Spatial dynamics of the Argentine sandperch, Pseudopercis semifasciata (Pinguipedidae), in temperate rocky reefs from northern Patagonia, Argentina
Leonardo A. Venerus A B , Alejo J. Irigoyen A , David E. Galván A and Ana M. Parma AA Centro Nacional Patagónico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CENPAT – CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915 (U9120ACD) Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
B Corresponding author. Email: leo@cenpat.edu.ar
Marine and Freshwater Research 65(1) 39-49 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12163
Submitted: 22 June 2012 Accepted: 13 June 2013 Published: 18 September 2013
Abstract
The choice of appropriate conservation strategies for reef fishes depends on their mobility, degree of site fidelity and residence times. Here we report the results of a small-scale mark–recapture and resighting study conducted to investigate the spatial dynamics of the Argentine sandperch, Pseudopercis semifasciata. This is the flagship species of the rocky-reef fish assemblage from northern Patagonia, which has been the target of uncontrolled fishing since the early 1950s. About 19% of the fish tagged were recaptured up to four years after tagging. In total, 180 of 218 recaptured fish stayed in the reef of tagging. Thirty-six of 57 recaptures made at known locations within popular fishing areas of San José Gulf, densely covered by patchy reefs, occurred within 100 m of the tagging site, up to 793 days after tagging. Six fish were recovered more than 1 km from where they were tagged. Smaller fish were more prone to relocate, and were recovered farther from the tagging site. Fish stayed in the reefs for periods longer than a year; larger males remained longer in the same reefs. Our results indicate that relatively small reserves (in the order of a few kilometres) could be effective at protecting P. semifasciata populations within the northern Patagonian gulfs.
Additional keywords: external tags, movement patterns, MPAs, site fidelity, Undaria pinnatifida.
References
Annese, D. M., and Kingsford, M. J. (2005). Distribution, movements and diet of nocturnal fishes on temperate reefs. Environmental Biology of Fishes 72, 161–174.| Distribution, movements and diet of nocturnal fishes on temperate reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Arendt, M. D., Lucy, J. A., and Munroe, T. A. (2001). Seasonal occurrence and site-utilization patterns of adult tautog, Tautoga onitis (Labridae), at manmade and natural structures in lower Chesapeake Bay. Fishery Bulletin 99, 519–527.
Ayling, T., and Cox, G. J. (1987). ‘Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand.’ (William Collins Publishers Ltd.: Auckland.)
Barrett, N. S. (1995). Short- and long-term movement patterns of six temperate reef fishes (Families Labridae and Monacanthidae). Marine and Freshwater Research 46, 853–860.
| Short- and long-term movement patterns of six temperate reef fishes (Families Labridae and Monacanthidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bohnsack, J. A. (1998). Application of marine reserves to reef fisheries management. Australian Journal of Ecology 23, 298–304.
| Application of marine reserves to reef fisheries management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bryars, S., Rogers, P., Huveneers, C., Payne, N., Smith, I., and McDonald, B. (2012). Small home range in southern Australia’s largest resident reef fish, the western blue grouper (Achoerodus gouldii): implications for adequacy of no-take marine protected areas. Marine and Freshwater Research 63, 552–563.
| Small home range in southern Australia’s largest resident reef fish, the western blue grouper (Achoerodus gouldii): implications for adequacy of no-take marine protected areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Carbines, G. (2004). Age, growth, movement and reproductive biology of blue cod (Parapercis colias – Pinguipedidae): implications for fisheries management in the South Island of New Zealand. Ph.D. Thesis. University of Otago, New Zealand.
Carbines, G., and McKenzie, J. (2004). Movement patterns and stock mixing of blue cod in Dusky Sound in 2002. New Zealand Fisheries Assessment Report 2004/36, Wellington.
