TY - JOUR
T1 - Connectivity of Mekong fishes between freshwater and marine habitats
AU - Vu, An Vi
AU - Baumgartner, L.J.
AU - Howitt, Julia
AU - Limburg, Karin
AU - Reinhardt, Juliane
AU - Mallen-Cooper, Martin
AU - Cowx, Ian
PY - 2020/8
Y1 - 2020/8
N2 - Many Mekong fishes are associated with saline water and require movement between freshwater sections of the river, the delta and the sea. Our work has found that around 11 percent of Mekong fish species distribute in a wide range of environments (freshwater,brackish, marine). Dozens of fish species exhibit diadromous traits. A micro chemistry study of 15 Mekong species has revealed that some live in the sea but migrate long distances up the Mekong River for breeding. Many others spend their lives in the river but spawn at sea.Interestingly, several species show variation in migration strategies. For example, some individuals within a given species connect with the Mekong estuary. Others simply stay, and complete their entire lives, in freshwater only.Our work is demonstrating that the life cycles of Mekong species are far more complex than previously thought. Mekong fishes need free access from freshwater and saline water to complete their life cycles.
AB - Many Mekong fishes are associated with saline water and require movement between freshwater sections of the river, the delta and the sea. Our work has found that around 11 percent of Mekong fish species distribute in a wide range of environments (freshwater,brackish, marine). Dozens of fish species exhibit diadromous traits. A micro chemistry study of 15 Mekong species has revealed that some live in the sea but migrate long distances up the Mekong River for breeding. Many others spend their lives in the river but spawn at sea.Interestingly, several species show variation in migration strategies. For example, some individuals within a given species connect with the Mekong estuary. Others simply stay, and complete their entire lives, in freshwater only.Our work is demonstrating that the life cycles of Mekong species are far more complex than previously thought. Mekong fishes need free access from freshwater and saline water to complete their life cycles.
M3 - Article
SN - 0859-290X
VL - 26
SP - 10
EP - 13
JO - Mekong Fish Catch and Culture
JF - Mekong Fish Catch and Culture
IS - 2
ER -