Coral and reef fish community recovery following the 2010 extreme ocean warming event (mass bleaching event) at Thailand

Reef fish play an important role in the community dynamics of coral reefs and maintaining healthy reefs. This study aimed to (1) assess coral recovery at reefs around Racha Yai Island after the 2010 mass coral bleaching event and (2) compare the fish community indices (Shannon diversity, evenness) and fish trophic functional groups between low (Patok Bay) and high (Khonkae Bay) environmental disturbance sites during 2013-2019. The fish surveys and the percent live coral covers from both bays during 2013-2019 were collected using the fish visual census method and a permanent quadrat method along 50-m transect lines. Our results showed that the percentage of live coral cover at both bays increased by 6-8%. At Khonkae Bay, there were 69 reef fish species and 10,684 individual fish belonging to 5 orders, with 27 families and 54 genera observed from 7 orders: Perciformes (91.03%), Tetraodontiformes (5.54%), Syngnathiformes (1.24%), Beloniformes (0.26%), Beryciformes (1.25%), Scorpaeniformes (0.70%), and Aulopiformes (0.06%). Fish community indices at Khonkae Bay increased during 2013-2019 and were composed of species richness (3.65-10.53), the Shannon index (0.65-3.49), and species evenness (0.49-0.91). At Patok Bay, there were 60 reef fish species and 10,362 individual fish belonging to 3 orders, with 22 families and 50 genera observed from 4 orders: Perciformes (93.04%), Tetraodontiformes (5.92%), Syngnathiformes (0.55%), and Anguilliformes (0.53%). Fish community indices at Patok Bay increased during 2014-2019 and were composed of species richness (4.69-8.62), the Shannon index (1.36-3.30), and species evenness (4.92-8.62). Our results suggested that the 2010 mass coral bleaching event had large impacts on both the coral and reef fish community at both low and high environmental disturbance sites with good recovery over nine years.(AU)

Coral and reef fish community recovery following the 2010 extreme ocean warming event (mass bleaching event) at Thailand

Reef fish play an important role in the community dynamics of coral reefs and maintaining healthy reefs. This study aimed to (1) assess coral recovery at reefs around Racha Yai Island after the 2010 mass coral bleaching event and (2) compare the fish community indices (Shannon diversity, evenness) and fish trophic functional groups between low (Patok Bay) and high (Khonkae Bay) environmental disturbance sites during 2013-2019. The fish surveys and the percent live coral covers from both bays during 2013-2019 were collected using the fish visual census method and a permanent quadrat method along 50-m transect lines. Our results showed that the percentage of live coral cover at both bays increased by 6-8%. At Khonkae Bay, there were 69 reef fish species and 10,684 individual fish belonging to 5 orders, with 27 families and 54 genera observed from 7 orders: Perciformes (91.03%), Tetraodontiformes (5.54%), Syngnathiformes (1.24%), Beloniformes (0.26%), Beryciformes (1.25%), Scorpaeniformes (0.70%), and Aulopiformes (0.06%). Fish community indices at Khonkae Bay increased during 2013-2019 and were composed of species richness (3.65-10.53), the Shannon index (0.65-3.49), and species evenness (0.49-0.91). At Patok Bay, there were 60 reef fish species and 10,362 individual fish belonging to 3 orders, with 22 families and 50 genera observed from 4 orders: Perciformes (93.04%), Tetraodontiformes (5.92%), Syngnathiformes (0.55%), and Anguilliformes (0.53%). Fish community indices at Patok Bay increased during 2014-2019 and were composed of species richness (4.69-8.62), the Shannon index (1.36-3.30), and species evenness (4.92-8.62). Our results suggested that the 2010 mass coral bleaching event had large impacts on both the coral and reef fish community at both low and high environmental disturbance sites with good recovery over nine years.

Population structure and reproductive biology of Haemulopsis corvinaeformis (Perciformes, Haemulidae) in the south coast of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil

Roughneck Grunt (Haemulopsis corvinaeformis Steindachner, 1868) is the second most important species caught as bycatch of the shrimp fishery in Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. However, the population dynamic of this species is poorly known in the region. The aim of this study was to describe aspects of the population structure and reproductive biology of the H. corvinaeformis, providing important information for the development of sustainable management practices. Specimens were collected monthly from August 2011 to July 2012 and quarterly from October 2012 to June 2014. A total of 1,140 individuals was collected; 340 males (29.8%), 391 females (34.3%), and 409 were immature and could not be sexed (35.9%). Total length ranged from 7 to 25 cm. In general, total length of females [12.85 ± 2.49 cm (mean± SD)] and males [12.72 ± 2.46 cm (mean ± SD)] were similar (p > 0.05). The proportion of males and females was similar along the year, except in March. The relationship between total length and total weight was statistically significant (p 0.05), showing an isometric growth. The (GSI) coupled with the distribution of maturational stages suggests that females reproduce all year around, with a peak during October-November. The length at first maturity (L50) was estimated at 11.88 cm for females and 11 cm for males.(AU)

O coró branco (Haemulopsis corvinaeformis Steindachner, 1868) é a segunda espécie mais importante capturada como fauna acompanhante na pesca de camarão em Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. No entanto, a dinâmica populacional é pouco conhecida na região. O objetivo do estudo foi descrever aspectos da estrutura populacional e biologia reprodutiva da espécie, fornecendo informações importantes para o desenvolvimento de práticas de manejo sustentáveis. Espécimes foram coletados mensalmente de agosto de 2011 a julho de 2012, e a cada três meses de outubro de 2012 a junho de 2014. Um total de 1.140 espécimes foi coletado; 340 machos (29,8%), 391 fêmeas (34,3%), e 409 imaturos cujo sexo não pode ser identificado (35,9%). O comprimento total variou entre 7 e 25 cm. De maneira geral, o comprimento total das fêmeas [12,85 ± 2,49 cm (média ± DP)] e machos [12,72 ± 2,46 cm (média ± DP)] foram similares (p > 0.05). A proporção de machos e fêmeas foi similar, com exceção de março. As relações entre comprimento total e peso total foram estatisticamente significantes (p 0.05), mostrando um crescimento isométrico. O índice gonadossomático (GSI) associado com a distribuição dos estágios maturacionais sugerem que as fêmeas reproduzem durante todo o ano, com um pico durante outubro-novembro. O tamanho de primeira maturação foi estimado em 11.88 cm para fêmeas e 11 cm para machos.(AU)

Population structure and reproductive biology of Haemulopsis corvinaeformis (Perciformes, Haemulidae) in the south coast of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil

Roughneck Grunt (Haemulopsis corvinaeformis Steindachner, 1868) is the second most important species caught as bycatch of the shrimp fishery in Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. However, the population dynamic of this species is poorly known in the region. The aim of this study was to describe aspects of the population structure and reproductive biology of the H. corvinaeformis, providing important information for the development of sustainable management practices. Specimens were collected monthly from August 2011 to July 2012 and quarterly from October 2012 to June 2014. A total of 1,140 individuals was collected; 340 males (29.8%), 391 females (34.3%), and 409 were immature and could not be sexed (35.9%). Total length ranged from 7 to 25 cm. In general, total length of females [12.85 ± 2.49 cm (mean± SD)] and males [12.72 ± 2.46 cm (mean ± SD)] were similar (p > 0.05). The proportion of males and females was similar along the year, except in March. The relationship between total length and total weight was statistically significant (p 0.05), showing an isometric growth. The (GSI) coupled with the distribution of maturational stages suggests that females reproduce all year around, with a peak during October-November. The length at first maturity (L50) was estimated at 11.88 cm for females and 11 cm for males.

O coró branco (Haemulopsis corvinaeformis Steindachner, 1868) é a segunda espécie mais importante capturada como fauna acompanhante na pesca de camarão em Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. No entanto, a dinâmica populacional é pouco conhecida na região. O objetivo do estudo foi descrever aspectos da estrutura populacional e biologia reprodutiva da espécie, fornecendo informações importantes para o desenvolvimento de práticas de manejo sustentáveis. Espécimes foram coletados mensalmente de agosto de 2011 a julho de 2012, e a cada três meses de outubro de 2012 a junho de 2014. Um total de 1.140 espécimes foi coletado; 340 machos (29,8%), 391 fêmeas (34,3%), e 409 imaturos cujo sexo não pode ser identificado (35,9%). O comprimento total variou entre 7 e 25 cm. De maneira geral, o comprimento total das fêmeas [12,85 ± 2,49 cm (média ± DP)] e machos [12,72 ± 2,46 cm (média ± DP)] foram similares (p > 0.05). A proporção de machos e fêmeas foi similar, com exceção de março. As relações entre comprimento total e peso total foram estatisticamente significantes (p 0.05), mostrando um crescimento isométrico. O índice gonadossomático (GSI) associado com a distribuição dos estágios maturacionais sugerem que as fêmeas reproduzem durante todo o ano, com um pico durante outubro-novembro. O tamanho de primeira maturação foi estimado em 11.88 cm para fêmeas e 11 cm para machos.