Journal article
Ontogenetic depth partitioning by juvenile freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon: Pristidae) in a riverine environment
Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.60(4), pp.306-316
2009
Abstract
The freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon) is a critically endangered elasmobranch. Ontogenetic changes in the habitat use of juvenile P. microdon were studied using acoustic tracking in the Fitzroy River, Western Australia. Habitat partitioning was significant between 0+ (2007 year class) and larger 1+ (2006 year class) P. microdon. Smaller 0+ fish generally occupied shallower water (<0.6 m) compared with 1+ individuals, which mainly occurred in depths >0.6 m. Significant differences in hourly depth use were also revealed. The depth that 1+ P. microdon occupied was significantly influenced by lunar phase with these animals utilising a shallower and narrower depth range during the full moon compared with the new moon. This was not observed in 0+ individuals. Habitat partitioning was likely to be related to predator avoidance, foraging behaviours, and temperature and/or light regimes. The occurrence of 1+ P. microdon in deeper water may also result from a need for greater depths in which to manoeuvre. The present study demonstrates the utility of acoustic telemetry in monitoring P. microdon in a riverine environment. These results demonstrate the need to consider the habitat requirements of different P. microdon cohorts in the strategic planning of natural resources and will aid in the development of management strategies for this species.
Details
- Title
- Ontogenetic depth partitioning by juvenile freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon: Pristidae) in a riverine environment
- Authors/Creators
- J.M. Whitty (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityD.L. Morgan (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS.C. Peverell (Author/Creator) - Northern (Arctic) Federal UniversityD.C. Thorburn (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityS.J. Beatty (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Marine and Freshwater Research, Vol.60(4), pp.306-316
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005540456007891
- Copyright
- © CSIRO 2009.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Fish and Fisheries Research
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.2 Marine Biology
- 3.2.92 Fisheries Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Fisheries
- Limnology
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- Oceanography
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science