Ecological determinants of recruitment to populations of a temperate reef fish, Trachinops caudimaculatus (Plesiopidae)
Taylor L. Hunt A C , John R. Ford B and Stephen E. Swearer B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Fisheries Research Branch, Fisheries Victoria, DPI Queenscliff Centre, PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Vic. 3225, Australia.
B Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: thunt15@hotmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 62(5) 502-509 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10262
Submitted: 26 October 2010 Accepted: 18 March 2011 Published: 25 May 2011
Abstract
Although recruitment is often influenced by microhabitat characteristics that affect larval settlement and post-settlement growth and survival, the influence of some habitat features, such as the presence of conspecifics and the accessibility of food, are poorly understood, particularly on temperate reefs. We investigated the ecological determinants of recruitment in the southern hulafish (Trachinops caudimaculatus; McCoy, 1890), a small zooplanktivorous reef fish in Port Phillip Bay, Australia. We hypothesised that T. caudimaculatus would show positive relationships with microhabitat characteristics that provide greater access to food and shelter for newly settled recruits. To test this hypothesis, we surveyed T. caudimaculatus populations and associated microhabitat characteristics on shallow reefs. Overall, habitat characteristics explained 65% of the variation in recruitment, with recruitment greatest to reefs with abundant (1) adults, suggesting positive settlement cues and benefits to survival through shoaling, (2) accessible food (numerous prey), suggesting enhanced survival because of faster growth, and (3) shelter, suggesting enhanced survival through greater availability of refuges from predation. As T. caudimaculatus is an important prey species and sensitive to changes in pelagic productivity, mobile predators and water quality, we suggest it may be a suitable bioindicator of changes to temperate reef ecosystems.
Additional keywords: conspecifics, habitat complexity, hulafish, Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, zooplankton.
References
Abrahams, M., and Kattenfeld, M. (1997). The role of turbidity as a constraint on predator–prey interactions in aquatic environments. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 40, 169–174.| The role of turbidity as a constraint on predator–prey interactions in aquatic environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Almany, G. R., and Webster, M. S. (2006). The predation gauntlet: early post-settlement mortality in reef fishes. Coral Reefs 25, 19–22.
| The predation gauntlet: early post-settlement mortality in reef fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Anderson, T. W. (1994). Role of macroalgal structure in the distribution and abundance of a temperate reef fish. Marine Ecology Progress Series 113, 279–290.
| Role of macroalgal structure in the distribution and abundance of a temperate reef fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Anderson, T. W., and Sabado, B. D. (1995). Correspondence between food availability and growth of a planktivorous temperate reef fish. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 189, 65–76.
| Correspondence between food availability and growth of a planktivorous temperate reef fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Andrews, K., and Anderson, T. W. (2004). Habitat-dependent recruitment of two temperate reef fishes at multiple spatial scales. Marine Ecology Progress Series 277, 231–244.
| Habitat-dependent recruitment of two temperate reef fishes at multiple spatial scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arvedlund, M., McCormick, M. I., Fautin, D. G., and Bildsoe, M. (1999). Host recognition and possible imprinting in the anemonefish Amphiprion melanopus (Pisces: Pomacentridae). Marine Ecology Progress Series 188, 207–218.
| Host recognition and possible imprinting in the anemonefish Amphiprion melanopus (Pisces: Pomacentridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Behrents, K. C. (1987). The influence of shelter availability on recruitment and early juvenile survivorship of Lythrypnus dalli Gilbert (Pisces: Gobiidae). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 107, 45–59.
| The influence of shelter availability on recruitment and early juvenile survivorship of Lythrypnus dalli Gilbert (Pisces: Gobiidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Booth, D. J. (1995). Juvenile groups in a coral-reef damselfish: density-dependent effects on individual fitness and population demography. Ecology 76, 91–106.
| Juvenile groups in a coral-reef damselfish: density-dependent effects on individual fitness and population demography.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Carton, A. G. (2005). The impact of light intensity and algal-induced turbidity on first-feeding Seriola lalandi larvae. Aquaculture and Research 36, 1588–1594.
| The impact of light intensity and algal-induced turbidity on first-feeding Seriola lalandi larvae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chapman, M. G., and Clynick, B. G. (2006). Experiments testing the use of waste material in estuaries as habitat for subtidal organisms. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 338, 164–178.
| Experiments testing the use of waste material in estuaries as habitat for subtidal organisms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clynick, B. G. (2008). Characteristics of an urban fish assemblage: distribution of fish associated with coastal marinas. Marine Environmental Research 65, 18–33.
| Characteristics of an urban fish assemblage: distribution of fish associated with coastal marinas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtlGhsrrM&md5=62604f6c20bbb39514500d952065c343CAS | 17884158PubMed |
Cobcroft, J. M., Pankhurst, P. M., Hart, P. R., and Battaglene, S. C. (2001). The effects of light intensity and algae-induced turbidity on feeding behaviour of larval striped trumpeter. Journal of Fish Biology 59, 1181–1197.
| The effects of light intensity and algae-induced turbidity on feeding behaviour of larval striped trumpeter.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coleman, M. A., and Connell, S. D. (2001). Weak effects of epibiota on the abundances of fishes associated with pier pilings in Sydney Harbour. Environmental Biology of Fishes 61, 231–239.
| Weak effects of epibiota on the abundances of fishes associated with pier pilings in Sydney Harbour.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Edmunds, M., Judd, A., Gilmour, P., Stewart, K., Pickett, P., et al. (2006). Volume 8: shallow reefs. Port Phillip Bay channel deepening project, supplementary environmental effects statement – marine ecology specialist studies. Australian Marine Ecology Report No. 356, Port of Melbourne Corporation and Maunsell, Melbourne.
