Demersal fish assemblages associated with hard bottom habitat in the South Atlantic Bight of the U.S.A. |
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Authors: | George R Sedberry Robert F Van Dolah |
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Institution: | (1) South Carolina Marine Resources Research Institute, P. O. Box 12559, Charleston, SC 29412, USA |
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Abstract: | Synopsis Demersal fish communities associated with hard bottom habitats in the South Atlantic Bight were investigated in three depth
zones (inner, middle and outer shelf) between 30° and 33°N latitudes. Fishes were sampled with trawls and baited fishing gear,
and were observed by remotely operated underwater television. Most demersal hard bottom fishes demonstrated seasonal differences
in abundance in each depth zone, especially at the inner and outer shelf stations. Diversity values from trawl catches were
higher in winter than summer at inner and outer shelf stations, but lower in winter at middle shelf stations. Species richness
was higher in summer than in winter at most stations, but H' diversity patterns were more influenced by community evenness.
Diversity values were higher than those reported for similar depths in the Middle Atlantic Bight. Mean biomass of demersal
teleosts for all stations combined was slightly greater in winter than in summer. There was no significant difference in biomass
between stations in summer, however, middle shelf stations had significantly greater biomass than inner or outer shelf stations
in winter. Biomass estimates from the hard bottom areas studied were considerably higher than those reported in the literature
for sand bottom areas in the South Atlantic Bight, but less than those reported for tropical reefs. Cluster analysis revealed
differences in community composition between day and night trawl tows at all stations, and greater seasonal differences in
species composition at inner and outer shelf stations than at middle shelf depths. Underwater television provided useful complementary
data to trawl catches, documented the presence of large fishes which avoided the trawl, and provided information on the community
composition at high relief stations which could not be trawled. |
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Keywords: | Structure Seasonality Diversity Biomass Reef habitat Tropical and subtropical fishes Hard bottom communities |
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