Spanish Marine National Parks: Priority areas for the conservation of a vulnerable family of fishes

Abstract Background: Syngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) are flagship species highly associated to seaweed and seagrass habitats of marine ecosystems biodiversity. Seahorses and pipefish are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently Data Defficient by IUCN (IUCN, 2019), requiring more biological and ecological research. This study provides the first insights on syngnathid populations in two Spanish National Parks (PNIA –Atlantic- and PNAC –Mediterranean-). Fish were collected periodically, marked, morphologically identified, analyzed for size, weight, gender and sexual maturity, and sampled for further stable isotope and genetic identification. Due the scarcity of previous information, habitat characteristics were also assessed in PNIA. Results: Syngnathid diversity and abundances were low, with two species identified in PNIA ( Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus acus ) and four in PNAC ( S. abaster , S. acus , S. typhle and Nerophis maculatus ). Syngnathids from both NPs differed isotopically, with much lower δ15 N in PNAC. The dominant species were S. abaster in PNAC and particularly S. acus in PNIA. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages in PNIA and Cymodocea meadows in PNAC. In S. acus from PNIA, the occurrence of very large specimens, the absence of small-medium sizes and the isotopic comparison with a nearby population suggest that the population is mainly founded by breeders that migrate seasonally. Novel 16S rDNA haplotypes and sequence variants were detected for Hippocampus guttulatus , N. maculatus , S. acus, and S. abaster . Our data suggest the presence of a cryptic Syngnathus species in PNAC, Conclusions: This is the first multidisciplinary approach to the study of syngnathids in Spanish marine NPs. Habitat preferences and population characteristics in both NPs differed. Further studies are needed to assess potential misidentifications of Syngnathus genus in PNAC, and migratory events in PNIA. We propose several preferential sites in both NPs for future monitoring of syngnathid populations and some recommendations to undertake.

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A Multidisciplinary Approach to Identify Priority Areas for the Conservation of a Vulnerable Family of Fishes in Spanish Marine National Parks

10.21203/rs.3.rs-99465/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Miquel Planas ◽

Cristina Piñeiro-Corbeira ◽

Carmen Bouza ◽

Inés Castejón-Silvo ◽

Manuel Vera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Genetic Identification ◽

Ecological Research ◽

Environmental Disturbances ◽

Hippocampus Guttulatus ◽

Data Deficient

Abstract Background: Syngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) are flagship species strongly associated with seaweed and seagrass habitats. Seahorses and pipefishes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently Data Deficient according to the IUCN (IUCN, 2019), requiring more biological and ecological research. This study provides the first insights into syngnathid populations in the two marine Spanish National Parks (PNIA –Atlantic- and PNAC –Mediterranean). Fishes were collected periodically, marked, morphologically identified, analysed for size, weight, sex and sexual maturity, and sampled for stable isotope and genetic identification. Due the scarcity of previous information, habitat characteristics were also assessed in PNIA. Results: Syngnathid diversity and abundance were low, with two species identified in PNIA (Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus acus) and four in PNAC (S. abaster, S. acus, S. typhle and Nerophis maculatus). Syngnathids from both National Parks (NP) differed isotopically, with much lower δ15N in PNAC than in PNIA. The dominant species were S. abaster in PNAC and S. acus in PNIA. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages in PNIA and Cymodocea meadows in PNAC. The occurrence of very large specimens, the absence of small-medium sizes and the isotopic comparison with a nearby population suggest that the population of Syngnathus acus (the dominant syngnathid in PNIA) mainly comprised breeders that migrate seasonally. Novel 16S rDNA haplotypes and sequence variants were detected for H. guttulatus, N. maculatus, S. acus, and S. abaster. Our data suggest the presence of a cryptic Syngnathus species in PNAC. Conclusions: This is the first multidisciplinary approach to the study of syngnathids in Spanish marine NPs. Habitat preferences and population characteristics in both NPs differed. Further studies are needed to assess potential species misidentifications of genus Syngnathus in PNAC, and migratory events in PNIA. We propose several preferential sites in both NPs for future monitoring of syngnathid populations and some recommendations for their conservation.

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A multidisciplinary approach to identify priority areas for the conservation of a vulnerable family of fishes in Spanish Marine National Parks

10.21203/rs.3.rs-24731/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Miquel Planas Oliver ◽

Cristina Piñeiro-Corbeira ◽

Carmen Bouza ◽

Inés Castejón-Silvo ◽

Manuel Vera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Genetic Identification ◽

Ecological Research ◽

Environmental Disturbances ◽

Hippocampus Guttulatus ◽

Data Deficient

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A multidisciplinary approach to identify priority areas for the monitoring of a vulnerable family of fishes in Spanish Marine National Parks

BMC Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1186/s12862-020-01743-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Miquel Planas ◽

Cristina Piñeiro-Corbeira ◽

Carmen Bouza ◽

Inés Castejón-Silvo ◽

Manuel Vera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Genetic Identification ◽

Mitochondrial Lineage ◽

Hippocampus Guttulatus ◽

Mitochondrial Cytochrome B ◽

Data Deficient

Abstract Background Syngnathid fishes (Actinopterygii, Syngnathidae) are flagship species strongly associated with seaweed and seagrass habitats. Seahorses and pipefishes are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic and environmental disturbances, but most species are currently Data Deficient according to the IUCN (2019), requiring more biological and ecological research. This study provides the first insights into syngnathid populations in the two marine Spanish National Parks (PNIA—Atlantic- and PNAC—Mediterranean). Fishes were collected periodically, marked, morphologically identified, analysed for size, weight, sex and sexual maturity, and sampled for stable isotope and genetic identification. Due the scarcity of previous information, habitat characteristics were also assessed in PNIA. Results Syngnathid diversity and abundance were low, with two species identified in PNIA (Hippocampus guttulatus and Syngnathus acus) and four in PNAC (S. abaster, S. acus, S. typhle and Nerophis maculatus). Syngnathids from both National Parks (NP) differed isotopically, with much lower δ15N in PNAC than in PNIA. The dominant species were S. abaster in PNAC and S. acus in PNIA. Syngnathids preferred less exposed sites in macroalgal assemblages in PNIA and Cymodocea meadows in PNAC. The occurrence of very large specimens, the absence of small-medium sizes and the isotopic comparison with a nearby population suggest that the population of Syngnathus acus (the dominant syngnathid in PNIA) mainly comprised breeders that migrate seasonally. Mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence variants were detected for H. guttulatus, S. acus, and S. abaster, and a novel 16S rDNA haplotype was obtained in N. maculatus. Our data suggest the presence of a cryptic divergent mitochondrial lineage of Syngnathus abaster species in PNAC. Conclusions This is the first multidisciplinary approach to the study of syngnathids in Spanish marine NPs. Habitat preferences and population characteristics in both NPs differed. Further studies are needed to assess the occurrence of a species complex for S. abaster, discarding potential misidentifications of genus Syngnathus in PNAC, and evaluate migratory events in PNIA. We propose several preferential sites in both NPs for future monitoring of syngnathid populations and some recommendations for their conservation.

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Short Communication: Habitat and population characteristics of the endemic Java Tree Frog (Rhacophorus margaritifer) in Ranca Upas, West Java, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d200621 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (6) ◽

Author(s):

TINA SAFARIA NILAWATI ◽

HERNAWATI HERNAWATI ◽

REZA AHMAD TAUFIK

Keyword(s):

Short Communication ◽

Population Distribution ◽

Population Characteristics ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Tree Frog ◽

West Java ◽

Population Number ◽

Mark Release Recapture ◽

Distribution Index ◽

Average Size

Abstract. Nilawati TS, Hernawati, Taufik RA. 2019. Short Communication: Habitat and population characteristics of the endemic Java Tree Frog (Rhacophorus margaritifer) in Ranca Upas, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 20: 1644-1649. The Java tree frog (Rhacophorus margaritifer) is one of the endemic frogs of Indonesia. Ranca Upas forest, West Java, Indonesia is one of the habitats of this species which is threatened by the extension of the campground and tourism area. The aim of this study was to identify the habitat and population characteristics of Rhacophorus margaritifer in Ranca Upas forest. Data was collected through Capture-Mark-Release-Recapture method in every 100 m distance of a 300 m transect, along the river. The captured frogs were tagged using modified shoelaces. Habitat characteristics were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively, population number was estimated by the Schnabel method, and population distribution was calculated using the Morisita distribution index. The results showed that R. margaritifer habitat was at an altitude of 1630-1670 m asl with 16.6 oC average air temperature and 90.8% air humidity. The habitat was near river with clear water and mud substrate at 14.8 oC water temperature, 0.068 m/s water velocity, and neutral acidity. Furthermore, three species of plants, namely Strobilanthes crispus, Curculigo capitulata, and Cyathea sp. were identified to be very often used by R. margaritifer. Population abundance of R. margaritifer was estimated to be 286 individuals, with 5 individuals /100m2 density and it showed a clumped disp.ersion. Average size of frogs found in the study area was 40 mm Snout to Vent Length (SVL) and the range was 36 to 65 mm. This showed that the location is dominated by young frogs and the study area is a good habitat for R. margaritifer.

