Annual, seasonal, and diel composition of larval and juvenile fishes collected by dip-net in Clam Bay, Puget Sound, Washington, from 1985 to 1995

Abstract

Larval and juvenile fishes were collected in dip-nets on an irregular basis, typically from late winter through early summer (1985-95), from a pier in Clam Bay, Puget Sound, Washington. The sampling site is located at an interface of rocky intertidal, mud flat, and deeper (20-100 m) subtidal marine habitats. Sampling was conducted during daylight or at night with the aid of floodlights. A total of 2,505 larval and juvenile fishes, consisting of at least 65 species representing 24 families, was collected. The family Cottidae was represented by the greatest number of taxa (14) followed by Stichaeidae (8) and Pleuronectidae (8). Overall, annual, seasonal, monthly, and diel species compositions of the ichthyoplankton assemblage were determined using presence/absence data by compiling lists of unique species, frequently occurring taxa, and recurrent group analysis. The number of taxa included in an assemblage differed among the analyses but similarities in species composition were found. The number of taxa present and composition of the ichthyoplankton assemblage changed seasonally, annually, and over diel periods. Taxonomic diversity was greatest during spring months and distinct daytime and nighttime assemblages were identified. The greatest number of taxa was collected in 1988 and 1995 and the least in 1991.


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