Publication Details
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Diel movements of ?shes linked to benthic seascape structure in a Caribbean coral reef ecosystem
Author(s): Hitt, S., S.J. Pittman, and R.S. Nemeth
NCCOS Center: CCMA
Center Team: Biogeography
Publication Type: Journal Article
Journal Title: Mar Ecol Prog Ser
Date of Publication: 2011
Reference Information: 427
275-291
Extent of Work: 16 pp.
Abstract: Many common ?shes associated with Caribbean coral reef ecosystems use resources
from more than 1 patch type during routine daily foraging activities. Few studies have provided
direct evidence of connectivity across seascapes, and the importance of benthic seascape structure on
movement behavior is poorly known. To address this knowledge gap, we coupled hydro-acoustic
technology to track ?sh with sea?oor mapping and pattern analysis techniques from landscape ecology to quantify seascape structure. Bluestriped grunts Haemulon sciurus and schoolmaster snapper
Lutjanus apodus were tracked over 24 h periods using boat-based acoustic telemetry. Movement
pathways, and day and night activity spaces were mapped using geographical information system
(GIS) tools, and sea?oor structure within activity spaces was mapped from high-resolution aerial
photography and quanti?ed using spatial pattern metrics. For both ?sh species, night activity spaces
were signi?cantly larger than day activity spaces. Fish exhibited a daytime preference for seascapes
with aggregate coral reef and colonized bedrock, then shifted to night activity spaces with lowercomplexity soft sediment including sand, seagrass, and scattered coral/rock. Movement path complexity was negatively correlated with seascape complexity. This demonstrates direct connectivity
across multiple patch types and represents the ?rst study to apply quantitative landscape ecology
techniques to examine the movement ecology of marine ?sh. The spatially explicit approach facilitates understanding to the linkages between biological processes and the heterogeneity of the landscape. Such studies are essential for identifying ecologically relevant spatial scales, delineating essential ?sh habitat and designing marine protected areas.
Availability: Online.
Related Attachment: Download file (.pdf)
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