Abundance, Distribution and Species Composition of Fish Larvae in the Swartkops Estuary

Melville‐Smith, Roy; Baird, D.

doi:10.1080/02541858.1980.11447689

Cited by 63 publications

(39 citation statements)

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“…However G. aestuaria larvae were not recorded in any of the subsequent 24 h sessions, despite the fact that early life stages of this species were concurrently abundant in the lake-like upper reaches of the system (Whitfield 1989). A possible explanation could be that G. aestuaria spawn predominantly in the upper reaches of estuaries which are open (Melville-Smith & Baird 1980, Talbot 1982 and also avoid being swept out to sea by virtue of their vertical distribution in the water column when tidal currents are present (Melville-Smith et al 1981). Other Group 3 species (e.g.…”

Section: G --E Ebbmentioning

confidence: 91%

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Ichthyoplankton interchange in the mouth region of a southern African estuary

Whitfield¹

1989

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Migration patterns of ichthyoplankton in the seasonally open Swartvlei estuary were monitored during 1986/87 with particular emphasis on exchange between the estuary and sea. Four groups of fishes are recognised in the area accorhng to breeding and recruitment strategies. Group 1 consists of species (e.g. Rhabdosargus holubj and Monodactylus falciformis) which spawn at sea, enter the estuary mainly as postlarvae, and congregate along the margins or on the bottom where water current speeds are reduced. Group 2 species (e.g. Spondyljosorna ernarginatum and Etrumeus whitehead]] also spawn at sea, their larvae are swept into the estuary on the flood tide, but are returned to the marine environment on the ebb hde. Breeding and larval development of Group 3 species (e.g. Hippocampus capensis and Syngnathus acus) occur within the estuary, although some eggs and larvae are lost to the sea following opening of the mouth. Group 4 larvae (e.g. Psarnrnogobius knysnaensjs and Caffrogobius spp.), which hatch from demersal eggs in the estuary, leave the system on the ebb tide before returning several weeks later as postlarvae. Die1 ichthyoplankton density changes in the lower reaches of the Swartvlei estualy revealed that movements of larvae and postlarvae between the estuary and marine environment occurred malnly during twilighWnocturna1 hours. The above data, together with a hydrodynamic model of the estuary, has enabled the quantification of ichthyoplankton exchange over specific 24 h periods.

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Section: G --E Ebbmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Ichthyoplankton includes both larval forms and the transihonal stage between larva and juvenile, which is called the metamorphic larva (Melville-Smith 1978) or postlarva.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ichthyoplankton interchange in the mouth region of a southern African estuary

Whitfield¹

1989

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Terminology used follows that of and Melville-Smith & Baird (1980) where a 'fish larva' is defined as the developmental stage from the moment of hatching to the period of metamorphosis into a juvenile fish. The juvenile stage is the stage between acquisition of the minimum adult fin ray complement and sexual maturity.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The extent to which fish larvae utilize the estuarine environment is, however, poorly understood. Past research on estuarine ichthyoplankton has concentrated on the Swartkops estuary in the eastern Cape and Swartvlei system in the southern Cape (Melville- Smith & Baird 1980;Beckley 1985;Whitfield 1989aWhitfield , 1989b. In this paper the species composition, seasonal abundance and distribution of fish larvae within the Sundays River estuary are outlined, thus complementing the studies of Beckley (1984) and Marais (1981) who investigated the juvenile and adult components, respectively, of this fish community.…”

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confidence: 99%

Composition, distribution and abundance of ichthyoplankton in the Sundays River Estuary

Harrison

Whitfield

1990

South African Journal of Zoology

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“…The fish fauna has received particular attention in the Sundays, Swartkops, Gamtoos, Kromme, Swartvlei and Knysna estuaries (Winter 1979;Marais & Baird 198Oa, 1980b;Melville-Smith & Baird 1980;Melville-Smith 1981;Marais 1981Marais ,1982Marais , 1983aMarais , 1983bBeckley, L.E. 1983, unpubl.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%