Co-occurrence of demersal fishes in a tropical bay in southeastern Brazil: A null model analysis

Co-occurrence of demersal fishes was assessed in a tropical bay in southeastern Brazil along an environmental gradient (inner, middle, and outer zones), defined according to depth and salinity. The aim was to test whether fish species are distributed randomly and independently of one another in accordance with a null model. The unconstrained null hypothesis for occurrence of a given species by chance in relation to other species was accepted for each zone separately, and rejected for the bay as a whole, for the full year and for each season separately, except summer. Findings of the environmentally constrained null models, which predict species presence or absence as a function of environmental conditions, were not significant, suggesting that the environmental variables we chose are not key factors for these species and that biotic interactions between species are not strong when species–environment relationships are considered. The partition of available resources inside each zone and fish movements along the three zones during summer may have contributed to higher fish species co-occurrence. Habitat segregation in the bay during the remaining seasons could explain the pattern of reduced co-occurrence, indicating the presence of two fish assemblages associated with different environmental characteristics.     

Spatial, temporal and diel variations of fish assemblages at two sandy beaches in the Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Fish assemblages from two beaches, one in the inner and the other in the outer Sepetiba Bay (latitude: 22°54′–23°04′S; longitude: 43°34′–44°10′W), Southeast Brazil, were sampled by beach seine net, simultaneously, on both seasonal and diel scales, between August 1998 and June 1999. Sites were selected to encompass different environmental conditions which reflect the two bay zones, thus providing a comprehensive assessment of the factors influencing surf zone fish assemblages, and their spatial, seasonal and diel variations. A total of 55 fish species was recorded, mostly young-of-the-year. Anchoa tricolor, Micropogonias furnieri, Gerres aprion, Diapterus rhombeus, Harengula clupeola, Atherinella brasiliensis and Mugil liza were numerically dominant and contributed to 95.2% of the total fish catches. Strong differences in fish assemblages were observed between the two areas, with higher number of species in the outer bay. Increases in fish numbers occurred in winter, while the highest biomass occurred in winter and summer. Transparency, followed by salinity, was responsible for most of the spatial variability and played an important role in structuring fish assemblages. Overall, diel patterns did not reveal any significant trends; however, if we consider each season separately, an increase in fish numbers during the day with peak at sunset was observed in winter, and a higher biomass occurred at night in winter and summer. Species preferences for various combinations of environmental variables are responsible for shifts in the structure and overall abundance of assemblages and dictated some patterns. The sciaenid M. furnieri, the second most abundant species, occurred only in the inner zone, being more abundant in winter. The species of Engraulidae were more abundant in the outer zone in winter/spring during the day. The gerreids G. aprion and D. rhombeus occurred mainly in summer. Overall, temporal fluctuations act more at a specific level than at a structural one, and may be linked to some particular stages of the fish life cycle, but do not significantly influence the spatial organization.     

The Gambia River estuary: A reference point for estuarine fish assemblages studies in West Africa

The Gambia River is one of the last aquatic ecosystems in West Africa that has not yet been affected by strong environmental changes and human disturbances. In contrast to the neighbouring Casamance and Sine Saloum estuaries, the Gambia estuary is free of major climatic perturbation and remains a “normal” estuary, with a salinity range from freshwater to 39. The present paper aims to study the spatial and seasonal variability of fish assemblages in this estuary in terms of bio-ecological categories and of their relation with some environmental variables. Four surveys were conducted, from June 2001 to April 2002, in order to cover the major hydroclimatic events, at 44 sampling sites along the lower, intermediate and upper zones of the Gambia estuary (up to 220 km). Fish assemblages were sampled using a purse seine net, fish were identified to species level and environmental variables such as water depth, transparency, salinity, temperature and percentage oxygen saturation were measured. The main spatial structure of the fish assemblages and its seasonal changes were first studied using the STATIS-CoA multitable method. The combination of fish assemblages and environmental variables was then analysed using the STATICO method, designed for the simultaneous analysis of paired ecological tables. A total of 67 species were observed, belonging to all bio-ecological categories characterizing West African estuaries. The marine component of the community was largely dominant throughout the estuary, while the freshwater component was permanently observed only in the upstream zone. The main spatial structure was a longitudinal gradient contrasting marine and freshwater affinity assemblages, with strong seasonal variations. The most complete gradient was observed in December, at the beginning of the dry and cool season, while in June, at the end of the dry and warm season, there was the least structured gradient. The role of salinity, always correlated with temperature, was emphasized, while turbidity appeared to be another important factor. Oxygen and depth did not play a major role at the estuary scale. The relative importance of the bio-ecological categories varied according to the season and the distance to sea. Stable fish assemblages were observed in the lower zone at the end of the dry season, in the upper zone during the flood and in the middle zone throughout the year. In some situations, a relative inadequacy between fish assemblages and their environment was noticed. The present study contributes to the definition of the functioning of a “normal” West African estuary, the Gambia estuary, with balanced effects of marine and freshwater influences and the presence of all bio-ecological categories. The Gambia estuary can therefore be considered to be a reference ecosystem for further comparisons with other tropical estuarine ecosystems, subjected to natural or artificial perturbations.     

