Structure and temporal variations of fish assemblages of the Castro Marim salt marsh, southern Portugal

Veiga, Pedro; Vieira, Lina; Bexiga, Constança; Sá, Rita; Erzini, Karim

doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2006.05.037

Cited by 62 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…All the seven fish genera captured had been previously observed in the study area [5,6] although mummichog in very low densities [5]. Goby and mummichog, two estuarine residents, the first being native and the later NIS, were the two dominant species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The present study was performed during winter months as it is guaranteed there is no overestimation of fish habitat colonization. Thus, fish density and diversity registered herein were relatively low, as expected for this season and region [5,6] and in other salt marsh areas of Portugal [16], North Europe [17,18] and United States [19,20].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are records of mummichog in southwest Spain [15], however, occurrences of mummichog in Portugal are poorly documented. [5] recorded their presence between 2001 and 2002 in Guadiana salt marsh subtidal creeks but as low as one individual in the total catch. In the salt marshes, marine species were mainly caught at larval stages, while estuarine residents occurred at both larval and juvenile stages.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Occurrences of Fundulus heteroclitus (mummichog) are well documented in South of Spain but remain poorly documented in the Guadiana [5,6]. Mummichog is described as an opportunistic species due to its high tolerance to extreme and highly variable environmental conditions, namely high salinity and a wide range of temperature [15] which makes mummichog a potential candidate to invasive species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Guadiana estuary is no exception to this general observation since it provides an exceptionally suitable environment for fish spawning, breeding, feeding, and growth not only for estuarine but also economically important marine species, such as sardine Sardina pilchardus, seabream Diplodus sp., and sole Solea spp. [5,6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is <em>Fundulus heteroclitus</em> Intrusion Depleting Winter Marsh Pools of Native Fish Species?

Gonçalves¹,

Cruz²,

Ben-Hamadou³

et al. 2017

Preprint

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This work updates the characterization of winter fish communities in salt marsh areas of Guadiana estuary (SE-Portugal) and discusses the potential risks of habitat dominance by a nonindigenous species (NIS). To this effect, six field campaigns were carried out during winter season targeting the collection of fish species. Individuals from seven different families (marine and estuarine) were collected although the community was dominated by two estuarine species -the native Pomatoschistus sp. (goby) and the NIS Fundulus heteroclitus (mummichog). Goby controlled the majority of salt marsh habitats, except one specific, marsh pool, where extreme environmental conditions were registered, namely high temperature and salinity. Such conditions may have boosted the intrusion of mummichog in this area. This species is well adapted to a wide range of abiotic factors enabling them to colonize habitats where no predators inhabit. Impacts of mummichog intrusion in the Guadiana salt marsh area are still unpredictable since this is the first recorded in such high density. Nevertheless, in scenarios of increased anthropogenic pressure and, consequently, habitat degradation, there is a potential risk of mummichog spread to other habitats and therefore compete for space and food resources with native species.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%