Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Fish–environment Associations in the Coastal Waters of Andros Island, The Bahamas

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

Synopsis

We surveyed fish communities and corresponding environmental conditions at three broadly similar coastal sites of eastern Andros Island, The Bahamas over a summer–winter–summer sequence to assess the relationship between detailed environmental features and fish species patterns. Environmental variables included covers of various benthic flora components, benthic flora diversity, floral canopy height, micro-crustacean diversity and density, water temperature, extent of destructive land-use and extent of invasion by human-introduced exotic terrestrial plants. Correspondence analysis (CA) indicated that spatial (site) differences in environmental characteristics were greater than temporal (seasonal) differences. Detrended canonical correspondence analysis (DCCA) was used to assess the strength of relationships between the environmental characteristics and the distribution patterns of 25 fish species. Environmental features deemed to be most important in influencing fish species patterns included benthic flora canopy height, extent of invasion by exotic terrestrial plants, cover of Batophora oerstedii, cover of Thalassia testudinum, turf cover, water temperature, micro-crustacean diversity, and micro-crustacean density. Based upon similarities in distribution patterns, fish species formed four clusters which, ultimately, reflected similarities in species’ feeding habits and preferences for habitats that likely maximize foraging success. We conclude that fish distribution patterns are related to environmental characteristics, and that anthropogenic coastal activity, by influencing coastal benthic characteristics, may influence the distribution and abundances of fish species in coastal habitats.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • K. Able M.P. Fahay K.L. Heck SuffixJr. C.T. Roman M.A. Lazzari S.C. Kaiser (2002) ArticleTitleSeasonal distribution and abundance of fishes and crustaceans in a Cape Cod Estuary North East. Nat. 9 285–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Allee, R.J., M. Dethier, D. Brown, L. Deegan, R.G. Ford, T.F. Hourigan, J. Maragos, C. Schoch, K. Sealey, R. Twilley, M.P. Weinstein & M. Yoklavich. 2000. Marine and Estuarine Ecosystem and Habitat Classification. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-F/SPO-43

  • M. Azevedo Bemvenuti (1990) ArticleTitleFeeding habits of the silversides (Atherinidae) in the estuary of Patos Lagoon RS, Brazil Atlantica 12 IssueID1 79–102

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Borowitzka (1972) ArticleTitleIntertidal algal species diversity and the effect of pollution Aust. J. Mar. Freshw. Resour. 23 73–84 Occurrence Handle10.1071/MF9720073

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Chittaro (2004) ArticleTitleFish-habitat associations across multiple spatial scales Coral Reefs 23 235–244 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00338-004-0376-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J.R. Clark (1998) Coastal Seas: The Conservation Challenge Blackwell Science Oxford 134

    Google Scholar 

  • D.E. Colton W.A. Alevizon (1983) ArticleTitleMovement patterns of Bonefish, Albula vulpes, in Bahamian waters Fish. Bull. 81 IssueID1 148–154

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Connell (1978) ArticleTitleDiversity in tropical rainforests and coral reefs Science 199 1302–1310 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BC3cvmtVCnuw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • L. Crowder W.E. Cooper (1982) ArticleTitleHabitat structural complexity and the interaction between bluegills and their prey Ecology 63 182–1813

    Google Scholar 

  • DeLeon, S. 1999. Atherindiae of San Francisco Bay. In: Report on the 1980 – 1995 fish, shrimp, and crab sampling in the San Francisco estuary, California. pp. 217 – 248

  • P. Diaz J.J. Lopez M.L. Piriz (2002) ArticleTitleSymptoms of eutrophication in intertidal macrolgal assemblages of Nuevo Gulf (Patagonia, Argentina) Botanica Marina 45 267–273 Occurrence Handle10.1515/BOT.2002.026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D.B. Eggleston (1995) ArticleTitleRecruitment in Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus: Post-settlement abundance, microhabitat features, and ontogenetic habitat shifts Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 124 9–22

    Google Scholar 

  • R. Gore E.A. Gallaher L.E. Scotto K.A. Wilson (1981) ArticleTitleStudies on decapod crustacea from the Indian River Region of Florida Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 12 485–508

    Google Scholar 

  • R.W. Grigg (1994) ArticleTitleEffects of sewage discharge, fishing pressure, and habitat complexity on coral ecosystems and reef fishes in Hawaii Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 103 25–34

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Guidetti G. Fanelli S. Fraschetti A. Terlizzi F. Boero (2002) ArticleTitleCoastal fish indicate human-induced changes in the Mediterranean littoral Mar. Environ. Res. 53 77–94 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0141-1136(01)00111-8 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXnslWmsrc%3D

