POPULATION STRUCTURE AND EXPLOITATION SUSTAINABILITY OF THE ANEMONEFISH, AMPHIPRION OCELLARIS
JAMES STUART NELSON
JAMES STUART NELSON
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Abstract
This study considered the population structure and sustainable exploitation anemonefish, AMphiprion ocellaris. The majority of the research was conducted off Singapore’s Southern Islands, with an additional A.ocellaris population genetic study throughout Southeast Asia. Heteractis magnifica was the most abundant anemone species which played host to A.ocellaris in Singapore. Heteractis magnifica and in shallower water. The species was also more common on reefs with steep slopes. The mean density of A. ocellaris per cm2 of habitat was positively correlated with its habitat oral disc area. Within a habitat, as the length of the presumptive largest juvenile. Comparison of the A. ocellaris length data alongside the von Bertalanffy growth equation suggests that social repression of growth is occurring. Larval recruitment into habitats peaked in September to November and March to April. The presence of other recently recruited A. ocellaris individuals did not affect the rate of subsequent recruitment. Recruitment rates were highest on reefs furthest from the mainland. Survival rates of recruits were high, but decreased in the presence of large recently recruited individuals. The growth rate of a recruit was also lower in the presence of a larger recently recruited individual. Amphiprion ocellaris individuals over 40mm in length could be individually identified from photographs. Inter-habitat migration of fish was limited to habitats less than 1.3 m apart. Smaller individuals were no more likely to migrate than larger ones. Based on the Gualland and Holt plot, predicted K-values and the maximum length of Fish (L?) was lowest in smaller fish which had been attributed lower social status ratings. All the K-values generated for A. ocellaris fish were low relative to other coral reef fishes. The instantaneous rate of mortality was also highest in smaller fish. A transfer experiment indicated that, following the death of larger individuals, the growth rate of small individuals increased dramatically.
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1997
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