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Diversity
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Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and...
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Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and Diversity

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 11174

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lei Zhou

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Guest Editor
College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
Interests: fish functional diversity; environmental DNA; invasive fish species; multiple human impacts; aquatic biodiversity and conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Junjie Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
Interests: phylogeography; environmental DNA; genetic diversity; freshwater fish; species conservation
Prof. Dr. Chuanbo Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
Interests: fisheries management; freshwater aquaculture; ecosystem modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fish are an incredibly diverse group of animals that live in both freshwater and saltwater environments. They play a vital role in maintaining the health of ecosystems and are an important source of food and income for millions of people around the world. Despite their ecological and economic importance, fish and their habitats are facing numerous threats, including overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, invasion by non-native species and climate change. This has led to the decline of many fish species and an overall reduction in fish diversity. To ensure the future of fish populations and the services they provide, it is vital we take action to conserve them. This requires addressing the underlying causes of these threats and implementing effective conservation measures, such as sustainable fishing practices, habitat restoration and protection of critical habitats. However, conservation efforts are often hampered by a lack of understanding of the complex dynamics of fish populations or communities and the challenges they face.

This Special Issue, “Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and Diversity”, highlights the current understanding of the role of environmental variables in shaping fish populations and their habitats. We invite manuscripts that focus on the effects of different factors, including anthropogenic disturbance, water quality and temperature and other variables on fish species and communities.

Dr. Lei Zhou
Dr. Junjie Wang
Prof. Dr. Chuanbo Guo
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fish ecology
  • environmental variables
  • water quality
  • habitat destruction
  • anthropogenic disturbance
  • conservation

