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Global Reef Expedition: San Andres Archipelago, Colombia April 9-24, 2012 Global Reef Expedition Final Report
Andrew Bruckner, PhD
Global Reef Expedition: Colombia. Final Report. Volume 5. Š2012 Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Science Without BordersŽ The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF) is a nonprofit private operating foundation dedicated to providing science-based solutions to protect and restore ocean health. The findings presented in this report were collected as part of the Global Reef Expedition through the support provided by His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Sultan.
Khaled Bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation 8181 Professional Place Landover, MD 2 0785 USA Philip G. Renaud, Executive Director www.livingoceansfoundation.org
The information in this Field Report summarizes the operations conducted during the San Andres, Colombia research mission. Data sets have not been fully analyzed or finalized as of the writing of this report and only observations and general trends are presented. The Living Oceans Foundation cannot accept any legal responsibility or liability for any errors. First published June 1, 2012. Citation: Bruckner, A. (2012) Global Reef Expedition: San Andres Archipelago, Colombia. Field Report. April 9-24, 2012. Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, Landover MD. pp. 52
SUMMARY The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation (KSLOF), in partnership with CORALINA, completed a 15 day research mission (April 9-24) on three remote banks (Bajo Nuevo, Banco Alicia, Banco Serranilla) at the northern end of the San Andres archipelago. The research team included scientists from KSLOF; Colombian researchers from CORALINA, the Maritime Directorate (DIMAR), the Fisheries Secretariat, and the Fisheries and Agriculture Department; a Jamaican scientist from The Nature Conservancy; and international scientists from the National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI), the Florida Aquarium and the Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment Program. The main objectives of the mission were to 1) characterize and map the shallow marine habitats and 2) assess the diversity, abundance and health of important reef building corals, reef fishes and large motile invertebrates within these habitats. The non-invasive SCUBA surveys provided baseline data on the condition of coral reefs, with emphasis on organisms that are critical in maintaining healthy and resilient reef ecosystems, and on commercially important invertebrates and food fish species. Using a combination of satellite imagery and in situ groundtruthing, habitat types within shallow (<30 m) water were identified and characterized, and the spatial distribution and extent of different marine habitats was determined; these data will be used to develop detailed high resolution habitat maps for the three banks. The researchers were divided into the groundtruthing team (2) operating out of the Twin V, the conch team (8) operating out of two tenders and the coral team (12) operating out of the Calcutta. A total of 520 dives were completed for a total of 452 hours underwater. This includes 93 coral reef assessment (82 hours) and 38 conch survey (27 hours) dives on Alice; 164 coral assessment (160 hours) and 45 conch survey (67.5 hours) dives on Nuevo; and 93 coral reef assessment (85 hours) and 21 conch survey (31.5 hours) dives. The three banks contained coral reef habitats, sand flats and hardground areas with seagrass beds identified only on Serranilla. Each bank differed dramatically in structure. While many of the common species of reef fish and invertebrates overlapped between the banks, there were unique species. In total, 200 species of reef fish and 38 species of stony corals were identified. Alice, a completely submerged bank, lacked true coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds. Most of the bank is a hardground with low relief ridges and small patches of sand.
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Coral communities developed on ridges, hardground areas and adjacent to depressions and grooves. Corals were mostly healthy, with little recent or old mortality. One high relief spur identified with extensive old mortality; coral skeletons covered with CCA Corals were often loosely attached (held in place by sponges/algae) or free living. Many species that normally attach firmly to the bottom consisted of “rolling stones” – round colonies covered with living tissue
High cover of macroalgae, especially wave resistant brown algae (Sargassum, Turbinaria, Stypopodium, Lobophora) and green calcareous algae (Halimeda) and high cover of crustose coralline algae (CCA). High abundance and diversity of sponges Reef fish communities were diverse, with 124 species identified. Species dependent on seagrasses and mangroves, including groupers, snappers and grunts, were rare or absent
Serranilla had several small islands and a ridge at the seaward edge (northeast side). The site lacked mangroves, but had several small grassbeds. The outer perimeter of the bank sloped gradually into deep water, lacking a prominent shelf edge build up of corals. No true spur and groove reef system; corals colonized ridges in shallow water (2-8 m depth) that ran perpendicular to the exposed crest, with shallower areas and the deeper reef flat dominated by macroalgae or patches of shallow sand atop a hard ground. Behind the crest was a band of ancient coral rubble. Much of the bank consisted of hardground with low to moderate density of macroalgae and little relief. Hardground areas were separated by sand patches.
Within the bank, approximately 5-10 km from the perimeter, were extensive small, well developed patch reefs separated by sand patches. These generally consisted of a reef framework built by fused Porites (finger corals) and Agaricia (lettuce coral) skeletons with patches of live branching, plating and massive corals. In some areas these had 3040% live coral cover, including large (2-3 m diameter) massive brain corals and star corals, along with a high abundance and diversity of sponges. The corals were mostly healthy, with little disease. A few coral species seen here (Agaricia tenufolia, Solenastrea bournoni) were absent from other banks. Macroalgae (especially Halimeda opuntia) was overgrowing corals; lots of evidence of bioerosion (boring) and detached corals. The highest diversity and size classes of reef fish were observed on the ridges near the crest, as these contained multiple microhabitats and higher relief, while other areas were more uniform. Coral areas had higher numbers of lobster, but conch populations were smaller than at Alice. Reef fish diversity was higher than Alice, but lower than Nuevo, with 148 species identified. Higher diversity of parrotfish, and large schools of grunts and snappers were seen due to the nearby beds of seagrass.
Nuevo was mostly submerged, with a deep channel separating the bank into two areas and a small sand cay at the edge of the channel. There was a well developed reef crest encircling the northeast, east and south sides of the bank and extensive lagoonal reefs separated by sand patches. Grassbeds and mangroves were absent. A spur and groove reef system occurred at the
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western end of the channel and in deeper areas on the southern end, while most of the other outer, exposed sites consisted of hardground areas with some coral development.
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Nuevo had the best developed coral areas, including prominent Montastraea reefs within the lagoon. These had high cover (30-70%) dominated by large mountainous star coral (3-5 m diameter) and lobate star coral colonies interspersed with other large massive corals. Large patches of endangered staghorn coral (A. cervicornis) were found within lagoonal areas. Shallow reef crest and reef flat communities were constructed of elkhorn coral frameworks and isolated living A. palmata colonies were seen. High prevalence of diseases (especially white plague and yellow band disease) were seen on the massive corals (primarily Montastraea) within the lagoon. Reefs varied in health with some showing predominantly old mortality (corals dying in several “waves”), some showing both recent and old, and some showing only extensive recent mortality. Some reefs had high cover of macroalgae, while others had little macroalgae. Three spot damselfish were common and often created algal lawns on living corals. Bajo Nuevo had the highest diversity of reef fish, with 165 species identified. Predators included a few larger groupers, barracuda, nurse sharks and other predators on each reef. Conch and lobster populations were fairly small, with no large aggregates seen. Evidence of fishing was apparent, including large numbers of recently cleaned conch, fish traps and a foreign (Nicaragua) fishing boat with 62 divers on board.
BACKGROUND The San Andres archipelago covers an area of more than 25,000 km2, and includes remote islands, submerged banks, atoll-like structures and coral reefs surrounded by trenches and faults up to 4500 m deep. It is located in the southwestern Caribbean. The northern end of the archipelago share borders and resources with Nicaragua, Honduras and Jamaica. Through the 1993 Maritime Delimitation Agreement between Jamaica and Colombia, fish stocks and management are shared within a Joint Regime Area which includes Alice Bank, while the maritime area of Serranilla and Nuevo are excluded. A large portion of the San Andres Archipelago has been recently included in the Seaflower Marine Protected Area, the largest MPA in the Caribbean. While the MPA does not include the three areas surveyed during this mission, CORALINA is leading an initiative to declare other zones within the archipelago as World Heritage Sites. Serranilla, Alice and Nuevo banks were identified as high priorities for CORALINA and were selected as research sites for the Global Reef Expedition for the following reasons: 1) they represent the most isolated and distant reef structures in the Caribbean; 2) they are on the same platform (Nicaragua Rise) as Pedro Bank and share similarities in structure, while lacking many of the human impacts (e.g. heavy fishing pressure) affecting Pedro Bank; and 3) the strategic location and connectivity patterns between insular and continental environments of the region suggest they have the potential to provide a larval supply to Central America, Pedro Bank and other reefs within the San Andres Archipelago. The research conducted by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation focused on habitat mapping and coral reef assessments. SCUBA assessments were used to acquire information on: a) zonation patterns and population dynamics of coral taxa and other organisms inhabiting the coral reefs and associated habitats; b) the current status of these ecosystems; c) threats; and d) the health and resilience of these communities. Assessments focused on corals, commercially important reef fishes and invertebrates including conch and lobster, ecologically important species (including herbivores, nuisance species, algae), and substrate cover, type and condition. The second component involved groundtruthing to validate and update existing habitat maps and create new habitat maps and bathymetric maps for the study locations. This included a) an evaluation of existing habitat classes and possible revision and/or addition of habitat classes to correspond to other classification schemes used in the Caribbean; b) the spatial distribution and extent of each habitat type; and c) the bathymetry. Â
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1. Location of Research Sites
Fig. 1 Location of AGRRA reef surveys (red squares) and queen conch surveys (pink circles) on Bajo Nuevo.
Bajo Nuevo (New Bank) is a shallow platform located 110 km east from Alice Shoal and 235 km southwest from Jamaica. The carbonate platform consists of two separate banks divided by a deep channel of 1.4 km in width and up to 40-45 m depth. The eastern sides of both banks are marked by pronounced emergent reef crests that protect shallow reef environments.
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Fig. 2. Location of AGRRA reef surveys (red squares) and queen conch surveys (pink circles) on Serranilla. Serranilla Bank (40 km in length and 32 km in width; 1,200 km² area) is carbonate platform located 110 km west of Bajo Nuevo (New Bank) and around 400 km northeast from Isla de San Andrés. Most of the bank is in deep water except for the southeastern portion which contains shallow submerged reef environments, emergent reefs and a few low-lying cays on the eastern side of the bank (Beacon Cay, West Breaker, Middle Cay, and East Cay).
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Fig. 3. Location of AGRRA reef surveys (red squares) and queen conch surveys (pink circles) on Bajo Alicia.
Alice Shoal (Banco Alicia or Bajo Alicia) is a completely submerged bank with no emergent reefs or islets. It is located northwest of Serranilla Bank, The bank is approximately 16 km wide and covers an area of about 50 km². It is co-managed by Colombia and Jamaica.
