Fish assemblage in a temperate estuary on the uruguayan coast: seasonal variation and environmental influence

Abstracts

The seasonal dynamics of the fish community in the Pando estuary on the Uruguayan coast were studied in relation to environmental sampled monthly between May 2002 and June 2003. Individuals collected were identified, and classified into stages (juveniles, adults) and functional groups. Relationships between community dynamics and environmental variables were evaluated using uni- and multivariate techniques. Twenty-one species, mostly freshwater stragglers, estuarine and marine migrants were collected. The most abundant species were Micropogonias furnieri, Mugil platanus, Paralichthys orbignyanus and Brevoortia aurea and were represented by juveniles. The community varied seasonally with rapid shifts in spring and autumn associated with changes in temperature and salinity. Significant correlations between abundance and temperature may be related to the timing of life cycle events. In this estuary, the salinity appears to play a key role in the functional structure and in the use of the habitat by juveniles. This is relevant for the definition of estuaries as nursery areas: this definition is context-dependent and is determined by the salinity conditions.

Estuary; Fish assemblage; Pando Estuary; Río de la Plata; Annual variation; Environmental variables

Foi estudado a dinâmica sazonal da comunidade de peixes em relação as variáveis ambientais do estuário Pando, localizado na costa uruguaia. Os peixes foram amostrados mensalmente entre maio de 2002 e junho de 2003. Os indivíduos coletados foram identificados e classificados em estágios (jovens, adultos) e grupos funcionais. Relações entre a dinâmica da comunidade e as variáveis ambientais foram avaliadas utilizando-se técnicas uni- e multivariada. Vinte e uma espécies foram coletadas, principalmente visitantes de água doce, estuarinas e marinhas migratórias, sendo as mais abundantes e representadas por juvenis: Micropogonias furnieri, Mugil platanus, Paralichthys orbignyanus e Brevoortia aurea. A comunidade variou sazonalmente com rápidas mudanças na primavera e no outono, associadas à variações de temperatura e salinidade. Correlações significativas entre abundância e temperatura parecem estar relacionadas com a sincronizaçao de eventos dos ciclos de vida. Neste estuário a salinidade parece desempenhar um papel-chave na estrutura funcional e uso do habitat por juvenis. Este fato é relevante para a definição dos estuários como áreas de criadouro e pela influencia da salinidade sobre o ciclo da ictiofauna local.

Estuário; Assembléia de peixes; Costa uruguaia; Río de la Plata; Variação anual; Variáveis ambientais

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  31 Jan 2011
• Date of issue
  Dec 2010

History

• Received
  01 Oct 2009
• Accepted
  20 May 2010
• Reviewed
  14 Apr 2010