Spatio-temporal distribution patterns and conservation of fish assemblages in a Chilean coastal river |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Evelyn?HabitEmail author Mark?Belk Pedro?Victoriano Edilia?Jaque |
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Institution: | (1) Aquatic System Unit, Environmental Science EULA-Chile Center, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepcion, Chile;(2) Department of Integrative Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA;(3) Depto. Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile;(4) Depto. Geografía, Facultad de Arquitectura, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile |
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Abstract: | River environments are characterized by extreme spatial and temporal variation in the physical environment. The relationship
of fish assemblages to environmental variation is poorly understood in many systems. In Chile zonation patterns of fish assemblages
have been documented in several Andean river drainages. Coastal river drainages are comparatively small, but inordinately
important because of their highly endemic flora and fauna and their proximity to major human populations. For conservation
purposes it is important to understand what environmental factors affect assemblage structure of fishes especially in the
comparatively high diversity coastal drainages. We studied patterns of fish distribution and abundance in three rivers of
the coastal, Andalien drainage near Concepción, Chile. We used multi-dimensional scaling analyses to compare patterns among
zones (rithron, transition and potamon) and high and low flow seasons. Species assemblages differed by zone, but not with
season. Assemblages consisted of nested subsets of species characterized by their range of distribution among zones. One species
group was composed of widespread species that occurred in all three zones, another species group consisted of species found
only in transitional and potamal zones, and a final group was comprised of species found only in the potamal zone. The potamal
zone contained the most diverse and abundant fish assemblage. Fish assemblages were related to both water quality and habitat
structure variables. This study suggests that the key to conserving the diversity of native fish communities in coastal Chilean
rivers is in the conservation of potamal regions. Unfortunately, most protected areas in Chile are in the depauperate headwaters
of drainages. Protection of only headwaters is clearly inadequate and will not contribute to the conservation of this unique
freshwater fish fauna. |
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Keywords: | Zonation Habitat structure Water quality Coastal drainage Chile |
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