枸杞岛潮下带沙地生境鱼类群落结构和季节变化

为了解岛礁水域沙地生境的鱼类群落结构特征,评估该生境对鱼类资源养护的潜在作用,于2009年采用多网目组合刺网对枸杞岛潮下带沙质区域进行了逐月采样,同步设置岩礁为对照生境.应用α和β多样性指数结合相对重要性指数、相对渔获率、ABC曲线和聚类排序方法对两种生境中的鱼类组成、多样性变化和群落格局与变化进行了全面探讨.全年在沙地和岩礁生境共采集鱼类63种,隶属11目38科56属,2种生境各自出现的鱼类皆为46种.受暖水种频繁出现在沙地生境的影响,潮下带沙质区域鱼类区系比岩礁生境略显丰富,且春夏季的渔获量普遍高于岩礁生境;由于种类组成均匀度较低,沙地生境各季节的α多样性普遍较低,夏季显著低于岩礁生境.日本须鳎是沙地生境的指示种,为早春、夏末和秋冬季沙地底层优势鱼种.5-7月鳀、多数月份鲻和10月份鳗鲇等种类对沙地生境的阶段性利用,使其形成了区别于以趋礁性鱼类为优势类群的岩礁生境的群落格局和季节动态.沙地是多种鱼类幼鱼阶段的庇护所和饵料场,是鲆鲽类的良好栖息地.沙地生境在维持鱼类区系和养护鱼类资源方面具有重要作用.     

贻贝养殖海域表底层的鱼类组成比较

为了解贻贝养殖生境表底层水体的鱼类组成差异,利用2013年11月和2014年2月在枸杞岛贻贝养殖海域采集的鱼类数据,采用多样性和相对渔获率指标结合聚类和排序方法,对表底层的鱼类组成、多样性、密度以及群落格局差异进行了分析。结果表明:鲻(Mugil cephalus)和斑鰶(Konosirus punctatus)为秋冬季贻贝养殖区表层水体的优势鱼类,而褐菖鲉(Sebastiscus marmoratus)和小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)、龙头鱼(Harpadon nehereus)和皮氏叫姑鱼(Johnius belangerii)分别为底层水体秋季和冬季的优势种;其中小黄鱼在养殖区的表底层皆有较大数量的分布;渔获率上,两季皆呈现表层高于底层的特征,除冬季的丰度渔获率外,其余皆有显著差异;鱼类在养殖区表层水体的平均丰度和生物量皆高于底层;多元分析显示,无论秋冬,表底层的鱼类群落格局皆有显著差异。可见,贻贝养殖设施相当于规模庞大的浮鱼礁系统,在泥质海域建设海洋牧场时,可结合类似浮体结构以增加海域立体养护能力;另一方面,可在养殖区底部增设人工鱼礁,以进一步发挥其海洋牧场效应。     

多网目单层和三重组合刺网在岩礁和沙地生境中的鱼类采集效果比较

为了解多网目单层组合刺网(MGN)和三重组合刺网(MTN)在近岸软相和硬相生境中的鱼类采集效果,于2011年10月选择枸杞岛沙地(SB)和岩礁(RR)生境为研究对象,从种类组成、捕获方式、优势种渔获率、多样性和群落格局上对MGN和MTN在两种生境中的鱼类采集效果进行了比较.结果表明:SB中MTN比MGN多采集鱼类5种,RR中相应多采集鱼类8种;SB中的MGN采获优势种为青鳞小沙丁鱼(Sardinella zunasi)和小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis),MTN增加了日本须鳎(Paraplagusia japonica);RR中的MTN仅采获褐菖鲉(Sebastiscus marmoratus)和斑头鱼(Hexagrammos agrammus)两种优势种,但MGN相应多出青鳞小沙丁鱼和小黄鱼;两生境中MGN的捕获方式均以契入为主,而MTN的渔获个体中其他捕获方式的比例明显增加;MGN对两生境近底层小黄鱼和中上层青鳞小沙丁鱼的捕获率显著高于MTN,但对褐菖鲉、斑头鱼以及日本须鳎等底层鱼类的捕获率上,MGN要低于MTN;SB中基于MTN的多样性指标均显著大于MGN,而RR中两者之间的各指标并无显著差异;两生境中MGN和MTN所呈现的群落格局均存在显著差异.在进行刺网采样时,需依据研究目标应用适宜的网具和方法,以最大限度地了解鱼类组成的真实情况.     

