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Gulf and Caribbean Research

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Articles 211 - 240 of 554

Full-Text Articles in Marine Biology

First Record Of Bonefish, Albula Vulpes, From Mississippi Coastal Waters, K.J. Cuevas, James S. Franks, M.V. Buchanan Jan 2004

First Record Of Bonefish, Albula Vulpes, From Mississippi Coastal Waters, K.J. Cuevas, James S. Franks, M.V. Buchanan

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Bonefish (Albula spp.), Family Albulidae, occur worldwide in coastal waters of tropical and warm temperate seas (Crabtree et al. 1997), and 2 species, A. vulpes and A. nemoptera, are recognized from the western Atlantic Ocean (Rivas and Warlen 1967). The normal range of A. vulpes in the western Atlantic extends from Bermuda to Brazil, including the Bahamas, Cuba, Mexico, Central America and the Antilles (Hildebrand 1963), but in US waters, A. vulpes typically occurs off south Florida (Crabtree et al. 1997). In contrast, A. nemoptera has been reported from Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Jamaica and Hispaniola (Uyeno et al. …

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Notes On Aquarium Brood Release And Feeding Of The Opossum Pipefish, Microphis Brachyurus Lineatus, Sarah Frias-Torres Jan 2004

Notes On Aquarium Brood Release And Feeding Of The Opossum Pipefish, Microphis Brachyurus Lineatus, Sarah Frias-Torres

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The opossum pipefish, Microphis brachyurus lineatus, is a migratory syngnathid with a salmon-like life history (Frias-Torres 2002). Adults breed in freshwater and oligohaline habitats associated with emergent vegetation, mostly Panicum sp. and Polygonum sp.; breeding occurs during the wet season (May to November) (Gilmore and Hastings 1983). In southern Mexico, opossum pipefish associate with Ruppia maritima, and reproduction is year-round (Miranda-Marure et al. 2004). Pelagic juveniles are found in the Atlantic Ocean and are associated with Sargassum sp. (Böhlke and Chaplin 1968). Juveniles eventually recruit into oligohaline habitats. The species range is from Sao Paulo, Brazil, to New …

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Predators And The Distribution And Abundance Of Blennies On Offshore Petroleum Platforms, Tommy J. Rauch Jan 2004

Predators And The Distribution And Abundance Of Blennies On Offshore Petroleum Platforms, Tommy J. Rauch

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Predation may be important in structuring fish assemblages but studies of the intensity of predation on marine fish assemblages are uncommon. Predator avoidance behavior was used to identify the predators of an assemblage of blennies found on offshore petroleum platforms in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The distribution of predators was then compared with the distribution of 3 species of blennies to see if predation intensity was related to the vertical zonation of blennies. Predator approaches and blenniid activity were compared in low and high surface current events. Results did not support a hypothesis of predation controlling the distribution and …

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Seasonal Occurrence Of Reef-Related Medusae (Cnidaria) In The Western Caribbean Sea, Gloria Ramos, Lourdes Segura-Puertas Jan 2004

Seasonal Occurrence Of Reef-Related Medusae (Cnidaria) In The Western Caribbean Sea, Gloria Ramos, Lourdes Segura-Puertas

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Seasonal fluctuations in composition and abundance of medusae collected in a reef lagoon of the Mexican Caribbean were analyzed. Plankton samples and hydrological data were taken monthly from January to September 1994 at 2 stations: coastal and near-reef. The highest densities of medusae were recorded in March (17,687 ind/100 m3) and August (2,433 ind/100 m3) at the coastal station. Medusae were less abundant at the nearreef station, but diversity indices were higher in comparison to the coastal station. Twenty-five species (24 hydroidomedusae and 1 scyphomedusa) were identified, with Linuche unguiculata (Swartz, 1788) and Eirene lactea (Mayer, …

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A New Species Of Protanaissus Sieg, 1982 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea: Peracarida), From South Florida, Kim Larsen, Richard W. Heard Jan 2004

