Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Influence of Habitat Complexity on Reef Fish Communities in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Biology of Fishes Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Several previous studies have attempted to correlate habitat complexity and reef fish species diversity. These studies have mostly examined natural reef systems, but results differed. To examine this relation, we built 1 m2 habitats with 20 replicates of five complexity levels from July to August 2001 in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico (n=100). In June and July 2002, we built new habitats using the 2001 design, but also added a sixth complexity level (n=120). In order of increasing complexity these included: cage, shell, cage-shell, block-shell, cage-block-shell, and shell-block-pyramid habitats. Most fish in both years were juveniles and included species common to reef structures in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. In 2001, we identified 26 fish species, and the dominant species was red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (41%), followed by rock sea bass, Centropristis philadelphica (23%), and sand perch, Diplectrum spp. (14%). In 2002 we identified 36 species, and the dominant species was tomtate, Haemulon aurolineatum (36%), followed by Diplectrum spp. (19%), and L. campechanus (13%). In 2001, species diversity and richness were significantly (P<0.05) higher on more complex habitats (H′=1.7, S=11–12) compared to less complex habitats (H′=0.8–1.0, S=4–9). In 2002, patterns among diversity, richness and reef complexity were less apparent with only the least complex habitats shell and cage showing significantly lower values. In both years, multidimensional scaling grouped by complexity levels with cage and shell habitats showing the clearest separation from other habitat types. Also, with few exceptions (only 8%) analysis of similarities showed significant (P<0.05) differences in fish communities across complexity levels. Although community composition varied between years, this study provided evidence to support the hypothesis that habitat complexity increased reef fish species diversity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beck MW (2000) Separating the elements of habitat structure: independent effects of habitat complexity and structural components on rocky intertidal gastropods. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 249:29–49

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beukers JS, Jones GP (1997) Habitat complexity modifies the impact of piscivores on a coral reef fish population. Ecology 114:50–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonhsack JA, Talbot FH (1980) Species-packing by reef fishes on Australian and Caribbean reefs: an experimental approach. Bull Mar Sci 30:710–723

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonhsack JA, Sutherland DL (1985) Artificial reef research: a review with recommendations for future priorities. Bull Mar Sci 37:11–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Bourget E, Degauss J, Daigle G (1994) Scales of substratum heterogeneity, structural complexity, and the early establishment of a marine epibenthic community. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 181:31–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caballero JA, Schmitter-Soto JJ (2001) Diversity of fishes in small coral patches of the Mexican Caribbean. Bull Mar Sci 68:337–342

    Google Scholar 

  • Carleton JH, Sammarco PW (1987) Effects of substratum irregularity on success of coral settlement: quantification by comparative geomorphological techniques. Bull Mar Sci 40:85–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter KE, Miclat RI, Albaladejo VD, Corpuz VT (1981) The influence of substrate structure on the local abundance and diversity of Philippine reef fishes. The reef and man. Proc Fourth Int Corel Reef Symp 2:497–502

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr MH, Hixon MA (1995) Predation effects on early post-settlement survivorship of coral-reef fishes. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 124:31–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke KR, Green RH (1988) Statistical design and analysis for a ‘biological effects’ study. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 46:213–226

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connell SD (1997) The relationship between large predatory fish and recruitment and mortality of juvenile coral reef-fish on artificial reefs. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 209:261–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etter RJ, Grassle JF (1992) Patterns of species diversity in the deep sea as a function of sediment particle size diversity. Nature 360:576–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Field JG, Clarke KR, Warwick RM (1982) A practical strategy for analyzing multispecies distribution patterns. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 8:37–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fujita T, Kitagawa D, Okuyama Y, Jin Y, Ishito Y, Inada T (1996) Comparison of fish assemblages among an artificial reef, a natural reef and a sandy-mud bottom site on the shelf off Iwate, northern Japan. Environ Biol Fishes 46:351–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gratwicke B, Speight MR 2005a. Effects of habitat complexity on Caribbean marine fish assemblages. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 292:301–310

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gratwicke B, Speight MR 2005b. The relationship between fish species richness, abundance and habitat complexity in a range of shallow tropical marine habitats. J Fish Biol 66:650–667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray JS (1994) Is deep-sea species diversity really so high? Species diversity of the Norwegian continental shelf. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 112:205–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hindell JS, Jenkins GP, Keough MJ (2000) Evaluating the impact of predation by fish on the assemblage structure of fishes associated with seagrass (Heterozoztera tasmanica) (Martens ex Ascherson) den Hartog, and unvegetated sand habitats. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 255:153–174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hixon HA, Beets JP (1989) Shelter characteristics and Caribbean fish assemblages: experiments with artificial reefs. Bull Mar Sci 44:666–680

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoese HD, Moore RH (1977) Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and adjacent water. Texas A&M University Press, College Station pp 327

    Google Scholar 

  • Jones GP (1991) Postrecruitment processes in the ecology of coral reef fish populations: a multifactorial perspective. In: Sale PF (eds) The ecology of fishes on coral reefs. Academic press, San Diego pp 294–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Luckhurst BE, Luckhurst K (1978) Analysis of the influence of substrate variables on coral reef fish communities. Mar Biol 49:317–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacArthur RH, MacArthur J (1961) On bird species diversity. Ecology 42:594–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClanahan TR (1994) Kenyan coral reef lagoon fish: effects of fishing, substrate complexity, and sea urchins. Coral Reefs 13:231–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCormick MI (1994) Comparison of field methods for measuring surface topography and their associations with a tropical reef fish assemblage. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 112:87–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McEachran JD, Fechhelm JD (1998) Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 1: Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin pp 1112

    Google Scholar 

  • McEachran JD, Fechhelm JD (2006) Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Volume 2: Scorpaeniformes to Tetraodontiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin pp 1008

    Google Scholar 

  • Murdoch WW, Evans FC, Peterson CH (1972) Diversity and patterns in plants and insects. Ecology 53:819–829

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohman MC, Rajasuriya A (1998) Relationships between habitat structure and fish communities on coral and sandstone reefs. Environ Biol Fishes 53:19–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pianka ER (1967) On lizard species diversity: North American flatland deserts. Ecology 48:333–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Risk MJ (1972) Fish diversity on a coral reef in the Virgin Islands. Atoll Res Bull 193:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  • Roberts CM, Ormond RFG (1987) Habitat complexity and coral reef fish diversity and abundance on Red Sea fringing reefs. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 41:1–8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rooker JR, Holt GJ, Holt SA (1998) Vulnerability of newly settled red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) to predatory fish: is early-life survival enhanced by seagrass meadows? Mar Biol 131:145–151

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roth RR (1976) Spatial heterogeneity and bird species diversity. Ecology 57:773–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rozensweig ML, Winakur J (1969) Population ecology of desert rodent communities: habitats and environmental complexity. Ecology 50:558–572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Russ GR (1980) Effects of predation by fishes, competition and structural complexity of the substratum on the establishment of a marine epifaunal community. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 42:55–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sale PF (1980) The ecology of fishes on coral reefs. Oceanography and Marine Biology. Annu Rev 18:367–421

    Google Scholar 

  • Schroeder WW, Shultz AW, Pilkey OH (1995) Late quaternary oyster shells and sea-level history, inner shelf, northeast Gulf of Mexico. J Coastal Res 11:664–674

    Google Scholar 

  • Shulman MJ (1984) Resource limitation and recruitment patterns in a coral reef fish assemblage. J Exp Mar Biol Ecol 74:85–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szedlmayer ST, Able KW (1996) Patterns of seasonal availability and habitat use by fishes and decapod crustaceans in a southern New Jersey estuary. Estuaries 19:697–709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot FH, Russel BC, Anderson GRV (1978) Coral reef fish communities: unstable, high-diversity systems? Ecol Monogr 48:425–440

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zar JH (1984) Biostatistical analysis, 2nd edn, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ pp 718

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank M. Boles, C. Furman, A.␣Chapin, A. Ouzts, A. Piko, R. Schroepfer, and B. Wildberger for field assistance. This project was funded by Marine Resources Division, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This is a contribution of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 95 Fish Hatchery Road, Brownsville, TX, 78520, USA

    Mark E. Lingo

  2. Marine Fish Laboratory, Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University, 8300 State Hwy. 104, Fairhope, AL, 36532, USA

    Stephen T. Szedlmayer

Authors
  1. Mark E. Lingo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stephen T. Szedlmayer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen T. Szedlmayer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lingo, M.E., Szedlmayer, S.T. The Influence of Habitat Complexity on Reef Fish Communities in the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Environ Biol Fish 76, 71–80 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-006-9009-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-006-9009-4

Key words

Search

Navigation