Carcharhinus Perezi) Is a Large Reef-Associated Predator Endemic to the Western Atlantic
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SSStttooonnnyyy BBBrrrooooookkk UUUnnniiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy The official electronic file of this thesis or dissertation is maintained by the University Libraries on behalf of The Graduate School at Stony Brook University. ©©© AAAllllll RRRiiiggghhhtttsss RRReeessseeerrrvvveeeddd bbbyyy AAAuuuttthhhooorrr... Effects of marine reserves on the relative abundance, distribution and ecology of tropical reef elasmobranchs: Caribbean reef sharks and southern stingrays A Dissertation Presented by Mark Bond to The Graduate School in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University December 2015 Stony Brook University The Graduate School Mark Bond We, the dissertation committee for the above candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, hereby recommend acceptance of this dissertation. Demian Chapman, Associate Professor and Dissertation Advisor School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University Robert Cerrato, Professor and Chair of Defense School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University Ellen Pikitch, Associate Professor School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University Dr. Michael Heithaus Dean, School of Environment, Arts and Society Florida International University Dr. R. Dean Grubbs Associate Director of Research Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory This dissertation is accepted by the Graduate School Charles Taber Dean of the Graduate School ii Abstract of the Dissertation Effects of marine reserves on the relative abundance, distribution and ecology of tropical reef elasmobranchs: Caribbean reef sharks and southern stingrays by Mark Bond Doctor of Philosophy in Marine and Atmospheric Science Stony Brook University 2015 Many shark populations have declined due to overexploitation and it is imperative to determine whether or not protected areas like marine reserves are an appropriate approach for shark conservation. The Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi) is a large reef-associated predator endemic to the Western Atlantic. Belize, Central America, has implemented marine reserves as part of its national strategy for coral reef ecosystem conservation, including C.perezi. The overarching objective of this dissertation is to use Belize’s marine reserves network to investigate their effect on C.perezi populations and elucidate its ecological role. A global literature review provides evidence of positive reserve effects in sharks and rays but only from spatial comparisons of reserves and fished sites. Annual catch per unit effort and total length of C.perezi was analyzed from 2000-2013 at Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve (GRMR). This population exhibited a stable trend and broad, stable size distribution of individuals, suggesting the reserve is effective at reducing fishing pressure. Automated acoustic telemetry and baited remote underwater video (BRUV) surveys demonstrated that C.perezi of all life-stages are residential at GRMR and relative abundance is significantly higher inside marine reserves than similar fished reefs. Bulk stable isotope analysis of C.perezi white muscle collected at GRMR demonstrated that it feeds at a similar trophic level to other large predators in the system, feeds across a wide variety of habitats and that larger individuals derive more of their carbon from seagrass based food webs. There was a significant effect of reserve, habitat, and their interaction on the presence of stingrays (F. Dasyatidae) on BRUVs at two reserves and two fished reefs. Specifically, stingrays were less common on the fore-reef inside reserves. This pattern supports stingrays increasing their use of deep fore-reef habitat when C.perezi, the only common potential predator, is at low abundance. Overall and despite important data gaps, marine reserves appear effective for the conservation of residential shark species like C.perezi. This species might not iii exert top down control of the ecosystem due to functional redundancy and/or omnivory but there is evidence of behaviorally mediated interactions between C.perezi and stingrays. iv To Gordon and Veronica Bond thank you for the inspiration, love and support that got me here. We started this journey together, growing moss in the garden, I wish you could have been with me at the finish line. v Frontispiece Andy Mann vi Table of Contents List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... ix List of Tables ...............................................................................................................................................xiii Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................... xvi Chapter One: Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 1 Objectives and Hypotheses ....................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter Two: Review of the effectiveness of marine protected areas as a tool for shark and batoid conservation ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Methods .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Results ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Discussion................................................................................................................................................ 11 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................. 16 Figures and Tables .................................................................................................................................. 17 Chapter Three: Trophic ecology of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) and large carnivorous teleosts (F. Serranidae; F. Sphyraenidae) assessed using stable isotope analysis................................... 24 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 24 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 27 Results ..................................................................................................................................................... 33 Discussion................................................................................................................................................ 37 Figures and Tables .................................................................................................................................. 42 Electronic Supplemental Material .......................................................................................................... 51 Chapter Four: Temporal trends in the relative abundance of Carcharhinus perezi in a Caribbean marine reserve assessed using standard longlines. ............................................................................................... 53 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... 53 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 54 Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 56 Results ..................................................................................................................................................... 59 Discussion................................................................................................................................................ 60 Figures and Tables .................................................................................................................................. 64 vii Chapter Five: Reef sharks exhibit site-fidelity and higher relative abundance in marine reserves on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. ...................................................................................................................... 73 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................................