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Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences

Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research

Marine and Freshwater Research is a multidisciplinary journal publishing original research and reviews on all aquatic environments and subject areas. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Max Finlayson

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Marine and Freshwater Research has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 14 March 2024

MF22278Biodiversity patterns of macrofauna associated with Halodule wrightii (Ascherson) in meadows of north-eastern Brazil

Maria L. M. Vieira 0000-0001-5235-5012, João V. Nunes Souza 0000-0003-3536-5555, João L. L. Feitosa 0000-0003-1257-2340, José E. De Assis 0000-0002-1522-2904 and José R. B. Souza 0000-0002-0144-3992
 

The macrofauna associated with Halodule wrightii meadows had a positive relationship between taxonomic and functional diversities, increasing from the least to the most complex habitats. The most prominent differences were in the composition of functional characteristics. We attribute the high macrofaunal diversity to a high species turnover among and within meadows, which synergises with shifts in environmental factors (e.g. organic-matter content). Our results suggest that the loss of complexity in Brazilian seagrass meadows results in changes in community composition and the ecological functions performed by the organisms.

Published online 13 March 2024

MF23192Reproductive dynamics of striped marlin (Kajikia audax) in the central North Pacific

Robert L. Humphreys Jr 0000-0001-7360-5586 and Jon K. T. Brodziak
 

Striped marlin spawning in the central North Pacific was previously little studied. Our investigation has shown that both females and males mature at smaller sizes than in all other Pacific regions surveyed. These results have direct application for current efforts to evaluate the health and resilience of the population in the western and central North Pacific, which is currently considered to be commercially overfished and subject to continued overfishing.

Dwarf pufferfish (Carinotetraodon travancoricus) is a threatened ornamental fish exploited from rivers of Western Ghats for live aquarium-fish trade. The stock is unsustainable under the current level of exploitation. The species is likely to be captured before it matures and breeds, contributing to declining recruitment. A combination of different strategies, including closed fishing seasons, limit on the size of the fish caught, and implementation of no-take fishing areas will improve sustainable management and conservation of dwarf pufferfish in the Western Ghats.

Published online 08 March 2024

MF23042Detection of RNA presence of different coronaviruses in aquatic environmental samples

Andrey Bogoyavlenskiy 0000-0002-9397-3279, Elmira Anarkulova, Makhabbat Amanbayeva, Madina Alexyuk, Pavel Alexyuk and Vladimir Berezin
 

It was found that enveloped viruses can persist in water from several days to several weeks, creating the prerequisites for monitoring the circulation of viruses in environmental samples. It was showed that water samples of natural reservoirs can contain fragments of nucleic acids of most varieties of coronavirus, including epidemically significant SARS-like viruses.

Published online 08 March 2024

MF23243Incorporating rock pools in coastal infrastructure, an eco-engineered approach to enhance biodiversity

Shirin Saeid, Ali Nasrolahi 0000-0002-1455-9839 and Amin Afzali
 

As human populations and climate-change concerns increase, artificial coastal structures have become essential. However, they often harm marine biodiversity. To mitigate this impact, we artificially incorporated rock pools into a concrete-block breakwater. The study showed a significant increase in species richness and abundance owing to the presence of rock pools.

This study represents the first assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of the Australian screen design guidelines in protecting larvae and young-of-year age class of a native fish. Fish screens reduced larval entrainment by up to 84%. However, fish screens had little effect on reducing larval fish entrainment at higher velocities. Juvenile impingement was positively associated with approach velocity and mortality increased with impingement duration.

First Nations peoples of Australia hold deep cultural connections and knowledge of marine molluscs and Sea Country that has persisted for millennia. To sustain mollusc aquaculture and biodiversity we need to join Indigenous and Western Science knowledges together. Only then we will really recognise the strength we have in working together on Sea Country.

This article belongs to the collection Science in Sea Country.

Fish in exploited populations tend to grow faster because they experience less density-dependent competition for resources. Faster-growing individuals mature younger or larger, potentially compensating for reproductive output lost because of fishing mortality. We compared growth in fished and unfished populations of Perth herring, a long-lived (20 years), anadromous fish endemic to south-western Australia. As hypothesised, fished populations displayed faster growth and earlier maturation. However, we suggest that faster growth does not fully compensate for the lower population resilience associated with a shortened lifespan in this species.

