Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of a Persistent Red Tide (Karenia brevis) Bloom on Community Structure and Species-Specific Relative Abundance of Nekton in a Gulf of Mexico Estuary

  • Published:
Estuaries and Coasts Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An unusually persistent red tide event caused by the ichthyotoxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis occurred along the southwest Florida coast in 2005. Extensive fish kills led to concerns regarding the effect of red tide on fish populations and their subsequent recruitment. Community structure differences were analyzed for all small- and large-bodied nekton species collected by fisheries-independent monitoring from 1996 through 2006. Indices of abundance of five economically important fish species were also calculated from this time period. A significant change in small- and large-bodied nekton community structure was apparent from summer 2005 through spring 2006. Declines in the annual recruitment of juvenile spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius), and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were evident in 2005 and 2006. Species-specific subadult and adult abundances, however, were consistent with those of previous years. These community shifts and species-specific declines appear to be associated with the red tide event.

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
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baden, D.G. 1988. Public health problems of red tides. In Handbook of Natural Toxins, Volume 3, ed. Toxins Marine, Venoms, and A.T. Tu, 259–277. New York: Marcel Dekker Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baden, D.G. 1989. Brevetoxins: unique polyether dinoflagellate toxins. Federation of American Societies of Experimental Biology Journal 3: 1807–1817.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bell, J.D., A.S. Steffe, and M. Westoby. 1988. Location of seagrass beds in estuaries: effects on associated fish and decapods. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 122(2): 127–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blaber, S.J.M., and T.G. Blaber. 1980. Factors affecting the distribution of juvenile estuarine and inshore fish. Journal of Fish Biology 17: 143–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brand, L.E., and A. Compton. 2007. Long-term increase in Karenia brevis abundance along the Southwest Florida Coast. Harmful Algae 6: 232–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bray, J.R., and J.T. Curtis. 1957. An ordination of the upland forest communities of southern Wisconsin. Ecological Monographs 27: 325–349.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, A.F.M., Q. Dortch, F. VAN Dolah, T.A. Leighfield, W. Morrison, A.E. Thessen, K. Steidinger, B. Richardson, C.A. Moncrieff, and J.R. Pennock. 2006. Effect of salinity on the distribution, growth, and toxicity of Karenia spp. Harmful Algae 5: 199–212.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.R. 1993. Non-parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology 18: 117–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K.R., and R.M. Warwick. 1998. Quantifying structural redundancy in ecological communities. Oecologia 113: 278–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, K. R. and R. M. Warwick. 2001. Changes in marine communities: an approach to statistical analysis and interpretation. 2nd ed. PRIMER-E. Plymouth, UK

  • Colman, J.R., and J.S. Ramsdell. 2003. The Type B brevetoxin (PbTx-3) adversely affects development, cardiovascular function, and survival in medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos. Environmental Health Perspectives 111: 1920–1925.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coull, B.C. 1985. The use of long-term biological data to generate testable hypotheses. Estuaries 8: 84–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dutka-Gianelli, J., and D.J. Murie. 2001. Age and growth of the sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus (Pisces: Sparidae), from the northwest coast of Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science 68: 69–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feinstein, A., A. R. Ceurvels, R. E. Hutton, and E. Snoek. 1955. Red tide outbreaks of the Florida west coast. University of Miami Marine Laboratory for Conservation Report. pp. 55–15.

  • Field, J.G., K.R. Clarke, and R.M. Warwick. 1982. A practical strategy for analysing multispecies distribution patterns. Marine Ecology Progress Series 8: 37–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flewelling, L.J., J.P. Naar, J.P. Abbott, D.G. Baden, N.B. Barros, G.D. Bossart, M.-Y.D. Bottein, E.M. Haubold, C.A. Heil, M.S. Henry, H.M. Jacocks, T.A. Leighfield, R.H. Pierce, T.D. Pitchford, S.A. Rommel, P.S. Scott, K.A. Steidinger, E.W. Truby, F.M. VAN Dolah, and J.H. Landsberg. 2005. Red tides and marine mammal mortalities. Nature 435: 755–756.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). 2006. Harmful Algal Bloom Archived Status Map Gallery. http://research.myfwc.com/gallery/view_category.asp?catid = 2309&subcatid = 6933 Accessed 8 April 2010.

