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Souza AT, Ilarri MI, Dias E, Araújo MJ, Roleira A, Braga AC, Carvalho AR, Mota M, Correia MH, Lages A, Moura A, Antunes C. Long-term monitoring of the fish community in the Minho Estuary (NW Iberian Peninsula). Biodivers Data J 2024; 12:e112217. [PMID: 38495307 PMCID: PMC10944560 DOI: 10.3897/bdj.12.e112217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The paper presents an extensive fish sampling dataset spanning a long-term period from 2010 to 2019. The data were collected in Lenta Marina, an upstream area in the Minho Estuary of the NW Iberian Peninsula, which belongs to a LTSER (Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research) platform. To capture fish, fyke nets were utilised as the sampling method and deployed at Lenta Marina. This dataset offers valuable insights into the abundance of each collected taxa recorded over time. New information The dataset reports a comprehensive compilation of data on the abundance of fish species observed in the area during the sampling period (includes zeroes when a given taxonomic entity was absent in a given sampling event). It provides a detailed record of the abundances of the fish community through time in a frequent sampling regime (on average, sampling was done every 6 days). The dataset shows that the amount of fish from invasive taxa exceeds the count of fish from native taxa in the Minho Estuary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan T. Souza
- Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research INAR, Forest Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, P.O. Box 27, 00014 University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FinlandInstitute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research INAR, Forest Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, P.O. Box 27, 00014 University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Martina I Ilarri
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - Ester Dias
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - Mário J Araújo
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - António Roleira
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - Ana Catarina Braga
- S2AQUA—Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture, Av. Parque Natural da Ria Formosa s/n, 8700-194, Olhão, PortugalS2AQUA—Collaborative Laboratory, Association for a Sustainable and Smart Aquaculture, Av. Parque Natural da Ria Formosa s/n, 8700-194OlhãoPortugal
| | - Ana Rita Carvalho
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - Micaela Mota
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - Maria Helena Correia
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - Ana Lages
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - Ana Moura
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
| | - Carlos Antunes
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208MatosinhosPortugal
- Aquamuseu do Rio Minho, Parque do Castelinho, 4920-290, Vila Nova de Cerveira, PortugalAquamuseu do Rio Minho, Parque do Castelinho, 4920-290Vila Nova de CerveiraPortugal
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Martins I, Guerra A, Leite N, Constantino E, Ilarri MI, Souza AT, Santos MM, Ford AT, Campos J. Comparing production and life-history traits of a key amphipod species within and between estuaries under different levels of anthropogenic pressure. Mar Environ Res 2022; 173:105538. [PMID: 34844058 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Inter-population variability may arise as a response to adverse natural and anthropogenic stressors. The dynamics of a key amphipod species (Echinogammarus marinus) was followed during ≈ 1-year at its southerly range (NW Portugal), in three estuaries with different levels of anthropogenic pressure (High - Ave estuary; Moderate - Mondego estuary; Low - Minho estuary). We hypothesised that E. marinus populations would present lower production and fitness, and higher intersexuality incidence with increasing anthropogenic pressure. According to a GAM model explaining ≈70% of the observed variability, E. marinus biomass depends on temperature, organic matter, Fucus area and time of the year. Significant differences were found between the gammarid biomass in Minho and Mondego estuaries and within sites from the same estuary. As expected, Ave estuary exhibited the lowest average annual production, abundance and fecundity rates. However, the highest average production was found in Mondego and not in Minho estuary, although the turnover ratio (P/B) of both estuaries was very similar. Besides the system's global ecological status, E. marinus also seems to respond to microhabitat conditions, which may explain the spatial heterogeneity observed in the amphipod production within the same estuary. Intersexuality prevalence was negligible in the three populations, which does not support the idea of a link between anthropogenic pressure and intersexuality in E. marinus. We argue that the dependence of E. marinus on Fucus sp. should be further investigated to fully understand the role of both fucoids and the gammarid in coastal foodwebs.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Martins
- MARE- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A Guerra
- MARE- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - N Leite
- MARE- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal; SEAentia - Science Based Aquaculture, Parque Tecnológico de Cantanhede, Núcleo 04, Lote 2, 3060-197, Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - E Constantino
- MARE- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M I Ilarri
- CIIMAR- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - A T Souza
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - M M Santos
- CIIMAR- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal; FCUP - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A T Ford
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Institute of Marine Sciences Laboratories, Langstone Harbour, Ferry Road, Eastney, Portsmouth, P04 9LY, UK
| | - J Campos
- CIIMAR- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal.
