Fishes of a subtropical Australian saltmarsh and their predation upon mosquitoes

Morton, R. M.; Beumer, John; Pollock, B. R.

doi:10.1007/bf00004862

Cited by 47 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Average food consumption and presumably time spent foraging by individual Gambusia also varies seasonally, with a peak in summer and a trough in winter (Morton et al, 1988). Morton et al (1988) found that in winter most Gambusia stomachs were empty, suggesting that most individuals were not feeding at all at the time, while a few stomachs were full, suggesting that these few individuals were feeding extensively.…”

Section: Foraging Diet Food Consumption Digestion and Food Conversionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…They forage throughout the day (Belk and Lydeard, 1994), with analysis of stomach contents suggesting two diurnal peaks in feeding activity, one in the morning and another around dusk (Hess and Tarzwell, 1942;Walters and Legner, 1980). Average food consumption and presumably time spent foraging by individual Gambusia also varies seasonally, with a peak in summer and a trough in winter (Morton et al, 1988). Morton et al (1988) found that in winter most Gambusia stomachs were empty, suggesting that most individuals were not feeding at all at the time, while a few stomachs were full, suggesting that these few individuals were feeding extensively.…”

Section: Foraging Diet Food Consumption Digestion and Food Conversionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Review of the Biology of Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki

Pyke

2005

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

375

429

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Section: Foraging Diet Food Consumption Digestion and Food Conversionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Foraging Diet Food Consumption Digestion and Food Conversionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Biology of Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki

Pyke

2005

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

375

429

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“…Initial work in Australia was done in single tidal creeks that drained the saltmarsh flats (Gibbs 1986, Morton et al 1987, Davis 1988, and in semi-permanent pools that remain on the flats after the tide has receded (Gibbs 1986, Davis 1988, Morton et al 1988. None of these studies, however, investigated whether fish actually occurred on the intertidal saltmarsh flats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fish use of subtropical saltmarshes in Queensland, Australia: relationships with vegetation, water depth and distance onto the marsh

Thomas¹,

Connolly²

2001

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Saltmarshes in subtropical Queensland, Australia, are assumed to provide habitat for fish, yet there has been no evidence as to whether fish actually occur on the intertidal flats that constitute the main area of marshes. Nor has there been any assessment of differences in fish use of vegetated habitat and the extensive unvegetated saltpans that occur naturally and because of human activities. Fish were sampled from the intertidal flats of 2 saltmarshes in subtropical Queensland using floorless, buoyant pop nets (25 m 2 ) on sets of spring high tides in summer (during day) and winter (at night). A total of 23 species was collected, with densities ranging up to 0.46 fish m -2 . Catches were dominated numerically by small, estuarine-resident species such as glassfish (Ambassidae) and gobies (Gobiidae). Economically important species such as bream (Sparidae), whiting (Sillaginidae) and mullet (Mugilidae) also contributed substantially (up to 92%) to the catch. Fish assemblages were compared in adjacent patches of intertidal vegetated and unvegetated habitat, at distances varying from 3 to 413 m onto the marsh. Fish densities were highly variable among patches on a marsh, and also varied between sampling periods and between marshes. Species richness and the densities of common species differed little between vegetated and unvegetated habitats. Two species, Mugilogobius stigmaticus and Atherinomorus ogilbyi, had higher densities in vegetated habitat, but only at 1 sampling time and marsh. Fish occurred at all distances onto the marsh. Species richness and the densities of some species were positively related to water depth and negatively related to distance onto the marsh at one, but not the other marsh. This study provides the first evidence that, despite the relatively low duration and frequency of inundation of marshes, there is widespread use by fish of intertidal saltmarsh flats in Australia.

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“…Strategies to control mosquito populations include habitat modification to maintain or restore tidal flooding, chemical control using non-specific chemicals to limit the abundance of adult mosquitoes, and biological control facilitated by the consumption of larvae by fish and shrimp (Morris et al 2002;Morton et al 1988;Morton et al 1987). Pseudomugil signifer, a small fish commonly found in saltmarsh, was found in laboratory studies to prey on mosquito larvae but was satiated at moderate densities (Willems et al 2005).…”

Section: Carbon and Aquatic Foodwebsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The significance and vulnerability of Australian saltmarshes: implications for management in a changing climate

Saintilan¹,

Rogers

2013

Mar. Freshwater Res.

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We review the distribution, status and ecology of Australian saltmarshes and the mechanisms whereby enhanced atmospheric carbon dioxide and associated climate change have influenced and will influence the provision of ecosystem goods and services. Research in temperate and subtropical saltmarsh has demonstrated important trophic contributions to estuarine fisheries, mediated by the synchronised massspawning of crabs, which feed predominantly on the C-4 saltmarsh grass Sporobolus virginicus and microphytobenthos. Saltmarshes also provide unique feeding and habitat opportunities for several species of threatened microbats and birds, including migratory shorebirds. Saltmarshes increased in extent relative to mangrove in Australia in both tide-and wave-dominated geomorphic settings through the latter Holocene, although historic trends have seen a reversal of this trend. Australian saltmarshes have some capacity to maintain elevation with respect to rising sea level, although in south-eastern Australia, the encroachment of mangrove and, in Tasmania, conversion of shrubland to herbfield in the past half-century are consistent with changes in relative sea level. Modelling of the impacts of projected sea-level rise, incorporating sedimentation and other surface-elevation drivers, suggests that the survival of saltmarsh in developed estuaries will depend on the flexible management of hard structures and other impediments to wetland retreat.

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Fishes of a subtropical Australian saltmarsh and their predation upon mosquitoes

Cited by 47 publications

References 15 publications

A Review of the Biology of Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki

A Review of the Biology of Gambusia affinis and G. holbrooki

Fish use of subtropical saltmarshes in Queensland, Australia: relationships with vegetation, water depth and distance onto the marsh

The significance and vulnerability of Australian saltmarshes: implications for management in a changing climate

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