Juvenile bottlenecks and salinity shape grey mullet assemblages in Mediterranean estuaries

Previous research has suggested that competitive bottlenecks may exist for the Mediterranean grey mullets (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae) at the fry stage with the exotic Cyprinus carpio (Osteichthyes, Cyprinidae) playing a central role. As a consequence, the structure of grey mullet assemblages at later stages is thought to reflect previous competition as well as differences in osmoregulatory skills. This paper tests that hypothesis by examining four predictions about the relative abundance of five grey mullet species in 42 Western Mediterranean estuary sites from three areas (Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, Ebro Delta and Minorca) differing in the salinity level and occurrence of C. carpio. Field data confirmed the predictions as: (1) Liza aurata and Mugil cephalus were scarce everywhere and never dominated the assemblage; (2) Liza saliens dominated the assemblage where the salinity level was higher than 13; (3) Liza ramado always dominated the assemblage where the salinity level was lower than 13 and C. carpio was present; and (4) Chelon labrosus dominated the assemblage only where the salinity level was lower than 13 and C. carpio was absent. The catch per unit effort of C. labrosus of any size was smaller in the presence of C. carpio than where it had not been introduced, which is in agreement with the juvenile competitive bottleneck hypothesis. Discriminant analysis confirmed that the assemblage structure was linked to the salinity level and the occurrence of C. carpio for both early juveniles and late juveniles as well as adults. The data reported here reveal that the structure of grey mullet assemblages inhabiting Mediterranean estuaries is determined by salinity and competitive interactions at the fry stage.     

Detecting the intertidal morphologic change using satellite data

Previous research has suggested that competitive bottlenecks may exist for the Mediterranean grey mullets (Osteichthyes, Mugilidae) at the fry stage with the exotic Cyprinus carpio (Osteichthyes, Cyprinidae) playing a central role. As a consequence, the structure of grey mullet assemblages at later stages is thought to reflect previous competition as well as differences in osmoregulatory skills. This paper tests that hypothesis by examining four predictions about the relative abundance of five grey mullet species in 42 Western Mediterranean estuary sites from three areas (Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, Ebro Delta and Minorca) differing in the salinity level and occurrence of C. carpio. Field data confirmed the predictions as: (1) Liza aurata and Mugil cephalus were scarce everywhere and never dominated the assemblage; (2) Liza saliens dominated the assemblage where the salinity level was higher than 13; (3) Liza ramado always dominated the assemblage where the salinity level was lower than 13 and C. carpio was present; and (4) Chelon labrosus dominated the assemblage only where the salinity level was lower than 13 and C. carpio was absent. The catch per unit effort of C. labrosus of any size was smaller in the presence of C. carpio than where it had not been introduced, which is in agreement with the juvenile competitive bottleneck hypothesis. Discriminant analysis confirmed that the assemblage structure was linked to the salinity level and the occurrence of C. carpio for both early juveniles and late juveniles as well as adults. The data reported here reveal that the structure of grey mullet assemblages inhabiting Mediterranean estuaries is determined by salinity and competitive interactions at the fry stage.     

Relationships between sediments and tissue contamination and allozymic patterns in Hediste diversicolor (Polychaeta Nereididae) in the Pialassa lagoons (north Adriatic Sea)

An increasing number of investigations revealed that responses of populations to environmental stressors may be genetically dependent. Occurrence of genetic adaptation to high concentrations of heavy metals in Hediste diversicolor local ecotypes has also been hypothesised. Analyses of allozymic patterns are a promising tool for the genetic monitoring of environmental stressors. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the allozymic patterns of H. diversicolor could be affected by levels of contamination. Five sites were investigated: four in a polluted brackish habitat, the Pialassa lagoons, and a reference site in the Lamone estuary. Total mercury was used as a tracer of the overall level of contamination. Concentrations of mercury were quantified in both sediments and H. diversicolor tissues by means of cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectroscopy. A gradient of mercury concentration in both sediments and H. diversicolor tissues was found. Moreover, significant differences in concentration of mercury were observed among and within sites. Allozyme electrophoresis was used to test the occurrence of genetic differentiation among H. diversicolor samples. A total of 19 putative gene loci were analysed. For six gene loci, significant variability in genotypic and allelic frequencies was detected. Patterns of differentiation, which could be related to the contamination levels, were found at loci LDH, PGI, SDH. Other loci (ALD, FH, HBDH) showed a significant genetic structuring among samples, not related to concentrations of mercury.     