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Table 1. Location of AGRRA assessments. ID COAL 1 COAL 2 COAL 3 COAL 4 COAL 5 COAL 6 COAL 7 COAL 8 COAL 9 CONU 10 CONU 11 CONU 12 CONU 13 CONU 14 CONU 15 CONU 16 COSE 17 COSE 18 COSE 19 COSE 20 COSE 21 COSE 22 COSE 23 COSE 24 CONU 25 CONU 26 CONU 27 CONU 28 CONU 29 CONU 30 CONU 31 CONU 32
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Long_W Lat_N Date Depth_m 79.322910 16.010370 4/12/2012 19 79.294230 16.025930 4/12/2012 15 79.304500 16.015400 4/12/2012 15 79.294100 16.065200 4/13/2012 19 79.298870 16.086380 4/13/2012 18 79.298930 16.098380 4/13/2012 17 79.290400 16.052800 4/14/2012 17 79.304900 16.105700 4/14/2012 15 79.308700 16.106800 4/14/2012 18 78.657700 15.896600 4/15/2012 15 78.646400 15.890800 4/16/2012 13 78.651600 15.882700 4/16/2012 13 78.679900 15.843500 4/16/2012 9 78.739300 15.820800 4/17/2012 19 78.680700 15.861800 4/17/2012 8 78.711000 15.847600 4/17/2012 19 79.812700 15.857600 4/18/2012 9 79.844000 15.819900 4/18/2012 7 79.833400 15.838900 4/18/2012 11 79.867800 15.870800 4/19/2012 15 79.849900 15.791400 4/19/2012 12 79.697700 15.903900 4/20/2012 12 79.870600 15.870300 4/20/2012 19 79.868400 15.878700 4/20/2012 21 78.626600 15.894600 4/21/2012 24 78.593500 15.926500 4/21/2012 20 78.619900 15.876500 4/21/2012 23 78.567100 15.912500 4/22/2012 9 78.572200 15.903700 4/22/2012 12 78.577100 15.908300 4/22/2012 14 78.678900 15.827700 4/23/2012 25 78.641700 15.876100 4/23/2012 13
Zone windward Hardground windward Hardground windward Hardground windward Hardground windward Hardground windward spur and groove windward Hardground windward spur and groove windward Hardground fore reef spur and groove fore reef lagoonal patch reef lagoonal patch reef lagoonal patch reef lagoonal patch reef lagoonal patch reef lagoonal ridge windward ridge lagoonal ridge lagoonal patch reef fore reef windward ridge lagoonal patch reef lagoonal patch reef channel bottom windward forereef hardground south end of channel lagoonal reticulate Montastraea reef lagoonal reticulate Montastraea reef lagoonal reticulate Montastraea reef windward fore reef lagoon patch reef
Table 2. Location of Strombus gigas (queen conch) surveys. Long_W
Lat_N
Location
ID
Date
Estacion
-79.321890 -79.343050 -79.324070 -79.320730 -79.320730 -79.313300 -79.313710 -79.309020 -79.315100 -79.307860 -79.313640 -79.307010 -79.288530 -79.287280 -79.302810 -79.289430 -79.312290 -79.320820 -79.308020 -78.644470 -78.640460 -78.682470 -78.648970 -78.657970 -78.697700 -78.679530 -78.676610 -78.681330 -78.665080 -78.658460 -78.669850 -78.680440 -78.739460 -78.715330 -78.699720 -78.691280 -78.728030 -78.707030 -78.703850 -78.693450 -78.739420 -78.680670 -78.711150
16.021560 16.020150 16.013580 16.072900 16.072900 16.120600 16.112740 16.095510 16.056960 16.057070 16.082710 16.071320 16.073720 16.056080 16.057580 16.053220 16.094670 16.037120 16.106920 15.880360 15.869250 15.882100 15.871810 15.879940 15.874370 15.866490 15.856520 15.850980 15.851130 15.843310 15.841010 15.838360 15.820860 15.821900 15.828750 15.834070 15.813440 15.824760 15.837160 15.841900 15.820880 15.820880 15.861850
Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Alicia Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo
QC1 QC2 QC3 QC4 QC5 QC6 QC7 QC8 QC9 QC10 QC11 QC12 QC13 QC14 QC15 QC16 QC17 QC18 QC19 QC20 QC21 QC22 QC23 QC24 QC25 QC26 QC27 QC28 QC29 QC30 QC31 QC32 QC33 QC34 QC35 QC36 QC37 QC38 QC39 QC40 QC41 QC42 QC43
4/12/2012 4/12/2012 4/12/2012 4/12/2012 4/12/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/13/2012 4/14/2012 4/14/2012 4/14/2012 4/15/2012 4/15/2012 4/15/2012 4/15/2012 4/15/2012 4/16/2012 4/16/2012 4/16/2012 4/16/2012 4/16/2012 4/16/2012 4/16/2012 4/16/2012 4/16/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012 4/17/2012
26 27 1 23 10 4 5 6 21 9 3 2 15 16 8 13 14 23 7 64 66 68 46 16 51 5 6 43 44 13 37 36 Nuevo 33 2 38 12 1 42 41 Nuevo1 Nuevo2 Nuevo3
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Depth_m 27.0 28.0 23.0 28.0 25.0 21.0 19.0 18.0 30.0 22.0 23.0 20.0 24.0 16.0 25.0 17.4 26.0 24.5 16.5 9.1 3.5 19 16 15.3 15 10 19.6 21 10 3 4 5 13.3 15 6 8 7 5 12 14 21.8 12.9 19
-79.893130 -79.867220 -79.839730 -79.814450 -79.778280 -79.793620 -79.811720 -79.711150 -79.849900 -79.853310 -79.895590 -79.870410 -79.852630 -79.851410 -79.851410 -79.834660 -79.821910 -79.912500 -79.884670 -79.893480 -79.845020 -78.590830 -78.582740 -78.591500 -78.593010 -78.670340 -78.651340 -78.626600 -78.593570 -78.666180 -78.572250 -78.577080 -78.605870 -78.599540 -78.606080 -78.611760 -78.659460 -78.650770 -78.640950 -78.636660 -78.577090 -78.641650
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15.896430 15.891760 15.897700 15.870340 15.869000 15.861790 15.857610 15.847650 15.791400 15.837860 15.828210 15.811030 15.787480 15.804290 15.804290 15.830020 15.846660 15.790460 15.784510 15.809030 15.854320 15.893830 15.895230 15.907060 15.919200 15.887000 15.884050 15.894600 15.926450 15.875400 15.903760 15.908320 15.903580 15.895620 15.893290 15.891140 15.863460 15.852340 15.861850 15.878530 15.908380 15.876110
Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo
QC44 QC45 QC46 QC47 QC48 QC49 QC50 QC51 QC52 QC53 QC54 QC55 QC56 QC57 QC58 QC59 QC60 QC61 QC62 QC63 QC64 QC65 QC66 QC67 QC68 QC69 QC70 QC71 QC72 QC73 QC74 QC75 QC76 QC77 QC78 QC79 QC80 QC81 QC82 QC83 QC84 QC85
4/18/2012 4/18/2012 4/18/2012 4/18/2012 4/18/2012 4/18/2012 4/18/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/19/2012 4/20/2012 4/20/2012 4/20/2012 4/20/2012 4/21/2012 4/21/2012 4/21/2012 4/21/2012 4/21/2012 4/21/2012 4/21/2012 4/21/2012 4/22/2012 4/22/2012 4/22/2012 4/22/2012 4/22/2012 4/22/2012 4/22/2012 4/23/2012 4/23/2012 4/23/2012 4/23/2012 4/23/2012 4/23/2012
40 21 41 19 62 61 Nuevo Nuevo 1 Nuevo 2 3 2 64 8 7 63 6 5 27 28 65 4 54 25 26 30 50 65 Nuevo 4 Nuevo 5 Nuevo 6 Nuevo 7 Nuevo 8 24 23 57 55 45 39 14 40 Nuevo 9 Nuevo 10
21 20.5 23 14 9 11 15 11 19 16 18 14 9 5 10 19.1 16.4 18 12.1 12 13 8 7 13 8 23.9 20.7 11.9 15 18 19 14 15 13 5 7 2 2.5 28.7 20
2. General Methodology Mapping and groundtruthing Using multispectral satellite imagery obtained from DigitalGlobe's WorldView 2 satellite, high resolution bathymetric maps and habitat maps will be created for shallow coral communities. Groundtruthing efforts necessary to develop these maps focused on continuous bathymetry measures, drop camera analysis, characterization of sediment and hard substrates and habitat features using two acoustic sub-bottom profiling equipment (Stratabox and Hydrobox), and fine scale photo-transect surveys. Satellite imagery
WorldView 2 satellite imagery provided an aerial overview of the study areas. The satellite images had a spatial resolution of 2-m by 2-m (i.e., each pixel covers a 4-m2 area) enabling realtime navigation in the field to locate features of interest and to avoid dangerous features (e.g., emergent reefs). In order to navigate, the team used the scenes in conjunction with a differential GPS device (dGPS). The imagery is being used in conjunction with ground truth data to create bathymetric and benthic habitat maps. We acquired nearly 3200 sq. km. of satellite imagery for the three study locations (Table 7). Benthic Video An underwater video camera attached to a cable, called a drop-cam, was used to gather video on the benthic composition at each survey site. At each point, the drop-cam was deployed from the survey boat enabling it to ‘fly’ along the sea floor as it records video for 15 to 60 seconds. During this time, the laptop operator watched the video in real-time and guided the drop-camera operator to raise or lower the camera. In this manner, we prevented damage to marine life. The video was recorded on a ruggedized laptop, and the geographic position, time, date, boat heading, and boat speed were burned into the video. Drop-cam deployment was limited to depths above 40 m due to the limited length of the tether cable (50 m). The acquired videos will be used in the creation of the benthic habitat maps by providing the necessary information for developing the habitat classification scheme and training of classification models. Acoustic depth soundings Depth soundings were gathered along transects between survey sites using Hydrobox, a singlebeam acoustic transducer, developed by Syqwest. The instrument emits 3 pings per second. Depths were estimated based on the time the return-pulse’s reaches the sounder’s head. Geopositional data are simultaneously acquired by the dGPS unit. The estimated depth values and their geographic location were recorded in the ruggedized laptop. The soundings were used to train a water-depth derivation model, which is based on the spectral attenuation of light in the water column. The final topographic map will have the same spatial resolution as the satellite imagery.
