Life Sciences Commons^™

Breeding Season And Molt Cycle Of The Fiddler Crab Uca Rapax (Brachyura, Ocypodidae) In A Subtropical Estuary, Brazil, South America, Daniela Da Silva Castiglioni, Maria Lucia Negreiros-Fransozo, Rosana Carina Flores Cardoso

Gulf and Caribbean Research

This is the first account of the breeding season and molt cycle of Uca rapax on the Brazilian coast during a one-year period (April 2001-March 2002). At 2 sites, the ltamambuca and Ubatumirim mangrove forests, 2 collectors captured crabs once a month at low tide far 15 minutes by the catch-per-unit-effort procedure, digging into the sediment and removing the crabs. The gonad-development stages of crabs of both sexes were determined by direct observation, and the molt stage was estimated from the hardness of the tegument. Crabs with developed gonads were found mostly in warmer seasons, with ovigerous females occurring mainly …

Large Pelagics In The Southern Section Of The Seaflower Marine Protected Area, San Andres Archipelago, Colombia: A Fishery In Expansion, Erick Castro, Heins Bent, Carlos Ballesteros, Martha Prada

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Isolated and sparse reef atolls comprising the southern section of the Seaflower MPA have been traditionally exploited by artisanal fishers using handlines. These practices have severely depleted the demersal fish stock and now fishers have shifted their efforts to the pelagic stock. The pelagic fishery included the extraction of more than 25 species, with Thunnus atlanticus, Acanthocybium solandri, Coryphaena hippurus, and Katsuwonus pelamis being the most common. Three years of fishery-dependent data (2004–2006) were used to describe traditional fishing methods and techniques, and to document, for the first time, a declining trend in the large pelagic stock. …

Habitat Use By Juvenile Gag, Mycteroperca Microlepis (Pisces: Serranidae), In Subtropical Charlotte Harbor, Florida (Usa), J. Patrick Casey, Gregg R. Poulakis, Philip W. Stevens

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Estuaries play a key role in the juvenile stage of gag (Myeteroperca microlepis). The use of estuarine habitats by juvenlle gag has been examined in temperate estuaries, which are at the northern limits of the range of this species, but the importance of subtropical estuaries during the early life history of this species has not been studied extensively. Gag were collected in subtropical Charlotte Harbor, Florida, during routine monthiy sampling from January 1996 to Decemher 2002. Juvenlle gag were collected using a 21.3-m seine, a 183-m haul seine, and a 183-m purse seine. A total of 738 individuals …

Abundance And Ecological Distribution Of The "Sete-Barbas" Shrimp Xiphopenaeus Kroyeri (Heller, 1862) (Decapoda: Penaeoidea) In Three Bays Of The Ubatuba Region, Southeastern Brazil, Rogerio C. Costa, Adilson Fransozo, Fulvio A.M. Freire, Antonio L. Castilho

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The influence of environmental factors on the abundance and spatial-temporal distribution of the shrimp Xiphopenaeus kroyeri was investigated in southeastern Brazil over 2 years. Monthly collections were conducted in Mar Virado, Ubatuba and Ubatumirim Bays using a commercial shrimp fishing boat equipped with 2 "double-rig" nets. Each bay was divided into 6 sampling stations, all of which were less than 25 m deep. The spatial distribution of X. kroyeri differed among Bays. Highest abundance values were recorded in areas where silt and clay comprised more than 70% of the bottom sediment. Abundance of X. kroyeri followed a seasonal trend, being …

First Record In Honduras Of The Halfbeak Hyporhampus Roberti Hildebrandi, Jordan And Everman 1927, (Hemiramphidae) Collected In An Inland Reservoir, Wilfredo A. Matamoros, Julio E. Merida, Janise Palmer

Gulf and Caribbean Research

An inhabitant of tropical America, the Central American halfbeak (Hyporhamphus roberti hildebrandi), is one of 2 subspecies of halfbeaks of the subgenus Hyporhamphus (Collette 2003, Collette 2004) that belong to the family Hemiramphidae. This family has representatives from the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans (Greenfield and Thomerson 1997, Berra 2001, Collette 2004), and nearly all species are marine; however, some Hemiramphidae species in the Indo-Australian region are restricted to freshwater (Greenfield and Thomerson 1997).

The distributional range of H. r. hildebrandi extends along the Caribbean coast of Central America from Mexico to the Gulf of Uraba in Colombia …

Use Of Diadema Antillarum Spines By Juvenile Fish And Mysid Shrimp, Taryn Townsend, Paul A.X. Bologna

Gulf and Caribbean Research

This research has the following objectives: 1) identify the size structure of D. antillarum among 3 coastal bays of St. John, United States Virgin Islands and 2) determine relationships between urchin presence and spine utilization by fish and mysid shrimp.

Color Variation In The Caribbean Crab Platypodiella Spectabilis (Herbst, 1794) (Decapoda, Brachyura, Xanthidae), Joel W. Martin, Todd L. Zimmerman

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The use of color in brachyuran crab systematics, and in particular the use of subtle color differences to suggest or differentiate cryptic or morphologically similar species, is now well documented (e.g., see Campbell and Mahon 1974 for species of Leptograpsus, Williams and Felder 1989 for species of Menippe, Zimmerman and Felder 1991 for species of Sesarma). Less clearly understood is why color patterns and intensities can sometimes vary appreciably within a species, even within narrowly restricted geographic regions. An appreciation of color patterns is critical to correctly identifying species for conservation and resource management purposes, yet often …

Large Pelagic Fishes In The Caribbean Sea And The Gulf Of Mexico: Current Status And Integrated Management, Mark S. Peterson, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson, James S. Franks

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A symposium convened on 7 November 2006 in conjunction with the 59th annual meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute in Belize City, Belize.

Strategic Investments In Large Pelagic Research, Nancy B. Thompson, Eric D. Prince

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) of the US NOAA Fisheries provides much of the US science advice for the management of Highly Migratory Species (HMS) in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and US Caribbean Sea. These stocks include the tunas, sharks, billfishes and swordfish all of which are targeted either commercially or recreationally or both in US waters. These species are managed internationally through membership to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT); however, while the US is an ICCAT member, few Caribbean nations are members.

Consequences Of Ocean Scale Hypoxia Constrained Habitat For Tropical Pelagic Fishes, Eric D. Prince, C. Phillip Goodyear

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Large areas of cold hypoxic water occur as distinct strata in the eastern tropical Pacific and Atlantic oceans as a result of high productivity initiated by intense nutrient upwelling. Recent studies show that this stratum restricts the depth distribution of tropical pelagic marlins, sailfish, and tunas in the eastern tropical Pacific by compressing the acceptable physical habitat into a narrow surface layer. This layer extends downward to a variable boundary defined by a shallow thermocline, often at 25 m, above a barrier of cold hypoxic water. The depth distributions of marlin and sailfish monitored with electronic tags and mean dissolved …

Large Pelagic Fishes In The Wider Caribbean And Northwest Atlantic Ocean: Movement Patterns Determined From Conventional And Electronic Tagging, Brian E. Luckhurst

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Conventional tagging data has documented long distance movements (including trans-Atlantic movements) in blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) within the Atlantic. Swordfish (Xiphius gladius) have also been shown to move substantial distances, although primarily in a north-south direction. There is, however, a paucity of data for wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri). In the past several years, electronic archival (i.e., data recording) tags have significantly advanced our understanding of the behavior and movement patterns of large pelagic fishes. Data from electronic arcltival tags have generally corroborated conventional tagging data with respect to …

Distribution Of Molidae In The Northern Gulf Of Mexico, Gregory L. Fulling, Dagmar Fertl, Kevin Knight, Wayne Hoggard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

We compiled all available sighting, stranding and bycatch data for the Family Molidae (molas) in the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) to assess spatial and temporal distribution. Overall, 483 records were collected from shipboard and aerial surveys, fisheries bycatch, and strandings. Molas were recorded year-round, with a ubiquitous distribution in both nearshore and offshore waters. Ocean sunfish (Mola mola) were sighted with greatest frequency during the winter (December thru April) in sea surface temperature < 24° C. Potential reasons for increased sightings during winter may be related to the lack of a well-defined thermocline in the NGOM; the species' "basking" behavior associated with thermoregulation; and oxygen replenishment after long, deep dives to oxygen-deficient depths.

Relative Abundance Of Pelagic Sharks In The Western North Atlantic Ocean, Including The Gulf Of Mexico And Caribbean Sea, Enric Cortes, Craig A. Brown, Lawrence R. Beerkircher

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Little information exists on the status of pelagic shark populations in the Atlantic Ocean, especially in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. We derived indices of relative abundance for pelagic sharks based on mandatory logbooks and observer reports from a scientific observer program of the United States (US) pelagic longline fleet. Time series data from the pelagic longline logbook program (1986-2005) and the pelagic longline observer program (1992-2005) were standardized with Generalized Linear Model (GLM) procedures. Declines in relative abundance for the 6 pelagic shark species or genera examined in the logbook data analysis ranged from 43% for mako …

Observations Of A Feeding Aggregation Of Whale Sharks, Rhincodon Typus, In The North Central Gulf Of Mexico, Eric R. Hoffmayer, James S. Franks, William B. Driggers Iii, Kenneth J. Oswald, Joseph M. Quattro