贵州百花湖夏季浮游植物昼夜垂直分布特征

为了探讨浮游植物在水体中的昼夜垂直分布格局,于2012年7月31日至8月1日对百花湖(水库)浮游植物进行昼夜24 h定点分层研究。研究结果表明:蓝藻、绿藻、硅藻种类数在水体中具有明显的分层现象,蓝藻种类数在0.5—2 m居多,绿藻种类数在0.5—6 m明显多于7—14 m,硅藻种类数主要分布在6 m及以深的水层中。湖泊假鱼腥藻(Pseudanabaena limnetica)为绝对优势种,相对丰度为82.69%。8:00时湖泊假鱼腥藻在2—3 m处聚集程度最高,10:00时聚集程度最高的水层上升至0.5 m,10:00—12:00湖泊假鱼腥藻的细胞丰度由0.5 m向2 m扩增,12:00时在2 m处达到全天峰值,此时0.5 m处的细胞丰度是除6:00外的最小值,12:00—14:00湖泊假鱼腥藻的细胞丰度由2 m向0.5 m扩增,16:00时又大量聚集于1 m处,说明湖泊假鱼腥藻在白天具有明显的垂直迁移现象;湖泊假鱼腥藻丰度的MI指数白天在1.45—2.07之间,夜间在1.40—1.46之间,变化趋势与时间深度等值图结果相符,说明湖泊假鱼腥藻在水体中昼夜均呈聚集分布,且白天的聚集程度及变化幅度大于夜间;百花湖浮游植物总丰度的昼夜垂直分布格局与湖泊假鱼腥藻一致;水体中浮游植物总丰度和湖泊假鱼腥藻丰度夜间低于白天。光照的昼夜交替和水柱温差的昼夜变化是影响浮游植物总丰度和湖泊假鱼腥藻垂直分布格局昼夜变化的重要环境因素。     

牛山湖两种优势小型鱼类空间分布与沉水植被的关系

运用8种网目规格的成套浮性刺网作为鱼类采样工具,于2005年夏季在长江中游浅水草型湖泊牛山湖进行鱼类定量采样,通过比较不同茂密程度黄丝草生境中的小型鱼类组成、数量和大小结构,探讨此类湖泊小型鱼类的空间分布特征及其与沉水植被的关系.采样期间共捕获13种1124尾鱼,依据其等级丰度和出现频次,鳖和红鳍原鲌为该湖优势上层小型鱼类.在调查的沉水植物生物量范围内,鱼类物种丰富度和Shannon多样性指数与沉水植物生物量之间呈现倒抛物线关系;两种优势小型鱼类的种群丰度均与沉水植物生物量有着显著的线性正相关关系,且其平均个体大小在裸地生境较高、沉水植被茂密区较低,幼鱼更倾向群聚于厚密的黄丝草生境中;其他生境因子(水深和离岸距离)对鳖和红鳍原鲐空间分布的影响不显著.黄丝草植被生境是牛山湖两种优势小型鱼类的重要保护生境,应加强对黄丝草等沉水植被的保护及恢复.     

