Biodiv Sci ›› 2012, Vol. 20 ›› Issue (1): 32-40.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2012.09142

• Original Papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Nekton species composition and biodiversity in Taiwan Strait

Puqing Song1, Jing Zhang2, Longshan Lin1,*(), Zhangcheng Xu1, Xiaoming Zhu3   

  1. 1 Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen, Fujian 361005
    2 Fisheries College of Jimei University, Xiamen, Fujian 361012
    3 College of Oceanography and Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005
  • Received:2011-08-15 Accepted:2011-11-01 Online:2012-01-20 Published:2012-02-14
  • Contact: Longshan Lin

Abstract:

Based on four bottom trawl surveys (2006-2007) in the Taiwan Strait, nekton species composition, biomass and density distribution, dominant species, and community characteristics were analyzed. We recorded 373 nektonic species including 273 fish species, 81 crustaceans and 19 cephalopods. The mean biomass density index of the study area was estimated to be 24.91 kg/h with fish species, crustacean species and cephalopod species accounting for 65.6%, 21.1% and 13.3% of the total, respectively. Dominant species included Trichiurus japonicus, Portunus haanii, Parargyrops edita, Harpadon nehereus, Trachurus japonicus and Loligo beka. Shannon-Wiener diversity indices (H') ranged from 1.45 to 3.21, with an average of 2.47 and were higher in autumn and winter than in spring and summer. Compared with historical data, nekton resources are obviously declining, with species richness decreasing especially in the Minnan-Taiwan Bank area. Dominant species also exhibited a preponderance of smaller size and age classes compared to historical data.

Key words: Taiwan Strait, nekton, dominant species, biodiversity