Efficacy of metabarcoding for identification of fish eggs evaluated with mock communities

There is urgent need for effective and efficient monitoring of marine fish populations. Monitoring eggs and larval fish may be more informative than that traditional fish surveys since ichthyoplankton surveys reveal the reproductive activities of fish populations, which directly impact their population trajectories. Ichthyoplankton surveys have turned to molecular methods (DNA barcoding & metabarcoding) for identification of eggs and larval fish due to challenges of morphological identification. In this study, we examine the effectiveness of using metabarcoding methods on mock communities of known fish egg DNA. We constructed six mock communities with known ratios of species. In addition, we analyzed two samples from a large field collection of fish eggs and compared metabarcoding results with traditional DNA barcoding results. We examine the ability of our metabarcoding methods to detect species and relative proportion of species identified in each mock community. We found that our metabarcoding methods were able to detect species at very low input proportions; however, levels of successful detection depended on the markers used in amplification, suggesting that the use of multiple markers is desirable. Variability in our quantitative results may result from amplification bias as well as interspecific variation in mitochondrial DNA copy number. Our results demonstrate that there remain significant challenges to using metabarcoding for estimating proportional species composition; however, the results provide important insights into understanding how to interpret metabarcoding data. This study will aid in the continuing development of efficient molecular methods of biological monitoring for fisheries management.     

Deep-sea fish distribution varies between seamounts: results from a seamount complex off New Zealand

Fish species data from a complex of seamounts off New Zealand termed the "Graveyard Seamount Complex' were analysed to investigate whether fish species composition varied between seamounts. Five seamount features were included in the study, with summit depths ranging from 748-891 m and elevation from 189-352 m. Measures of fish species dominance, rarity, richness, diversity, and similarity were examined. A number of factors were explored to explain variation in species composition, including latitude, water temperature, summit depth, depth at base, elevation, area, slope, and fishing effort. Depth at base and slope relationships were significant with shallow seamounts having high total species richness, and seamounts with a more gradual slope had high mean species richness. Species similarity was modelled and showed that the explanatory variables were driven primarily by summit depth, as well as by the intensity of fishing effort and elevation. The study showed that fish assemblages on seamounts can vary over very small spatial scales, in the order of several km. However, patterns of species similarity and abundance were inconsistent across the seamounts examined, and these results add to a growing literature suggesting that faunal communities on seamounts may be populated from a broad regional species pool, yet show considerable variation on individual seamounts.     

Variability in spatial and temporal occurrence of presettlement and settlement‐stage fishes associated with shallow reefs

Presettlement and settlement‐stage fishes were studied in a large, log‐spiral bay in temperate South Africa. The aim was to describe the assemblage composition, density and distribution associated with four types of habitats common to the bay: high profile reef, low profile reef, reef‐associated sand and open sand spatially separated from reef. Samples were collected with both a plankton ring net and a light trap at each habitat type as part of a mixed‐method approach. A total of 4084 presettlement and settlement‐stage fishes belonging to 31 teleost families and 84 species were captured. Reef‐associated sand and open sand habitats yielded higher species richness and diversity than the high and low‐profile reef habitats. Engraulidae, Gobiidae, Clupeidae and Cynoglossidae were the dominant fish families captured with the ring net, while Engraulidae, Clupeidae, Carangidae and Clinidae were captured with the light trap. A temporal difference in the abundance of presettlement fishes occurred between the sampling periods with highest values recorded during the summer settlement period. Habitat type together with associated physico‐chemical variables played a pivotal role in determining presettlement fish species composition, density and distribution across habitat types.     

