Taxonomic diversity of fish assemblages in the Changjiang Estuary （Yangtze River Estuary） and its adjacent waters was analyzed based on bottom trawl surveys carried out by R/V Beidou in June, August and October 2006...Taxonomic diversity of fish assemblages in the Changjiang Estuary （Yangtze River Estuary） and its adjacent waters was analyzed based on bottom trawl surveys carried out by R/V Beidou in June, August and October 2006. Four groups of fishes were identified for each survey by the twoway indicator species analysis （TWIA）. Taxonomic distinctness, species richness and phylogenetic diversity were used to detect changes in taxonomic structure of fish assemblages. Most dominant fish species mainly belonged to Perciformes, Pleuronectiformes, Clupeiformes, Scorpaeniformes and Tetraodontiformes. Species richness in offshore waters of the survey area was higher than that in the other area. The average taxonomic distinctness value （AvTD,△^＋） of each fish assemblage was close to the average taxonomic distinctness of master list in the Changjiang Estuary （79.9）, and had a positive correlation with species richness and Shannon diversity index （H′）. A negative correlation was found between variations in taxonomic distinctness （VarTD, A^＋） and traditional diversity indices, which were caused by fish species component that led to longer average path lengths among species. Taxonomic diversity index （△） had the similar results with species richness, Ht, Simpson diversity index （D） and Pielou＇s evenness index （J′）. VarTD also kept stable, which further certificated that fish assemblages and ecological environment were in equilibrium. Taxonomic distinctness index （△^＋） was relatively stable in most of fish assemblages, and had higher values in some fish assemblages for a few absolutely dominant species. The present study showed that fish community formed new equilibrium stability in 2006 in the Changjiang Estuary when compared with those in the corresponding months of annual survey from 1985 to 1986. And AvTD in each sampling station was lower than AvTD of master list in the Changjiang Estuary, so some ecological niches were absent in each sampling stations from taxonomic or phylogenetic relationships, these would be helpful to stock natural resource and maintain ecological equilibruim of fish assemblages.展开更多
Habitat plays a critical role in regulating fish community structure. Using the data collected from a monthly trammel net survey in Ma'an archipelago off the east coast of China, we evaluated impacts of five diffe...Habitat plays a critical role in regulating fish community structure. Using the data collected from a monthly trammel net survey in Ma'an archipelago off the east coast of China, we evaluated impacts of five different habitats(artificial reefs, mussel farms, cage aquaculture, rocky reefs and soft bottom) on fish assemblages. This study suggests that artificial reefs(AR) have significantly higher species richness, abundance and diversity than mussel farms(MF) or soft bottom(SB) habitats during most seasons, and that fish taxa in the AR habitats are similar to those in the rocky reef(RR) habitats. Two different fish assemblage patterns were revealed in the study area using non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination: an assemblage dominated by reef fishes(especially by Scorpaenidae species) in AR, RR and cage aquaculture(CA) habitats and an assemblage dominated by Sciaenidae species in MF and SB habitats. We suggest that reef fishes play a key role in differentiating fish community structures in the study area. Although few differences in fish abundance and diversity were found between the CA and SB habitats, a more diverse age structure was observed in the CA habitats. A much more complex fish assemblage and enhanced population of local species were established as a result of the presence of both floating and fixed artificial structures, probably through improved survival rates.展开更多
Trophic structure of fish communities is fundamental for ecosystem-based fisheries management, and trophic spectrum classifies fishes by their positions in food web, which provides a simple summary on the trophic stru...Trophic structure of fish communities is fundamental for ecosystem-based fisheries management, and trophic spectrum classifies fishes by their positions in food web, which provides a simple summary on the trophic structure and ecosystem function. In this study, both fish biomass and abundance trophic spectra were constructed to study the spatial and seasonal variations in the trophic structure of demersal fish assemblages in Jiaozhou Bay, China. Data were collected from four seasonal bottom trawl surveys in Jiaozhou Bay from February to November in 2011. Trophic levels(TLs) of fishes were determined by nitrogen stable isotope analysis. This study indicated that most of these trophic spectra had a single peak at trophic level(TL) of 3.4–3.7, suggesting that demersal fish assemblages of Jiaozhou Bay were dominated by secondary consumers(eg. Pholis fangi and Amblychaeturichthys hexanema). The spatial and seasonal variations of trophic spectra of Jiaozhou Bay reflected the influence of fish reproduction, fishing pressure and migration of fishes. Two-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) showed that seasonal variations in trophic spectra in Jiaozhou Bay were significant(P <0.05), but variations among different areas were not significant( P >0.05). The trophic spectrum has been proved to be a useful tool to monitor the trophic structure of fish assemblages. This study highlighted the comprehensive application of fish biomass and abundance trophic spectra in the study on trophic structure of fish assemblages.展开更多
