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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences
Characterizing Mesophotic Reef Fish Communities At Five South Texas Relic Coral-Algal Banks, Linda Marie Jordan
Characterizing Mesophotic Reef Fish Communities At Five South Texas Relic Coral-Algal Banks, Linda Marie Jordan
Theses and Dissertations
The South Texas Banks are a mesophotic coral ecosystem (30-150m deep). Understanding the community structure, biodiversity and, geographic connectivity of the South Texas Banks is essential with increasing threats from climate change, ocean acidification, invasive species, and pollution. In this study, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) was used to examine the fish communities at five of the South Texas Banks: Big Adam, Hospital, Mysterious, North Hospital, and Southern. Reef fish were identified to the lowest possible taxon and enumerated from ROV transect video footage. A total of 3,838 demersal and pelagic fishes were recorded representing 61 species in 22 families …
Characterizing Benthic Invertebrate Communities At Five South Texas Banks, Maria T. Cooksey
Characterizing Benthic Invertebrate Communities At Five South Texas Banks, Maria T. Cooksey
Theses and Dissertations
On the continental shelf off the coast of South Texas lie a series of hardbottom structures known as the South Texas Banks, which provide critical habitat for benthic organisms and pelagic fish species. The depth of the banks, a persistent nepheloid layer, and strong currents have hindered efforts to collect quantitative data on what inhabits the rocky outcrops and relic coral-algal reefs. Using a remotely operated vehicle, video data from five of the banks were collected in order to characterize the benthic communities. Southern and North Hospital Banks were found to be the most diverse of the studied South Texas …