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. Hammerton (2001) ArticleTitleCasuarinas in the Bahamas: A clear and present danger Bahamas J. Sci. 9 2–14

    Google Scholar 

  • G.S. Helfman B.B. Collette D.E. Facey (1997) The Diversity of Fishes Blackwell Science Malden, MA 528

    Google Scholar 

  • W. Herrnkind M. J. Butler SuffixIV R.A. Tankersley (1988) ArticleTitleThe effects of siltation on recruitment of spiny lobsters, Panuliru argus Fish. Bull. 86 331–338

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Hovel M.S. Fonseca D.L. Meyer W.J. Kenworthy P.E. Whitfield (2002) ArticleTitleEffects of seagrass landscape structure, structural complexity and hydrodynamic regime on macrofaunal densities in North Carolina seagrass beds Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 243 11–24

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Huston (1979) ArticleTitleA general hypothesis of species diversity Am. Nat. 113 81–101 Occurrence Handle10.1086/283366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. Hyndes A.J. Kendrick L.D. MacArthur E. Stewart (2003) ArticleTitleDifferences in the species- and size-composition of fish assemblages in three distinct seagrass habitats with differing plant and meadow structure Mar. Biol. 142 1195–1206

    Google Scholar 

  • D. Kieckbusch M.S. Koch J.E. Serafy W.T. Anderson (2004) ArticleTitleTrophic linkages among primary producers and consumers in fringing mangroves of subtropical lagoons Bull. Mar. Sci. 74 271–285

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Kohn P.J. Leviten (1976) ArticleTitleEffect of habitat complexity on population density and species richness in tropical intertidal predatory gastropod assemblages Oecologia 25 199–210 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00345098

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • B. Lapointe (1997) ArticleTitleNutrient thresholds for bottom-up control of macroalgal blooms on coral reefs in Jamaica and southeast Florida Limnol. Oceanogr. 42 1119–1131 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXitVej Occurrence Handle10.4319/lo.1997.42.5_part_2.1119

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • B. Lapointe D.A. Tomasko W.R. Matzie (1994) ArticleTitleEutrophication and trophic state classification of seagrass communities in the Florida Keys Bull. Mar. Sci. 54 696–717

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Layman D.A. Arrington R.B. Langerhans B.R. Silliman (2004) ArticleTitleDegree of fragmentation affects fish assemblage structure in Andros Island (Bahamas) Estuaries Carib. J. Sci. 40 232–244

    Google Scholar 

  • J.A. Lewis (1983) ArticleTitleFloristic composition and periodicity of subtidal algae on an artificial structure in Port Phillip Bay (Victoria, Australia) Aquat. Bot. 15 IssueID3 257–274 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0304-3770(83)90073-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Marx W.F. Herrnkind (1985) ArticleTitleMacroalgae (Rhodophyta: Laurencia spp.) as habitat for young juvenile spiny lobsters, Panulirus argus Bull. Mar. Sci. 36 423–431

    Google Scholar 

  • I. Mateo W.J. Tobias (2001) ArticleTitleThe role of nearshore habitats as nursery grounds for juvenile fishes on the northeast coast of St. Croix, USVI Proc. Gulf Carib. Fish. Inst. 52 512–530

    Google Scholar 

  • T. McClanahan K. Bergman M. Huitric M. McField T. Elfwing M. Nystrom I. Nordemar (2000) ArticleTitleResponse of fishes to algae reduction on Glovers Reef, Belize Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 206 273–282

    Google Scholar 

  • L. McCook (1999) ArticleTitleMacroalgae, nutrients, and phase shifts on coral reefs: Scientific issues and management consequences on the Great Barrier Reef Coral Reefs 18 357–367 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s003380050213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • P. Morand X. Briand (1996) ArticleTitleExcessive growth of macroalgae: A symptom of environment disturbance Botanica Marina 39 491–516 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XnsVSit7s%3D Occurrence Handle10.1515/botm.1996.39.1-6.491

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. Myers T. Southgate (1980) ArticleTitleArtificial substrates as a means of monitoring rocky shore cryptofauna J. Mar. Biol. Assoc. U.K 60 963–975 Occurrence Handle10.1017/S0025315400042028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • I. Nagelkerken G. Velde Particlevan der (2004) ArticleTitleRelative importance of interlinked mangroves and seagrass beds as feeding habitats for juvenile reef fish on a Caribbean island Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 274 153–159

