Fish community structure and food chain dynamics in the surf-zone of sandy beaches: The role of detached macrophyte detritus

Robertson, Alistar; Lenanton, Rcj

doi:10.1016/0022-0981(84)90185-0

Cited by 127 publications

(75 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…In contrast to our findings, Robertson & Lenanton (1984) and Daniel & Robertson (1990) found a positive relationship between detritus biomass and densities or biomasses of epifaunal taxa. According to these authors, the detritus, i.e.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Nekton communities of an intertidal creek of a European estuarine brackish marsh

Cattrijsse¹,

Makwaia²,

Dankwa³

et al. 1994

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The utilization of an estuarine braclush marsh in the Westerschelde estuary (southwest Netherlands) by fish and crustaceans visiting the intertidal creeks at rising tides was investigated over an 18 mo period. Samples were collected every month over a tidal cycle. A stow net passively fished the nekton migrating in and out of the marsh habitat. Simultaneous measurements of current speed and waterheight allowed for quantification of the catches. Multivariate clustering and ordination techniques were applied to assess temporal changes in the nekton assemblage. A total of 68 fish and crustacean species were caught but only 38 were regular visitors of the marsh creek. The marsh nekton commun~ty proved to have a very stable character. Only 40% of the observed variance could be explained. The seasonal appearance of juvenile stages of fish and crustaceans was found to differentiate between spring and summer-autumn communities. The environmental variables measured (i.e. temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration and detritus standing stock) did not correlate well with the observed changes in community structure. The mysid shrimp Neomysis integer dominated the community, both in density and biomass, during most of the year. Early postlarval flounder Pleuronectes flesus characterized the spring nekton assemblage. Early postlarval brown shnmp Crangon crangon was abundant from spring through autumn. In late summer juveniles of seabass Dicentrarchus labrax, common goby Pomatoschstus microps and shore crab Carcinus rnaenas were typical members of the marsh creek nekton. The hyperbenthic fauna of the marsh was comparable to the hyperbenthos found in the adjacent subtidal parts of the Westerschelde estuary while the epifauna of both areas dlffered substantially. It is argued that the marsh under study is a nursery ground for only a small number of estuarine inhabitants: C. crangon, P. flesus, C, rnaenas, P. microps, D. labrax and possibly 2 mullet species. Adult flounder, adult and juvenile common goby, juvenile seabass and the early postlarval brown shrimp all use the creeks as feeding ground, mainly preying upon the creek infauna and mysids. Given the high abundance of hyperbenthic mysid shrimp in the marsh and their presumed role in detritus-based food chains, we believe marsh studies should not refrain from considering t h s component of the nekton. This is the first study reporting on the nekton use of a European marsh. The need for similar research in other European marshes is stressed.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Nekton communities of an intertidal creek of a European estuarine brackish marsh

Cattrijsse¹,

Makwaia²,

Dankwa³

et al. 1994

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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“…Salinity and plant abundance were negatively correlated to axis II (Table 3). (Ross et al, 1987;Giannini, 1994 (Robertson and Lenanton, 1984) in Manguinhos. Both species of catfish would be related to increasing plant abundance in Gargaú, which has been used as shelter for young-of-the-year, seeking better chances of recruitment success.…”

Section: Archosargus Probatocephalusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial and temporal variations of diurnal ichthyofauna on surf-zone of São Francisco do Itabapoana beaches, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Gomes

Cunha

Zalmon

2003

Braz. arch. biol. technol.

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Spatial and temporal variations of diurnal ichthyofauna and the environmental variables influences on its distribution were studied at the surf-zone of three beaches of São Francisco do Itabapoana, northern coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From August/1999 to August/2000, three beach seine hauls were made monthly, and environmental variables were recorded. A total number of 4,562 fishes (74,155g) were sampled at the three beaches, where estuarine-dependent species prevailed (44%), followed by marine (31%), estuarine (19%) and freshwater species (3%). Species richness, number of individuals and wet weight were significantly higher at Gargaú, followed by Manguinhos and Barra do Itabapoana, respectively. Canonical Correspondence Analysis highlighted influences of the rivers flushing, salinity and plant abundance on the diurnal ichthyofauna distribution and dynamics of São Francisco do Itabapoana surf-zone.

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“…It is well established that fish will reliably flock to structure of many forms, ranging from artificial reefs and other fish attraction devices to floating algae (Orth et al, 1984;Holbrook and Schmitt, 1984;Robertson and Lenanton, 1984;Walsh, 1985;Diamant et al, 1986;Jara and Cespedes, 1994;Basset, 1994;Brandon et al, 1994;West et al, 1994). Thus, it may be that the aerial roots, tree trunks and overhanging branches of mangrove forests actively attract fish independent of the secondary effects of structure such as reduced predation and increased food availability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why do juvenile fish utilise mangrove habitats?

Laegdsgaard

Johnson

2001

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

476

298

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Three hypotheses to discern the strong positive association between juvenile fish and mangrove habitat were tested with field and laboratory experiments. Artificial mangrove structure in the field attracted slightly more juvenile fish than areas without structure. Artificial structure left to accumulate fouling algae attracted four-times the total number of juvenile fish than areas without structure or areas with clean structure. Community composition of fish attracted to structure with fouling algae was different when compared with areas with no structure or clean structure; five species were attracted by structure with fouling algae whilst two species were associated with structure regardless of fouling algae. Algae were linked to increased food availability and it is suggested that this is an important selection criteria for some species. Other species were apparently attracted to structure for different reasons, and provision of shelter appears to be important. Predation pressure influenced habitat choice in small juvenile fish in laboratory experiments. In the absence of predators, small juveniles of four out of five species avoided shelter but when predators were introduced all species actively sought shelter. Large fish were apparently less vulnerable to predators and did not seek shelter when predators were added to their tank. Feeding rate was increased in the mangrove habitat for small and medium-sized fish compared with seagrass beds and mudflats indicating increased food availability or foraging efficiency within this habitat. Larger fish fed more effectively on the mudflats with an increased feeding rate in this habitat compared with adjacent habitats. The most important aspect of the mangrove habitat for small juvenile fish is the complex structure that provides maximum food availability and minimises the incidence of predation. As fish grow a shift in habitat from mangroves to mudflat is a response to changes in diet, foraging efficiency and vulnerability to predators.

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Fish community structure and food chain dynamics in the surf-zone of sandy beaches: The role of detached macrophyte detritus

Cited by 127 publications

References 21 publications

Nekton communities of an intertidal creek of a European estuarine brackish marsh

Nekton communities of an intertidal creek of a European estuarine brackish marsh

Spatial and temporal variations of diurnal ichthyofauna on surf-zone of São Francisco do Itabapoana beaches, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Why do juvenile fish utilise mangrove habitats?

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