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI). 2009. Fish Kill Database Search. http://research.myfwc.com/fishkill/. Accessed 13 January 2009

  • Gannon, D.P., E.J. Berens McCabe, S.A. Camilleri, J.G. Gannon, M.K. Brueggen, A.A. Barleycorn, V.I. Palubok, G.J. Kirkpatrick, and R.S. Wells. 2009. Effects of Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms on Nearshore Fish communities in southwest Florida. Marine Ecology Progress Series 378: 171–186.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilmore, R.G., C.J. Donahoe, and D.W. Cooke. 1983. Observations on the distribution and biology of the common snook, Centropomus undecimalis (Bloch). Florida Scientist 46: 313–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood, M.F.D., R.E. Matheson, R.H. JR Mcmichael, and T.C. Macdonald. 2007. Community structure of shoreline nekton in the estuarine portion of the Alafia River, Florida: differences along a salinity gradient and inflow-related changes. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 74: 223–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guest, W.C., and G. Gunter. 1958. The sea trout or weakfishes (Genus Cynoscion) of the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Technical Summary 1: 1–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, C., F. E. Muller-Karger, and P. W. Swarzenski. 2006. Hurricanes, submarine groundwater discharge, and Florida’s red tides. Geophysical Research Letters 33 (L11601): 5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jennings, C. A. 1985. Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates in the Gulf of Mexico: Sheepshead. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Report 10.

  • Kimm-Brinson, K.L., and J.S. Ramsdell. 2001. The red tide toxin, brevetoxin, induces embryo toxicity and developmental abnormalities. Environmental Health Perspectives 109: 377–381.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kupschus, S., and D. Tremain. 2001. Associations between fish assemblages and environmental factors in nearshore habitats of a subtropical estuary. Journal of Fish Biology 58: 1383–1403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landsberg, J.H. 2002. The effects of harmful algal blooms on aquatic organisms. Reviews in Fisheries Science 10: 113–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landsberg, J. H. and K. A. Steidinger. 1998. A historical review of Gymnodinium breve red tides implicated in mass mortalities of the manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in Florida, USA. In Harmful Algae, eds. B. Reguera, J. Blanco, M.L. Fernandez and T. Wyatt, 97–100. Xunta de Galicia and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

  • Landsberg, J.H., L.J. Flewelling, and J. Naar. 2009. Karenia brevis red tides, brevetoxins in the food web, and impacts on natural resources: decadal advancements. Harmful Algae 8(4): 598–607.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lazzari, M.A., S. Sherman, C.S. Brown, J. King, B.J. Joule, S.B. Chenoweth, and R.W. Langton. 1999. Seasonal and annual variations in abundance and species composition of two nearshore fish communities in Maine. Estuaries 22: 636–647.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, R.R., and E.D. Estevez. 1988. Ecology of Tampa Bay, Florida: an estuarine profile. U. S. Fish and wildlife service. U.S. Department of the interior, biological. Report 85: 132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Livingston, R.J. 1997. Trophic response of estuarine fishes to long-term changes of river run-off. Bulletin of Marine Science 60(3): 984–1004.

    Google Scholar 

  • Livingston, R.J., X. Niu, F.G. Lewis III, and G.C. Woodsum. 1997. Freshwater input into a Gulf estuary: long-term control of trophic organization. Ecological Applications 7(1): 277–299.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lugo, A.E., C.S. Rogers, and S.W. Nixon. 2000. Hurricanes, coral reefs and rainforests: resistance, ruin, and recovery in the Caribbean. Ambio 29: 106–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matheson, Jr., R., R. McMichael, Jr., D. Leffler, and T. MacDonald. 2003. Populations of juvenile and small-adult fishes in Tampa Bay: a decadal perspective. BASIS 4: Fourth Tampa Bay Area Scientific Information Symposium, St. Petersburg, Florida.

  • McMichael, Jr., R. H. 1991. Florida’s marine fisheries-independent monitoring program. Proceedings, Tampa Bay Area Scientific Information Symposium 2 (BASIS). S. F. Treat and P. A. Clark. Tampa, FL. p. 528

  • McMichael, Jr., R. H. 2009. Fisheries-Independent Monitoring Program 2008 Annual Data Summary Report. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In-house Report, IHR-2009-002.

