Effects of altered estuarine submerged macrophyte bed cover on the omnivorous Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi

Sheppard, Jill N; Whitfield, Alan K; Cowley, Paul D; Hill, Jaclyn M

Title: Effects of altered estuarine submerged macrophyte bed cover on the omnivorous Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi
Creator: Sheppard, Jill N, Whitfield, Alan K, Cowley, Paul D, Hill, Jaclyn M
Subject: To be catalogued
Date: 2012
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/444676
Identifier: vital:74259
Identifier: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2011.03197.x
Description: The ecological importance of submerged macrophyte beds to fishes within estuaries was investigated through the example of the ubiquitous Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi, an omnivorous, vegetation and estuary‐dependent species, using stable‐isotope techniques and long‐term abundance (catch‐per‐unit‐effort) data from the East Kleinemonde Estuary, South Africa. Outputs from a Bayesian mixing model using δ13C and δ15N signatures indicated that the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa and Potamogeton pectinatus were not a primary source of nutrition for R. holubi, confirming previous work that revealed that macrophytes are consumed but not digested. Long‐term seine netting data showed reduced abundance of R. holubi during a prolonged period of macrophyte senescence, suggesting that submerged macrophyte habitats provide shelter that reduces mortality (predation risk) and a food‐rich foraging area.
Format: 8 pages, pdf
Language: English
Relation: Journal of Fish Biology, Sheppard, J.N., Whitfield, A.K., Cowley, P.D. and Hill, J.M., 2012. Effects of altered estuarine submerged macrophyte bed cover on the omnivorous Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi. Journal of Fish Biology, 80(3), pp.705-712, Journal of Fish Biology volume 80 number 3 705 712 2012 1095-8649
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Wiley Library Online Terms of Use Statement (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/terms-and-conditions)

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Hill, Jaclyn Marie (Ms)

Cowley, Paul Denfer (Prof)

RU South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)

RU Department of Zoology and Entomology

SDG 14. Life Below Water

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