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Fish distribution and ontogenetic habitat preferences in non-estuarine lagoons and adjacent reefs

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Abstract

We surveyed fish distribution in three lagoons and adjacent forereefs in the British Virgin Islands recording about 28,000 fish from 40 families and 118 species. Canonical correspondence indicated that rock, sand, fleshy algae, gorgonians, mangroves and live hard coral were the most important habitat types influencing fish assemblage composition. About 47% of fishes occurring at more than 10 stations displayed evidence of ontogenetic partitioning between reefs and lagoons but post-settlement ontogenetic life history strategies were quite varied depending on the species. For example Chaetodon striatus juveniles occurred exclusively in lagoons and all sexually mature adults were found on reefs. Some differences were less pronounced as seen in Halichoeres bivittatus where individuals of all sizes occurred on reefs and lagoons, but when analysed it was found that reefs had larger individuals than lagoons. Some species, such as Acanthurus bahianus, were primarily reef species whose juveniles also used lagoon habitats while others, such as Gerres cinereus, were generally lagoon species whose adults occasionally moved onto reefs. Even with all this variation in life-history strategies, all the species that exhibited bay-reef partitioning used the lagoons as juveniles then moved onto reefs as adults and not vice versa, supporting the hypothesis that bays are important nursery areas for reef-dwelling fishes. These results show that a detailed review of the natural life-history strategies and habitat requirements are required before making further generalisations about the role of near-shore habitat types as nurseries for reef fishes. This is especially important given the rapid changes in tropical near-shore habitats around the world.

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Acknowledgements

The Rhodes Trust funded BG; the British Ecological Society supported MRS participation. We thank N. O’Dea and two anonymous reviewers for helpful suggestions on this manuscript. A. Morris provided assistance and support in the field and V. Morris kindly assisted with accommodation. The Conservation and Fisheries Department of the British Virgin Islands, provided a research permit, and we thank B. Lettsomme and E. Kadison in particular for their help.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3JA, UK

    Brian Gratwicke & Martin R. Speight

  2. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, 1120 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC, 20036, USA

    Brian Gratwicke

  3. H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, Box 3097, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands

    Clive Petrovic

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  1. Brian Gratwicke
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Correspondence to Brian Gratwicke.

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Gratwicke, B., Petrovic, C. & Speight, M.R. Fish distribution and ontogenetic habitat preferences in non-estuarine lagoons and adjacent reefs. Environ Biol Fish 76, 191–210 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-006-9021-8

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