Fishes of Gator Creek, Indian River Lagoon: species composition, habitat utilization and seasonal abundance patterns
Adams, D.H.; Tremain, D.M. (1995). Fishes of Gator Creek, Indian River Lagoon: species composition, habitat utilization and seasonal abundance patterns. Bull. Mar. Sci. 57(1): 278
In: Bulletin of Marine Science. University of Miami Press: Coral Gables. ISSN 0007-4977; e-ISSN 1553-6955, more
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Document type: Summary
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Abundance
Aquatic organisms > Marine organisms > Fish > Marine fish
Composition > Community composition
Fauna > Aquatic organisms > Aquatic animals > Fish > Estuarine organisms > Brackishwater fish
Species diversity
Surveys > Biological surveys
Temporal variations > Periodic variations > Seasonal variations
Ariidae Bleeker, 1858 [WoRMS]; Ariopsis felis (Linnaeus, 1766) [WoRMS]; Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]; Mugilidae Jarocki, 1822 [WoRMS]; Sciaenops ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1766) [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal; Brackish water |
| Authors | | Top |
- Adams, D.H.
- Tremain, D.M.
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| Abstract |
Gator Creek, a polyhaline marsh creek located within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, northern Indian River Lagoon (IRL), represents an important habitat for estuarine fishes. Species composition, seasonal use, and abundance of fishes in Gator Creek were investigated during a monthly gillnet survey conducted from June 1991 to December 1993, as part of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (FDEP) Marine Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program, a long-term, multi-gear project designed to monitor trends in the relative abundances of estuarine and near-shore marine fish throughout Florida. Each month, three 180 x 1.8-m multi-panel gillnets were deployed for 1-3 h during the evening crepuscular period at fixed sites within the creek. Each gillnet consisted of four 45-m panels (75 mm, 100 mm, 125 mm, 150 mm stretch mesh) designed to capture larger sub-adults as well as adult fishes. Twenty-four fish species representing 12 families were documented. Species composition varied seasonally. Species richness (number of species/month) was lowest during winter and spring months and highest during the late summer and fall months. Total abundance and total monthly catch per unit effort (CPUE, fish/net/h) followed similar seasonal trends and were positively correlated to water temperatures and negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen levels. Highest levels of species diversity were associated with periods of relatively low salinity. Members of the families Sciaenidae (drums), Mugilidae (mullets), and Ariidae (sea catfishes) were numerically dominant during all seasons, accounting for 82.1 and 88.9% of the total catch in 1992 and 1993, respectively. Sub-adult Sciaenops ocellatus were the most abundant sciaenid in the creek, although the dominant sciaenid species varied seasonally. Mugil cephalus was the principal mugilid species collected, and individuals of this species were most abundant during the fall. Ariids, principally Arius felis, occurred in the creek during all seasons and at all life history stages, but were most abundant during their summer spawning season. When compared to similar gillnet sets in other IRL habitats, a relatively low percentage of large, primary piscivores (e.g., Caranx hippos, Lepisosteus platyrhincus) was collected in the creek (less than 1% of total catch in 1992 and 1993). Although the overall fish community was dynamic, sub-adults of some species appeared to show specificity for this creek habitat. For example, FDEP tag-return data indicated sub-adult S. ocellatus use the creek repeatedly or for extended periods of time during the year. Long-term, standardized, quantitative monitoring of all life-history stages of fish from a wide range of habitats will yield the most comprehensive and useful data regarding species diversity and abundance. The habitat structure of Gator Creek is similar to that of many other creek systems in the northeastern IRL. Therefore, this creek system may serve as an indicator of fish species diversity and abundance and, thus, of the relative environmental condition of creek systems in this region of the IRL. Data from Gator Creek, in conjunction with data gathered with multiple gears in other habitats monitored by the ongoing FDEP Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program, will serve as baseline information for future fish faunal comparisons and subsequent management of the IRL. |
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