Burrow utilization by yellowedge grouper,Epinephelus flavolimbatus,in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Synopsis Submersible dives were made on a site in the Gulf of Mexico 160 km southeast of Galveston, Texas in September 1984. Both yellowedge, Epinephelus flavolimbatus, and snowy grouper, E. niveatus, were observed utilizing shelter around rock ridge habitats. The yellowedge grouper also sought shelter within three types of burrows cut into soft sediment. Many of these burrows were significant excavations consisting of large trenches 7–8 m long, 2–3 m wide, and 1–1.5 m deep. Burrows were found in depths from 265 to 290 m. Tilefish, Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps, also occur at this site, usually inhabiting the characteristic vertical burrows already described for this species. In four daytime submersible transects covering a linear distance of over 13000 m, we observed a total of 66 yellowedge groupers. Twenty-five were in burrows, 39 among rocks, and two over open bottom. It is suggested that this species may have an advantage over congeners that utilize only rocky habitat for cover. It may also compete for shelter with tilefish at depths where the two species overlap.Contribution No. 696, Harbor Branch Foundation, Inc. and Contribution No. 733, The University of Texas Marine Science Institute.