Effects of Hurricane Allen on reef fish assemblages near Discovery Bay,Jamaica

On 6 August 1980, Hurricane Allen pounded the north coast of Jamaica with its heaviest seas of this century. The resulting destruction of fish habitats was followed by changes in predator abundance, herbivore behavior, and the distribution of territorial damselfishes. One year later, fish assemblages differed between patches of reef more or less severely damaged by the hurricane. Hurricanes of this magnitude could have an important influence on local patterns of behavior and species interactions, by redistributing fish habitats and their associated key species.