Published online 20 February 2024

MF23189The risky nightlife of undersized sea urchins

Jennifer E. Smith 0000-0001-5051-3769, Emma Flukes 0000-0003-2749-834X and John P. Keane 0000-0001-8950-5176
 

Longspined sea urchins form extensive barrens in south-eastern Australia. Despite the previous assumption that small, undersized sea urchins are cryptic and inaccessible to predators, we show that small urchins are in fact active and move around on open reef during the night. This behaviour puts them at risk of predation by nocturnal predators, such as lobsters. Knowledge about this predator–prey interaction will inform management and help control the urchin.

The Mediterranean fanworm is a highly invasive marine worm that is originally from Europe, but has also established and spread around parts of Australasia. To better understand the invasive capacity of this species, its maturation and reproduction were investigated and compared with those in previous studies. The results indicated that this fanworm has high reproductive flexibility, contributing to its invasive capacity.

Published online 05 February 2024

MF23144Impacts of necrotising disease on the Endangered cauliflower soft coral (Dendronephthya australis)

Rosemary Kate Steinberg 0000-0002-6153-2743, John Turnbull 0000-0002-8935-1012, Tracy D. Ainsworth 0000-0001-6476-9263, Katherine A. Dafforn 0000-0001-8848-377X, Alistair G. B. Poore 0000-0002-3560-3659 and Emma L. Johnston 0000-0002-2117-366X
 

Coral disease has caused coral declines globally, but we know little about how soft corals are affected. Here, we studied the effects of disease on an endangered soft coral by examining the disease microscopically, and by recording the loss and recovery of the population. We found that the disease harmed the corals and killed individual colonies, but that the population started recovering quickly. To improve conservation outcomes, we suggest that disease surveys should be included in monitoring and restoration efforts.

Published online 05 February 2024

MF23202The utility of otolith weight in growth studies of young-of-year bony bream (Nematalosa erebi), Australia’s most widespread freshwater fish

Oliver P. Pratt 0000-0001-7323-4594, Leah S. Beesley 0000-0003-4850-6388, Bradley J. Pusey 0000-0002-7446-7186, Daniel C. Gwinn 0000-0002-3633-0904, Chris S. Keogh, Samantha A. Setterfield 0000-0002-7470-4997 and Michael M. Douglas 0000-0003-3650-3374
 

The microstructure of calcium carbonate stones in the inner ear of young-of-year fish can be analysed to determine age, an expensive and time-consuming process. Ear stone weight can be used as a surrogate for age, but this relationship has yet to be validated for bony bream. The present study validates this relationship to facilitate the life-history characterisation of Australia’s most widespread freshwater fish.

Published online 05 February 2024

MF23088Age, growth and maturity of an endemic valuable resource, the Rio skate (Rioraja agassizii (Chondrichthyes: Rajiformes)), off Uruguay and northern Argentina

Santiago J. Bianchi 0000-0003-1782-8974, Jorge M. Roman 0000-0002-7455-8010, Luis O. Lucifora 0000-0002-1443-303X and Santiago A. Barbini 0000-0003-2922-828X
 

Rioraja agassizii is a vulnerable species endemic of the Southwest Atlantic and faces threats from trawl fisheries across its habitat. With a moderate growth rate and sexual maturity similar to other skates of its size, urgent action is needed. Skate species in Argentina differ in maximum ages, growth rates and maturity, highlighting the need for immediate species-specific management measures to protect these marine animals.

The seawater quality in the Dongji Island yellow croaker aquaculture area in Zhoushan, China, was assessed by the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. Seawater quality was better in 2019 than in 2020, with overall water quality classified as Class I in both years. However, there were variations in water quality among individual months in 2020. The fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method can be used in other regions to assess and manage seawater quality in aquaculture areas effectively.

This article belongs to the collection Ecological Monitoring and Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems.

Published online 31 January 2024

MF22212Fluorescence in the estimation of chlorophyll-a in public water reservoirs in the Brazilian cerrado

Lucélia Souza de Barros 0000-0002-0837-3544, Tati de Almeida 0000-0002-6387-8254, Raquel Moraes Soares 0000-0003-3880-6248, Bruno Dias Batista, Henrique Dantas Borges 0000-0002-0729-5767 and Rejane Ennes Cicerelli 0000-0002-8199-5163
 

It was observed that the use of fluorimetric measurements is an excellent alternative for quantifying chlorophyll concentration. However, absolute fluorescence units offered by the available equipment are not always the best alternative. It is suggested in this research to use empirical models that relate field measurements with fluorimetic data through the use of relative fluorescence units.

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