dammed watershed, the Qingyi Stream, China. Based on linear regression models, the most important environmental variables influencing fish species richness were water temperature and wetted width, but stream spatial position variables were less important. Using canonical correspondence analysis, five environmental variables were identified to significantly influence fish assemblages, including three habitats (elevation, substrate and water depth) and two spatial variables (C‐link and Link). Our results suggest that, in a heavily dammed watershed, by blocking the migration routes of fishes, dams weaken the influence of stream spatial position on fish species richness. However, fish species compositions are significantly influenced by both local habitat environment and stream spatial position, which is perhaps owing to the distribution of fish species according to ecological requirements not related to spatial processes.     

Assigning individual fish to populations using microsatellite DNA markers

New statistical developments combined with the use of highly polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers enable the determination of the population of origin of single fish, resulting in numerous new research possibilities and applications in practical management of fish populations. We first describe three main categories of methods available, i.e. (i) assignment tests and related methods, (ii) discriminant function analysis and (iii) artificial neural networks. In all these, individuals can be assigned to the population from which their multilocus genotypes are most likely to be derived. Assignment tests are based on calculations of the likelihood of multilocus genotypes in populations, based on allele frequencies. Discriminant function analysis is based on multivariate statistics, whereas artificial neural networks formulate predictions through exposure to correct solutions. Assignment tests are the methods of choice when considering genetic data alone, whereas discriminant function analysis and artificial neural networks may be useful when genetic data are combined with, for instance, morphological and ecological data. Assignment tests can be used to assess the genetic distinctness of populations, for discriminating among closely related species and to directly identify immigrants or individuals of immigrant ancestry, and thereby study patterns of dispersal among populations, including sex‐biased dispersal. In a conservation context, assignment tests can be used to assess the genetic impact of domesticated fish on wild populations and for determining if extant fish populations are in fact indigenous or descendants from stocked fish or strayers, and they can be applied in forensics, for instance to reveal poaching. Assignment tests are at present most useful for studies of freshwater and anadromous fishes owing to stronger genetic differentiation among populations than in marine fishes. However, some genetically divergent populations of marine fishes have been discovered, which could be used as natural laboratories for studying dispersal and gene flow. It is foreseen that ongoing developments in statistical methods, combined with improved techniques for screening large numbers of loci, will permit assignment methods to become standard tools in studies on the biology of fishes.     

Particularities of early life stages in temperate freshwater fish species: comparisons with marine species and implications for aquaculture practices

Both egg and larvae are different between freshwater and marine fish species. Freshwater fish species have generally larger and fewer eggs than marine species. Most freshwater fish species have demersal eggs that develop stuck to various substrata, such as plants or gravels, while eggs of most marine fish species develop in the water column. These differences have consequences for both the evaluation of the quality and the incubation of eggs of freshwater fish species compared with marine species. The larvae of many freshwater fish species are larger and more developed at hatching than their marine counterparts: thus, larval feeding regimes could be different and cannibalism may emerge sooner in certain freshwater fish species. The main differences of egg and larvae between freshwater and marine species are highlighted and the possible implications for aquaculture practices are discussed.     

Macroalgal meadow habitats support fish and fisheries in diverse tropical seascapes

Canopy‐forming macroalgae can construct extensive meadow habitats in tropical seascapes occupied by fishes that span a diversity of taxa, life‐history stages and ecological roles. Our synthesis assessed whether these tropical macroalgal habitats have unique fish assemblages, provide fish nurseries and support local fisheries. We also applied a meta‐analysis of independent surveys across 23 tropical reef locations in 11 countries to examine how macroalgal canopy condition is related to the abundance of macroalgal‐associated fishes. Over 627 fish species were documented in tropical macroalgal meadows, with 218 of these taxa exhibiting higher local abundance within this habitat (cf. nearby coral reef) during at least one life‐history stage. Major overlap (40%–43%) in local fish species richness among macroalgal and seagrass or coral reef habitats suggest macroalgal meadows may provide an important habitat refuge. Moreover, the prominence of juvenile fishes suggests macroalgal meadows facilitate the triphasic life cycle of many fishes occupying diverse tropical seascapes. Correlations between macroalgal canopy structure and juvenile abundance suggests macroalgal habitat condition can influence levels of replenishment in tropical fish populations, including the majority of macroalgal‐associated fishes that are targeted by commercial, subsistence or recreational fisheries. While many macroalgal‐associated fishery species are of minor commercial value, their local importance for food and livelihood security can be substantial (e.g. up to 60% of landings in Kenyan reef fisheries). Given that macroalgal canopy condition can vary substantially with sea temperature, there is a high likelihood that climate change will impact macroalgal‐associated fish and fisheries.     

