Journal article
A comprehensive analysis of all known fishes from Sydney Harbour
Marine pollution bulletin, Vol.185, pp.1-13
12/2022
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Abstract
Fishes represent an important natural resource and yet their diversity and function in dynamic estuaries with relatively high levels of human pressure such as Sydney Harbour have rarely been quantified. Further, Eastern Australia supports the survival and persistence of an increasing number of tropical species found within temperate estuaries owing to increasing average ocean temperatures. A re-valuation of the number of fish species known from Sydney Harbour is therefore needed. In this study, we generated an up-to-date and annotated checklist of fishes recorded from Sydney Harbour based on verified natural history records as well as newly available citizen science records based on opportunistic observations and structured surveys. We explored the spatial and temporal distribution of these records. In addition, we quantified the function, conservation status, and commercial importance of the identified fishes. The number of fish species recorded from Sydney Harbour now stands at 675, an increase of 89 species (15 %) when compared to the most recent evaluation in 2013. We attribute this increase in fish diversity over a relatively short time to the contribution of newer citizen science programs as well as the influx and survival of fishes in the Harbour with preferences for warmer waters. Some fish families were also overrepresented in the more urbanized and polluted sections of the Harbour. In forecasting further environmental impacts on the fishes of Sydney Harbour, we recommend increased integration of collaborative citizen science programs and natural history collections as a means to track these changes.
Details
- Title
- A comprehensive analysis of all known fishes from Sydney Harbour
- Creators
- Joseph D. DiBattista - Australian MuseumTanika C. Shalders - Southern Cross UniversitySally Reader - Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2010, AustraliaAmanda Hay - Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2010, AustraliaKerryn Parkinson - Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2010, AustraliaRobert J. Williams - New South Wales Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries, AustraliaJemina Stuart-Smith - Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, AustraliaMark McGrouther - Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- Publication Details
- Marine pollution bulletin, Vol.185, pp.1-13
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991013062313002368
- Copyright
- © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article