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Souza AT, Ribas FO, Moura JF, Moreira C, Campos J, Ilarri MI. Influence of temperature on intraspecific, unbalanced dyadic contests between crabs. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7845. [PMID: 31660267 PMCID: PMC6815193 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Intraspecific agonistic interactions are widespread across the animal kingdom, with many individual morphological and physiological characteristics playing important roles in the fate of disputes. Additionally, changes to environmental conditions can influence the outcomes of animal contests. The shore crab (Carcinus maenas) is a globally distributed species, present in numerous coastal and estuarine temperate systems around the world. Although shore crabs are highly tolerant to changes in temperature, this parameter has important physiological effects on the species’ ecology, while its effects on behavior are not fully understood. Our study aims to investigate how different individual characteristics (such as sex, color morphotype, carapace and chela morphology) and temperature conditions affect the dyadic interactions between shore crabs when disputing food resources. In general, the differences in carapace width between opponents, their sexes, color morphotypes and the temperature conditions interacted and were important predictors of the contest fate. We found that the body size and color morphotype of C. maenas determined the fate of dyadic disputes. However, the higher temperatures disrupted the well-established dominance of the larger red color morphotype individuals. Overall, the agonistic contest results suggest higher plasticity than previously acknowledged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan T Souza
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, v.v.i., Institute of Hydrobiology, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Felipe O Ribas
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - João F Moura
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Claudia Moreira
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Matosinhos, Portugal.,ICBAS/UP-Abel Salazar Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Campos
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Martina I Ilarri
- CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Matosinhos, Portugal
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Ilarri MI, Souza AT, Amorim L, Sousa R. Decay and persistence of empty bivalve shells in a temperate riverine system. Sci Total Environ 2019; 683:185-192. [PMID: 31129326 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Bivalve shells can persist over a geological time, acting as important physical resources to the associated fauna. However, few studies have investigated their relevance as persistent long-term ecological attributes to the ecosystem. As such, it is relevant to investigate the shell decays in riverine systems subjected to different environmental conditions. Towards this end, shells of four bivalve species (Anodonta anatina, Corbicula fluminea, Potomida littoralis and Unio delphinus) were made available individually and in clusters of different sizes. The effects of river flow and seasonality were assessed by recording the decay rates of shells in lentic and lotic habitats throughout the year. Our results evidenced that the decays varied among species and depend on shell size, water flow and season. Thin shelled species (A. anatina and U. delphinus) showed the highest mean percentage of decay per month, 3.17% (lotic) and 2.77% (lotic), respectively, and thick shelled species (C. fluminea and P. littoralis) the lowest, 2.02% (lotic) and 1.83% (lotic), respectively. Size was a relevant variable explaining decays, with the smallest shells presenting the highest values, 1.2-2.0 times higher compared to the other size classes. Also, robustness showed to be the most relevant feature explaining the decays in thick shelled species. River flow was also a relevant descriptor of the decays, with higher decays observed in the lotic compared to the lentic habitats. Furthermore, lower decays were observed mainly during summer (lentic site), and autumn (lotic site) associated to the burial effect of leaves. In summary, shells of the native species A. anatina and U. delphinus are expected to persist and contribute less as habitat engineering species, than shells of the native P. littoralis and invasive C. fluminea species. This is especially valid to lotic habitats where the decays were up to 2.13 times higher than in lentic habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- M I Ilarri
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - A T Souza
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - L Amorim
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - R Sousa
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Souza AT, Ilarri MI, Timóteo S, Marques JC, Martins I. Assessing the effects of temperature and salinity oscillations on a key mesopredator fish from European coastal systems. Sci Total Environ 2018; 640-641:1332-1345. [PMID: 30021300 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A population dynamics model was developed to assess the short and long-term effects of temperature and salinity variations in the common goby Pomatoschistus microps in a Portuguese estuary (Minho estuary, NW Portugal). The population was divided into juveniles, females and males, which constituted the model's state variables. Linear regressions between the observed and the predicted density of juveniles, females and the total population were significant. Parameter's sensitivity and uncertainty analysis were estimated. The model was able to satisfactory describe the P. microps population dynamics, and thus was used to simulate the effects of climatic changes on the fish population. Simulations indicated that the common goby population is sensitive to both temperature and salinity changes. Overall, scenarios of more than 3 °C increase caused significant population decreases. Similarly, increased salinities led to a population shrinkage, whereas scenarios of salinity decrease generated an opposite variation on the population. According to the IPCC predictions for climatic tendencies, the population of the common goby will tend to decrease in the near future, experiencing marked oscillations (decrease or increase) during climatic extremes, namely droughts and floods, respectively. These results may be a useful for future planning and management of estuarine systems given that the common goby is an important species of estuarine food webs in many temperate ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan T Souza
- Biology Centre of Czech Academy of Sciences v.v.i., Institute of Hydrobiology, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Martina I Ilarri
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Timóteo
- Centre for Functional Ecology - CFE - Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Carlos Marques
- IMAR - CMA, Institute of Marine Research - Centre for Sea and Environment, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Irene Martins
- CIIMAR/CIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
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Ilarri MI, Amorim L, Souza AT, Sousa R. Physical legacy of freshwater bivalves: Effects of habitat complexity on the taxonomical and functional diversity of invertebrates. Sci Total Environ 2018; 634:1398-1405. [PMID: 29710639 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Bivalves may play a major role in structuring aquatic communities. This may be especially relevant in aquatic communities dominated by non-native invasive bivalves, which can contribute to the increase of habitat homogenization. In this study, we assess how habitat homogenization, through the reduction of empty bivalve shells identities, influences the macroinvertebrate assemblages. Towards this end, a manipulative experiment with the empty shells of two native (Potomida littoralis and Unio delphinus) and one non-native (Corbicula fluminea) species was performed. Seven treatments were prepared, three of them consisting of homogeneous substrates using shells of one species, and four of them consisting in heterogeneous substrates using more than one species. The associated fauna colonizing different treatments was analyzed through taxonomic and trait-based approaches. Our results showed that the substrate complexity influenced the density of macroinvertebrates, with the heterogeneous treatments significantly yielding more dense assemblages. Also, the trait patterns differed among the levels of habitat heterogeneity, influencing mainly organisms that feed on microphytes of both small and big sizes, that inhabit areas with slow to moderate water flow, and that have short and long live cycles. Further, the functional diversity was not influenced by the substrate heterogeneity. Therefore, the habitat homogenization, through the accumulation of non-native C. fluminea empty shells in the river bottom, did not affect the functional diversity of the macroinvertebrate assemblages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina I Ilarri
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Luís Amorim
- CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Allan T Souza
- Institute of Hydrobiology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ronaldo Sousa
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Novo Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal; CBMA - Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Medeiros PR, Souza AT, Ilarri MI. Habitat use and behavioural ecology of the juveniles of two sympatric damselfishes (Actinopterygii: Pomacentridae) in the south-western Atlantic Ocean. J Fish Biol 2010; 77:1599-1615. [PMID: 21078021 DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8649.2010.02795.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Spatial distribution, microhabitat use and territorial and feeding behaviours were compared between the juveniles of two sympatric territorial damselfishes Stegastes variabilis and Stegastes fuscus on a small tropical reef in the south-western Atlantic Ocean. Juvenile S. variabilis were most abundant at sites subject to stronger hydrodynamics and with mixed benthic cover, whereas juvenile S. fuscus were most abundant at sheltered sites with dense turf algae cover. No differences regarding feeding habits were detected, with both species preferentially feeding on turf algae. Also, despite similarities in territory area and agonistic encounter rates, the identity and proportion of intruders involved in agonistic interactions differed significantly between species. These interdependent traits suggest strong asymmetric competition, with juvenile S. fuscus dominating high-quality sites and evicting juvenile S. variabilis to low quality, marginal areas of the reef.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R Medeiros
- Centro de Ciências Exatas e da Natureza, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Cidade Universitária, 58059-900 João Pessoa, Brazil.
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