The temporal and spatial variability of nursery habitats for fishes in macrotidal mangrove systems of Colombia and Brazil

Abstract

This thesis highlight (1) the stability in time and across regions of tidal- and diel-related patterns of intertidal mangrove fish distribution in neotropical macrotidal areas, (2) the major effect that specific environmental conditions (e.g. rainfall regime) and seascape settings can produce in local fish community structure, (3) the varying importance that distinctive tropical intertidal habitats can have for coastal fishes, and (4) the importance that historical biogeography (of freshwater and marine fishes) can have in explaining the current patterns of distribution of mangrove fish faunas in estuarine areas of the Neotropics. Taking these four aspects into consideration will benefit our global understanding of the role of mangroves as important habitats for fishes and will aid in the development of sound comparative studies between mangrove areas of the world. Ultimately, the search for generality in patterns and processes explaining the organization of mangrove fish communities will increase our ability to better manage mangrove-associated fisheries