Effect of water temperature on the biogeography of South African estuarine fishes associated with the subtropical/warm temperate subtraction zone

Maree, R C; Booth, Anthony J; Whitfield, Alan K

Title: Effect of water temperature on the biogeography of South African estuarine fishes associated with the subtropical/warm temperate subtraction zone
Creator: Maree, R C
Creator: Booth, Anthony J
Creator: Whitfield, Alan K
Date Issued: 2000
Date: 2000
Type: text
Type: Article
Identifier: vital:7133
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011776
Description: Estuarine biogeographical regions along the southeastern coast of South Africa were investigated in terms of fish distribution and abundance patterns, with particular emphasis on the role of water temperature in influencing these patterns. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted upon the ichthyofaunal assemblages to determine whether the location of the subtropical/warm temperate boundary corresponds to that proposed by Whitfield.(n1) Analyses included the distribution ranges of species associated with estuaries according to presence/absence data, cluster analysis of gill net catches in eight estuaries along the southeastern coast and the relative proportion of tropical to temperate marine species within these eight systems. Quantitative analysis indicated that the ichthyofaunal biogeographical regions are indeed a reflection of water temperature regimes and that the subtropical/warm temperate boundary is located between the Great Kei and Mbashe estuaries. A strong negative correlation was found between the number of temperate fish species and the mean of the minimum monthly temperatures recorded in the systems studied. Qualitative analysis revealed that a barrier appears to exist in the vicinity of the Swartkops estuary, which prevents the westward migration of tropical 'vagrants'. The influence of the Agulhas Current along the east coast and its divergence from the coastline in the Algoa Bay region, as well as upwelling phenomena on the southeast and south coasts are identified as major factors that influence marine and estuarine temperature regimes and therefore the ichythyofauna of this region.
Format: 5 pages
Format: pdf
Language: English
Relation: Maree, R.C. and Booth, A and Whitfield, A.K. (2000) Effect of water temperature on the biogeography of South African estuarine fishes associated with the subtropical/warm temperate subtraction zone. South African Journal of Science, 96 (4). pp. 184-188.

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Booth, Anthony John (Prof)

RU Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science

RU South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)

SDG 14. Life Below Water

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