  • McMichael, Jr., R.H., and K.M. Peters. 1989. Early life history of the spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus, Pisces: Sciaenidae, in Tampa Bay, Florida. Estuaries 122: 98–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, M.D., and R.G. Taylor. 1990. Reproduction, growth, and mortality of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus, in Florida. Fishery Bulletin 88: 531–542.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naar, J.P., L.J. Flewelling, A. Lenzi, J.P. Abbott, A. Granholm, H.M. Jacocks, D. Gannon, M. Henry, R. Pierce, D.G. Baden, J. Wolny, and J.H. Landsberg. 2007. Brevetoxins, like ciguatoxins, are potent ichthyotoxic neurotoxins that accumulate in fish. Toxicon 50: 707–723.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Norcross, B.L., and R.F. Shaw. 1984. Oceanic and estuarine transport of fish eggs and larvae: a review. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 113: 153–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paperno, R., K.J. Mille, and E. Kadison. 2001. Patterns in species composition of fish and selected invertebrate assemblages in estuarine subregions near Ponce de Leon Inlet, Florida. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 52: 117–130.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, K.M., and R.H. McMichael, Jr. 1987. Early life history of the red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus (Pisces: Sciaenidae), in Tampa Bay, Florida. Estuaries 10: 92–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peters, K.M., R.E. Matheson, Jr., and R.G. Taylor. 1998. Reproduction and early life history of common snook, Centropomus undecimalis [Bloch], in Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science 62(2): 509–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potter, I.C., P.N. Claridge, and R.M. Warwick. 1986. Consistency of seasonal changes in an estuarine fish assemblage. Marine Ecology Progress Series 32: 217–228.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purtlebaugh, C.H., and K.R. Rogers. 2007. Recruitment and essential habitat of juvenile sand seatrout (Cynoscion arenarius) in four estuaries along the west coast of Florida. Gulf of Mexico Science 2007(1): 15–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quick, Jr., J.A., and G.E. Henderson. 1974. Effects of Gymnodinium breve red tide on fishes and birds: a preliminary report on behavior, anatomy, hematology, and histopathology. Proceedings of the Gulf Coast regional symposium on diseases of aquatic animals. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakocinski, C.F., D.M. Baltz, and J.W. Fleeger. 1992. Correspondence between environmental gradients and the community structure of marsh-edge fishes in a Louisiana estuary. Marine Ecology Progress Series 80: 135–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raposa, K.B., and C.A. Oviatt. 2000. The influence of contiguous shoreline type, distance from shore, and vegetation biomass on nekton community structure in eelgrass beds. Estuaries 23: 46–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reagan, R.E. 1985. Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Gulf of Mexico). Red drum. FWS/OBS. Biological Report 82(11.36 TR EL-82-4): 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riley, C.M., S.A. Holt, G.J. Holt, E.J. Buskey, and C.R. Arnold. 1989. Mortality of larval red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) associated with a Ptychodiscus brevis red tide. Contributions in Marine Science 31: 137–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivas, L.R. 1986. Systematic review of the perciform fishes of the genus Centropomus. Copeia 1986: 579–611.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rydene, D.A., and R.E. JR Matheson. 2003. Diurnal fish density in relation to seagrass and drift algae cover in Tampa Bay, Florida. Gulf of Mexico Science 21(1): 35–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAS Institute Inc. 2006. Base SAS® 9.1.3 Procedures Guide, Second Edition, Volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.

  • Schmidt, N., E.K. Lipp, J.B. Rose, and M.E. Luther. 2001. ENSO Influences on seasonal rainfall and river discharge in Florida. Journal of Climate 14: 615–628.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, J.L., and D.M. Dauer. 1972. A quantitative evaluation of red-tide induced mass mortalities of benthic invertebrates in Tampa Bay, Florida. Environmental Letters 3: 229–234.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, G.B. 1975a. Phytoplankton blooms and reef kills in the mid-eastern Gulf of Mexico. In Proceedings of the Florida Red Tide Conference, 10-12 October, 1974, ed. E. A. Joyce, Jr., 8. Florida Department of Natural Resources. Marine Research Laboratory. Florida: St. Petersburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, G.B. 1975b. The 1971 red tide and its impact on certain reef communities in the mid-eastern Gulf of Mexico. Environmental Letters 9: 141–152.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, G. B. 1976. The impact of fish-killing phytoplankton blooms upon mid eastern Gulf of Mexico reef fish communities. In Proceedings of the Colloquium on Snapper-Grouper Fishery Resources of the Western Central Atlantic Ocean, eds. H. R. Bullis, Jr. and A. C. Jones, 185-190. Florida Sea Grant Report

  • Smith, G. B. 1978. Ecology and distribution of mid-eastern Gulf of Mexico reef fishes. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of South Florida. pp. 254

  • Smith, G.B. 1979. Relationship of eastern Gulf of Mexico reef fish communities to the species equilibrium theory of insular biogeography. Journal of Biogeography 6: 49–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R.R., and F.J. Rohlf. 1981. Biometry. New York: Freeman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steidinger, K.A., and R.M. Ingle. 1972. Observations on the 1971 summer red tide in Tampa Bay, Florida. Environmental Letters 3: 271–278.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steidinger, K.A., and K. Haddad. 1981. Biologic and hydrographic aspects of red tides. Bioscience 31: 814–819.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steidinger, K. A., and H. L. Penta (eds.). 1999. Harmful microalgae and associated public health risks in the Gulf of Mexico. Report for the U.S. EPA Gulf of Mexico Program by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Marine Research Institute, St. Petersburg. http://research.myfwc.com/ publications/publication_info.asp?id = 39879. Accessed 13 April 2010

  • Steidinger, K.A., M.A. Burklew, and R.M. Ingle. 1973. The effects of Gymnodinium breve toxin on estuarine animals. In Marine Pharmacognosy, ed. D.F. Martin and G.M. Padilla, 179–202. New York: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steidinger, K.A., J.L. Wolny, and A.J. Haywood. 2008. Identification of Kareniaceae (Dinophyceae) in the Gulf of Mexico. Nova Hedwigia Beihefte 133: 269–284.