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Acoustic sub-bottom Profiles of the seafloor’s sub-bottom were also gathered along transects using the Stratabox acoustic sounder, also developed by Syqwest. Similar to the bathymetric soundings, the subbottom profile emits an acoustic ping which reflects off the seafloor. However, the pulse has a lower frequency (3.5 Khz) enabling it to penetrate the seafloor. The instrument provides observations on stratal geometry beneath the seafloor along the transect lines, allowing estimates of Holocene reef-growth and sediment accumulation to be made. Geopositional data for each ping was simultaneously acquired by dGPS unit; it was recorded in the SEGY file. Profiles are run shore-perpendicular to capture the geometry of the bank flanks and span a depth range of 300 m to 5 m. Total transect length varies with the slope’s angle; steeper slopes resulted in shorter transect lines. Coral reef assessments Fish surveys For fish, abundance and size structure were collected for about 70 species of fishes, targeting species that have a major functional role on reefs or are major fisheries targets. Reef fishes were assessed along 2 m X 30 m belt transects. A T square marked in 5 cm increments was used to gauge fish size. A minimum of 6 transects were conducted by each “fish” diver per site. Other indicators recorded along belt transects (both coral and fish transects) included large motile invertebrates (urchins, octopus, lobster, large crabs, queen conch, sea cucumbers). Benthic cover. Cover of major functional groups were assessed along 10 m transects using either recorded observations and/or photographic assessments. For recorded observations, a point intercept method was used, whereas the organism and substrate was identified every 10 cm along a 10 m transects (total 100 points/transect), with a minimum of six transects examined per location. Corals were identified to species; sponges and other invertebrates were identified to class and growth form, or species for specific indicator organisms; five groups of algae including macroalgae, crustose coralline algae, fine turfs, turf algae with sediment and cyanobacteria were differentiated and certain macroalgae were identified to genus. Substrate type was identified as hardground, sand, mud, rubble, recently dead coral, bleached coral, and live coral An additional photographic assessment was also conducted as follows: A 10 m long transect tape was extended along depth contours at 20, 15, 10 and 5 m depth. Continuous digital still photographs were taken from of the reef substrate from a height of approximately 0.6-0.75 meters above the substrate, using a one meter bar divided into 5 cm increments placed perpendicular to the transect tape as a scale bar. Approximately 20 photographs were taken per transect to allow for overlap between adjacent images with two photo transects (each 10 m in length) per depth. Images were downloaded onto a computer, and benthic community composition, coral cover and cover of other organisms and substrate type will be determined by 13
recording the benthic attribute located directly below a random points with 30-50 points per photograph, using Coral Point Count (CPCE) software developed by the National Coral Reef Institute (NCRI). This software also allows you to trace the outline of individual corals to determine their planar surface area. Coral assessments Five measures were recorded for corals: 1) benthic cover (see above); 2) coral diversity and abundance (by species); 3) coral size class distributions (by species); 4) recruitment; and 5) coral condition, including extent of mortality and causes of recent mortality (such as signs of coral disease and predation. All coral assessments were conducted using 10 m X 1 m belt transects. Other indicators recorded along belt transects included large motile invertebrates (urchins, octopus, lobster, large crabs, sea cucumbers); cover and biomass of algae (fleshy macroalgae, turf algae and crustose coralline algae); and prevalence of nuisance species. Assessment of corals smaller than 4 cm was done using a minimum of five 0.25 m2 quadrats per transect, with each quadrat located at fixed, predetermined intervals (e.g. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 m), alternating between right and left side of the transect. Recruits were identified in both point intercept surveys and belt transects. Recruits were divided into two categories: corals up to 2 cm diameter and larger corals, 2-3.9 cm diameter. In addition, all corals settling on dead skeletal surfaces of colonies identified within the belt transects were recorded separately, with a single measure of diameter and an estimate of percent mortality made for those recruits exhibiting partial mortality. Visual estimates of tissue loss was recorded for each colony over 4 cm in diameter using a 1 m bar marked in 1 cm increments for scale,. If the coral exhibited tissue loss, estimates of the amount of remaining tissue, percent that recently died and percent that died long ago were made based on the entire colony surface. Tissue loss is categorized as recent mortality (occurring within the last 1-5 days), transitional mortality (filamentous green algae and diatom colonization, 6-30 days) and old mortality (>30 days). For each coral with partial or whole colony mortality, the cause of mortality was identified if possible. The diagnosis included an assessment of the type of disease, extent of bleaching, predation, competition, overgrowth or other cause of mortality. Each coral was first carefully examined to identify cryptic predators. Lesions were initially diagnosed into four categories: recent tissue loss, skeletal damage, color change, and unusual growth patterns; an individual colony could have multiple characteristics (e.g. color change and recent tissue loss). Invertebrate assessments Specific Strombus gigas surveys were conducted using belt transects within permanent sites established in 2011 using the same methodology as applied during previous surveys. Queen conch were also identified along coral belt transects and point intercept surveys within coral sites. A roving survey was also used within coral sites to quantify lobster, crab, sea cucumber and sea urchin abundances. 14Â Â
Fish herbivory and predation studies A primary research component focused on the collection of information needed to predict the intensity of grazing on reefs as a function of fish density, diversity and benthic composition. These data provide a perspective on the potential resilience compared to other areas in the Caribbean. Components included an assessment of benthic community composition, density of coral juveniles, abundance and size structure of herbivorous fishes and invertebrates, and behavioral studies focusing on feeding behavior of herbivores. In addition to belt transects described above for fish and benthic communities, 10 mini-video cameras were deployed during one dive each day to 1) record grazing intensity on substrate; 2) to characterize relationships between fish grazing and benthic community assemblages to answer questions on intra-habitat variability and the use of habitats as surrogates of biodiversity, and 3) to determine the processes controlling populations and communities of fish and corals. Oceanographic measures Current data was recorded using a RDCP deployed at Alice Shoal and Bajo Nuevo. Continuous temperature data was recorded at the seafloor using HOBO temperature meters deployed at each anchorage. A CTD was deployed at each dive site to obtain a profile of temperature and salinity from the surface to the bottom.
15Â Â
2. Research conducted
A. Queen conch surveys A team of 8 Colombian scientists conducted belt transects to quantify the abundance, life stage and size of Strombus gigas molluscs. The surveys focused on sites that had been examined in past years (2011), with several additional sites. In each site, four transects were run, each 30 m in length by 4 m wide. The transects started from a single point and were run to the north, south, east and west. Data collected included number of conch per transect, number of transects without any conch (# of empty), size of each conch, thickness of the flared lip for adults, and the proportion of juvenile vs. adult conch. Data are summarized in Table 3a (Alice), 3b (Nuevo) and 3c (Serranilla). Overall, very few conch were seen during these surveys. Alice and Bajo Nuevo had more conch than Serranilla. A maximum of 57 animals was observed in one location at Alice, but most of these were juveniles. Table 3a. Queen conch observations on Alice Shoal. Site Number
26 27 1 23 (new) 10 4 5 6 21 9 3 2 15 16 8 13 14 23 7
new site
# of transects
# of empty
QC1 QC2 QC3
2 2 2
1 0 0
3 16 11
20.83 19.06 16.42
QC4 QC5 QC6 QC7 QC8 QC9 QC10 QC11 QC12 QC13 QC14 QC15 QC16 QC17 QC18 QC19
2 2 2 2 2 2 4 3 3 2 4 2 4 3 3 1
0 0 0 1 1 0 3 2 2 0 4 0 4 2 0 0
10 7 5 5 1 5 2 2 1 57 0 15 0 2 17 1
20.21 20.04 20.20 18.28 13.50 20.94 21.00 22.35 26.90 16.54 0.00 19.93 0.00 25.20 18.60 19.10
16
# of conch
mean size (cm)
mean lip (mm)
# juvenile
# adults
% adults
11.0 11.8 2.0
1 6 10
2 10 1
66.67% 62.50% 9.09%
12.5 7.3 13.9 0.0 0.0 20.0 0.0 15.0 9.0 11.7 0.0 5.0 0.0 19.0 10.7 0.0
2 4 1 5 1 1 2 1 0 54 0 9 0 0 10 1
8 80.00% 3 42.86% 4 80.00% 0 0.00% 0 0.00% 4 80.00% 0 0.00% 1 50.00% 1 100.00% 3 5.26% 0 0.00% 6 40.00% 0 0.00% 2 100.00% 7 41.18% 0 0.00%
Table 3b. Queen conch observations on Bajo Nuevo.
Site Number 1 2 5 6 12 13 14 16 23 24 25 26 30 33 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 50 51 54 55 57 64 65 66 68 nuevo nuevo 10 nuevo 4 nuevo 5 nuevo 6 nuevo 7 nuevo 8 nuevo 9 nuevo1 nuevo2 nuevo3
17
new site QC38 QC35 QC26 QC27 QC37 QC30 QC82 QC24 QC77 QC76 QC66 QC67 QC68 QC34 QC32 QC31 QC36 QC81 QC83 QC40 QC39 QC28 QC29 QC80 QC23 QC69 QC25 QC65 QC79 QC78 QC20 QC70 QC21 QC22 QC33 QC85 QC71 QC72 QC73 QC74 QC75 QC84 QC41 QC42 QC43
# of transects 4 3 3 4 4 1 4 3 3 4 3 4 3 2 2 4 3 4 3 2 4 2 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 2 3 2 3 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 1 1
# of empty 0 2 3 4 0 0 4 3 1 0 3 4 1 2 0 0 1 3 2 0 2 2 3 4 1 2 4 1 3 1 1 2 0 1 0 4 1 2 4 2 3 3 1 0 0
# of conch 7 1 0 0 6 30 0 0 6 13 0 0 3 0 36 10 2 1 1 3 6 0 1 0 3 4 0 3 1 7 1 1 2 2 2 0 5 15 0 4 1 1 2 4 3
mean size (cm) 20.14 19.00 0.00 0.00 22.57 19.09 0.00 0.00 20.83 18.35 0.00 0.00 23.20 0.00 16.04 15.92 21.20 20.80 19.60 24.33 22.50 0.00 24.50 0.00 23.50 20.63 0.00 23.67 24.00 13.36 28.00 24.50 24.15 24.30 24.50 0.00 25.26 22.48 0.00 25.73 26.00 25.00 24.50 21.48 22.53
mean lip (mm) 10.33 0.00 0.00 0.00 13.00 3.00 0.00 0.00 8.80 12.50 0.00 0.00 14.00 0.00 2.50 2.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 13.33 5.25 0.00 11.00 0.00 21.33 7.33 0.00 9.00 6.00 0.00 15.00 20.00 6.00 16.50 20.00 0.00 21.40 19.00 0.00 21.25 24.00 14.00 22.50 17.25 14.67
# juvenile 4 1 0 0 3 25 0 0 2 9 0 0 2 0 34 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 7 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
# adults 3 0 0 0 3 5 0 0 4 4 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 0 0 3 4 0 1 0 3 3 0 3 1 0 1 1 1 2 2 0 5 9 0 4 1 1 2 4 3
% adults 43% 0% 0% 0% 50% 17% 0% 0% 67% 31% 0% 0% 33% 0% 6% 10% 0% 0% 0% 100% 67% 0% 100% 0% 100% 75% 0% 100% 100% 0% 100% 100% 50% 100% 100% 0% 100% 60% 0% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 3c. Queen conch observations on Serranilla.
Site Number
40 21 41 19 62 61 New site New site New site 3 2 64 8 7 63 6 5 27 28 65 4
new site
mean lip (mm)
# juvenile
22.80 21.50 0.00 0.00 22.55 4.00 22.00 9.00 23.20 20.00 0.00 0.00
0 0 1 0 0 0
3 100.00% 0 0.00% 1 50.00% 1 100.00% 1 100.00% 0 0.00%
0.00
0
0
2
1 27.00 16.00
0
1 100.00%
4 3 1 1 1 4 2 4 1 3 1 3 2
0 2 2 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 7 0 2
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
0 1 2 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 2
# of transects
# of empty
# of snails
QC44 QC45 QC46 QC47 QC48 QC49
2 3 3 4 2 4
1 3 2 3 1 4
3 0 2 1 1 0
QC50
4
4
0
QC51
3
QC52 QC53 QC54 QC55 QC56 QC57 QC58 QC59 QC60 QC61 QC62 QC63 QC64
4 4 3 3 2 4 2 4 2 3 3 3 4
mean size (cm)
0.00
0.00 21.75 25.15 26.40 27.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 26.10 0.00 21.70 0.00 24.80
0.00 14.00 18.50 10.60 4.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.00 0.00 4.50 0.00 8.00
# adults
% adults
0.00%
0.00% 50.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 100.00% 0.00% 28.57% 0.00% 100.00%
Cittarium pica (West Indian top shell or magpie shell) Cittarium pica, or wilks as known in the Archipelago of San Andres Providencia and Santa Catalina, is collected on a small scale on the rocky coastline for human consumption (food). This mollusk is one of the most conspicuous herbivore-detritivores and one of the largest consumers of biomass of algae in the rocky shoreline. It serves as food for other gastropods and octopi, and its shell is used by several species of hermit crabs. It is the second most common mollusk fishery resource after Strombus gigas (queen conch). Its population has been affected in different areas of the Caribbean by overharvesting, and has been included in red lists of marine invertebrates in some countries. In Serranilla, a rocky outcrop area was searched, and only 3 individuals of medium size were identified.
18
B. Coral Reef Assessments The coral reef team included three scientists assessing corals, two assessing benthic communities, four assessing fish and two assessing motile invertebrates. In addition, several divers searched for lionfish, which were killed and removed from the reef. The surveys included 1) sites identified and surveyed by CORALINA during the 2011 assessments; 2) sites chosen from the satellite imagery based on the identification of species features; 3) sites identified from drop camera videos; and 4) random sites identified through snorkel exploration. An attempt was made to examine representative coral habitats in both leeward and windward locations and back reef and fore reef locations, if present. Hardbottom areas without coral, as well as rubble and sand patches were avoided. Gorgonian hardground areas were examined in areas without well developed reef systems if aggregations of stony corals were observed from the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface. All transect surveys were randomly located within each site.
19Â Â
Table. 4. Description of reefs. Site
Long
Lat
COAL 1
-79.322910
16.010370
COAL 2
-79.294230
16.025930
COAL 3
-79.304500
16.015400
COAL 4
-79.294100
16.065200
COAL 5
-79.298870
16.086380
COAL 6
-79.298930
16.098380
COAL 7
-79.290400
16.052800
COAL 8
-79.304900
16.105700
20Â Â
Description Hardground with well developed coral community at edge of sand depressions. Corals formed a rim around circular depressions, up to 1 m taller than the surrounding hardground. Isolated corals, lots of sponges and macroalgae on hardground. Rim around depression contained a high diversity of branching (Porites, Madracis) plating (Agaricia) and massive corals, including larger Montastraea (0.5- 1 m), Diploria, Eusmilia and other species. Low relief hardground with high cover (>50%) macroalgae. Patches of low-relief corals, including 0-5-2 m patches of Porites porites, flattened brain corals (Diploria), Porites astreoides, Agaricia, and starlet corals. A few larger Meandrina jacksoni colonies (80-150 cm). Moderate abundance of massive sponges And rope sponges. Also, Siphonodictyon, Cliona, and Trididemnum on colonies and large patches of brown Cliona and red mats of Chondrilla. Low relief reef substrate with moderate cover macroalgae, small Porites astreoides, massive sponges and gorgonians. Occasional larger mounds dominated by Porites porites, M. faveolata. Best coral development on rim of sand filled depressions. Hardground with ridges of coral adjacent to sandflat. Coraldominated areas have large mounds of Porites porites, upright branches of Agaricia, large M. cavernosa and isolated M. faveolata colonies. Nice CCA colonization on dead skeletons; also Halimeda among corals. Substrate has moderate cover of Dictyota, Sargassum, Turbinaria and other brown algae. Coral mounds 1-2 m in height. Diadema common. Hardground with large patches of P. porites, occasional larger M. faveolata colonies, massive and barrel sponges, especially Ircinia. Moderate (30-40%) cover of macroalgae. Hardground with some raised areas built of coral skeletons. Dead coral with CCA and dense mats of Halimeda. Large P. porites, M. faveolata and Diploria colonies, occasional larger Dendrogyra colonies intermixed with smaller D. labyrinthiformis, Agaricia, and S. siderea colonies. Complex hardground with low-relief (1-2 m) ridges formed by skeletons of Agaricia and Porites; dead corals with CCA and moderate cover of Halimeda. Patches of Montastraea, Eusmilia, P. porites, Agaricia, P. astreoides, S. siderea; many of these have dead CCA encrusted patches. Larger ridges with moderate cover of live coral, including dense patches of P. porites, numerous large M. faveolata colonies, Meandrina Siderastrea and Diploria brain corals. A number of the Montastraea colonies have extensive (30-80% old mortality) denuded patches covered with CCA and Peysonnelia. Dead skeletons and substrate covered in CCA, Stypopodium, Dictyota, Halimeda.
Site
Long
CONU10
-78.657700
CONU 11
-78.646400
CONU 12
-78.651600
CONU 13
-78.679900
CONU 14
-78.7393
CONU 15
21Â Â
-78.680700
Description Spur and groove system at the northwestern edge of the channel. Spurs are 2-3m above sand channel; slope gradually to about 25 m and end in sand. Deeper (20-25 m) reef with large plating Montastraea and Agaricia. High abundance of M. faveolata colonies, most in good shape, on tops of spurs at 15-18 m depth. These are intermixed with other massive and plating species and branching gorgonians. Coral cover declines up shallow (10 m), gradually becoming a hardground with isolated gorgonians and 15.896600 large sand patches. Windward reef at northwestern end of channel, seaward of the lighthouse. Montastraea reef. No spur and groove formation. Large M. faveolata and M. annularis colonies in 15-20 m depth; gradual slope to base of reef at 25 m depth. More plating Agaricia and Montastraea colonies in deeper water. Moderate levels (2-3%) of disease (WP and YBD) on Montastraea 15.890800 colonies. Lagoonal patch reef on the southern half of the bank. High density and cover of M. annularis and M. faveolata. Many form large mountains or pillars extending 2-3 m above reef substrate. Patches of A. cervicornis between massive corals. High number of three spot damselfish. Near anchorage, mostly M. annularis. As you head west, more large M. faveolata (2-3 m). Many colonies (2-3%) with YBD and small white plague lesions. No 15.882700 large patches of recently denuded tissue. Lagoonal Montastraea reef on southern half of the bank, near lighthouse. Large M. faveolata colonies (some 4 m tall) intermixed with M. annularis and other massive corals including 1-2 m tall Diploria and Colpophyllia colonies. Some large A. palmata colonies in shallows and patches of A. cervicornis near base of reef. Extensive YBD and white plague on many of the 15.843500 Montastraea colonies. Reef is surrounded by a sandflat Deeper lagoonal patch reef located at the southeastern end of the bank. Medium to large size massive and plating corals. Smaller corals in good shape. Larger corals often have patches of old mortality covering 20-30% of their surface, and dead areas colonized by CCA and Dictyota. Large plating Agaricia, Leptoseris, columns of Meandrina, A. cervicornis patches and other colonies. High diversity of corals. Reef substrate high cover 15.8208 of Dictyota and Lobophora. Lagoonal patch reef on southern half of the bank with moderate abundance of larger corals in deeper (10-15 m water). West of the coral areas in shallow water, isolated A. palmata colonies, and a dead A. palmata framework interspersed with hardground areas and isolated massive corals. Contains some very large 15.861800 Montastraea colonies, many with white plague and extensive patches of old mortality. Also large patches of brown Cliona, especially on old dead Montastraea colonies. . One moderate size thicket of staghorn coral.
Lat
Site
Long
Lat
CONU 16
-78.711000
15.847600
COSE 17
-79.812700
15.857600
COSE 18
-79.844000
15.819900
COSE 19
-79.833400
15.838900
COSE 20
-79.867800
15.870800
22Â Â
Description Deeper (20 m) lagoonal reef in southern end of bank. Mixed coral community with large (1-2 m) Colpophyllia and M. annularis colonies, intermixed with smaller massives (30-50 cm) including M. cavernosa, M. franksi, Diploria and others, as well as larger Eusmilia, Madracis decactis and other species. Good CCA on dead skeletons, many that are 50%-70% dead. Some white plague (low) but also found YBD on M. annularis, and BBD on C. natans. Sandflat surrounding corals covered with cyanobacterial mats. Hardground ridges in shallow water. Exposed, high surge. Tops (3-4 m) with small Agaricia, P. astreoides, patches of Millepora complenata, and scattered low densities of larger (20-50 cm) Diploria strigosa and D. clivosa, S. siderea. Dense assemblages of Turbinaria, Sargassum and sea fans on upper shallow surfaces; deeper areas have small stands of P. porites; found 3 A. palmata. Rubble patches in sand between hardground. Area lacked caves and vertical surfaces like that seen in deeper ridges (site 18, 19). Hardground ridges on outside of reef. Large stands of Agaricia tenuifolia at the seaward edge on the base of the reef. These were intermixed with P. porites colonies. A few M. faveolata at the base of the ridges. Large patches of brown clionids on substrate. Several A. palmata colonies. Hardground ridges behind the ancient ridge reef. High relief (3-5 m from base to top of ridge. Moderate sized patch of A. palmata and an abundance of recruits and small encrusting A. palmata on the top; tops of ridges also have Sargassum, Turbinaria, some Millepora, P astreoides. Sides and bases of ledges with higher abundance of Agaricia, P. Porites and areas with massives deeper. Ridges surrounded by a gently sloping hardground with isolated larger (80-100 cm) massives (M. faveolata and Dendrogyra). Patches of deeper coral framework (fused Porites and other species) with lots of holes and crevices; these supported large population (>50 ) of lobsters. Lagoonal patch reef. Circular "dome" 30 m X 40 m wide with moderate density of corals that slopes gradually on all sides. Patch is surround by sloping hardground with scattered massive corals and gorgonians (corals - 1-2/ meter), gradually transitioning into a sand flat. At 15 m depth found two Solenastrea colonies. Coral patch dominated by Agaricia tenufolia colonies (30-100 cm diameter), low density of M. faveolata and other massive corals. Low cover of macroalgae, except Halimeda in among corals. High abundance of Cliona delitrix on massives that encircle the coral patch, including many that have completely killed the corals.
Site
COSE 21
COSE 22
COSE 23
COSE 24
23Â Â
Description Shallow community adjacent to the island on the southern side. Gently sloping hardground with some ridges and undercut ledges adjacent to a large sand patch. Low cover on hardground; patchy distribution of massives (Montastraea, Diploria, Siderastrea) 3050 cm diameter, some larger Porites porites colonies. Edge of ridge with slightly higher cover of Porites porites, Agaricia and other small massive/plating corals. Sides of ridge have patches Agaricia and Leptoseris colonies with moderately high cover of macroalgae and patches of CCA. Low cover of gorgonians and sea fans on hardground; substrate covered with low density of -79.8499 15.7914 macroalgae, including Stypopodium, Dictyota, Sargassum. Windward hardground ridges on outside of reef at northeastern end. Ridges 3-5 m tall. Tops with macroalgae and low cover of corals; isolated crustose A. palmata, Millepora, small Agaricia and Porites astreoides on top. Sides and grooves, especially on seaward bases have large Porites porites patches and occasional Agaricia agaricites and Agaricia tenuifolia colonies. Vertical surfaces of ridges dominated by Agaricia, with occasional crustose growth of Montastraea faveolata and M. cavernosa, Madracis decactis and other species. Lobophora on vertical and deeper substrates; exposed tops of ridges with Sargassum, Turbinaria and some Dictyota; Halimeda in among some of -79.697700 15.903900 corals. Lagoonal patch reef. Series of small coral patches surrounded by sand. Lower cover than site 23, but numerous large massives, plating corals and branching Porites. Large patches of sand between corals. Diverse sponge assemblages. Low macroalgae, except Halimeda in among corals. Very fine silt between corals, easily suspended. Moderately high diversity of corals. First site on Serranilla with A. cervicornis patch and a colony of Mussa. High prevalence of dark spots on Agaricia. Moderate recruitment. High cover of CCA; CCA has overgrown several -79.870600 15.870300 corals Lagoonal patch reef. At eastern end, small isolated coral patches, 10-20 m long, 5-10 m wide. Coral patches separated by sand. These increase in size to the west, about 200 m from anchorage, extensive coral patch several hundreds of meters wide. Coral framework is dead Porites and Agaricia. Agaricia dominant corals in terms of abundance. Many small corals, but also settled in clumps on 30-40 cm diameter "rocks" that are either Porites porites skeletons or old Agaricia. Lettuce coral framework -79.868400 15.878700 separated by large massives - M. annularis (1-2 m in diameter) on some patches, C. natans (1-2 m diameter) on some, and large M. faveolata (1-2 m). High diversity of massive, plating and branching corals. First site with Mycetophyllia ferox. Branching gorgonians and diverse sponge assemblage in and among corals; corals often settled on sponges, or are held in place only by sponges. Extensive bioerosion of some corals. Low cover of macroalgae; some Halimeda at bases of corals.
Long
Lat
Site
Long
Lat
CONU 25
78.626600 15.894600
CONU 26
78.593500 15.926500
CONU 27
78.619900 15.876500
CONU 28
78.567100 15.912500
CONU 29
78.572200 15.903700
CONU 30
78.577100 15.908300
24Â Â
Description Deeper site in the middle of the channel. Strong current, isolated coral patches, some with 1 m tall corals. Generally low cover with lots of Xestospongia, other massive sponges and gorgonians. Fore reef site on northeast end of the bank, mostly hardground. Sloping reef with low relief and patchy coral bommies. The bommies are 1-3 m diameter with mostly small corals and some larger (1 m) massive Siderastrea, Montastraea and Dendrogyra colonies. Away from the reef is more of a hardground with gorgonians Deeper hardground in the middle of the channel at the southern end. Fairly low relief with small massive corals, some Porites, Manacina, Agaricia and isolated larger (0.7-1 m) brain, starlet and star corals. Scattered gorgonians. Coral cover low. Macroalgae low near survey area, but much higher 200 m to north, with a dominance by Dictyota. Coral communities the same, but a sharp transition from no algae to a lot of algae. No Diadema. Lots of conch. Lagoonal Montastraea reef on northern half. Shallow A. palmata framework with few live colonies (some fragments, 1-2 older colonies, and several small colonies), mostly fused branches and dead colonies in growth position with very little algae. Reef slopes into deeper Montastraea reef. Montastraea ridges separated by sand patches. This site had the largest colonies and the largest amount of live Montastraea. Many healthy 2-3 m tall colonies, unusually large M. annularis and some larger Siderastrea, Diploria and Colpophyllia colonies. Many patches of A. cervicornis. This coral forms small thickets just below the A. palmata zone and also occurs between the Montastraea colonies in several places. Most have high numbers of damselfish with recent mortality from disease. Some recent white plague (-2-3% prevalence), low (<1%) prevalence of YBD. Lagoonal Montastraea reef on northern half. High cover of large M. annularis and M. faveolata colonies. High prevalence of white plague (5-10%), especially on M. faveolata. Medium (3-5%) prevalence of YBD, mostly on M. annularis. Extensive patches (1-3 m diameter) of recent and transitional mortality Lagoonal Montastraea reef on northern half. Shallow A. palmata framework with few live colonies (some fragments, 1-2 older colonies, and several small colonies), mostly fused branches and dead colonies in growth position with very little algae. Side of A. palmata patch facing the reef crest (south) had very little algae and many large live corals; side we surveyed had a lot of dead corals or mostly dead corals, especially large M. faveolata colonies. These corals appear to have died in the last 30-60 days, along with parts that died 6 months to 1 year ago. Lots of Dictyota on skeletons, Lobophora on vertical surfaces, and cyanobacterial mats on skeletons and substrates, especially at the bases of larger corals. Some white plague and YBD, lower than site 29 but higher than site 28.
Site
Long
CONU 31
78.678900
CONU 32
78.641700
Description Deeper spur and groove off the southern end of the bank. Well developed spurs, 1-2 m tall at 20 m depth, increasing to 3-4 m depth between 25-30 m depth. Very gentle slope into deeper water. Moderate cover (20-30%) at 25 m, increasing in deeper water. Deep has large plating Montastraea colonies. Mix of C. natans, M. annularis, M. faveolata and other species on spurs interspersed with other massive and plating species. 1 large Madracis mirabilis colony and several A. cervicornis colonies. 15.827700 Low cover of macroalgae. Lagoonal Montastraea reef on southern half near lighthouse. Montastraea patches surrounded by fine sand. Sand with cyano mats, easily suspended. Dominance of M. annularis with some M. faveolata, large P. porites, and occasional C. natans and D. strigosa. Very little disease but a lot of old mortality. Highest number of Stegastes planifrons seen on the entire trip. Lots of dead and partially dead corals with very thick turf algae within their territories. Corals without damselfish that died have high numbers of colonizers – Manacina areolata, E. fastigiata, Agaricia, P. astreoides and P. porites. No Montastraea recruits. Good CCA cover outside of damselfish territories. Lots of Pseudopterigorgia colonized dead M. annularis and areas 15.876100 between M. annularis lobes.
Lat
25
Table 5. Corals identified at Bajo Alicia. Abbr ACER APAL AAGA AFRA ALAM ATEN CNAT DCYL DSTO DCLI DLAB DSTR EFAS IRIG ISIN LCUC MDEC MAUR MARE MMEA MALC MCOM MANN MCAV MFAV MFRA MANG MFER MLAM PAST PDIV PFUR PPOR SCUB SRAD SSID SINT MJAC 26
Species Acropora cervicornis Acropora palmata Agaricia agaricites Agaricia fragilis Agaricia lamarcki Agaricia tenuifolia Colpophyllia natans Dendrogyra cylindrus Dichocoenia stokesii Diploria clivosa Diploria labyrinthiformis Diploria strigosa Eusmilia fastigiata Isophyllastrea rigida Isophyllia sinuosa Leptoseris cucullata Madracis decactis Madracis (mirabilis) Manicina areolata Meandrina meandrites Millepora alcicornis Millepora complanata Montastraea annularis Montastraea cavernosa Montastraea faveolata Montastraea franksi Mussa angulosa Mycetophyllia ferox Mycetophyllia lamarckiana Porites astreoides Porites divaricata Porites furcata Porites porites Scolymia cubensis Siderastrea radians Siderastrea siderea Stephanocoenia intersepta Meandrina jacsksoni
1 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
2 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
3 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
4 X X X X X X X X X X X X X
5 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
6 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
7 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
8 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
9 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Table 5b. Corals Identified at Bajo Nuevo Abbr ACER APAL AAGA AFRA ALAM ATEN CNAT DCYL DSTO DCLI DLAB DSTR EFAS IRIG ISIN LCUC MDEC MAUR MARE MMEA MALC MCOM MANN MCAV MFAV MFRA MANG MFER MLAM PAST PDIV PFUR PPOR SCUB SRAD SSID SINT MJAC 27
Species Acropora cervicornis Acropora palmata Agaricia agaricites Agaricia fragilis Agaricia lamarcki Agaricia tenuifolia Colpophyllia natans Dendrogyra cylindrus Dichocoenia stokesii Diploria clivosa Diploria labyrinthiformis Diploria strigosa Eusmilia fastigiata Isophyllastrea rigida Isophyllia sinuosa Leptoseris cucullata Madracis decactis Madracis mirabilis Manicina areolata Meandrina meandrites Millepora alcicornis Millepora complanata Montastraea annularis Montastraea cavernosa Montastraea faveolata Montastraea franksi Mussa angulosa Mycetophyllia ferox Mycetophyllia lamarckiana Porites astreoides Porites divaricata Porites furcata Porites porites Scolymia cubensis Siderastrea radians Siderastrea siderea Stephanocoenia intersepta Meandrina jacksoni
10 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
11 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
12 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
13 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
14 15 16 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X
X X X
X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X
X X X X X
X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X
Table 5c. Corals identified at Serranilla Bank. Abbr ACER APAL AAGA AFRA ALAM ATEN CNAT DCYL DSTO DCLI DLAB DSTR EFAS IRIG ISIN LCUC MDEC MAUR MARE MMEA MALC MCOM MANN MCAV MFAV MFRA MANG MFER MLAM PAST PDIV PFUR PPOR SCUB SRAD SSID SINT MJAC 28
Species Acropora cervicornis Acropora palmata Agaricia agaricites Agaricia fragilis Agaricia lamarcki Agaricia tenuifolia Colpophyllia natans Dendrogyra cylindrus Dichocoenia stokesii Diploria clivosa Diploria labyrinthiformis Diploria strigosa Eusmilia fastigiata Isophyllastrea rigida Isophyllia sinuosa Leptoseris cucullata Madracis decactis Madracis auretenra (mirabilis) Manicina areolata Meandrina meandrites Millepora alcicornis Millepora complanata Montastraea annularis Montastraea cavernosa Montastraea faveolata Montastraea franksi Mussa angulosa Mycetophyllia ferox Mycetophyllia lamarckiana Porites astreoides Porites divaricata Porites furcata Porites porites Scolymia cubensis Siderastrea radians Siderastrea siderea Stephanocoenia intersepta Meandrina jacksoni
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X
X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X
Table 6a . Fish species observed at Bajo Alicia. S - 1; F- 2-10; M- 11-100; A- >100 and X = present. FISH SPECIES Sergeant Major Roughhead Blenny Medusa Blenny Spinyhead Blenny Scrawled Cowfish Honeycomb Cowfish Ocean Surgeonfish Doctorfish Blue Tang
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Abudefduf taurus
0
Acanthemblemaria aspera
S
1
Acanthemblemaria medusa Acanthemblemaria sp.
