Errors in estimating reproductive parameters with macroscopic methods: a case study on the protogynous blacktip grouper Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsskål 1775).

A size-based, histological analysis of the reproductive life history of the blacktip grouper, Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsskål 1775), was conducted in Indonesia to evaluate the error rate associated with macroscopic reproductive analysis. Histological results indicated that E. fasciatus was protogynous with female L50 at 13.4 cm total length (LT) and a size at sexual transition of 22.0 cm LT. The weight-length relationship for the species was W = 0.011 L3.13. Overall sex ratios were significantly female biased, operational sex ratios were significantly male biased, and sex ratios of mature individuals varied predictably with length from female to male dominance as size increased. No significant relationship between length and batch fecundity was found. The population has a spawning period from February to August. Overall, 54.4% of macroscopic evaluations were incorrect compared to histological results. Of the errors, 14.8% were a failure to detect ovotestes, 12.7% were classifying non-gonadal tissue as ovary or testis, 12.2% were misclassifying sex, and 12.7% were misclassifying maturity status. However, the largest source of error (47.7%) was from misclassifying both sex and maturity status. Of these, 92.9% were macroscopically classified as immature females, but were histologically confirmed to be mature males. Compared to histological results, the only accurate macroscopic results were the absence of a sex-based difference in weight-length relationship and spawning seasonality estimated by a gonadosomatic index (February-June). The use of macroscopic methods to estimate reproductive life-history parameters for sex-changing reefes fish may introduce significant inaccuracies and misinterpretations. Of the parameters estimated by histological methods, size at maturity, size-specific sex ratios, and spawning seasonality have the greatest potential to inform local fishery management policy.

Reappraisal of Hawaiian species of Corallianassa Manning, 1987 (Crustacea: Axiidea: Callichiridae).

Four species of the callichirid ghost shrimp genus Corallianassa Manning, 1987 are recognised in Hawaii based on evidence from morphology and the CO1 gene. Corallianassa borradailei (De Man, 1928) is a widespread Indo-West Pacific species now confirmed for Hawaii. Corallianassa lanceolata Edmondson, 1944 is an endemic species similar to C. assimilis (De Man, 1928) from Indonesia and Guam. Corallianassa martensi (Miers, 1884) is also a widespread Indo-West Pacific species. Callianassa (Callichirus) winslowi Edmondson, 1944 (Hawaii), Callianassa (Callichirus) nakasonei Sakai, 1967 (Japan) and Callianassa haswelli Poore & Griffin, 1979 (Australia) are treated as junior subjective synonyms of C. martensi. Callianassa (Callichirus) oahuensis Edmondson, 1944, long treated as a junior synonym of C. borradailei, is revived as a valid species of Corallianassa. The four species differ in the shape and dorsal setae of the telson, the extent of the carina along the upper margin of the major cheliped palm, the attitude of the rostrum, and the shape of the maxilliped 3.

A comprehensive investigation of mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Hawaiian Archipelago.

Although the existence of coral-reef habitats at depths to 165 m in tropical regions has been known for decades, the richness, diversity, and ecological importance of mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) has only recently become widely acknowledged. During an interdisciplinary effort spanning more than two decades, we characterized the most expansive MCEs ever recorded, with vast macroalgal communities and areas of 100% coral cover between depths of 50-90 m extending for tens of km2 in the Hawaiian Archipelago. We used a variety of sensors and techniques to establish geophysical characteristics. Biodiversity patterns were established from visual and video observations and collected specimens obtained from submersible, remotely operated vehicles and mixed-gas SCUBA and rebreather dives. Population dynamics based on age, growth and fecundity estimates of selected fish species were obtained from laser-videogrammetry, specimens, and otolith preparations. Trophic dynamics were determined using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic analyses on more than 750 reef fishes. MCEs are associated with clear water and suitable substrate. In comparison to shallow reefs in the Hawaiian Archipelago, inhabitants of MCEs have lower total diversity, harbor new and unique species, and have higher rates of endemism in fishes. Fish species present in shallow and mesophotic depths have similar population and trophic (except benthic invertivores) structures and high genetic connectivity with lower fecundity at mesophotic depths. MCEs in Hawai'i are widespread but associated with specific geophysical characteristics. High genetic, ecological and trophic connectivity establish the potential for MCEs to serve as refugia for some species, but our results question the premise that MCEs are more resilient than shallow reefs. We found that endemism within MCEs increases with depth, and our results do not support suggestions of a global faunal break at 60 m. Our findings enhance the scientific foundations for conservation and management of MCEs, and provide a template for future interdisciplinary research on MCEs worldwide.