Engström-Öst, J., Karjalainen, M., and Viitasalo, M. (2006). Feeding and refuge use by small fish in the presence of cyanobacteria blooms. Environmental Biology of Fishes 76, 109–117.
| Feeding and refuge use by small fish in the presence of cyanobacteria blooms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fitzgerald, G. J., and Van Havre, N. (1985). Flight, fright and shoaling in sticklebacks (Gasterostedidae). Biology Behaviour 10, 321–331.
Forrester, G. E. (1991). Social rank, individual size and group composition as determinants of food-consumption by humbug damselfish, Dascyllus aruanus. Animal Behaviour 42, 701–711.
| Social rank, individual size and group composition as determinants of food-consumption by humbug damselfish, Dascyllus aruanus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Forrester, G. E., and Steele, M. A. (2004). Predators, prey refuges, and the spatial scaling of density-dependent prey mortality. Ecology 85, 1332–1342.
| Predators, prey refuges, and the spatial scaling of density-dependent prey mortality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fulton, C. J., and Bellwood, D. R. (2005). Wave-induced water motion and the functional implications for coral reef fish assemblages. Limnology and Oceanography 50, 255–264.
| Wave-induced water motion and the functional implications for coral reef fish assemblages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gerlach, G., Atema, J., Kingsford, M. J., Black, K. P., and Miller-Sims, V. (2007). Smelling home can prevent dispersal of reef fish larvae. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 104, 858–863.
| Smelling home can prevent dispersal of reef fish larvae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhtVegtrc%3D&md5=cab1d7a39b8dfde2fdcc7f1618a653e4CAS |
Gregson, M. A., and Booth, D. J. (2005). Zooplankton patchiness and the associated shoaling response of the temperate reef fish Trachinops taeniatus. Marine Ecology Progress Series 299, 269–275.
| Zooplankton patchiness and the associated shoaling response of the temperate reef fish Trachinops taeniatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson, D. W. (2006). Predation, habitat complexity, and variation in density-dependent mortality of temperate reef fishes. Ecology 87, 1179–1188.
| Predation, habitat complexity, and variation in density-dependent mortality of temperate reef fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16761597PubMed |
Kennedy, E. V., Holderied, M. W., Mair, J. M., Guzman, H. M., and Simpson, S. D. (2010). Spatial patterns in reef-generated noise relate to habitats and communities: evidence from a Panamanian case study. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 395, 85–92.
| Spatial patterns in reef-generated noise relate to habitats and communities: evidence from a Panamanian case study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kiflawi, M., and Genin, A. (1997). Prey flux manipulation and the feeding rates of reef-dwelling planktivorous fish. Ecology 78, 1062–1077.
| Prey flux manipulation and the feeding rates of reef-dwelling planktivorous fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kingsford, M. J. (1989). Distribution patterns of planktivorous reef fish along the coast of northeastern New Zealand. Marine Ecology Progress Series 54, 13–24.
| Distribution patterns of planktivorous reef fish along the coast of northeastern New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kingsford, M. J. (2000). ‘Reef Fishes.’ (Canterbury University Press: Christchurch, New Zealand.)
Kuiter, R. H. (2004). ‘Basslets, Hamlets and their Relatives. A Comprehensive Guide to Selected Serranidae and Plesiopidae.’ (TMC Publishing: Chorleywood, UK.)
Lecchini, D., Planes, S., and Galzin, R. (2005). Experimental assessment of sensory modalities of coral-reef fish larvae in the recognition of their settlement habitat. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 58, 18–26.
| Experimental assessment of sensory modalities of coral-reef fish larvae in the recognition of their settlement habitat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lecchini, D., Shima, J., Banaigs, B., and Galzin, R. (2005). Larval sensory abilities and mechanisms of habitat selection of a coral reef fish during settlement. Oecologia 143, 326–334.
| Larval sensory abilities and mechanisms of habitat selection of a coral reef fish during settlement.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15647903PubMed |
Lecchini, D., Osenberg, C. W., Shima, J. S., Mary, C. M., and Galzin, R. (2007). Ontogenetic changes in habitat selection during settlement in a coral reef fish: ecological determinants and sensory mechanisms. Coral Reefs 26, 423–432.
| Ontogenetic changes in habitat selection during settlement in a coral reef fish: ecological determinants and sensory mechanisms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Levin, P. S. (1991). Effects of microhabitat on recruitment variation in a temperate reef fish. Marine Ecology Progress Series 75, 183–189.
