Seasonal changes in movements, abundance, size composition and diversity of the fish fauna of the Severn Estuary

Claridge, P.N., Potter, I.C. and Hardisty, M.W. (1986) Seasonal changes in movements, abundance, size composition and diversity of the fish fauna of the Severn Estuary. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 66 (01). pp. 229-258.

Abstract

Estuaries perform a crucial role in the life-cycle of many fish (Cronin & Mansueti, 1971; Day, Blaber & Wallace, 1981; Dando, 1984). They provide a migratory route for anadromous and catadromous species and an environment in which the limited number of true estuarine teleosts spend the whole of their life cycle. The upper reaches are colonized by certain freshwater species while the lower regions are penetrated by some marine fish during high tide. However, many marine teleosts enter and remain within estuaries for a period of time, often in very large numbers and particularly during the early part of life (see e.g. Gunter, 1938, 1961, 1967; Huddart & Arthur, 1971; van den Broek, 1980; Blaber & Blaber, 1980; Potter et al. 1983; Whitfield, 1983). The recognition that estuaries act as important nursery areas for certain teleosts by providing such features as a rich food source and protection from predation (see e.g. Pearcy & Richards, 1962] Jacquaz, Able & Leggett, 1977; Blaber & Blaber, 1980) has led to such species being referred to as estuarine-dependent (see e.g. McHugh, 1976; Beal, 1980; Fortier & Leggett, 1982).

Item Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Copyright:	© Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1986
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/18826

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