Freshwater icefishes (Salangidae) in the Yangtze River basin of China: Spatial distribution patterns and environmental determinants

Abstract

SynopsisWe surveyed 86 lakes affiliated to the Yangtze River to assess the status of natural freshwater icefishes, and to study their spatial distribution patterns and environmental relationships. Results showed that the spatial patterns of icefish diversity and the occupancy of each species related closely to the historical process of habitat fragmentation. Statistical analyses indicated that the spatial structure of the icefish assemblage significantly related to the area-and isolation-related environmental variables. These results illustrated the significant impacts of hydrological engineering (dykes and floodgates) on the historical dynamics of the icefish populations, and shed light on the essentiality and feasibility of conserving and wise using freshwater icefishes by managing suitable habitats and re-connecting the river-lake network in the Yangtze River basin.

Degradation of icefishes (Salangidae) in the Yangtze River basin of China: threats and strategies

“…Sampling methodology in the 86 freshwaters was the same as that in Wang et al (2005). For the Yangtze estuary, we randomly sampled icefishes from fishers' catch in commercial fishing season from August to December 2003 (Jackson and Harvey 1997).…”

“…1). Sampling sites in the freshwaters were the same as those in our previous work (Wang et al 2005). Our investigation mainly focused on the freshwater icefishes and their habitats.…”

“…So, in feeding seasons, the sampled icefish individuals in our investigation were the same cohort at the same age, and this provided a great convenience for our population dynamics study. Moreover, the short life span and simple life history allow the rapid response of population size to environmental changes, and thus icefish species are very sensitive to habitat degradation and environmental changes (Wang et al 2004(Wang et al , 2005Islam et al 2006).…”

Icefish (Salangidae) as an Indicator of Anthropogenic Pollution in Freshwater Systems Using Nitrogen Isotope Analysis

“…They are widely distributed in both inland and coastal waters of China. Some species, e.g., Protosalanx hyalocranius, Neosalanx taihuensis and N. pseudotaihuensis, have played important roles in freshwater fisheries (Wang et al, 2005). During the past 20 years, icefishes have been successfully introduced into a number of lakes and reservoirs r to enhance fish production (Wang et al, 2005).…”

“…Some species, e.g., Protosalanx hyalocranius, Neosalanx taihuensis and N. pseudotaihuensis, have played important roles in freshwater fisheries (Wang et al, 2005). During the past 20 years, icefishes have been successfully introduced into a number of lakes and reservoirs r to enhance fish production (Wang et al, 2005). Unlike other fish species, such as lake anchovy who exhibited size-related changes in diets (Xu et al, 2007a), icefishes shod relatively stable diet contents and trophic positions.…”