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The role of an estuary in recruitment of the freshwater shrimp Paratya australiensis Kemp to a western Victorian coastal stream

Title The role of an estuary in recruitment of the freshwater shrimp Paratya australiensis Kemp to a western Victorian coastal stream
Author Walsh CJ (Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education Faculty of Applied Science and Technology)
Keywords Crustaceans (Decapod) (Shrimps and Prawns)|Larvae|Recruitment|Estuaries|Saline Water Intrusion|Stream flow|Coastal areas|Habitats|Distribution
Abstract The larval biology of Paratya australiensis in the Hopkins River Vic was investigated in order to explain survival of its planktonic larvae in running waters. Larval development is relatively long, 8- 12 moults lasting 30-40 days in the laboratory. Larvae were found in deep freshwater pools upstream, where flow rates are low and retention may be possible. However, peak larval production occurred well before the period of minimum discharge, suggesting at least some loss of larvae downstream. Large numbers of larvae were collected in the estuarine portion of the river, with peak recruitment coinciding with the first intrusion of a salt wedge. Highest larval densities were recorded midstream, below the halocline in salinities of 7.5 to 31.5. Post larvae were found to settle out in littoral Zostera meadows along the estuary and there is some evidence for subsequent upstream migration. It is postulated that estuaries are important sites of recruitment for P australiensis populations in coastal streams (A).
Publish Date 1st January 1990
Resource Code S021104
Published Year 1990
Notes : Abstract only published.
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Source AANRO