马鞍列岛岩礁生境鱼类群落结构时空格局

基于2009年马鞍列岛潮下带岩礁生境的多网目三层组合刺网逐月调查数据,对鱼类群落月相和季度间的变化、区域尺度上的空间差异和群落的稳态进行了探讨,应用优势种相对丰度和生物量、定居性鱼类和洄游种的季节动态、非度量多维标度(nMDS)和生物量丰度曲线(ABC)分析方法对群落时空格局进行了分析。结果显示:季节性洄游种集中出现在夏秋季,但对岩礁生境的利用表现出不同区域的强度差异;小黄鱼Larimichthys polyactis和黄姑鱼Nibea albiflora周年利用岩礁生境,但强度有别,尤其在冬季;定居性鱼类褐菖鲉Sebastiscus marmoratus、斑头鱼Agrammus agrammus和大泷六线鱼Hexagrammos otakii在春末夏初的种群密度最高,同样表现出某些或大部分月份的区域差异;而河口种中国花鲈Lateolabrax maculatus则更多地选择秋冬季出现在岩礁生境。多元分析结果揭示了当地岩礁生境鱼类群落格局上显著的季节和区域差异,这是定居性鱼类对岩礁生境利用的阶段性变化和区域差异、结合洄游种季节迁移和选择性分布等因素作用下共同形成的格局。ABC分析进一步发现,丰富的鱼类生态类型形成了夏季岩礁生境更为稳定的群落状态,而冬季相反;同时各季度A区的群落干扰明显强过B区。研究表明,产卵季节海域西北部的岩礁生境很可能起着主要的产卵场功能,而东南部区域各季度皆侧重于幼鱼育肥场的功能表达。丰富的种类区系加之优势种的季节性交替出现,共同塑造了岩礁生境极具动态的鱼类群落格局,对维持岛礁海域鱼类多样性以及局部区域生态系统的稳定性起着非常重要的作用。     

长江口赤潮高发区浮游植物与水动力环境因子的分布特征

报道了2002年春季长江口海域(30°50′～31°50′N,121°50′～123°00′E)的22个大面观察站和一个昼夜连续观察站的水样和网样浮游植物的种类组成、丰度分布与水动力环境因子、营养盐的关系．结果表明,长江口区共有浮游植物5门45属110种．主要赤潮生物优势种为中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema castaturn)和具齿原甲藻(Prorocentrum dentatum)等．浮游植物丰度的昼夜变化白天大于夜间,垂直分布不明显．浮游植物主要生态类型可划分为：沿岸河口低盐半咸水类群、沿岸偏低盐广布性类群、外海高盐暖水性类群等．长江口区浮游植物丰度在1．6×10^3～75．2×10^3个.dm-3．浮游植物的种类组成和丰度分布与长江冲淡水密切相关．在该区域存在三股不同性质的水,即长江河口水、长江冲淡水及外海水(台湾暖流)影响着浮游植物的分布．     

三峡水库蓄水后长江上游鱼类群聚沿河流-水库梯度的空间格局

研究对2005—2012年长江上游合江、木洞、万州和秭归江段的鱼类群聚结构进行了调查, 以分析三峡水库蓄水后长江上游鱼类群聚沿河流-水库梯度的空间格局。结果显示, 在三峡蓄水后, 在合江至秭归江段累计采集到土著鱼类368706尾, 合计132种, 隶属于17科, 其中鲤科鱼类为优势类群。沿河流-水库纵向梯度, 土著鱼类物种数下降而外来鱼类物种数增加。对应分析表明, 合江至秭归江段的鱼类群聚呈现出明显分化: 库区以上河段鱼类组成以流水性鱼类为主, 库区鱼类则以静水缓流型为主。指示物种分析进一步指出, 河流区鱼类以犁头鳅(Lepturichthys fimbriata)、红唇薄鳅(Leptobotia rubrilabris)、圆口铜鱼(Coreius guichenoti)、圆筒吻(Rhinogobio cylindricus)等22种鱼类为指示物种, 其功能群特征表现为偏好流水生境、生活史为均衡主义及食性为昆虫食性; 库区鱼类以宽口光唇鱼(Acrossocheilus monticolus)、宽鳍鱲(Zacco platypus)、鳊(Parabramis pekinensis)、鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)等16种鱼类为指示物种, 其功能群特征表现为偏好静水生境、食性为草食性或浮游食性。以上研究表明, 三峡水库蓄水导致的水环境变化是影响长江上游鱼类纵向格局的主要驱动力。建议相关管理部门根据不同河段鱼类群聚特征制定不同的渔业管理措施, 如保护土著鱼类资源、控制外来入侵鱼类。     