Background Since the late 1990s,bigheaded carps(largely silver carp[Hypophthalmichthys molitrix]but also bighead carp[H.nobilis])have established throughout the lower Mississippi River basin.Using previously studied o...Background Since the late 1990s,bigheaded carps(largely silver carp[Hypophthalmichthys molitrix]but also bighead carp[H.nobilis])have established throughout the lower Mississippi River basin.Using previously studied oxbow lakes in the lower White River basin,Arkansas,we compared current(2017,“post-carp”establishment)fish assemblages to historical(2002,“pre-carp”establishment)fish assemblages.Fish assemblages were comprehensively assessed using multiple gears,including boat electrofishing,mini-fyke nets,and experimental small-mesh gill nets.Results T-tests suggested that fish assemblage indices of richness,diversity,evenness,and dominance were often greater(P<0.05)during the post-carp period as reflected by boat electrofishing and experimental gill nets.However,all indices were generally similar(P>0.05)between the pre-carp and post-carp period with fish assemblages depicted using mini-fyke nets.Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analyses indicated that fish assemblages differed structurally between pre-carp and post-carp periods.Assemblage differences were linked to both small and large abundance changes for more than 20 species.Abundances of gizzard shad(Dorosoma cepedianum),emerald shiner(Notropis atherinoides),pugnose minnow(Opsopoeodus emiliae),crappies(Pomoxis spp.),bluegill(Lepomis macrochirus),orangespotted sunfish(L.humilis),and yellow bass(Morone mississippiensis)declined between the pre-carp and postcarp periods.Conversely,abundances of weed shiner(N.texanus),pallid shiner(Hybopsis amnis),longear sunfish(L.megalotis),buffalofishes(Ictiobus spp.),and gars(Lepisosteus spp.)generally increased during the same period.Conclusions Although not possible to conclude assemblage shifts were entirely related to bigheaded carps due to the absence of an appropriate reference system where carps did not establish,the wide establishment of these carps is one of the most pervasive changes to have occurred in the lower White River ecosystem during the past two decades.Thus,it is probable to conclude that post-carp establishment observations from this study were at least,in part,attributable to bigheaded carp establishment.Impacts of further range expansions by bigheaded carps in the White River and other lower Mississippi River sub-basins are unclear,though this study suggests probable effects on native fish assemblages,underscoring the need for further research and monitoring.展开更多
Understanding contributions of different environmental drivers to the structure and function of river biota is critical for biodiversity and environmental conservation.Yet,there is no consensus on which drivers have t...Understanding contributions of different environmental drivers to the structure and function of river biota is critical for biodiversity and environmental conservation.Yet,there is no consensus on which drivers have the greatest impact on fish diversity,especially in watersheds disturbed by multiple human activities.Fish taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional diversity at both alpha and beta dimensions and their environmental drivers were studied in a total of 84 river sites from three watersheds,Huai River watershed(HRW),Sui River watershed(SRW),and Yishusi River watershed(YRW)in the Eastern Huai River Basin of China.Results showed that rivers in the three watersheds had no significant difference in both taxonomic and functional alpha diversity.Rivers in the HRW had significantly higher phylogenetic alpha diversity.For taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity,the overall beta diversity and turnover component were significant higher in the HRW.For functional beta diversity,the overall beta diversity was significantly lower in the HRW.Multiple linear regression(MLR)and redundancy analysis(RDA)showed that local(e.g.,nutrients,dissolved oxygen,river width,transparency),regional(e.g.,wetland),climate(e.g.,temperature),and spatial variables structured alpha and beta fish diversity.Variation partitioning analysis indicated that the pure contributions of local and spatial variables were more important than that of climate and regional variables,which suggested that spatial effects and local environmental filtering were the main factors driving the beta diversity of fish assemblages in these rivers.The current study highlights the importance of considering multidimensional diversity and multiple environmental factors for conserving river fishes.展开更多
An explicit demonstration of the changes in fish assemblages is required to reveal the influence of damming on fish species.However,information from which to draw general conclusions regarding changes in fish assembla...An explicit demonstration of the changes in fish assemblages is required to reveal the influence of damming on fish species.However,information from which to draw general conclusions regarding changes in fish assemblages is insufficient because of the limitations of available approaches.We used a combination of acoustic surveys,gillnet sampling,and geostatistical simulations to document the spatiotemporal variations in the fish assemblages downstream of the Gezhouba Dam,before and after the third impoundment of Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR).To conduct a hydroacoustic identification of individual species,we matched the size distributions of the fishes captured by gillnet with those of the acoustic surveys.An optimum threshold of target strength of 50 dB re 1 m 2 was defined,and acoustic surveys were purposefully extended to the selected fish assemblages(i.e.,endemic Coreius species) that was acquired by the size and species selectivity of the gillnet sampling.The relative proportion of fish species in acoustic surveys was allocated based on the composition(%) of the harvest in the gillnet surveys.Geostatistical simulations were likewise used to generate spatial patterns of fish distribution,and to determine the absolute abundance of the selected fish assemblages.We observed both the species composition and the spatial distribution of the selected fish assemblages changed significantly after implementation of new flow regulation in the TGR,wherein an immediate sharp population decline in the Coreius occurred.Our results strongly suggested that the new flow regulation in the TGR impoundment adversely affected downstream fish species,particularly the endemic Coreius species.To determine the factors responsible for the decline,we associated the variation in the fish assemblage patterns with changes in the environment and determined that substrate erosion resulting from trapping practices in the TGR likely played a key role.展开更多