新疆阿勒泰地区额尔齐斯河和乌伦古河流域鱼类多样性演变和流域健康评价

为了解阿勒泰地区额尔齐斯河和乌伦古河流域的鱼类多样性现状和历史演变, 本研究于2013-2016年间在该流域的鱼类多样性进行了连续调查, 并结合历史资料和标本, 以Margalef丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数分析评估了流域内鱼类的多样性水平和时空变化。该流域历史上分布有土著鱼类23种, 当前记录到19种, 流域内还有外来鱼类15种。阿勒泰鱼类的区系组成以鲤科种类为主, 其中特有和珍稀濒危物种占比高, 具有重要的保护价值。多样性指数计算结果显示, 2013-2016年鱼类多样性情况整体稳定, 额尔齐斯河鱼类物种数多于乌伦古河。研究还基于鱼类生物完整性指数(Fish Index of Biological Integrity, F-IBI)对34个采集点的河流健康状况进行了评价, 结果显示额尔齐斯河流域大多数调查点的健康状况处于“亚健康”或“一般”水平, 乌伦古河流域多数调查点的健康状况处于“健康”水平。水利工程、外来物种、过度捕捞是影响阿勒泰地区鱼类多样性的重要因素。未来应通过水利工程的联合调度、下泄合理生态流量、布设鱼类通道、规范养殖渔业、严控外来物种、本地土著鱼类的人工增殖放流, 以及合理的就地保护措施对阿勒泰地区的鱼类多样性加以保护, 提升水体健康程度。     

长江安庆段江豚主要栖息地鱼类群落结构

长江皖河交汇处(皖河口)是安庆江段江豚主要的栖息地之一。为了解江豚主要栖息地鱼类群落结构,于2013年9月—2014年8月对皖河口及其附近4个断面逐月进行了鱼类调查。研究结果表明,共采集鱼类35种,与历史资料相比,鱼类物种多样性已经严重下降,并且小型化趋势明显。5个断面当中,皖河口鱼类种数最多,为27种,且以中上层鱼类餐和油餐为主要优势种;其余4个断面分别为16、20、19和14种,且多数断面以底层鱼类黄颡鱼和长须黄颡鱼为主要优势种。方差分析结果表明,皖河口渔获物的总数量和总重量与其他断面无显著差异,但总种数却显著高于断面1和5。对中上层、中下层和底层鱼类的进一步分析发现,5个断面的显著差异仅存在于中上层鱼类,且皖河口中上层渔获物的数量和重量均显著高于其他断面。由此推断,江豚选择皖河口作为主要栖息地可能主要由于其更加丰富的中上层鱼类资源。研究结果不仅有助于了解鱼类资源的变化,还对江豚的原地和迁地保护具有重要意义。     

崇明岛内河夏季鱼类群落组成及分布特征

崇明岛为世界最大的河口冲积沙岛,岛内河网水系发达。2018年6月,选择崇明岛内主要代表性河道包括北横引河、南横引河和竖河（庙港、堡镇港、八滧港）,设置16个固定站点,对内河鱼类开展了拖网调查,分析了崇明岛内河夏季鱼类群落组成及分布特征。调查期间共采集到鱼类4417尾,分属6目9科30种,主要为鲤形目鲤科鱼类;其中,淡水鱼类27种,洄游鱼类2种,近海鱼类1种。从空间分布来看,北横引河记录鱼类20种,南横引河记录鱼类17种,竖河记录鱼类18种,不同河道鱼类种类组成及优势种特征存在明显差异,其共有优势种为鲫Carassius auratus、似鳊Pseudobrama simoni和翘嘴红鲌Erythroculter ilishaeformis,部分种类只在特定的河段有记录。北横引河各站点平均物种数、丰度和生物量均高于南横引河和竖河,但3类河道间不存在显著差异（P>0.05）;主要优势种鲫、翘嘴红鲌和似鳊平均体长均以北横引河为最大,且在南横引河与北横引河中的个体体长均存在极显著差异（P<0.01）。聚类和排序分析结果表明,北横引河和南横引河鱼类组成差异较大,而竖河介于两者之间。相似性分析的结果也表明,南、北横引河鱼类群落结构差异极显著（R=0.524,P=0.008）,且这两组间鱼类种类组成的平均相异性最高,为43.92%,造成两组间差异的主要物种有10种（贡献率均大于5%）。综合来看,崇明岛内河鱼类群落组成与分布特征不同于一般的内陆河流,而具有河口型岛屿的特点。未来需要在长期监测基础上,综合多种因素,对崇明岛内河鱼类组成、分布、变化趋势及内在机理开展系统研究。     

