Small fish diet in connected and isolated lakes in a Neotropical floodplain

Hydrological connectivity interferes directly in dispersal rates of organisms and in similarity of environmental conditions among floodplain environments. Consequently, connectivity promotes changes in food resources availability to fish. Here we tested the predictions that (a) isolated floodplain lakes have greater environmental heterogeneity than connected lakes, (b) fish diet differs more among isolated than among connected lakes and (c) trophic niche breadth of the species is smaller in isolated than in connected lakes. We used one invertivorous and one algivorous species of fish to test these two last predictions. The environmental heterogeneity (evaluated in relation to abiotic variables and the macrophyte composition) tended to be greater in isolated lakes. Diet of both species differed significantly in all isolated lakes populations, and in the majority of the populations in connected lakes; however, the main items consumed for invertivorous species were common in all connected lakes. Trophic niche breadth of the invertivorous fish was significantly greater in the connected lakes; however, the algivorous species showed no significant difference between connected and isolated lakes. Our findings suggest that connectivity can facilitate the dispersal of organisms, allowing the increase in food item richness and consequently, trophic niche breadth, as observed for invertivorous species. However, connectivity likely plays a minor role on the algivorous species, whose diet may be more affected by local conditions, such as habitat structure. Our results support the view that regional (dispersion) and local (habitat structure) factors interact with feeding habit to determine fish food composition in the floodplain lakes we studied.     

Fish assemblage structure in relation to seasonal environmental variation in sub‐lakes of the Poyang Lake floodplain,China

The Yangtze River and its watershed have undergone vast changes resulting from centuries of human impacts, yet ecological knowledge of the system is limited. The seasonal variation and spatial variation of three sub‐lakes of Poyang Lake, a huge wetland in the middle Yangtze Basin, were investigated to examine how fish assemblages respond to seasonal hydrology and associated environmental conditions. In all three sub‐lakes, fish assemblage structure revealed strong variations associated with seasonal water level fluctuation. Fish species richness in all sub‐lakes was highest during the middle of the monsoon season and lowest during the dry season. Fish numerical abundance and biomass varied significantly, with several of the most common species having inconsistent patterns of seasonal variation among sub‐lakes. Fish assemblage structure was significantly associated with environmental gradients defined by water level, aquatic macrophyte coverage, conductivity and dissolved oxygen concentration. Assemblage composition in all three sub‐lakes underwent strongest shifts between December and April, the period when water levels were lowest and fishing has the greatest impact on fish stocks. Future impacts that change the hydrology of the middle Yangtze would alter the dynamics of habitat connectivity and affect environmental conditions and fish assemblages of the Poyang Lake wetland system.     

Reproductive migration of fish and movement in a series of reservoirs in the Upper Parana River basin,Brazil

This study evaluates the effectiveness of two fish passes at two hydropower dams (Canoas I and II) in the Upper Parana basin, which form part of a cascade of three reservoirs. Fish from 12 migratory species (3089 specimens) were captured during their ascending, reproductive migration and were tagged with hydrostatic tags. The recapture data (294 specimens over two consecutive years) showed that there is a strong tendency for the maintenance of ascending migration through reservoirs with fish passes but with differences in migratory activity within the same species. No eggs, larvae or juveniles of these species were found in samples collected over 5 years in the reservoirs above the fish passes. These data suggest that fish passes have contributed to the restoration of the migratory routes of adult fish but that in the absence of suitable spawning or nursery habitats for these species; they probably act as ecological traps and do not contribute to the recruitment of the species.     

Spatial and temporal variations in fish larvae assemblages of Ilha Grande National Park,Brazil

For understanding the reproductive dynamics of fish assemblages and their relationship with environmental conditions, we need to know more about spawning areas and periods. Studies on temporal and spatial patterns of occurrence of fish eggs and larvae are important for obtaining this kind of information quickly and accurately. In this study, we analysed spatial and temporal patterns of fish larvae in different biotopes in a stretch of the floodplain of Upper Parana River, in Ilha Grande National Park, southern Brazil. We carried out night sampling during six spawning periods, from 2001 to 2008. We selected 18 sampling sites distributed in the mainstream, tributaries and lagoons, encompassing several types of biotopes. We observed significant spatial and temporal differences among biotopes in the composition and structure of the fish larvae assemblages. Lentic environments favoured the development of sedentary and migratory species, whereas tributaries were used as migratory routes and spawning areas. The assemblage in period I differed from the assemblages of other periods, probably because of the presence of dams in the Parana River. No association was observed between environmental variables and spatial and temporal patterns of the ichthyoplankton assemblages. Hence, conservation measures are essential to maintain the environmental integrity of spawning (tributaries) and development areas (lagoons) for the maintenance of biodiversity in the floodplain of Upper Paraná River.     

Trophic structure of fish assemblages from Mamoré River floodplain lakes (Bolivia)

Abstract –  The fish assemblage of the floodplain of the Mamoré River (Bolivia) was estimated in eight lakes, corresponding to four habitat types, situated on an environmental gradient related to the river distance: lakes situated near the river, in the forested floodplain, at the floodplain edge and lakes isolated in the savanna. This paper documents the diet of 71 fish species (among the 140 recorded) and compares the taxonomic and trophic structure of fish assemblages between four lake types. The diet analysis was conducted to determine five trophic guilds: algivores/iliophages, herbivores, zooplanktivores, invertivores and piscivores. The taxonomic and trophic structures of the fish assemblages were not similar in the different lake types of the Mamoré River. The trophic structure of assemblages showed a coarse pattern of dominance of algivores/iliophages and invertivores, but different situations were observed in relative abundance of the trophic groups in relation to the spatial position of the lakes (except for piscivores). Lakes close to the river appeared more favourable to the microphages (algivores/iliophages, zooplanktivores) although remote lakes appeared more favourable to the macrophages (invertivores, herbivores). These results support the general idea that fish distribution follows a pattern linked to the ecology of the species, and related to environmental characteristics of the lakes.     

Assemblage patterns of fish functional groups relative to habitat connectivity and conditions in floodplain lakes

Miyazono S, Aycock JN, Miranda LE, Tietjen TE. Assemblage patterns of fish functional groups relative to habitat connectivity and conditions in floodplain lakes.
Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 578–585. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract – We evaluated the influences of habitat connectivity and local environmental factors on the distribution and abundance patterns of fish functional groups in 17 floodplain lakes in the Yazoo River Basin, USA. The results of univariate and multivariate analyses showed that species–environmental relationships varied with the functional groups. Species richness and assemblage structure of periodic strategists showed strong and positive correlations with habitat connectivity. Densities of most equilibrium and opportunistic strategists decreased with habitat connectivity. Densities of certain equilibrium and opportunistic strategists increased with turbidity. Forested wetlands around the lakes were positively related to the densities of periodic and equilibrium strategists. These results suggest that decreases in habitat connectivity, forested wetland buffers and water quality resulting from environmental manipulations may cause local extinction of certain fish taxa and accelerate the dominance of tolerant fishes in floodplain lakes.     

Large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure in the longest tropical river in Asia

Although the Mekong River is one of the world's 35 biodiversity hot spots, the large‐scale patterns of fish diversity and assemblage structure remain poorly addressed. This study aimed to investigate the fish distribution patterns in the Lower Mekong River (LMR) and to identify their environmental determinants. Daily fish catch data (i.e. from December 2000 to November 2001) at 38 sites distributed along the LMR were related to 15 physicochemical and 19 climatic variables. As a result, four different clusters were defined according to the similarity in assemblage composition and 80 indicator species were identified. While fish species richness was highest in the Mekong delta and lowest in the upper part of the LMR, the diversity index was highest in the middle part of the LMR and lowest in the delta. We found that fish assemblages changed along the environmental gradients and that the main drivers affecting the fish assemblage structure were the seasonal variation of temperature, precipitation, dissolved oxygen, pH and total phosphorus. Specifically, upstream assemblages were characterised by cyprinids and Pangasius catfish, well suited to low temperature, high dissolved oxygen and high pH. Fish assemblages in the delta were dominated by perch‐like fish and clupeids, more tolerant to high temperatures, and high levels of nutrients (nitrates and total phosphorus) and salinity. Overall, the patterns were consistent between seasons. Our study contributes to establishing the first holistic fish community study in the LMR.     