Behavioural thermoregulation in cold-water freshwater fish: Innate resilience to climate warming?

Behavioural thermoregulation enables ectotherms to access habitats providing conditions within their temperature optima, especially in periods of extreme thermal conditions, through adjustments to their behaviours that provide a “whole-body” response to temperature changes. Although freshwater fish have been detected as moving in response to temperature changes to access habitats that provide their thermal optima, there is a lack of integrative studies synthesising the extent to which this is driven by behaviour across different species and spatial scales. A quantitative global synthesis of behavioural thermoregulation in freshwater fish revealed that across 77 studies, behavioural thermoregulatory movements by fish were detected both vertically and horizontally, and from warm to cool waters and, occasionally, the converse. When fish moved from warm to cooler habitats, the extent of the temperature difference between these habitats decreased with increasing latitude, with juvenile and non-migratory fishes tolerating greater temperature differences than adult and anadromous individuals. With most studies focused on assessing movements of cold-water salmonids during summer periods, there remains an outstanding need for work on climatically vulnerable, non-salmonid fishes to understand how these innate thermoregulatory behaviours could facilitate population persistence in warming conditions.     

Distribution of demersal fish assemblages along the west coast of St Lucia: Implications for planning no-take marine reserves

1. Evidence-based decisions relating to effective marine protected areas as a means of conserving biodiversity require a detailed understanding of the species present. The Caribbean island nation of St Lucia is expanding its current marine protected area network by designating additional no-take marine reserves on the west coast. However, information on the distribution of fish species is currently limited.
2. This study used baited remote underwater stereo-video to address this shortcoming by investigating the effects of depth and seabed habitat structure on demersal fish assemblages and comparing these assemblages between regions currently afforded different protection measures.
3. From the 87 stations visited a total of 5,921 fish were observed comprising 120 fish taxa across 22 families. Species richness and total abundance were higher within the highly managed region, which included no-take reserves. Redundancy analysis explained 17% of the total variance in fish distribution, driven predominantly by the seabed habitats. The redundancy analysis identified four main groups of demersal fishes each associated with specific seabed habitats.
4. The current no-take marine reserves protected two of these groups (i.e. fishes associated with the ‘soft corals, hard corals or gorgonians’ and ‘seagrass’ groups). Importantly, habitats dominated by sponges, bacterial mats, algal turfs or macroalgae, which also supported unique fish assemblages, are not currently afforded protection via the marine reserve network (based on the five reserves studied). These results imply that incorporation of the full breadth of benthic habitat types present would improve the efficacy of the marine reserve network by ensuring all fish assemblages are protected.

     

Ancestry and amphidromy in island freshwater fish faunas

Amphidromy is a frequent attribute of fish faunas of remote islands, where the presence of freshwater fishes creates perplexity as to how such remote places came to have ‘freshwater fish’. Not infrequently, the fact that amphidromous species spend part of their lives in the sea is invoked as indicating that such species have marine ancestries, and this is the implied explanation for presence of freshwater fishes on islands. However, examination of the ranges of some amphidromous species, and of the distributions of genera to which amphidromous fishes belong, strongly suggests that amphidromy, especially in the gobies of the subfamily Sicydiinae, is a widespread, probably ancestral trait. Rather than such amphidromous fish having a marine ancestry, their marine life stages are themselves the likely key element in explaining their distributions.     

7种海洋鱼类的生物能量学模式

根据室内流水实验法，定量研究了黄、渤海生态系统7种鱼类能量收支组分，并建立了相应的生物能量学模式。7种海洋鱼类的生物能量学模式豆著不同，并可分为3类：(1)较低代谢和较高生长，如黑鲳、矛尾鳃虎鱼；(2)较高代谢和较低生长，如欧氏六线鱼和黑鲷；(3)代谢和生长均处于中等水平，如真鲷、红鳍东方纯和鲐。其差异原因可能与这7种海洋鱼类的生态习性不同相关。与淡水肉食性鱼类比较，7种海洋鱼类的代谢能明显偏高，表明海洋鱼类属于高代谢消耗、低生长效率型鱼类。     

