天津近海鱼类群落结构及功能群组成初步研究

鱼类群落结构和功能群组成是了解水域生态系统的结构和功能的基础,本研究基于2018年4月、6—11月底拖网鱼类资源调查数据,分析了天津近海鱼类群落结构和功能群组成。调查共捕获鱼类23种,隶属于6目14科20属,主要以暖温性底层鱼类和中上层鱼类为主。优势种以矛尾鰕虎鱼(Chaetueichthysstigmatias)、六丝矛尾鰕虎鱼(Chaetueichthyshexanema)、短吻红舌鳎(Cynoglossusjoyneri)等小型鱼类为主,其中矛尾鰕虎鱼为各月共有优势种。根据月间CLUSTER聚类分析结果,可将天津近海鱼类群落分为3个组,其中,4月为一组,6—9月为一组,10—11月为一组。根据各鱼种饵料组成进行聚类分析,天津近海鱼类群落由浮游动物食性功能群、广食性功能群、杂食性功能群、虾/鱼食性功能群、鱼食性功能群和底栖动物食性功能群,其中杂食性功能群、虾/鱼食性功能群和广食性功能群为主要功能群。     

应用碳、氮稳定同位素技术分析胶州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的摄食习性

根据2011年5月在胶州湾进行的底拖网调查,应用碳、氮稳定同位素技术对胶州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼(Amblychaeturichthys hexanema)的饵料组成、营养级及其摄食习性的体长变化进行了研究。结果表明,胶州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼δ13C值范围为-19.57‰~-17.85‰,平均值为(-18.68±0.41)‰,其δ15N值变化范围为10.75‰~14.41‰,平均值为(13.08±0.76)‰。六丝钝尾虾虎鱼摄食的主要饵料类群为鱼类、蟹类、虾类、软体动物、小型甲壳类、多毛类和有机碎屑,其中小型甲壳类和软体动物对六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的营养贡献率最高,其次为蟹类、多毛类和虾类。经Person相关性检验发现,胶州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼δ15N值与体长呈显著正相关(P0.05),而δ13C值与体长相关性不显著(P0.05),说明随着体长的增加,六丝钝尾虾虎鱼倾向于摄食高营养级的饵料生物。根据δ15N值计算胶州湾六丝钝尾虾虎鱼的营养级变化范围为3.04~4.12,平均营养级为3.69±0.25,营养级与体长呈显著正相关(P0.05)。     

春、秋季东海大桥海上风电场水域鱼类群落结构

为探明工程建设后东海大桥风电场水域鱼类群落结构特征,作者利用等级聚类和多元统计等方法对该水域鱼类种类组成、优势种及群落结构进行分析。春、秋季共发现18种鱼类,隶属6目9科15属;鲈形目鱼类所占比例最高(50%),其中又以虾虎鱼科鱼类最高(44.4%)。春季优势种为短吻红舌鳎(Cynoglossus joyneri)、棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)、矛尾虾虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)和孔虾虎鱼(Trypauchen vagina),秋季优势种为棘头梅童鱼、龙头鱼(Harpadon nehereus)和凤鲚(Coilia mystus);棘头梅童鱼为春、秋季共同优势种。等级聚类和非度量多维标序排序表明,东海大桥风电场水域鱼类群落可分为春季和秋季2个组群,相似性检验(ANOSIM)显示2个组群差异极显著(R=0.851,P0.01)。生物与环境相关分析(BIOENV)表明温度和盐度是影响东海大桥风电场水域鱼类群落结构的最主要环境因子,两者结合因子与鱼类群落的相关系数为0.791。本研究发现,东海大桥风电场水域是棘头梅童鱼、凤鲚、龙头鱼等多种鱼类的育幼和索饵场所,群落结构具有典型的季节特征。     

