Volume 52
Efficacy of Two- and Three-Chamber Light-traps for Presettlement Fishes and Invertebrate Plankton from Mangrove and Coral Reef Habitats
Authors
Lindquist, D.G.; Hernández Jr., F.J.; Clavijo, I.E.; Whittaker, M.E. Download PDF Open PDF in BrowserOther Information
Date: November, 1999
Pages: 549-556
Event: Proceedings of the Fifty Second Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
City: Key West, Florida
Country: USA
Abstract
Light-traps have been used in ichthyo- and invertebrate plankton studies to sample the larval and juvenile stages of fishes and planktonic invertebrates that are often inadequately sampled with conventional nets. Light-traps can be used in shallow areas where the use of towed nets is difficult. such as in mangroves and over coral reefs. Our purpose was to field test and compare the efficacy of two- and three-chamber light-traps in these two habitats. Three-chamber traps significantly out-performed two-chamber traps in both the mangroves and over the reef. collecting 7 and 9.5 times the number of fish larvae per hour, respectively. The three-chamber traps also sampled a greater diversity and abundance of invertebrate plankton.