Comparative growth and diet of tench Tinca tinca (L.) larvae and juveniles from river floodplain biotopes in France and England

The growth and diet of larvae and 0 + juveniles of riverine tench Tinca tinca (L.) were compared in two stagnant floodplain biotopes from the upper River Rhône, France, and the River Great Ouse, England. The diet of tench was generally similar at the French and English sites, with Cladocera being the predominant prey of young larvae (English site only). Cladocera and Copepoda were the principal prey of older larvae and 0 + juveniles, though the latter took a variety of other, larger prey items. Ontogenetic changes in diet at both sites probably reflect prey availability. Protracted spawning at the French site contrasted a single spawning effort in the English backwater. Fluctuations in growth rate and condition were observed to coincide with shifts in diet, suggesting that tench developing in riverine biotopes may be vulnerable to competition at particular transitional intervals in their early ontogeny.     

Distribution of economically important fish larvae (Characiformes,Prochilodontidae) in the Central Amazonia,Brazil

The spatio‐temporal patterns of three species of Prochilodontidae larvae that are intensely used as fishery resources in Central Amazonia are analysed. Sampling was conducted during 2011 at four stages of the hydrological cycle (flood, high water, falling and low water phases). Sixteen collecting stations were located in different habitats (mouths of lake channels, “barrancos,” sandbars and the main river channel) along the Solimões and Japurá rivers. A total of 4,322 Prochilodontidae larvae were collected during this investigation, with most captures occurring in the Japurá River (76.3% of larvae), while only 23.7% of the samples were caught in the Solimões River. Most captures occurred during rising water, indicating a strong reproductive seasonality in these three species. Rainfall and water level, along with dissolved oxygen, water temperature and electric conductivity, determined the larvae's spatio‐temporal distribution. These results confirm the importance of várzea areas along white water rivers for the conservation, preservation and maintenance of heavily used fishery resources in the Brazilian Central Amazonia.     

Impacts of hydraulic engineering on the dynamics and production potential of floodplain fish populations in Bangladesh

Abstract The present paper examines the impact of hydraulic engineering on fish production potential in Bangladesh by comparing the population dynamics of six species sampled from floodplains inside and outside the Pabna Irrigation and Rural Development Project (PIRDP) during 1995 and 1996. All the sampled populations were dominated by a single cohort for most of the year. Recruitment occurred both inside and outside the flood control scheme, coinciding with floodplain inundation. The growth of all the six species was rapid and strongly seasonal, and all species reached sexual maturity by the end of their first year. With only one exception, growth rates, condition and fecundity were either significantly higher inside the scheme, or not significantly different between the two sampling locations. Differences in growth performance were explained by fish density. No significant differences between sampling locations were detected in the length at maturity (Lm₅₀), spawning period or instantaneous total mortality rate (Z). Estimates of Z were very high for all six species ranging from Z = 3.2 year^?1 to Z = 4.7 year^?1, equivalent to only 4% and 1% survival year^?1, respectively. It was concluded that the production potential of individual fish is at least as high inside as outside the PIRDP and that the 38–51% lower yields per unit area recorded inside the scheme reflect its partial inaccessibility to migrant species.     

Sex change and the genetic structure of marine fish populations

The interaction between environmental forces and dispersal characteristics is largely responsible for the patterns of population structure in marine fish. Yet, crucial gaps in knowledge on life-histories and the relative contributions of numerous environmental factors still hinder a thorough understanding of marine population connectivity. One life-history trait so far overlooked by most fish population geneticists is sequential hermaphroditism, whereby individuals first mature as one sex and later in life reverse into the other sex. Population genetic theory predicts that sex-changing fish will present a higher potential for more spatially structured populations than gonochoristic species, as a result of their naturally skewed sex ratio, which is expected to reduce effective population size and hence increase genetic drift. We gathered published data on genetic population structure in marine fish, as summarized by the popular F _ST index, and – after controlling for several potentially confounding factors – we tested the hypothesis that sex-changing species are more genetically structured than gonochoristic ones. Although we found no evidence to support the theoretical expectations, our results suggest new working hypotheses that can stimulate new research avenues at the intersection between physiology, genetics and fisheries science.     