三峡水库蓄水后长江上游鱼类群聚沿河流-水库梯度的空间格局（英文）

研究对2005—2012年长江上游合江、木洞、万州和秭归江段的鱼类群聚结构进行了调查,以分析三峡水库蓄水后长江上游鱼类群聚沿河流-水库梯度的空间格局。结果显示,在三峡蓄水后,在合江至秭归江段累计采集到土著鱼类368706尾,合计132种,隶属于17科,其中鲤科鱼类为优势类群。沿河流-水库纵向梯度,土著鱼类物种数下降而外来鱼类物种数增加。对应分析表明,合江至秭归江段的鱼类群聚呈现出明显分化:库区以上河段鱼类组成以流水性鱼类为主,库区鱼类则以静水缓流型为主。指示物种分析进一步指出,河流区鱼类以犁头鳅(Lepturichthys fimbriata)、红唇薄鳅(Leptobotia rubrilabris)、圆口铜鱼(Coreius guichenoti)、圆筒吻(Rhinogobio cylindricus)等22种鱼类为指示物种,其功能群特征表现为偏好流水生境、生活史为均衡主义及食性为昆虫食性;库区鱼类以宽口光唇鱼(Acrossocheilus monticolus)、宽鳍鱲(Zacco platypus)、鳊(Parabramis pekinensis)、鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)等16种鱼类为指示物种,其功能群特征表现为偏好静水生境、食性为草食性或浮游食性。以上研究表明,三峡水库蓄水导致的水环境变化是影响长江上游鱼类纵向格局的主要驱动力。建议相关管理部门根据不同河段鱼类群聚特征制定不同的渔业管理措施,如保护土著鱼类资源、控制外来入侵鱼类。     

阿根廷淡水大米草沼泽中野生豚鼠的种群统计和微生境的利用

本文研究了秋冬季节淡水大米草(Spartina densiflora)沼泽中野生豚鼠(Cavia a perea)的丰度、繁殖和微生境利用,以及其对当地植被和棉鼠类(Sigmodontine)啮齿动物的影响。野生豚鼠喜好S.densiflora覆盖度高的生境。繁殖个体(成体)主要利用矮草为主的斑块,幼体则主要利用禾本科植物为主的斑块。结果说明,野生豚鼠微生境的利用受捕食风险和食物种类的影响。在淡水沼泽中,野生豚鼠的丰度、繁殖、体重和微生境利用没有季节性变化,它们对植物的取食和活动跑道的建造对植被结构和同域的啮齿类动物没有负面影响。通过对具有中度季节性变化的淡水生境中的豚鼠种群和具有高度季节变化的草地和路边中的豚鼠种群进行比较,表明野生豚鼠的种群动态以及豚鼠种群对植被和与其共生的啮齿动物群落的影响都受到冬季植被盖度的限制。     

