Distribution and abundance patterns of rocky intertidal fishes in central California

Synopsis Distribution patterns and relative abundances were determined for rocky intertidal fishes in central California. Distributions were described relative to a categorization scheme of tidepools based on certain biotic and physical criteria. The fishes displayed a variety of distributions over tidepool categories and showed some segregation within categories.Cottids were the predominant tidepool fishes encountered, withOligocottus snyderi andClinocottus analis comprising 62% of all captures. The cebidichthyidCebidichthys violaceus and the stichaeidAnoplarchus purpurescens were also relatively common and dominated the out-of-water microhabitat.Oligocottus snyderi showed a minor shift in distribution over tidepool categories between seasons, and C. analis showed none, but both species varied substantially in abundance. Temporal changes in abundance of the more common species indicated seasonal trends, but the duration of the census period was insufficient to verify this.It is concluded that while species interactions may have influenced the observed patterns of habitat partitioning, the roles of predation and competition cannot be unambiguously defined. Presently, neither these nor historical factors can be discounted from having significantly influenced the evolution of the intertidal fish community.