BDBSA Project Metadata Detail

Survey/Project Number: 945          Total No. of Sites: 0
Survey/Project Name: DALHOUSIE FISH SURVEY - KODRIC-BROWN 1991
Abstract: The springs of the Australian arid zone provide one of the few remaining opportunities to study the ecology of endemic desert fishes under natural conditions. Comparison of the behaviour, morphology and ecology of these fishes with those of their North American counterparts will indicate the extent to which the two faunas have converged or evolved independently in adapting to desert conditions. Results will aid in conserving the relatively undisturbed fish faunas and spring ecosystems. The central Australian arid zone is probably the least disturbed desert region remaining on earth. The springs, streams and temporary lakes harbour assemblages of fishes that are well suited to address a number of important issues in environmental biology. The fish fauna of the arid zone of central Australia is comprised of endemic species in four major families: Atherinidae, Plotosidae, Eleotridae and Teraponidae. Unlike most other desert-fish communities, those of the arid zone have generally not yet been decimated by destruction of habitat and introduction of exotic predators and competitors. The springs of central Australia provide a unique opportunity to study the roles of behavioural, morphological and environmental factors in determining the distribution of species and the composition of communities. The taxonomy and geographic ranges of Australian desert fishes have been described during the past decade, but very little is known about other aspects of their biology. The present study will focus on factors that determine the distribution and diversity of species among the numerous isolated aquatic habitats in the Lake Eyre drainage system, especially at Dalhousie Springs. The Dalhousie spring system, located near the border of South Australia and the Northern Territory in Witjira National Park, consists of approximately 80 isolated springs that contain fish. The total ichthyofauna of the Lake Eyre drainage system is comprised of 21 native species, of which four species are endemic to the Dalhousie spring system: 1. Clupeidae, Retropinnidae, Melanotaeniidae, Percichthyidae: one species each 2. Plotosidae: 3 spp 3. Atherinidae: 3 spp 4. Teraponidae: 4 spp 5. Eleotridae: 3 spp 6. Gobiidae: 2 spp Note: Exotic goldfish and mosquito fish which have invaded aquatic habitats elsewhere in the arid zone, are absent from Dalhousie Springs. The present study will focus on three questions: 1. What environmental characteristics of springs affect the distribution of species? 2. What characteristics of fish species affect their distribution among springs? 3. How do characteristics of springs and fish species interact to determine the composition of communities? The large number of springs will enable us to quantify the physical and biotic factors that are correlated with the distribution of each species. The relatively large number of species will permit us to identify behavioural, morphological and physiological characteristics that affect their distributions. Together these attributes of springs and of fish species will enable us to characterise the patterns of coexistence and processes of assembly for these aquatic communities. CJM Glover of the South Australian Museum and W Ivantsoff of Macquarie University have encouraged us to follow up on their systematic studies at Dalhousie Springs, South Australia. The Dalhousie springs system offers the opportunity to extend our studies of the behaviour, ecology and biogeography of fishes (and other organisms) from the deserts of south-western United States of America to the Australian arid zone. The results should contribute not only to our general understanding of the historical and contemporary processes that determine the distribution and diversity of species, but also to the efforts to preserve the unique aquatic ecosystems and ichthyofaunas of desert regions.
 
Start Date: 01/07/1991      End Date: 01/01/1992
Survey Type: Fauna only
   
Study Area Description: OUTBACK
Objectives
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation survey objectives recorded
         Fauna: Refer to Abstract.
Methodology
         Vegetation: *** No vegetation methodology recorded
         Fauna: *** No vertebrate methodology recorded

Data Distribution Rules: Sensitive Dataset: Written permission required from Information Authority
Project Basis: Fauna : Threatened community targeted survey.
Information Authority: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems