A REVIEW OF THE ICHTHYOFAUNA OF THE MHLATHUZE ESTUARY

Abstract

Summary The fish fauna of the Mhlathuze estuary was reviewed making reference to surveys dating from 1948 to 1997. The concept of Estuarine Dependence Category was employed to describe species affinities with the marine, estuarine and freshwater environments. At least 121 species of fish from 49 families have been recorded from the estuary in the referenced data. Marine-spawning estuarine dependants dominated species numbers. Estuarine spawning species historically contributed about twelve percent of the species present but more recently their contribution to species numbers has nearly doubled. Thirteen species recorded are southern African endemics and six are listed as having special conservation status. The estuary's importance to juveniles of marine-spawning fish species that utilise estuaries is considered of regional and national significance. Estuarine and marine-spawning species have historically dominated species numbers in the lower Mhlathuze River and associated coastal lakes. The role of the e...