Journal
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FISHERIES AND AQUATIC SCIENCES
Volume 75, Issue 11, Pages 2038-2052Publisher
CANADIAN SCIENCE PUBLISHING
DOI: 10.1139/cjfas-2017-0361
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Funding
- National Research Foundation (German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)-NRF) [79964, 97576]
- Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF)
- African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP)
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)
- NRF
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Connectivity - movements of animals between and among numerous habitats -and the factors (rhythmic cycles and environmental variables) influencing connectivity of juvenile Lichia amia (Teleostei: Carangidae) were assessed in complementary acoustic telemetry studies in two geographically separated estuaries (620 km apart) in South Africa. The studies were conducted within a nationwide array of acoustic receivers moored in estuaries and coastal waters. Tagged fish in both the Kowie (n = 21) and Goukou (n = 17) estuaries displayed high levels of multiple habitat connectivity, with 81% and 76% visiting nearby marine and estuarine environments, respectively. The presence of tagged L. amia within the tagging estuaries was significantly influenced by river and sea temperature (Kowie) and river inflow and moon phase (Goukou). Tidal phase, time of day, and season were found to significantly influence marine excursions undertaken by Kowie- and Coukou-tagged fish. Our study provides an assessment of connectivity among multiple estuarine, port, and marine habitats, relating those movements to rhythmic cycles and environmental variables, and highlights the benefits of tracking animals using an extensive acoustic receiver array that spans multiple habitats.
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