Merlo PJ, Venerus LA, Irigoyen AJ. Fine-scale variation in the proximity of baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) to rocky reefs reveals changes in the structure of temperate fish assemblages.
MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023;
185:105902. [PMID:
36736235 DOI:
10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105902]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
We investigated changes in the structure of coastal fish assemblages in Northern Patagonia, Southwestern Atlantic, by using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS) deployed at increasing distances from rocky reefs: 0-5 m, 15-20 m and 50-60 m. We estimated species richness and abundance (total and by preferred habitat type) and searched for diagnostic species in each distance range. We recorded 14 taxa across 11 families in 19 areas surveyed. Species richness and abundance were higher on reef ledges and decreased with distance from them, at a finer spatial scale than previously reported. Acanthistius patachonicus and Sebastes oculatus were indicative of reef ledges; they were less abundant at 15-20 m and disappeared at 50-60 m. Callorinchus callorynchus and Odontesthes spp. occurred only at distances >15-20 m from the reefs, while Galeorhinus galeus was distributed homogeneously throughout the surveyed area. Our findings have practical implications for monitoring ecotone demersal habitats with BRUVS.
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