Flooding of the terminal floodplains of northern Australian rivers provides a greatly expanded, productive habitat accessed by both freshwater and estuarine fishes. This study aimed to determine the extent to which sea catfishes (Ariidae) make use of floodplains and the reasons for doing so (i.e. spawning, feeding). Nine species were collected from floodplains and adjacent distributaries of the Mitchell and Flinders rivers; floodplain use was largely restricted to freshwater species. Evidence of prior wet season spawning was recorded for some species, and mesenteric lipid deposits indicated that fish were in good condition. However, little evidence of spawning on floodplains was found. Stomach content analysis and stable isotope analysis indicated dietary partitioning, particularly between freshwater and estuarine species, but also within freshwater species, and indicated that some species were responsive to variations in food availability. Isotope analyses suggest extensive movement between freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats at different life history stages for the catfish assemblage studied. Terminal floodplains of northern Australian rivers provide important temporary habitat for adult sea catfishes to feed upon, but do not appear to be used as spawning grounds.

中文翻译：

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以澳大利亚北部淡水泛滥平原为食的海鲶科

澳大利亚北部河流末端洪泛区的洪水为淡水和河口鱼类提供了一个大大扩展的生产栖息地。本研究旨在确定海鲶科（Ariidae）利用泛滥平原的程度以及这样做的原因（即产卵、摄食）。从泛滥平原和米切尔河和弗林德斯河的邻近支流中收集了九个物种；洪泛区的使用主要限于淡水物种。某些物种记录了先前雨季产卵的证据，肠系膜脂质沉积表明鱼类状况良好。然而，几乎没有发现在洪泛区产卵的证据。胃含量分析和稳定同位素分析表明饮食分配，特别是淡水和河口物种之间，但也在淡水物种中，并表明一些物种对食物供应的变化有反应。同位素分析表明，所研究的鲶鱼组合在不同生活史阶段的淡水、河口和海洋栖息地之间存在广泛的移动。澳大利亚北部河流的终端洪泛区为成年海鲶提供重要的临时栖息地，但似乎并未用作产卵场。