Short-term seaward fish migration in the Messolonghi–Etoliko lagoons (Western Greek coast) in relation to climatic variables and the lunar cycle

In the present study we analysed the daily seaward migratory behaviour of four dominant euryhaline fish species (Mugilidae: Liza saliens, Liza aurata, Mugil cephalus and Sparidae: Sparus aurata) in the Messolonghi–Etoliko lagoon system (Western Greek coast) based on the daily landings' time series of barrier traps and assessed the relationship between their migratory behaviour and various climatic variables (air temperature and atmospheric pressure) and the lunar cycle. A 2-year time series of daily fish landings (1993 and 1994), a long time series of daily air temperature and daily temperature range (1991–1998) as well as a 4-year time series of the daily atmospheric pressure (1994–1997) and daily pressure range were used. Harmonic models (HM) consisting of annual and lunar cycle harmonic components explained most (R² > 0.80) of the mean daily species landings and temperature variations, while a rather low part of the variation (0.18 < R² < 0.27) was explained for pressure, daily pressure range and daily temperature range. In all the time series sets the amplitude of the annual component was highest. The model values of all species revealed two important migration periods (summer and winter) corresponding to the spawning and refuge migrations. The lunar cycle effect on species' daily migration rates and the short-term fluctuation of daily migration rates were rather low. However, the short-term fluctuation of some species' daily migration rates during winter was greater than during summer. In all species, the main migration was the spawning migration. The model lunar components of the species landings showed a monthly oscillation synchronous to the full moon (S. aurata and M. cephalus) or a semi-monthly oscillation synchronous to the new and full moon (L. aurata and L. saliens). Bispectral analysis of the model values and the model residuals' time series revealed that the species daily migration were correlated (coherencies > 0.6) to the daily fluctuations of the climatic variables at seasonal, mid and short-term scales.     

The influence of environmental variability of a coastal lagoon ecosystem on genetic diversity and structure of white seabream [Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus 1758)] populations

As coastal lagoons serve as nursery areas for some marine and estuarine fish, selective pressures of these brackish or hypersaline lagoons may influence the genetic structure of species and populations. We examined spatial and temporal genetic patterns at eight microsatellite loci in white seabream [Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus 1758)] recruits from the Mar Menor (Southeast Spain) and compared these loci with those in coastal populations from the open sea, observing a high degree of genetic diversity and spatio‐temporal genetic stability. However, the results suggest the presence of subpopulations or genetic substructures in the Mar Menor D. sargus population that could be interpreted as a homogeneous mixture of individuals from three differentiated subpopulations in the Mediterranean and evidence of the Wahlund effect. It also suggests that D. sargus adults return to their original spawning habitat, thus conserving the genetic differences among the respective populations over time. Overall, this study demonstrates the importance of the Mar Menor coastal lagoon as a nursery area for the conservation of genetic diversity of D. sargus populations.     

Scanning electron microscopic studies on digestive tract mucosa of mullet

In this paper,scanning electron microscopic studies on digestive tract mucosa of mullet (Liza haematocheila) are presented. This reveals the mucosal ultrastructural characteristics of the oesophagus, stomach and intestine of mullet (Liza heamatocheila). These characteristics are closely related to diets (plankton,benthic algae and organic debris) ,markedly different from those of herbivorous and carnivorous fishes.     

PCBs in the fish assemblage of a southern European estuary

The Mondego estuary fish assemblage was studied for the accumulation of PCBs. Three sampling stations were visited along an estuarine salinity gradient, and, in total, 15 species were collected. Analysis of PCBs revealed no significant differences among the sampling stations, although differences were observed among the fish assemblages. Fish assemblages could be divided into three groups. The first group comprised those with higher concentration (more than 10 ng g^− 1, dw), included the species Gobius niger, Sardina pilchardus, Anguilla anguilla, Pomatoschistus microps, Chelidonichthys lucerna and Liza ramada; the second group with medium concentration (5–10 ng g^− 1, dw), included the species Pomatoschistus minutus, Dicentrarchus labrax, Atherina presbyter, Chelon labrosus, Diplodus vulgaris, Platichthys flesus and Cilata mustela; and a third group with low concentration (less than 5 ng g^− 1, dw), included the species Solea solea and Callionymus lyra. A positive correlation was found between lipid content and PCB concentrations. To evaluate the influence of the residence time of species on the accumulation of PCBs, species were divided into two groups: species that spend more than 3 years in the estuary, and species that spend less than 3 years in the estuary. Species that spend more than 3 years in the estuary presented higher concentrations than species that spend less than 3 years in the estuary. CBs 138 and 153 had higher concentration, and tended to increase with time spent in the estuary.     