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 3196 KiB  
Article
Molecular Data Confirm the Occurrence of the Allochthonous Gambusia holbrooki (Pisces: Poeciliidae) in Sicily and the Maltese Archipelago
by Luca Vecchioni, Mirko Liuzzo, Arnold Sciberras, Jeffrey Sciberras, Justin Formosa, Alan Deidun, Gabriele Giacalone, Vincenzo Arizza, Marco Arculeo, Federico Marrone and Francesco Paolo Faraone
Diversity 2025, 17(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17010048 - 13 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1004
Abstract
A major threat to biodiversity is represented by Invasive Alien Species (IAS), particularly on freshwater ecosystems, which are already heavily altered by human activities. Two of the most pernicious IAS are the eastern and western mosquitofish, i.e., Gambusia holbrooki and G. affinis [...] Read more.
A major threat to biodiversity is represented by Invasive Alien Species (IAS), particularly on freshwater ecosystems, which are already heavily altered by human activities. Two of the most pernicious IAS are the eastern and western mosquitofish, i.e., Gambusia holbrooki and G. affinis. These two poeciliids are morphologically very close to each other, and soon after their formal description, G. holbrooki was considered a subspecies of G. affinis. In the following years, several studies proved that these two entities belonged to two different species; nevertheless, it was only at the end of the 1990s that their separate taxonomic status was re-established. In the 1920s and 1930s, both G. holbrooki and G. affinis were asynchronously introduced from the United States into Europe and subsequently translocated globally as biocontrol agents of the malaria vector (i.e., the larvae of the Anopheles mosquitoes), with dramatic consequences for the inland water native fauna. However, due to taxonomic uncertainties and nomenclatural instability, for years, there were doubts about which Gambusia species had been introduced in different regions. The first available molecular studies confirmed the occurrence of G. holbrooki in Europe, but no evidence confirming the occurrence of G. affinis was found. Despite this, some records report the occurrence of western mosquitofish in Italy and Malta. Considering the negative effects that the mosquitofish has on the native biota, it is of paramount importance to know the precise biological diversity of the native and non-native species to better implement environmental management strategies to properly preserve the already-fragile waterbodies. Therefore, to check for the possible occurrence of G. affinis in Italy and Malta, we conducted extensive sampling in Sicily (Italy) and in the Maltese archipelago, aiming to verify the identity of Gambusia populations occurring in the study area. Based on sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, we consistently observed the occurrence of only G. holbrooki in the investigated area, finding, almost exclusively, the most common haplotype known for the species in the whole invaded range (i.e., “HOL1”). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and Diversity)
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23 pages, 5114 KiB  
Article
Mapping the Distribution and Population Status of Alosa immaculata and Alosa tanaica (Teleostei, Clupeidae) in the Bulgarian Black Sea Area
by Desislava Rozdina, Yana Stoyanova, Georgi Terziyski, Slavi Studenkov, Boris Karakushev, Venceslav Delov, Konstantin Mihaylov, Dimitar Kozhuharov, Yordan Kutsarov, Nikolay Kolev, Nikolay Nedyalkov and Nikolay Natchev
Diversity 2025, 17(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17010038 - 6 Jan 2025
Viewed by 680
Abstract
(1) Background: To date, data concerning the population of Alosa immaculata and Alosa tanaica from the marine waters of Bulgaria are rather scarce. In the range of a project for mapping the Bulgarian marine protected sites from the network NATURA 2000, we provide [...] Read more.
(1) Background: To date, data concerning the population of Alosa immaculata and Alosa tanaica from the marine waters of Bulgaria are rather scarce. In the range of a project for mapping the Bulgarian marine protected sites from the network NATURA 2000, we provide an intense investigation of the biology and distribution of both Alosa species. (2) Methods: A trawling survey was carried out within 102 predefined sampling plots of 10 × 10 km grid cells (93 cells on the continental shelf, up to 100 m depth, and 9 offshore cells). In some coastal regions, sampling was conducted with gill nets of different mesh sizes (28 mm to 36 mm). Analysis of the suitability of the occupied habitat of both species was carried out using the MAXENT v 3.4.0 software application. The status of the populations was studied based on the parameters abundance (ind./km−2), biomass (kg/km−2), size, sex structure, maturity, and food spectrum. (3) Results: Out of 102 transects studied, A. immaculata was found in 12 transects and A. tanaica in 13. A total of 408 fish specimens were captured, out of which 313 were A. immaculata and 95 were A. tanaica. Both species were distributed along Bulgaria’s entire Black Sea coast, with a numerical prevalence of the catches in the southern part. The population size of A. immaculata for the number of individuals on a biographical level in the Marine Black Sea Biographic Region (MBLS) was a minimum of 100,255 individuals and a maximum of 526,408 individuals (the average was 313,286). The population size for A. tanaica was a minimum of 28,183 individuals and a maximum of 449,549 individuals (an average of 238,866). The current population density of A. immaculata in the MBLS was 25.98 ind./km−2, and for A. tanaica, it was 19.00 ind./km−2. The current biomass of the population of A. immaculata in the MBLS was 3.44 kg/km−2, and the population of A. tanaica was 0.53 kg/km−2. The sex ratio for A. immaculata was 1 male:2.6 females, and for A. tanaica, 1 male:3.8 females. Both shad species were feeding with less intensity or not feeding during the winter. The diversity in the food spectrum of A. tanaica was more limited compared to that of A. immaculata. (4) Conclusions: Key parameters for the Bulgarian Black Sea Exclusive Economic Zone indicate current stability in the resources of A. immaculata and A. tanaica and more favorable conditions for the populations in the Natura 2000 sites compared to that outside the Natura 2000. The results of this study should be used to develop management plans for marine protected areas, and future monitoring projects should follow the sampling protocol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and Diversity)
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12 pages, 1190 KiB  
Article
Fish of Low Commercial Value in Lakes of Different Trophic Status (Poland)
by Krystyna Kalinowska, Dariusz Ulikowski, Michał Kozłowski, Piotr Traczuk, Maciej Szkudlarek, Konrad Stawecki and Andrzej Kapusta
Diversity 2024, 16(8), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080437 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 900
Abstract
In a commercial fishery, some fish are classified as low-value, but their classification varies in different countries. The aim of this study was to determine the abundance, contribution, and dominance of low-value fish species, such as Abramis brama < 1000 g, Alburnus alburnus [...] Read more.
In a commercial fishery, some fish are classified as low-value, but their classification varies in different countries. The aim of this study was to determine the abundance, contribution, and dominance of low-value fish species, such as Abramis brama < 1000 g, Alburnus alburnus, Blicca bjoerkna, Gymnocephalus cernua, Perca fluviatilis < 100 g, Rutilus rutilus < 200 g, and Scardinius erythrophthalmus < 200 g, in 145 Polish lakes of different areas, depths, and trophic statuses situated in the northern and central parts of Poland in 2021. Perca fluviatilis and R. rutilus were the most frequent low-value species (100% and 99%, respectively). The contribution of all low-value fish to the total biomass of caught fish was relatively high, ranging from 37% in the mesotrophic lake to 100% in the eutrophic lake (mean of 77 ± 14%). Lakes in which the contribution of low-value species exceeded 90% were relatively numerous (24 lakes, 17% of the studied lakes). Among a total of about 437.5 thousand low-value fish, 261 thousand specimens (60%) had a body weight of below 10 g. All low-value fish species, except for P. fluviatilis and S. erythrophthalmus, were related to the studied environmental variables. The relative biomass of these species increased with increasing lake productivity, while it decreased with the increasing maximum and mean depth of the studied lakes. The high contribution of low-value fish to the total biomass in many lakes indicates the need for the constant monitoring of the abundance and structure of fish communities and the use of appropriate actions (biomanipulation and stocking with piscivorous fish species) to improve the ecological condition of lakes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and Diversity)
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16 pages, 2429 KiB  
Article
Population Structure and Phylogeography of Marine Gastropods Monodonta labio and M. confusa (Trochidae) along the Northwestern Pacific Coast
by Yuh-Wen Chiu, Hor Bor, Jin-Xian Wu, Bao-Sen Shieh and Hung-Du Lin
Diversity 2023, 15(9), 1021; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15091021 - 17 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1671
Abstract
The genetic structure and demographic history of marine organisms are influenced by biological and ecological features, oceanic currents, and the paleo-geological effects of sea-level fluctuations. In this study, we used mitochondrial COI + 16S gene analysis to investigate the phylogeographic pattern and demography [...] Read more.
The genetic structure and demographic history of marine organisms are influenced by biological and ecological features, oceanic currents, and the paleo-geological effects of sea-level fluctuations. In this study, we used mitochondrial COI + 16S gene analysis to investigate the phylogeographic pattern and demography of Monodonta labio and M. confusa in Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, mainland China, and Korea. Our genetic analysis identified two major lineages that were not evident from the distribution patterns of different populations. The Taiwan Strait, which acted as a land bridge during Pleistocene glaciations, and the lack of strong dispersal barriers to gene flow between ocean basins after glaciations shaped the phylogeographic pattern. The genetic differentiation in the Ryukyu Islands was influenced by the specialist-generalist variation hypothesis and the Kuroshio Current. Bayesian skyline plot analyses suggested that the effective population size of M. labio and M. confusa rapidly increased approximately 0.1 and 0.075 million years ago, respectively. Our approximate Bayesian computation analysis suggested that all M. labio and M. confusa populations experienced a decline in population size following a recent population expansion and constant size, respectively. Our study provides a baseline for future investigations of the biogeographical patterns of marine gastropods in the Northwest Pacific and offers valuable insights for the management, sustainable resource utilization, and conservation of this species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and Diversity)
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15 pages, 4948 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Drivers of Spatiotemporal Patterns in Fish Community in a Non-Fed Aquaculture Reservoir
by Gongpei Wang, Shilei Sang, Zanhu Zhou, Dapeng Wang, Xin Chen, Yusen Li, Chuanbo Guo and Lei Zhou
Diversity 2023, 15(8), 886; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15080886 - 26 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1379
Abstract
Non-fed aquaculture is an important contributor to low environmental impact protein production. However, knowledge of spatiotemporal patterns of the fish community in non-fed fishery systems remains limited, despite their ecological importance for sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. To elucidate the status of the fisheries [...] Read more.
Non-fed aquaculture is an important contributor to low environmental impact protein production. However, knowledge of spatiotemporal patterns of the fish community in non-fed fishery systems remains limited, despite their ecological importance for sustainable aquaculture and fisheries. To elucidate the status of the fisheries and their critical drivers in non-fed fishery systems, hydroacoustic surveys were conducted seasonally in Hongchaojiang Reservoir in two seasons (spring and autumn) of two consecutive years: 2018 and 2019. Results showed that the average fish density in Hongchaojiang Reservoir was 121.6 ind./1000 m3. Fish communities varied significantly between geographical locations and seasons. On the temporal scale, fish densities in October were higher than those in April. On the spatial scale, fish densities were higher in the upstream (S1 and S3) than those in the midstream (S2, S4, S5, S6), while the density of S7, S8 and S9 in the downstream was the lowest. Trophic level index, zooplankton, chlorophyll-a, and phytoplankton play vital roles in fish distributional patterns, while the target strength, which reflects fish body size, was highly associated with water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total organic carbon, and phytoplankton. These results suggest that the spatiotemporal distribution of the fish community in Hongchaojiang Reservoir was jointly influenced by biotic and abiotic variables of water bodies, and highlight the importance of water nutrient levels and food availability in shaping fish distribution in the non-fed aquaculture system. This study should improve our understanding of ecological patterns and dominant drivers in fish stocks and provide information for successful sustainable management in non-fed purification fisheries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and Diversity)
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17 pages, 1448 KiB  
Article
Climate Change Potential Impacts on the Tuna Fisheries in the Exclusive Economic Zones of Tonga
by Siosaia Vaihola and Stuart Kininmonth
Diversity 2023, 15(7), 844; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15070844 - 10 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4180
Abstract
The potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of tuna in Pacific Island countries’ exclusive economic zones have yet to be investigated rigorously and so their persistence and abundance in these areas remain uncertain. Here, we estimate optimal fisheries areas for four [...] Read more.
The potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of tuna in Pacific Island countries’ exclusive economic zones have yet to be investigated rigorously and so their persistence and abundance in these areas remain uncertain. Here, we estimate optimal fisheries areas for four tuna species: albacore (Thunnus alalunga), bigeye (Thunnus obesus), skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), and yellowfin (Thunnus albacares). We consider different climate change scenarios, RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, RCP 6.0, and RCP 8.5, within a set of tuna catch records in the exclusive economic zone of Tonga. Using environmental and CPUE datasets, species distribution modelling estimated and predicted these fisheries areas in the current and future climatic scenarios. Our projections indicate an expansion in area and a shift of productive areas to the southern part of this exclusive economic zone of Tonga. This is an indication that future climatic scenarios might be suitable for the species under study; however, changes in trophic layers, ocean currents, and ocean chemistry might alter this finding. The information provided here will be relevant in planning future national actions towards the proper management of these species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Evaluating the Influence of Environmental Variables on Fish Ecology and Diversity)
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