    Google Scholar 

  • Switzer, T. S., M. D. Murphy, B. L. Winner, K. E. Flaherty, and J. L. Vecchio. 2009. Size and age structure and catch-and-release mortality estimates of sub-adult and adult red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in the Tampa Bay estuary and nearshore Gulf of Mexico waters. NOAA/NMFS MARFIN Final Report (Grant # NA05NMF4331078).

  • Tabb, D.C. 1966. The estuary as a habitat for spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus. American Fisheries Society Special Publication 3(58–67): 58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, R.G., H.J. Grier, and J.A. Whittington. 1998. Spawning rhythms of common snook in Florida. Journal of Fish Biology 53: 502–520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tester, P.A., and K.A. Steidinger. 1997. Gymnodinum breve red tide blooms: Initiation, transport, and consequences of surface circulation. Limnology and Oceanography 42: 1035–1051.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tester, P.A., J.T. Turner, and D. Shea. 2000. Vectorial transport of toxins from the dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve through copepods to fish. Journal of Plankton Research 22: 47–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsou, T.S., and R.E. Matheson, Jr. 2002. Seasonal changes in the nekton community of the Suwannee River estuary and the potential impacts of freshwater withdrawal. Estuaries 25: 1372–1381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United States Geological Survey (USGS). 2008. USGS Water Data for the Nation. http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/. Accessed June 14, 2008.

  • Vargo, G.A. 2009. A brief summary of the physiology and ecology of Karenia brevis Davis (G. Hansen and Moestrup comb. nov.) red tides on the West Florida Shelf and of hypotheses posed for their initiation, growth, maintenance, and termination. Harmful Algae 8(4): 573–584.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vargo, G.A., C.A. Heil, K.A. Fanning, L.K. Dixon, M.B. Neely, K. Lester, D. Ault, S. Murasko, J. Havens, J. Walsh, and S. Bell. 2008. Nutrient availability in support of Karenia brevis blooms on the central West Florida Shelf: What keeps Karenia blooming? Continental Shelf Research 28(1): 73–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walters, S., S. Lowerre-Barbieri, and J. Bickford. 2006. Passive acoustic evaluation of red tide effects on sand seatrout spawning. Presentation at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, New Orleans, LA, July 12–17, 2006

  • Wang, P.F., J. Martin, and G. Morrison. 1999. Water quality and eutrophication in Tampa Bay, Florida. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 49: 1–20.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warlen, S.M., P.A. Tester, and D.R. Colby. 1998. Recruitment of larval fishes into a North Carolina estuary during a bloom of the red tide dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium breve. Bulletin of Marine Science 63: 83–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, D.A., M.A. Champ, D.A. Flemer, and A.J. Mearns. 1987. Long-term biological data sets: their role in research, monitoring, and management of estuarine and coastal marine systems. Estuaries 10: 181–193.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yokel, B. J. 1966. A contribution to the biology and distribution of red drum, Sciaenops ocellata. Miami, FL, University of Miami, Masters Thesis: 160.

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank FWRI scientists and staff who assisted with this paper, especially the biologists of the Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program in St. Petersburg, FL for their dedication to sampling and data processing. Special recognition goes to Jacob Tustison of the Information Science and Management Section, for compiling red tide data; staff of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Fish and Wildlife Health programs for processing red tide counts and compiling fish kill reports, respectively, and to both groups for providing access to unpublished data and Leanne Flewelling, in particular, for providing red tide sample processing methodology; Sarah Walters of the Fish Biology subsection, for personal communications including raw data; Erin Leone of the Center for Biostatistics and Modeling subsection, for assisting with further attempts to model the fish and red tide data; and Debbie Leffler and Robert McMichael, Jr., for their support and assistance. Comments from Derek Tremain, Dave Chagaris, Dave Blewett, Caleb Purtlebaugh, Debbie Leffler, Karen Steidinger, Judy Colvocoresses, Jim Quinn, and two anonymous reviewers greatly improved the quality of this manuscript. This project was supported in part by proceeds from state of Florida saltwater recreational fishing licenses and by funding from the Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Aid for Sport fish Restoration Project Number F-43.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 100 Eighth Ave., S.E., St., Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA

    Kerry E. Flaherty & Jan H. Landsberg

Authors
  1. Kerry E. Flaherty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jan H. Landsberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kerry E. Flaherty.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Flaherty, K.E., Landsberg, J.H. Effects of a Persistent Red Tide (Karenia brevis) Bloom on Community Structure and Species-Specific Relative Abundance of Nekton in a Gulf of Mexico Estuary. Estuaries and Coasts 34, 417–439 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-010-9350-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-010-9350-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation