11th ICRS Abstract book - Nova Southeastern University

14.479
Underwater Corridors As An Option To The Fragmentation Of Marine Natural
Spaces
Evelio VALEIRAS* 1 , Evelio VALEIRAS 1
1 Natural and Environmental Resources, Goverment, San Juan, Puerto Rico
This work identifies and analyzes important aspects of the approved Planning Board (PB)
natural reserves delimitations used by the Deparment of Natural and Environmental
Resources (DNER). The delimitation process between the marine and terrestrial areas
are compared using the legal descriptions issued by the (PB) through its resolutions.The
study revealed that the limits of the marine reserves have fragmented natural spaces of
the sea floor of identified sensitive marine ecosystems. Interconnecting underwater
corridors could be created to assure their protection through zoning.
14.480
Corridors And Recruitment Of Coral Reef Fishes
Ethan MACHEMER* 1 , John WALTER 2 , David KERSTETTER 3
1 Nova Southeastern University, Hollywood, FL, 2 NMFS Southeast Fisheries Science
Center, Miami, FL, 3 Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL
Ontogenetic shifts in habitat utilization from mangroves to coral reefs are known to occur
in several species of tropical fishes. If such habitat shifts are important for reef fish
production then identifiable linkages between the two habitats should exist in the form of
migration corridors. A corridor in this case is defined as an area of specific bathymetry
and salinity that links accessible mangrove habitats to the reefs through breaks in the
outlying barrier islands. Investigation of this connection will provide information about a
transition stage in the life history of reef fishes that is not well known. This is especially
pertinent given the ongoing encroachment of human populations in Southeast Florida
resulting in loss of suitable mangrove habitats. Dredging and other operations that alter
bottom topography or flow regimes could also prove harmful. Data for this study comes
from the Mangrove Visual Census (J. Serafy, NOAA Fisheries) and the Reef Visual
Census (J. Bohnsack, NOAA Fisheries) in which field observations were taken of several
reef fishes over a multi-year period. Utilizing ubiquitous species as examples (Scarus
guacamaia, Haemulon parra, Lutjanus apodus, Lutjanus griseus, Gerres cinereus, and
Abudefduf saxatilis), we will explore a correlation between the distance from island
channels and the relative abundances of these species on the reefs. To assess proximity
and accessibility of mangroves, measures of through-the-water distance, distance from
shoreline, hypothesized migratory routes, and channel viability will be used. With this
information, more informed policy and conservation decisions can be made in order to
preserve the areas that are most critical to the continued survival and health of tropical
fishes.
Poster Mini-Symposium 14: Reef Connectivity
14.481
Seasonal Variation And Spatial Distribution Patterns Of Echinodermata Larvae in La
Parguera, Puerto Rico, With An Emphasis On Diadema Antillarum Larvae
Stacey WILLIAMS 1 , Jorge GARCIA-SAIS 1 , Brandi TODD* 1
1 Marine Science, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Lajas, Puerto Rico
This study describes the abundance and distribution of echinoderm larvae in La Parguera,
Puerto Rico, with an emphasis on Diadema antillarum larvae. The temporal larval distribution
of echinoderm larvae was characterized by a series of monthly tows that were scheduled
between the new and full moon of each month from April 2005 to July 2006, and September
2006. In this study, echinoids exhibited the greatest reproductive output. Out of a total of 8,182
larvae collected, 69.7 % were echinopluteus (of those 22% were Diadema larvae), 29.7% were
ophiopluteus, 0.3% auricularia/doliolaria and 0.3% bipinnaria/brachiolaria. There was a
significant peak in echinoderm larval abundance in July 2005 and two lesser peaks during
October 2005 and March 2006 (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, p