Chateau, O., and Wantiez, L. (2009). Movement patterns of four coral reef fish species in a fragmented habitat in New Caledonia: implications for the design of marine protected area networks. ICES Journal of Marine Science 66, 50–55.
| Movement patterns of four coral reef fish species in a fragmented habitat in New Caledonia: implications for the design of marine protected area networks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cole, R. G., Villouta, E., and Davidson, R. J. (2000). Direct evidence of limited dispersal of the reef fish Parapercis colias (Pinguipedidae) within a marine reserve and adjacent fished areas. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 10, 421–436.
| Direct evidence of limited dispersal of the reef fish Parapercis colias (Pinguipedidae) within a marine reserve and adjacent fished areas.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Connolly, R. M., Melville, A. J., and Keesing, J. K. (2002). Abundance, movement and individual identification of leafy seadragons, Phycodurus eques (Pisces: Syngnathidae). Marine and Freshwater Research 53, 777–780.
| Abundance, movement and individual identification of leafy seadragons, Phycodurus eques (Pisces: Syngnathidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cousseau, M. B., and Perrotta, R. G. (2000). ‘Peces Marinos de Argentina: Biología, Distribución, Pesca.’ (INIDEP: Mar del Plata.) [In Spanish.]
Edgar, G. J., Barrett, N. S., and Morton, A. J. (2004). Patterns of fish movement on eastern Tasmanian rocky reefs. Environmental Biology of Fishes 70, 273–284.
| Patterns of fish movement on eastern Tasmanian rocky reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Elías, I., and Burgos, G. (1988). Edad y crecimiento del “salmón de mar”, Pseudopercis semifasciata (Cuvier, 1829) (Osteichthyes, Pinguipedidae) en aguas norpatagónicas argentinas. Investigaciones Pesqueras 52, 533–548.
Galván, D. E. (2008). Ensambles de peces en los arrecifes norpatagónicos: diversidad, abundancia y relaciones tróficas y con el hábitat. Doctoral Thesis, Universidad Nacional del Comahue. [In Spanish.]
Galván, D. E., Parma, A. M., and Iribarne, O. O. (2008). Influence of predatory reef fishes on the spatial distribution of Munida gregaria (=M. subrugosa) (Crustacea: Galatheidae) in shallow Patagonian soft bottoms. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 354, 93–100.
| Influence of predatory reef fishes on the spatial distribution of Munida gregaria (=M. subrugosa) (Crustacea: Galatheidae) in shallow Patagonian soft bottoms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Galván, D. E., Botto, F., Parma, A. M., Bandieri, L., Mohamed, N., and Iribarne, O. O. (2009a). Food partitioning and spatial subsidy in shelter-limited fishes inhabiting patchy reefs of Patagonia. Journal of Fish Biology 75, 2585–2605.
| Food partitioning and spatial subsidy in shelter-limited fishes inhabiting patchy reefs of Patagonia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20738509PubMed |
Galván, D. E., Venerus, L. A., and Irigoyen, A. J. (2009b). The reef-fish fauna of the northern Patagonian gulfs of Argentina, southwestern Atlantic. Open Fish Science Journal 2, 90–98.
Gell, F. R., and Roberts, C. M. (2003). Benefits beyond boundaries: the fishery effects of marine reserves. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 18, 448–455.
| Benefits beyond boundaries: the fishery effects of marine reserves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
González, R. A. C. (1998). Biología y explotación pesquera del salmón de mar Pseudopercis semifasciata (Cuvier, 1829) (Pinguipedidae) en el Golfo San Matías, Patagonia, Argentina. Doctoral Thesis, Universidad Nacional del Sur. [In Spanish.]
González, R. A. C. (2006). Age and growth of the Argentine sandperch Pseudopercis semifasciata (Cuvier, 1829) Berg, 1899 in the San Matías Gulf (Patagonia, Argentina). Fisheries Research 79, 120–128.
| Age and growth of the Argentine sandperch Pseudopercis semifasciata (Cuvier, 1829) Berg, 1899 in the San Matías Gulf (Patagonia, Argentina).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gotshall, D. W. (1964). Increased tagged rockfish (genus Sebastodes) survival by deflating the swim bladder. California Fish and Game 50, 253–260.