马鞍列岛岩礁生境鱼类群落生态学.Ⅰ.种类组成和多样性

为了解潮下带岩礁生境的鱼类区系特征,于2009年对马鞍列岛岩礁生境进行了12个月的多网目组合刺网采样,从分类学和生态型组成等方面,结合多样性和相对重要性指数,对该生境的鱼类组成和多样性特征进行了分析。全年共采集鱼类87种,隶属2纲14目50科73属。其中鲈形目鱼类51种,占58.6%;趋礁性鱼类49种,占56.3%;放流鱼类7种,占8%。所有鱼类个体中,幼鱼的总比例为67.4%。暖水种、暖温种和冷温种分别为50、36和1种;底层、近底层和中上层鱼类各为19、46和22种,其中褐菖鲉(Sebasti scus marmoratus)、黄姑鱼(Nibea albiflora)和赤鼻棱鳀(Thryssa kammalensis)分别为各水层的绝对优势种;定居种、季节性洄游种和偶见种各为32、55和11种。岩礁生境鱼类多样性呈现明显的季节变化特征,2月份最低,9月份最高。研究结果表明,马鞍列岛岩礁生境是以趋礁鱼类为特征群体、暖水性和暖温性鱼类共同主导、各个类型的幼鱼在夏秋季集群出现、同时也分布了一定量放流种的高鱼类多样性栖息地,它为各种鱼类提供了优良的摄食、避敌和繁殖场所,是近岸海洋生态系统中相当重要的生境。然而相比过去,该生境的鱼类多样性已经大大降低,因此需对其保护工作予以更多关注。     

Diel differences in the seagrass fish assemblages of a Caribbean island in relation to adjacent habitat types

The fish fauna of Thalassia testudinum (König) seagrass beds was studied at two sites in the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Bay (Guadeloupe, French West Indies). The first seagrass bed was located near a coral reef and the second was near coastal mangroves. Both habitats were sampled during day and night, using a purse-seine and a trap net. A total of 98 species belonging to 36 families were observed. Distance-based redundancy analyses revealed two site-specific assemblages of fishes. Diel assemblage shifts were more pronounced in the seagrass beds near coral reefs than in those near mangroves, due to the existence of nocturnal trophic incursions of coral reef fishes into seagrass beds. First-order carnivores dominated the trophic structure of the fish assemblages during both day and night. At night, Haemulidae, Holocentridae and Apogonidae took the place of Labridae, Chaetodontidae and Mullidae present by day near the reef. This switch did not occur near the coast where the exchanges between seagrass beds and mangrove appear to be less important than with the reef ecosystem. Thus, it appears that the adjacent seascape habitat setting affects the intensity in diel variability of the seagrass bed fish community.     

Diel differences in fish assemblages in nearshore eelgrass and kelp habitats in Prince William Sound,Alaska

The importance of a particular habitat to nearshore fishes can be best assessed by both diurnal and nocturnal sampling. To determine diel differences in fish assemblages in nearshore eelgrass and understory kelp habitats, fishes were sampled diurnally and nocturnally at six locations in western Prince William Sound, Alaska, in summer 2007. Abundance of fish between day and night were similar, but species composition and mean size of some fish changed. Species richness and species diversity were similar in eelgrass during the day and night, whereas in kelp, species richness and species diversity were greater at night than during the day. In eelgrass, saffron cod (Eleginus gracilis) was the most abundant species during the day and night. In kelp, the most abundant species were Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) during the day and saffron cod at night. Diel differences in fish size varied by species and habitat. Mean length of saffron cod was similar between day and night in eelgrass but was greatest during the day in kelp. Pacific herring were larger at night than during the day in kelp. Diel sampling is important to identity nearshore habitats essential to fish and help manage fish stocks at risk.     

To migrate, or not to migrate: partial diel horizontal migration of fish in a temperate freshwater reservoir

The diel horizontal migration (DHM) of fish between the inshore and offshore zones of the ?ímov Reservoir (Czech Republic, deep, stratified, meso-eutrophic) was investigated by a combination of horizontal and vertical hydroacoustic surveys at 3-h intervals over 48 h and day/night purse seining in August 2007. An overwhelming majority of fish were aggregated within the epilimnetic layer. Considering only the horizontal surveys, cyclic diel fish movements between inshore and offshore habitats were apparent, while the total fish biomass remained constant between day and night. A higher fish biomass was detected in the offshore zone during daytime by both hydroacoustics and purse seining. In contrast, a higher fish biomass was recorded at night in the inshore zone. Bream Abramis brama, roach Rutilus rutilus, and perch Perca fluviatilis dominated the daytime offshore fish assemblage whereas bleak Alburnus alburnus prevailed at night. Bream and roach decreased in abundance at night while perch completely disappeared from the offshore habitat. The diel differences in size distributions and direct catches suggested the population-wide horizontal offshore migration of bleak and inshore migration of all perch during dusk. On the other hand, partial inshore migration of bream and roach adults was observed during dusk (52 and 80%, respectively). The different proportions of offshore residents among species and size classes suggested that differences in size, and, therefore, predation vulnerability, contributed to the observed migration patterns.     

