Food habits of fishes in the mangrove estuary of Urauchi River,Iriomote Island,southern Japan

The food habits of 67 fish species collected from the mangrove estuary of the Urauchi River, Iriomote Island, southern Japan were investigated using gut content analysis. Ontogenetic changes in food preference were recognized in nine species, including mugilids, gerreids, mullids, gobiids and tetraodontids. In most cases, juveniles of these species fed mostly on small crustaceans (e.g. calanoid and cyclopoid copepods and gammaridean amphipods) or detritus. With their subsequent growth, larger prey items (e.g. crabs and polychaetes) became dominant. A cluster analysis based on dietary overlaps showed that the mangrove fish assemblage comprised eight trophic groups (zooplankton, small benthic crustacean, large benthic crustacean, polychaete, fish, detritus, plant and insect feeders). Of these, large and small benthic crustacean feeders, which consumed mainly crabs and gammaridean amphipods, respectively, were the most abundantly represented in terms of species, whereas polychaete and insect feeders were each represented by only two species.     

Effects of mangrove deforestation on fish assemblage at Pak Phanang Bay,southern Thailand

Daytime sampling using a seine net was conducted at Pak Phanang Bay (Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Thailand) in February and July 2006, to determine differences in fish assemblage structures between a mangrove site and an adjacent site completely cleared of mangroves. The overall numbers of fish species and individuals were significantly higher at the mangrove site than the cleared site in both months. Although benthic crustacean feeders showed more species and individual numbers at the mangrove site in both months, the opposite was found for zooplankton feeders. A cluster analysis, based on the abundance of each species, demonstrated that the fish assemblage structures were distinctly different between the two sites. In addition, significant differences in length frequency distributions for each of the four most abundant species were found between the sites in February and/or July. Small individuals of Scatophagus argus, Ambassis nalua, and Tetraodon nigroviridis were more common at the mangrove site, and of Chelon subviridis at the cleared site. These results suggest that mangrove deforestation exerts marked effects on fish assemblages.     

Dependence of fish on subtropical riverine mangroves as habitat in the Ryukyu Islands,Japan

To examine whether fish were dependent on mangrove habitat in the Ryukyu Islands (southern Japan), fish assemblage structures were compared on the downstream side between mangrove-rich and mangrove-free rivers on Ishigaki and Okinawa Islands in 2014 and 2015. The mean species richness and abundance of fish were significantly higher in mangrove-rich rivers than in mangrove-free rivers. Mangrove-related food feeders (e.g., benthic invertebrate and detritus) were more abundant in mangrove-rich than mangrove-free rivers while mangrove-unrelated food feeders (e.g., zooplankton feeders) showed no difference between river types. Cluster and ordination analyses demonstrated that fish assemblage structures were clearly different between mangrove-rich and mangrove-free rivers. Of all of the fish species collected (88 species), half of the species (45 species, 51%) occurred exclusively in the mangrove-rich rivers, 9 species (10%) in the mangrove-free rivers and 34 species (39%) were common in both types of rivers. Commercially important fish (e.g., Lutjanus fulvus and L. argentimaculatus) showed greater abundance of juveniles in mangrove-rich rivers than in the mangrove-free rivers, indicating that mangrove-rich rivers can provide important habitat for a variety of fish, including those commercially important to fisheries.     

Food habits of fishes on unvegetated tidal mudflats in Tokyo Bay, central Japan

ABSTRACT:   To clarify the feeding habits of tidal mudflat fishes, the gut contents of 29 fish species, collected from unvegetated tidal mudflats in Tokyo Bay, central Honshu, Japan, were examined. Ontogenetic changes in food preference were recognized in 21 species, including several of commercial importance (e.g. Acanthogobius flavimanus , Konosirus punctatus , Mugil cephalus cephalus , Plecoglossus altivelis altivelis , and Sardinella zunasi ). In general, larvae and/or juveniles of these species fed mainly on small zooplankton or benthic harpacticoid copepods, later switching to other prey items with growth (e.g. gammaridean amphipods, mysids, polychaetes, detritus, bivalves, and juvenile fishes). A cluster analysis based on dietary overlaps showed that the tidal mudflat fish assemblage comprised six feeding guilds (small benthic and epiphytic crustacean, zooplankton, detritus, mollusc, polychaete, and fish feeders). Of these, small benthic and epiphytic crustacean feeders were the most abundantly represented in the number of species.     

The role of oceanographic conditions and plankton availability in larval fish assemblages off the Catalan coast (NW Mediterranean)

In the northwestern Mediterranean, most fish species reproduce in early summer and fewer in the autumn mixing period. This study analyses and compares larval fish assemblages (LFA) in both seasons, and is the first attempt to characterize LFA structure for the autumn period. We analyze horizontal and vertical distribution of fish larvae and the micro- and mesozooplankton biomass and abundance of the main zooplankton groups. The oceanographic situation was analyzed through the study of data from CTD, Nν-Shuttle and ADCP surveys. LFA were determined by ordination analyses based on larval abundance, and the relationships between larval assemblages and environmental variables were investigated through canonical correspondence analysis. The importance of some hydrographic variables (temperature, salinity and stability of the water column), current fields (along-shelf and across-shelf transport) and the abundance of zooplankton are discussed as important factors shaping the structure of larval assemblages. In early summer, LFA were mainly structured by a combination of bathymetry and trophic components, although sea surface temperature also played a role in shaping the horizontal larval distributions. In autumn, trophic variables were the main factors influencing the shelf-dwelling species assemblage. Larvae of oceanic species, on the other hand, were not related to trophic variables but were more affected by current fields.     

官井洋大黄鱼夏季食物组成和摄食习性

2010年6月在福建省官井洋海域收集579尾大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)标本进行胃含物分析,同步采集取样点附近水域浮游动物及张网样品,比较大黄鱼胃含物种类与水域中生物种类组成的相似性。结果表明:大黄鱼食物种类共32种,种类广泛。大黄鱼主要摄食十足类(相对重要性指标百分比%IRI=49.14%)、鱼类(%IRI=20.47%)、磷虾类(%IRI=18.31%)和糠虾类(%IRI=2.34%),具有以游泳动物、浮游动物为主要食物对象的肉食性摄食习性。细螯虾(Leptochela gracilis)(相对重要性指标IRI=976.10,%IRI=35.38%)和中华假磷虾(Pseudeuphausia sinica)(IRI=505.27,%IRI=18.31%)为大黄鱼食物组成中最重要的食物种类。海区中,浮游动物以桡足类为主,占所有浮游动物总丰度的45.03%,主要优势种为太平洋纺锤水蚤(Acartia pacifica,优势度Y=0.14)、双刺唇角水蚤(Labidocera bipinnata,Y=0.09)和中华哲水蚤(Calanus sinicus,Y=0.06);张网渔获物共鉴定91种,主要为细螯虾、白姑鱼(Argyrosomus argentatus)、大黄鱼(Larimichthys crocea)蟳、双斑(Charybdis bimaculata)、三疣梭子蟹(Portunustrituberculatus)、银鲳(Pampus argenteus)鮻和棱(Liza carinatus)。研究表明,大黄鱼对食物种类具有明显的选择性,主要体现在喜好追逐捕食海区中的小型虾类和仔、稚、幼鱼以及体型相对较大的浮游动物磷虾类和糠虾类。     

Food habits of fishes in a freshwater reed belt in Lake Kitaura,eastern Japan,in summer

The diets and feeding guild structure of a freshwater reed belt fish assemblage (30 species) were examined in Lake Kitaura, part of the Lake Kasumigaura system, eastern Japan, from June to September in 2009 and 2010. Ontogenetic dietary shifts were recognized in 14 species, including several species (e.g., Cyprinus carpio, Tridentiger brevispinis and Hyporhamphus intermedius) targeted by local fisheries. Juveniles of these species generally fed on zooplankton, later switching to other prey items (e.g., benthic chironomid larvae, gammaridean amphipods, shrimps, juvenile fishes, diatoms and decomposing reeds) with growth. A cluster analysis based on dietary overlaps showed that the reed belt fish assemblage comprised five feeding guilds (plant, zooplankton, benthic invertebrate, terrestrial insect and fish feeders). Of these, zooplankton feeders were the most abundantly represented in terms of species numbers, suggesting that the main food items for the fish assemblage were zooplankton (e.g., cladocerans, and calanoid and cyclopoid copepods). Fish feeders included five species, of which one was an alien species introduced from another region in Japan (Opsariichthys uncirostris) and three were from foreign countries (Micropterus salmoides, Lepomis macrochirus macrochirus and Ictalurus punctatus).     

黄海北部中国对虾放流虾的生物环境

根据1991年和1992年6月～7月的调查,描述了黄海北部近岸的浮游植物、浮游动物、鱼类、甲壳动物和软体动物等的分布,鱼类和幼对虾的食性,分析了各种生物的竞食关系。估算了体长3 cm 幼对虾的生态容量为14.7亿尾。     

人工鱼礁对中小型浮游动物昼夜变化的影响

浮游动物有明显的昼夜垂直移动现象,这种生态习性会导致摄食浮游动物的某些鱼类昼夜垂直移动。为分析人工鱼礁对中小型浮游动物昼夜变化的影响,于2018年11月在防城港人工鱼礁区及附近海域进行了1个昼夜的中小型浮游动物采样,获取了14份样品。结果显示:(1)礁区和非礁区浮游动物种类组成相似度高、更替率低,且主要优势种相同,属于同一生态类型;(2)在人工鱼礁流场效应的作用下,礁区浮游动物的数量和多样性高于非礁区;(3)非礁区浮游动物数量的昼夜变化明显,呈明显的正弦曲线,以16:00数量最高,8:00最低,其垂直运动规律明显,可分为4:00～20:00的运动期和20:00～次日4:00的稳定期;(4)在礁体上方流速较快的水平层的阻隔作用下,礁区浮游动物数量始终处于波动状态,没有明显的昼夜垂直变化规律,在礁区上层保持较高的数量,可提升集鱼效果、促进生产力转换;(5)聚类分析和排序表明,礁区浮游动物为一个群落类型。而非礁区中小型浮游动物可分2个群落类型,一个是白天随浮游植物而上浮的以植食性种类为主要特征种的群落类型,另一个是晚上植食性种类下沉后以肉食性种类为主要特征种的群落类型。     

Water outflow as a cause of changes in trophic conditions for zooplanktivorous fish in reservoirs

The seasonal changes and vertical distribution of zooplankton, the export of zooplankters by outflow through water management installations, and the feeding of zooplanktivorous fish were studied in two Bulgarian reservoirs. In a bottom-draining reservoir, planktonic crustacea > 1.0 mm were found to be selectively exported as a result of their diurnal vertical migrations. Increases in water outflow for irrigation resulted in a decrease in total zooplankton abundance, as well as changes in zooplankton size and species composition at the beginning of the summer. At the same time, major changes occurred in the feeding patterns of bleak, Alburnus alburnus (L.), and juvenile pikeperch, Stizostedion lucioperca (L.), the principal zooplanktivores in this reservoir. It is easy for bleak to switch to feeding on an alternative food, but a lack of available large prey organisms is suggested as the main cause of the downstream movement of pikeperch juveniles. In a surface-draining reservoir, the pattern of zooplankton export corresponded to those in natural lakes. Discharged water carried with it mainly small-sized epilimnetic zooplankton from the most numerous groups (i.e. rotifers, juvenile copepods and cladocerans) in the reservoir. Furthermore, outflow exports represent a relatively small part of total zooplankton number, and thus, do not disturb the natural zooplankton succession, and changes in abundance and composition Coincidental changes in the trophic responses for zooplanktivores (mainly juvenile cyprinids and percids) were not found.     

The influence of ontogeny and prey abundance on feeding ecology of age-0 Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in southeastern Lake Michigan

A shift towards oligotrophic conditions in Lake Michigan has led to concern that altered trophic pathways are leading to lower early life survival and recruitment for Lake Whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). This study evaluated ontogenetic shifts in age-0 Lake Whitefish diets and evaluated how feeding ecology and the amount of food eaten varied with prey abundance and composition at a site in southeastern Lake Michigan during 2014–2017. Although prey densities varied among years, cyclopoid copepods were overall the most abundant prey available. In turn, cyclopoids were the predominant prey item in diets each year, particularly for the smallest larval Lake Whitefish. However, there was a tendency for the importance of cyclopoids to decline somewhat in each diet index as fish grew and other prey such as calanoid copepods, Bosminidae, Daphniidae and/or chironomids increased in importance. High zooplankton abundance, especially high cyclopoid abundance, available to the small size groups of Lake Whitefish (<21 mm) in 2014 was associated with high food mass/fish, high number of zooplankton eaten/fish, and low incidence of empty stomachs compared with 2015–2017. As fish grew, the impact of food abundance on prey consumption diminished somewhat, indicating that the relationship between fish feeding ecology and the prey environment can change quickly with fish size during the early life period.     

Zooplankton and epibenthic fauna in shrimp ponds: factors influencing assemblage dynamics

The assemblage composition, biomass and dynamics of zooplankton and epibenthos were examined in a commercial shrimp (penaeid prawn) pond in subtropical Australia. Physicochemical characteristics of the pond water were measured concurrently. Numbers and biomass of zooplankton in the surface tows (140 μm mesh) varied from 111.7 ind. L^?1 (324 μg L^?1) to 8.3 ind. L^?1 (44.2 μg L^?1). Immediately after the ponds were stocked with shrimp postlarvae there was a rapid decline in zooplankton numbers, particularly the dominant larger copepods. We attributed this to predation by the shrimp postlarvae. Subsequent peaks in zooplankton numbers were principally due to barnacle nauplii. Changes in abundance and biomass of the zooplankton assemblage were not correlated with physicochemical characteristics. Epibenthic faunal abundance in the beam trawls (1 mm mesh) peaked at 14 ind. m^?2 and the biomass at 0.8 g m^?2. Unlike zooplankton, the peaks in abundance of epibenthos did not correspond to the peaks in biomass. This was due to the large differences in the size of the dominant taxa across the season. Sergestids (Acetes sibogae) and amphipods were the most abundant taxa in beam trawl samples, with amphipods abundance increasing towards the end of the growout. Negative correlations were found between epibenthos abundance and pH and temperature. These relationships were strongly influenced by the high abundances of amphipods and may reflect an effect on the growth of macroalgae in the pond rather than a direct effect on the epibenthos. No correlations were found between epibenthic fauna biomass and physicochemical parameters. Abundances of epibenthic fauna were not related to zooplankton densities, indicating that this source of food was not likely to be a limiting factor. Neither the pond water exchange regime nor moon phase could explain changes in abundances of zooplankton or epibenthos assemblages. Zooplankton clearly contribute to the nutrition of shrimp postlarvae immediately after stocking. The establishment of an abundant assemblage of zooplankton before stocking shrimp postlarvae would appear to be beneficial, if not essential. Later in the season, zooplankton and epibenthos apparently contribute little to shrimp biomass. Owing to their relatively low biomass, the consumption of shrimp feeds by epibenthos is likely to be insignificant compared with that of the shrimp.     

Resource use of crucian carp along a lake productivity gradient is related to body size,predation risk,and resource competition

Generalist fish species can feed on a wide resource spectrum and across trophic levels depending on resource availability and trophic interactions. Crucian carp (Carassius carassius) represents a good candidate species to investigate variation in the trophic ecology of generalist fish as it can be found in highly variable fish communities and its resource use is well documented. In this study, we explored the trophic ecology of crucian carp at the individual and population levels using stable isotope and gut content analysis. We tested if trophic resource use varied according to lake productivity, predation risk, intra- and interspecific competition, or individual fish size. We found that crucian carp resource preference was highly variable among and within lakes. In predator-free lakes, small crucian carp occurred in high densities, showed increased interindividual specialisation, and relied mainly on pelagic zooplankton. In presence of predators, large crucian carp occurred in low densities and included greater proportions of benthic macroinvertebrates in their diet. This shift in resource use was further favoured in productive, shallow lakes where littoral prey were probably abundant. Resource partitioning was an important factor determining crucian carp niche use, as fish had higher trophic position in absence of other cyprinids. Crucian carp showed highly dynamic resource use and food preferences in response to variable environmental conditions. Overlooking complex diet preferences of generalist fish may lead to an oversimplification of freshwater community dynamics.     

象山港春、夏季仔稚鱼种类组成结构特征

为研究象山港仔稚鱼的时空分布特征及其与环境因子的相关关系,在象山港港湾内设置14个站,于2015年4月3日~6月10日期间按周采样,共调查10个航次(Ⅰ~Ⅹ),用方形网(网口为1 m×2 m,网目1.0 mm)采集仔稚鱼,同时采集温度、盐度和浮游动物等数据。调查期间采集仔稚鱼180 254 ind共45种,隶属25科39属,主要优势种为斑鰶(Konosirus punctatus)、矛尾鰕虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)、鮻(Chelon haematocheilus)、斑尾刺鰕虎鱼(Acanthogobius ommaturus)、普氏缰鰕虎鱼(Amoya pflaumi)、拟矛尾鰕虎鱼(Parachaeturichthys polynema)、黑棘鲷(Acanthopagrus schlegelii)、舌鰕虎鱼(Glossogobius giuris)等。仔稚鱼密度呈先升后降的趋势,第Ⅲ航次密度最高(平均密度为587.9 ind·100 m-3),第Ⅷ航次最低(8.2 ind·100m-3)。前弯曲期仔鱼最多,占63.6%,弯曲期仔鱼占26.4%。基于层级聚类(Bray-Curtis相似性指数,Ward法聚类)分析表明,可将10航次仔稚鱼分为4个类型,各类型间存在明显差异:类型1(Ⅰ和Ⅱ航次)主要为矛尾鰕虎鱼和斑尾刺鰕虎鱼,类型2(Ⅲ~Ⅵ航次)为斑鰶、鮻、矛尾鰕虎鱼和黑棘鲷,类型3(Ⅶ和Ⅷ航次)为斑鰶、日本鳀(Engraulis japonicus)、拟矛尾鰕虎鱼,类型4(Ⅸ和Ⅹ航次)为普氏缰鰕虎鱼、拟矛尾鰕虎鱼、美肩鳃鳚(Omobranchus elegans)。Spearman相关分析表明,仔稚鱼分布与温度极显著相关(P0.01),与浮游动物密度呈显著相关(P0.05),与盐度无明显相关关系(P0.05)。     

彭水水库蓄水初期乌江下游浮游甲壳动物群落结构特征

2008年4月、7月和10月,在乌江下游彭水水库库区、坝下江段和库尾以上江段设16个采样断面对浮游甲壳动物进行了调查;共检出浮游甲壳动物29属、49种;其中,枝角类13属、21种,桡足类16属、28种;枝角类年均密度1.89个/L,生物量37.70μg/L,桡足类年平均密度0.78个/L,生物量5.49μg/L。浮游甲...     

北太平洋柔鱼渔场浮游动物数量分布及与渔场的关系

根据2001年6-7月在北太平洋152°E～171°W、39°～42°N水域生态环境和资源综合调查资料,分析结果表明调查水域浮游动物总生物量均值为92.12mg·m-3(0.81～1035.68 mg·m-3),其中中部(160°～180°E、39°～42°N)及西经水域(170°～178°W、40°～41°N)为113.51mg·m-3,西部水域(152°～157°E、41°～43°N)为22.89mg·m-3;桡足类丰度居首(42.11%),其次为海樽类(30.91%);伪细真哲水蚤(Eucalanus pseudattenuatus)、太平洋哲水蚤(Calanus pacifica)和软拟海樽(Dolioletta gegenbauri)为主要优势种.甲壳类的分布与柔鱼中心渔场存在较好的对应关系,中心渔场位于浮游动物总生物量高密集区(250～500mg·m-3)和甲壳类的最高丰度区(50～100 ind·m-3)内或边缘区;头足类幼体分布于磷虾类和端足类的高丰度区(10～25ind·m-3)内或边缘水域.     

崂山湾春季鱼类群落的摄食生态及其主要种类

崂山湾位于黄海的胶州湾和丁字湾之间,海湾开阔,是当前增殖放流的重点海域。根据2014年5月在崂山湾海域进行的底拖网调查,分析了该海域春季鱼类群落的种类组成和摄食生态。结果表明,崂山湾春季鱼类群落共32种鱼类,隶属8目,21科,30属;以鲈形目(Perciformes)的虾虎鱼科(Gobiidae)和石首鱼科(Sciaenidae)种类最多;优势种有皮氏叫姑鱼(Johnius belengerii)、短吻红舌鳎(Cynoglossus joyneri)和矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias),主要种有大泷六线鱼(Hexagrammos otakii)、斑鰶(Clupanodon punctatus)、赤鼻棱鳀(Thrissa kammalensis)、丝虾虎鱼(Cryptocentrus filifer)、方氏云鳚(Enedrias fangi)和银鲳(Pampus argenteus)。崂山湾春季鱼类群落的种类丰富度指数R为3.19,多样性指数H′为2.34;均匀度指数J′为0.68。胃含物分析结果表明,春季崂山湾生态系统鱼类群落的平均营养级为3.52;主要包括了浮游动物食性、杂食性和底栖动物食性3种食性类型,以底栖动物食性鱼类为主。在当前捕捞、气候变化和人类活动等多重压力下,海湾生态系统承受了巨大的压力,针对不同的海湾生态系统进行基础调研,可为制订相应的增殖放流、渔业保护和管理策略提供重要科学依据。     

Influence of offshore breakwaters on fish assemblage structure in the surf zone of a sandy beach in Tokyo Bay,central Japan

To determine the effects of shore-parallel offshore breakwaters on the surf-zone fish assemblage structure of a sandy beach, three study sites (sheltered inshore of breakwater, between adjacent breakwaters, and exposed without breakwaters) were sampled at Ohnuki Beach in Tokyo Bay, central Japan, in September and December 2009 and March and June 2010. Although some physical variables (wave height, turbidity, and water depth) differed among the three sites, no differences were apparent among the sites in the numbers of fish species and individuals, or in the abundance of epibenthic invertebrates (a main fish prey). In addition, species and individual numbers of two dominant feeding groups (mysid and copepod feeders) showed no significant among-site differences. Cluster and ordination analyses confirmed the similarity in fish species composition among the three sites. Furthermore, the mean standard length of all fishes collected throughout the study period did not differ significantly among the sites, the overall results indicating that the presence of breakwaters had little effect on surf-zone fish assemblage structure in the study area, despite some breakwater-related differences in the abiotic environment.     

Fish larvae – zooplankton relationships in microcosm simulations of earthen nursery ponds. I. Freshwater system

To address the commercial nurseries problem of obtaining enough zooplankton of adequate species composition and size when fish larvae start to feed, a simulation of the effects of predation intensity on zooplankton composition in freshwater nursery ponds was carried out in an experimental system of twelve 130-liter containers. Treatments consisted of two densities (1 or 2 larvae l⁻¹) of common carp stocked on the 4th day after filling the containers and a control without fish. Zooplankton–environment relationships were explored using factor analysis. Several groups of zooplankters that respond in different ways to fish larvae predation pressure were identified. The first factor was a general measurement of zooplankton abundance that mainly reflects allochthonous rotifer species that entered the system with the filling water, replaced in time by autochthonous species that hatched from resting eggs in the sediment. The second factor identified the direct effects of size selective fish predation, and the third showed indirect effects of high fish density. Larvae growth rate matched the plankton availability: high just after stocking, when they fed on the abundant but declining numbers of allochthonous rotifers; then decreased drastically and increased again when hatching of resting eggs of autochthonous rotifers and the availability of the crustacean preys preferred by the fish, increased. It was concluded that in commercial nurseries increased larvae production can be achieved just by stocking fish earlier than the 4th day after pond filling, to match the rotifer peak.     

Resource partitioning among rock-dwelling haplochromines (Pisces: Cichlidae) from Lake Victoria

Abstract— Resource partitioning was studied on four assemblages of haplochromine cichlids at rocky islands in the southern part of Lake Victoria. The emphasis was put on diet segregation, while data on microhabitat segregation were mainly used to determine potential competitors for food. Diet and microhabitat segregation were demonstrated in all four assemblages. In one of the assemblages we observed little partitioning of resources among two filamentous algae feeders. The role of competition for food is discussed on the basis of fluctuations in diet overlap in relation to seasonal changes in food supply. Diet overlap proved to be highest in periods of food abundance. This is in concordance with the hypothesis that competition decreases in case of food abundance. Furthermore, we compared fish densities between assemblages, because competition would regulate density. We found that diets were most diverse in the assemblage with lowest fish density, while interspecific differences in diet were smallest. Food seems not to be limiting in this particular assemblage, and factors other than competition for food are probably more important in regulating density here.