0 0
Acanthemblemaria spinosa
0
Acanthostracion quadricornis Acanthostracion polygonius Acanthurus bahianus Acanthurus chirurgus Acanthurus coeruleus
S
S
2
F
S
F
x
S
S
F
F
F
9
M
M
M
F
M
M
F
M
M
9
M
F
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
9
M
F
F
F
F
F
M
F
F
9
x
1 x
Alectis cilliaris
Porkfish Barred Cardinalfish Flamefish Twospot Cardinalfish
Trumpetfish Queen Triggerfish Spanish Hogfish Peacock Flounder Saucereye Porgy Whitespotted Filefish Orangespotted Filefish Ocean Triggerfish Sharpnose Puffer
Aluterus scriptus Amblycirrhitus pinos Anisotremus virginicus
S
M
S F
F
1 3
S
F
F
F
F
9 0 0
S
Apogon pseudomaculatus Astrapogon stellatus Aulostomus maculatus
1 S
x
x
3 0
S
S
S
3
Balistes vetula
F
F
M
M
M
M
M
S
F
9
Bodianus rufus
F
F
S
S
F
F
F
F
F
9
S
Calamus calamus Cantherhines macrocerus
F
F
Cantherhines pullus
S
F
F
S
Canthidermis sufflamen
F
F
x
F
F
F
Caranx crysos
F
Caranx lugubris
2
F
2
F
S
S
S
7
F
x
F
F
S
9
S
S
F
F
S
S
9
F
F
M
M
F
F
9
S
1 0 x
Caranx hippos Caranx latus
x
x
Bothus lunatus
Blue Runner
29Â Â
S
Apogon maculatus
Yellow Jack
Black Jack
S
Apogon binotatus
Canthigaster rostrata Caranx bartholomaei
crevale jack Horse-eye Jack
All
0
Aetobatus narinari
Scrawled Filefish Redspotted Hawkfish
other
Abudefduf saxatilis
S
1
F
2
F
1
FISH SPECIES Bar Jack
Caranx ruber
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
A
F
F
F
M
F
F
M
F
F
F
M
F
M
F
F
F
Graysby Coney Yellowface Pikeblenny Foureye Butterflyfish Spotfin Butterflyfish Banded Butterflyfish Bridled Burrfish Blue Chromis
Centropyge argi Cephalopholis cruentata Cephalopholis fulva
F
x
S
F
S
F
S
F
F
9
M
F
M
M
F
F
M
F
M
9
Colon Goby Pallid Goby Bridled Goby Kuna Goby Masked Goby Bluelip Parrotfish Southern Stingray Mackerel Scad Balloonfish Porcupinefish
Chaetodon striatus
F
F
F
F
F
F F
F
4
x
F
x F
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
Clepticus parrae Coryphopterus dicrus Coryphopterus eidolon Coryphopterus glaucofraenum Coryphopterus retrospinis Coryphopterus personatus
A
F
F
M
F
M
S
M
M
A
F
M
M M
M
M
M
M
F
8
F
M
M
A
F
7
F
1 0
F
F
F
F
S
S
F
F
F
0 F
M
F
2 0
S
Elacatinus evelynae
A
A
x x
S
F
3 S
1
S
3
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
x
5
x
1
F
9 0 0
Elacatinus louisae Elacatinus prochilos
Sailfin Blenny
Elacatinus sp. Emblemaria pandionis Enneanectes altivelis
Lofty Triplefin Roughhead Triplefin Red Hind Jewfish
30Â Â
Enneanectes boehlkei Epinephelus guttatus Epinephelus itajara
9 0
Dasyatis americana Decapterus macarellus Diodon holocanthus
Broadstripe Goby
9 0
Cryptotomus roseus
Elacatinus horsti Elacatinus illecebrosus/ Gobiosoma sp.
9 0
Elacatinus genie
Yellowline Goby
F
Chromis insolata Chromis multilineata
6 1
Chilomycterus antennatus
Diodon hystrix
Sharknose Goby
0
Chaetodon capistratus
Chromis cyanea
Sunshinefish Brown Chromis Creole Wrasse
8
Chaenopsis limbaughi
Chaetodon ocellatus Chaetodon sedentarius
9 0
Caranx sp.
Cherubfish
other
All
1
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
9 0 0 0 0
S
S S
2 1
FISH SPECIES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Equetus lanceolatus
Spotted Drum Nurse Shark Goldspot Goby
All
0 S
Equetus punctatus Ginglymostoma cirratum Gnatholepis thompsoni
other
S
S M
F
F
F
F S
F
S
M
F
3 S
3
M
9
Goby sp Orangeside Goby
Gobidae sp1
0
Gobiosoma dilepis
0
Fairy Basslet Goldentail Moray Spotted Moray White Margate
Gramma loreto
Tomtate Caesar Grunt Spanish Grunt Smallmouth Grunt French Grunt Cottonwick Sailors Choice White Grunt
M
F
M
F
M
Gymnothorax miliaris
S
F
Gymnothorax moringa
F
S
S
S
S
S
F
F
F
F
F
Haemulon album Haemulon aurolineatum Haemulon carbonarium
F
F
F
S
6
x
4 6
F
F
F
F
S
x
Haemulon chrysargyreum
F F
x F
M
S
F
S
1
F
F
F
F
6
F
F
F
F
9
s
Haemulon parra Haemulon plumierii
Yellowcheek Wrasse Yellowhead Wrasse Clown Wrasse Rainbow Wrasse Blackear Wrasse Puddingwife Balllyhoo Brown Garden Eel Glasseye Snapper Queen Angelfish Rock Beauty Squirrelfish Reef Squirrelfish Longspine Squirrelfish Yellowbelly Hamlet Yellowtail Hamlet
31Â Â
Halichoeres bivittatus
1
S M
F
Halichoeres cyanocephalus
F
4 1
S
2 0
Haemulon sciurus
Slippery Dick
9 0
Haemulon macrostomum
Haemulon flavolineatum Haemulon melanurum
F
M
S
F
F
F
F
F
A
F
9 3
Halichoeres garnoti
A
F
F
M
F
F
A
F
A
9
Halichoeres maculipinna
F
F
F
F
F
M
F
F
F
9
F
F
M
M
M
Halichoeres pictus Halichoeres poeyi Halichoeres radiatus Hemiramphus cf. brasiliensis
5 0
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
0
Heteroconger longissimus
0
Heteropriacanthus cruentatus Holacanthus ciliaris Holacanthus tricolor Holocentrus adscensionis
S
S
F
S
x
S
x
M
S
x
6
S
S
6
F
F
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
9
F
F
F
F
M
M
F
F
S
9
Holocentrus coruscum Holocentrus rufus
9
0 M
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
9
Hypoplectrus aberrans
0
Hypoplectrus chlorurus
0
FISH SPECIES Shy Hamlet Indigo Hamlet Black Hamlet Masked Hamlet Barred Hamlet Hybrid Hamlet Tan Hamlet Hybrid Hamlet Butter Hamlet Boga Bermuda Chub/Yellow Chub Downy Blenny
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Trunkfish Smooth Trunkfish Peppermint Basslet
All
0 0
Hypoplectrus nigricans
0
Hypoplectrus providencianus
0
Hypoplectrus puella Hypoplectrus sp. (nigricans hibrido)
S
x
2 0
Hypoplectrus sp. (planifrons) Hypoplectrus randallorum (tan hamlet)
0 0
Hypoplectrus sp. (variabilis)
0
Hypoplectrus unicolor
0 A
Inermia vittata Istiophorus albicans
Kyphosus spp.
