Beyond hydrography: can physical processes explain larval fish assemblages within the Middle Atlantic Bight?

The summer ichthyoplankton within the New York Bight can be separated into five distinct assemblages. Attempts to explain the distribution of species within these assemblages based on simple hydrographic parameters such as temperature and salinity explain, on average, <15% of the variability. A better explanation of these groupings can be obtained by incorporating a more detailed understanding of complex physical processes. The authors provide a detailed analysis of the slope assemblage to demonstrate how assemblage membership may be dynamic and to elucidate which factors may be most important in maintaining assemblage boundaries and membership. While spawning location may be important in determining the presence of certain species, understanding of transport routes may be needed to explain the presence of other species. Maintenance of assemblage boundaries is due to a combination of the physical features of the environment and larval behavior. -from Authors