Fish community structures in Zostera and non-Zostera regions of the Kromme estuary, St Francis Bay

Abstract

Comparative seine netting for fish was performed quarterly during 1981 in the Zostera and non-Zostera regions of the upper middle reaches of the Kromme estuary. Twenty-four fish and three crustacean species were recorded. The catches were dominated by the following species: Liza dumerili, Glossogobius glurus and Gilchristella aestuarius (Pisces). Only two fish species (Monodactylus falciformes and Rhabdosargus holubi) were recorded in significantly (P<0,05; P<0,05 respectively) higher numbers in the Zostera than in the non-Zostera regions and community analyses (comparing numbers, species richness and diversity) revealed no significant (P>0,05) differences between the catches from the two regions. These results are contrary to findings of most other researchers and possible reasons for these differences are discussed.