Gulf and Caribbean Research

On 26 June 2006 an aggregation of 16 whale sharks was observed for a period of 4 hr in the north central Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The sharks remained within an area about 1.0 km² in size and continuously ram filter fed at the surface. Visual analysis of a plankton sample collected from the study site revealed the presence of copious amounts of fish eggs in mid-embryonic development and a minor amount of other zooplankton. A second plankton sample (control) collected about 3.5 km from the study site in an area where no whale sharks were present contained few …

Swordfish Reproduction In The Atlantic Ocean: An Overview, Freddy Arocha

Gulf and Caribbean Research

There are 3 unit stocks of Atlantic swordfish, Xiphias gladius, separated into Mediterranean, North and South Atlantic with no precise delimitation between them, and each contains its spawning grounds far from stock boundary areas. This overview characterizes the reproductive information for each stock unit and describes reproductive metrics in detail. Spawning in the western North Atlantic consists of 2 spawning groups: one in open ocean waters and the other in waters close to land masses and fast current systems. Spawning occurs from December to June within the subtropical area (13°N-35°N). Within the Mediterranean, spawning takes place between June and …

Nocturnal Depth Distribution Of Western North Atlantic Swordfish (Xiphias Gladius, Linnaeus, 1758) In Relation To Lunar Illumination, Joshua K. Loefer, George R. Sedberry, John C. Mcgovern

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Swordfish are known to undergo large diel vertical movements from surface waters at night to > 300 m depth during the day. Evidence presented over the past several deeades suggests the lunar cycle affects these vertical migrations. This study collected data concurrently from 7 swordfish throughout 3 consecutive lunar cycles using pop-up satellite archival tags. All individuals demonstrated an inverse relationship between recorded nocturnal depths and lunar illumination.

Cframp's Large Pelagic Fish Tagging Program, Susan Singh-Renton, John Renton

Gulf and Caribbean Research

CFRAMP's Large Pelagic Fish Tagging Program was established to examine the distribution and movement patterns of Thunnus atlanticus (blackfin tuna), Acanthocybium solandri (wahoo), Coryphaena hippurus (dolphinfish), and Scomberomorus cavalla (king mackerel), large pelagic fish species of commercial importance to several Caribbean countries. The Program explored several means to facilitate fish tag and release activities, involving collaborative partnerships with national fisheries administrations, the recreational fishing sector, and individual commercial fishers. A Iotal of 1,143 fish were tagged and released in the coastal waters of several islands within the Eastern Caribbean: 787 blackfin tuna, 250 wahoo, 89 dolphinfish, and 17 king mackerel. …

Patterns Of Vertical Habitat Use By Atlantic Blue Marlin (Makaira Nigricans) In The Gulf Of Mexico, Richard T. Kraus, Jay R. Rooker

Gulf and Caribbean Research

We examined data from pop-up archival transmitting (PAT) tags (n = 18) to characterize aspects of vertical habitat use by blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) from the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Two of these tags were recovered and provided fine-scale information about diving patterns and the relationship between time at depth and temperature. Similar to previous studies, blue marlin in the GOM spent most of their time at the surface and at temperatures within 3° C of surface temperatures. Time at depth was multimodal and the magnitude of the smaller modes was dependent upon the strength and depth …

A History Of Change And Reorganization: The Pelagic Longline Fishery In Gouyave, Grenada, Sandra Grant, Fikret Berkes, Johnson St. Louis

Gulf and Caribbean Research

This paper traces the history of the pelagic surface longline fishery in Gouyave, Grenada, noting 4 major periods of change from pre-1985 to 2004. Reconstructed from document reviews, newspaper articles, oral history, and key informant interviews 1) the pre-1985 period was the time when the longline was introduced and popularized by the Cubans, 2) the period of institutionalization and technology development (1986-1990) corresponded to the strengthening of institutional arrangements and the initial improvements in technology, 3) the Coastal Fisheries Development Project (CFDP) of 1991-1999 was the period of international donor support and further technology change in longline construction, and finally …

Fisheries Ecology Abstracts

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Abstracts of presentations from the Large Pelagic Fishes Symposium in Belize City, Belize during November 2006.

Where Do We Go From Here? A Summary Of Issues Of Concern And Recommendations Developed During The Panel Discussion Of The Large Pelagic Fishes Symposium, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson, James S. Franks, Mark S. Peterson, Patrick Mcconney, Brian E. Luckhurst

Gulf and Caribbean Research

One of the goals of the Large Pelagic Fishes Symposium was to provide a forum for development of a list of Issues of Concern regarding large pelagic fishes and their fisheries in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico region. During the Symposium and ensuing Panel Discussion, it became clear that the level of consciousness concerning large pelagic fishes is of equal importance to that of other regional fisheries such as reef fishes and conch/lobster. Four major issues of concern regarding large pelagic fishes in the region surfaced during the Symposium. The Symposium Committee recommends that future resources and energy should …

Whale Sharks Of The Western Caribbean: An Overview Of Current Research And Conservation Efforts And Future Needs For Effective Management Of The Species, Rachel T. Graham

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are seasonal visitors to four sites in the Western Caribbean, 3 of which are encompassed by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Predictable encounters with the world's largest fish have raised this species' profile globally and led to several research and conservation efforts that aim to elucidate the need for information for the species management and balance the growing demand for highly lucrative encounter tourism. Tagging studies have demonstrated that the whale shark population is relatively small and likely forms a single population. Individuals move throughout the region between 3 of 4 known feeding sites and …

Genetic Analysis Of Blue Marlin (Makaira Nigricans) Stock Structure In The Atlantic Ocean, Jan R. Mcdowell, Jeanette E.L. Carlsson, John E. Graves

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The genetic basis of stock structure of blue marlin (Makaira nigricans Lacepède 1802) in the Atlantic ocean was inferred from analyses of mitochondrial control region sequences. Blue marlin were collected in 1998 from 4 major geographic locations: western North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, western South Atlantic and eastern Atlantic. Haplotype diversity (h) ranged from 0.99-1.0 and nucleotide sequence diversity (π) ranged from 0.11-0.13 within samples indicating that the control region harbors a significant amount of genetic variation. However, no significant differences were found in the spatial partitioning of genetic variation among the 4 collections; all pairwise ϕ_{ST …}

Understanding The Local Livelihood System In Resource Management: The Pelagic Longline Fishery In Gouyave, Grenada, Sandra C. Grant, Fikret Berkes, John Brierley

Gulf and Caribbean Research

There is a need to include social objectives in fisheries management, and this paper focuses on one set of social considerations, those regarding livelihood. We pay particular attention to sustainable livelihood strategies, the importance of commercial pelagic longline fishing for the entire community livelihood system, and implications for management. Field data were obtained between December 2002 and March 2004 in Gouyave, Grenada, using participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and a quantitative survey. The economic base (fishing and agriculture) of the community is both unpredictable and seasonal, therefore individuals and households engage in diverse strategies to secure their livelihood. Three livelihood strategies …

Management In The Gulf And Caribbean: Mosaic Or Melting Pot?, Patrick Mcconney, Hazel A. Oxenford, Milton Haughton

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Does ''managing large pelagic fishes" mean the same thing across the diversity of maritime jurisdictions, governance arrangements, economies, languages, cultures, scales of operation and other features of the Gulf and Caribbean region? It would be surprising if it did. Yet international fisheries management urges this mosaic of management to become a melting pot; at least integrated, even if differentiated. This paper examines some themes underlying whether a mosaic or melting pot is the most apt metaphor for where we are, and are headed, in attempts to manage large pelagic fishes in the region. We pay particular attention to the multi-dimensional …

A Comparison Of Fish Assemblages Among Five Habitat Types Within A Caribbean Lagoonal System, Ivan Mateo, William J. Tobias

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Fish assemblages associated with patch reefs, rubble, seagrass, algal plain, and sandy habitats types were studied at St. Croix's Southeastern barrier reef lagoon using underwater visual census techniques. Higher species richness and fish density were observed over patch reefs/rubble habitat followed by seagrass, algal plain, and unvegetated sandy habitat types. Thalassoma bifasciatum, Haemulon flavolineatum, and Acanthuras chirurgus were the most common fishes in highly structured habitat types (patch reef, rubble). Halichoeres bivittatus, Sparisoma radians, newly settled grunts (l.e., Haemulon spp.), and juveniles of Ocyurus chrysurus were mainly associated with vegetated habitat types (seagrass, algal beds), while …

Growth Phases And Differential Growth Between Sexes Of Uca Maracoani Latreille, 1802-1803 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Ocypodidae), Gustavo L. Hirose, Maria L. Negreiros-Fransozo

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Among crustacean decapods, fiddler crabs of the genus Uca are the most characteristic of the intertidal zones of tropical and subtropical estuaries. The present study determined the growth phases and the beginning of differential growth between the sexes, based on analyses of relative growth of Uca maracoani. Collections were made in the Jabaquara mangrove, located in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Specimens were collected manually during low tide periods. In the laboratory, crabs were sexed and measured. We measured carapace width (CW), carapace length (CL), propodus length (PL; the right one for females and the major one for males), …