Linking habitat and life history for conservation of the rare saltmarsh topminnow Fundulus jenkinsi: morphometrics, reproduction, and trophic ecology

Lopez, John D.; Peterson, Mark S.; Lang, Erik T.; Charbonnet, Adriana M.

doi:10.3354/esr00294

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…These small resident species may move to interior marsh sites to seek refuge from predators (such as larger transient species) during high tide, while transient species may prefer to occupy edge habitats so they are able to quickly exit the marsh during low tide (Kneib and Wagner 1994;Peterson and Turner 1994;Kneib 1997). Resident species, such as salt marsh topminnow (F. jenkinsi), have also been found to use the interior marsh as spawning and foraging habitat (Lopez et al 2010;Lang et al 2012).…”

Section: Nekton Densities Within Marsh Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-analysis of Nekton Utilization of Coastal Habitats in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Hollweg

Christman

Cebrián

et al. 2019

Estuaries and Coasts

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Estuaries in the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) provide habitat for many ecologically, commercially, and recreationally important fish and crustacean species (i.e., nekton), but patterns of nekton abundance and community assemblages across habitat types, salinity zones, and seasons have not been described region-wide. Recognizing the wealth of information collected from previous and ongoing field sampling efforts, we developed a meta-analytical approach to aggregate nekton density data from separate studies (using different gear types) that can be used to answer key research questions. We then applied this meta-analytical approach to separate nekton datasets from studies conducted in the Gulf of Mexico to summarize patterns in nekton density across and within several estuarine habitat types, including marsh, oyster reefs, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), and open-water non-vegetated bottom (NVB). The results of the meta-analysis highlighted several important patterns of nekton use associated with these habitat types. Nekton densities were higher in structured estuarine habitats (i.e., marsh, oyster reefs, SAV) than in open-water NVB habitat. Marsh and SAV community assemblages were relatively similar to each other, but different from those associated with open-water NVB and oyster habitats. Densities of commercially and recreationally important crustacean and fish species were highest in saline marshes, thus demonstrating the importance of this habitat in the northern GOM. The results of our meta-analysis are generally consistent with previous site-specific studies in the region (many of which were included in the meta-analysis) and provide further evidence for these patterns at a regional scale. This meta-analytical approach is easy to implement for diverse research and management purposes, and provides the opportunity to advance understanding of the value and role of coastal habitats to nekton communities.

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Section: Nekton Densities Within Marsh Habitatmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meta-analysis of Nekton Utilization of Coastal Habitats in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Hollweg

Christman

Cebrián

et al. 2019

Estuaries and Coasts

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“…The inner marsh serves as habitat for resident salt-marsh nekton (e.g., Gulf Killifish, Sheepshead Minnow, Sailfin Molly, and grass shrimp; Kneib 2000;Minello and Rozas 2002). These smaller-bodied nekton species use tidal creeks and rivulets along the marsh edge to access the inner marsh at high tide (Rozas et al 1988;Kneib 1994;Bretsch and Allen 2006;Lopez et al 2010), and their interpatch movements are spatially limited (Chitty and Able 2004;Able et al 2012). Thus, anthropogenic fragmentation of salt-marsh habitat would limit these species' access to primary habitats and would negate small-scale, interpatch movements.…”

Section: Patterns In the Nekton Assemblagementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Coastal Urbanization on Salt‐Marsh Faunal Assemblages in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Lowe¹,