夏季台湾海峡北部及邻近海域鱼类群落结构及环境解释

根据2014年7月台湾海峡中部、北部及邻近水域渔业资源底拖网调查资料,分析了该水域的鱼类群落结构,包括种类组成、区系特点、优势种、多样性及空间分布等,探讨了鱼类群落结构与环境因子的关系,并阐述了鱼类群落的群聚结构。结果表明,调查海域共捕获鱼类84种,隶属于16目、48科、69属。从种类数上看,适温类型以暖水种为主,区系类型以大陆架浅水底层鱼类以及大陆架岩礁性鱼类为主;从生物量组成上看,区系类型则以大陆架浅水中低层鱼类为主。优势种为带鱼(Trichiurus japonicus)和七星底灯鱼(Benthosema pterotum),合计渔获质量占总渔获质量的46.92%,对总渔获质量的回归贡献值分别为0.30和0.62;高生物量区集中分布在台湾海峡北口海域,在空间上表现为明显的生态位重叠。层次聚类分析将群落优势物种划分为2个主要的生态类型:沿海类型和广布类型,沿海类型的代表性物种包括龙头鱼、黄鲫、鳓;广布类型物种有带鱼、窄颅带鱼、七星底灯鱼、竹荚鱼、刺鲳、麦氏犀鳕。Shannon-Wiener多样性、Pielou均匀度和Margalef丰富度的变化范围分别为0.22~2.31、0.11~0.72、0.36~4.04,平均值分别为1.44、0.51、1.59,丰富度与总渔获质量表现为显著负相关(r=?0.65),与深度显著正相关(r=0.48)。物种?环境典范对应分析表明,与物种空间结构关系密切的影响因子为底盐、底层无机氮、底温、表底温差和水深;而影响群落优势群体分布的因子为底温、底盐和底层无机氮。     

Fish conservation in freshwater and marine realms: status,threats and management

相似文献   

Essential Fish Habitat and the Effective Design of Marine Reserves: Application for Marine Ornamental Fishes

Extensive and unregulated harvest of marine ornamental fishes can lead to localized depletion of target species and habitat degradation from inappropriate collecting techniques. One potential solution to these problems is the creation of marine reserves where fishing is prohibited. Marine reserves have been shown to increase fish abundance and protect ecosystems from habitat destruction associated with fishing. If protective areas are to be effective, they must include the diversity of habitats necessary to accommodate the wide range of fish species that are of interest to the marine ornamental fish trade.Fish assemblages with high diversity and abundance are often associated with habitats of high structural complexity. A relationship between fish size and reef complexity suggests the importance of shelter as a refuge for certain fishes in avoiding predation. Many species tend to aggregate to spawn in structurally complex habitats to reduce their risk of predation. Closing of spawning areas during aggregation periods has been shown to be a highly effective management strategy for these species. The limited home ranges and high degree of habitat specificity associated with many marine ornamental fishes should make marine reserves a highly effective strategy for managing these resources.     

Assemblage structures and spatial distributions of small gobioid fishes in a mangrove estuary,southern Thailand

We describe the assemblage structures and spatial distributions of juvenile and adult small gobioid fishes in a mangrove estuary in Trang Province, southern Thailand. The 11,183 gobioid juveniles and adults collected during the present study were classified into three families, 19 genera and 36 species. The three most dominant species were Pandaka pygmaea, Acentrogobius kranjiensis and Acentrogobius malayanus, which accounted for 75.9, 15.0 and 3.8% of the total number of gobioids collected, respectively. Spatial differences in gobioid fish assemblages were found in a mangrove estuary and its adjacent marine area. The diverse gobioid fauna with a variety of lifestyles found at muddy-bottomed, low-salinity stations, which were mainly upper- and middle-reach stations, can be partly accounted for by the existence of the various microhabitats in muddy-bottomed areas around mangroves. These microhabitats may contribute to local fish catches because gobies are of great significance as prey species for piscivores, including commercially important fish in mangrove estuaries. The abundance of each gobioid species would contribute to the development of rational methods for assessing the effectiveness of mangrove conservation and rehabilitation programs.     

罗非鱼链球菌病研究进展

链球菌（Streptococcus spp．）是一种广泛分布于自然界的革兰氏阳性菌,是人类的重要病原之一,也是其他多种脊椎动物包括猪、牛、鱼等的重要病原菌。目前已有多个国家报道了鱼类链球菌病的暴发与流行,受感染的鱼类包括多种海水和淡水鱼类,以温水性鱼类最为严重。近年中国罗非鱼链球菌感染的报道也呈现增加趋势,尤其在2009年,广东、海南、福建和广西地区养殖罗非鱼的链球病发病率为20％～50％,死亡率达50％～70％,甚至更高。链球菌病已严重危害着中国罗非鱼养殖业的健康发展。文章对罗非鱼链球菌病的病原、流行及防治方法作一综述,以期为今后开展罗非鱼链球菌病防控研究提供参考。