Grey mullet (Mugilidae) as possible indicators of global warming in South African estuaries and coastal waters.
The grey mullet usually occur in large numbers and biomass in the estuaries of all three South African biogeographic regions, thus making it an ideal family to use in terms of possibly acting as an environmental indicator of global warming. In this analysis the relative estuarine abundance of the dominant three groups of mugilids, namely tropical, warm-water and cool-water endemics, were related to sea surface coastal temperatures. The study suggests a strong link between temperature and the distribution and abundance of the three mullet groups within estuaries and indicates the potential of this family to act as an indicator for future climate change within these systems and adjacent coastal waters.
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa. Electronic address: n.james@saiab.ac.za.
Nicola C
NC
James
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
Alan K
AK
Whitfield
South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa; Marine and Fisheries Division, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland, 17 Antrim Road, Lisburn BT28 3AL, United Kingdom.
Trevor D
TD
Harrison
D000818:Animals; D057231:Climate Change; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D063366:Estuaries; D057232:Global Warming; D023701:Smegmamorpha / Q000502:physiology*
Bioindicators; Climate change; Coastal waters; Distribution; Fish; Grey mullet