Monthly variations in species co-occurrence patterns of fishes in a temperate estuary

Abstract

Co-occurrence patterns of species in spatial and temporal scale can provide insight into how fish species distributions and community structure are determined. Identifying temporal shifts of co-occurrence patterns and the influencing factors is important for biodiversity conservation of fish species. However, the species co-occurrence patterns of fishes in estuary are poorly understood in terms of temporal dynamics, especially monthly changes. The co-occurrence patterns of fish communities and the significant species pairs underlying the patterns observed in different months were examined using null model analysis in the Yellow River estuary. Fish communities displayed nonrandom coexistence patterns and were structured in most months in the estuary. A few significantly aggregated or segregated species pairs were found in different months, even though there was no significant overall pattern. Fish species co-occurrence patterns are variable over months and migratory fish species can contribute obviously to forming significant species pairs and structured patterns in the temperate estuary.