Sea catfishes (Ariidae) feeding on freshwater floodplains of northern Australia
Bradley J. Pusey
A B C E , Timothy D. Jardine D , Stuart E. Bunn A and Michael M. Douglas C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Kessels Road, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia.
B Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia.
C School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
D School of Environment and Sustainability, Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, Preston Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7H 4J6, Canada.
E Corresponding author. Email: bpusey@westnet.com.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 71(12) 1628-1639 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF20012
Submitted: 9 January 2020 Accepted: 8 April 2020 Published: 11 June 2020
Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2020 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND
Abstract
Flooding of the terminal floodplains of northern Australian rivers provides a greatly expanded, productive habitat accessed by both freshwater and estuarine fishes. This study aimed to determine the extent to which sea catfishes (Ariidae) make use of floodplains and the reasons for doing so (i.e. spawning, feeding). Nine species were collected from floodplains and adjacent distributaries of the Mitchell and Flinders rivers; floodplain use was largely restricted to freshwater species. Evidence of prior wet season spawning was recorded for some species, and mesenteric lipid deposits indicated that fish were in good condition. However, little evidence of spawning on floodplains was found. Stomach content analysis and stable isotope analysis indicated dietary partitioning, particularly between freshwater and estuarine species, but also within freshwater species, and indicated that some species were responsive to variations in food availability. Isotope analyses suggest extensive movement between freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats at different life history stages for the catfish assemblage studied. Terminal floodplains of northern Australian rivers provide important temporary habitat for adult sea catfishes to feed upon, but do not appear to be used as spawning grounds.
Additional keywords: dietary partitioning, stable isotopes, stomach contents, wet–dry tropics.
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