秋季长江口鱼类浮游生物群落时空结构

根据1998—2009年11月长江口及其邻近海域7个航次的调查资料,探讨了秋季长江口鱼类浮游生物群落种类组成、群落结构及多样性时空变化特征。研究结果显示,7个秋季航次共捕获鱼类浮游生物969个(尾),隶属于10目19科33种,以鲈形目种类最多(7科9种)。秋季长江口鱼类浮游生物以沿岸型种类最多(12种),其次是半咸水(10种)和近海种类(9种),淡水种类最少(4种)。秋季长江口鱼类浮游生物优势种年度间演替显著,对鱼类浮游生物群落丰度贡献最大的种类包括:半咸水型的矛尾鰕虎鱼(Chaeturichthys stigmatias)和前颌间银鱼(Salanx prognathus)、沿岸型的康氏小公鱼(Stolephorus commersonnii)、近海型的鳀(Engraulis japonicus)和带鱼(Trichiurus lepturus)。2004年以后,长江口鱼类浮游生物种类数量、丰度和多样性均显著高于2004之前的调查航次。ANOSIM分析显示,长江口鱼类浮游生物群落结构年度间差异显著,且2007和2009年与其他年度不相似性最高。可以看出,秋季长江口鱼类浮游生物种类组成呈年度变异状态,2004年后长江口鱼类浮游生物群落结构变异最大,多样性呈增加趋势。     

2004和2007年春季长江口近海鱼类群落特征及其与环境因子的关系

根据2004年5月和2007年5月长江口近海渔业资源调查数据,应用双向指示种分析(TWINSPAN)和典范对应分析(CCA)方法,分析了春季长江口鱼类群落特征,探讨了春季长江口鱼类群聚结构及其与环境因子的关系。结果表明,2个春季航次共捕获鱼类生物9目25科36种,其中带鱼(Trichiurus lepturus)、黄鲫(Setipinna taty)、鳀(Engraulis japonicas)、竹荚鱼(Trachurus japonicas)、小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)和鲐(Scomber japonicas)为优势种。2004和2007年长江口近海鱼类存在4个生物群聚:以鲐为特征种的南部高温型、以带鱼为优势种的南部低温型、以竹荚鱼为代表的北部高温型和以黄鲫占绝对优势的北部低温型。影响2004和2007年长江口海域鱼类分布的主要环境因子为水深、底层总磷、表层悬浮体含量、底层盐度和表层温度。其中,水深、盐度和悬浮体含量驱动鱼类群聚空间变异,温度驱动了时间变异。与1999—2001年相比较,2004和2007年长江口鱼类群落发生显著变异,鱼类资源种类数量和生物量减少,优势种亦发生演替;水深、盐度、温度变异对鱼类群聚分布保持影响力,水域悬浮体含量成为鱼类群聚空间变异的重要驱动因素。     

海州湾近岸张网渔获物种类组成和资源利用现状分析

根据2011年3月~2012年12月海州湾沿岸定置张网调查资料,对海州湾张网渔获物组成进行比较分析。结果表明,张网渔获物组成具有明显的季节变化特征,春季以尖海龙(Syngnathus acus)、六丝钝尾虾虎鱼(Amblychaeturichthys hexanema)、双斑蟳(Charybdis bimaculata)、长蛸(Octopus variabilis)、方氏云鳚(Enedrias fangi)和口虾蛄(Oratosquilla oratoria)为主,秋季主要为小黄鱼(Larimichthys polyactis)、六丝钝尾虾虎鱼、三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)、日本枪乌贼(Loligo japonica)、鹰爪虾(Trachypenaeus curvirostris),冬季主要为六丝钝尾虾虎鱼、口虾蛄、鲜明鼓虾(Alpheus heterocarpus)、细鳌虾(Leptochela gracilis)和日本鼓虾(Alpheus Japonicus)。主要经济鱼类小黄鱼在9、10月产量最高,但达到可捕体长的小黄鱼不足1%,主要经济虾类鹰爪虾在9、10月产量最高,取样中69.46%的鹰爪虾达到可捕体长。渔捞日志记录表明,9月份单船平均网产达到最大值(17.01kg/net),12月份单船平均网产最低(2.87kg/net)。建议对张网渔业加强管理,开展生态型渔具渔法的研究,放大网目尺寸,加强对近海资源的养护。     

