zoogeography of fishes

Zoogeography of FishesZoogeography of Fishes

Zoogeography of FishesZoogeography of Fishes Patterns and processes in the distribution of

fishes (i.e., what causes certain fish species to be where they are?) Global Regional Local

Successively smaller sieves that determine fish distribution

Predictability of fish assemblages

Patterns and processes in the distribution of fishes (i.e., what causes certain fish species to be where they are?) Global Regional Local

Successively smaller sieves that determine fish distribution

Predictability of fish assemblages

GlobalGlobal

Plate tectonics Rearrangement of

land masses sunfishes

restricted to N.A. (arose following split of land masses, temperate, freshwater)

Plate tectonics Rearrangement of

land masses sunfishes

restricted to N.A. (arose following split of land masses, temperate, freshwater)

Regional - HistoricRegional - Historic

Drainage Divides Broad drainages

isolate aquatic communities (Mississippi vs. Atlantic Slope)

Drainage Divides Broad drainages

isolate aquatic communities (Mississippi vs. Atlantic Slope)

Regional - HistoricRegional - Historic Drainage Divides

Drainage rearrangement (stream capture)

Populations of Mississippi R. fishes on Atlantic slope

Etheostoma blennioides (Potomac captured Mississippi)

Drainage Divides Drainage

rearrangement (stream capture)

Populations of Mississippi R. fishes on Atlantic slope

Etheostoma blennioides (Potomac captured Mississippi)

Regional—HistoricRegional—Historic Glaciation

Mississippi Drainage oriented N – SFish disperse south

Atlantic Drainage oriented E – W Teays R was the major N-W flowing river

Ice sheets dams caused it to flow S through the small Mississippi R.

Melt water cut through central highlands making Mississippi R the major river

Ancient Teays River Valley near present-day New and Kanawha Rivers

Glaciation Mississippi Drainage oriented N – S

Fish disperse south Atlantic Drainage oriented E – W Teays R was the major N-W flowing river

Ice sheets dams caused it to flow S through the small Mississippi R.

Melt water cut through central highlands making Mississippi R the major river

Ancient Teays River Valley near present-day New and Kanawha Rivers

Pre-PleistocenePre-Pleistocene

PleistocenePleistocene

•Tennessee River most diverse

•Atlantic slope least diverse

•New / Kanawha River basin “relatively diverse”

Warren et al. 1997

SE Fish Richness

SE Fish Richness

Regional - LocalRegional - Local

Geology (regional characteristic that influences local conditions) Habitat Water Flow Chemistry

Alkalinity - HardnessProductivity

Geology (regional characteristic that influences local conditions) Habitat Water Flow Chemistry

Alkalinity - HardnessProductivity

Regional - LocalRegional - Local Spatial Position

The position of a stream segment in a stream network influences species found there (distance from a species pool).

Spatial Position The position of a stream segment in a

stream network influences species found there (distance from a species pool).

Influence of BarriersInfluence of Barriers

Influence of Stochastic Events

Influence of Stochastic Events

LocalLocal Competition / Predation Water Chemistry Water Flow Productivity Habitat Gradient Stream Size

Competition / Predation Water Chemistry Water Flow Productivity Habitat Gradient Stream Size

0

5

10

15

20

25

0 5 10 15 20

Expected Richness

Observed Richness

Species Richness = -5.16 + 4.6 x (Basin Area) + 0.39 x (Link Order Diff) R2 = 0.79df = 17p < 0.0001

Zoogeography of Marine Fishes

Zoogeography of Marine Fishes

Barriers to Dispersal in Marine Systems

Barriers to Dispersal in Marine Systems

Continents - e.g. Atlantic vs. Pacific faunas

Temperature - e.g. tropical vs. temperate vs. polar

Salinity - e.g. estuaries, freshwater (Panama Canal)

Depth - deep-dwelling fishes can be isolated by submerged mountain ranges

Continents - e.g. Atlantic vs. Pacific faunas

Temperature - e.g. tropical vs. temperate vs. polar

Salinity - e.g. estuaries, freshwater (Panama Canal)

