Argyrosomus japonicus , a widespread estuarine and coastal sciaenid, is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Threatened Species Red List. In this review, we conduct an updated assessment of the global status of A. japonicus , an important commercial, recreational and artisanal fisheries species. A wide variety of topics are covered, including a synthesis of our knowledge on A. japon...

The estuarine roundherring Gilchristella aestuaria is a well‐studied southern African endemic fish species. This widespread and abundant clupeid is an important food source for piscivorous fish species and is a major component of the planktonic food web in all types of estuaries on the subcontinent. Although breeding only occurs in estuarine and certain fresh waters, genetic mixing of populations can occur by adults moving alo...

This review documents the occurrence of fish species in a range of estuaries from Mozambique. Altogether 217 fish species were recorded, belonging to 77 families, and dominated in terms of species richness by Gobiidae, Carangidae and Mugilidae. A guild analysis was conducted to compare the occurrence and degree of estuary-association by the various species in tropical Mozambique, with that recorded from nearby predominantly su...

The literature currently recognizes four guilds of estuarine resident fish species, namely solely estuarine, estuarine and marine, estuarine and freshwater, and estuarine migrant. In this review the life cycles of actual representatives from these four guilds are assessed to determine whether the current definitions, which have never been formally tested, are appropriate to fish species resident in South African estuaries. Det...

This review examines the published literature on the distribution and species richness of the family Mugilidae around six continents as well as their phylogenetic relationships in a time‐calibrated tree. Three mugilid species‐rich regions were identified globally, namely the Coral Triangle, southern Asia and southern Africa, all of which have between 16 and 18 morphologically recognized species. Two of the species hotspots are...

Understanding the dietary preferences of endangered species can be useful in implementing conservation strategies, including habitat restoration, translocation, and captive breeding. Environmental DNA (eDNA) from feces provides a non-invasive method for analysing animal diets. Currently, metabarcoding, a PCR-based approach, is the method of choice for analysing such data. However, this method has limitations, specifically PCR...

We review published research on the ingress of larvae and early juveniles of marine fishes into estuaries subjected to different tidal regimes and provide perspectives on the abilities and responses of these early‐life stages to the physico‐chemical, hydrodynamic and biological drivers that facilitate such ingress. We focus on documenting ingress and the mechanisms employed by early‐stage fishes from coastal waters to enter di...