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Comparing two views of the landscape: Aboriginal traditional ecological knowledge and modern scientific knowledge.

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj9920174 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 174 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

LM Baker ◽

Community Mutitjulu

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Traditional Ecological Knowledge ◽

Scientific Knowledge ◽

National Park ◽

Scientific Community ◽

Aboriginal People ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Ecological Knowledge ◽

Alternative Perspective ◽

Effects Of Drought

The potential for combining Aboriginal ecological knowledge and scientific knowledge to enhance understanding of the environment is explored. Results of a fauna survey jointly undertaken at Ulug National Park by Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service, CSIRO and Aboriginal members of Mutitjulu Community provide the basis for discussion. Examination of comparative habitat classifications, recognition of faunal habitat preferences and knowledge of the effects of drought and fire suggest that information from Aboriginal people can enhance, and in some instances provide an alternative perspective to, the knowledge currently held by scientists. The scientific community will benefit by accepting Aboriginal ecological knowledge on an equal basis to scientific research. The importance of involving Aboriginal people through all aspects of the research and ensuring that they maintain control over the usage of their traditional knowledge is stressed.

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Exploring copepod distribution patterns at three nested spatial scales in a spring system: habitat partitioning and potential for hydrological bioindication

Journal of Limnology ◽

10.4081/jlimnol.2015.1209 ◽

2015 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Fabio Stoch ◽

Barbara Fiasca ◽

Tiziana Di Lorenzo ◽

Silvano Porfirio ◽

Marco Petitta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spatial Scales ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Distribution Patterns ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Relative Role ◽

Sediment Texture ◽

Vertical Scale ◽

Geomorphic Features ◽

Spring System ◽

Isotope Analyses

<p>In groundwater-fed springs, habitat characteristics are primarily determined by a complex combination of geomorphic features and physico-chemical parameters, while species assemblages are even more intricate. Springs host species either inhabiting the spring mouth, or colonizing spring habitats from the surface or from the aquifers which feed the springs. Groundwater species living in springs have been claimed as good candidates for identifying dual aquifer flowpaths or changes in groundwater pathways before reaching the spring outlets. However, the reliability of spring species as hydrological biotracers has not been widely investigated so far. Our study was aimed at analysing a large karstic spring system at three nested spatial scales in order: i) to assess, at whole spring system scale, the presence of a groundwater divide separating two aquifers feeding two spring units within a single spring system, by combining isotope analyses, physico-chemistry, and copepod distribution patterns; ii) to test, at vertical spring system scale, the effectiveness of copepods in discriminating surface and subsurface habitat patches within the complex mosaic spring environment; iii) to explore, at local spring unit level, the relative role of hydrochemistry and sediment texture as describers of copepod distribution among microhabitats. The results obtained demonstrated the presence of a hierarchical spatial structure, interestingly reflected in significant differences in assemblage compositions. Copepod assemblages differed between the two contiguous spring units, which were clearly characterized by their hydrochemistry and by significant differences in the groundwater flowpaths and recharge areas, as derived by the isotope analyses. The biological results suggested that stygobiotic species seem to be related to the origin of groundwater, suggesting their potential role as hydrological biotracers. At vertical scale, assemblage composition in surface and subsurface habitats was significantly different, both between spring units and among microhabitats, supporting strong habitat preferences of copepod species. At the smaller local scale, the response to habitat patchiness of subsurface copepod assemblages resulted in distribution patterns primarily defined by sediment texture, while the sensitivity to differences in hydrochemistry was negligible.</p>

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From numbers to ecosystems and biodiversity: A mechanistic approach to monitoring

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v53i2.998 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Sam Ferreira ◽

Andrew Deacon ◽

Hendrik Sithole ◽

Hugo Bezuidenhout ◽

Mahlomola Daemane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

National Parks ◽

Information Needs ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Conservation Implications ◽

Trade Offs ◽

Population Sizes ◽

Underlying Mechanisms ◽

Analytical Approaches

Diverse political, cultural and biological needs epitomise the contrasting demands impacting on the mandate of the South African National Parks (SANParks) to maintain biological diversity. Systems-based approaches and strategic adaptive management (learn by doing) enable SANParks to accommodate these demands. However, such a management strategy creates new information needs, which require an appropriate analytical approach. We use conceptual links between objectives, indicators, mechanisms and modulators to identify key concerns in the context of and related to management objectives. Although our suggested monitoring designs are based mostly on defined or predicted underlying mechanisms of a concern, SANParks requires inventory monitoring to evaluate its key mandate. We therefore propose a predictive inventory approach based on species assemblages related to habitat preferences. Inventories alone may not always adequately serve unpacking of mechanisms: in some cases population size needs to be estimated to meet the information needs of management strategies, but actual population sizes may indirectly affect how the species impact on other values. In addition, ecosystem objectives require multivariate assessments of key communities, which can be used in trend analysis. SANParks therefore needs to know how to detect and define trends efficiently, which, in turn, requires precision of measures of variables. Conservation implications: Current research needs with regard to monitoring should focus on defining designs to yield optimal precision whilst taking methodology, survey trade-offs and analytical approaches into account. Use of these directives and research will guide monitoring during evaluation of SANParks objectives at various scales.

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Population structure, movement and habitat preferences of the purple-spotted gudgeon, Mogurnda adspersa

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf01039 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 53 (5) ◽

pp. 909 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

George D. Boxall ◽

John J. Sandberg ◽

Frederieke J. Kroon

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Habitat Preference ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Pool Size ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Effective Management ◽

Prominent Feature ◽

Management Options ◽

Point Sampling ◽

Far North

We examined the movement patterns and habitat preferences of Mogurnda adspersa in Pattersons Creek, a small, low-order, rainforest creek in Gillies Range State Forest, Far North Queensland, Australia. First, we conducted a capture and recapture study to document population structure and individual movements. Our results show that movement is a prominent feature of population behaviour of M. adspersa, with male gudgeons moving significantly more between pools than females, irrespective of gudgeon size. Second, we quantitatively described habitat characteristics of rainforest pools using point sampling. This data was then combined with capture data to describe the habitat preference of M. adspersa. Our results show that the number of gudgeons was positively related to pool size and decreased with increasing pool velocity. We discuss the results in light of effective management options for the species habitat in general, and Far North Queensland in particular.

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Habitat preference of sea cucumbers:Holothuria atraandHolothuria edulisin the coastal waters of Sri Lanka

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315411000051 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 92 (3) ◽

pp. 581-590 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

D.C.T. Dissanayake ◽

G. Stefansson

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Habitat Preference ◽

Sea Cucumber ◽

Stock Assessment ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Organic Content ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Seagrass Habitat ◽

Underwater Visual Census ◽

North West

Despite their economic importance, the ecology of many sea cucumber species is poorly understood and factors influencing their habitat preferences remain largely unexplained. The distribution and habitat preference of two sea cucumber species;Holothuria atraandHolothuria eduliswere studied off the north-west coast of Sri Lanka by underwater visual census in October 2008. The relationships between the density of each species and the habitat variables, such as mean grain size, organic content (% of dry weight), gravel (%), silt–mud (%), and depth, were examined using a generalized additive model. All these variables except silt–mud have significant influence (P < 0.05) on the habitat association ofH. atra. The shallow water (<10 m) seagrass habitat with sediments characterized by 2–3.5% organic content, 15–25% of gravel and coarse sand (0.7–1.2 mm) were the most preferred conditions byH. atra. High densities ofH. eduliswere found in the shallow (<10 m) depths of rocky areas with algae and seagrass. Favoured bottom sediment conditions ofH. eduliswere mainly similar to the conditions preferred byH. atra, except organic content which did not significantly influence the habitat preference of this species. The preference towards the specific habitat characteristics seems to be associated with their feeding and protection. An understanding of habitat preference would be useful to improve the management of these sea cucumber populations and enable more precise stock assessment.

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What drives variation in habitat use by Anolis lizards: habitat availability or selectivity?

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z06-068 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 84 (6) ◽

pp. 877-886 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

M.A. Johnson ◽

R. Kirby ◽

S. Wang ◽

J.B. Losos

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Geographic Variation ◽

Forest Type ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

Sympatric Species ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Habitat Availability ◽

Microhabitat Use ◽

Forest Types

Geographic variation in habitat availability may drive geographic variation in a species’ habitat use; alternatively, species adapted to particular habitat characteristics may use a habitat regardless of its availability within an environment. In this study, we investigated habitat use of two sympatric species of Anolis lizards that are morphologically specialized to use different microhabitats. We examined variation in microhabitat use and availability among four distinct forest types. In each forest type, we quantified available microhabitats (i.e., perch diameter, angle of inclination, and visibility), as well as microhabitats actually used by each species. We found that species consistently differed in microhabitat use, corresponding to each species’ morphological specializations. However, microhabitat use of both species varied among sites. This variation in Anolis gundlachi Peters, 1876 reflected differences in microhabitat availability, while the variation in Anolis krugi Peters, 1876 resulted from differential microhabitat selectivity. These results indicate that both habitat availability and habitat preferences must be examined in multiple localities for a species to understand the causes of variation in its habitat use.

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