Recruitment patterns of young-of-the-year mugilid fishes in a West African estuary impacted by climate change

With the persistence of the sub-Saharan drought since the 1970s, the Sine Saloum estuary (Senegal) – the second largest coastal Biosphere Reserve of West-Africa – has become an “inverse estuary” and hypersaline (salinity > 60) in its upstream part. A one-year survey was conducted from April 2007 to March 2008 at eight sites distributed along the salinity gradient, to investigate the recruitment patterns of young-of-the-year mugilids in such an impacted ecosystem. Fishes were sampled monthly with a conical net and a beach seine in salinities ranging from 31 to 104. Samples were identified to the species level. For the smallest individuals (<20 mm SL) a PCR–RFLP technique, developed on the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA region, was used for identification. A total of 8438 juveniles belonging to six of the eight species of mugilids known for the tropical Eastern Atlantic were collected: Mugil bananensis, Mugil cephalus, Mugil curema, Liza dumerili, Liza falcipinnis and Liza grandisquamis. One species, L. dumerili, represented 89% of the total catch. Length–frequency distributions revealed that M. cephalus and L. dumerili preferentially recruited during the dry season whereas the recruitment of M. curema, M. bananensis and L. falcipinnis generally occurred during the wet season. Minimal size at recruitment ranged from 9 to 19 mm SL depending on the species, the smallest size being that of L. dumerili. Despite the general salinity increase in the estuary, most parts of the Sine Saloum were suitable for the juveniles. Only the hypersaline area in the uppermost part of the estuary presented very low fish abundance for all species. According to the species, small recruits (12–20 mm SL) were collected at salinities up to 47–78, suggesting that osmoregulatory capacities had been gained early during ontogenesis, possibly resulting from an adaptation of these populations to changing environmental conditions.     

Population structure of two deep sea tubeworms,Lamellibrachia luymesi and Seepiophila jonesi,from the hydrocarbon seeps of the Gulf of Mexico

Vestimentiferan tubeworms are a group of large sessile marine polychaete annelids (family Siboglinidae) found in the regions of hydrothermal venting or seepage of the reduced chemical hydrogen sulfide. Hydrocarbon seeps on the Louisiana Slope of the Gulf of Mexico support large communities of the co-occurring vestimentiferan species Lamellibrachia luymesi and Seepiophila jonesi. These sessile species have the opportunity to disperse between the patchy sites of active seepage on the seafloor during a planktonic larval stage. However, it is unclear whether dispersal occurs at a local or global scale. Four (L. luymesi) and seven (S. jonesi) microsatellite loci were used to test for population substructure among ten hydrocarbon seep sites on the Louisiana Slope. Both species showed high levels of allelic diversity, averaging 18.5 (L. luymesi) and 22 (S. jonesi) alleles/locus, respectively, and high observed heterozygosity at all microsatellite loci (0.71–0.9 in L. luymesi, 0.27–0.84 in S. jonesi). The two species showed a significant deficiency in heterozygotes compared to that predicted under the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. L. luymesi showed a small but significant amount of population structure, with a positive correlation between genetic and geographic distance among the sample sites spanning 540 km. S. jonesi, in contrast, showed no evidence for isolation by distance, but did show a significant genetic difference between aggregations of different ages. These results suggest that these two species differ in how larvae are able to colonize new seep sites through space (L. luymesi) and though time (S. jonesi).     

梭鱼人工养殖群体与自然群体的随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)分析

利用随机扩增多态DNA(RAPD)技术,对黄河口海域棱鱼人工养殖群体与自然群体的遗传多样性进行了分析比较,以期由分子水平了解梭鱼的种群遗传多样性背景及人为干涉因素对梭鱼种群遗传多样性造成的影响.选用OPC组20个10碱基对(bp)的随机引物,对采自河北省黄骅市的24尾野生梭鱼和15尾人工养殖梭鱼进行了分析.选出11个扩增效果稳定的引物用于群体分析,扩增结果具有较好的可重复性.11个引物共检出112个位点,其中养殖群体中有94个表现多态,多态比例为83.93%;自然群体在96个位点上表现多态,多态比例为85.71%.经计算,养殖群体的遗传多样性指数为0.2124,自然群体的遗传多样性指数为0.2271;梭鱼两群体间的相似系数为92.82%,遗传距离为0.0718.研究结果表明,目前黄河口海域梭鱼群体的遗传多样性比较丰富,人工养殖过程对其未造成明显的影响,估计这与人工养殖过程中人为干涉因素少(如育苗历史短、亲鱼来源于自然群体、无定向选择和近亲繁殖等)有关.这一结果表明,梭鱼的人工养殖业在黄河口海域有很好的发展前景.     