Peterson²

2014

Mar Coast Fish

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Coastal landscapes in the northern Gulf of Mexico, specifically the Mississippi coast, have undergone rapid urbanization that may impact the suitability of salt‐marsh ecosystems for maintaining and regulating estuarine faunal communities. We used a landscape ecology approach to quantify the composition and configuration of salt‐marsh habitats and developed surfaces at multiple spatial scales surrounding three small, first‐order salt‐marsh tidal creeks arrayed along a gradient of urbanization in two river‐dominated estuaries. From May 3 to June 4, 2010, nekton and macroinfauna were collected weekly at all six sites. Due to the greater abundance of grass shrimp Palaemonetes spp., brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus, blue crab Callinectes sapidus, Gulf Menhaden Brevoortia patronus, and Spot Leiostomus xanthurus, tidal creeks in intact natural (IN) salt‐marsh landscapes supported a nekton assemblage that was significantly different from those in partially urbanized (PU) or completely urbanized (CU) salt‐marsh landscapes. However, PU landscapes still supported an abundant nekton assemblage. In addition, the results illustrated a linkage between life history traits and landscape characteristics. Resident and transient nekton species that have specific habitat requirements are more likely to be impacted in urbanized landscapes than more mobile species that are able to exploit multiple habitats. Patterns were less clear for macroinfaunal assemblages, although they were comparatively less abundant in CU salt‐marsh landscapes than in either IN or PU landscapes. The low abundance or absence of several macroinfaunal taxa in CU landscapes may be viewed as an additional indicator of poor habitat quality for nekton. The observed patterns also suggested that benthic sediments in the CU salt‐marsh landscapes were altered in comparison with IN or PU landscapes. The amount of developed shoreline and various metrics related to salt marsh fragmentation were important drivers of observed patterns in nekton and macroinfaunal assemblages. Received September 14, 2013; accepted January 27, 2014

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“…Eisenhour (2004) concluded impoundments have caused Burrhead Chub extirpations in the Colorado River system and suggested a review of the species was necessary to evaluate the extent of decline. Furthermore, relationships between habitat alterations and life history attributes represent necessary information for successful conservation of rare and declining species (e.g., Lopez et al 2010). In particular, conservation of Burrhead Chub might be enhanced by addressing research needs in terms of natural history information, the extent of habitat connectivity required for persistence, ecological relationships with streamflow components, and predicting responses to river network restoration or management (Cooke et al 2012).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fragmentation and Drought Legacy Correlate with Distribution of Burrhead Chub in Subtropical Streams of North America

Perkin

Shattuck²,

Gerken

et al. 2013

Trans Am Fish Soc

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Burrhead Chub Macrhybopsis marconis is a species of special concern endemic to subtropical streams in south Texas. We documented life history attributes and historical patterns in abundance and distribution to aid in understanding range‐wide declines of the species among the Colorado and Guadalupe‐San Antonio River systems. Life history results suggest Burrhead Chub lives for 2 years, reaches sexual maturity at age‐1, and spawns multiple clutches during March–September. Review of museum vouchers revealed Burrhead Chub is now missing from 26% of its historical range, including most impounded stream segments. There was a significant difference in the size of stream fragments for which Burrhead Chub is missing or still persists. Timing of many extirpations occurred after fragmentation and coincided with a record drought (1949–1959) when range‐wide stream flows were exceedingly low during the Burrhead Chub reproductive season. Furthermore, extensive historical collections taken during 1950–1961 in the Guadalupe River revealed a decline in relative abundance in upstream reaches as the drought continued. Based on these data, we hypothesize that Burrhead Chub experienced range‐wide declines associated with historical drought conditions in desiccated stream fragments. Following the drought, stream flows recovered but recolonization by Burrhead Chub was blocked by impoundments in many fragments. These findings support previous linkages between stream connectivity, flow magnitude, and the persistence of fish populations while providing insight into the mechanisms driving freshwater fish declines in the plains of North America.

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Linking habitat and life history for conservation of the rare saltmarsh topminnow Fundulus jenkinsi: morphometrics, reproduction, and trophic ecology

Cited by 13 publications

References 34 publications

Meta-analysis of Nekton Utilization of Coastal Habitats in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Meta-analysis of Nekton Utilization of Coastal Habitats in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Effects of Coastal Urbanization on Salt‐Marsh Faunal Assemblages in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Fragmentation and Drought Legacy Correlate with Distribution of Burrhead Chub in Subtropical Streams of North America

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