Green, K. M., and Starr, R. M. (2011). Movements of small adult black rockfish: implications for the design of MPAs. Marine Ecology Progress Series 436, 219–230.
| Movements of small adult black rockfish: implications for the design of MPAs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Griffiths, M. H., and Wilke, C. G. (2002). Long-term movement patterns of five temperate-reef fishes (Pisces: Sparidae): implications for marine reserves. Marine and Freshwater Research 53, 233–244.
| Long-term movement patterns of five temperate-reef fishes (Pisces: Sparidae): implications for marine reserves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gunderson, D. R., Parma, A. M., Hilborn, R., Cope, J. M., Fluharty, D. L., Miller, M. L., Vetter, R. D., Heppell, S. S., and Greene, H. G. (2008). The challenge of managing nearshore rocky reef resources. Fisheries (Bethesda, Md.) 33, 172–179.
| The challenge of managing nearshore rocky reef resources.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Irigoyen, A. J. (2010). Efecto del alga invasora Undaria pinnatifida sobre la comunidad de peces de arrecife en los golfos Norpatagónicos. Doctoral Thesis, Universidad Nacional del Comahue. [In Spanish.]
Irigoyen, A. J., Eyras, C., and Parma, A. M. (2011). Alien algae Undaria pinnatifida causes habitat loss for rocky reef fishes in north Patagonia. Biological Invasions 13, 17–24.
| Alien algae Undaria pinnatifida causes habitat loss for rocky reef fishes in north Patagonia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, K. M. M. (2005). The effect of territorial damselfish (family Pomacentridae) on the space use and behaviour of the coral reef fish, Halichoeres bivittatus (Bloch, 1791) (family Labridae). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 324, 99–111.
| The effect of territorial damselfish (family Pomacentridae) on the space use and behaviour of the coral reef fish, Halichoeres bivittatus (Bloch, 1791) (family Labridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jorgensen, S. J., Kaplan, D. M., Klimley, A. P., Morgan, S. G., O’Farrell, M. R., and Botsford, L. W. (2006). Limited movement in blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus: internal structure of home range. Marine Ecology Progress Series 327, 157–170.
| Limited movement in blue rockfish Sebastes mystinus: internal structure of home range.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kerwath, S. E., Götz, A., Attwood, C. G., Cowley, P. D., and Sauer, W. H. H. (2007). Movement pattern and home range of roman Chrysoblephus laticeps. African Journal of Marine Science 29, 93–103.
| Movement pattern and home range of roman Chrysoblephus laticeps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kramer, D. L., and Chapman, M. R. (1999). Implications of fish home range size and relocation for marine reserve function. Environmental Biology of Fishes 55, 65–79.
| Implications of fish home range size and relocation for marine reserve function.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lembo, G., Fleming, I. A., Økland, F., Carbonara, P., and Spedicato, M. T. (1999). Site fidelity of the dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834) studied by acoustic telemetry. Marine Life (Marseille) 9, 37–43.
Lowe, C. G., Topping, D. T., Cartamil, D. P., and Papastamatiou, Y. P. (2003). Movement patterns, home range, and habitat utilization of adult kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus in a temperate no-take marine reserve. Marine Ecology Progress Series 256, 205–216.
| Movement patterns, home range, and habitat utilization of adult kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus in a temperate no-take marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lowry, M. B., and Suthers, I. M. (1998). Home range activity and distribution patterns of a temperate rocky reef fish, Cheilodactylus fuscus. Marine Biology 132, 569–578.
| Home range activity and distribution patterns of a temperate rocky reef fish, Cheilodactylus fuscus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Macchi, G. J., Elías, I., and Burgos, G. E. (1995). Histological observations on the reproductive cycle of the Argentinean sandperch, Pseudopercis semifasciata (Osteichthyes, Pinguipedidae). Scientia Marina 59, 119–127.
Mace, J. T., and Johnston, A. D. (1983). Tagging experiments on blue cod (Parapercis colias) in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 17, 207–211.
| Tagging experiments on blue cod (Parapercis colias) in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Manly, B. F. J. (1991). ‘Randomization and Monte Carlo Methods in Biology.’ (Chapman and Hall: London.)
Matthews, K. R., Miller, B. S., and Quinn, T. P. (1987). Movement studies of nearshore demersal rockfishes in Puget Sound, Washington. In ‘Proceedings of the International Rockfish Symposium, Alaska Sea Grant Report 87-2, Anchorage, October 1986’. (Ed. B. R. Melteff.) pp. 63–72. (University of Alaska.)