Impact of climate variability on ichthyoplankton communities: An example of a small temperate estuary

Recent variations in the precipitation regime across southern Europe have led to changes in river fluxes and salinity gradients affecting biological communities in most rivers and estuaries. A sampling programme was developed in the Mondego estuary, Portugal, from January 2003 to December 2008 at five distinct sampling stations to evaluate spatial, seasonal and inter-annual distributions of fish larvae. Gobiidae was the most abundant family representing 80% of total catch and Pomatoschistus spp. was the most important taxon. The fish larval community presented a clear seasonality with higher abundances and diversities during spring and summer seasons. Multivariate analysis reinforced differences among seasons but not between years or sampling stations. The taxa Atherina presbyter, Solea solea, Syngnathus abaster, Crystallogobius linearis and Platichthys flesus were more abundant during spring/summer period while Ammodytes tobianus, Callionymus sp., Echiichthys vipera and Liza ramada were more abundant in autumn/winter. Temperature, chlorophyll a and river flow were the main variation drivers observed although extreme drought events (year 2005) seemed not to affect ichthyoplankton community structure. Main changes were related to a spatial displacement of salinity gradient along the estuarine system which produced changes in marine species distribution.     

Structural aspects of the surf-zone fish assemblage at King's Beach,Algoa Bay,South Africa: Short-term fluctuations

Short-term changes in the King's Beach surf-zone fish assemblage were investigated by means of two 24 h studies (January and August 1979), and by seine netting on three consecutive days at both high and low tide. They revealed considerable variation in the fish assemblage over a 24 h period. Four species: the gorrie, Pomadasys olivaceum; the mullet, Liza richardsoni; the streepie, Sarpa salpa; and the sand steenbras, Lithognathus mormyrus, dominated the catches of both 24 h studies. The number of species caught reached a peak just after twilight. Trends in other community parameters were not consistent for these two sets of data. Considerable variation in dominant species, numbers and species diversity indices was observed from day to as well as between high and low tide. Shortterm fluctuations in various community parameters often exceeded the long-term variability observed in a seasonal study of this fish assemblage.     

摄食水平对梭鱼的生长和能量收支的影响

于 1 999年 8— 1 2月 ,在水温为 (2 4 .0± 0 .5 )℃ ,摄食水平分别为体重的 0 %、1 %、2 %、3 %、4%和饱食的条件下进行梭鱼的摄食 -生长实验。结果表明 ,梭鱼湿重、干重、蛋白质和能量的特定生长率 (SGR)与摄食水平呈直线关系 ,其转化效率与摄食水平的增加成正比 ;梭鱼的湿重、蛋白质、干重和能量的维持水平分别为体重的 1 .85 1、1 .85 3、2 .882和 2 .3 4 2 (% d) ;排粪率和排泄率随摄食水平的增加而增加 ,并呈直线关系。在最大摄食水平下 ,能量收支等式为 :1 0 0C =4.41F +1 1 .1 8U +47.0 6R +3 7.3 5G     

三种蛏的遗传多样性分析

应用AFLP技术对浙南地区分布的小荚蛏(Siliqua minimai)、缢蛏(Sinonovacula constricta)和大竹蛏(Solen grandis)3种蛏进行了基因组DNA多态性检测,并对其遗传多样性进行了分析.利用筛选出的5对引物组合,共扩增出781个清晰的位点;小荚蛏、缢蛏和大竹蛏多态位点比例依次为79.22%、84.25%和64.82%,Nei's基因多样性指数分别为0.2971、0.3070和0.2785,Shannon's多样性指数分别为0.4402、0.4575和0.4010,种内平均遗传距离为0.2585、0.2691和0.1838.研究结果表明,这3种蛏的核DNA遗传多样性水平以缢蛏为最丰富,小荚蛏次之,大竹蛏最低;并且3种蛏的共享位点很少,遗传趋异比较明显,说明3种蛏的遗传关系比较远.     

