Ecological studies on two intertidal New Zealand fishes,Acanthoclinus fuscusandForsterygion nigripenne robustum

Abstract

Population density, seasonal abundance fluctuations, and habitat preferences of Acanthoclinus fuscus and Forsterygion nigripenne robustum were studied in the rocky intertidal zone at Kaikoura, New Zjaland, from August 1988 to June 1989. Monthly recaptures of marked fishes showed that A. fuscus was common on rocky platforms with small shallow pools; F. n. robustum occurred under larger stones and in deeper channels or larger pools. Most captured A. fuscus were juveniles and adolescents; no seasonal fluctuation in abundance was recorded. The intertidal A. fuscus populations at Kaikoura and Auckland were similar in growth rate and condition factor but differed in age structure. The intertidal population of F. n. robustum was dominated by mature fish; the highest abundance was recorded during the winter spawning season. Each monthly sample of A. fuscus included 40% recaptures, significantly more than in F. n. robustum samples. 31% of displaced A. fuscus returned to their original pool within 1 day and 58% within 1 week.

Short-Term Dynamics of Tidepool Fish Community: Diel and Seasonal Variation

“…These two possibilities about diel habitat utilisation (same/different individuals coming to occupy a tidepool) are not mutually exclusive and may be operating simultaneously in nature. Studies on homing behaviour also noted the occurrence of ''unmarked individuals'' (new comers) and some marked individuals were not recaptured at the original tidepools (Gibson 1967;Richkus 1978;Berger and Mayr 1992;Yoshiyama et al 1992;Gibson 1999). This suggests that some members of a tidepool fish assemblage are exchanged while others return to the same pools.…”

“…Firstly, the same individuals may occupy and return to a particular tidepool in a 24-h cycle while being absent during certain hours of day. According to studies on homing behaviour, some fishes repeatedly occupy the same tidepool/set of tidepools (Richkus 1978;Berger and Mayr 1992;Yoshiyama et al 1992). If such a situation prevails in our study site, it means that fishes have different home ranges by day and at night.…”

“…The ''residents'' occur nearly permanently in intertidal areas and generally have cryptic colouration and small body sizes, commonly showing homing behaviour (cf. Gibson 1967;Richkus 1978;Berger and Mayr 1992;Yoshiyama et al 1992;Gibson 1999). Tidepool fish assemblages are known to show high resilience and persistence of species composition (Thomson and Lehner 1976;Yoshiyama 1981;Grossman 1982Grossman , 1986Yoshiyama et al 1986;Mahon and Mahon 1994;Prochazka 1996;Willis and Roberts 1996;Faria and Almada 1999;Davis 2000).…”

Assessment of the morphometry of saccular otoliths as a tool to identify triplefin species (Tripterygiidae)

“…Besides, it has peculiarities on its lateral line, implying that ecologically divergent species can be caused by a process of functional adaptation with the main selective pressure being the level of background hydrodynamic activity (Feary & Clements, 2006;Berger & Mayr, 1992;Wellenreuther et al, 2010). Besides, it has peculiarities on its lateral line, implying that ecologically divergent species can be caused by a process of functional adaptation with the main selective pressure being the level of background hydrodynamic activity (Feary & Clements, 2006;Berger & Mayr, 1992;Wellenreuther et al, 2010).…”

Reproduction and recruitment of sympatric fish species on an intertidal rocky shore

“…The present study examined the reproduction of Gobius paganellus L. 1758, Gobius bucchichi Steindachner 1870, Gobius cobitis Pallas 1814, Parablennius sanguinolentus (Pallas 1814), Salaria pavo (Risso 1810), Tripterygion tartessicum Carreras‐Carbonell et al, [previously identified as Tripterygion tripteronotum and mentioned as such in Compaire et al, ] and Symphodus roissali (Risso 1810). Although intertidal fish species exhibit diverse reproductive modes (Balon, ), all the families analysed in this study are oviparous (Gobiidae: Miller, ; Blenniidae: Patzner, ; Tripterygiidae: Berger & Mayr, ; Labridae: Potts, ). Demersal spawners produce eggs that are attached to one another or to physical or biological substrata (DeMartini, ).…”