Comparative evaluation of fish assemblages census on an artificial reef

Abstract

One of the main issues regarding artificial reef fish evaluation is the performance of an efficient visual census sampling. An experimental artificial reef made of four different types of concrete modules was implanted on the north coast of Rio de Janeiro (21º29'S, 41º00W). Two interval-sampling periods using a visual census method were performed in the summer of 2003 (N = 6) and 2004 (N = 6), weekly and daily, respectively. The longer interval-sampling period showed twice of species with eight exclusive ones. Total fish abundance was higher during the shorter interval-sampling period, due to the presence of large shoals of Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Linnaeus, 1766) and Haemulon aurolineatum (Cuvier, 1829) especially at the complex modules. Fish abundance according to vertical position and feeding habits in the two interval sampling-periods showed a clear association to the structural complex modules, reinforcing the shelter influence on local fish assemblage structure and composition. The second survey showed quite different diversity and taxonomic results and highlighted the impossibility of obtaining several independent samples in a short period.of time.

Effects of life phase and schooling patterns on the foraging behaviour of coral‐reef fishes from the genus Haemulon

“…Fishes of the genus Haemulon (family Haemulidae) are abundant on shallow reef communities and typically form schools associated with natural or artificial structures in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean (Brotto et al ., 2007;Rocha et al ., 2008). This genus represents one of the most important reef fishes because of their abundance, fishery value (Lindeman & Toxey, 2002), phylogenetic distinctions (Sanciangco et al ., 2011), ecological relevance (Pereira et al ., 2011) and trophic importance as predators and prey (Lindeman & Toxey, 2002;Ferreira et al ., 2004).…”

First record of the Atlantic bumper Chloroscombrus chrysurus (Teleostei: Carangidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

“…260 mm (Fischer et al, ) and total length ( L T ) 300 mm (Smith‐Vaniz, ). Along the western Atlantic Ocean coasts, C. chrysurus has been listed as one of the most abundant carangids, capable of forming large schools (Brotto et al, ). Adult distribution occurs from coastal waters to open ocean, whereas larvae may be dominant in shallow waters, especially near to estuaries and bays (Flores‐Coto & Sanchez‐Ramirez, ) and in the outer surf zone (Ruple, ).…”

Effects of structural factors on upwelling fouling community, Southeast Brazil

“…The fish community was sampled qualitatively by the stationary visual observation method adapted from BROTTO et al (2007), in which the diver records the presence of fish for 5 minutes at a distance of 3 metres. Fish were grouped into trophic categories based on the main diets of adults following FERREIRA et al (2004).…”