Larval supply of shorefishes to nursery habitats around Lee Stocking Island,Bahamas. II. Lunar and oceanographic influences

Plankton nets were moored in tidal channels around Lee Stocking Island to monitor larval supply of fishes to nursery habitats that fringe Exuma Sound, Bahamas. Sampling was conducted continuously through two consecutive winters of 1990–1991 and 1991–1992. Meteorological and hydrographic data were also recorded during these periods. Three of the six most abundant taxa (leptocephali, Bothidae and Ophidiidae) showed strong lunar associations, with periodicities between 28 and 30 d. Labrids were the only family to show evidence of any semi-lunar activity. The time series for the families Clupeidae and Tetraodontidae appeared to be stochastic. Cross-correlation analyses were used to examine coupling of larval replenishment and physical processes. Four of six taxa examined showed significant relationships between larval supply and onshore winds at short time lags during 1990–1991. In 1991–1992, however, taxa showed stronger associations with the northwest, long-shore wind component than with onshore winds. Coherency in larval supply among several taxa was remarkably strong. This implies either that the magnitude of spawning is linked among taxa, or that planktonic processes are affecting a number of taxa in very similar ways. The similarities in the magnitude of supply events among taxa found here may be related to complex interactions between larval behavior and the physical environment.