Depth - deep-dwelling fishes can be isolated by submerged mountain ranges

Mechanisms for Dispersal in Marine Fishes

Mechanisms for Dispersal in Marine Fishes

Directed movements (e.g., with changes in temperature; migrations)

Pelagic eggs/larvae - current-born dispersal

Human action - transplants (e.g., striped bass, American shad in Pacific Ocean; 250 species introduced into San Francisco Bay)

Directed movements (e.g., with changes in temperature; migrations)

Pelagic eggs/larvae - current-born dispersal

Human action - transplants (e.g., striped bass, American shad in Pacific Ocean; 250 species introduced into San Francisco Bay)

Zoogeographic Groupings of Marine Fishes

Zoogeographic Groupings of Marine Fishes

Continental Shelf (neritic) Pelagic Abyssal

Continental Shelf (neritic) Pelagic Abyssal

Zoogeographic Groupings of Marine Fishes

Zoogeographic Groupings of Marine Fishes

Continental Shelf (neritic) - 45% of all fishes Tropical Zone Temperate (North & South) Zones Arctic/Antarctic Zones

Pelagic Abyssal

Continental Shelf (neritic) - 45% of all fishes Tropical Zone Temperate (North & South) Zones Arctic/Antarctic Zones

Pelagic Abyssal

Zoogeographic Groupings of Marine Fishes

Zoogeographic Groupings of Marine Fishes

Pelagic - Epipelagic (1.3% of all fish species) Meso- & Bathypelagic (5% of all fish

species) Arctic Temperate Subtropical Tropical

Pelagic - Epipelagic (1.3% of all fish species) Meso- & Bathypelagic (5% of all fish

species) Arctic Temperate Subtropical Tropical

Zoogeographic Groupings of Marine Fishes

Zoogeographic Groupings of Marine Fishes

Continental Shelf (neritic) Pelagic Deep benthic (abyssal)

6.5% of all fish species little known about these

Continental Shelf (neritic) Pelagic Deep benthic (abyssal)

6.5% of all fish species little known about these

Example: Distribution of pelagic piscivores in north

Pacific Ocean

Example: Distribution of pelagic piscivores in north

Pacific Ocean Arctic:

Arctic char, pink salmon, some cods distributed north of 0° isotherm

North Temperate: North Subtropical: Tropical:

Arctic: Arctic char, pink salmon, some cods distributed north of 0° isotherm

North Temperate: North Subtropical: Tropical:

Example: Distribution of pelagic piscivores in north

Pacific Ocean

Example: Distribution of pelagic piscivores in north

Pacific Ocean Arctic: North Temperate:

coho, chinook, steelhead, sockeye, chum salmon

north of 14° isotherm, south of 0° isotherm

North Subtropical: Tropical:

Arctic: North Temperate:

coho, chinook, steelhead, sockeye, chum salmon

north of 14° isotherm, south of 0° isotherm

North Subtropical: Tropical:

Example: Distribution of pelagic piscivores in north

Pacific Ocean

Example: Distribution of pelagic piscivores in north

Pacific Ocean Arctic: North Temperate: North Subtropical:

some tunas, marlins, basking sharks, mackerel sharks

north of 20° isotherm, south of 14° isotherm

Tropical:

Arctic: North Temperate: North Subtropical:

some tunas, marlins, basking sharks, mackerel sharks

north of 20° isotherm, south of 14° isotherm

Tropical:

Example: Distribution of pelagic piscivores in north

Pacific Ocean

Example: Distribution of pelagic piscivores in north

Pacific Ocean Arctic: North Temperate: North Subtropical: Tropical:

flying fish, tunas, whale sharks, marlins

south of 20° isotherm in northern hemisphere and north of 20° isotherm in southern hemisphere

Arctic: North Temperate: North Subtropical: Tropical:

flying fish, tunas, whale sharks, marlins

south of 20° isotherm in northern hemisphere and north of 20° isotherm in southern hemisphere

Zoogeography of Freshwater

Fishes

Zoogeography of Freshwater

Fishes

Definition & OverviewDefinition & Overview Zoogeography - the study of the

distributions of animal taxa over the surface of the earth

Unique aspects of piscine zoogeography: longer period of record (since 350 mybp) constraints to dispersal in aquatic habitats

(land masses) unique dispersal mechanisms - current

movement of planktonic eggs & larvae

Zoogeography - the study of the distributions of animal taxa over the surface of the earth

Unique aspects of piscine zoogeography: longer period of record (since 350 mybp) constraints to dispersal in aquatic habitats

(land masses) unique dispersal mechanisms - current

movement of planktonic eggs & larvae

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires:

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires: Ecological information - e.g., can

the fish taxa tolerate exposure to fresh water or salt water Freshwater dispersants - e.g.,

minnows - cannot tolerate any salinity Saltwater dispersants - freshwater

fishes that can tolerate salinity - e.g., cichlids

Ecological information - e.g., can the fish taxa tolerate exposure to fresh water or salt water Freshwater dispersants - e.g.,

minnows - cannot tolerate any salinity Saltwater dispersants - freshwater

fishes that can tolerate salinity - e.g., cichlids

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires:

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires: Geological information - what have

been the past connections between water bodies past and present watershed

configurations important - e.g., previous connections between Great Lakes basin and Mississippi River - 79% of fishes in GL Basin originated from Mississippi basin

Geological information - what have been the past connections between water bodies past and present watershed

configurations important - e.g., previous connections between Great Lakes basin and Mississippi River - 79% of fishes in GL Basin originated from Mississippi basin

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires:

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires: Geological

information - continental drift

Geological information - continental drift

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires:

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires: Geological information - continental

drift a single continent (Pangaea) existed as

recently as Triassic (200 mybp) Pangaea split into two continents at end

of Triassic (180 mybp):Northern continent - Laurasia (modern

Eurasia & North AmericaSouthern continent - Gondwana (modern

Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, India)

Geological information - continental drift a single continent (Pangaea) existed as

recently as Triassic (200 mybp) Pangaea split into two continents at end

of Triassic (180 mybp):Northern continent - Laurasia (modern

Eurasia & North AmericaSouthern continent - Gondwana (modern

Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, India)

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires:

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires: Geological information - continental drift

Gondwana split in Jurassic & Cretaceous Australia broke off first South America broke off later

Several fish taxa are present only on southern continents: lungfishes - Australia, S. America, Africa cichlids - S. America, Africa, India characins - S. America, Africa

Geological information - continental drift Gondwana split in Jurassic & Cretaceous

Australia broke off first South America broke off later

Several fish taxa are present only on southern continents: lungfishes - Australia, S. America, Africa cichlids - S. America, Africa, India characins - S. America, Africa

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires:

Interpretation of distribution patterns

requires: Geological information - continental

drift Laurasia split in Jurassic (120 mybp)

North America separated from Eurasia

Several fish taxa are present only on northern continents: Cyprinids (also have moved into Africa recently) Percids - Holarctic (in N. America & Eurasia) Catostomids - Nearctic (largely in N. America) Centrarchids - Nearctic (only in N. America) Cobitids - Palearctic (only in Eurasia)

Geological information - continental drift Laurasia split in Jurassic (120 mybp)

North America separated from Eurasia

Several fish taxa are present only on northern continents: Cyprinids (also have moved into Africa recently) Percids - Holarctic (in N. America & Eurasia) Catostomids - Nearctic (largely in N. America) Centrarchids - Nearctic (only in N. America) Cobitids - Palearctic (only in Eurasia)

Mississippi Basin Fauna illustrate these patterns

well

Mississippi Basin Fauna illustrate these patterns

well Contains ~ 330 species, 13 families Basin is ancient - present arrangement

since Rocky Mtns. formed in Tertiary (~65 mybp)

Ancient relics are extant today - have benefited from persistence of the basin: Chondrosteans - sturgeons, paddlefish gars, bowfins mooneyes, pirate perch, cavefishes - only found

here

Contains ~ 330 species, 13 families Basin is ancient - present arrangement

since Rocky Mtns. formed in Tertiary (~65 mybp)

Ancient relics are extant today - have benefited from persistence of the basin: Chondrosteans - sturgeons, paddlefish gars, bowfins mooneyes, pirate perch, cavefishes - only found

here

Mississippi Basin Fauna illustrate these patterns

well

Mississippi Basin Fauna illustrate these patterns

well New taxa originated and/or flourished

here: Notropis/Cyprinella minnows (shiners) Etheostoma/Percina percids (darters) ictalurids (catfishes), especially Noturus -

madtoms centrarchids, especially Lepomis (sunfishes) catostomids, especially Moxostoma

(redhorses)

New taxa originated and/or flourished here: Notropis/Cyprinella minnows (shiners) Etheostoma/Percina percids (darters) ictalurids (catfishes), especially Noturus -

madtoms centrarchids, especially Lepomis (sunfishes) catostomids, especially Moxostoma

(redhorses)

Why is the Mississippi fauna so diverse?

Why is the Mississippi fauna so diverse?

Provided a refuge from glaciers, due to north-south axis

Taxa could retreat south as glaciers moved south

Provided a refuge from glaciers, due to north-south axis

Taxa could retreat south as glaciers moved south

Why is the Mississippi fauna so diverse?

Why is the Mississippi fauna so diverse?

Provides a diversity of habitats: Different stream types:

Coastal plain (Gulf of Mexico margin) Interior highlands

Ozarks Tennessee/Kentucky plateau

Interior lowlands Western (Missouri River basin) Central (Upper Mississippi River basin) Eastern (Ohio River basin)

Provides a diversity of habitats: Different stream types:

Coastal plain (Gulf of Mexico margin) Interior highlands

Ozarks Tennessee/Kentucky plateau

Interior lowlands Western (Missouri River basin) Central (Upper Mississippi River basin) Eastern (Ohio River basin)

Why is the Mississippi fauna so diverse?

Why is the Mississippi fauna so diverse?

Provides a diversity of habitats: Speciation requires isolation - offered by

these diverse AND separated habitat types

e.g., Ozark fauna is unique from the Tennessee/Kentucky fauna, even though the habitats are similar - the Mississippi River valley separates them - no passage possible between for small taxa like darters, minnows, madtoms

Provides a diversity of habitats: Speciation requires isolation - offered by

these diverse AND separated habitat types

e.g., Ozark fauna is unique from the Tennessee/Kentucky fauna, even though the habitats are similar - the Mississippi River valley separates them - no passage possible between for small taxa like darters, minnows, madtoms

Why is the Mississippi fauna so diverse?

Why is the Mississippi fauna so diverse?

Provides a diversity of habitats: Species dependent on small,

headwater streams are more easily isolated, and therefore are the most diverse groupsshinersdartersmadtoms

Provides a diversity of habitats: Species dependent on small,

headwater streams are more easily isolated, and therefore are the most diverse groupsshinersdartersmadtoms

Fish Fauna of the Great Lakes

Fish Fauna of the Great Lakes

1. Who are they?2. Where did they come from?3. What is the nature of the interactions among species?

1. Who are they?2. Where did they come from?3. What is the nature of the interactions among species?

1. Who are they? - How many are there?

1. Who are they? - How many are there?

Low diversity: Native: 157 species Introduced: 22 species TOTAL: 179 species

Low diversity: Native: 157 species Introduced: 22 species TOTAL: 179 species

Comparison with other fish faunas

Comparison with other fish faunas

Laurentian Great Lakes: 179 species Coral Reefs: > 150 on 1 coral head Mississippi River Basin: > 330

species Amazon River Basin: > 2,000 species African Great Lakes: > 450 species

ENDEMIC in ONE lake!

Laurentian Great Lakes: 179 species Coral Reefs: > 150 on 1 coral head Mississippi River Basin: > 330

species Amazon River Basin: > 2,000 species African Great Lakes: > 450 species

ENDEMIC in ONE lake!

Why is diversity low?

Temperature - cold

Why is diversity low?

Temperature

Productivity - low

Why is diversity low?

Temperature

Productivity

Age - young

Why is diversity low?

Temperature

Productivity

Age

Connections to other lake and river

basins - minimal

1. Who are they? - Two ecological groupings:

1. Who are they? - Two ecological groupings:

Coldwater, deep lake group:

Coldwater, deep lake group:

Coolwater, shallow basin group:

Coolwater, shallow basin group:

1. Who are they? - Two ecological groupings:

1. Who are they? - Two ecological groupings:

Coldwater, deep lake group:

lake trout lake whitefish lake herring lake sturgeon deepwater sculpin deepwater ciscos

Coldwater, deep lake group:

lake trout lake whitefish lake herring lake sturgeon deepwater sculpin deepwater ciscos

Coolwater, shallow basin:

Coolwater, shallow basin:

1. Who are they? - Two ecological groupings:

1. Who are they? - Two ecological groupings:

Coldwater, deep lake group:

lake trout lake whitefish lake herring lake sturgeon deepwater sculpin deepwater ciscos

Coldwater, deep lake group:

lake trout lake whitefish lake herring lake sturgeon deepwater sculpin deepwater ciscos

Coolwater, shallow basin:

yellow perch walleye white bass channel catfish northern pike smallmouth bass

Coolwater, shallow basin:

yellow perch walleye white bass channel catfish northern pike smallmouth bass

1. Who are they? - A New Group: Introduced species1. Who are they? - A New Group: Introduced species Intentional introductions:

Common carp, brown trout, steelhead, chinook and coho salmon

Intentional introductions: Common carp, brown trout,

steelhead, chinook and coho salmon

Introduced species

Intentional introductions:Common carp, brown trout, steelhead, chinook and coho salmon

Accidental introductions:Alewife, sea lamprey, white perch, pink salmon, rainbow smelt, round goby, ruffe

2. Where did the native species come from?

2. Where did the native species come from?

Endemic species

Immigrant species

Endemic species

Immigrant species

2. Where did the native species come from?

2. Where did the native species come from?

Endemic species species evolved in the system and are

unique to the system:Blue pike (walleye subspecies)Deepwater ciscos

Endemic species species evolved in the system and are

unique to the system:Blue pike (walleye subspecies)Deepwater ciscos

2. Where did the native species come from?

2. Where did the native species come from?

Immigrant Species: species that evolved elsewhere and

entered the system from other watersheds:Mississippi Basin: 79% of faunaAtlantic drainages: 9% of faunaBoth: 12% of fauna

Immigrant Species: species that evolved elsewhere and

entered the system from other watersheds:Mississippi Basin: 79% of faunaAtlantic drainages: 9% of faunaBoth: 12% of fauna

3. What is the nature of the interactions among

species?

3. What is the nature of the interactions among

species? Predator-Prey relations Niche partitioning (generalists vs.

specialists) Resilient species (to heavy fishing

pressure or predation pressure) Sensitive species (to heavy fishing

pressure or predation pressure)

Predator-Prey relations Niche partitioning (generalists vs.

specialists) Resilient species (to heavy fishing

pressure or predation pressure) Sensitive species (to heavy fishing

pressure or predation pressure)

3. What is the nature of the interactions among

species?

3. What is the nature of the interactions among

species? Effects of introduced species:

sea lamprey

Parasites on large fish - lake trout are small

compared with their ocean hosts

Cause high mortality on lake trout

Best opportunity for control is in reproductive

and larval stages - concentrated in rivers

Effects of introduced species:

sea lamprey

Parasites on large fish - lake trout are small

compared with their ocean hosts

Cause high mortality on lake trout

Best opportunity for control is in reproductive

and larval stages - concentrated in rivers

3. What is the nature of the interactions among

species?

3. What is the nature of the interactions among

species? Effects of introduced species:

rainbow smelt and alewife -

planktivores

compete with native planktivores

prey on larvae of native fish species

prey on and compete with each other!

Effects of introduced species:

rainbow smelt and alewife -

planktivores

compete with native planktivores

prey on larvae of native fish species

prey on and compete with each other!

3. What is the nature of the interactions among

species?

3. What is the nature of the interactions among

species? Effects of introduced species:

gobies & ruffe - benthic fishes

new immigrants to system

ballast water introductions of 1980’s

potential to be competitors and predators

on benthic fishes and invertebrates

Effects of introduced species:

gobies & ruffe - benthic fishes

new immigrants to system

ballast water introductions of 1980’s

potential to be competitors and predators

on benthic fishes and invertebrates