长江芜湖江段鱼类多样性及其群落结构的时空格局

为制定合理的渔业资源保护措施与管理对策,2009年按季度共4次调查了长江芜湖江段鱼类多样性及其群落结构。结果显示:该江段现有鱼类54种,其中以似鳊(Parabramis pekinensis)、油(Hemiculter bleekeri bleek-eri warpacho)、短颌鲚(Coilia brachygnathus Kreyenberg et Pappenheim)、鲫(Carassius auratus)等中小型鱼类为常见种和优势种,表明了该江段的鱼类组成存在明显的小型化特点。长江干流沿岸浅水区的鱼类多样性最高,江心深水区最低,而青弋江支流、漳河支流和漳河河口的居中,青弋江的鱼类种数和个体数都显著低于沿岸浅水区,但漳河的鱼类数量与沿岸浅水区无明显差异。江心深水区的鱼类群落与其它样点明显不同,而青弋江的鱼类群落与沿岸浅水区、漳河及其河口的鱼类群落也存在部分差异。鱼类群落结构的季节动态无显著性。     

Fish nursery habitat function of the main channel,floodplain tributaries and oxbow lakes of a medium‐sized river

Small, adventitious tributaries (<3 orders of magnitude smaller than the stream it flows into) are a conspicuous feature of many river–floodplain systems, but their value as fish reproduction and nursery habitat is not well understood compared to oxbow lakes and the main river channel (MRC). Moreover, connectivity of tributaries to the MRC is often less impacted by anthropogenic modifications (e.g., dams and levees) compared to oxbow lakes. From April to July 2012, larval and juvenile fish were collected in the Fourche LaFave River (Arkansas, USA) system to better understand fish nursery habitat function of tributaries relative to oxbow lakes and the MRC. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination of juvenile and larval fish genera revealed distinct fish assemblages in MRC and floodplain habitats. Ordination of juvenile fish at the species level resulted in distinct fish assemblages in tributary versus oxbow lake habitats. Tributaries had more unique species and higher abundance of shared species than oxbow lakes and MRC. Additionally, of the 46 species identified, all but six were collected in lower tributary reaches. Connectivity was strongly associated with both ordinations and was important in describing patterns of fish variation among habitats and between tributaries. Of the tributaries sampled, the least fragmented stream had the most similar fish assemblages between upper and lower sections. Findings of this study revealed tributaries are an important, yet overlooked, feature in the river–floodplain model. Especially in years of drought, channel–floodplain connectivity can be limited, but tributaries can be used by fishes for reproduction and nursery habitat.     

渤海湾鱼类早期资源群落结构特征及其时间变化研究

渤海湾历史上为黄渤海多种主要经济鱼类的重要产卵和育幼场。基于历史调查资料和补充调查,构建渤海湾鱼卵、仔稚鱼调查数据集,通过数理统计分析阐述1982年以来渤海湾鱼类早期资源(浮性鱼卵和仔稚鱼)群聚特性和演替过程。结果显示,渤海湾鱼类早期资源结构、产卵和育幼场重心位置处于持续更替过程中,不同时期早期资源的种类组成、资源丰度、优势种类和物种多样性水平等呈明显季节更替,118º30ʹE以西湾中底部海域一直为产卵和育幼场集中分布区。相较1980s,渤海湾鱼类早期资源已发生结构性改变,且渤海湾作为传统经济鱼类的产卵和育幼场所的功能下降明显。渤海湾鱼类早期资源种数和资源丰度均在2010s前期跌至历史低值,近年来又显著回升。鱼类早期资源种数由1980s的39种,1990s前期的31种、后期的34种,2000s—2010s初期的22 种,逐次下降至2010s前期的21种,2010s中后期开始逐步回升,至2020s初期已达40种。2020—2021 年鱼卵种数约为1980s的80%左右,资源丰度约为彼时的88%;仔稚鱼种数与1980s大致相当,资源丰度则为彼时的1.33倍。鱼卵、仔稚鱼物种多样性水平呈年际和年代际剧烈波动,鱼类早期资源种类年际更替现象明显,且近年来呈明显加快趋势。产卵类型、栖息类型和适温类型亲体种数均呈先下降后上升的变动趋势,全年综合浮性卵种数比例下降,黏性卵和具卵膜丝卵种数比例升高;陆架浅水中上层鱼类种数所占比例升高,中底层和底层鱼类所占比例降低。斑 (Konosirus punctatus)、青鳞小沙丁鱼(Sardinella zunasi)、小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)、带鱼(Trichiurus japonicus)、花鲈(Lateolabrax maculatus)和半滑舌鳎(Cynoglossus semilaevis)等渤海湾传统经济鱼类早期资源密度显著降低;鳀(Engraulis japonicus)、蓝点马鲛(Scomberomorus niphonius)、赤鼻棱鳀(Thryssa kammalensis)和少鳞 (Sillago japonica)等鱼类早期资源密度显著增高。渤海湾鱼类早期资源发生量主要取决于产卵场的环境条件、捕捞强度和对鱼类早期资源的损害程度,渤海湾鱼类早期资源结构及其动态变化是环境和捕捞双重扰动下鱼类群落内生态位错位交替和结构性渔业资源衰退的具体体现。     