| Effects of microhabitat on recruitment variation in a temperate reef fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Levin, P. S. (1993). Habitat structure, conspecifics presence and spatial variation in recruitment of a temperate reef fish. Oecologia 94, 176–185.
| Habitat structure, conspecifics presence and spatial variation in recruitment of a temperate reef fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Levin, P. S. (1994). Small-scale recruitment variation in a temperate fish: the roles of macrophytes and food supply. Environmental Biology of Fishes 40, 271–281.
| Small-scale recruitment variation in a temperate fish: the roles of macrophytes and food supply.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Magurran, A. E. (1990). The adaptive significance of schooling as an anti-predator defence in fish. Annales Zoologici Fennici 27, 51–66.
McShane, P. E., Beinssen, K. H. H., and Foley, S. (1986). Abalone reefs in Victoria – a resource atlas. Technical Report 7, Marine Science Laboratories, Queenscliff, Victoria.
O’Connor, K. C., and Anderson, T. W. (2010). Consequences of habitat disturbance and recovery to recruitment and the abundance of kelp forest fishes. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 386, 1–10.
| Consequences of habitat disturbance and recovery to recruitment and the abundance of kelp forest fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parry, G. D., Hobday, D. K., Currie, D. R., Officer, R. A., and Gason, A. S. (1995). The distribution, abundance and diets of demersal fish in Port Phillip Bay. Technical Report No. 21, Victorian Fisheries Research Institute, Queenscliff, Victoria.
Partridge, B. L., Johansson, J., and Kalish, J. (1983). The structure of schools of giant bluefin tuna in Cape Cod Bay. Environmental Biology of Fishes 9, 253–262.
| The structure of schools of giant bluefin tuna in Cape Cod Bay.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pitcher, T. J., Magurran, A. E., and Winfield, I. (1982). Fish in larger shoals find food faster. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 10, 149–151.
| Fish in larger shoals find food faster.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Poulin, R., and FitzGerald, G. J. (1989). Shoaling as an anti-ectoparasite mechanism in juvenile sticklebacks (Gasterosteus spp.). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 24, 251–255.
| Shoaling as an anti-ectoparasite mechanism in juvenile sticklebacks (Gasterosteus spp.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Roberts, G. (1996). Why individual vigilance increases as group size increases. Animal Behaviour 51, 1077–1086.
| Why individual vigilance increases as group size increases.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Schmitt, R. J., and Holbrook, S. J. (1985). Patch selection by juvenile black surfperch (Embiotocidae) under variable risk: interactive influence of food quality and structural complexity. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 85, 269–285.
| Patch selection by juvenile black surfperch (Embiotocidae) under variable risk: interactive influence of food quality and structural complexity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Simpson, S. D., Meekan, M. G., Jeffs, A., Montgomery, J. C., and McCauley, R. D. (2008). Settlement-stage coral reef fish prefer the higher-frequency invertebrate-generated audible component of reef noise. Animal Behaviour 75, 1861–1868.
| Settlement-stage coral reef fish prefer the higher-frequency invertebrate-generated audible component of reef noise.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, A. K., and Suthers, I. M. (1999). Effects of sewage effluent discharge on the abundance, condition and mortality of hulafish, Trachinops taeniatus (Plesiopidae). Environmental Pollution 106, 97–106.
| Effects of sewage effluent discharge on the abundance, condition and mortality of hulafish, Trachinops taeniatus (Plesiopidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXktFWmtb8%3D&md5=a562eb8911e34a076a9501c793fc9ae6CAS | 15093064PubMed |
Steele, M. A. (1999). Effects of shelter and predators on reef fishes. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 233, 65–79.
| Effects of shelter and predators on reef fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tupper, M., and Boutilier, R. G. (1997). Effects of habitat on settlement, growth, predation risk and survival of a temperate reef fish. Marine Ecology Progress Series 151, 225–236.
| Effects of habitat on settlement, growth, predation risk and survival of a temperate reef fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Utne-Palm, A. C. (2002). Visual feeding of fish in a turbid environment: physical and behavioural aspects. Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology 35, 111–128.
| Visual feeding of fish in a turbid environment: physical and behavioural aspects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
White, J. W. (2007). Spatially correlated recruitment of a marine predator and its prey shapes the large-scale pattern of density-dependent prey mortality. Ecology Letters 10, 1054–1065.
| Spatially correlated recruitment of a marine predator and its prey shapes the large-scale pattern of density-dependent prey mortality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17692098PubMed |
White, J. W., and Warner, R. R. (2007). Behavioral and energetic costs of group membership in a coral reef fish. Oecologia 154, 423–433.
| Behavioral and energetic costs of group membership in a coral reef fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17713786PubMed |
Yund, P. O., Gaines, S. D., and Bertness, M. D. (1991). Cylindrical tube traps for larval sampling. Limnology and Oceanography 36, 1167–1177.
| Cylindrical tube traps for larval sampling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