    Google Scholar 

  • V.L. Nero K.S. Sealey (2005) ArticleTitleCharacterization of tropical near shore fish assemblages by coastal habitat status on spatially complex island systems Environ. Biol. Fish 73 437–444 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s10641-005-2226-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nero, V.L. & K.S. Sealey. In press. Univariate and multivariate assessment of the relationships between macroalgae/seagrass assemblages and fish assemblages in coastal marine habitats of The Bahamas. Proceedings of the 57th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute

  • G. Polis S.D. Hurd (1996) ArticleTitleLinking marine and terrestrial food webs: Allochthonous input from the ocean supports high secondary productivity on small islands and coastal land communities Am. Nat. 147 396–423 Occurrence Handle10.1086/285858

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Randall (1967) ArticleTitleFood habits of reef fishes of the West Indies Stud. Trop. Oceanogr. 5 665–847

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Roberts R.F.G. Ormond (1987) ArticleTitleHabitat complexity and coral reef fish diversity and abundance on Red Sea fringing reefs Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 41 1–8 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaL1M%2Fgt1Clug%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • D. Rotherham R.J. West (2002) ArticleTitleDo different seagrass species support distinct fish communities in south-eastern Australia? Fish. Manage. Ecol. 9 235–248 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2400.2002.00301.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • I. Sanchez C. Fernandez J.M. Rico (2003) ArticleTitleDistribution, abundance, and phenology of two species of Liagora (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta) in northern Spain Phycologia 42 IssueID1 7–17 Occurrence Handle10.2216/i0031-8884-42-1-7.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • K. Sealey A.L. Flowers V.L. Nero K.L. Semon J. Wilson (2004) ArticleTitleCharacterization and ranking of coastal environments of the Bahamian Archipelago: A database for protection and policy Bahamas J. Sci. 10 12–25

    Google Scholar 

  • F. Sergio P. Padrini L. Marchesi (2003) ArticleTitleReconciling the dichotomy between single species and ecosystem conservation: Black kites (Milvus migrans) and eutrophication in pre-Alpine lakes Biol. Conserv. 110 IssueID1 101–111 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0006-3207(02)00181-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Siitonen L. Saaristo (2000) ArticleTitleHabitat requirements and conservation of Pytho kolwensis, a beetle species of old-growth boreal forest Biol. Conserv. 94 IssueID2 211–220 Occurrence Handle10.1016/S0006-3207(99)00174-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R. Silvano (2001) ArticleTitleFeeding habits and interspecific feeding associations of Caranx latus (Carangidae) in a subtropical reef Environ. Biol. Fish. 60 465–470 Occurrence Handle10.1023/A:1011064923544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • J. Smith C.M. Smith C.L. Hunter (2001) ArticleTitleAn experimental analysis of the effects of herbivory and nutrient enrichment on benthic community dynamics on a Hawaiian reef Coral Reefs 19 332–342

    Google Scholar 

  • W. Sousa ( 2001) Natural disturbance and the dynamics of marine benthic communities M. Bertness S.D. Gaines M.E. Hay (Eds) Marine Community Ecology Sinauer Associates, Inc Sunderland, MA 85–130

    Google Scholar 

  • B. Tabachnick L. Fidell (1996) Using Multivariate Statistics EditionNumber3 Harpercollins New York

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Ter Braak (1986) ArticleTitleCanonical correspondence analysis: A new eigenvector technique for multivariate direct gradient analysis Ecology 67 1167–1179

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Umar L.F. McCook I.R. Price (1998) ArticleTitleEffects of sediment deposition on the seaweed Sargassum on a fringing coral reef Coral Reefs 17 169–177 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s003380050111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A.J. Underwood P. Jernakoff (1984) ArticleTitleThe effects of tidal height, wave-exposure, seasonality and rock-pools on grazing and the distribution of intertidal macroalgae in New South Wales J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 75 IssueID1 71–96 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0022-0981(84)90024-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • A.J. Underwood M.J. Keough (2001) Supply-side ecology: The nature and consequences of variations in recruitment of intertidal organisms M. Bertness S.D. Gaines M.E. Hay (Eds) Marine Community Ecology Sinauer Associates, Inc Sunderland, MA 183–200

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coastal Ecology Project, Department of Biology, University of Miami, P.O. Box 249118, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA

    Vanessa L. Nero & Kathleen Sullivan Sealey

Authors
  1. Vanessa L. Nero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kathleen Sullivan Sealey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vanessa L. Nero.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Nero, V.L., Sealey, K.S. Fish–environment Associations in the Coastal Waters of Andros Island, The Bahamas . Environ Biol Fish 75, 223–236 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-006-0017-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-006-0017-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation