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Distribution pattern of fish in a mangrove estuary. In: Mangrove dynamics and management in North Brazil. Ecological Studies 211

Abstract

The present study describes the seasonal changes of the fish species composition in three areas of the main channel of the Caeté River estuary, Brazil. The fish faunas of each habitat differed in density, biomass and species composition. Mean fish density and biomass for the Caeté River estuary channel was 0.25 individuals m−2 and 0.9 g m2, respectively. Analysis of catch data showed that the number and biomass of species, total density and total biomass differed significantly between areas and seasons. In the Caeté estuary, seasonal salinity fluctuations appeared to be the main factor that structured the fish assemblage in the entire estuarine system. At least 85% of the species captured by the artisanal and subsistence fisheries in the Bragantine region required estuarine conditions to complete their life cycle. The mangrove forest along the northern Brazilian coast is not flooded during low tide. Nevertheless, many fish species remain in the mangrove forest during this time where a total density of 2.8 ind. m−2 and a total biomass of 17.4 g m−2 were recorded. Myrophis punctatus is the most important species in number (1.7 ind. m−2) and weight (12.7 g m−2). The densities and biomass for the three dominant species (M. punctatus, Poecilia spp. and Gobionellus smaragdus) differ significantly temporally. At high tide, in the mangrove tidal creeks, the species number varies significantly among creeks, and total fish biomass differs significantly among seasons.

Cite this activity

Barletta M. and Saint-Paul U. (2010) Distribution pattern of fish in a mangrove estuary. In: Saint-Paul U. & Schneider H. (eds.). Mangrove dynamics and management in North Brazil. Ecological Studies 211 (pp. 171-188). 10.1007/978-3-642-13457-9_11

Details

Date 01.01.2010
Pages 171-188
Book Title Mangrove dynamics and management in North Brazil. Ecological Studies 211
Editors Saint-Paul U. and Schneider H.
ISBN 978-3-642-13456-2
ISSN 0070-8356
Open Access Closed Access
Open Access Status Closed Access
Eprints_link https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/955

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