A New Species Of Protanaissus Sieg, 1982 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea: Peracarida), From South Florida, Kim Larsen, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A new nototanaid species, Protanaissus floridensis, is described from Biscayne Bay in southeastern Florida. Specimens were collected at a depth of 7 m in muddy sand substrata with associated aquatic vegetation (Thalassia testudinum). Protanaissus floridensis, which represents only the 4th species referable to the genus, is the first species of Protanaissus Sieg, 1982, known from the northern hemisphere. The new species is distinguished from the other 3 species of Protanaissus by 1) the dactylus of pereopod 1 shorter than combined length of propodus and carpus, 2) the dactylus of the cheliped with proximal spine on inner …

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Introduction To Special Section On Research Activities At The Iztacala Campus Of The Universidad Nacional Autónoma De México, México, Mark S. Peterson, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson Jan 2004

Introduction To Special Section On Research Activities At The Iztacala Campus Of The Universidad Nacional Autónoma De México, México, Mark S. Peterson, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson

Gulf and Caribbean Research

In October 2002, we had the opportunity to initiate a long-term collaboration with colleagues from the Iztacala campus of the Universidad Autónoma de México (UNAM), whose research interests focus on coastal and nearshore fishes and decapod crustaceans of Veracruz state, Mexico. This is an undergraduate campus with a strong Biology department whose faculty also maintain research programs despite limited sources of funding and a heavy teaching load. During the course of our initial visit, we realized that there is a wealth of unpublished undergraduate student research on understudied fish species.

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Overview Of Study Areas And Unam-Iztacala Student Research, Jonathan Franco-Lopez, Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez Jan 2004

Overview Of Study Areas And Unam-Iztacala Student Research, Jonathan Franco-Lopez, Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The State of Veracruz is located on the east coast of Mexico and consists of many shallow marine systems such as estuaries and coastal lagoons. These estuarine systems are ecological sites of great importance due to the interactions that occur between the intertidal zones and adjacent areas. This importance is reflected in the variety of natural components present in these sites as well as the large number of species that depend on this aquatic zone, such as birds, mammals, molluscs, crustaceans and fishes. Many of the crustaceans and fishes are consumed by the local inhabitants and distributed in commercial areas …

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Trophic Comparison Of Two Species Of Needlefish (Belonidae) In The Alvarado Lagoonal System, Veracruz, Mexico, Daniel Arceo-Carranza, Jonathan Franco-Lopez, Gretchen L. Waggy, Rafael Chavez-Lopez Jan 2004

Trophic Comparison Of Two Species Of Needlefish (Belonidae) In The Alvarado Lagoonal System, Veracruz, Mexico, Daniel Arceo-Carranza, Jonathan Franco-Lopez, Gretchen L. Waggy, Rafael Chavez-Lopez

Gulf and Caribbean Research

We compared the diets of Atlantic needlefish, Strongylura marina, and redfin needlefish, Strongylura notata, in the Alvarado lagoonal system, Veracruz, Mexico, and analyzed diet breadth and trophic overlap between the species. All fishes were collected monthly from June 2000 to July 2001 at twelve sampling stations. A total of 74 intestinal tracts from S. marina were analyzed. The diet of S. marina consisted of 25 prey types with fish being the dominate prey. In eighty-nine digestive tracts examined from S. notata, the diet consisted of 29 prey types with the dominant prey including fishes, penaeid shrimp, polychaetes, …

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Reproductive Structures And Early Life History Of The Gulf Toadfish, Opsanus Beta, In The Tecolutla Estuary, Veracruz, Mexico, Alfredo Gallardo-Torres, Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez, Brian J. Lezina Jan 2004

Reproductive Structures And Early Life History Of The Gulf Toadfish, Opsanus Beta, In The Tecolutla Estuary, Veracruz, Mexico, Alfredo Gallardo-Torres, Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez, Brian J. Lezina

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Although the Gulf toadfish, Opsanus beta, is an abundant member of the nearshore Gulf of Mexico ichthyofaunal assemblage, little information exists regarding the ecology of the species, especially for southern Gulf of Mexico populations. We added to the existing knowledge of this species by describing the reproductive structures and examining the early life history of this species in the Tecolutla estuary, Mexico. Macro- and microscopic examination of 7 males showed spermatogenesis to be similar to other teleost species except for the occurrence of biflagellate spermatozoa. Histological examination of the male accessory gland showed 3 tissue layers, but their functions …

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Range Extensions And Review Of The Caprellid Amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae) From The Shallow, Coastal Waters From The Suwanee River, Florida, To Port Aransas, Texas, With An Illustrated Key, John M. Foster, Brent P. Thoma, Richard W. Heard Jan 2004

Range Extensions And Review Of The Caprellid Amphipods (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae) From The Shallow, Coastal Waters From The Suwanee River, Florida, To Port Aransas, Texas, With An Illustrated Key, John M. Foster, Brent P. Thoma, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Eight species of the amphipod family Caprellidae sensu Myers and Lowry, 2003 are currently known to occur in the shallow, near shore waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM), from the Suwannee River, Florida, to Port Aransas, Texas, and to depths of 10 m. They include: Phtisica marina, Hemiaegina minuta, Paracaprella pusilla, Paracaprella tenuis, Deutella incerta, Caprella equilibra, Caprella penantis, and Caprella scaura. Another species, Caprella andreae, is also suspected to occur in this region due to its close association with sea turtles, which nest on the sand beaches of …

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Feeding Habits And Sexual Dimorphism Of The Violet Goby, Gobioides Broussoneti Lacepede (Pisces: Gobiidae), In The Estuarine System Of Tecolutla, Veracruz, Mexico, Sergio Mata-Cortes, Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez, Mark S. Peterson Jan 2004

Feeding Habits And Sexual Dimorphism Of The Violet Goby, Gobioides Broussoneti Lacepede (Pisces: Gobiidae), In The Estuarine System Of Tecolutla, Veracruz, Mexico, Sergio Mata-Cortes, Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez, Mark S. Peterson

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Gobioides broussoneti were sampled in Silveña estuary, a branch of the Tecolutla estuary, Veracruz, Mexico, during 2 trips made between February 1998 and June 1999 to evaluate diet and sexual dimorphism. A total of 65 G. broussoneti ranging from 49–401 mm SL (0.7–124.2 g WW) were collected. There was a 1:1.2 sex ratio in favor of females. Seven food types were noted, with filamentous algae (25.4%) and detritus (21.3%) representing the principal food types. A 24 h feeding study revealed that this species feeds continuously throughout the day. The ovaries of all female G. broussoneti contained previtellogenic oocytes, characteristic of …

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Reproductive Biology Of The Opossum Pipefish, Microphis Brachyurus Lineatus, In Tecolutla Estuary, Veracruz, Mexico, Martha Edith Miranda-Marure, Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson Jan 2004

Reproductive Biology Of The Opossum Pipefish, Microphis Brachyurus Lineatus, In Tecolutla Estuary, Veracruz, Mexico, Martha Edith Miranda-Marure, Jose Antonio Martinez-Perez, Nancy J. Brown-Peterson

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The reproductive biology of the opossum pipefish, Microphis brachyurus lineatus, was investigated in Tecolutla estuary, Veracruz, Mexico, to determine sex ratio, size at maturity, gonadal and brood pouch histology, reproductive seasonality, and fecundity of this little-known syngnathid. A total of 345 fish were collected between 1995–1998, with an overall sex ratio of 1:1.35 favoring females. Brooding males made up 45% of the population, resulting in an operational sex ratio of 1:2.45 heavily favoring females. All males > 90 mm SL were considered sexually mature, as this was the size at which the brood pouch was clearly developed. Females > 110 mm …

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Studies On The Crustacea Of The Turks And Caicos Islands, British West Indies. V. Records Of Mysids From Pine Cay, Fort George Cay, Water Cay, And Adjacent Waters, W. Wayne Price, Richard W. Heard Jan 2004

Studies On The Crustacea Of The Turks And Caicos Islands, British West Indies. V. Records Of Mysids From Pine Cay, Fort George Cay, Water Cay, And Adjacent Waters, W. Wayne Price, Richard W. Heard

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Only 2 species of mysids, Heteromysis spottei and Stygiomysis clarkei, have been previously reported from the Turks and Caicos Islands. Between 1988 and 1990, 21 species of mysids were collected from reef (to 38 m) and shallow non-reef habitats surrounding Pine Cay, Fort George Cay, and Water Cay, Turks and Caicos Islands. One species collected, Anchialina typica, is distributed throughout tropical and subtropical seas. Twelve species (Bowmaniella johnsoni, Dioptromysis paucispinosa, Heteromysis bermudensis, H. guitarti, H. mayana, Mysidium columbiae, M. gracile, M. integrum, Mysidopsis bispinulata, M. brattstromei, Parvimysis …

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The Role Of Long Distance Dispersal Versus Local Retention In Replenishing Marine Populations, Robert K. Cowen, Claire B. Paris, Donald B. Olson, John L. Fortuna Jan 2003

The Role Of Long Distance Dispersal Versus Local Retention In Replenishing Marine Populations, Robert K. Cowen, Claire B. Paris, Donald B. Olson, John L. Fortuna

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Early models and evidence from genetics suggested that long distance dispersal of larvae is likely a common event leading to considerable population connectivity among distant populations. However, recent evidence strongly suggests that local retention is more the rule, and that long distance transport is likely insufficient to sustain marine populations over demographic timescales. We build on earlier model results to examine the probability of larval dispersal to downstream islands within different regions of the Caribbean at varying distances from source populations. Through repeated runs of an ocean circulation model (MICOM), coupled with a random flight model estimating larval sub-grid turbulent …

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The Interaction Of Retention, Recruitment, And Density-Dependent Mortality In The Spatial Placement Of Marine Reserves, Jennifer E. Caselle, Scott L. Hamilton, Robert R. Warner Jan 2003

The Interaction Of Retention, Recruitment, And Density-Dependent Mortality In The Spatial Placement Of Marine Reserves, Jennifer E. Caselle, Scott L. Hamilton, Robert R. Warner

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Population density can affect rates of mortality and individual growth. We measured these for the non-exploited bluehead wrasse, Thalassoma bifasciatum, at three sites around St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Previous work demonstrated that differences in the degree of larval retention in these sites results in very large differences in recruitment intensity. Post-settlement mortality differed among sites and was positively related to recruitment density. Post-settlement growth differences were small. Because of strong mortality effects early in life, adult densities and size/age distributions differed among sites and did not reflect differences in recruitment rate. The site with the highest retention and …

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Fishery Management Measures Instituted At Discovery Bay, Jamaica, With Special Reference To Establishment Of The Fisheries Reserve, Jeremy Woodley, Zsolt Sary, Peter Gayle Jan 2003

Fishery Management Measures Instituted At Discovery Bay, Jamaica, With Special Reference To Establishment Of The Fisheries Reserve, Jeremy Woodley, Zsolt Sary, Peter Gayle

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Jamaican north coast coral reef fish stocks have been over-exploited. The Fisheries Improvement Programme (FIP) began in 1988 to help fishers at Discovery Bay to introduce management measures. Social and cultural constraints included poverty and distrust among fishers. FIP initiated: 1) an education programme in reef fisheries and the possibilities of local management; 2) encouragement of a Discovery Bay Fishermens’ Association; in 1994, Association members agreed on a voluntary protected area within Discovery Bay; 3) a Reserve Planning Group, representing all users of the bay; 4) contract with Fishermens’ Association: grant funds were transferred to it to employ rangers; 5) …

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Estimating Queen Conch (Strombus Gigas) Home Ranges Using Acoustic Telemetry: Implications For The Design Of Marine Fishery Reserves, Robert A. Glazer, Gabriel A. Delgado, James A. Kidney Jan 2003

Estimating Queen Conch (Strombus Gigas) Home Ranges Using Acoustic Telemetry: Implications For The Design Of Marine Fishery Reserves, Robert A. Glazer, Gabriel A. Delgado, James A. Kidney

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Marine reserves (MRs) may function as a vital tool in the conservation and management of marine resources if source populations are managed for the benefit of those downstream. Consequently, it is critical to evaluate the home range of marine animals to ensure that MRs are large enough to protect source populations. We used acoustic telemetry to study movements of adult queen conch (Strombus gigas) within aggregations at two sites in the Florida Keys from June 1997 through July 1998. A total of 68 conch were tagged and tracked for up to one year. Latitude and longitude of each …

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A Caribbean-Wide Survey Of Marine Reserves: Spatial Coverage And Attributes Of Effectiveness, Richard S. Appeldoorn, Kenyon C. Lindeman Jan 2003

A Caribbean-Wide Survey Of Marine Reserves: Spatial Coverage And Attributes Of Effectiveness, Richard S. Appeldoorn, Kenyon C. Lindeman

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Fully-protected marine reserves can function at several spatial scales, from a single area encompassing few habitats, to local networks of many habitats, to large-scale networks connected by larval dispersal. However, the amount, spatial distribution, and associated administrative attributes of Caribbean marine reserves are collectively unknown. We compiled information on reserves from 21 countries in order to 1) assemble a spatial framework to aid development of networks of reserves at the most effective spatial scales, and 2) aid policy makers in establishing reserves that are science-based and possess optimal management attributes. Since 1961 there have been over 50 reserves established in …

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Shifting Baselines, Marine Reserves, And Leopold's Biotic Ethic, James A. Bohnsack Jan 2003

Shifting Baselines, Marine Reserves, And Leopold's Biotic Ethic, James A. Bohnsack

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Different human expectations and environmental ethics are key factors preventing the creation of marine reserve networks. People are skeptical about the benefits of no-take marine reserves because they have adjusted to scarcity and have low expectations about the productive capability of marine ecosystems. Pauly (1995) described this as a shifting baseline in which each generation sets its expectations based on its direct experiences and discounts experiences of previous generations. I show evidence of a declining Caribbean baseline based on Nassau grouper landings from Cuba and the U.S., and review common and often conflicting types of conservation ethics existing in North …

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Improving Applications Of Science In Mpa Design And Management: Workshop Report, K.C. Lindeman, R.S. Appeldoorn Jan 2003

Improving Applications Of Science In Mpa Design And Management: Workshop Report, K.C. Lindeman, R.S. Appeldoorn

Gulf and Caribbean Research

This workshop was convened as part of the Symposium on Caribbean Marine Protected Areas: Practical Approaches to Achieve Economic and Conservation Goals, held at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 12–17 November 2001. The workshop used the scientific theme of the MPA Symposium, “Connectivity at Multiple Spatial Scales”, as a starting point to identify existing and underutilized tools that can improve the application of science to MPA management. The spatial themes of the earlier session, crossshelf habitat connectivity among demersal life stages and oceanic connectivity among larval stages, were applied …

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Habitat Connectivity In Coastal Environments: Patterns And Movements Of Caribbean Coral Reef Fishes With Emphasis On Bluestriped Grunt, Haemulon Sciurus, Jim Beets, Lisa Muehlstein, Kerri Haught, Henry Schmitges Jan 2003

Habitat Connectivity In Coastal Environments: Patterns And Movements Of Caribbean Coral Reef Fishes With Emphasis On Bluestriped Grunt, Haemulon Sciurus, Jim Beets, Lisa Muehlstein, Kerri Haught, Henry Schmitges

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Habitat connectivity within tropical marine seascapes may be greatly dependent on the movement of large organisms, particularly fishes. Using visual and trap sampling within two small bays in Virgin Islands National Park/Biosphere Reserve, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, we documented that large coral reef fishes, particularly large adult grunts, which shelter by day on coral reefs and make nocturnal feeding migrations into seagrass beds, accounted for the greatest biomass and abundance of fishes sampled in seagrass habitat. Using passive tags and sonic telemetry, we documented the nocturnal migration patterns of large adult grunts (bluestriped grunts, Haemulon sciurus), which are …

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Habitat Connectivity In Reef Fish Communities And Marine Reserve Design In Old Providence-Santa Catalina, Colombia, R.S. Appeldoorn, A. Friedlander, J. Sladek Nowlis, P. Usseglio, A. Mitchell-Chui Jan 2003

Habitat Connectivity In Reef Fish Communities And Marine Reserve Design In Old Providence-Santa Catalina, Colombia, R.S. Appeldoorn, A. Friedlander, J. Sladek Nowlis, P. Usseglio, A. Mitchell-Chui

Gulf and Caribbean Research

On the insular platform of Old Providence/Santa Catalina, Colombia, we compared nearshore lagoonal patch reefs to those on the northern bank distant from the islands to determine the importance of habitat connectivity to fish community structure. Nearshore patch reefs had greater proximity to mangrove, seagrass and rocky shore habitats, and they had significantly more individuals. Nearshore reefs also tended to have a greater total biomass, more species, a higher proportion of predators of mobile invertebrates and small fishes, and a lower proportion of herbivores. Biomass of snappers and grunts at nearshore sites was four times greater compared to bank sites, …

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Community Capacity Building In The Designation Of The Tortugas Ecological Reserve, Joanne M. Delaney Jan 2003

Community Capacity Building In The Designation Of The Tortugas Ecological Reserve, Joanne M. Delaney

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The remote Tortugas region of the Florida Keys, located over 225 km from the continental United States, is an area of high coral diversity, excellent water quality, and productive fisheries. Located at the juncture of major ocean currents, the Tortugas potentially serves as a source and sink for marine larvae. The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary initiated a process in 1998 to create a fully protected ecological reserve in the Tortugas to conserve these resources. Reserve design emphasized community input and consensus-based decision-making. Critical to success was a diverse working group of stakeholders and government agencies. In July 2001, after …

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The Barbados (Alias Folkestone) Marine Reserve, Barbados: A Late Bloomer?, Robin Mahon, Michael B. Mascia Jan 2003

The Barbados (Alias Folkestone) Marine Reserve, Barbados: A Late Bloomer?, Robin Mahon, Michael B. Mascia

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The Barbados Marine Reserve (BMR) is a 2.2 km2 no-take marine reserve occupying one of the most intensely used and impacted sections of the coast and comprises four zones: Scientific, Northern Watersports, Recreational, Southern Watersports. Establishment of the BMR in 1981 did little to change the de facto marine resource governance regime for the area. There was minimal consultation of stakeholders in determining the zoning and regulations. Fishers were negatively impacted, and no user group derived significant benefits from the reserve. A mandate to maximise revenues led the National Conservation Commission (NCC), responsible for BMR management, to virtually abandon …

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Human System Connectivity: A Need For Mpa Management Effectiveness, Patrick Mcconney, Leah Bunce, Georgina Bustamante Jan 2003

Human System Connectivity: A Need For Mpa Management Effectiveness, Patrick Mcconney, Leah Bunce, Georgina Bustamante

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Near the conclusion of the GCFI meeting and its special MPA symposium a workshop was convened to address the topic of Human system connectivity: a need for MPA management effectiveness. The title was inspired by the marine science sessions that examined facets of ecosystem connectivity. The social scientists, MPA managers, and marine ecologists present thought that our understanding of MPAs would be enhanced by a session in which the human system and its connectivity, both to the marine system and within itself, was prominent. This workshop was loosely linked to presentations in the session on Capacity Building and Community …

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A New Geographic Locality And Three New Host Records For Neobenedenia Melleni (Maccallum) (Monogenea: Capsalidae), Stephen A. Bullard, Robert J. Goldstein, Richard Hocking, Jack Jewell Jan 2003

A New Geographic Locality And Three New Host Records For Neobenedenia Melleni (Maccallum) (Monogenea: Capsalidae), Stephen A. Bullard, Robert J. Goldstein, Richard Hocking, Jack Jewell

Gulf and Caribbean Research

A new geographic locality record and three new host records for Neobenedenia melleni (MacCallum, 1921) (Monogenea: Capsalidae) are provided. Specimens of N. melleni were collected from the skin of three Florida pompano, Trachinotus carolinus (Linnaeus, 1166)(Carangidae),caught in the northern Gulf of Mexico off Horn Island, Mississippi; from the skin of a bluering angelfish, Pomacanthus annularis (Bloch, 1157) (Pomacanthidae), in the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada; from the skin of a rock greenling, Hexagrammos lagocephalus (Pallas, 1810) (Hexagrammidae), in the Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, Alaska; and from the skin of two blue-barred ribbon gobies, Oxymetopon cyanoctenosum Klausewitz …

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Status And Habitat Characteristics Of The Saltmarsh Topminnow, Fundulus Jenkinsi (Evermann) In Eastern Mississippi And Western Alabama Coastal Bayous, Mark S. Peterson, Gregory L. Fulling, Christa M. Woodley Jan 2003

Status And Habitat Characteristics Of The Saltmarsh Topminnow, Fundulus Jenkinsi (Evermann) In Eastern Mississippi And Western Alabama Coastal Bayous, Mark S. Peterson, Gregory L. Fulling, Christa M. Woodley

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The saltmarsh topminnow, Fundulus jenkinsi (Evermann, 1892), occurs sporadically along the northern Gulf of Mexico and appears to prefer Spartina habitat. Throughout its range, it is considered rare or threatened and has been placed on the US Federal Register's List of Candidate Species. In order to determine the status and habitat characteristics of this species, we examined collections from 1985-1986, 1996, 1999, and 2001 from eastern Mississippi and western Alabama. We report on 868 F. jenkinsi collected in 82 locations using 414 seine hauls and 420 Breder traps over 40 dates. Results using all collections indicated F. jenkinsi is not …

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Cross-Shelf Habitat Utilization Patterns Of Reef Fishes In Southwestern Puerto Rico, John D. Christensen, Christopher F.G. Jeffrey, Chris Caldow, Mark E. Monaco, Matthew S. Kendall, Richard S. Appeldoorn Jan 2003

Cross-Shelf Habitat Utilization Patterns Of Reef Fishes In Southwestern Puerto Rico, John D. Christensen, Christopher F.G. Jeffrey, Chris Caldow, Mark E. Monaco, Matthew S. Kendall, Richard S. Appeldoorn

Gulf and Caribbean Research

In June 2000, the National Ocean Service and University of Puerto Rico initiated a long-term reef-fish-monitoring program in La Parguera, Puerto Rico. Objectives of this ongoing work are to: 1) develop spatially-explicit estimates of reef fish habitat utilization patterns to aid in defining essential habitats, and 2) provide a quantitative and ecologically sound foundation to delineate marine reserve boundaries. Central to this effort are recently completed digital and georeferenced benthic habitat maps for the near-shore waters of Puerto Rico. The GIS-based map served as a framework for development of a spatially stratified reef-fish-monitoring program across the shelf. Simultaneous collections of …

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Connectivity Between Coastal Habitats Of Two Oceanic Caribbean Islands As Inferred From Ontogenetic Shifts By Coral Reef Fishes, I. Nagelkerken, G. Van Der Velde Jan 2003

Connectivity Between Coastal Habitats Of Two Oceanic Caribbean Islands As Inferred From Ontogenetic Shifts By Coral Reef Fishes, I. Nagelkerken, G. Van Der Velde

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Mangroves and seagrass beds are considered important nursery habitats for juveniles of coral reef fishes. Studies have mostly focused on the fish community of just one habitat, so the connectivity between different coastal habitats is often unclear. In this study, density and size of reef fish were determined using a single sampling technique in four non-estuarine bay habitats and four reef zones in Curaçao and Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles). The data indicate that of the complete reef fish community at least 21 species show ontogenetic crossshelf shifts in habitat utilization. The 21 species mainly utilized shallow-water habitats (mangroves, seagrass beds, channel …

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Spawning Aggregation Sites Of Snapper And Grouper Species (Lutjanidae And Serranidae) On The Insular Shelf Of Cuba, Rodolfo Claro, Kenyon C. Lindeman Jan 2003

Spawning Aggregation Sites Of Snapper And Grouper Species (Lutjanidae And Serranidae) On The Insular Shelf Of Cuba, Rodolfo Claro, Kenyon C. Lindeman

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Twenty-one spawning aggregation sites on the Cuban shelf were identified for eight species of snappers (Lutjanus) and groupers (Epinephelus and Mycteroperca) using information from experienced fishers and field studies. Three sites are on the southeastern shelf, eight on the southwest shelf bordering the Golfo de Batabanó, two in the northwest, and eight in the north-central region along the margins of the Archipiélago de Sabana-Camagüey. These numbers may reflect sampling effort as much as absolute aggregation numbers, with most effort concentrated in the southwest and north-central regions. Additional studies, particularly field assessments, are needed to determine the …

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