Species Composition and Diversity of Fish Larvae and Juveniles in the Surf Zone of the Yangtze River Estuary

Abstract

Zoological Research 长江口沿岸碎波带仔稚鱼的种类组成及其多样性特征Abstract: This study investigated species composition and diversity of fish larvae and juveniles in the surf zone of the Yangtze River estuary to reveal the importance of this habitat as a fish nursery ground. Fish larvae and juveniles were collected monthly at 13 stations on the spring tide during July 2006 and June 2007. Samples were conducted along the surf zone (depth of 0.5-1.5 m) using a seine net (1 m×4 m, 1 mm mesh-aperture). Each haul was made parallel to the shore for a distance of about 50 m. A total of 49 045 fish larvae and juveniles were collected representing 84 species from 31 families. They included 16 marine species, 30 estuarine species, 4 diadromous species and 34 freshwater species. Coilia nasus was the most dominant species accounting for 82.63% of the total. The number of species, individual and abundance were lower in winter with the minimum number in March and maximum in summer. The Margalef index was relatively low between

Patterns of larval fish assemblages along the direction of freshwater input within the southern branch of the Yangtze Estuary, China: implications for conservation

“…Multiple measures have been applied to mitigate the negative effects of environmental changes on fish resources in the Yangtze Estuary, such as closed fishing seasons, chartered fishing on typical populations, and establishing of nature reserves (Zhuang et al 2006). However, declines of fish resources in the estuary have not subsided (Zhuang et al 2006;Jiang et al 2009). Patterns of larval fish assemblages reflect the spawning and nursery functions of an estuary for fish (Strydom 2015;Teodosio and Garel 2015;Jiang et al 2016).…”

“…Previous studies on larval fish assemblages in the Yangtze Estuary have focused mainly on areas outside of the mouth (Liu et al 2008;Liu and Xian 2009;Jiang et al 2016). Detailed information covering the larval fish assemblage inside of the mouth is limited, with few exceptions describing the distribution of larvae and juveniles in the surf zones (Zhong et al 2005;Jiang et al 2009). In this study, we investigated larval fish assemblages and environmental factors monthly throughout a year across three sections within the SBYE.…”

The spatial pattern of larval fish assemblages in the lower reach of the Yangtze River: potential influences of river–lake connectivity and tidal intrusion

“…There was also some research conducted regarding both abundance and assemblage structure of larval fish in the estuary (Zhong et al, 2005;Jiang et al, 2010). However, until this study, there has been no research into the spatial and temporal patterns of larval fish in the lower reach.…”

Spatial distribution patterns of fish egg and larval assemblages in the lower reach of the Yangtze River: Potential implications for conservation and management

“…In addition, some studies have reported adverse effects of the Three Gorges Dam on populations of these four species (Li et al, 2011;Song et al, 2017). Other studies have focused on the distribution and assemblage structure of larval fish, although these surveys have mainly been conducted in the estuary (Jiang, Zhong & Zhou, 2010;Gao et al, 2018) and tributaries of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (Liu et al, 2014;Wang H. et al, 2017). However, research on the early life stages of fishes is rare in the lower reach of the Yangtze River, with the exception of our previous study, which investigated monthly occurrences of larval fish, described the annual composition of larval assemblages, identified the prevailing fish spawning season (mid-April to mid-August), and implied potential influences of landscape patterns in the lower reaches (Ren et al, 2016).…”