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Patterns of recruitment of coral reef fishes in a monsoonal environment

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Abstract

The abundance of newly settled recruits of coral reef fishes was monitored at a total of 11 sites at two islands and two coastal locations in the central Philippines for a 20-month period (February 2008 to September 2009) that included two monsoon cycles. Recruitment occurred throughout the year. Most of the abundant species exhibited protracted recruitment seasons. This confirms the expectation of extended breeding of reef fishes at lower latitudes. The annual pattern of recruitment of reef fishes as a group was predictable. Annual fluctuations of sea surface temperature and wind strength largely explained the pattern. Rainfall, however, did not significantly influence the pattern of recruitment. Peaks in density and species richness of recruits occurred during the southwest monsoon and the second inter-monsoonal period of the year (July to October) when temperatures were highest and when most of the sites were sheltered from winds or when winds were weak. Conversely, lowest density and species richness were observed during the northeast monsoon (November to March) when temperatures were lowest and most sites were exposed to winds. The same pattern could also be seen in the recruitment of both damselfishes (Pomacentridae) and wrasses (Labridae), notwithstanding a tenfold difference in abundance of recruits between the two families. The pattern was fairly consistent across most sites, among most of the species that were examined, and between the 2 years that were sampled. This study is one of the few to provide insights into the influence of environmental factors on the recruitment patterns of fishes on Indo-Pacific coral reefs situated at lower latitudes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank C.R. Jadloc and B. Stockwell for invaluable assistance during fieldwork, Mr. Edsin Culi and staff at PAGASA-Dumaguete for providing daily weather data, SUAKCREM and SU-Institute of Environmental and Marine Science for support, and KDU Dive Shop for assistance in diving. Phil Munday and 3 anonymous reviewers are greatly appreciated for their comments to improve the manuscript. R.A.A. was supported by an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship and a JCU Postgraduate Research Scholarship. Research was funded by an Australian Research Council grant (2006–2009) to G.R.R through the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University. A.C. Alcala and N. Abesamis were always a source of inspiration and encouragement. The authors are grateful to the local government units and people’s organizations in the municipalities of Oslob and Dauin and the Protected Area Management Board at Apo Island. This is Contribution No. 41 of SUAKCREM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Marine and Tropical Biology and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia

    R. A. Abesamis & G. R. Russ

  2. Silliman University-Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SUAKCREM), 6200, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines

    R. A. Abesamis

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  1. R. A. Abesamis
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  2. G. R. Russ
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Correspondence to R. A. Abesamis.

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Communicated by Biology Editor Prof. Philip Munday

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Abesamis, R.A., Russ, G.R. Patterns of recruitment of coral reef fishes in a monsoonal environment. Coral Reefs 29, 911–921 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-010-0653-y

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