Bird-like complex nesting behaviour by the Brazilian-endemic reef fish Gramma brasiliensis
Jonas R. Leite A B , Pedro H. C. Pereira C F , Eduardo G. Sanches D , Rodrigo L. Moura E and Mauricio Hostim-Silva B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Rede Abrolhos, Instituto de Pesquisa Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rua Pacheco Leão 915, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22460-030, Brazil.
B Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Pós-graduação em Oceanografia Ambiental, Laboratório de Vertebrados Aquáticos, Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo (DCAB CEUNES), Rodovia BR 101 Norte, quilômetro 60, Bairro Litorâneo, São Mateus, ES 29932-540, Brazil.
C College of Marine and Environmental Science and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
D Instituto de Pesca, Núcleo de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento do Litoral Norte, Avenida Cais do Porto, 2275, Ubatuba, SP 11680-000, Brazil.
E Instituto de Biologia and Laboratório de Sistemas Avançados de Gestão da Produção (SAGE)–Instituto Alberto Luiz Coimbra de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa de Engenharia (COPPE), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902, Brazil.
F Corresponding author. Email: pedro.pereira@my.jcu.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 69(6) 982-986 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF17091
Submitted: 6 April 2017 Accepted: 23 October 2017 Published: 9 February 2018
Abstract
Nesting is a common behaviour associated with reproduction in several taxa. Nevertheless, this important parental care behaviour is rarely reported for reef-associated fish. The present study provides the first description of bird-like complex nesting behaviour of the endangered basslet (Gramma brasiliensis). Males were observed building nests using macroalgae thalli around holes and depressions, in coralline substrate. Algae were used to camouflage the nest entrance and to form a cushioned bed for egg laying. Nesting is a critical aspect of the reproductive strategy of G. brasiliensis, so, this behaviour is a key factor for the management measures implications on the conservation of the species.
Additional keywords: fish nest, habitat manipulation, reproductive behaviour.
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