1 x
F
x
F
F
F
M
S
Labrisomus kalisherae
1 7 0 0
Labrisomus sp. Lachnolaimus maximus
Spotted Trunkfish
other
Hypoplectrus guttavarius Hypoplectrus indigo
0
Lactophrys bicaudalis Lactophrys trigonus
S
F
2 0
Lactophrys triqueter
F
S
F
F
x
F
6 0
Lipoproma rubre Lucayablennius zingaro
0
Schoolmaster
x
Lutjanus apodus
Mahogany Snapper Lane Snapper Sand Tilefish Goldline Blenny Diamond Blenny Rosy Blenny
Barfin Blenny Saddled Blenny Black Durgon
Lutjanus synagris Malacanthus plumieri
32Â Â
0 0 F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
Malacoctenus aurolineatus
S
1 0 0
Malacoctenus sp. Malacoctenus versicolor Malacoctenus triangulatus
Microspathodon chrysurus Monacanthus tuckeri
8 0
Malacoctenus boehlkei Malacoctenus macropus
Melichthys niger Micrognathus ensenadae
Yellowtail Damselfish Slender Filefish
1
Lutjanus mahogoni
0 F
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
9
A
F
F
F
M
M
M
M
S
9 0
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
9 0
FISH SPECIES Yellow Goatfish Yellowmouth Grouper Tiger Grouper Yellowfin Grouper Sharptail Eel Blackbar Soldierfish Longjaw Squirrelfish Orangespotted Goby Yellowtail Snapper
Redlip Blenny Yellowhead Jawfish Creole - fish Highhat Glassy Sweeper Lionfish Dusky Cardinalfish Sponge Cardinalfish Cardinal Soldierfish Gray Angelfish French Angelfish Longsnout Butetrflyfish Spotted Goatfish Greater Soapfish Spotted Soapfish Dusky Squirrelfish Midnight Parrotfish
Mulloidichthys martinicus
1
2
3
4
5
S
6
7
8
9
F
F
F
S
Mycteroperca interstitialis Mycteroperca phenax
0 0 S
Myripristis jacobus
M
Neoniphon marianus
S
1 F
F
F
F
M
F
F
F
F
0 0 0 S
S
F
S
S
M
M
A
x
F
x
5
M
M
S
9 0
Paranthias furcifer Pareques acuminatus
0 x
S
33Â Â
2 0
S
F
F
F
S
M
F
7
Phaeoptyx pigmentaria
0
Phaeoptyx xenus
0
Plectrypops retrospinis
0
Pomacanthus arcuatus Pomacanthus paru
S
F
S
F
S
F
S S
S
F F
x
Pseudupeneus maculatus
0 F
Rypticus saponaceus
S
F
x
S
F
S
S
F
F S
F
8
S
5
Rypticus subbifrenatus
0
Sargocentron vexillarium
x
S
F
3
S
Scarus coelestinus
1 0
Scarus iseri
F
F
F
F
F
F
x
F
Scarus taeniopterus
M
F
F
F
F
M
F
F
Scarus vetula
S
S
S
S
S
F
Scorpaenodes caribbaeus
4 8
Prognathodes aculeatus
Scarus coeruleus
Striped Parrotfish Princess Parrotfish Queen Parrotfish Reef Scorpionfish
7 4
Nes longus
Pempheris schomburgki PEZ LEON (Pterois volitans)
5
0
Mycteroperca venenosa Myrichthys breviceps
Opistognathus aurifrons Opistognathus macrognathus
All
0
Mycteroperca tigris
Ocyurus chrysurus Odontoscion dentex Ophioblennius atlanticus (maclurei)
other
8 F
9 6 0
FISH SPECIES Spotted Scorpionfish Lantern bass Tobaccofish Harlequin Bass Greenblotch Parrotfish Redband Parrotfish Redtail Parrotfish Bucktooth Parrotfish Yellowtail Parrotfish Stoplight Parrotfish Bandtail Puffer Great Barracuda
Dwarf Blenny Dusky Damselfish Longfin Damselfish Beaugregory Bicolor Damselfish Threespot Damselfish Cocoa Damselfish Sand Diver Bluestriped Lizardfish
4
5
6
S
7
8
9
other
x
2 0
F
F
S
F
F
Sparisoma atomarium
M
F
M
A
F
F
F
Sparisoma aurofrenatum
A
A
F
F
F
F
Sparisoma chrysopterum
S
S
S
S
F
F
F
6
M
F
9
F
F
F
9
S
F
F
9 0
Sparisoma radians Sparisoma rubripinne Sparisoma viride
x M
F
F F
F
M
F
F
F
x
3
F
9
Sphoeroides spengleri Sphyraena barracuda
0 S
S
x
S
S
F
M
S
Stegastes diencaeus Stegastes leucostictus
1 0
S F
F
x
F
F
F
S
6
F
F
F
F
S
7
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
8
F
M
M
F
S
M
A
9
Stegastes partitus
A
M
Stegastes planifrons
F
S
S
F
M
F
F
S
F
S
S
F
F
Stegastes variabilis Synodus intermedius
7 F
7 0 0
Synodus saurus
Bluehead
8 x
Sphyrna mokarran Starksia cf. nanodes Stegastes adustus
All
1
Serranus tigrinus
Synodus sp. Thalassoma bifasciatum Trachinotus falcatus
34Â Â
3
S
Serranus baldwini Serranus tabacarius
Synodus synodus
Total
2
Scorpaena plumieri
Red Lizardfish
Yellow Stingray Sargassum Triggerfish Rosy Razorfish Green Razorfish
1
F
1 0
A
M
M
M
A
S
Urobatis jamaicensis Xanthichthys ringens
S
F
S
M
M
9
x
1
x
1
F
x
4
Xyrichtys martinicensis
0
Xyrichtys splendens
66
67
63
S
F
M
S
F
F
6
73
71
77
85
81
76
124
Table 6b. Fish species observed at Bajo Nuevo. FISH SPECIES Sergeant Major
10
11
Abudefduf saxatilis
12 F
13 F
14
15
16 F
25
26
27
28 M
29
30 M
31 F
32
0
Abudefduf taurus
Roughhead Blenny Medusa Blenny
S
Acanthemblemaria aspera
S
S
S
4 0
Acanthemblemaria medusa Acanthemblemaria sp.
Spinyhead Blenny Scrawled Cowfish
F
Acanthemblemaria spinosa
F
S
M
F
S
1
S
6 0
Acanthostracion quadricornis
S
F
F
S
S
S
Acanthurus bahianus
F
F
M
F
M
M
Doctorfish
Acanthurus chirurgus
F
F
Blue Tang
Acanthurus coeruleus
M
M
Honeycomb Cowfish Ocean Surgeonfish
Acanthostracion polygonius
F F
F
F
F M
F
F
S
F
S
M
M
M
F
F F
F F
F
F
F
F
F
M
M
F
S
M
M
F
M
12 F
F
M
Porkfish Barred Cardinalfish
0 S
Aluterus scriptus
S
S
S
F
F
S
Twospot Cardinalfish
Apogon pseudomaculatus
Aulostomus maculatus Balistes vetula Bodianus rufus
S
4 0 0 0
S F
F
S
F
S
S
F
M
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
S
S
F S
F
F
F
X
12
F
M
F
M
S
F
M
X
15
S
F
F
M
F
F
S
X
13
S S
F
X
S
F
S
S
F
S
F
S
F
F
F
Calamus calamus Cantherhines macrocerus Cantherhines pullus
S
S
S
F
Yellow Jack Blue Runner
Caranx crysos
crevale jack Horse-eye Jack
Caranx hippos
Black Jack
Caranx lugubris
F
F
Canthidermis sufflamen Canthigaster rostrata
1
F
Bothus lunatus
Caranx bartholomaei
35Â Â
6 0
Astrapogon stellatus
Orangespotted Filefish Ocean Triggerfish Sharpnose Puffer
X
Apogon binotatus Apogon maculatus
Trumpetfish Queen Triggerfish Spanish Hogfish Peacock Flounder Saucereye Porgy Whitespotted Filefish
F
Anisotremus virginicus
Flamefish
15 0
Alectis cilliaris
Amblycirrhitus pinos
15 9
Aetobatus narinari
Scrawled Filefish Redspotted Hawkfish
All 6
F
F
F S S
S F S
F
M
3
F
S
S
S
F
F
F
F
F
F F
F
1
F
F
F
F
11
F
F
11
F
F
6
F
M
M
15
F
3
F
6 0 0
Caranx latus
S
F
S
F
4
FISH SPECIES Bar Jack
Caranx ruber
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
F
Caranx sp.
Cherubfish
Centropyge argi
Graysby
Cephalopholis cruentata
F
F
Cephalopholis fulva
F
F
Coney Yellowface Pikeblenny Foureye Butterflyfish Spotfin Butterflyfish
F
F
F
F
Chaetodon ocellatus
F
F
F
F
X
F
F
F
S
F
M
F
F
S
3
F
F
S
15
S
M
X
10 1
F
F
F
S
S
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
F
X
X
0 S
Sunshinefish Brown Chromis Creole Wrasse
Chromis insolata Chromis multilineata
Coryphopterus dicrus
Pallid Goby
Coryphopterus eidolon
Bridled Goby
Coryphopterus glaucofraenum
Kuna Goby
Coryphopterus retrospinis Coryphopterus personatus
F
F
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
X
S M
S
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
F
S
M
S
A
X
M
S
M
M
F
M
F
M
S
M
M
M
M
M
F F
M
M
M
F
M
13
M
M
S
S
M
13
F
F
S
F
X
5
F
F
S
F
S
F
S
F
F
F
F
S
F
M
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
5 F
F
F
F
S A
F
M
M
M
M
X
M
M
S A
F
Elacatinus evelynae
3
A S
S X
S
F
F
F
3
S
1
S
S
5
F
S
M
F
X
7
F
15
0 F
F
S
F
S
F
F
M
F
X
Elacatinus horsti Elacatinus illecebrosus/ G bi
Elacatinus prochilos
0 0 F
F
M
F
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
S
Lofty Triplefin Roughhead Triplefin
Jewfish
Epinephelus itajara
36Â Â
F
Enneanectes altivelis
Red Hind
F
F
15 0
Emblemaria pandionis
Enneanectes boehlkei Epinephelus guttatus
F
0
Elacatinus sp.
