Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Utilization of seagrass habitats by juvenile groupers and snappers in Banten Bay, Banten Province, Indonesia

  • Soft-Bottom Near-Shore Ecosystems
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Coastal development in Banten Bay, Indonesia, decreased seagrass coverage to only 1.5% of its surface area. We investigated the importance of seagrass as habitat for juvenile groupers (Serranidae) and snappers (Lutjanidae), by performing beam trawl hauls on a weekly basis in two seagrass locations and one mudflat area, and monthly trawl hauls in three different microhabitats (dense, mixed and patchy seagrass) in one of the seagrass locations. We studied the effects of location and microhabitat, as well as temporal patterns (diel, weekly and monthly) on the probability of occurrence and abundance of the most abundant grouper (Orange-spotted grouper, Epinephelus coioides) and snapper (Russell’s snapper, Lutjanus russellii). We found that both species were almost exclusively found in seagrass locations, with a preference for microhabitats of high complexity (dense and mixed microhabitats). L. russellii had a higher probability of catch and abundance during the night, most probably because of its ability to avoid the beam trawl during daytime sampling. In addition there was an effect of week and month on the presence and abundance of both species, but patterns were unclear, probably because of high fishing pressure on juvenile groupers and snappers by push net fishermen. Groupers and snappers mainly fed on abundant shrimps, and to a lesser extent on fish. Moreover, juveniles find protection against predators in seagrass, which confirmed the critical role of quantity and quality of seagrass areas for juvenile groupers and snappers in Banten Bay.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, G. R., 1985. Snappers of the world. FAO Species catalogue. FAO Fisheries Synopsis 125. Vol. 6. FAO, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, J. D. & D. A. Pollard, 1989. Ecology of fish assemblages and fisheries associated with seagrass. In Larkum A. W. D., A. J. McComp & S. A. Shepard (eds), Biology of seagrass, Elsevier, New York: 565–609.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, J. D. & M. Westoby, 1986. Abundance of macro fauna in dense seagrass is due to habitat preference, not predation. Oecologia 68: 205–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, J. D., M. Westoby & A. S. Steffe, 1987. Fish larvae settling in seagrass: Do they discriminate between beds of different leaf density? Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 111: 113–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brule, T., D. O. Avila, M. S. Crespo & C. Daniel, 1994. Seasonal and diel changes in diet composition of juvenile red grouper (Epinephelus morio) from Champeche bank. Bulletin of Marine Science 55: 255–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carr, M. H., 1991. Habitat selection and recruitment of an assemblage of temperate zone reef fishes. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 146: 113–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chester, A. J. & G. J. Thayer, 1990. Distribution of spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) and Gray snapper (Lutjanus griseus) juveniles in seagrass habitats of western Florida bay. Bulletin of Marine Science 40: 345–355.

    Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, R. M., 1994a. The role of seagrass as preferred for the juvenile Sillagonoides punctata (Curvier & Wal.) (Sillagonidae, Pisces): habitat selection or feeding? Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 180: 39–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Connolly, R. M., 1994b. Comparison of fish catches from buoyant pop net and a beach seine net in a shallow seagrass habitat. Marine Ecology Progress Series: 109: 305–309.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douven, W. J. A. M., 1999. Human pressure on marine ecosystems in the Teluk Banten coastal zone: Present situation and future prospects. Teluk Banten Research Report Series No. 3. IHE, Delft, The Netherlands.

  • Douven, W. J. A. M., J. J. G., Buurman, W. Kiswara & E. Triarso, 2003. Spatial tools to support coastal research and management: the example of seagrass beds in Banten Bay, Indonesia. Teluk Banten Workshop, Jakarta, September 23–25, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edgar, G. J., C. Shaw, C. F. Watson & L. S. Hammond, 1994. Comparison of species richness, size-structure and production of benthos in vegetated and unvegetated habitats in Western Port, Victoria. Journal of Experimental Marine Ecology and Ecology 176: 201–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eggleston, D. B., 1995. Recruitment in Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus: post-settlement abundance, microhabitats features, and ontogenetic habitat shifts. Marine Ecology Progress Series 124: 9–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Froese, R. & D. Pauly (eds), 2006. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (06/2006).

  • Greening, H. S. & R. J. Livingstone, 1982. Diel variation in the structure of seagrass associated epibenthic macro invertebrate communities. Marine Ecology Progress Series 7: 147–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grey, C. A., R. C. Chick & D. J. McElligott, 1998. Diel change in assemblages of fishes associated with shallow seagrass and bare sand. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science. 46: 849–859.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannan, J. C. & R. J. Williams, 1998. Recruitment of juvenile marine fishes to seagrass habitat in a temperate Australian estuary. Estuaries 21: 29–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heemstra, P. C. & J. E. Randall, 1993. Groupers of the world. Species Catalogue. FAO Fisheries Synopsis no 125, Vol. 16. FAO, Rome.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutomo, M. & M. Sularto, 1977. The fishes of seagrass community on the west side of Burung Island (Pari islands, Seribu islands) and their variations in abundance. Marine Research in Indonesia 17: 147–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Irlandi, E. A., W. G. Ambrose & B. A. Orlando, 1995. Landscape ecology and the marine environment: how spatial configuration of seagrass habitat influences growth and survival of the bay scallop. Oikos 72: 307–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, G. P., H. M. A. May, M. J. Wheatley & M. G. Holloway, 1997. Comparisons of fish assemblages associated with seagrass and adjacent unvegetated habitats of ports Phillip Bay and Corner Inlet, Victoria, Australia, with emphasis on commercial species. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 44: 569–588.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jordan, F., M. Bartoloni, C. Nelson, P. E. Paterson & H. L. Soulen, 1996. Risk of predation affects habitat selection by the pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides (Linnaeus). Journal of Experimental Marine Ecology and Ecology 208: 45–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jory, D. E. & E. S. Iverson, 1989. Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (South Florida)- Black, Red and Nassau Groupers. Biology Report 82 (11,110). Fish and Wildlife service. Coastal Ecological Group. Waterways Experiment Station. US Army Corps of Engineers.

