Ontogenetic habitat use in labrid fishes: an ecomorphological perspective

Fulton, Christopher J., and Bellwood, David R. (2002) Ontogenetic habitat use in labrid fishes: an ecomorphological perspective. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 236. pp. 255-262.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Published Version)
Download (234kB)
View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps236255
 
39
1052


Abstract

We examined the extent to which wave exposure and swimming ability shape the ontogenetic distribution patterns of wrasses across the Great Barrier Reef at 2 spatial scales: cross-shelf and within-habitat. Visual censuses were used to record the distribution of juveniles and adults among shelf habitats, and their relative position in the water-column within a single, wave-swept habitat zone. Pectoral fin shape was used as a measure of swimming ability. Examination of fins from a broad size range of individuals indicated an ontogenetic shift in swimming ability in 5 of the 8 species examined. Despite apparent differences in their swimming abilities, juveniles and adults of each species displayed similar distributions across the 11 shelf habitats. Significant differences in habitat distributions were only apparent among species. Microhabitat use within the reef flat, however, displayed a distinct trend of increasing water-column use with increasing size in those 5 species that displayed a marked ontogenetic shift in swimming ability. This shift in microhabitat use appeared to be due largely to flow-refuging behaviour in the small individuals and slow-swimming species.

Item ID: 13624
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1616-1599
Keywords: ecomorphology; habitat use; Labridae; ontogeny
Date Deposited: 06 Dec 2010 03:22
FoR Codes: 07 AGRICULTURAL AND VETERINARY SCIENCES > 0704 Fisheries Sciences > 070405 Fish Physiology and Genetics @ 100%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970106 Expanding Knowledge in the Biological Sciences @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 1052
Last 12 Months: 86
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page