Seasonal Variation in Nekton Assemblages in Tidal and Nontidal Tributaries in a Barrier Island Lagoon System

Abstract

Fish communities in tidal tributaries have received considerable attention, but the relative value of nontidal tributaries (having a tidal amplitude of < 5 cm) may represent an under-valued habitat. A multi-gear sampling approach was used to collect fish and macroinvertebrates from one tidal and two nontidal tributaries to describe and compare the respective nekton communities and habitat use patterns. Nekton communities in tidal and nontidal tributaries were markedly different even though habitats were similar (e.g., temperature, DO, depths, shoreline vegetation). While catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of estuarine-dependent species (e.g., red drum, spot, common snook) was lower in nontidal tributaries, the overall nekton CPUE was twice that of the tidal tributary, and the community was comprised mostly of freshwater marsh species (e.g., eastern mosquitofish, sailfin molly, bluefin killifish). Based on the life histories of the fishes that differed between tributary types, the proximity of coastal inlets and availability of effective larval transport mechanisms for estuarine-dependent species may be greater determinants of community differences than factors related to tributary size or shoreline habitat type. These results recognize smaller nontidal tributaries as undervalued nursery habitats and suggest the function as secondary nursery habitats is a critical service to the overall estuarine community.