Importance of live coral habitat for reef fishes

Live corals are the key habitat forming organisms on coral reefs, contributing to both biological and physical structure. Understanding the importance of corals for reef fishes is, however, restricted to a few key families of fishes, whereas it is likely that a vast number of fish species will be adversely affected by the loss of live corals. This study used data from published literature together with independent field based surveys to quantify the range of reef fish species that use live coral habitats. A total of 320 species from 39 families use live coral habitats, accounting for approximately 8 % of all reef fishes. Many of the fishes reported to use live corals are from the families Pomacentridae (68 spp.) and Gobiidae (44 spp.) and most (66 %) are either planktivores or omnivores. 126 species of fish associate with corals as juveniles, although many of these fishes have no apparent affiliation with coral as adults, suggesting an ontogenetic shift in coral reliance. Collectively, reef fishes have been reported to use at least 93 species of coral, mainly from the genus Acropora and Porities and associate predominantly with branching growth forms. Some fish associate with a single coral species, whilst others can be found on more than 20 different species of coral indicating there is considerable variation in habitat specialisation among coral associated fish species. The large number of fishes that rely on coral highlights that habitat degradation and coral loss will have significant consequences for biodiversity and productivity of reef fish assemblages.     

Effects of Habitat Connectivity on the Abundance and Species Richness of Coral Reef Fishes: Comparison of an Experimental Habitat Established at a Rocky Reef Flat and at a Sandy Sea Bottom

Coral reef fish assemblages are widely recognized for the coexistence of numerous species, which are likely governed by both coral diversity and substratum complexity. However, since coral reefs provide diverse habitats due to their physical structure and different spatial arrangements of coral, findings obtained from an isolated habitat cannot necessarily be applied to fish assemblages in other habitats (e.g. continuous habitats). The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine by a field experiment whether habitat connectivity (spatial arrangement of coral colonies) affects abundance and species richness of fishes in an Okinawan coral reef. The experiment consisted of transplanted branching coral colonies at a 4m×8m quadrat at both a rocky reef flat and sandy sea bottom. Generally, the abundance of fishes was greater at the sandy sea bottom, especially for three species of pomacentrids, one species of labrids, one species of chaetodontids and two species of apogonids. Species–area curves showed that the species richness of fishes was significantly greater in the quadrat at the sandy sea bottom at 3, 6 and 9 months after the start of the experiment. The rate of increase in abundance of fishes per area was significantly greater in the quadrat at the sandy sea bottom over the study period. The results of rarefaction analyses showed that the rate of increase in species richness per abundance was significantly higher in the quadrat at the sandy sea bottom in the juvenile settlement period, indicating that the magnitude of dominance by particular species was greater at the sandy sea bottom habitat. Our findings suggest that habitat connectivity affects the abundance and species richness of coral reef fishes, i.e. the isolated habitat was significantly more attractive for fishes than was the continuous habitat. Our findings also suggest that the main ecological factors responsible for organization of fish assemblage at a continuous habitat and at an isolated habitat are different.     