Structure and dynamics of distinct fish assemblages in three reaches (upper,middle and lower) of an open tropical estuary in Brazil

We collected fishes and environmental variables in three zones (upper, middle and lower) of a small open tropical estuary during flood tide. The aim was to test for differences in fish assemblages along a gradient from freshwater to marine waters and to detect any seasonal variation in fishes and environmental variables across these zones. A total of 111 species (18 in the upper, 50 in the middle and 66 in the lower estuary) were recorded, forming three distinct fish assemblages, with the family Eleotridae dominating in the upper, Gerreidae in the middle, and Sciaenidae in the lower estuary. Only two species (Geophagus brasiliensis in the upper and the middle zones, and Eucinostomus argenteus in the middle and the lower zones) composed more than 1% of the total number of individuals in more than a single zone. Short‐term (tidal) changes in salinity in the middle estuary were associated with different assemblages in the three estuarine zones, even in winter, when the differences in salinity are lowest between the middle and the lower zones. Seasonal variation in salinity was irrelevant, except in a protected sidewater lagoon in the middle estuary. Low salinity seasonal change may be related to the lack of seasonal variation in the structure of fish assemblages in all estuarine zones.     

晋江河口及泉州湾湿地生物分布特点

泉州湾受晋江河口径流影响很大，导致湿地生物的水平分布与盐度的分布紧密相关．大致分为湾外和外湾种、内湾低盐种、感潮河段咸淡水种．长腕和尚蟹、扁平蛛网海胆和文昌鱼仅分布在外湾或湾外的砂质海底．3种红树植物、互花米草、招潮蟹、弹涂鱼是内湾泥滩的优势种．咸水草是感潮河段咸淡水指标种．河蚬虽是淡水种，也分布在低盐河段．     

珠江口及邻近水域鱼类群落结构研究

根据1986～1987年珠江口及邻近水域底拖网鱼类采样资料,运用系统聚类与排序等多元分析方法和群落多样性指数,研究该水域鱼类群落结构及其与环境因素的关系,分析结果把该水域鱼类划分为淡水、河口和沿岸3个群落,分别位于莲花山,虎门河道、珠江河口伶仃洋和珠江口浅海水域,各群落结构组成呈沿盐度梯度而成带分布的格局.淡水群落结构简单稳定,沿岸群落结构比较复杂,河口群落受水动力过程和生物活动影响最大,群落结构的季节变化较为显着.     

Gorgan Bay:a microcosm for study on macrobenthos species-environment relationships in the southeastern Caspian Sea

The relationship between spatial patterns of macrobenthos community characteristics and environmental conditions(salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, organic matter content, sand, silt and clay) was investigated throughout the Gorgan Bay in June 2010. Principal components analysis(PCA) based on environmental data separated eastern and western stations. The maximum(4500 ind./m²) and minimum(411 ind./m²) densities were observed at Stas 1 and 6, respectively. Polychaeta was the major group and Streblospio gynobranchiata was dominant species in the bay. According to Distance Based Linear Models results, macrofaunal total density was correlated with silt percentage and salinity and these two factors explaining 64% of the variability while macrofaunal community structure just correlated with salinity(22% total variation). In general, western part of the bay showed the highest number of species and biodiversity while, the highest density was found at Sta. 1 and in the middle part of the bay. Furthermore, relationship between diversity indices and macrobenthic species with measured factors is also discussed. Our results confirm the effect of salinity as an important factor on distribution of macrobenthic fauna in south Caspian brackish waters.     

