Abstract

Parrotfishes (family Scaridae) are important to coral reef ecosystems as bioeroders via production and distribution of coral sand and as herbivores controlling algal overgrowth. Scarids and other herbivores are negatively impacted when coral colony health is diminished by outside stressors (Cole et al. 2008). Some species are required to alter their ecological behavior by moving between habitats, whether on a diurnal, seasonal, or permanent basis, in order to survive (Crosby and Reese 2005). As the human population and development continue to increase along Hawaiian coastlines, there is a need for baseline studies to monitor and track coral health in coastal marine areas. Coral reefs are considered one of the most impacted marine ecosystems on earth and are in need of proper management. These impacts can have detrimental effects to coral reef fish populations, such as scarids. In Hawai?i, scarids are also highly prized by both commercial and recreational fishermen, and recent population declines indicated that improved management is needed to maintain scarid stocks. Passive tracking using acoustic telemetry has not been widely used on parrotfish on Hawaiian coral reefs; however, this method can provide managers a more comprehensive understanding of fine-scale habitat use and movement of parrotfishes. In this study, acoustic telemetry was used to describe fine-scale movements of two species of parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus and Scarus psittacus) and habitat use within a coral reef ecosystem at Puak?, Hawai‘i.

PDF Preview