The distribution of leiognathids was investigated at 261 sites spread
throughout the Gulf of Carpentaria. Eight species,
Gazza minuta, Leiognathus decorus,
L. equulus, L. fasciatus,
L. leuciscus, L. smithursti,
L. splendens and Secutor ruconius,
were usually restricted to coastal areas, whereas four species,
L. bindus, L. moretoniensis,
Leiognathus sp. and S. insidiator,
were not. Two other species, L. aureus and
L. elongatus, were caught at only one site each. The
relationships between size of fish and depth in Albatross Bay were
investigated by examining the mean weight and minimum and maximum lengths of
different species in 356 trawls. Six of the coastal species showed the common
pattern of linear increase in size with depth. This pattern is consistent with
the existence of estuarine and/or inshore nursery areas, and supports
previous observations of these species. In contrast, three of the widespread
species exhibited approximately quadratic relationships between size and
depth. This unusual pattern resulted from small fish living in both the
shallow inshore areas and deeper offshore areas, and it may reduce competition
among the juveniles of the large number of very abundant, coexisting species
of leiognathid.
Pollen Fertility Status in Coastal Plant Species of Rotuma Island