The Distribution of the Graysby Petrometopon cruentatum (Lacepede) on the Coral Reef at the Southwest Coast of Curacao
Nagelkerken W. 1977. The Distribution of the Graysby Petrometopon cruentatum (Lacepede) on the Coral Reef at the Southwest Coast of Curacao. Pages 311-315. In Proceedings, Third International Coral Reef Symposium. Miami, FL. 1977. Proceedings of the International Coral Reef Symposium
The vertical distribution of the Graysby, Petrometopon cruentarum (Lacepede), was studied on the coral reef at the southwest coast of Curacao. Counts were made at 14 different depths, varying from 10 to 120 feet. Most Graysbys were found at depths of 25 and 30 feet. With aid of data or Rotenone poisonings it was found that the number of Graysbys actually present in a transect of 240 m^2 at a depth of 30 feet is 24 fishes. Measurements were made of the percentage of bottom cover and of the quantity of coral structure. A strong correlation was found between both. For the studied coral reef in Curacao a high percentage of bottom cover means also a high quantity of structure thus of hiding places of the Graysbys. A vey strong correlation (p 0.01) was found between the mean number of P. cruentatum and the mean percentage of bottom cover of the coral species Montastrea annularis and Agaricia sp. Both coral species have an important influence upon the vertical distribution of P. cruentatum by their growth form, which supplies hiding possibilities, e.g., holes, overhangs, crevices.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- Nagelkerken, W.
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Bottom Cover, Counts, Petrometopon cruentatum, Quantity of Structure, Transect, vertical distribution