Changes in wild fish assemblages after the establishment of a fish farming zone in an oligotrophic marine ecosystem

The species composition, abundance and diversity of demersal fish assemblages has been investigated in an oligotrophic coastal bay in the Aegean Sea which is a designated zone for the development of aquaculture. Samples were collected using experimental trawling, before the establishment of fish cages in the area during early June 1987 and after attaining the maximal production of the aquaculture zone in late May 2001. The overall abundance of the fish assemblage increased by a factor of 4 and the average trophic level of the fish community increased from 3.59 to 3.79. Traditional diversity indices showed an increase in dominance but the distinctness measures of biodiversity showed that the overall structure obtained after the establishment of fish farming was not phylogenetically impoverished. Multivariate analysis showed that the community differences between the two periods are quantitative rather than qualitative. Comparisons in length frequencies between the two periods indicated that specimens of the species compared were either similar or larger in the second period. The species favoured by the presence of aquaculture were not the ones normally feeding on the food pellets under the cages but those normally occurring in the fishing grounds of the study. It is concluded that the release of nutrients from fish farming in nutrient-poor systems can have a positive effect on local fisheries with no visible negative change in species composition or biodiversity.     

Fish composition and assemblage structure in three Eastern English Channel macrotidal estuaries: A comparison with other French estuaries

This study has analysed for the first time fish composition and assemblage structures of three small macrotidal estuaries of the Eastern English Channel (EEC) and has explored the influences of 19 biotic and abiotic variables on the fish assemblages. Fish from Canche, Authie and Somme estuaries were collected during spring (June 2006 and May 2007) and autumn (September 2006) along the estuarine gradients using a 1.5 m beam trawl. Using identical sampling protocols, the study also analysed and compared for the first time taxonomic and functional aspects of the fish assemblages in 15 estuaries located along the Atlantic and English Channel coasts. SIMPER analysis showed high similarities in fish assemblages in the three EEC estuaries and during either spring or autumn periods. However, intra-estuary similarities were relatively low, indicating that fish assemblage structures (species richnesses or abundances) were more variable within the estuary (salinity gradient) than between estuaries and/or seasons (spring vs autumn). Although numerous environmental variables were included in the study, only 47% of the variability observed in the fish distribution was explained. Fish spatial variations in the EEC estuaries are mostly driven by abiotic variables as opposed to biological interactions. As indicated by CCA, salinity and muddy sediments were the two most important factors structuring the fish assemblages. The macrobenthos being very abundant in the EEC estuaries (580–1121 ind. m⁻²), the availability of potential prey is probably not a limiting factor in the utilization of estuaries by fish. Contrary to the majority of French estuaries dominated by estuarine species (ES), the fish assemblages of the EEC estuaries are clearly dominated by marine migrant (MM) species (65% on average) with high abundance of juveniles (mostly young-of-the-year). Cluster and SIMPROF's analyses distinguished the functional structure of the 15 estuarine fish assemblages into different clusters. The three EEC estuaries form a similar group with the largest French estuaries (Seine, Loire and Gironde). The latters were characterized by higher MM/ES ratio compared to the other French estuaries. Freshwater flow and tidal range were the main factors associated with this group of estuaries. The results of the present study do not indicate that anthropogenic impacts (chemical contamination) on estuaries affect their ecological functioning as described by the fish ecological guilds. It is suggested that the guild approach may not be useful to provide valuable information on the ecological status of estuaries.     

春季长江口外海底层鱼类群聚特征及其与环境因子的关系

为了研究春季长江口外海底层鱼类群聚特征及其与环境因子的关系,我们根据2015年5月长江口外海底层鱼类的调查资料,使用聚类分析(Cluster)、非参数多维标度排序(NMDS)、相似性分析(ANOSIM)、相似性百分比分析(SIMPER)以及典型对应分析(CCA)等方法对资料进行分析。本研究共记录底层鱼类58种,其中鲈形目种类数最多(21种),鲽形目次之。六丝钝尾虾虎鱼(Amblychaeturichthys hexanema)是优势种。底层鱼类可以划分为3个群组—近海组、南部中间组和南部远海组,不同群组的物种组成差异显著。南部中间组和南部远海组的物种多为东海外海种类,这可能是近岸黑潮底层分支影响的结果。物种数、Margalef丰富度、Shannon-Wiener多样性和Pielou均匀度从近海到与远海呈逐渐增加的趋势。CCA分析表明深度是显著影响底层鱼类的环境因子。短鳄齿鱼(Champsodon snyderi)、丝鳍(Repomucenus virgis)、多棘腔吻鳕(Coelorinchus multispinulosus)等东海外海种类与深度呈正相关,而优势种六丝钝尾虾虎鱼受环境因子影响较小。     

