Year: 2006
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Larval fish assemblages were investigated during a three-year multidisciplinary project conducted off the coast of south-western Australia.Larvae were sampled using replicated oblique bongo net tows along a five-station transect extending from inshore (18m depth) to offshore waters (1000m depth).A total of 148 taxa from 93 teleost families were identified.Larvae of Gobiidae, and Blenniidae were abundant inshore, while larvae of pelagic and reef-dwelling families, such as Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Carangidae and Labridae were common in continental shelf waters.Larvae of oceanic families, particularly Myctophidae, Phosichthydae and Gonostomatidae, dominated offshore assemblages.Inshore larval fish assemblages were the most seasonal, in terms of species composition and abundance, with offshore assemblages the least so.Multivariate statistical analyses revealed larval fish assemblages to have a strong temporal and spatial structure.Assemblages were closely correlated to water masses, with species distributions reflecting both cross-shelf and along-shore oceanographic processes and events.The strength and position of the warm, southward flowing Leeuwin Current, and of the cool, seasonal, northward flowing Capes Current were shown to drive much of the variability in the marine environment, and thus larval fish assemblages.Many of the distinctions between larval fish assemblages on the continental shelf were attributable to patterns of abundance in clupeiform larvae.While larvae of Engraulis australis and Spratelloides robustus showed clear seasonal and spatial distribution patterns, larvae of Sardinops sagax and Etrumeus teres were found I would like to thank Tony Miskiewicz, Pilar Olivar, Francisco Neira, Tom Trnski and Jeff Leis for their invaluable help with identifying fish larvae.No fish too small… Alan Pearce, Nick Mortimer, Chris Fandry and Peter Fearns provided much help with oceanographic data and interpretation, and are thanked for their input, and patience.Joanna Strzelecki, Stephane Pesant and Hiski Kippo are thanked for providing access to data, data organisation and helpful interpretation of datasets.Fiona Valesini provided invaluable help with the use of Primer-6, the interpretation of results, and statistics generally.Anya Waite is thanked for providing leadership and organisation on the eddies cruise, and for help with interpretation of oceanographic and biological
Author: Barbara Muhling
Language: English
Subfield: Aquatic Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life below water
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1527368694