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Episodic events and estuaries: effects of cyclonic flushing on the benthic fauna and diet of Solea bleekeri (Teleostei) in Lake St Lucia on the south‐eastern coast of Africa
Author(s) -
Cyrus D. P.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/j.1095-8649.1988.tb05552.x
Subject(s) - benthos , biology , benthic zone , fauna , estuary , invertebrate , ecology , population , salinity , teleostei , fishery , habitat , oceanography , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology , geology
The effects of an episodic event, involving the cyclonic flushing of, and associated rapid decrease in salinity in an estuarine system, on two faunal components was investigated. The rapid salinity decrease of some 25% had a direct, short‐term effect on most components of the benthos of Lake St Lucia, as well as a long‐term effect on the bivalves, particularly Solon cylindraceus , which species was unable to re‐establish itself at previous densities. Indirect long‐term effects were noted in the diet of Solea bleekeri , which feeds predominantly on the siphon tips of S. cylindraceus , in that it switched to feeding on whatever prey it could locate at the surface of the benthos. Although no change in densities of S. bleekeri was noted after the event, it is considered that the resultant change of diet did lead to some stress in the population. This study clearly demonstrates the need to monitor episodic events due to the direct and indirect effects, either short‐ or long‐term, which they may have on the estuarine fauna.