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) as vectors of contaminants to human consumers in northwest Florida

The health benefits of regular consumption of fish and seafood have been espoused for many years. However, fish are also a potential source of environmental contaminants that have well known adverse effects on human health. We investigated the consumption risks for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides; n = 104) and striped mullet (Mugil cephalus; n = 170), two commonly harvested and consumed fish species inhabiting fresh and estuarine waters in northwest Florida. Skinless fillets were analyzed for total mercury, inorganic arsenic, polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides. Contaminant levels were compared to screening values (SV) calculated using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations for establishing consumption advisories. Largemouth bass were found to contain high levels of total mercury at all sampling locations (0.37–0.89 ug/g) and one location exhibited elevated total PCBs (39.4 ng/g). All of the samples exceeded Florida fish consumption advisory trigger levels for total mercury and one location exceeded the U.S. EPA SV for total PCBs. As a result of the high mercury levels, the non-cancer health risks (hazard index–HI) for bass were above 1 for all locations. Striped mullet from several locations with known point sources contained elevated levels of PCBs (overall range 3.4–59.3 ng/g). However, total mercury levels in mullet were low. Eight of the 16 mullet sampling locations exceeded the U.S. EPA SV for total PCBs and two locations exceeded an HI of 1 due to elevated PCBs. Despite the elevated levels of total PCBs in some samples, only two locations exceeded the acceptable cancer risk range and therefore cancer health risks from consumption of bass and mullet were determined to be low at most sampling locations.     

Short-term environmental variability in cold-water coral habitat at Viosca Knoll,Gulf of Mexico

The Lophelia pertusa community at Viosca Knoll (VK826) is the most extensive found to date in the Gulf of Mexico. As part of a multi-disciplinary study, the physical setting of this area was described using benthic landers, CTD transects and remotely operated vehicle observations. The site was broadly characterised into three main habitats: (1) dense coral cover that resembles biogenic reef complexes, (2) areas of sediment, and (3) authigenic carbonate blocks with sparse coral and chemosynthetic communities. The coral communities were dominated by L. pertusa but also contained numerous solitary coral species. Over areas that contained L. pertusa, the environmental conditions recorded were similar to those associated with communities in the north-eastern Atlantic, with temperature (8.5–10.6 °C) and salinity (～35) falling within the known species niche for L. pertusa. However, dissolved oxygen concentrations (2.7–2.8 ml l^?1) and density (σ_Θ, 27.1–27.2 kg m^?3) were lower and mass fluxes from sediment trap data appeared much higher (4002–4192 mg m^?2 d^?1). Yet, this species still appears to thrive in this region, suggesting that L. pertusa may not be as limited by lower dissolved oxygen concentrations as previously thought. The VK826 site experienced sustained eastward water flow of 10–30 cm s^?1 over the 5-day measurement period but was also subjected to significant short-term variability in current velocity and direction. In addition, two processes were observed that caused variability in salinity and temperature; the first was consistent with internal waves that caused temperature variations of 0.8 °C over 5–11 h periods. The second was high-frequency variability (20–30 min periods) in temperature recorded only at the ALBEX site. A further pattern observed over the coral habitat was the presence of a 24 h diel vertical migration of zooplankton that may form part of a food chain that eventually reaches the corals. The majority of detailed studies concerning local environmental conditions in L. pertusa habitats have been conducted within the north-eastern Atlantic, limiting most knowledge of the niche of this species to a single part of an ocean basin. Data presented here show that the corals at VK826 are subjected to similar conditions in temperature, salinity, and flow velocity as their counterparts in the north-east Atlantic, although values for dissolved oxygen and density (sigma-theta: σ_Θ) are different. Our data also highlight novel observations of short-term environmental variability in cold-water coral habitat.     

3个花鳗鲡地理种群的AFLP分析

应用AFLP分子标记技术首次对澳大利亚、海南岛和菲律宾3个：仲群的共60尾花鳗鲡（Anguillamarmorata）幼鱼样品进行了遗传多样性分析。4对选择性扩增引物共扩增得到180个位点,平均每对引物扩增出45个位点。澳大利亚、海南岛和菲律宾3个种群的多态位点分别为78．33％、79．44％和84．44％,Nei’s...     

