Abstract

As part of an ongoing study which is documenting the ecological importance of the Cordelia Bank site of special importance for wildlife, we evaluated a spawning aggregation site within the 17 km2 area during the 2012 - 2013 reproduc-tive season. A total of six species of large-bodied grouper were identified during the season, black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci), Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus), scamp grouper (M. phenax), tiger grouper (M. tigris), yellowfin grouper (M. venenosa) and yellowmouth grouper (M. interstitialis). We determined that aggregation behaviour (colour changes, rubbing and chasing) was exhibited in four of these species of grouper, M. bonaci, E. striatus, M. tigris and M. venenosa, with the January full moon being the most important lunar event for these species (ANOVA; F = 17.9, p = 0.001). No spawning was observed despite recordings of reproductive behaviour and the majority of individuals recorded being greater than size at first maturity (mean 72% of individuals greater than Lm50). Abundances of grouper were low, a combined total of 632 individuals were recorded during the monitoring period, of which 502 of these were recorded during the January full moon by the four species determined to be aggregating, M. tigris 260 individuals; M. bonaci 118 individuals; E. striatus 63 individuals and; M. venenosa 61 individuals.

PDF Preview