马鞍列岛多种生境中鱼类群聚的昼夜变化

为了解岛礁水域鱼类群聚的昼夜变化特征,以便更全面地设计采样方法和掌握采样的时间尺度,于2009年9月对马鞍列岛7种生境进行了共计24网次的刺网昼夜采样,结合排序和聚类方法,从种类组成、相对生物量和丰度、种类丰富度、多样性和相似性等方面对研究海域鱼类群聚特征的昼夜变化作了探讨.在采获的55种鱼类中,昼夜出现的分别为41和46种,数量差别不大,但其昼夜组成却随栖息水层的变化而不同,底层鱼类更趋向于夜间在硬相生境集群活动;近底层鱼类的昼夜集群随生境变化而变化,在同一生境中既有偏向白天也有趋向夜间的;中上层鱼类更多地出现在白天的人工生境(AH).AH白天的丰度渔获率显著大于晚上,而天然生境(NH)昼夜差别不大;生物量渔获率无论NH还是AH皆无显著昼夜差异.具体到种类,仅有小黄鱼Larimichthys polyactis和赤鼻棱鳗Thryssa kammalensis等少数种类的数量在AH有显著的昼夜差别,其他多数种类虽然昼夜的出现率大多有别,但渔获率昼夜差异皆不明显.多样性差异更多的表现在不同生境之间,而同一生境的昼夜差异往往不甚显著.各个生境中鱼类的昼夜种类交替现象非常明显,形成了以褐菖(鲐)Sebastiscus marmoratus和鳗鲇Plotosus anguillaris为代表的夜间优势类群为主的硬相生境群聚格局、以丝背细鳞鲀Stephanolepis cirrhifer和细刺鱼Microcanthus strigatus为代表的白天优势类群为主的硬相生境群聚格局以及缺乏底层优势类群、以石首鱼科鱼类为代表的近底层鱼类为绝对优势类群的软相生境群聚格局.因此,采用被动性渔具在近岸典型生境进行鱼类等相关生物调查时,应使采样时间覆盖昼夜两个时段,且至少保证24h.     

Associations between stream fish and benthos across environmental gradients in southern Ontario, Canada

1. The relationship between fish and benthic invertebrate communities in wadeable streams in southern Ontario, Canada, was examined using three independent and spatially distinct data sets. 2. Associations between fish and benthos were always significant when benthos were identified to family and often at the level of phylum. Identification to genus improved the strength of the fish–benthos association in one case. In contrast, identification to species did not improve the strength of the fish–benthos association. Associations between benthos and fish were weaker for one study utilizing a ‘rapid’ bio-assessment protocol involving field sorting and identification, and a second study which utilized winter benthic collections. 3. In two surveys, stream temperatures were important to the distributions of both fish and benthos, while in a third survey, fish and benthos were primarily influenced by stream size. In all three studies, fish and benthos were associated with similar suites of environmental variables, suggesting that the fish–benthos associations in these streams was driven by corresponding environmental tolerances. 4. Although there was significant variation in the strength of the fish–benthos association which could be attributed to differences in sampling methodologies, the findings from the present study confirm that stream fish and benthos are significantly associated. Therefore, surveys of benthos can be used to make inferences on the condition of fish community composition.     

Records of fishes from the West Norfolk Ridge,north-west of New Zealand

Abstract

A total of 89 species of elasmobranch and teleost fish was recorded from the West Norfolk Ridge in 1986. Between 50 and 60 of these have not previously been reported from the area. Fish species were caught in bottom trawls at depths between 100 m and 1100 m, principally on the Wanganella Bank. Depth distribution is discussed. Species composition is very similar to that of northern New Zealand.     

丹江口水库鱼类群落特征及其历史变化

为了解丹江口水库鱼类群落现状及历史变化, 作者于2018-2019年采用多网目复合刺网采样和渔民渔获物调查的方式对丹江口水库进行了鱼类群落调查。本次调查共采集鱼类33种, 隶属5目11科29属, 以鲤科鱼类为主, 占总数的63.6%。基于多网目复合刺网采样的鱼类群落多样性指数和单位努力捕捞量(catch per unit effort, CPUE, g·day ^-1·m ^-2)在各采样点间具有一定的差异。目前丹江口水库以定居性、喜静缓流、杂食性和肉食性鱼类为主。与20世纪50年代和80年代的历史资料相比, 丹江口水库鱼类物种丰富度先升高后下降; 而生态类型则呈现杂食性鱼类、喜流水性鱼类和洄游性鱼类比例持续下降的趋势。2018-2019年丹江口水库鱼类组成与20世纪80年代的相似性指数为0.35 (中等不相似), 与20世纪50年代的相似性指数为0.29 (中等不相似)。调查结果表明半个世纪以来丹江口水库鱼类群落结构发生了较大变化, 目前趋于小型化和简单化。这些变化可能是由大坝建设、渔业放养、不合理捕捞、外来鱼类引入等人类活动所致。     

长江口中华鲟自然保护区底层鱼类的群落结构特征

根据2004年8月、11月和2005年2月(Ⅰ年度)、2005年8月、11月和2006年2月、5月(Ⅱ年度)、2007年8月、11月和2008年2月和5月(Ⅲ年度)对长江口中华鲟自然保护区15个站位点的底拖网调查数据,对该水域的底层鱼类群落结构特征及时间和空间变化规律进行了分析。结果表明,调查中捕获底层鱼类42种,隶属于13目24科39属。底层鱼类的种类组成和群落结构进行聚类分析,15个站位聚合成两大类群,类群A位于南支北港和北港北沙近东滩水域,共出现20种底层鱼类,主要以淡水性和河口性鱼类为主;类群B位于北支和北港北沙近外海水域,共出现鱼类39种,主要以河口性和海洋性鱼类为主。ANOSIM和SIMPER分析表明底层鱼类群落结构不同季节间差异显著,造成这种趋势的主要原因可能是与棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)和凤鲚(Coilia mystus)的繁殖和索饵洄游有关。     

长江河口潮间带盐沼植被分布区及邻近光滩鱼类组成特征

研究鱼类群落在不同生境中的差异或者变化,是评价与预测生境丧失、环境退化等对湿地生物多样性与生态系统功能影响的重要基础。2006年4—11月,在长江河口崇明东滩盐沼植被分布区(简称草滩)和邻近的光滩区域分别设置采样站位,每月大潮期采用定制插网对鱼类群落进行了取样调查。分析研究了长江河口潮间带盐沼植被分布区和邻近光滩区域的鱼类组成及其月际变化,并对影响鱼类分布的主要因子进行了探讨。调查期间共采集鱼类标本1638尾,分属9目14科22种;其中,淡水鱼类2种,定居性河口鱼类12种,海洋鱼类5种,洄游鱼类3种。植被分布区和光滩区域鱼类组成及优势种特征存在明显差异。调查期间,植被分布区记录鱼类13种,主要优势种为斑尾刺虾虎鱼(Acanthogobius ommaturus)、鲻(Mugil cephalus)和棱鮻(Liza carinatus)(IRI>20),其他种类基本不具有优势度特征(IRI<0.05);光滩区域记录鱼类20种,主要优势种鲻(IRI>20),其他包括斑尾刺虾虎鱼、狼牙鳗虾虎鱼(Taenioides rubicundus)、棱鮻和棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)也具有一定的优势特征(20>IRI>10);两个区域共有种为11种,部分种类只出现在光滩或植被分布区,但主要优势种均为定居性河口鱼类。与世界其他河口盐沼湿地鱼类研究结果不同的是,光滩区域记录的鱼类物种数、个体数、生物量和整体物种多样性水平均高于植被分布区;光滩和植被分布区鱼类相应的量比关系存在明显的月际变化,但两种生境鱼类组成间的关联性和差异性均不显著。通过比较两种生境共有的优势种体长发现,长江河口盐沼植被分布区鱼类优势种的平均体长大于光滩区域,而且植被分布区部分优势种体长的上、下限范围也大于光滩区域。长江河口盐沼植被分布区,除了育幼场外,还是许多鱼类成鱼的重要栖息地。影响河口潮间带盐沼湿地鱼类组成与分布的主要因素包括鱼类自身的生物学与生活史特征、饵料生物的组成与分布、植被出现与表形特征等生物因素和水温、盐度、淡水径流、潮汐特性等非生物因素,其对长江河口潮间带盐沼湿地中鱼类群落的组成与分布的综合作用机理有待进一步研究。     

松嫩湖群鱼类群落相似性

根据2008年5月至2011年1月对松嫩湖群20个主要渔业湖泊的鱼类资源调查,分析了该湖群鱼类区系特征和群落相似性状况。松嫩湖群的鱼类区系由4目9科34属46种和亚种构成,其中土著鱼类3目8科27属39种和亚种,包括中国特有种3种,中国易危种1种,冷水种5种;由5个区系复合体构成,以东部江河平原区系复合体为主体;鲤形目31种,鲤科26种,分别占优势;鱼类区系具有南北方物种相互渗透、古北界与东洋界交汇过渡的混色类群特征。目前松嫩湖群鱼类群落种类组成的相似度总体较低,群落数量结构的相似度总体较高,鱼类群落相似性面临的主要问题是自然与人为因素导致湖泊生态环境的变化和放养、移殖与过度捕捞导致鱼类资源的减少与小型化,二者的叠加效应使鱼类群落长期处于受损状态,群落结构及其相似性处在动态变化中,群落内种间关系的协调性、种群结构的合理性和群落结构的稳定性均在下降。针对这些情况和群落相似性现状,提出未来松嫩湖群湖泊渔业的发展方向是优化调整群落结构,发展多种群湖泊渔业,合理利用土著鱼类资源。     

Long-term changes of planktonic rotifers in a subtropical Chinese lake dominated by filter-feeding fishes

1. The long-term changes (1956–1998) in density and species composition of planktonic rotifers were studied at two sampling stations (I, II) of Lake Donghu, a shallow eutrophic Chinese Lake densely stocked with filter-feeding fishes. Annual average densities of rotifers increased with an increase in fish yield and eutrophication, whilst species number decreased from 82 in 1962–1963 to 62 in 1994–1998.
2. During 1962–98, some species such as Anuraeopsis fissa , Polyarthra spp. (including P. dolichoptera & P. vulgaris ) , Trichocerca pusilla and Synchaeta oblonga increased their percentage in abundance remarkably, whilst the proportion of Keratella cochlearis decreased at two relatively eutrophic stations from 19 to 4.2% at Station I and from 30 to 3.2% at Station II.
3. The high r _max of A. fissa probably made it more successful than other rotifers under high predation pressure by planktivorous fish. The decrease in the K. cochlearis population might be attributed partly to predation by Cyclops vicinus .
4. Small rotifers were less vulnerable to fish predation than large-sized cladocerans. Decreases in cladocerans coincided with increases in rotifers, suggesting that the indirect effect of fish predation on cladocerans might have partly contributed to the population development of rotifers in Lake Donghu during recent decades.
5. We also conducted surveys (1994–1998) of seasonal dynamics of rotifers at four sampling stations (I–IV) which have varied in trophic status after fragmentation of the lake in the 1960s. A total of 75 species were identified at the four stations. Both densities and biomass of rotifers were considerably higher in the two more eutrophic stations than in the two less eutrophic stations. This indicates that the population increase of rotifers at Stations I and II during recent decades might be partly attributed to eutrophication of the lake water.     

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.     

基于环境DNA宏条形码技术的北京地区鱼类多样性调查和外来鱼种入侵风险评估

[目的]调查北京地区鱼类多样性和群落分布及评估外来鱼种的入侵风险.[方法]选取北京地区水库、湖泊和河流3种水体类型共33个采样点,于2020年6月10—17日开展水生态监测,利用环境DNA宏条形码技术对各样点的鱼类多样性和群落结构进行监测和分析,对目前北京地区水生态系统中本地鱼种和外来鱼种进行分类汇总,并评估典型外来入...     

Seamounts: centres of endemism or species richness for ophiuroids?

Aim To test the hypotheses that seamounts exhibit high rates of endemism and/or species richness compared to surrounding areas of the continental slope and oceanic ridges. Location The south‐west Pacific Ocean from 19–57° S to 143–171° E. Methods Presence/absence museum data were compiled for seamount and non‐seamount areas at depths between 100 and 1500 m for the Ophiuroidea (brittle‐stars), an abundant and speciose group of benthic invertebrates. Large‐scale biogeographical gradients were examined through multivariate analyses at two spatial scales, at the scale of seamounts (< 1° of latitude/longitude) and regions (5–9°). The robustness of these patterns to spatially inconsistent sampling effort was tested using Monte Carlo‐style simulations. Levels of local endemism and species richness over numbers of samples were compared for seamount and non‐seamount areas using linear regressions. Non‐seamount populations were randomly generated from areas and depth ranges that reflected the typical sampling profile of seamounts. Results Seamount ophiuroid assemblages did not exhibit elevated levels of species richness or narrow‐range endemism compared with non‐seamount areas. Seamounts can exhibit high overall species richness for low numbers of samples, particularly on seamounts supporting a dense coral matrix, but this does not increase with additional sampling at the rates found in non‐seamount areas. There were relatively few identifiable seamount specialists. In general, seamount faunas reflected those found at similar depths in surrounding areas, including the continental slope. Seamount and non‐seamount faunas within the study area exhibited congruent latitudinal and bathymetric species turnover. Main conclusions Seamount faunas were variable for ophiuroid faunal composition, species richness and narrow‐range endemism, reflecting their environmental diversity and complex history. The continental slope was also variable, with some areas being particularly species rich. Broad geomorphological habitat categories such as ‘seamounts’ or ‘continental slope’ may be at the wrong scale to be useful for conservation planning.     

Fish species richness decreases with salinity in tropical coastal lagoons

Aim To analyse the relationship between fish species richness and salinity, and to provide a simple linear model for fish diversity trends across salinity gradients in a tropical coastal lagoon that can be compared with other similar ecosystems and other communities. To reinforce our conclusions, the salinity–fish richness relationship was investigated at different spatial scales (sampling station, set of stations and whole lagoon) and for two different periods, separated by 18 years. Location The Terminos coastal lagoon, a shallow tropical lagoon (mean maximum depths ranging between 3.5 and 4.5 m), is located in the southern Gulf of Mexico (18.5–18.8° N, 91.3–91.9° W). The lagoon is 70 km long and 30 km wide, with a surface area of 1700 km². Methods Fish sampling, individual identification to the species level, and environmental variable measurements were carried out monthly at 17 sampling points. Multiple regression analysis with a backward selection procedure was used to relate fish species richness to environmental variables. Other statistical techniques, including cluster analysis and ancova , were applied to experimental data surveys. Results Among the different environmental variables, salinity was significantly and consistently related to fish species richness, whatever the period and the scale of observation. We found mainly significant negative correlations (P < 0.05) between fish species richness and salinity when sampling stations were analysed individually, and particularly for the river runoff zones with high variation in salinity throughout the year. For the entire lagoon, robust negative linear models were observed when fish species richness was organized into salinity ranges, with salinity explaining c. 8% of the variation in mean fish species richness (in a multiple regression analysis; 63–93% when considered in isolation). Main conclusions In the Terminos lagoon the relationship between fish species richness and salinity is mainly negative on any spatial scale. This result may be due partially to the penetration of freshwater fishes into estuarine areas following freshwater discharges, and partially to the dominance of estuarine taxa more able to tolerate low than high salinity values. Finally, we suggest that the ‘realized’ ecotone, where species from different origins really mix, is situated between 5 and 10‰, corresponding to the highest fish richness.     

Preliminary analysis of the fish species of the Pacific Central American Mangrove of Zancudo, Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica

The aim of the present paper is to provide first information on the mangrove fish community of the tropical fjord-like Golfo Dulce (GD), to study its importance for fish diversity and fisheries in the area and to give preliminary results on its spatial–temporal variation. Eighty-two species belonging to 30 families were identified. More than half of them belonged to the estuarine transient fish group and only 14 species were estuarine resident, highlighting the importance of the Zancudo mangrove as a transition area. The most diverse families were Sciaenidae, Carangidae and Haemulidae for both rainy and dry seasons. As much as 71% of the species captured were of first or second grade economic value and only 11% had no commercial value. Comparing our data with fisheries and scientific surveys inside and outside the gulf suggests the importance of the Zancudo mangrove for regional fisheries and fish diversity. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) indicated gradual changes in the fish community composition from the river mouth to the more internal sampling sites for rainy and dry seasons. Moreover, shifts in abundance and species composition between seasons were observed, mainly an increase in the differences between the boundaries and the central zones of the mangrove. These changes were attributed to the higher salinity differences between sites during the dry season forcing the occasional visitor fish downstream and freshwater fish taxa upstream. While the results contribute to initiatives for participative fisheries management in the region, further studies are needed to analyse the variations in detail.