Journal article
Similar cryptic behaviour during the early juvenile phase of two unrelated reef fishes: Epinephelides armatus and Bodianus frenchii
Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, Vol.49(2), pp.109-117
2016
Abstract
The juveniles of many reef fishes behave cryptically during critical juvenile stages in their life history and thus the microhabitats they often occupy are not well known. Comprehensive surveys of reef fishes on the temperate mid-west coast of Australia identified that juveniles of the unrelated Epinephelides armatus (Epinephelidae) and Bodianus frenchii (Labridae) < 100 mm total length both exhibit cryptic behaviour by exclusively swimming upside down under cave roofs and ledges. These individuals swam among the sponges and small algae in this microhabitat which would provide refuge from predation and also supply the dietary requirements of these two carnivores. Occupying this microhabitat would also reduce intra-specific competition, as individuals > 150 mm were only observed swimming ventrally oriented to the substrate in caves, under ledges or on open reef. Identifying the nursery habitats of fishery species, such as E. armatus and B. frenchii, is critical for understanding their life histories, but would also inform survey designs aimed at determining recruitment strength or variation.
Details
- Title
- Similar cryptic behaviour during the early juvenile phase of two unrelated reef fishes: Epinephelides armatus and Bodianus frenchii
- Authors/Creators
- D.V. Fairclough (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Marine and Freshwater Behaviour and Physiology, Vol.49(2), pp.109-117
- Publisher
- Taylor and Francis Ltd
- Identifiers
- 991005542134807891
- Copyright
- © 2016 Crown Copyright in the Commonwealth of Australia
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
168 File views/ downloads
66 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.2 Marine Biology
- 3.2.570 Coral Reef Ecology
- Web Of Science research areas
- Marine & Freshwater Biology
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science