Estimating Sustainable Live-Coral Harvest at Kamiali Wildlife Management Area, Papua New Guinea.

Live coral is harvested throughout the Indo-West Pacific to make lime, used in the consumption of the world's fourth-most consumed drug, betel nut. Coral harvesting is an environmental concern; however, because lime-making is one of the few sources of income in some areas of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the practice is unlikely to stop. To better manage coral harvest, we used standard fishery-yield methods to generate sustainable-harvest guidelines for corymbose Acropora species found on the reef flat and crest at Lababia, PNG. We constructed a yield curve (weight-specific net annual-dry-weight production) by: 1) describing the allometric relationship between colony size and dry weight, and using that relationship to estimate the dry weight of Acropora colonies in situ; 2) estimating annual growth of Acropora colonies by estimating in situ, and describing the relationship between, colony dry weight at the beginning and end of one year; and 3) conducting belt-transect surveys to describe weight-frequencies and ultimately to predict annual weight change per square meter for each weight class. Reef habitat covers a total 2,467,550 m2 at Lababia and produces an estimated 248,397 kg/y (dry weight) of corymbose Acropora, of which 203,897 kg is produced on the reef flat/crest. We conservatively estimate that 30,706.6 kg of whole, dry, corymbose, Acropora can be sustainably harvested from the reef flat/crest habitat each year provided each culled colony weighs at least 1805 g when dry (or is at least 46 cm along its major axis). Artisanal lime-makers convert 24.8% of whole-colony weight into marketable lime, thus we estimate 7615.2 g of lime can be sustainably produced annually from corymbose Acropora. This value incorporates several safety margins, and should lead to proper management of live coral harvest. Importantly, the guideline recognizes village rights to exploit its marine resources, is consistent with village needs for income, and balances an equally strong village desire to conserve its marine resources for future generations.

Archaeological evidence of validity of fish populations on unexploited reefs as proxy targets for modern populations.

Reef-fish management and conservation is hindered by a lack of information on fish populations prior to large-scale contemporary human impacts. As a result, relatively pristine sites are often used as conservation baselines for populations near sites affected by humans. This space-for-time approach can only be validated by sampling assemblages through time. We used archaeological remains to evaluate whether the remote, uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) might provide a reasonable proxy for a lightly exploited baseline in the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI). We used molecular and morphological techniques to describe the taxonomic and size composition of the scarine parrotfish catches present in 2 archaeological assemblages from the MHI, compared metrics of these catches with modern estimates of reproductive parameters to evaluate whether catches represented by the archaeological material were consistent with sustainable fishing, and evaluated overlap between size structures represented by the archaeological material and modern survey data from the MHI and the NWHI to assess whether a space-for-time substitution is reasonable. The parrotfish catches represented by archaeological remains were consistent with sustainable fishing because they were dominated by large, mature individuals whose average size remained stable from prehistoric (AD approximately 1400-1700) through historic (AD 1700-1960) periods. The ancient catches were unlike populations in the MHI today. Overlap between the size structure of ancient MHI catches and modern survey data from the NWHI or the MHI was an order of magnitude greater for the NWHI comparison, a result that supports the validity of using the NWHI parrotfish data as a proxy for the MHI before accelerated, heavy human impacts in modern times.