Partitioning of the feeding niche along spatial,seasonal and size dimensions by the fish community in a tropical Bay in Southeastern Brazil

Feeding guilds and spatial, seasonal and ontogenetic changes in the diets of 24 fish species in a tropical bay in Southeastern Brazil were examined. The hypotheses tested were that groups of species form specific trophic guilds and that the feeding partitioning differs along the niche dimensions. Five trophic guilds (Polychaeta, Copepoda, Teleostei, Teleostei/Crustacea and Polychaeta/Crustacea) and two species with specialised feeding, one teleost (Aspistor luniscutis) and one bivalvia (Sphoeroides testudineus), were found. Polychaeta was the most important resource for nine fish species, followed by Copepoda (6 spp.), Teleostei (5 spp.) and Caprelidae Amphipoda (3 spp.). Polychaeta was the most used resource for species in the inner bay zone, and Crustaceans in the outer bay zone. We detected a predominance of Polychaeta between the spring and autumn, whereas crustaceans were consumed at a greater rate in the winter. The most conspicuous changes in diet occurred along the spatial and seasonal dimensions, rather than the size dimensions. The hypotheses tested were accepted. Identifying and incorporating information about the bay food web is a first step towards developing management strategies that are sensitive to this particular ecosystem.     

主导长江口鱼类群落物种时间共存格局的环境过滤机制研究

了解生物群落中物种共存机制是群落生态学研究的重要组成部分.鉴于河口鱼类群落结构与温盐等理化因子密切相关,同时多数鱼类产卵、育幼在时间上具有同步性(主要在春夏季发生),因此环境过滤机制可能是促使河口鱼类时间上共存的主要机制.为证实该假设,本研究以长江口鱼类群落为例,利用广义可加非线性模型(GAMs)分析其时间生态位及鱼类与环境因子的关系,同时基于零模型(null models)从生态位利用的角度阐述河口鱼类群落时间上的共存机制.结果表明:鱼类物种间实测生态位大于预期值,揭示出环境过滤机制是促使鱼类时间上共存的主要机制;多数鱼类物种与非生物环境因子关系拟合较好,说明未知因素(如物种间的竞争作用等机制)对其分布影响权重较小.上述结果支持环境过滤学说是长江口鱼类物种时间共存格局的主导机制.     

Do the shallow‐water habitats of a hypersaline tropical estuary act as nursery grounds for fishes?

Fish assemblages were studied in a hypersaline tropical estuary in Northeastern Brazil. A total of 104 species were collected by beach seine during the dry and rainy seasons of 2012. Two families, Atherinopsidae and Gerreidae, were numerically dominant in all zones of the estuary; juveniles of Atherinella brasiliensis, Eucinostomus argenteus, Lile piquitinga, Ulaema lefroyi, Lutjanus analis and Sphoeroides greeleyi contributed 77% of the total catch. The factors that best explained the fish abundance pattern were salinity and depth, which were related to spatial segregation. Species richness was lowest in the upper zone, an area with high salinity and shallow depth. The distinct roles of structurally different habitats (submerged macrophyte beds and mangrove prop‐roots) and the influence of physicochemical conditions in the middle zone of the estuary may influence taxonomic diversity. The middle zone of the estuary is the one most attractive to juveniles of reef species (Lutjanidae and Serranidae). The fish assemblages are clearly dominated by marine estuarine dependent species, highlighting the importance of the ecosystem as a nursery ground for marine species of the Brazilian coast.     

Spatio‐temporal dynamics of the surf‐zone faunal assemblages at a Southern Oregon sandy beach