Fish species composition and spatio-temporal variability of the community were studied in a tropical seagrass meadow located in a lagoon in the eastern part of North Sulawesi. The diversity of fish community in the se...Fish species composition and spatio-temporal variability of the community were studied in a tropical seagrass meadow located in a lagoon in the eastern part of North Sulawesi. The diversity of fish community in the seagrass meadows was relatively high, with the Shannon-Wiener index ranging from 1.57 to 3.69. The family Apogonidae was the most dominant in abundance(8.27 ind./(100 m2)) and biomass(28.49 g/(100 m2)). At the species level,Apogon lateralis and Sphaeramia orbicularis were the most dominant species in abundance and biomass,respectively. For spatial distribution on species, the end, middle and mouth of the lagoon clustered together as a whole, which may be due to the substrate types found in those zones. The fish species, fish abundance and fish biomass were greater in the dry and wet seasons than in the transition season, which is explained by the strong monsoon, which provides a more suitable environment and food for the fish. The maximum length of 93.10% of the captured species was less than their length at maturity, indicating that seagrass meadows are nursery habitats for many fishes. Therefore, protection of the seagrass meadows is essential for fisheries and sustainable resource utilization.展开更多
Using seasonally collected data(2009-2010) from 15 sampling sites that represent first- to fifth-order streams within the Qingyi watershed,we examined the spatio-temporal patterns of fish assemblages along two longitu...Using seasonally collected data(2009-2010) from 15 sampling sites that represent first- to fifth-order streams within the Qingyi watershed,we examined the spatio-temporal patterns of fish assemblages along two longitudinal gradients to explore the effects of a large dam on fish assemblages at the watershed scale.No significant variation was observed in either species richness or assemblage structure across seasons.Species richness significantly varied according to stream order and gradient.Dam construction appeared to decrease species richness upstream substantially,while a significant decrease between gradients only occurred within fourth-order streams.Along the gradient without the large dam,fish assemblage structures presented distinct separation between two neighboring stream orders,with the exception of fourth-order versus fifth-order streams.However,the gradient disrupted by a large dam displayed the opposite pattern in the spatial variation of fish assemblages related with stream orders.Significant between-gradient differences in fish assemblage structures were only observed within fourth-order streams.Species distributions were determined by local habitat environmental factors,including elevation,substrate,water depth,current discharge,wetted width,and conductivity.Our results suggested that dam construction might alter the longitudinal pattern in fish species richness and assemblage structure in Qingyi Stream,despite the localized nature of the ecological effect of dams.展开更多
The spatial and temporal characteristics of trophic structure of fish communities in the southern Huanghai Sea were examined based on the data sampled from bottom trawl surveys conducted during the autumn of 2000 and ...The spatial and temporal characteristics of trophic structure of fish communities in the southern Huanghai Sea were examined based on the data sampled from bottom trawl surveys conducted during the autumn of 2000 and the spring of 2001. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster method and bootstrap randomization were used to identify significant trophic groups for each fish assemblage in the southern Huanghai Sea. A total of six major trophic groups were identified within this system, which classified predators based upon location in the water column or prey size （ i. e. , benthic to pelagic predators or fish to small invertebrate prey predators）. The similarity level used to identify significant trophic groups in each assemblage ranged from 24% to 34%. Although planktivores were the dominant trophic group in each assemblage （60% - 79% ）, there were spatial and temporal variations in the trophic structure, which reflected the differences in the abundance and availability of dominant preys. Simplified food webs were constructed to evaluate the most important trophic relationships between the dominant prey taxa and the fishes in each assemblage within this system. Although there were some differences in the key prey species among different food webs, pelagic prey items （mainly euphausiids and copepods） represent the most important energetic link between primary producers and higher trophic level predators. The trophic level for most fishes was between 3 and d, and the weighted mean trophic level for each assemblage ranged from 3.3 to 3.4. Compared with previous study in the mid-1980s, there was an obvious downward trend in the trophic level for most fish species, which resulted mainly from the fluctuation in key prey species in the Huanghai Sea. The decrease in the importance of Japanese anchovy seems to be offset by other abundant prey species such as Euphausia pacifica and copepods （ mainly Calanus sinicus ） .展开更多
