DOCSLIB.ORG

The Importance of Seahorses and Pipefishes in the Diet of Marine

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Importance of Seahorses and Pipefishes in the Diet of Marine Rev Fish Biol Fisheries (2011) 21:205–223 DOI 10.1007/s11160-010-9167-5 REVIEWS The importance of seahorses and pipefishes in the diet of marine animals D. Kleiber • L. K. Blight • I. R. Caldwell • A. C. J. Vincent Received: 29 September 2009 / Accepted: 12 May 2010 / Published online: 1 June 2010 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010 Abstract A review of 135 accounts of predation on predators: these included taxa that do not frequent the seahorses and pipefishes identified 82 predator spe- demersal habitat generally occupied by seahorses and cies, with nine species of seahorses and 25 of pipefishes. Thus, seahorses and pipefishes may be pipefishes recorded as prey. These cryptic fishes moving in the open ocean more than suspected, were generally depredated in low numbers. Where perhaps using floating mats of marine vegetation. If syngnathids formed a high proportion of predator so, this behaviour could act as a hitherto unknown diets, predation occurred on (1) a single abundant vector for syngnathid movement and dispersal. species during a population boom or large die-off, (2) Information on syngnathid abundance in predator concentrations of individuals utilising floating marine diet (measured as percent number, volume, or mass) vegetation, or (3) juveniles when abundant during the was available in 45 reviewed accounts; in 27% breeding season. Predation coinciding with high (n = 12) of these studies seahorses or pipefishes syngnathid densities suggests their predators are comprised C20% of predator diet (range 0.005– foraging opportunistically rather than targeting syng- 100%). Frequency of occurrence (percent stomachs, nathids as prey. Invertebrates, fishes, sea turtles, seabird bill-loads, or regurgitations in which a prey waterbirds and marine mammals were all syngnathid item occurred) was provided in 39 accounts, with 15% (n = 6) of these recording a frequency of C20% (range 0.003–65%). D. Kleiber and L. K. Blight contributed equally to this work. Keywords Marine food webs Á Electronic supplementary material The online version of Predator–prey interactions Á Syngnathidae Á this article (doi:10.1007/s11160-010-9167-5) contains Hippocampus Á Crypsis Á Dispersal supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. D. Kleiber Á L. K. Blight Á I. R. Caldwell Á A. C. J. Vincent Introduction Project Seahorse, Fisheries Centre, The University of British Columbia, 2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada Predation risk can shape individual behaviour and ecology as well as population level processes. L. K. Blight (&) According to the ‘‘life-dinner’’ principle (Dawkins Centre for Applied Conservation Research, and Krebs 1979), in the arms race between predator The University of British Columbia, 2424 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada and prey, adaptive pressure should be greater on the e-mail: [email protected] prey than on the predator. In marine ecosystems, 123 206 Rev Fish Biol Fisheries (2011) 21:205–223 predation pressure can affect: where individuals are corals, or mangroves) and can change their colour to found (Walters and Martell 2004); select for predator adapt to changes in their environment. Species of avoidance behaviours such as schooling (Seghers seahorses, pipehorses, and seadragons that live 1974; Magurran 1990; Pitcher and Parrish 1993)or among seagrass or other flora often have filaments refuge use (Sih 1997; Krause et al. 2000); create that increase their resemblance to their habitat, while trade-offs with other behaviours such as mating those living amongst coral often have a textured body (Berglund 1993; Sih 1994) or feeding (Krause et al. surface. Although some species of pipefishes lack 2000; Plath and Schlupp 2008); and select for filaments, these nonetheless have an elongated body attributes to either evade detection (e.g., crypsis) or that allows them to mimic vertical features of the make prey less palatable or otherwise less attractive environments in which they live such as blades of (Endler 1986; Smith 1997). Knowing the predation seagrass, loose weeds, or sticks (Kuiter 2000, 2009). risk faced by a given species can help to elucidate the Overall, predator avoidance through crypsis is highly pressures that have shaped its behaviour, morphol- evolved in this family of fishes. ogy, and general