LTR - Thalassoma Surveys

Website: https://www.bco-dmo.org/dataset/645195
Version: 23 May 2016
Version Date: 2016-05-23

Project
» Cryptic density dependence: the effects of spatial, ontogenetic, and individual variation in reef fish (CDD_in_Reef_Fish)
ContributorsAffiliationRole
Osenberg, CraigUniversity of Georgia (UGA)Principal Investigator, Contact
Frazer, ThomasUniversity of Florida (UF)Co-Principal Investigator
Shima, JeffreyVictoria University of WellingtonInternational Collaborator
Gegg, Stephen R.Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO)BCO-DMO Data Manager


Dataset Description

Thalassoma surveys were conducted from 2003-2007, 2009, 2012, and 2014. These surveys were conducted at each of 192 reefs. Beginning in 2012, reefs 129-144 and added reefs 193-198 were manipulated for a project studying the effects of vermetid removals; information pertaining to this manipulation can be found in the project “Spatial patterns of coral-vermetid interactions: short-term effects and long-term consequences”. All data collected on reefs 129-144 and 193-198 beginning in 2012 can also be found under that project. These reefs are characterized in the “Long Term Reef Physical Characteristics” dataset. Thalassoma surveys are meant to characterize size structure of Thalassoma and other fish species thought to affect Thalassoma dynamics. We ultimately hope to use the data on size structure and numbers of Thalassoma to infer settlement rates, growth rates and survival.

Location: Moorea, French Polynesia (17.48 degrees S, 149.82 degrees W)


Methods & Sampling

Sampling and Analytical Methodology:
A single snorkeler approaches one of the 192 patch reefs (for size of reef, see “Physical Characteristics” dataset, each are ~ 1-8 m2 in aerial extent) swam around it and attempted to recognize and estimate the size of all the Thalassoma on the reef. Large adults that were clearly attracted by the arrival of the snorkeler were ignored. We also estimated the number and size of resident Gomphosus varius, Pseudocheilinus lineatus all around the reef. Counts of small recruits of labrids and scarids were combined, excluding those three species. We also counted and identified species that we considered potential predators that were within ~ 3 meters of the reef for each patch reef. In 2012 settler counts were not completed.

Materials: Data slate with photographs of Thalassoma of different size classes to help with the visual estimates at each site.

Species Abbreviation Codes:

Abbreviation		Common Name					Scientific name
beb				big eye emperor					Monotaxis grandoculis
car				cardinal fish						Apogon spp.
fts				flame-tail snapper					Lutjanus fulvus
liz				lizardfish							Saurida spp.
lnf				lionfish							Pterois spp. or Dendrochirus spp.
mry				Moray							Gymnothorax spp. or Echidna spp. or Scuticaria spp.
mw				maori wrasse						Cheilinus spp.
sol				soldierfish						Myripristis spp.
sp				sand perch						Parapercis spp.
sq				squirellfish						Neoniphon spp. or Sargocentron spp.
stnf				Stonefish							Synanceia spp.
tpf				trumpetfish						Aulostomus chinensis
ydb				yellow dot bream					Gnathodentex aurolineatus
snp				snapper							Lutjanidae
carrec			cardinal fish recruit					Apogon spp.
mwj				maori wrasse juvenile				Cheilinus spp.
bebj				big eye bream juvenile				Monotaxis grandoculis
solj				soldierfish juvenile					Myripristis spp.
ydbj				yellow dot bream juvenile			Gnathodentex aurolineatus
carj				juvenile cardinal fish				Apogon spp.
oct				octopus			
spotted mry		spotted moray						Gymnothorax moringa or sp?
scorpaenid		scorpaenid			
pfr				pufferfish/puffer/puffer fish			Arothron sp
cornet fish		cornet fish						Fistularia commersonii
flounder			flounder							Canthigaster solandri or Arothon meleagris
box fish			box fish							Ostracion sp or Lactoria sp. (Ostraciidae)
bream			bream							nemipteridae
blck sq			black squirrelfish					Sargocentron spp
seabream		seabream						Acanthopargus sp? Or just Sparidae
razor fish			razor fish							Insiitstius sp
checker			checker wrasse					Rhinecanthus aculeatus
ot				octopus maybe? Orange trigger?			
blcktrig			black trigger						Melichthys sp
argus			peacock wrasse					Halichoeres argus
snowflake mry		snowflake moray					Echidna nebulosa
longface emperor	Longface emperor					Lethrinus olivaceus
clown coris		Clown coris						Coris aygula
orange trigger		Orange-lined triggerfish				Balistapus undulatus
scythe trigger		Scythe triggerfish					Sufflamen bursa
checker wrasse	Checkerboard wrasse				Halichoeres hortulanus
picasso			Picasso triggerfish					Rhinecanthus aculeatus
porcupine			Porcupine fish						Diodon sp
yellow anal fin snp	snapper							Lutjanus sp
yellow tail snp		snapper							Lutjanus sp
tripletail			triple tail wrasse					Cheilinus trilobatus
bw puffer			Black and white pufferfish			Arothron sp
uncertain			uncertain if a settler? 2003 reefs 99, 110			

Data Processing Description

Data Processing:

Calculations: Note: data were entered into excel and then restructured with a macro to create the final data set. Because of this data entry method there maybe two similar entries. (e.g., if there were two fish of species or type X that were the same size (Y), they would each be on the final data sheet as Fish X, Size Y, count: 1, instead of Fish X and Y size count: 2)

BCO-DMO Processing Notes
- Generated from original file "LTR_ThalassomaSurveys.csv" contributed by Rebecca Atkins
- Parameter names edited to conform to BCO-DMO naming convention found at Choosing Parameter Name
- Any blank rows removed


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Data Files

File
LTR_ThalassomaSurveys.csv
(Comma Separated Values (.csv), 3.58 MB)
MD5:f09095b94e32aa322e97dafd89d6e2d9
Primary data file for dataset ID 645195

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Parameters

ParameterDescriptionUnits
DATE

date of data observation

DD-MMM-YYYY
Observer

name of observer (name of observer (Jeff Shima; Sean Geange; Craig W. Osenberg; Jada S. White; Colette St. Mary; Chris McDermot); (JS; Geange; CWO; White; JSW; CSTM; CMcD; LR; Kindsvater)

text
Time

time of begin observation period for site

HH:MM
Reef

Number corresponding to reef ID

dimensionless
Treatment

Treatment (does not apply to this data set)

NA
Species

Species or category

text
Size

visual estimate of length

mm
Number

number of individuals of given species/length

number of individuals
No_Settlers

number of new settlers

number of individuals
Predators

Also gives ID of "other predators"; as per abbreviation codes listed below

number of individuals
Notes

free text notes corresponding to observation; site; date; etc; Also gives ID of "other predators"; as per abbreviation codes listed in Aquisition decription

text


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Instruments

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
Mask and snorkel
Generic Instrument Name
Diving Mask and Snorkel
Generic Instrument Description
A diving mask (also half mask, dive mask or scuba mask) is an item of diving equipment that allows underwater divers, including, scuba divers, free-divers, and snorkelers to see clearly underwater. Snorkel: A breathing apparatus for swimmers and surface divers that allows swimming or continuous use of a face mask without lifting the head to breathe, consisting of a tube that curves out of the mouth and extends above the surface of the water.

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
Transect Tape
Generic Instrument Name
Measuring Tape
Dataset-specific Description
Materials: transect tape and slates
Generic Instrument Description
A tape measure or measuring tape is a flexible ruler. It consists of a ribbon of cloth, plastic, fibre glass, or metal strip with linear-measurement markings. It is a common tool for measuring distance or length.

Dataset-specific Instrument Name
Slate
Generic Instrument Name
Underwater Writing Slate
Dataset-specific Description
Materials: transect tape and slates
Generic Instrument Description
Underwater writing slates and pencils are used to transport pre-dive plans underwater, to record facts whilst underwater and to aid communication with other divers.


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Deployments

Osenberg_et_al_Moorea

Website
Platform
Osenberg et al Moorea
Start Date
2003-05-19
End Date
2015-07-12


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Project Information

Cryptic density dependence: the effects of spatial, ontogenetic, and individual variation in reef fish (CDD_in_Reef_Fish)

Coverage: Moorea, French Polynesia (-17.48, -149.82)


Description from NSF award abstract:
Ecologists have long been interested in the factors that drive spatial and temporal variability in population density and structure. In marine reef systems, attention has focused on the role of settlement-the transition of pelagic larvae to a benthic stage-and on density-dependent processes affecting recently settled juveniles. Recent data suggest that co-variance in settlement and subsequent density-dependent survival can obscure the patterns of density dependence at larger scales, a phenomenon called cryptic density dependence. This research will explore the mechanisms that underlie the spatial covariance of settlement and site quality - a process that has received little attention in the standard paradigm. These mechanistic studies of cryptic density dependence will facilitate the development of new frameworks for fish population dynamics that incorporate larval ecology, habitat quality, density dependence, life history, and the patterns and implications of spatial covariance among these factors. More generally, the work provides a specific empirical context, and a general theoretical treatment, of cryptic heterogeneity (hidden individual variation in demographic rates).

Note: Drs. Craig W. Osenberg and Ben Bolker were at the University of Florida at the time the NSF award was granted. Dr. Osenberg moved to the University of Georgia during the summer of 2014 (current contact information). Dr. Bolker moved to McMaster University in 2010 (current contact information).



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Funding

Funding SourceAward
NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE)

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