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Spatial and temporal variation in assemblage structure of fish larvae in mediterranean–type streams: contrasts between native and non-native species

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Abstract

Larval fish ecology remains poorly understood in freshwater ecosystems. This study analysed the larval ecology of native and non-native fishes in a mediterranean-type watershed in Southern Iberian Peninsula. Assemblage structure of fish larvae was quantified at four distinct rivers sites, every 2 weeks between March and October 2004, and analysed against 16 variables reflecting river flow, temperature and habitat context. There was considerable spatial variation in taxonomic richness and abundance of larval assemblages, with either native or non-native fishes dominating in different sites. There was also a clear temporal separation between native and non-native fishes, with native cyprinids generally peaking earlier in the year than non-native fishes. Temporal fluctuations in larval assemblages across sites were mostly associated with variations in water temperature and transparency, but flow was an important factor shaping local assemblage structure. Larvae of native fishes appeared to found most suitable conditions in naturally flowing sites early in spring, when flow is high and water temperature stills low. These results suggest that preservation of natural flow peaks and adequate thermal contexts may be crucial for conservation of native fish fauna in mediterranean-type streams.

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Acknowledgements

This work would not have been possible without the assistance in sampling of many people but in special of A. Veríssimo, D.F. Pires and J.M. Ribeiro. Special thanks are also due to P. Jurajda of the Fish Ecology Department of the Institute of Vertebrate Biology at Brno for assistance in larvae identification. Light trap design and sampling experience were kindly provided by P.K. Crain. The authors are indebted to P.B. Moyle, G.H. Coop for insightful comments on early drafts of this manuscript and to two anonymous referees for their comments. Fishing permits were provided by the Direcção-Geral dos Recursos Florestais. Funding was partly granted by the Centro de Biologia Ambiental and the Instituto Nacional da Água (2004/033/FCUL-INAG). Filipe Ribeiro was supported by a PhD grant from the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BD/8308/2002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de Oceanografia, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Portugal

    Filipe Ribeiro

  2. Museu Nacional de História Natural, Universidade de Lisboa, Rua da Escola Politécnica 58, 1269-102, Lisboa, Portugal

    Filipe Ribeiro

  3. Universidade de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências, Centro de Biologia Ambiental, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, Bloco C2, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal

    Filipe Ribeiro, Maria Filomena Magalhães & Maria João Collares-Pereira

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  1. Filipe Ribeiro
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  2. Maria Filomena Magalhães
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  3. Maria João Collares-Pereira
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Correspondence to Filipe Ribeiro.

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Ribeiro, F., Magalhães, M.F. & Collares-Pereira, M.J. Spatial and temporal variation in assemblage structure of fish larvae in mediterranean–type streams: contrasts between native and non-native species. Environ Biol Fish 96, 467–480 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-012-0030-5

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