A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park

Understanding movement patterns, habitat use and behaviour of fish is critical to determining how argeted species may espond to protection provided by ‘‘no-take’’ sanctuary zones within marine parks. We assessed the ine and broad scale ovement patterns of an exploited herbivore, luderick (Girella tr...

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Main Authors: Ferguson, A., Harvey, Euan, Taylor, M., Knott, N.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Public Library of Science 2013
Online Access:http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0065838
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22806
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author Ferguson, A.
Harvey, Euan
Taylor, M.
Knott, N.
author_facet Ferguson, A.
Harvey, Euan
Taylor, M.
Knott, N.
author_sort Ferguson, A.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Understanding movement patterns, habitat use and behaviour of fish is critical to determining how argeted species may espond to protection provided by ‘‘no-take’’ sanctuary zones within marine parks. We assessed the ine and broad scale ovement patterns of an exploited herbivore, luderick (Girella tricuspidata), using acoustic telemetry to valuate how this species may respond to protection within Jervis Bay (New South Wales, Australia). We surgically implanted fourteen fish with acoustic transmitters and actively and passively tracked individuals to determine fine and broad scale movement patterns respectively. Eight fish were actively tracked for 24 h d¯ 1 for 6 d (May 2011), and then intermittently over the following 30 d. Six fish were passively tracked from December 2011 to March 2012, using a fixed array of receivers deployed across rocky reefs around the perimeter of the bay. Luderick exhibited strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs, tending to remain on or return consistently to the reef where they were caught and released. All eight fish actively tracked used core areas solely on their release reef, with the exception of one fish that used multiple core areas, and four of the six fish passively tracked spent between 75 to 96% of days on release reefs over the entire tracking period. Luderick did move frequently to adjacent reefs, and occasionally to more distant reefs, however consistently returned to their release reef. Luderick also exhibited predictable patterns in movement between spatially distinct daytime and night time core use areas. Night-time core use areas were generally located in sheltered areas behind the edge of reefs. Overall, our data indicate luderick exhibit strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs in Jervis Bay and suggests that this important herbivore may be likely to show a positive response to protection within the marine park.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-228062017-02-28T01:36:29Z A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park Ferguson, A. Harvey, Euan Taylor, M. Knott, N. Understanding movement patterns, habitat use and behaviour of fish is critical to determining how argeted species may espond to protection provided by ‘‘no-take’’ sanctuary zones within marine parks. We assessed the ine and broad scale ovement patterns of an exploited herbivore, luderick (Girella tricuspidata), using acoustic telemetry to valuate how this species may respond to protection within Jervis Bay (New South Wales, Australia). We surgically implanted fourteen fish with acoustic transmitters and actively and passively tracked individuals to determine fine and broad scale movement patterns respectively. Eight fish were actively tracked for 24 h d¯ 1 for 6 d (May 2011), and then intermittently over the following 30 d. Six fish were passively tracked from December 2011 to March 2012, using a fixed array of receivers deployed across rocky reefs around the perimeter of the bay. Luderick exhibited strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs, tending to remain on or return consistently to the reef where they were caught and released. All eight fish actively tracked used core areas solely on their release reef, with the exception of one fish that used multiple core areas, and four of the six fish passively tracked spent between 75 to 96% of days on release reefs over the entire tracking period. Luderick did move frequently to adjacent reefs, and occasionally to more distant reefs, however consistently returned to their release reef. Luderick also exhibited predictable patterns in movement between spatially distinct daytime and night time core use areas. Night-time core use areas were generally located in sheltered areas behind the edge of reefs. Overall, our data indicate luderick exhibit strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs in Jervis Bay and suggests that this important herbivore may be likely to show a positive response to protection within the marine park. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22806 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0065838 Public Library of Science restricted
spellingShingle Ferguson, A.
Harvey, Euan
Taylor, M.
Knott, N.
A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park
title A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park
title_full A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park
title_fullStr A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park
title_full_unstemmed A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park
title_short A Herbivore Knows Its Patch: Luderick, Girella tricuspidata, Exhibit Strong Site Fidelity on Shallow Subtidal Reefs in a Temperate Marine Park
title_sort herbivore knows its patch: luderick, girella tricuspidata, exhibit strong site fidelity on shallow subtidal reefs in a temperate marine park
url http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0065838
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/22806