Fish fauna and ecology.

Abstract

The freshwaters of Papua New Guinea support a depauperate fish fauna by the standards of tropical freshwaters elsewhere, but the major southern rivers - including the Purari - support a relatively wider diversity of species. Following an outline of the river system's features that affect the fish fauna, the ichthyofauna of the highlands and of the lower Purari and delta are outlined, food and feeding relationships shown, and breeding habitats indicated. Fish are adapted to muddy environments in the lower river. The Purari fish fauna is deficient in small species. Many species show parental care, including vivipary. Diseases are noted. Likely impacts of the Wabo HEP dam on fish are shown, both of the reservoir and downstream.-P.J.Jarvis