本研究自1995年9月至1996年9月間,於臺灣西北部淡水河口域採集鯔科魚類,以瞭解其種類組成及季節性出現。結果共發現前鱗鮻(Chelon affinis)、大鱗鮻(Chelonmacrolepis)、白鮻(Chelon subviridis)、長鰭凡鯔(Moolgarda cunnesius)、臺灣凡鯔(Mool-garda formosae)及烏魚(Mugil cephalus)等六種,發育階段分別為稚魚及幼魚的鯔科魚類。其中以大鱗鮻為最優勢種,白鮻、長鰭凡鯔及臺灣凡鯔則首次於該河口域發現。鯔科稚魚的出現季節因種而異,其時間演替與成魚的產卵期有關。烏魚主要出現期為一月、大鱗鮻一月至三月(幼魚全年出現)、前鱗鮻四月(幼魚九月至十一月)、白鮻五月至七月、長鰭凡鯔及臺灣凡鯔八月至十一月。鯔科魚類在淡水河口域的出現與不同發育階段的鹽度喜好性有關。
Species composition and seasonal occurrence of mullets in the Tanshui estuary ofnorthwest Taiwan were studied from September 1995 through September 1996.In total,juveniles and young from 6 species of mullet(Chelon affinis,Chelon macrolepis,Chelonsubviridis,Moolgarda cunnesius,Moolgarda formosae and Mugil cephalus)were collected.Among them,C.macrolepis was the most abundant,while the presence of C.subviridis,M.cunnesius and M.formosae were first recorded in the estuary.Seasonal occurrence ofjuvenile mullets differed among species and represented a temporal succession dependenton the spawning period of adult mullets.Juveniles of M.cephalus occurred primarily inJanuary,while those of C.macrolepis from January to March(young mullets year round),C.affinis in April(young mullets from September to November),C.subviridis from May toJuly,M.formosae and M.cunnesius from August to November.The occurrence of mulletsin the Tanshui estuary was also associated with their salinity preference,which changewith life history stages.