DNA条形码技术在仔稚鱼鉴定中的实践

对物种准确鉴定是进行生物多样性研究的前提。为提高物种鉴定的准确性,文章采用DNA条形码技术结合形态学对长江口仔稚鱼样品进行种类鉴定。结果表明,44个样品中,通过线粒体COI基因的分析鉴定有17个种、1个属;部分形态上难以鉴定的种类,如虾虎鱼科的矛尾虾虎鱼、斑尾刺虾虎鱼、睛尾蝌蚪虾虎鱼、褐吻虾虎鱼和斑点竿虾虎鱼,可通过DNA条形码实现有效鉴定;形态较为相似的种类,通过DNA条形码可鉴定到种,淡水鲤科的有青鱼、鲢、鳊,鲻科的有龟鮻和前鳞龟鮻。利用DNA条形码技术结合形态进行仔稚鱼种类的鉴定,能提高仔稚鱼鉴定的精确度。     

黄、东海Chl a浓度与环境因子的相关分析

本研究根据2003—2015年的叶绿素a浓度及海表温度、风速、光合有效辐射等环境资料的月平均数据,结合偏相关分析方法分析了黄、东海主要环境因子对9个生态特征区域浮游植物生长的影响,对黄、东海生态变化的预测具有重要意义。分析可得:黄、东海浮游植物生物量分布由大到小排列为长江口、台州列岛邻近海域、黄、东海交界处海域、东海南部,且外海浮游植物生物量小于近岸。叶绿素a浓度在黄、东海交界处海域外海与海表温度极显著负相关,在长江口与光合有效辐射显著正相关,在长江口外海与风速极显著负相关,在台州列岛与风速显著负相关,在南麂列岛与海表温度显著负相关,在福建近海与海表温度极显著负相关,在东海南部与风速极显著正相关,在黄、东海交界处的最相关环境因子有待增加其他环境因子进行分析。研究结果显示精细化研究每个生态代表性区域的最显著相关环境因子,能为海洋环境保护提供更精准的指导作用     

东海中南部鱼类群聚结构的空间特征

依据1997～2000年东海中南部(25°30'～29°00'N,120°30'～127°00'E)四个季节的底拖网调查资料,运用聚类分析和非度量多维标度(NMDS)的方法分析了东海中南部鱼类群聚结构的空间特征,结果显示,东海中南部鱼类群聚大致可分为近海群聚和外海群聚.在不同季节两个群聚的种类组成保持了相对的稳定,并且具有一定的持续性.近海群聚的特征种类为带鱼、发光鲷等.外海群聚的特征种类主要为黄鳍马面鲀、短尾大眼鲷、黄鲷等.鱼类群聚与环境因子水深有较好的相关关系.     

闽东近海游泳动物群落组成、资源量与生物多样性的时空格局研究

采用底拖网方法调查研究了闽东近海春季(5月)和秋季(10月)游泳动物群落组成、生物多样性、资源密度及时空分布格局等问题。调查中出现游泳动物70种(鱼类47种,甲壳类18种,头足类5种),隶属于15目40科64属,以鲈形目种类最多(25种)。鱼类是主要游泳动物群落,春季鱼类个体数和重量分别占总渔获的66.4%和72.3%,甲壳类分别占比33.4%和26.9%,头足类分别占比0.2%和0.8%;秋季,上述三个类群在总渔获中的占比分别为56.6%和60.4%、42.0%和37.8%以及1.4%和1.8%。春季优势种包括红狼牙虎鱼(Odontamblyopus rubicundus)、三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)、孔虎鱼(Trypauchen vagina)等10种,秋季优势种为龙头鱼(Harpadon nehereus)、三疣梭子蟹、六指马鲅(Polynemus sextarius)等7种;两个季节共有优势种包括三疣梭子蟹、日本 (Charybdis japonica)、龙头鱼、棘头梅童鱼(Collichthys lucidus)和六丝钝尾虎鱼(Amblychaeturichthys hexanema)5种。秋季的生物多样性指数和均匀度指数高于春季。春季平均资源密度为1013.7kg/km~2和10.2×10~4ind/km~2,高于秋季的平均值(899.0kg/km~2和6.6×10~4ind/km~2)。总体而言,鱼类是闽东近海主要的游泳动物类群,其资源密度从近岸向外海呈降低趋势,春季的资源密度高值出现在闽东外海中部水域,秋季高值则出现在南部的闽江口等水域;其春季的优势种种类多于秋季,存在一定程度季节性更替现象。     

Demersal fish assemblages off southern New Zealand in relation to depth and temperature

We examined the relationship between demersal fish assemblage and depth, temperature, latitude and longitude off southern New Zealand (46–54°S and 165–180°E) in water depths of 80–787 m. Catch weight data were analysed by two-way indicator analysis (TWIA), groupaverage agglomerative clustering (UPGMA) and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA). The spatial pattern of demersal fish off southern New Zealand conforms to the concept of species groups or fish assemblages related to environmental gradients. Shallow-water assemblages were dominated by species from the families Gempylidae, Squalidae, Triakidae and Moridae, mainly represented by Thyrsites atun, Squalus acanthias, Galeorhinus australis, and Pseudophycis bachus. Deep water assemblages were dominated by Chimaeridae, Argentinidae, Merlucciidae and Macrouridae, mainly represented by Hydrolagus novaezelandiae, Argentina elongata, Macruronus novaezelandiae, and Lepidorhynchus denticulatus. Total catch weight was often dominated by Merlucciidae, Macrouridae and Gempylidae. Fish assemblages were related to discrete ranges of depth (< and >300 m) and temperature (< and >9.5°C), but the range of sediment types was too narrow to show any correlation.     

Day–night variations in the demersal nekton assemblage on the Mediterranean shelf-break

The composition of the demersal nekton assemblage inhabiting the Mediterranean shelf-break of west-central Italy was examined to investigate the diel variation in species composition and abundance. Fish were obtained during four 24-h sampling periods that represented the four annual seasons. Thirty-two hauls (eight in each season) were conducted in a shelf-break area at 140–160 m depth. The density of fish, crustaceans, and decapods exhibited differences on short- and long-term time scales: multidimensional scaling suggested that season and light intensity may be important factors influencing fish assemblage composition.At the diel scale two main assemblages separating nocturnal and diurnal hauls were identified. The typical assemblage structure of shelf-break bottoms was represented during daylight by species such as Merluccius merluccius, Capros aper, Serranus hepatus, Macroramphosus scolopax and Trisopterus minutus capelanus. At night, the assemblage showed a drastic change due to the increase of small nektobenthic species, Argentina sphyraena and Glossanodon leioglossus, together with cave-dwelling fish (Gnathophis mystax, Chlopsis bicolor, Nettastoma melanurum) and nektobenthic crustaceans (i.e., Parapenaeus longirostris and Solenocera membranacea).The above-mentioned differences in species composition may be related to changes in vertical distribution for trophic needs (M. merluccius) and/or in the shoal structure (A. sphyraena and G. leioglossus). The lack of data on the pattern of trawl catchability of Mediterranean species during the day may lead to an inaccurate estimation of species abundance when only diurnal trawl survey data are used.     

Environmental factors structuring fish composition and assemblages in a small macrotidal estuary (eastern English Channel)

The fish assemblage structure was analyzed along an estuarine gradient of a small macrotidal estuary (the Canche, France). Fishes were collected every two months between May 2006 and July 2007 from 12 sampling stations using a 1.5-m beam trawl with a 5 mm mesh size in the cod end. To complement this information, sampling was also performed using 15-m fyke nets (8 mm mesh size in the cod end). For each sample, abiotic (temperature, salinity, pH, oxygen, turbidity, river flow, wind speed and depth) and biotic (macro crustacean species abundances) were recorded. Throughout the study, 28 fish species belonging to 20 families were collected. Fish catches were dominated by juveniles, especially Young-Of-the-Year (YOY) for the majority of the species. According to the Index of Relative Importance (IRI), common goby Pomatoschistus microps, flounder Platichtys flesus, sprat Sprattus sprattus, sea-bass Dicentrarchus labrax and plaice Pleuronectes platessa were the most abundant species, together accounting for 99.2% of the total IRI. Estuarine residents (ER = 66.2%) and marine juvenile migrants species (MJ = 31.4%) were the most important ecological guilds. The structure of the fish assemblage and its relationship to environmental variables was examined using multivariate techniques. Cluster and non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis defined six distinct groups in the Canche estuary, which are discriminated by specific species (SIMPER). Spatio-temporal variations in fish assemblage structure reflect the density peaks of the most abundant species. Spearman rank correlations and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that among the ten environmental variables examined, temperature, salinity and Crangon crangon (a potential predator for YOY fish or prey for older ones) are the three most important factors influencing fish species richness and abundances. Our observations reinforce the idea that certain fish species may have different life history styles in different geographic areas. The present study highlights the necessity of a better knowledge of the connectivity between estuaries and adjacent marine areas. The Canche constitutes an important ecosystem for fishes and as it is subject to little anthropogenic disturbance; its ichthyofauna can be viewed as a reference or normal assemblage for small temperate macrotidal estuaries.     

春季东海有害藻华高发区仔稚鱼时空分布

根据2011年春季(3月29日—5月27日)海洋综合调查,对东海有害藻华高发水域(28°15′36″~30°30′16″N、121°52′36″~123°15′6″E)的仔稚鱼种类组成、时空分布以及主要优势种与环境因子的相关性进行了探讨。调查共采集到仔稚鱼27种,前几位优势种分别为日本鳀Engraulis japonicus、鰕虎科sp.(Gobiidae sp.)、六丝钝尾鰕虎Amblychaeturichthys hexanema、小黄鱼Larimichthys polyactis,该4种占据了总丰度的91.23%。优势种丰度和发育阶段组成的时空变化显示,日本鳀在调查期间有两次产卵小高峰,其仔鱼孵化后向岸漂流;小黄鱼和六丝钝尾鰕虎在此期间只有一次产卵高峰,其仔鱼在舟山群岛邻近水域进行保育。可以看出,调查水域及邻近水域是部分鱼类产卵,仔稚鱼保育、向岸漂流的场所或途径,是鱼类早期生活史中重要生境,一旦暴发有害藻华,补充群体将受到不良影响。多元分析结果显示,所选环境因子对几位优势种仔稚鱼的分布影响不大,推测产卵场位置和保育方式可能是更重要的原因。     

The Fish Assemblage of a Newfoundland Estuary: Diel, Monthly and Annual Variation

Twice monthly sampling over two 16 month periods at a shallow site on Newfoundland's east coast showed the fish assemblage to be dominated by four taxa (Gasterosteus aculeatus, G. wheatlandi, Osmerus mordax, Gadus spp.) that accounted for 96% of the individuals collected. Of the 16 479 fish measured, 65% were adults based on the estimated size of first spawning. The fish assemblage was dominated (86%) by species with demersal eggs, several of which spawn at the same shallow sites used by juveniles as nursery sites. Coastal spawning and demersal eggs maintain offspring in coastal nursery areas where survival is thought to be increased. Number of species and number of fish were both correlated with water temperature being highest from mid-summer to early autumn and lowest in winter. Temperature, time of spawning, and movements of juveniles and adults facilitated grouping species into five assemblages based on seasonal abundance: seasonal periodic species (summer and winter), regular species, regular species collected in all seasons except winter, and occasional (rare) species. At the diel scale, two consistent species groupings were observed: species that showed no significant difference between day and night and species caught primarily at night. Number of night species exceeded day species by a factor of two. No seine-caught species in shallow water exhibited significantly higher catches during the day. Observations by SCUBA divers indicated some species were more abundant during day time at slightly deeper depths. This observation in conjunction with day and night seining in shallower water, suggests these species aggregate in deeper water during day and move to shallow waters at night.     

Fish assemblages and rapid colonization after enlargement of an artificial reef off the Algarve coast (Southern Portugal)

Artificial reefs (ARs) have been deployed in Algarve (Southern Portugal) coastal waters to contribute to the sustainability of local nearshore fisheries. Herein, we describe the colonization process of the recently deployed Faro/Ancão AR, and assess the time until the fish assemblage reaches stability and their seasonal patterns. In addition, we compare the results from the present study with those previously reported for an older AR. The fish assemblages were monitored monthly over a 2‐year period by means of visual census. A rapid increase in fish colonization occurred within the first 4 months. After this initial period the assemblage structure showed high similarity (> 73%). The high rate of colonization of the AR was related to the maturity already achieved by the nearby 14‐year‐old AR and to the fish migration from the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nearby nursery habitat. The reef fish assemblage structure showed a seasonal pattern, mainly associated with recruitment episodes of occasional demersal species (Boops boops, Trachurus trachurus and Pagellus spp.) in spring and summer. A total of 66% of the species found in AR are of commercial and recreational importance. The overall mean density and biomass were 2.8 ind·m^?3 and 207 g·m^?3. The occasional demersal species accounted for 42% of the fish density. The most important species in terms of biomass belong to the Sparidae family along with Dicentrarchus labrax. The fish assemblage of the new ARs showed higher mean number of species, diversity, density and biomass values than those reported for the older AR. This result was associated with enlargement of the AR area and with the fishing exploitation of the isolated, small and patchy old AR. Moreover, the high biomass values recorded in the new ARs were mainly due to the increased density of D. labrax after AR enlargement. The results of the present study are used to define guidelines for suitable management strategies for the AR areas that are exploited by the local commercial and recreational fisheries.     

Method‐dependent influence of environmental variables on reef fish assemblages when comparing trap and video surveys

Despite substantial survey effort and a large body of literature on abiotic and biotic factors in temperate reef ecosystems, knowledge of the complex and interactive effects of environmental variables on those communities is limited. Various survey methods have been developed to study environmental predictors of biodiversity, but there remains a gap in our understanding of how survey results are influenced by environmental factors. Here, we surveyed the fish assemblage associated with southeastern U.S. temperate marine reefs with simultaneous, paired trap, and camera gears throughout a ~50,000 km² area during 2011–2013 and assessed the influence of environmental variables on the trap‐ and video‐surveyed assemblages. Predictor variables in the multivariate general linear models included depth, temperature, month, year, location, substrate relief, percent sessile biota, biota type, and turbidity. Depth and latitude had the greatest influence on the fish assemblage for both gears. The influence of habitat variables differed between methods and percent biota explained more variation in the fish assemblage when assessed by traps, while substrate relief and biota type explained more variation in the fish assemblage when assessed by video. In general, habitat complexity was positively related to the abundance of fishes in the video survey, but there was a negative relationship in the trap survey. Differences between gears were species‐specific and the influences of environmental variables were similar for some species such as Haemulon plumierii and Hyporthodus niveatus. The methods presented here can be used to assess method‐dependent differences in fish assemblages, which is a necessary precursor to assess the effect of environmental variables on the accuracy of surveys.     

Influence of summer conditions on the larval fish assemblage in the eastern coast of Tunisia (Ionian Sea,Southern Mediterranean)

The structure of the summer larval fish assemblage off the eastern coast of Tunisia and its relation to environmental conditions was studied, from ichthyoplankton samples taken during a survey conducted between 23rd June and 9th July 2008. A total of 68 larval fish taxa were identified, 52 to species level. The taxonomic composition and abundance of the larval fish assemblage showed high spatial heterogeneity. Mesoscale hydrographic features, such as eddies, seem to play an important role in the spatial distribution of fish larvae in the area, enhancing concentration and retention. The larval fish assemblage was dominated by the small pelagic species Sardinella aurita (26.6% of the total larval fish abundance), followed by Engraulis encrasicolus (22.6%), Spicara spp. (8.6%) and Mullus barbatus (6.8%). Shannon–Weaver index (H′) ranged between 0 and 2.62. The highest values were found offshore, at 95 miles east of Sousse, over depths around 250 m. The diversity was higher in this region as a result of transport by currents and retention by eddies. It has also been shown that the eastern coast of Tunisia is a spawning ground for the tuna species Auxis rochei, Thunnus thynnus and Thunnus alalunga. Larvae of mesopelagic fishes represented 5.46% of the total abundance, with Cyclothone braueri, Ceratoscopelus maderensis and Lampanyctus crocodilus being the most important species. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that depth was the most important environmental factor in explaining species distribution.     

Food utilisation by coastal fish assemblages in rocky and soft bottoms on the Swedish west coast: Inference for identification of essential fish habitats

The concept of essential fish habitats (EFHs) is widely accepted for conservational and management purposes. EFHs are often considered as high quality habitats for fisheries species and subsequently of high values for society. In this study, fish and Substrate-Associated Prey (SAP) were sampled during the productive summer season 1998 (fish) and 2003 and 2004 (SAP) in shallow coastal rocky- and soft-bottom habitats on the Swedish west coast. The aim was to study the spatial and monthly variation of SAP as well as abundance and biomass of fish, and to examine if food items found in the diet of the fish assemblage were derived from SAP. We also examined if the diet of Ctenolabrus rupestris, a resident and abundant fish species in the shallow coastal habitats, and the diet of four seasonally abundant and commercially important fish species (Gadus morhua, Pleuronectes platessa, Salmo trutta and Scomber scombrus) were derived from SAP. There were significantly higher mean species number and abundance of the SAP assemblage on rocky compared to soft bottoms and the highest values were found on the rocky bottoms in August and in the shallowest (0–3 m) depth strata. There were no significant differences in number of fish species caught in the two habitats, although mean number of fish and mean biomass were significantly higher on rocky bottoms. Both habitats showed the same seasonal variation and the highest values of number of fish species, abundance and biomass were observed in June. On rocky bottoms, gastropods and amphipods were the most frequent food items in the diet of the entire fish assemblage and these items were also the most abundant SAP in this habitat. The dominant food items of the soft-bottom fish assemblage were decapods and fish, which were not common SAP. However, except for S. scombrus, the diet of the selected fish species showed a strong association to the SAP availability. Gadus morhua displayed the strongest association to SAP on rocky bottoms and P. platessa and C. rupestris to SAP on soft bottoms. Further, for C. rupestris, multivariate statistical analysis showed a significant association to the SAP assemblage on both rocky and soft bottoms. These results provide vital new information for the management and conservation of Essential Fish Habitats on the Swedish west coast.     

A note on the stomach contents of fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus beached on the south-east coast of South Africa

The stomach contents of 36 South African fur seals beached over a 20 year period along the south-east coast of South Africa were examined. In all, 15 fish and nine cephalopod prey types were identified. Five species of fish (Merluccius capensis, Trachurus trachurus capensis, Cynoglossus zanzibarensis, Pterogymnus laniarius, Austroglossus pectoralis) and two cephalopods (Loligo vulgaris reynaudii, Octopus sp.) were of major importance in the diet. The proportion of demersal species in the diet is higher than previously reported, suggesting that the seals forage extensively on the sea floor. The most important fish species in the diet was M. capensis, and the most important cephalopod was L. v. reynaudii. Male and female seals showed distinct prey selection, suggesting possible intraspecific resource partitioning. There is no evidence of competition between seals and other top predators.