洞庭湖水系五强溪水库光泽黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus nitidus)遗传多样性的AFLP分析

为了了解沅水五强溪大坝阻隔对光泽黄颡鱼可能造成的遗传多样性影响,采用AFLP分子标记技术,对沅水五强溪水库库区和沅水下游两个光泽黄颡鱼野生群体进行了遗传多样性分析。9对选择性引物在两个光泽黄颡鱼群体中,共扩增出1243个位点,多态位点1091个,多态位点比率为87.77%。其中库区和沅水下游群体多态位点比率分别为85.41%、83.25%,观测等位基因数分别为1.854±0.592、1.803±0.622,有效等位基因数分别为1.597±0.381、1.574±0.377,Nei’s多样性指数分别为0.220±0.211、0.207±0.195,Shannon’s信息指数分别为0.330±0.305、0.302±0.338;两个群体内的平均遗传距离分别为0.124±0.072、0.119±0.057,群体间的平均遗传距离为0.127±0.100。两个群体的遗传参数比较不存在显著差异(P0.05)。聚类分析显示,UPGMA系统树没有依据群体而形成明显的两大分支。以上结果表明,五强溪水库库区和沅水下游两个光泽黄颡鱼群体的遗传多样性丰富,光泽黄颡鱼种群遗传结构对水库大坝阻隔的响应不明显。     

Long-term water monitoring in two Mediterranean lagoons as an indicator of land-use changes and intense precipitation events (Adra,Southeastern Spain)

During recent historical times the Adra river delta, a detrital coastal aquifer of nearly 32 km² located in a semi-arid, mountainous area of SE Spain, has undergone different changes caused by human activity. Within this context, both the river dynamics in the plain and the geomorphology of the coastline have at various times resulted in the formation of small lagoons. At present only two small (<0.5 km²) lagoons exist, at the eastern edge of the aquifer, which, although closely surrounded by commercial market-garden greenhouses, are protected under international agreements. During the last 30 years of the twentieth century traditional agricultural irrigation techniques have undergone significant changes to improve their efficiency. Surface-water resources in the Adra river basin are regulated via the Beninar reservoir. In addition, the use of groundwater is increasing progressively. Both these factors affect the recharge of the coastal aquifer. To monitor these changes measurements of electrical conductivity and water level fluctuations have been recorded in these lagoons for the last 35 years (1975–2010). A comparison of the hydrochemical characteristics of the water in the lagoons and of the surrounding groundwater from 2003 to 2010 shows marked differences induced by the different hydrological dynamics in each lagoon, as well as by the hydrogeological impact of changes in land use in the delta. The increase in water demand is a consequence of the extension of irrigated areas from the fluvio-deltaic plain to its slopes, originally occupied by unirrigated crops. A reduction in irrigation return-flow is linked to the use of new irrigation techniques. These modifications affect both the recharge regime of the aquifer and its water quality. Moreover, extreme precipitation events, which are characteristic of Mediterranean semi-arid environments, can affect the lagoons’ hydrological dynamics to a considerable extent. One such example is the unusually rainy period from January to March 2010 (>600 mm). This event, along with other effects, has dramatically lowered the salinity of the water in both lagoons. This case study reveals the extreme vulnerability of deltaic environments and also how lagoons can reflect anthropogenic changes over the whole river basin.     

Seasonal variation and tidal influences on estuarine use by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus)

In order to show that dolphins use estuary habitats differently depending on the season and tidal state, possibly in response to prey distribution, temperature, risk of stranding and accessibility, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) were observed year-round during a 3-year study in the Clarence River estuary (CR) and Richmond River estuary (RR) in northern New South Wales, Australia. Peak dolphin sightings occurred during the spring season and one or 2 h prior to high tide. The spatial distribution of the dolphins in each estuary was analysed using the distance in kilometres that the dolphins travelled upstream with seasons and tidal phase as determinants. A General Linear Model showed that in the CR the dolphin spatial distribution in the estuary was not determined by season (F = 0.434, df = 3, P = 0.729) but was by tidal phase (F = 9.943, df = 3, P < 0.001) and the interaction between season and tidal phase (F = 3.398, df = 9, P < 0.002). However, in the RR the spatial distribution of the dolphin use of the estuary was not determined by either season (F = 1.647, df = 3, P = 0.194) or tidal phase (F = 0.302, df = 3, P = 0.824). In the CR, the spatial distribution of the dolphins was largest on high and flood tides. This pattern of spatial distribution may occur because the CR is a relatively shallow estuary and this increased spatial distribution may reflect a lower stranding risk and an increase in accessibility of shallow areas during periods of higher tide. These areas could also provide access to their preferred prey items of sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) and sand whiting (Sillago ciliata).