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Community structure and habitat associations of parrotfishes on Oahu, Hawaii

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Abstract

Despite their ecological importance as bioeroders and their economic importance in commercial, artisanal, and recreational fisheries, there have been relatively few studies on parrotfish (Scaridae) ecology in Hawaii. Belt transects were conducted around the island of Oahu to survey current parrotfish distributions, size structure, species composition and associated habitats. Scarid communities in this heavily fished region are dominated by smaller species and smaller individuals within all species. Specific habitat characteristics such as rugosity, substrate diversity, and percent live coral cover were positively correlated with scarid numerical abundance. Scarids, however, were patchily distributed and were often absent from preferable habitats, suggesting that intense fishing pressure may be an important factor preventing these fish from fully exploiting available habitats. This study is the first thorough, broad-scale investigation of scarid community structure in Hawaii, and provides important information that has management and conservation implications for parrotfish in Hawaii and throughout tropical coral reef ecosystems.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a contract with the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. Logistical support was provided by the Hawaii Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, William Aila, and Paul Sensano. Additional field assistance was provided by Kelly Boyle, Danielle Jayewardene, Nicholas Whitney, and Ling Ong. This work benefited from discussion with Alan Friedlander. Charles Birkeland, Kassie Cole, David Carlon, and Matthew McGranaghan provided useful comments on the draft.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii-Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Kathrine G. Howard, Brett D. Schumacher & James D. Parrish

  2. Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources, State of Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Honolulu, HI, 96813, USA

    Brett D. Schumacher

Authors
  1. Kathrine G. Howard
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  2. Brett D. Schumacher
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  3. James D. Parrish
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Correspondence to Kathrine G. Howard.

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Howard, K.G., Schumacher, B.D. & Parrish, J.D. Community structure and habitat associations of parrotfishes on Oahu, Hawaii. Environ Biol Fish 85, 175–186 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-009-9478-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-009-9478-3

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