  • Kikuchi, T., 1974. Japanese contributions on consumer biology in eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) beds, with special reference to tropic relationships and resources in inshore fisheries. Aquaculture 4: 161–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiswara, W., 1999. Progress report on research project “Function of Enhalus acoroides in Teluk Banten”. Wotro, The Hague, The Netherlands.

  • Motta, J. P., K. B. Clifton, P. Hernandez, B. T. Eggold, S. D. Giordano, & R. Wilcox, 1995. Feeding relationships among nine species of seagrass fishes of Tampa Bay, Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science Volume 56: 185–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Munro, I. S. R., 1967. The fishes of New Guinea. Department of agriculture, stock and fisheries, Port Moresby, New Guinea.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nojima, S. & H. Mukai, 1990. Feeding habits of fishes associated with a tropical seagrass bed of Papua New Guinea. Amakusa Marine Biology Laboratory 10: 175–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinto, L. & N. N. Punchihewa, 1996. Utilization of mangroves and seagrass by fishes in the Negombo Estuary, Sri Lanka. Marine Biology 126: 333–345.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Randall, J. E., 1967. Food habit of reef fishes of the West Indies. Studies in tropical Oceanography, Miami 5: 665–847.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roblee, M. B. & J. C. Zieman, 1984. Diel variation in the fish fauna of a tropical. Seagrass feeding ground. Bulletin of Marine Science 34: 335–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rooker, J. R. & S. A. Holt, 1997. Utilization of subtropical seagrass meadows by newly settled red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus): patterns of distribution and growth. Marine Ecology Progress Series 158: 139–149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rooker, J. R., S. A. Holt, M. A. Soto & G. J. Holt, 1998. Post settlement pattern of habitat use by sciaenid fishes in subtropical seagrass meadows. Estuaries 21: 318–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rubec, P. J., M. S. Coyne, R. H. Michael Jr. & M. E. Monaco, 1998. Spatial methods being developed in Florida to determine essential fish habitat. Fisheries Habitat 23: 21–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sogard, S. M., G. V. N. Powell & J. G. Holmquist, 1989. Utilization by fishes of shallow, seagrass covered banks in Florida bay, 2. Diel and tidal patterns. Environment Biology of Fishes 242: 81–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R. & J. F. Rohlf, 1995. Biometry: the principles and practices of statistic in Biological Research, 3rd ed. W.H. Freeman and Company. New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sugama, K. & H. Eda, 1986. Survey benih ikan krapu, Epinephelus spp. di perairan Teluk Banten (Survey on fry groupers, Epinephelus spp. in Teluk Banten.). In Scientific report of Mari culture and development. Project ATA, 192 JICA, 179–188.

  • Tarp, T. G. & P. J. Kailola, 1985. Trawled fishes of Southern Indonesia and North-western Australia. The Australian Development Assistance Bureau (AIDAB). The Directorate General of Fisheries of Indonesia and the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ).

  • Ter Braak, C. J. F. & C. W. N. Looman, 1995. Regression. In: Jongman R. H. G., C. J. F. ter Braak & O. F. R. van Tongeren (eds), Data analyses in community and landscape ecology. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, 29–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolan, J. M., S. A. Holt & C. P. Onuf, 1997. Distribution and community structure of ichthyo-plankton in Laguna Madre seagrass meadows: potential impact of seagrass species change. Estuaries 20: 450–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was carried out in the context of the Teluk Banten Research Programme, Indonesian-Dutch research study on integrated coastal zone management (1997–2001). The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the foundation for the Advancement of Tropical research (WOTRO), and the Netherlands and Indonesian government. Our special thanks are due to Dr Wudianto for the valuable support and to Nugroho, Yahmantoro, and Nurwiyanto for their assistance during field and laboratory work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute for Marine Fisheries (Balai Penelitian Perikanan Laut—BPPL), Komplek Pelabuhan Perikanan Samudera Jl, Muara Baru Ujung, Jakarta, 14440, Indonesia

    Siti Nuraini

  2. Aquaculture & Fisheries Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen Institute of Animal Sciences (WIAS), Marijkeweg 40, 6709 PG, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Eira C. Carballo, Wim L. T. van Densen, Marcel A. M. Machiels & Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke

  3. Wageningen Institute for Marine Resources & Ecosystem Studies (Wageningen IMARES), Texel Branch, Landsdiep 4/‘t Horntje, 1790 AD, Den Burg, The Netherlands

    Wim L. T. van Densen & Han J. Lindeboom

Authors
  1. Siti Nuraini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Eira C. Carballo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Wim L. T. van Densen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marcel A. M. Machiels
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Han J. Lindeboom
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leopold A. J. Nagelkerke.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nuraini, S., Carballo, E.C., van Densen, W.L.T. et al. Utilization of seagrass habitats by juvenile groupers and snappers in Banten Bay, Banten Province, Indonesia. Hydrobiologia 591, 85–98 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0786-3

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-0786-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation