Spatial and seasonal patterns in fish larvae distribution in the Banda sea (Indonesia)
Soewito; Schalk, P.H. (1990). Spatial and seasonal patterns in fish larvae distribution in the Banda sea (Indonesia). Neth. J. Sea Res. 25(4): 591-600 In: Netherlands Journal of Sea Research. Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ): Groningen; Den Burg. ISSN 0077-7579; e-ISSN 1873-1406, more |  |
| Authors | | Top | - Soewito
- Schalk, P.H., more
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| Abstract | A study of horizontal and vertical distribution, abundance, biomass, and taxonomic composition (down to family level) of the fish larvae in the eastern Banda Sea was based on samples obtained with a Rectangular Midwater Trawl 1+8 in the upper 300 to 500 m during August 1984 (southeast monsoon) and February/March 1985 (northwest monsoon). No significant seasonal differences in abundance and average weight of the total population were found. At night on average two-thirds of the fish larvae occurred in the upper 100 m of the water column. During the day the larvae exhibited diel vertical migration, down to depths of 400 to 500 m, and there was evidence of net avoidance. In total 78 families were identified. Among the 61 families found in the southeast-monsoon samples, the Myctophidae and Gonostomatidae were the most abundant. In the northwest-monsoon samples larvae of 66 families were found of which Acanthuridae, Myctophidae and Gonostomatidae were the most abundant. In the southeast monsoon about 60% of the larvae were from oceanic taxa, against only 30% in the northwest monsoon. Classificatory analysis based on presence or absence and abundance of the families demonstrated major discontinuities in faunal composition for both seasons, possibly related to intrusion of water and fauna from outside the area studied. |
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