Short-term tidal and diel variations of autumn fish assemblage in a Zostera marina bed were investigated using 3 h interval samplings for 24 h in both spring and neap tide using a small beam trawl.A total of 1 346 fis...Short-term tidal and diel variations of autumn fish assemblage in a Zostera marina bed were investigated using 3 h interval samplings for 24 h in both spring and neap tide using a small beam trawl.A total of 1 346 fishes belonging to 19 species were collected at spring tide,whereas 1 115 fishes belonging to 17 species were at neap tide.The common fish species were Nuchequula nuchalis,Acanthogobius flavimanus,Takifugu niphobles,Acentrogobius pflaumii,and Pholis nebulosa with the former three species dominating at spring tide,while the latter two species being abundant at neap tide.Diel variation in abundance was significant with higher abundance at night than day,but there were no significant differences between spring and neap tides,and between ebb and flood tides（three-way ANOVAs）.Diel variation in the abundance of fishes may be influenced by tidal range and cycle,and day-night differences of food availability and behaviors of fishes indirectly.Non-metric multidimensional scaling（n MDS） ordination and analysis of similarity（ANOSIM） results revealed significant differences in species compositions both between day and night,and between spring and neap tide.Eelgrass beds are highly productive marine ecosystem,and thus,our results will contribute to conservation of seagrass ecosystem in the study area.展开更多
Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters were analyzed based on data from bottom trawl surveys conducted on the R/V Beidou in June, August and Oct...Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters were analyzed based on data from bottom trawl surveys conducted on the R/V Beidou in June, August and October 2006. Four fish assemblages were identified in each survey using two-way indicator species analysis (TWIA). High fish biomass was found in the northern part, central part and coastal waters of the survey area; in contrast, high fish diversity was found in the southern part of the survey area and the Changjiang estuary outer waters. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain high fishery production when high fish diversity is evenly distributed in the fish community. Fish became smaller and fish size spectra tended to be narrower because of fish species variations and differences in growth characteristics. Fish diversity increased, the age to maturity was reduced and some migrant species were not collected in the surveys. Fish with low economic value, small size, simple age structure and low tropic level were predominant in fish assemblages in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters. The lowest hypoxic value decreased in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters.展开更多
Objective The Early Cretaceous sediments are well-exposed in southern Jilin Province,and yield abundant invertebrate and plant fossils,including the typical EosestheriaEphemeropsis trisetalis-Lycoptera（E-E-L）assembl...Objective The Early Cretaceous sediments are well-exposed in southern Jilin Province,and yield abundant invertebrate and plant fossils,including the typical EosestheriaEphemeropsis trisetalis-Lycoptera（E-E-L）assemblage of the Jehol Biota（Shao Tiequan et al.,2017）.However,vertebrate fossils,especially tetrapods,are extremely rare and there is no formal documents on these fossils.Recently,a new fossil site dominated by fishes and turtles has been discovered in the middle part of the展开更多
Seagrass ecosystems support high biodiversity and productivity and constitute critical links to adjacent ecosystems. However, there is a growing concern that increasing recreational navigation may affect its ecologica...Seagrass ecosystems support high biodiversity and productivity and constitute critical links to adjacent ecosystems. However, there is a growing concern that increasing recreational navigation may affect its ecological processes and functions, which may affect its recreational and tourism values, compromising local economies and livelihoods. The long-term impacts (1996-2011) of recreational navigation on seagrass benthic community structure were assessed by addressing the question of whether long-term effects of recreational navigation had a significant impact on seagrass community structure and on its benthic faunal assemblages. Findings evidenced: 1) a consistent spatio-temporal gradient in the ecological conditions of seagrasses across the scoured areas, with increased percent seagrass cover, density and canopy height, and seagrass benthic biodiversity with increasing distance from disturbed areas;2) a decline in percent seagrass cover, and an increased macroalgal and cyanobacterial percent cover through time around the disturbed areas;3) a significant shift in seagrass assemblage biodiversity as a response to boating that followed the intermediate disturbance hypothesis;4) an adverse effect on the spatial distribution and survival of multiple benthic invertebrate taxa;and 5) a significant decline in cnidarians, echinoids, ophiuroids, holothurians, and gastropods, and an increase in polychaetes, platyhelminths, and hermit crabs, particularly in areas exposed to boating. Spatio-temporal variation in seagrass community structure explained the observed variation in benthic faunal assemblages. The long-term consequences on ecosystem functions and management needs are discussed to foster the conservation of seagrasses.展开更多
Objective:To study spatial and temporal variability of fish assemblage in the Shatt Al-Arab River.Methods:This study was conducted from December 2011 to November 2012.Water temperature,salinity,dissolved oxygen and tr...Objective:To study spatial and temporal variability of fish assemblage in the Shatt Al-Arab River.Methods:This study was conducted from December 2011 to November 2012.Water temperature,salinity,dissolved oxygen and transparency were measured from three sites in the river.Several fishing methods were adopted to collect fish including gill nets,cast net,electro-fishing and hook and lines.Associations between the distribution of fish species and the environmental variables were quantified by using canonical correspondence analysis.Results:The results showed that the fish assemblage consisted of 58 species representing 46 genera and 27 families belong to Osteichthyes except one(Carcharhinus leucas)relate to Chondrichthyes.Number of species increased in summer and autumn months and sharply decreased in winter.Tenualosa ilisha was the most abundant species comprising 27.4%of the catch,followed by Carassius auratus(23.7%)and Liza klunzingeri(10.6%).The dominance(D_(3))value for the main three abundant species was 61.7%.Nine species were caught for the first times from the river include eight marine.The overall values of diversity index ranged from 0.67 in March to 2.57 in October,richness index from 2.64 in January to 3.71 in September and evenness index from 0.22 in March to 0.73 in August.Conclusions:Spatially,the fish assemblages of Shatt Al-Arab River can be divided into three ecological fish guilds,namely,common species,seasonal species and occasional species.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 30490233 and 40906086the National Key Basic Research Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology under contract No. 2006CB400608