Menezes, N. A., and Figueiredo, J. L. (1985). ‘Manual de peixes marinhos do sudeste do Brasil. V. Teleostei (4).’ (Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo: São Paulo.) [In Portuguese.]
Mireles, C., Nakamura, R., and Wendt, D. E. (2012). A collaborative approach to investigate site fidelity, home range, and homing behaviour of cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus). Fisheries Research 113, 133–142.
| A collaborative approach to investigate site fidelity, home range, and homing behaviour of cabezon (Scorpaenichthys marmoratus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moreau, M.-A., and Vincent, A. C. J. (2004). Social structure and space use in a wild population of the Australian short-headed seahorse Hippocampus breviceps Peters, 1869. Marine and Freshwater Research 55, 231–239.
| Social structure and space use in a wild population of the Australian short-headed seahorse Hippocampus breviceps Peters, 1869.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Parsons, D. M., Babcock, R. C., Hankin, R. K. S., Willis, T. J., Aitken, J. P., O’Dor, R. K., and Jackson, G. D. (2003). Snapper Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) home range dynamics: acoustic tagging studies in a marine reserve. Marine Ecology Progress Series 262, 253–265.
| Snapper Pagrus auratus (Sparidae) home range dynamics: acoustic tagging studies in a marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
R Development Core Team (2008). ‘R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.’ R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna. Available at: http://www.r-project.org [accessed 21 June 2012].
Rapson, A. M. (1956). Biology of the blue cod (Parapercis colias Forster) of New Zealand. Ph.D. Thesis, Victoria University.
Robertson, D. R. (1988). Abundances of sturgeonfishes on patch reefs in Caribbean Panamá: due to settlement, or post-settlement events? Marine Biology 97, 495–501.
| Abundances of sturgeonfishes on patch reefs in Caribbean Panamá: due to settlement, or post-settlement events?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rodgers, K. L., and Wing, S. R. (2008). Spatial structure and movement of blue cod Parapercis colias in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand, inferred from 13C and 15N. Marine Ecology Progress Series 359, 239–248.
| Spatial structure and movement of blue cod Parapercis colias in Doubtful Sound, New Zealand, inferred from 13C and 15N.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rowley, R. J. (1994). Marine reserves in fisheries management. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 4, 233–254.
| Marine reserves in fisheries management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Sanabra, F. (2002). ‘Buceando recuerdos.’ (Ocean Ediciones Submarinas: Puerto Madryn.) [In Spanish.]
Topping, D. T., Lowe, C. G., and Caselle, J. E. (2005). Home range and habitat utilization of adult California sheephead, Semicossyphus pulcher (Labridae), in a temperate no-take marine reserve. Marine Biology 147, 301–311.
| Home range and habitat utilization of adult California sheephead, Semicossyphus pulcher (Labridae), in a temperate no-take marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Venerus, L. A. (2006). Dinámica espacial del salmón de mar Pseudopercis semifasciata – implicancias para el uso sustentable de los sistemas de arrecifes rocosos. Doctoral Thesis. Universidad de Buenos Aires. [In Spanish.]
Venerus, L. A. (2010). La delicada situación de los sistemas de arrecifes rocosos en la Patagonia norte. Ciencia e Investigacion 60, 38–45.
Venerus, L. A., Parma, A. M., and Galván, D. E. (2008). Annual occupation pattern of temperate rocky reefs by the Argentine sandperch Pseudopercis semifasciata in San José Gulf Marine Park, Argentina. Fisheries Management and Ecology 15, 217–229.
| Annual occupation pattern of temperate rocky reefs by the Argentine sandperch Pseudopercis semifasciata in San José Gulf Marine Park, Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Venerus, L. A., Irigoyen, A. J., and Parma, A. M. (2013). Assessment of biases in the estimation of tag shedding rates through a mark–resight experiment. Fisheries Research 140, 133–148.
| Assessment of biases in the estimation of tag shedding rates through a mark–resight experiment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Willis, T. J., Parsons, D. M., and Babcock, R. C. (2001). Evidence for long term site fidelity of snapper (Pagrus auratus) within a marine reserve. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 35, 581–590.
| Evidence for long term site fidelity of snapper (Pagrus auratus) within a marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |