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DOES THE AUTECOLOGY OF THE MANGROVE RIVULUS FISH (RIVULUS MARMORATUS) REFLECT A PARADIGM FOR MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM SENSITIVITY?
Citation:
Davis, W., D. Taylor, AND B. Turner. DOES THE AUTECOLOGY OF THE MANGROVE RIVULUS FISH (RIVULUS MARMORATUS) REFLECT A PARADIGM FOR MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM SENSITIVITY? U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-95/458, 1995.
Description:
The killifish Rivulus marmoratus, mangrove rivulus, represents the one of the two potentially truly "mangrove dependent" fish species in western Atlantic mangrove ecosystems. he distribution of this species closely parallels the range of red mangroves. hese plants and fish exhibit parallel ecological and physiological tolerances to the wide ranges of tropical temperatures and salinities, as well as substrate and hydrological conditions of mangrove habitats. he mangrove rivulus, R. marmoratus is, as well, the only truly marine representative of a species genus of otherwise freshwater fish species. any of the biological specializations of this species characterize the specific challenges to survival in mangrove forest conditions. s recent studies report, this fish species, once considered "rare," has been shown to be very abundant in specific substrate microhabitats of the mangal. mong the unique specializations of this fish are amphibious emersion from water, survival in moist detrital substrate during periods of low water or drought, and reproduction through internal self-fertilization producing homozygous clones. he autecology of this species provides fascinating insights and generates a wealth of questions regarding evolution of specific adaptations for distribution, dispersal, colonization, population genetics and the interrelationships between adaptation and specialization. he Indian River Lagoon (IRL) represents both the site of rediscovery of the fish as well as the northern frontier of the species distribution range, habitat, and ecosystem. his suggests close interrelationships and parallels in the parameters to which the species has adapted, perhaps representing a commonage, of ecological association. hese aspects are discussed with respect to details and insight needed to develop strategies for the management of unique communities and ecosystems, especially along their natural distributional borders. he topic raises such questions as: re some "exotic species" actually examples of newly arrived colonizers, representing dynamic biotic responses to climate change and/or anthropogenic habitat modification?