Movement patterns and habitat use of juvenile mangrove whiprays (Himantura granulata)
Lauren E. Davy A C , Colin A. Simpfendorfer A and Michelle R. Heupel A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Centre for Sustainable Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture & School of Earth and Environmental, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
B Australian Institute of Marine Science, PMB 3, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: lauren.davy@gmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 66(6) 481-492 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF14028
Submitted: 30 January 2014 Accepted: 4 September 2014 Published: 30 January 2015
Abstract
Understanding the extent of movements and space use of animals is necessary to identify vital habitats and better conserve and manage vulnerable species. We used acoustic telemetry to examine movement patterns and habitat use of juvenile mangrove whiprays (Himantura granulata) in an intertidal bay at Orpheus Island, Australia. Thirteen juveniles were acoustically monitored between March and December 2012, and in July 2012, four active tracks were completed. The majority of the acoustically monitored rays remained within the intertidal bay for the entire monitoring period. Tidal changes caused rays to move from the inner-bay mangrove (high tide) habitat to coral reef in the outer bay (low tide). Actively tracked rays moved in a directed way during running tides, remaining in shallow water. During periods of high and low tide, when rays refuged in mangrove or reef habitats, movement was limited and sinuosity was high. In mangrove areas, rays were most commonly observed refuging under or close to mangrove roots, and rarely in open sand areas. Refuging behaviour in mangrove and reef habitats suggested that predation risk may be the predominant factor influencing the movement of small rays. The continuous use of intertidal habitats demonstrates their importance to Himantura granulata.
Additional keywords: AATAMS, elasmobranch, mangrove habitat, spatial ecology, stingray.
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