文摘Taxonomic diversity of fish assemblages in the Changjiang Estuary （Yangtze River Estuary） and its adjacent waters was analyzed based on bottom trawl surveys carried out by R/V Beidou in June, August and October 2006. Four groups of fishes were identified for each survey by the twoway indicator species analysis （TWIA）. Taxonomic distinctness, species richness and phylogenetic diversity were used to detect changes in taxonomic structure of fish assemblages. Most dominant fish species mainly belonged to Perciformes, Pleuronectiformes, Clupeiformes, Scorpaeniformes and Tetraodontiformes. Species richness in offshore waters of the survey area was higher than that in the other area. The average taxonomic distinctness value （AvTD,△^＋） of each fish assemblage was close to the average taxonomic distinctness of master list in the Changjiang Estuary （79.9）, and had a positive correlation with species richness and Shannon diversity index （H′）. A negative correlation was found between variations in taxonomic distinctness （VarTD, A^＋） and traditional diversity indices, which were caused by fish species component that led to longer average path lengths among species. Taxonomic diversity index （△） had the similar results with species richness, Ht, Simpson diversity index （D） and Pielou＇s evenness index （J′）. VarTD also kept stable, which further certificated that fish assemblages and ecological environment were in equilibrium. Taxonomic distinctness index （△^＋） was relatively stable in most of fish assemblages, and had higher values in some fish assemblages for a few absolutely dominant species. The present study showed that fish community formed new equilibrium stability in 2006 in the Changjiang Estuary when compared with those in the corresponding months of annual survey from 1985 to 1986. And AvTD in each sampling station was lower than AvTD of master list in the Changjiang Estuary, so some ecological niches were absent in each sampling stations from taxonomic or phylogenetic relationships, these would be helpful to stock natural resource and maintain ecological equilibruim of fish assemblages.
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program, No. 2006AA100303)the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2011CB111608)partially supported by the Maine Sea Grant College Program at the University of Maine in the USA
文摘Habitat plays a critical role in regulating fish community structure. Using the data collected from a monthly trammel net survey in Ma'an archipelago off the east coast of China, we evaluated impacts of five different habitats(artificial reefs, mussel farms, cage aquaculture, rocky reefs and soft bottom) on fish assemblages. This study suggests that artificial reefs(AR) have significantly higher species richness, abundance and diversity than mussel farms(MF) or soft bottom(SB) habitats during most seasons, and that fish taxa in the AR habitats are similar to those in the rocky reef(RR) habitats. Two different fish assemblage patterns were revealed in the study area using non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination: an assemblage dominated by reef fishes(especially by Scorpaenidae species) in AR, RR and cage aquaculture(CA) habitats and an assemblage dominated by Sciaenidae species in MF and SB habitats. We suggest that reef fishes play a key role in differentiating fish community structures in the study area. Although few differences in fish abundance and diversity were found between the CA and SB habitats, a more diverse age structure was observed in the CA habitats. A much more complex fish assemblage and enhanced population of local species were established as a result of the presence of both floating and fixed artificial structures, probably through improved survival rates.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41006083)the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation,China(No.ZR2010DQ026)+1 种基金the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China(No.20120132130001)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.201262004)
文摘Trophic structure of fish communities is fundamental for ecosystem-based fisheries management, and trophic spectrum classifies fishes by their positions in food web, which provides a simple summary on the trophic structure and ecosystem function. In this study, both fish biomass and abundance trophic spectra were constructed to study the spatial and seasonal variations in the trophic structure of demersal fish assemblages in Jiaozhou Bay, China. Data were collected from four seasonal bottom trawl surveys in Jiaozhou Bay from February to November in 2011. Trophic levels(TLs) of fishes were determined by nitrogen stable isotope analysis. This study indicated that most of these trophic spectra had a single peak at trophic level(TL) of 3.4–3.7, suggesting that demersal fish assemblages of Jiaozhou Bay were dominated by secondary consumers(eg. Pholis fangi and Amblychaeturichthys hexanema). The spatial and seasonal variations of trophic spectra of Jiaozhou Bay reflected the influence of fish reproduction, fishing pressure and migration of fishes. Two-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) showed that seasonal variations in trophic spectra in Jiaozhou Bay were significant(P <0.05), but variations among different areas were not significant( P >0.05). The trophic spectrum has been proved to be a useful tool to monitor the trophic structure of fish assemblages. This study highlighted the comprehensive application of fish biomass and abundance trophic spectra in the study on trophic structure of fish assemblages.
基金U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service—Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission through the Gulf&Atlantic Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Speciesthe U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service—Lower Mississippi River Conservation CommitteeAdditional financial support and facilities were provided by the Aquaculture/Fisheries Center at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff(UAPB)
文摘Background Since the late 1990s,bigheaded carps(largely silver carp[Hypophthalmichthys molitrix]but also bighead carp[H.nobilis])have established throughout the lower Mississippi River basin.Using previously studied oxbow lakes in the lower White River basin,Arkansas,we compared current(2017,“post-carp”establishment)fish assemblages to historical(2002,“pre-carp”establishment)fish assemblages.Fish assemblages were comprehensively assessed using multiple gears,including boat electrofishing,mini-fyke nets,and experimental small-mesh gill nets.Results T-tests suggested that fish assemblage indices of richness,diversity,evenness,and dominance were often greater(P<0.05)during the post-carp period as reflected by boat electrofishing and experimental gill nets.However,all indices were generally similar(P>0.05)between the pre-carp and post-carp period with fish assemblages depicted using mini-fyke nets.Nonmetric multidimensional scaling analyses indicated that fish assemblages differed structurally between pre-carp and post-carp periods.Assemblage differences were linked to both small and large abundance changes for more than 20 species.Abundances of gizzard shad(Dorosoma cepedianum),emerald shiner(Notropis atherinoides),pugnose minnow(Opsopoeodus emiliae),crappies(Pomoxis spp.),bluegill(Lepomis macrochirus),orangespotted sunfish(L.humilis),and yellow bass(Morone mississippiensis)declined between the pre-carp and postcarp periods.Conversely,abundances of weed shiner(N.texanus),pallid shiner(Hybopsis amnis),longear sunfish(L.megalotis),buffalofishes(Ictiobus spp.),and gars(Lepisosteus spp.)generally increased during the same period.Conclusions Although not possible to conclude assemblage shifts were entirely related to bigheaded carps due to the absence of an appropriate reference system where carps did not establish,the wide establishment of these carps is one of the most pervasive changes to have occurred in the lower White River ecosystem during the past two decades.Thus,it is probable to conclude that post-carp establishment observations from this study were at least,in part,attributable to bigheaded carp establishment.Impacts of further range expansions by bigheaded carps in the White River and other lower Mississippi River sub-basins are unclear,though this study suggests probable effects on native fish assemblages,underscoring the need for further research and monitoring.
基金supported by National Key R&D Program of China(2019YFD0901203)Chinese Academy of Sciences(Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences QYZDB-SSW-SMC041,Key Strategic Program ZDRW-ZS-2017-3-2)State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology(2019FBZ02).
文摘Understanding contributions of different environmental drivers to the structure and function of river biota is critical for biodiversity and environmental conservation.Yet,there is no consensus on which drivers have the greatest impact on fish diversity,especially in watersheds disturbed by multiple human activities.Fish taxonomic,phylogenetic,and functional diversity at both alpha and beta dimensions and their environmental drivers were studied in a total of 84 river sites from three watersheds,Huai River watershed(HRW),Sui River watershed(SRW),and Yishusi River watershed(YRW)in the Eastern Huai River Basin of China.Results showed that rivers in the three watersheds had no significant difference in both taxonomic and functional alpha diversity.Rivers in the HRW had significantly higher phylogenetic alpha diversity.For taxonomic and phylogenetic beta diversity,the overall beta diversity and turnover component were significant higher in the HRW.For functional beta diversity,the overall beta diversity was significantly lower in the HRW.Multiple linear regression(MLR)and redundancy analysis(RDA)showed that local(e.g.,nutrients,dissolved oxygen,river width,transparency),regional(e.g.,wetland),climate(e.g.,temperature),and spatial variables structured alpha and beta fish diversity.Variation partitioning analysis indicated that the pure contributions of local and spatial variables were more important than that of climate and regional variables,which suggested that spatial effects and local environmental filtering were the main factors driving the beta diversity of fish assemblages in these rivers.The current study highlights the importance of considering multidimensional diversity and multiple environmental factors for conserving river fishes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51079089)Key Project of the National Twelfth-Five Year Research Program of China (Grant No.2012BAC06B04)the Ecological and Environmental Monitoring Programs of China Three Gorges Project Corporation (Grant Nos. 241202004and SXSN/2726)
文摘An explicit demonstration of the changes in fish assemblages is required to reveal the influence of damming on fish species.However,information from which to draw general conclusions regarding changes in fish assemblages is insufficient because of the limitations of available approaches.We used a combination of acoustic surveys,gillnet sampling,and geostatistical simulations to document the spatiotemporal variations in the fish assemblages downstream of the Gezhouba Dam,before and after the third impoundment of Three Gorges Reservoir(TGR).To conduct a hydroacoustic identification of individual species,we matched the size distributions of the fishes captured by gillnet with those of the acoustic surveys.An optimum threshold of target strength of 50 dB re 1 m 2 was defined,and acoustic surveys were purposefully extended to the selected fish assemblages(i.e.,endemic Coreius species) that was acquired by the size and species selectivity of the gillnet sampling.The relative proportion of fish species in acoustic surveys was allocated based on the composition(%) of the harvest in the gillnet surveys.Geostatistical simulations were likewise used to generate spatial patterns of fish distribution,and to determine the absolute abundance of the selected fish assemblages.We observed both the species composition and the spatial distribution of the selected fish assemblages changed significantly after implementation of new flow regulation in the TGR,wherein an immediate sharp population decline in the Coreius occurred.Our results strongly suggested that the new flow regulation in the TGR impoundment adversely affected downstream fish species,particularly the endemic Coreius species.To determine the factors responsible for the decline,we associated the variation in the fish assemblage patterns with changes in the environment and determined that substrate erosion resulting from trapping practices in the TGR likely played a key role.
基金The China-Indonesia Maritime Cooperation Fund Project "China-Indonesia Bitung Ecological Station Establishment"the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 41676096 and 41506123+3 种基金the Biodiversity of Coastal Ecosystem,Kema,North Sulawesithe Scientific Research Foundation of Third Institute of Oceanography,SOA under contract No.2015024the National Key Research and Development Program of China under contract Nos 2017YFC1405101 and2017YFC0506105the Public Science and Technology Research Funds Projects of Ocean under contract No.201505009
文摘Fish species composition and spatio-temporal variability of the community were studied in a tropical seagrass meadow located in a lagoon in the eastern part of North Sulawesi. The diversity of fish community in the seagrass meadows was relatively high, with the Shannon-Wiener index ranging from 1.57 to 3.69. The family Apogonidae was the most dominant in abundance(8.27 ind./(100 m2)) and biomass(28.49 g/(100 m2)). At the species level,Apogon lateralis and Sphaeramia orbicularis were the most dominant species in abundance and biomass,respectively. For spatial distribution on species, the end, middle and mouth of the lagoon clustered together as a whole, which may be due to the substrate types found in those zones. The fish species, fish abundance and fish biomass were greater in the dry and wet seasons than in the transition season, which is explained by the strong monsoon, which provides a more suitable environment and food for the fish. The maximum length of 93.10% of the captured species was less than their length at maturity, indicating that seagrass meadows are nursery habitats for many fishes. Therefore, protection of the seagrass meadows is essential for fisheries and sustainable resource utilization.
基金Foundation items： This study was financially supported by the National Basic Research Program of China （2009CB119200） and the Natural Science Foundation of China （31071900, 31172120）
文摘Using seasonally collected data(2009-2010) from 15 sampling sites that represent first- to fifth-order streams within the Qingyi watershed,we examined the spatio-temporal patterns of fish assemblages along two longitudinal gradients to explore the effects of a large dam on fish assemblages at the watershed scale.No significant variation was observed in either species richness or assemblage structure across seasons.Species richness significantly varied according to stream order and gradient.Dam construction appeared to decrease species richness upstream substantially,while a significant decrease between gradients only occurred within fourth-order streams.Along the gradient without the large dam,fish assemblage structures presented distinct separation between two neighboring stream orders,with the exception of fourth-order versus fifth-order streams.However,the gradient disrupted by a large dam displayed the opposite pattern in the spatial variation of fish assemblages related with stream orders.Significant between-gradient differences in fish assemblage structures were only observed within fourth-order streams.Species distributions were determined by local habitat environmental factors,including elevation,substrate,water depth,current discharge,wetted width,and conductivity.Our results suggested that dam construction might alter the longitudinal pattern in fish species richness and assemblage structure in Qingyi Stream,despite the localized nature of the ecological effect of dams.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No.30490233the National Basic Research Program ("973"Program) of China under contract Nos2006CB400608 and 2005CB422306
文摘The spatial and temporal characteristics of trophic structure of fish communities in the southern Huanghai Sea were examined based on the data sampled from bottom trawl surveys conducted during the autumn of 2000 and the spring of 2001. Hierarchical agglomerative cluster method and bootstrap randomization were used to identify significant trophic groups for each fish assemblage in the southern Huanghai Sea. A total of six major trophic groups were identified within this system, which classified predators based upon location in the water column or prey size （ i. e. , benthic to pelagic predators or fish to small invertebrate prey predators）. The similarity level used to identify significant trophic groups in each assemblage ranged from 24% to 34%. Although planktivores were the dominant trophic group in each assemblage （60% - 79% ）, there were spatial and temporal variations in the trophic structure, which reflected the differences in the abundance and availability of dominant preys. Simplified food webs were constructed to evaluate the most important trophic relationships between the dominant prey taxa and the fishes in each assemblage within this system. Although there were some differences in the key prey species among different food webs, pelagic prey items （mainly euphausiids and copepods） represent the most important energetic link between primary producers and higher trophic level predators. The trophic level for most fishes was between 3 and d, and the weighted mean trophic level for each assemblage ranged from 3.3 to 3.4. Compared with previous study in the mid-1980s, there was an obvious downward trend in the trophic level for most fish species, which resulted mainly from the fluctuation in key prey species in the Huanghai Sea. The decrease in the importance of Japanese anchovy seems to be offset by other abundant prey species such as Euphausia pacifica and copepods （ mainly Calanus sinicus ） .
