| Contributors | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Osenberg, Craig | University of Georgia (UGA) | Principal Investigator, Contact |
| Frazer, Thomas | University of Florida (UF) | Co-Principal Investigator |
| Shima, Jeffrey | Victoria University of Wellington | International Collaborator |
| Gegg, Stephen R. | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI BCO-DMO) | BCO-DMO Data Manager |
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)
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:
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
| File |
|---|
LTR_ThalassomaSurveys.csv (Comma Separated Values (.csv), 3.58 MB) MD5:f09095b94e32aa322e97dafd89d6e2d9 Primary data file for dataset ID 645195 |
| Parameter | Description | Units |
| 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 |
| 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. |
| Website | |
| Platform | Osenberg et al Moorea |
| Start Date | 2003-05-19 |
| End Date | 2015-07-12 |
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).
| Funding Source | Award |
|---|---|
| NSF Division of Ocean Sciences (NSF OCE) |