Sandy beach/surf‐zone ecosystems are unique environments that, despite the harsh and highly variable hydrodynamic conditions, present a diverse and heterogeneous fauna. However, the dynamics of these ecosystems are currently poorly understood. In this study we tested the hypothesis that surf‐zone assemblages vary with temporal factors such as time of day, tide and tidal height. To test this hypothesis, the surf‐zone community of Bastendorff, a Southern Oregon sandy beach was sampled during the summer of 2006. Samples were collected to (i) describe the smaller, benthic and larger swimming assemblages, (ii) determine whether assemblage compositions, densities, species richness and diversity vary with time of day, tide and tidal height, (iii) explore potential reasons for the variation by correlating environmental factors to the assemblages, and (iv) identify particular species that most strongly exhibit these variations. A hyperbenthic sledge, a sediment corer and a beach seine were used to collect the smaller swimming, benthic and larger swimming fauna, respectively. Sampling occurred during day and night, spring and neap tide, and high, mid and low tide. A total of 76,743 individuals belonging to 105 species were collected. Ninety‐one invertebrate (72,904 individuals), 15 invertebrates (2234 individuals), and 19 invertebrate and vertebrate species (1605 individuals) were collected with the sledge, corer and seine, respectively. Nine species of fish were caught, 98% of which were juveniles. The smaller and larger swimming assemblages varied most strongly with the time of day, suggesting certain species will actively move to the shallow surf‐zone at night. The three assemblages also varied with the tide, potentially due to the larger waves and higher abundance of detached macrophytes observed during spring tides when compared to neap tides, which could push individuals into the surf zone. The benthic assemblage most strongly varied with tidal height and sand grain size, confirming the presence of different faunal zones within Oregon sandy beaches. Finally, several variables of the swimming assemblages varied with temperature and salinity, suggesting that downwelling favorable conditions may have transported species close to shore. Bastendorff presents a complex and diverse surf‐zone community that appears to be influenced by diel species movements, environmental variables such as wave height and abundance of detached macrophytes, and regional oceanographic conditions.     

Multicausal environmental severity: A flexible framework for microtidal sandy beaches and the role of polychaetes as an indicator taxon

The aim of this paper is to study the macrofaunal community dynamics and the biological–environmental interactions in the mid- and sublittoral ecosystems of the microtidal Mediterranean sandy shores. Four sandy beaches, three on the island of Crete and one on the northwest coast of Italy were selected to investigate the spatial and temporal changes in the community structure and the associated environmental variables. The littoral zone, which has not been adequately studied in the Eastern Mediterranean, presents special interest not only from the scientific point of view but also for practical reasons of ecological management. The multivariate techniques revealed that the community pattern of the sandy beach macrofauna is mainly spatial rather than temporal. There are pronounced differences in species composition and abundance of the macrofaunal assemblages of the mid- and sublittoral zone. The multicausal environmental severity hypothesis appears to be valid for the sandy beach macrofaunal communities of the Mediterranean. The abundance and composition of the macrofaunal assemblages are highly variable and are affected by the synergistic effects of many environmental variables. The polychaete taxonomic assemblage structure closely follows the macrofaunal community pattern. Differences between the two patterns may arise from the different responses that polychaetes may show to the environmental stress.     

Fish assemblages across the marine to low salinity transition zone of a temperate estuary

This 3-year study provides a large-scale perspective of fish assemblage structure across an ocean–estuarine ecotone, given range of salinity encountered (0.1–32) based on sampling at 12 stations along 40 km from the Mullica River (river), Great Bay (bay), and the adjacent inner continental shelf (ocean) in southern New Jersey. Otter trawl (4.9 m, 6 mm mesh) collections were dominated by young-of-the-year of most of the 49 species encountered. Species richness and abundance appeared greatest in the ocean, decreased (with an increase in inter-station variability) in the bay, and appeared to increase again towards the uppermost river stations. The same areas contained three non-discrete, but identifiable, fish assemblages based on Detrended Correspondence Analysis. Members of the Triglidae and Stromateidae characterized the ocean and bay, whereas representatives of the Percichthyidae and Ictaluridae characterized the river. Several species, including Anchoa mitchilli and Cynoscion regalis, exhibited a ubiquitous distribution across the sampling area. Further analyses with Canonical Correspondence Analysis identified salinity and geographic distance, among the variables examined, as the most important determinants in shaping the assemblages. Other contributors included habitat heterogeneity and water depth. In summary, these observations indicate that large-scale patterns in the structure of this estuarine fish assemblage are primarily a result of individual species' responses to dominate environmental gradients, as well as ontogenetic migrations, whereas smaller-scale patterns appear to be the result of habitat associations that are most likely driven by foraging, competition, and/or predator avoidance.     

Spatio-temporal structure of diatom assemblages in a temperate estuary. A STATICO analysis

This study examines the spatio-temporal structure of diatom assemblages in a temperate estuary (Ria de Aveiro, Western Portugal). Eighteen monthly surveys were conducted, from January 2002 to June 2003, at three sampling sites (at both high and low tide) along the estuarine salinity gradient. The relationship of diatom assemblages and environmental variables was analysed using the STATICO method, which has been designed for the simultaneous analysis of paired ecological tables. This method allowed examination of the stable part of the environment-diatom relationship, and also the variations of this relationship through time. The interstructure factor map showed that the relationship between the 11 environmental variables and the abundance of the 231 diatom species considered was strongest in the months May and September 2002 and January, February and May 2003. The stable part of the species–environment relationships mainly consisted of a combined phosphate, chlorophyll a and salinity gradient linked to a freshwater-marine species gradient. A more pronounced gradient was observed in January, February and May 2003. Diatom assemblages showed clear longitudinal patterns due to the presence of both marine and freshwater components. May and September 2002 had the least structured gradients with marine-estuarine species appearing in the freshwater side of the gradient. The most complete gradient in February 2003 could be considered, in terms of bio-ecological categories, as the most structured period of the year, with a combination of strong marine influence in the lower zone and freshwater influence in the upper. The best-structured gradients were during periods of a diatom bloom. Stable diatom assemblages (with a strong structure and a good fit between the diatoms and environment) are described and characterized. This study shows the efficiency of the STATICO analysis. The inclusion of space-time data analysis tools in ecological studies may therefore improve the knowledge of the dynamics of species–environmental assemblages.     

The Amphipod Community as a Bioindicator in Algeciras Bay (Southern Iberian Peninsula) Based on a Spatio-Temporal Distribution

Abstract. The amphipod population associated with Bugula neritina (L.), a verycommon bryozoan species in Algeciras Bay (Strait of Gibraltar), was studied on a spatio-temporal scale, in order to define its role as a bioindicator. Samples were collected in December, March, June and September along a transect running from the external to the internal sampling stations.
Fifty-three species belonging to 22 families were identified; the most abundant species were Jassa marmorata H olmes , Ischyrocerus inexpectatus (R uffo ) and Phtisica marina S labber .
The spatial evolution of the amphipod community reflected the physico-chemical conditions of Algeciras Bay, yielding a clear gradient from the outer to the inner stations. The stations located at the mouth of the bay, characterised by high hydrodynamism and low sedimentation, had a higher diversity and species richness than the inner stations with low water movement and higher sedimentation. Eight species preferred for the outer stations, while another nine species were typical of the inner harbours.
The most notable aspect of the seasonal evolution was the increased dominance of the tube-builder and deposit-suspension feeder Jassa marmorota .
Structural and ordination analyses corroborate the outer-inner gradient in the bay and illustrate the importance of hydrodynamic forces and sedimentation in the amphipod community.     

Effects of substratum type on fish assemblages in shallow areas of a tropical estuary

While there is already a comprehensive understanding of the effects of environmental variables, such as dissolved oxygen, temperature and salinity, on the structure, biomass and metabolism of aquatic biota in estuarine habitats, the effect of sedimentation, a harmful underlying factor, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in fish assemblages along the freshwater to salt water gradient of a large tropical estuary, and to evaluate the effects on them of habitat disturbance associated with shallow water sedimentation in the intertidal areas. Fish and environmental variables were recorded in the upper, middle and lower salinity zones of the estuary at ebb tide in both the dry and wet seasons. Sediment samples associated with different levels of habitat disturbance were analysed using granulometry, and their organic content and dissolved oxygen levels were quantified. Water temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen levels were also measured. Habitat disturbance was found to be correlated with the density, biomass and richness of fish assemblages. A total of 77 species were recorded, forming two distinct fish assemblages, with the Eleotridae family dominating in the upper zone, and Gerreidae, Gobiidae and Tetraodontidae the most common in the middle and lower estuary. Changes in the structure of fish assemblages, including reductions in density, biomass and richness, were associated with disturbance to natural features, where muddy sediment was replaced by sandy sediment and the quantity of organic matter fell. Atherinella brasiliensis was the species which showed a preference for the disturbed areas in the middle and lower zones, while Dormitator maculatus showed a preference for them in the upper estuary. They may be taken as indicators of habitat disturbance due to shallow sedimentation.     

杭州湾期间带生态学研究──Ⅲ．群落结构

根据盐度、底质、潮流等环境生态因子及群落结构的差异，结合相似性比较及聚类分析，杭州湾潮间带生物群落可划分为三个类型：湾底群落、湾中群落和湾口群落。从湾底向湾口。群落多样性指数Ｈ＇（Ｓ），丰度ｄ值皆呈增大趋势，而优势度Ｄ值逐步减小，表明群落结构从湾底到湾。由简单趋向复杂。焦河篮蛤为杭州湾湾口潮间带底栖生物群落的特征种。