biology. Although effective, crypsis is an imperfect defence The Syngnathidae (seahorses, pipefishes, pipehors- strategy and predation of cryptic species does occur. es and seadragons) are a cosmopolitan family of In the predator–prey arms race, predators may charismatic fishes that serve as flagship species for develop more effective search images (Gendron marine conservation, yet little is known about their 1986) or search rates (Guilford and Dawkins 1987) basic biology. Syngnathids are harvested in a global to find cryptic prey. Crypsis can also become less trade for use in traditional medicines and curios effective when shifts in habitat no longer favour a (Foster and Vincent 2004). The extent of syngnathid certain phenotype (e.g., changed frequency of dark vs. exploitation by humans is well documented, but little light substrates; Mallet 2004), or when there is a trade- is known about their ecological role and the forces off between predator avoidance and other life history that structure their populations (Martin-Smith and requirements (e.g., mating, feeding; Sih 1994; Walters Vincent 2005). Two syngnathid species are listed on and Martell 2004). For example, work by Berglund the International Union for the Conservation of (1993) on the mating behaviour of the pipefish Nature (IUCN) Red List as ‘‘Endangered’’, seven as Syngnathus typhle during the presence of a predator ‘‘Vulnerable’’, and two as ‘‘Near Threatened’’. How- suggests that adults may be at high risk of predation ever, the vast majority are assessed as ‘‘Data Defi- during mating. Conversely, remaining cryptic may cient’’, indicating the practical need for further restrict an animal’s access to other resources. Sea- information about these species. The purposes of this horses and pipefishes use rapid (from dark to light review were to find out which predators eat this within seconds, and vice versa) colour change to cryptic group of fishes, and under which circum- attract mates yet at least some species limit such stances; to identify in more detail the role of displays when exposed to predation risk (Fuller and syngnathids in marine food webs; and to attempt to Berglund 1996). Seahorses have a prehensile tail, elucidate poorly known syngnathid life history traits allowing them to grasp vegetation and remain related to movement and behaviour. stationary; by limiting their movement and staying All Syngnathidae have physical characteristics that within small home ranges (Foster and Vincent 2004; allow them to hide from predators. Avoiding preda- Vincent et al. 2005), seahorses can ensure they remain tion by blending with surroundings is a well-studied camouflaged. However, with a simple grasping tail or strategy used by a wide range of organisms (e.g., an otherwise reduced caudal fin, seahorses, pipehors- Endler 1986). Such crypsis comes in two main forms: es, and seadragons primarily use their dorsal fin for (1) disguise (blending with the background) and (2) thrust and may be weaker swimmers than other fish. masquerade (the imitation of another object; Ruxton Thus, if they are caught outside their normal habitat or et al. 2004). Syngnathids are notable marine exam- their camouflage fails they are presumably vulnerable ples of cryptic fauna that rely on both colouration and to more rapidly-swimming predators. Developing an form to blend with their habitat (Foster and Vincent understanding of the circumstances under which 2004; Kuiter 2000, 2009). Most syngnathids are crypsis fails, then, may provide an indirect window coloured to blend into their marine habitats (seagrass, on little-studied aspects of syngnathid life history. 123 Rev Fish Biol Fisheries (2011) 21:205–223 207 The role of syngnathids as potential prey has been Emphasis was placed on identifying measures of highlighted by a recent and dramatic population relative abundance of syngnathids in the diet. We increase in snake pipefish Entelurus aequoreus that made several ‘‘rationalized’’ assumptions to convert has occurred in the northeast Atlantic and North Sea qualitative terms where possible into quantitative since 2003 (Kirby et al. 2006; Harris et al. 2007a; metrics for comparative purposes. Specifically, Kloppmann and Ulleweit 2007). For example, Con- descriptions of stomachs being ‘‘full’’ and tinuous Plankton Recorder data from the NE Atlantic ‘‘crammed’’ with syngnathids were considered to showed more juvenile and larval E. aequoreus in the represent 100% occurrence by stomach volume, first half of 2005 than in the entire period from 1958 while terms such as ‘‘numerous’’ and ‘‘on many to 1972 (Kirby et al. 2006). Though the E. aequoreus occasions’’ were taken to be 30% occurrence. This population increases have been linked to anomalous deliberately conservative latter estimation was used sea surface temperatures (Kirby et al. 2006), eruptive so as not to overinflate subjective descriptions. In two population events may be a general feature of instances, percent volume was estimated from pho- syngnathid population biology. There have been tographs of stomach contents included in these similar observations of dramatically increased inci- papers. As frequency of occurrence (FOO; percent dence of pipefishes as prey off the California coast of total stomachs—or, for marine
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Feeding Ecology of Grey Gurnard, Eutrigla Gurnardus, Off the Coast of Scotland
    The Feeding Ecology of Grey Gurnard, Eutrigla gurnardus, off the coast of Scotland. Abstract Until recently, little research had been conducted into the feeding ecology of grey gurnard (Eutrigla gurnardus), and the species’ wider interaction with the ecosystems it inhabits. This study was carried out to address several questions that have recently arisen about the species. Mainly whether the grey gurnard population at Rockall Bank have been predating on the juvenile haddock to a degree that could cause the stock to decline. This was assessed by conducting a stomach contents analysis on a sample of grey gurnard caught on several trawls. The results of this were inconclusive, with only 3 stomachs containing potential haddock remains out of a total of 121 stomachs. However, these results do not completely disprove the hypothesis, as other factors may have influenced the low fish intake in these gurnard. Furthermore, the populations of grey gurnard from Rockall Bank and the Firth of Forth were compared to determine any differences in feeding ecology between the two. It emerged that the two populations were reasonably similar, with smaller size classes consuming less fish and proportionally more invertebrates, while larger size classes had a diet that was predominantly fish, with the fish prey consisting largely of sand eels. Finally, the influence of fish size on prey selection was investigated, with the result showing a clear correlation between increasing fish size and increasing prey mass, likely owing to the greater amount of fish prey that makes up a larger gurnard’s diet. Introduction: Grey gurnard, Eutrigla gurnadus, is a demersal marine species that has a wide distribution throughout the North Atlantic and the North Sea (Vinogradov et al., 2014; Floeter et al., 2005).
    [Show full text]
  • Red Gurnard in the North East Atlantic, Demersal Otter Trawl
    Red gurnard in the North East Atlantic, Demersal otter trawl Red gurnard in the North East Atlantic, Demersal otter trawl Content last updated 27th Jan 2016 Stock: Red gurnard in the North East Atlantic Management: EU Overview Red gurnard (Chelidonichthys cuculus) is a widespread demersal species on the Northeast Atlantic shelf, distributed from South Norway and north of the British Isles to Mauritania. The species is found in depths between 20 and 250m living on gravel or coarse sandy substrate. Higher occurrences of red gurnard with patchy distribution have been observed along the Western approaches from the Shetlands Islands to the Celtic Seas and the Channel. A continuous distribution of fish crossing the Channel and the area West of Brittany does not suggest a separation of the Divisions VIId from VIIe and VIIh. Therefore a split of the population between the Ecoregions does not seem appropriate. Further investigations are needed to progress on stocks boundaries such as morphometric studies, tagging and genetic population studies. Red gurnard feeds on a variety of small invertebrates, bottom dwelling fish and benthic shellfish and crustaceans. Length at first maturity has been reported at approximately 25cm. Spawning occurs between February and June. Currently, all red gurnards in the Northeast Atlantic are treated as a single stock. Considering their behaviour, future assessment and management should identify and treat separate spawning aggregations independently. Red gurnard is mainly taken as a bycatch in mixed demersal fisheries for flatfish and roundfish, as the market is limited a larger part of the gurnard catch is discarded. Gurnards have been landed as a mixed generic gurnard catch and therefore landings of red gurnard are uncertain.
    [Show full text]
  • Pacific Plate Biogeography, with Special Reference to Shorefishes
    Pacific Plate Biogeography, with Special Reference to Shorefishes VICTOR G. SPRINGER m SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO ZOOLOGY • NUMBER 367 SERIES PUBLICATIONS OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Emphasis upon publication as a means of "diffusing knowledge" was expressed by the first Secretary of the Smithsonian. In his formal plan for the Institution, Joseph Henry outlined a program that included the following statement: "It is proposed to publish a series of reports, giving an account of the new discoveries in science, and of the changes made from year to year in all branches of knowledge." This theme of basic research has been adhered to through the years by thousands of titles issued in series publications under the Smithsonian imprint, commencing with Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge in 1848 and continuing with the following active series: Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology Smithsonian Contributions to Astrophysics Smithsonian Contributions to Botany Smithsonian Contributions to the Earth Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to the Marine Sciences Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology Smithsonian Contributions to Zoo/ogy Smithsonian Studies in Air and Space Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology In these series, the Institution publishes small papers and full-scale monographs that report the research and collections of its various museums and bureaux or of professional colleagues in the world cf science and scholarship. The publications are distributed by mailing lists to libraries, universities, and similar institutions throughout the world. Papers or monographs submitted for series publication are received by the Smithsonian Institution Press, subject to its own review for format and style, only through departments of the various Smithsonian museums or bureaux, where the manuscripts are given substantive review.
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Fish Conservation Global Evidence for the Effects of Selected Interventions
    Marine Fish Conservation Global evidence for the effects of selected interventions Natasha Taylor, Leo J. Clarke, Khatija Alliji, Chris Barrett, Rosslyn McIntyre, Rebecca0 K. Smith & William J. Sutherland CONSERVATION EVIDENCE SERIES SYNOPSES Marine Fish Conservation Global evidence for the effects of selected interventions Natasha Taylor, Leo J. Clarke, Khatija Alliji, Chris Barrett, Rosslyn McIntyre, Rebecca K. Smith and William J. Sutherland Conservation Evidence Series Synopses 1 Copyright © 2021 William J. Sutherland This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0). This license allows you to share, copy, distribute and transmit the work; to adapt the work and to make commercial use of the work providing attribution is made to the authors (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work). Attribution should include the following information: Taylor, N., Clarke, L.J., Alliji, K., Barrett, C., McIntyre, R., Smith, R.K., and Sutherland, W.J. (2021) Marine Fish Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Selected Interventions. Synopses of Conservation Evidence Series. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. Further details about CC BY licenses are available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Cover image: Circling fish in the waters of the Halmahera Sea (Pacific Ocean) off the Raja Ampat Islands, Indonesia, by Leslie Burkhalter. Digital material and resources associated with this synopsis are available at https://www.conservationevidence.com/
    [Show full text]
  • A Reconnaissance of the Deeper Jamaican Coral Reef Fish Communities M
    Northeast Gulf Science Volume 12 Article 3 Number 1 Number 1 11-1991 A Reconnaissance of the Deeper Jamaican Coral Reef Fish Communities M. Itzkowitz Lehigh University M. Haley Lehigh University C. Otis Lehigh University D. Evers Lehigh University DOI: 10.18785/negs.1201.03 Follow this and additional works at: https://aquila.usm.edu/goms Recommended Citation Itzkowitz, M., M. Haley, C. Otis and D. Evers. 1991. A Reconnaissance of the Deeper Jamaican Coral Reef Fish Communities. Northeast Gulf Science 12 (1). Retrieved from https://aquila.usm.edu/goms/vol12/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by The Aquila Digital Community. It has been accepted for inclusion in Gulf of Mexico Science by an authorized editor of The Aquila Digital Community. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Itzkowitz et al.: A Reconnaissance of the Deeper Jamaican Coral Reef Fish Communiti Northeast Gulf Science Vol. 12, No. 1 November 1991 p. 25·34 A RECONNAISSANCE OF THE DEEPER JAMAICAN CORAL REEF FISH COMMUNITIES M. Itzkowitz, M. Haley, C. Otis, D. Evers Biology Department Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA, 18015 ABSTRACT: A submersible was used to make repetitive dives in Jamaica to depths of 2S m 50 m, and 100m. With increasing depth there was a decline in both species and the numbe; of individuals. The territorial damselfish and mixed-species groups of herbivorous fishes were conspicuously absent at 100m. Few unique species appeared with increasing depth and thus the deep community resembled depauperate versions of the shallower communities. Twelve species were shared between the 3 depths but there was no significant correlation in ranked relative abundance.
    [Show full text]
  • Longevity in Little Penguins Eudyptula Minor
    71 LONGEVITY IN LITTLE PENGUINS EUDYPTULA MINOR PETER DANN1, MELANIE CARRON2, BETTY CHAMBERS2, LYNDA CHAMBERS2, TONY DORNOM2, AUSTIN MCLAUGHLIN2, BARB SHARP2, MARY ELLEN TALMAGE2, RON THODAY2 & SPENCER UNTHANK2 1 Research Group, Phillip Island Nature Park, PO Box 97, Cowes, Phillip Island, Victoria, 3922, Australia ([email protected]) 2 Penguin Study Group, PO Box 97, Cowes, Phillip Island, Victoria, 3922, Australia Received 17 June 2005, accepted 18 November 2005 Little Penguins Eudyptula minor live around the mainland and Four were females, two were males and one was of unknown sex offshore islands of southern Australia and New Zealand (Marchant (Table 1). The oldest of the birds was a male that was banded by the & Higgins 1990). They are the smallest penguin species extant, Penguin Study Group as a chick before fledging on Phillip Island breeding in burrows and coming ashore only after nightfall. Most on 2 January 1976 in a part of the colony known as “the Penguin of their mortality appears to result from processes occurring at sea Parade.” This bird was not recorded again after initial banding (Dann 1992). The average life expectancy of breeding adult birds until it was five years old and was found raising two chicks at the is approximately 6.5 years (Reilly & Cullen 1979, Dann & Cullen Penguin Parade. This individual had a bill depth measurement 12% 1990, Dann et al. 1995); however, some individuals in southeastern less than the mean for male penguins from Phillip Island (Arnould Australia have lived far in excess of the average life expectancy. et al. 2004), but was classified as a male based on the sex of its mates (sexed as females from the presence of cloacal distension Approximately 44 000 birds have been flipper-banded on Phillip following egg-laying or from their bill-depth measurements).
    [Show full text]
  • Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste Report for Mulgrave River Aquifer Feasibility Study Flora and Fauna Report
    Cairns Regional Council Water and Waste Report for Mulgrave River Aquifer Feasibility Study Flora and Fauna Report November 2009 Contents 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Scope 1 1.3 Project Study Area 2 2. Methodology 4 2.1 Background and Approach 4 2.2 Demarcation of the Aquifer Study Area 4 2.3 Field Investigation of Proposed Bore Hole Sites 5 2.4 Overview of Ecological Values Descriptions 5 2.5 PER Guidelines 5 2.6 Desktop and Database Assessments 7 3. Database Searches and Survey Results 11 3.1 Information Sources 11 3.2 Species of National Environmental Significance 11 3.3 Queensland Species of Conservation Significance 18 3.4 Pest Species 22 3.5 Vegetation Communities 24 3.6 Regional Ecosystem Types and Integrity 28 3.7 Aquatic Values 31 3.8 World Heritage Values 53 3.9 Results of Field Investigation of Proposed Bore Hole Sites 54 4. References 61 Table Index Table 1: Summary of NES Matters Protected under Part 3 of the EPBC Act 5 Table 2 Summary of World Heritage Values within/adjacent Aquifer Area of Influence 6 Table 3: Species of NES Identified as Occurring within the Study Area 11 Table 4: Summary of Regional Ecosystems and Groundwater Dependencies 26 42/15610/100421 Mulgrave River Aquifer Feasibility Study Flora and Fauna Report Table 5: Freshwater Fish Species in the Mulgrave River 36 Table 6: Estuarine Fish Species in the Mulgrave River 50 Table 7: Description of potential borehole field in Aloomba as of 20th August, 2009. 55 Figure Index Figure 1: Regional Ecosystem Conservation Status and Protected Species Observation 21 Figure 2: Vegetation Communities and Groundwater Dependencies 30 Figure 3: Locations of Study Sites 54 Appendices A Database Searches 42/15610/100421 Mulgrave River Aquifer Feasibility Study Flora and Fauna Report 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Sharkcam Fishes
    SharkCam Fishes A Guide to Nekton at Frying Pan Tower By Erin J. Burge, Christopher E. O’Brien, and jon-newbie 1 Table of Contents Identification Images Species Profiles Additional Info Index Trevor Mendelow, designer of SharkCam, on August 31, 2014, the day of the original SharkCam installation. SharkCam Fishes. A Guide to Nekton at Frying Pan Tower. 5th edition by Erin J. Burge, Christopher E. O’Brien, and jon-newbie is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/. For questions related to this guide or its usage contact Erin Burge. The suggested citation for this guide is: Burge EJ, CE O’Brien and jon-newbie. 2020. SharkCam Fishes. A Guide to Nekton at Frying Pan Tower. 5th edition. Los Angeles: Explore.org Ocean Frontiers. 201 pp. Available online http://explore.org/live-cams/player/shark-cam. Guide version 5.0. 24 February 2020. 2 Table of Contents Identification Images Species Profiles Additional Info Index TABLE OF CONTENTS SILVERY FISHES (23) ........................... 47 African Pompano ......................................... 48 FOREWORD AND INTRODUCTION .............. 6 Crevalle Jack ................................................. 49 IDENTIFICATION IMAGES ...................... 10 Permit .......................................................... 50 Sharks and Rays ........................................ 10 Almaco Jack ................................................. 51 Illustrations of SharkCam
    [Show full text]
  • TNP SOK 2011 Internet
    GARDEN ROUTE NATIONAL PARK : THE TSITSIKAMMA SANP ARKS SECTION STATE OF KNOWLEDGE Contributors: N. Hanekom 1, R.M. Randall 1, D. Bower, A. Riley 2 and N. Kruger 1 1 SANParks Scientific Services, Garden Route (Rondevlei Office), PO Box 176, Sedgefield, 6573 2 Knysna National Lakes Area, P.O. Box 314, Knysna, 6570 Most recent update: 10 May 2012 Disclaimer This report has been produced by SANParks to summarise information available on a specific conservation area. Production of the report, in either hard copy or electronic format, does not signify that: the referenced information necessarily reflect the views and policies of SANParks; the referenced information is either correct or accurate; SANParks retains copies of the referenced documents; SANParks will provide second parties with copies of the referenced documents. This standpoint has the premise that (i) reproduction of copywrited material is illegal, (ii) copying of unpublished reports and data produced by an external scientist without the author’s permission is unethical, and (iii) dissemination of unreviewed data or draft documentation is potentially misleading and hence illogical. This report should be cited as: Hanekom N., Randall R.M., Bower, D., Riley, A. & Kruger, N. 2012. Garden Route National Park: The Tsitsikamma Section – State of Knowledge. South African National Parks. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................2 2. ACCOUNT OF AREA........................................................................................................2
    [Show full text]
  • Order GASTEROSTEIFORMES PEGASIDAE Eurypegasus Draconis
    click for previous page 2262 Bony Fishes Order GASTEROSTEIFORMES PEGASIDAE Seamoths (seadragons) by T.W. Pietsch and W.A. Palsson iagnostic characters: Small fishes (to 18 cm total length); body depressed, completely encased in Dfused dermal plates; tail encircled by 8 to 14 laterally articulating, or fused, bony rings. Nasal bones elongate, fused, forming a rostrum; mouth inferior. Gill opening restricted to a small hole on dorsolat- eral surface behind head. Spinous dorsal fin absent; soft dorsal and anal fins each with 5 rays, placed posteriorly on body. Caudal fin with 8 unbranched rays. Pectoral fins large, wing-like, inserted horizon- tally, composed of 9 to 19 unbranched, soft or spinous-soft rays; pectoral-fin rays interconnected by broad, transparent membranes. Pelvic fins thoracic, tentacle-like,withI spine and 2 or 3 unbranched soft rays. Colour: in life highly variable, apparently capable of rapid colour change to match substrata; head and body light to dark brown, olive-brown, reddish brown, or almost black, with dorsal and lateral surfaces usually darker than ventral surface; dorsal and lateral body surface often with fine, dark brown reticulations or mottled lines, sometimes with irregular white or yellow blotches; tail rings often encircled with dark brown bands; pectoral fins with broad white outer margin and small brown spots forming irregular, longitudinal bands; unpaired fins with small brown spots in irregular rows. dorsal view lateral view Habitat, biology, and fisheries: Benthic, found on sand, gravel, shell-rubble, or muddy bottoms. Collected incidentally by seine, trawl, dredge, or shrimp nets; postlarvae have been taken at surface lights at night.
    [Show full text]
  • Caranx Ruber (Red Jack Or Bar Jack)
    UWI The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Ecology Caranx ruber (Red Jack or Bar Jack) Family: Carangidae (Jacks and Pompanos) Order: Perciformes (Perch and Allied Fish) Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fish) Fig. 1. Red jack, Caranx ruber. [http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/82330-Caranx-ruber, downloaded 6 March 2016] TRAITS. The red jack Caranx ruber grows to a recorded maximum length of 69cm (commonly less than 40cm) and weight of 6.8kg (Froese and Pauly, 2013). It is a laterally-flattened fish with medium sized eyes and long pectoral fins, silver in colour, tinted grey above and white below. There is an extended dark bar (golden-brow to black, with a streak of electric blue) along the back and into the lower lobe of the caudal (tail) fin (Fig. 1) which gives the species its alternative name of bar jack (Perrotta, 2004). The juveniles have six dark vertical bars. The mouth of the red jack has outer canine teeth and an inner band of teeth in the upper jaw, but the lower jaw only contains one band of teeth. DISTRIBUTION. The red jack is found in both tropical and subtropical areas of the western Atlantic Ocean and is said to be a common species (Carpenter, 2002). In the north, its limit is New Jersey, USA, and it extends south along the continental coast to Venezuela, including UWI The Online Guide to the Animals of Trinidad and Tobago Ecology Bermuda and the West Indies, in offshore waters (Fig. 2) (Froese and Pauly, 2013). It has also been reported far offshore at Saint Helena in the south central Atlantic (Edwards, 1993).
    [Show full text]
  • Yellow-Eyed Penguin Diet and Indirect Effects
    CSP16205-1 POP2016-05 Mattern & Ellenberg - Yellow-eyed penguin diet and indirect effects 1 CSP16205-1 POP2016-05 Mattern & Ellenberg - Yellow-eyed penguin diet and indirect effects Table of Contents Abstract ....................................................................................................3 Introduction .............................................................................................4 Background/context ............................................................................................ 4 Objectives ........................................................................................................... 5 Methods ....................................................................................................5 Results ......................................................................................................6 Main prey species, inter-decadal & regional variations ...................................... 6 Prey sizes, age classes & temporal occurrence .................................................. 11 Differences between adult & juvenile penguins ............................................... 13 Prey behaviour & capture strategies ................................................................. 13 Prey association with benthic sediments .......................................................... 14 Indirect fisheries effects on prey composition and behaviour ........................... 17 Linear foraging along bottom trawl furrows ....................................................
    [Show full text]