Effects of within-patch habitat structure and variation on fish assemblage characteristics in the Bernecei stream, Hungary

Abstract –  Over a 3-year period we examined variability in physical habitat structure and species richness, abundance and assemblage composition of fishes in 13 habitat patches in the Bernecei stream, Hungary. Principal component analysis of habitat structure data from patches elucidated a riffle-run-pool habitat gradient across patches. Temporal habitat variability increased significantly from riffle to pool patches. Fish assemblage characteristics displayed relatively continuous change over the habitat gradient and were relatively stable within patches. Assemblage structure properties (e.g., species richness) displayed different responses to the habitat gradient and to within-patch habitat variability. In general, pool patches had more diverse assemblages and greater within-patch assemblage variability than riffle patches. However, within-patch dynamics were largely determined by the population dynamics of a habitat generalist (i.e., minnow). Broad scale environmental variability (i.e., a catastrophic 100-year flood) also appeared to affect within-patch fish assemblage characteristics. Our results demonstrate that fish assemblage structure is influenced by physical variability (i.e., both floods and spatio-temporal habitat variability) within the Bernecei stream.     

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.     

Effects of natural rapids and waterfalls on fish assemblage structure in the Madeira River (Amazon Basin)

Abstract – Habitat connectivity is considered a central factor shaping ecological communities, and the effects of waterway barriers such as natural waterfalls on fish movements are expected to produce differing assemblage structures in riverine ecosystems. Here, we evaluate the influence of a sequence of waterfalls on the compositional dissimilarity of fish assemblages along the Madeira River, the largest tributary of the Amazon River. We found significant differences in species composition between rivers stretches located upstream and downstream of Teotônio waterfall and, to a less extent, Jirau waterfall, independently of the hydrological period. After accounting for the relative roles of local and regional factors in explaining fish compositional dissimilarity, we still observe a significant effect of the waterfalls. We conclude that these waterfalls act as natural ecological barriers limiting fish dispersal processes and discuss aspects of these ecological filters and the potential effects of two dams currently under construction in the Madeira River.     

长江干流浮游动物群落结构及时空分布格局

浮游动物是河流食物网的重要组成部分,在河流生态系统的能量流动和物质循环中具有重要作用,然而截至目前,尚缺乏对长江干流宏观尺度浮游动物的全面调查。本研究于2018—2019年,在长江干流约5 000 km江段设置51个调查站位,并于每年鱼类繁殖期(3—6月)、育肥期(8—10月)和越冬期(11—1月)各开展1次调查,系统调查分析了长江干流浮游动物群落结构特征及时空分布格局。结果显示,(1)种类：长江干流浮游动物共187种,其中原生动物56种、轮虫59种、枝角类34种、桡足类38种;三峡库区是浮游动物种类数最丰富的水域(87种),其余分别为金沙江(59种)、长江上游(68种)、长江中游(54种)、长江下游(56种)。鱼类繁殖期是浮游动物种类最丰富的季节,分别为金沙江(45种)、长江上游(56种)、三峡库区(47种)、长江中游(41种)、长江下游(32种)。(2)密度：长江干流浮游动物密度范围为1.12～644.40个/L,中游、下游密度显著高于上游;密度高值一般出现在繁殖期,低值一般出现在鱼类育肥期。(3)生物量：长江干流浮游动物生物量范围为231.78×10^-5～4...     

珠江口鱼类群落结构的时空变化

根据1986～1987年珠江口及其邻近水域渔业资源的周年月份调查数据,运用MVSP软件包中的聚类分析和主坐标分析对珠江口鱼类群落的时空变化进行定量分析,描述珠江口鱼类群落的季节变化和区域变化特征,把珠江口从时空上划分为4个季节和5个水域,并与传统的划分方法作比较,讨论了这种分析结果的合理性。综合考虑个体数、重量、出现频率等因素,把珠江口鱼类的优势种确定为优势度大于1000的丽叶鲹、棘头梅童鱼、凤鲚、银鲳、杜氏棱鳀、带鱼、黄斑鲾和赤鼻棱鳀等8种,分析了优势种的区域和季节变化。