Original Research
Spatial variation in the structure of fish assemblages in the Vaalbos National Park, South Africa
Koedoe | Vol 40, No 1 | a267 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v40i1.267
| © 1997 I.A. Russell
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 01 August 1997 | Published: 01 August 1997
Submitted: 01 August 1997 | Published: 01 August 1997
About the author(s)
I.A. Russell,, South AfricaFull Text:
PDF (3MB)Abstract
Fish assemblages were sampled at nine sites in the lower Vaal River in the Vaalbos National Park and adjacent properties. A total of 1543 fish from 10 species was recorded. Ordination revealed spatial variation in assemblage structure, with the distinction primarily between communities in rapids and deep pools. Flow velocity, depth and percentage cover were important determinants offish assemblage structure. The length frequency distribution of abundant species indicated successful recruitment. Several differences in the species compliment compared to earlier studies were evident, including high abundance of Barbus paludinosus and Austro^lanis sclateri, and the absence of Barbus anoplus. The length-mass relationships of large cyprmids indicated long-term declines in the physical condition of fish.
Keywords
freshwater fish, community structure, Vaal River, Vaalbos National Park
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