Community Structure of Coastal Fishes in Relation to Heavily Impacted Human Modified Habitats

Diversity and community structure of coastal fishes were compared between reforested mangrove and reclaimed sandy habitats at Pasir Ris, in the eastern part of Singapore. Both habitats supported a total of 91 species, but a single species, Ambassis kopsii dominated in abundance. Mean fish density was significantly higher at the reclaimed sandy shore than the reforested mangrove, but the reforested mangrove habitat yielded higher diversity. Apart from A. kopsii, abundant species in the mangroves included Ambassis interrupta, Thryssa hamiltonii, Acentrogobius sp., Scatophagus argus and Arius sagor. Anodontostoma chacunda, Acentrogobius sp., Leiognathus decorus, Sillago sihama and Stolephorus sp. were abundant in the reclaimed sandy habitat. Both habitats exhibited a higher mean density and average species richness during high tide. Several species from the family Gobiidae dominated the catch during low tide while pelagic fishes were most abundant during high tide. Diel variation showed significantly higher density during the day than at night, a result that contrasts to similar studies elsewhere. However, species richness showed no significant variation between day and night catches. Interaction between combined factors of time of the day and tidal height on fish density and average species richness was significantly different. The results indicated both habitat types to be important fish nurseries.     

Laboratory video recordings and underwater visual observations combined to reveal activity rhythm of red-spotted grouper and banded wrasse, and their natural assemblages

The diel activity rhythm of red-spotted grouper Epinephelus akaara was studied both in captivity and in the wild. Behavior of solitary grouper (58 to 397?mm in total length) in a tank was video recorded using infrared illuminators under 11L/10D and two 1.5-h twilight transition periods, and was compared to that of banded wrasse Halichoeres poecilopterus, a typical diurnal fish. Underwater observations using SCUBA were also conducted in their natural habitat to reveal the behavioral activity together with a visual census of adjacent fish and crustacean assemblages. Red-spotted grouper showed a strong nocturnal activity in a tank regardless of body size as opposed to the strongly diurnal banded wrasse. Activity of groupers in natural waters was high at dawn and dusk, low at noon, and only a few individuals were observed at night. Visual census in the habitat revealed that fish abundance and species richness was highest at noon, lowest at night, and intermediate at dawn and dusk. The opposite trend was found in crustacean assemblages. Absence of groupers at night may reflect their nocturnal feeding migration away from the study area. Alternatively, the crepuscular activity of groupers in the wild is suggested to be an adaptation to feed on small fishes that shift between daytime activity and nighttime rest and/or on nocturnal crustaceans that show the opposite activity pattern.     

Reef fish assemblages in north-western Sri Lanka: distribution patterns and influences of fishing practises

The distribution and abundance of reef fishes in relation to habitat structure were studied within Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary (BRMS) and on an adjacent reef, disturbed by destructive fishing techniques, in north-western Sri Lanka, by visually censusing 135 species groups using fifty metre belt-transects. Two types of continental shelf patch-reefs are found in the study area: coral reefs and sandstone reefs, which are divided into distinct habitats, four for the coral reef (shallow reef flat, shallow patch reef, deep reef flat and Porites domes) and two for the sandstone reef (structured sandstone-reef and flat sandstone-reef). Fish assemblages varied in structure between reef types and among habitats within reef types. Functional aspects of habitat structure and composition, such as available food and shelter, seemed to be important factors influencing distribution patterns. The strongest separation in the organisation of fish assemblages in BRMS was between reef types: 19% of all species were confined to the coral-reef patches while 22% were restricted to the sandstone reef patches and 59% were represented on both reef types. In terms of distribution among habitats, 21% of all species were restricted to one habitat while only 1.5% were present in all. The highest density of fish was in the coral reef habitats while highest species diversity was found in the most structurally complex habitat: the structured sandstone-reef. This habitat also had the highest proportion of species with restricted distribution. Planktivores were the most abundant trophic group in BRMS, and the species composition of the group varied among habitats. The comparison of the disturbed reef with BRMS suggested that habitat alteration caused by destructive fishing methods has strongly influenced the fish community. Within the fished area the structure of the fish assemblages was more heterogeneous, fish abundance was lower by an order of magnitude and species numbers were lower than in BRMS.