Spatial variability in habitat associations of pre- and post-settlement stages of coral reef fishes at Ishigaki Island,Japan |
| |
Authors: | Yohei Nakamura Takuro Shibuno David Lecchini Tomohiko Kawamura Yoshiro Watanabe |
| |
Institution: | 1.Graduate School of Kuroshio Science,Kochi University,Nankoku,Japan;2.Ishigaki Tropical Station,Seikai National Fisheries Research Institute,Ishigaki,Japan;3.National Research Institute of Aquaculture,Minami-ise,Japan;4.Centre IRD Nouméa, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement,New Caledonia,France;5.Ocean Research Institute,The University of Tokyo,Tokyo,Japan |
| |
Abstract: | Successful settlement of pelagic fish larvae into benthic juvenile habitats may be enhanced by a shortened settlement period,
since it limits larval exposure to predation in the new habitat. Because the spatial distribution of marine fish larvae immediately
prior to settlement versus during settlement was unknown, field experiments were conducted at Ishigaki Island (Japan) using
light trap sampling and underwater visual belt transect surveys to investigate the spatial distribution patterns of selected
pre- and post-settlement fishes (Acanthuridae, Pomacentridae, Chaetodonidae and Lethrinidae) among four habitats (seagrass
bed, coral rubble, branching coral and tabular coral). The results highlighted two patterns: patterns 1, pre- and post-settlement
individuals showing a ubiquitous distribution among the four habitats (Acanthuridae) and pattern 2, pre-settlement individuals
distributed in all habitats, but post-settlement individuals restricted to coral (most species of Pomacentridae and Chaetodontidae)
or seagrass habitats (Lethrinidae). The first pattern minimizes the transition time between the larval pelagic stage and acquisition
of a benthic reef habitat, the latter leading immediately to a juvenile lifestyle. In contrast, the second pattern is characterized
by high settlement habitat selectivity by larvae and/or differential mortality immediately after settlement. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|