文摘Short-term tidal and diel variations of autumn fish assemblage in a Zostera marina bed were investigated using 3 h interval samplings for 24 h in both spring and neap tide using a small beam trawl.A total of 1 346 fishes belonging to 19 species were collected at spring tide,whereas 1 115 fishes belonging to 17 species were at neap tide.The common fish species were Nuchequula nuchalis,Acanthogobius flavimanus,Takifugu niphobles,Acentrogobius pflaumii,and Pholis nebulosa with the former three species dominating at spring tide,while the latter two species being abundant at neap tide.Diel variation in abundance was significant with higher abundance at night than day,but there were no significant differences between spring and neap tides,and between ebb and flood tides（three-way ANOVAs）.Diel variation in the abundance of fishes may be influenced by tidal range and cycle,and day-night differences of food availability and behaviors of fishes indirectly.Non-metric multidimensional scaling（n MDS） ordination and analysis of similarity（ANOSIM） results revealed significant differences in species compositions both between day and night,and between spring and neap tide.Eelgrass beds are highly productive marine ecosystem,and thus,our results will contribute to conservation of seagrass ecosystem in the study area.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30490233, 40906086)the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2006CB400608)Taishan Scholar Program of Shandong Province, Postdoctoral creative foundation of Shandong Province and the Yellow & Bohai Sea Scientific Observation and Experiment Station for Fishery Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture
文摘Fish assemblage structure in the hypoxic zone in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary and its adjacent waters were analyzed based on data from bottom trawl surveys conducted on the R/V Beidou in June, August and October 2006. Four fish assemblages were identified in each survey using two-way indicator species analysis (TWIA). High fish biomass was found in the northern part, central part and coastal waters of the survey area; in contrast, high fish diversity was found in the southern part of the survey area and the Changjiang estuary outer waters. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain high fishery production when high fish diversity is evenly distributed in the fish community. Fish became smaller and fish size spectra tended to be narrower because of fish species variations and differences in growth characteristics. Fish diversity increased, the age to maturity was reduced and some migrant species were not collected in the surveys. Fish with low economic value, small size, simple age structure and low tropic level were predominant in fish assemblages in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters. The lowest hypoxic value decreased in the Changjiang estuary and its adjacent waters.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grants No.41202012 and 41172009)China Geological Survey(grant No.1212011120149)+1 种基金the Project ‘‘111’’,China(grant No.B-06008)Shandong University of Science&Technology Research Fund(grant No.2015TDJH101)
文摘Objective The Early Cretaceous sediments are well-exposed in southern Jilin Province,and yield abundant invertebrate and plant fossils,including the typical EosestheriaEphemeropsis trisetalis-Lycoptera（E-E-L）assemblage of the Jehol Biota（Shao Tiequan et al.,2017）.However,vertebrate fossils,especially tetrapods,are extremely rare and there is no formal documents on these fossils.Recently,a new fossil site dominated by fishes and turtles has been discovered in the middle part of the
文摘Seagrass ecosystems support high biodiversity and productivity and constitute critical links to adjacent ecosystems. However, there is a growing concern that increasing recreational navigation may affect its ecological processes and functions, which may affect its recreational and tourism values, compromising local economies and livelihoods. The long-term impacts (1996-2011) of recreational navigation on seagrass benthic community structure were assessed by addressing the question of whether long-term effects of recreational navigation had a significant impact on seagrass community structure and on its benthic faunal assemblages. Findings evidenced: 1) a consistent spatio-temporal gradient in the ecological conditions of seagrasses across the scoured areas, with increased percent seagrass cover, density and canopy height, and seagrass benthic biodiversity with increasing distance from disturbed areas;2) a decline in percent seagrass cover, and an increased macroalgal and cyanobacterial percent cover through time around the disturbed areas;3) a significant shift in seagrass assemblage biodiversity as a response to boating that followed the intermediate disturbance hypothesis;4) an adverse effect on the spatial distribution and survival of multiple benthic invertebrate taxa;and 5) a significant decline in cnidarians, echinoids, ophiuroids, holothurians, and gastropods, and an increase in polychaetes, platyhelminths, and hermit crabs, particularly in areas exposed to boating. Spatio-temporal variation in seagrass community structure explained the observed variation in benthic faunal assemblages. The long-term consequences on ecosystem functions and management needs are discussed to foster the conservation of seagrasses.
文摘Objective:To study spatial and temporal variability of fish assemblage in the Shatt Al-Arab River.Methods:This study was conducted from December 2011 to November 2012.Water temperature,salinity,dissolved oxygen and transparency were measured from three sites in the river.Several fishing methods were adopted to collect fish including gill nets,cast net,electro-fishing and hook and lines.Associations between the distribution of fish species and the environmental variables were quantified by using canonical correspondence analysis.Results:The results showed that the fish assemblage consisted of 58 species representing 46 genera and 27 families belong to Osteichthyes except one(Carcharhinus leucas)relate to Chondrichthyes.Number of species increased in summer and autumn months and sharply decreased in winter.Tenualosa ilisha was the most abundant species comprising 27.4%of the catch,followed by Carassius auratus(23.7%)and Liza klunzingeri(10.6%).The dominance(D_(3))value for the main three abundant species was 61.7%.Nine species were caught for the first times from the river include eight marine.The overall values of diversity index ranged from 0.67 in March to 2.57 in October,richness index from 2.64 in January to 3.71 in September and evenness index from 0.22 in March to 0.73 in August.Conclusions:Spatially,the fish assemblages of Shatt Al-Arab River can be divided into three ecological fish guilds,namely,common species,seasonal species and occasional species.