Sailfin Blenny
11 1
Diodon holocanthus
S
15 2
F
Dasyatis americana Decapterus macarellus
F
Elacatinus louisae
Broadstripe Goby
15 1
Elacatinus genie
Yellowline Goby
14 1
M
Cryptotomus roseus
Diodon hystrix
Sharknose Goby
F
Clepticus parrae
Colon Goby
Balloonfish Porcupinefish
F
Chilomycterus antennatus Chromis cyanea
Mackerel Scad
F
Chaetodon striatus
Blue Chromis
Masked Goby Bluelip Parrotfish Southern Stingray
15 9
Chaetodon sedentarius
Banded Butterflyfish Bridled Burrfish
15 1
F
Chaenopsis limbaughi Chaetodon capistratus
F
All
1 0
S
F
S
3 0
FISH SPECIES
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
25
26
27
28
29
30
Equetus lanceolatus
Spotted Drum Nurse Shark Goldspot Goby
Equetus punctatus Ginglymostoma cirratum Gnatholepis thompsoni
Goby sp Orangeside Goby
Gobidae sp1
Fairy Basslet Goldentail Moray Spotted Moray White Margate
Gramma loreto
Tomtate Caesar Grunt Spanish Grunt Smallmouth Grunt French Grunt Cottonwick Sailors Choice White Grunt
F
F
S
X
S
F
M
F
S F
S
S
F
S
F
F
31
32
1
S
4
F
S
F
S
X
9
F
F
F
F
F
14
S
1
S
1
Gobiosoma dilepis
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
M
M
M
S
Gymnothorax miliaris
S
Gymnothorax moringa
S
F
S
S
S
F
F F
F
Haemulon aurolineatum
F
F
F
F
Haemulon carbonarium
M
X
X M
Haemulon album
M
F
Yellowcheek Wrasse Yellowhead Wrasse Clown Wrasse Rainbow Wrasse Blackear Wrasse Puddingwife Balllyhoo Brown Garden Eel Glasseye Snapper Queen Angelfish Rock Beauty Squirrelfish Reef Squirrelfish Longspine Squirrelfish Yellowbelly Hamlet Yellowtail Hamlet
37Â Â
15 2
X
6
F
9
X
3
F
3 0
Haemulon macrostomum Haemulon chrysargyreum
F
Haemulon flavolineatum
F
1 F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
Haemulon melanurum
F
F
S
F
S
F
M
F
15 2 0
Haemulon parra
S
Haemulon plumierii
S
F
F
F
3 0
Haemulon sciurus
Slippery Dick
All
S
Halichoeres bivittatus
F
F
F
M
M
F
F
F
F
Halichoeres cyanocephalus Halichoeres garnoti
F
F
F
A
F
Halichoeres maculipinna
S
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
Halichoeres pictus
X
F
F
11 2
F
15 10
X
X
4 0
Halichoeres poeyi Halichoeres radiatus
F
S
S
M
Hemiramphus cf. brasiliensis
M
Heteroconger longissimus Heteropriacanthus cruentatus
S
S
S
Holacanthus ciliaris
S
Holacanthus tricolor
F
F
F
Holocentrus adscensionis
F
S
S
Hypoplectrus aberrans Hypoplectrus chlorurus
F
M
M
F
F
F
S
F
F
F
S
S
F
X
X
M S
S
5
S F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
X
X
9
F
F
F
F
X
F
15
F
S
S
F
F
S
F
F
X
S
15
2
S F
F
2
S
Holocentrus coruscum Holocentrus rufus
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F S
0
F
F
10 F
3
F
15
X
6
FISH SPECIES Shy Hamlet Indigo Hamlet Black Hamlet Masked Hamlet Barred Hamlet Hybrid Hamlet Tan Hamlet Hybrid Hamlet Butter Hamlet Boga
10
Hypoplectrus guttavarius
S
Hypoplectrus indigo
F
Hypoplectrus nigricans Hypoplectrus providencianus
S
Hypoplectrus puella
S
Hypoplectrus sp. (nigricans hibrido)
F
Hypoplectrus sp. (planifrons) Hypoplectrus randallorum (tan hamlet) Hypoplectrus sp. (variabilis) Hypoplectrus unicolor
12
13
14
15
16
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
S* S
S
F
F
S
S
S
S
F
F
M
F
M
M
M
M
M
F
F
S
M
F
F
S
M
F
F
S
S
S
F
F
F
F
S
S
S
F
X
S
S
X
X
F
12
S
10
S
13
S
S
S
F
X
2 1
F
S
S
S
10 5
S S
All
2
F
S
F
S
S
S
S
9 4
S
S
S
X
6
Inermia vittata
M
Istiophorus albicans
Bermuda Chub/Yellow Downy Blenny
11
F
M
3 0
Kyphosus spp.
M
Labrisomus kalisherae
M
F
M
X
5 0
Labrisomus sp.
0
Lachnolaimus maximus
Spotted Trunkfish Trunkfish Smooth Trunkfish Peppermint Basslet
S
Lactophrys bicaudalis
S
Lactophrys trigonus
F
S
S
S
S
S
1
S
S
F
Lactophrys triqueter
F
S
F
9 1
S
F
F
S
S
F
S
X
S
12
Lipoproma rubre
S
Lucayablennius zingaro
1
Schoolmaster
X
1
Lutjanus apodus
Mahogany Snapper Lane Snapper
S
Lutjanus mahogoni
F
1
S
2
Lutjanus synagris
Sand Tilefish Goldline Blenny Diamond Blenny Rosy Blenny
0
Malacanthus plumieri Malacoctenus aurolineatus
S
F
X
S
S
Malacoctenus macropus
F
X
F
X
S
F
F
S
X
S
7 1 0
F F
S
F
F
M
S
S
F
F
M
F
1
S
S
S
F
F
F
X
X
13
M
M
M
F
F
F
S
F
14 0
Microspathodon chrysurus Monacanthus tuckeri
10 0
Malacoctenus triangulatus
Micrognathus ensenadae
38Â Â
F
Malacoctenus versicolor
Melichthys niger
Yellowtail Damselfish Slender Filefish
S
Malacoctenus boehlkei
Malacoctenus sp.
Barfin Blenny Saddled Blenny Black Durgon
S
F
F
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
M
M
X
15
FISH SPECIES Yellow Goatfish Yellowmouth Grouper
Mulloidichthys martinicus
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
F
F
F
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
M
M
M
F
S
S
Mycteroperca interstitialis
Tiger Grouper Yellowfin Grouper Sharptail Eel Blackbar Soldierfish Longjaw Squirrelfish Orangespotted Goby Yellowtail Snapper
Redlip Blenny Yellowhead Jawfish
S
2 S
Mycteroperca tigris
1
F
Mycteroperca venenosa
X
Highhat Glassy Sweeper Lionfish Dusky Cardinalfish Sponge Cardinalfish Cardinal Soldierfish Gray Angelfish French Angelfish Longsnout Butetrflyfish Spotted Goatfish Greater Soapfish Spotted Soapfish Dusky Squirrelfish Midnight Parrotfish
2 0
Myrichthys breviceps
F
F
F
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
X
10
Myripristis jacobus Neoniphon marianus
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
S
10 F
2
S
6
Nes longus
S
F
S
S
F
Ocyurus chrysurus Odontoscion dentex Ophioblennius atlanticus (maclurei) Opistognathus aurifrons
0 F F
F
F
F
2
F
4 S
Opistognathus macrognathus
Creole - fish
15 2
S
Mycteroperca phenax
All
S
Paranthias furcifer
1 F
Pempheris schomburgki PEZ LEON (Pterois volitans)
1
S
Pareques acuminatus
1
S
S
S
F
F
F
F (2)
Phaeoptyx pigmentaria
S
S
1 F (3)
8 0
F
3
S
3
Phaeoptyx xenus
S
Plectrypops retrospinis
S
0
Pomacanthus arcuatus
S
F
S
F
X
5
Pomacanthus paru Prognathodes aculeatus
F
M
Pseudupeneus maculatus
F
S
S F
F
F
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
S F
F
X S
F
F
Rypticus saponaceus
F
8 F
S
2
F
Rypticus subbifrenatus
1
S
Sargocentron vexillarium
S
15
F
S
X
F
F
5 2
Scarus coelestinus
0 Scarus coeruleus
Striped Parrotfish Princess Parrotfish Queen Parrotfish Reef Scorpionfish Spotted Scorpionfish
39
F
F
F
F
M
F
M
S
F
F
F
F
M
F
F
15
F
F
F
F
F
F
M
F
F
F
M
M
F
F
F
15
F
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
M
F
M
F
F
13
Scarus iseri Scarus taeniopterus Scarus vetula
0
Scorpaenodes caribbaeus Scorpaena plumieri
F
F
2
FISH SPECIES Lantern bass Tobaccofish Harlequin Bass Greenblotch Parrotfish Redband Parrotfish Redtail Parrotfish Bucktooth Parrotfish Yellowtail Parrotfish Stoplight Parrotfish Bandtail Puffer Great Barracuda
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
All
0 Serranus baldwini Serranus tabacarius
S
S F
F
F
S
F
F
F S
F
S
F
S
9
F
S
F
F
F
10
Serranus tigrinus Sparisoma atomarium
F
F
M
M
M
M
F
M
M
F
S
F
M
X
F
15
Sparisoma aurofrenatum
F
F
F
F
M
F
F
F
M
A
M
M
M
F
F
15
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
F
10
X
1
Sparisoma chrysopterum Sparisoma radians
F
Sparisoma rubripinne
F
F
F
F
F F
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
M
F
F
F
X
7
M
F
F
15
Sparisoma viride
S
Sphoeroides spengleri
F
Sphyraena barracuda
S
F F
F
F
F
2 S
M
F
X
10 0
Sphyrna mokarran
Dwarf Blenny Dusky Damselfish Longfin Damselfish Beaugregory Bicolor Damselfish Threespot Damselfish Cocoa Damselfish Sand Diver Bluestriped Lizardfish Red Lizardfish
0
Starksia cf. nanodes
F
F
F
F
F
F
Stegastes diencaeus
S
F
F
Stegastes leucostictus
F
F
M
M
F
F
M
10
F
S
F
M
F
M
M
F
F
15
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
X
F
13
M
F
F
M
F
M
F
M
F
X
M
15
F
F
F
M
F
F
F
M
F
M
M
M
12
F
F
S
F
F
F
F
S
F
9
S
S
F
S
Stegastes adustus
F
M
F
S M
M
M
Stegastes partitus Stegastes planifrons Stegastes variabilis Synodus intermedius
4
S
X
2
Synodus saurus
0 Synodus synodus
0 Synodus sp.
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
M
40Â Â
F
M
S
S
F
S
S
5 2 0
78
82
2 75
94
57
56
58
70
69
88
91
S 81
S 78
Xyrichtys splendens
13 1
Xyrichtys martinicensis
75
Total
S
Urobatis jamaicensis Xanthichthys ringens
X
S
Trachinotus falcatus
Yellow Stingray Sargassum Triggerfish Rosy Razorfish Green Razorfish
M
165
Thalassoma bifasciatum
84
Bluehead
Table 6c.
Fish species observed at Serranilla
FISH SPECIES Sergeant Major
Abudefduf saxatilis
17
A
18
S
19
S
20
X
21
22
23
24
F
0
Abudefduf taurus
Roughhead Blenny Medusa Blenny
S
Acanthemblemaria aspera Acanthemblemaria medusa
S
F
S
S
S
F
Acanthemblemaria spinosa
0 F
1 0
Acanthostracion quadricornis Acanthostracion polygonius
S
F
F
S
S
F
Acanthurus bahianus
M
M
F
F
M
M
Doctorfish
Acanthurus chirurgus
F
F
F
F
S
Blue Tang
Acanthurus coeruleus
M
F
M
F
M
Scrawled Filefish Redspotted Hawkfish
7
F
F
8
M
F
M
8
F
F
M
8 0
Alectis cilliaris
0 S
Aluterus scriptus Amblycirrhitus pinos
F
F
S
1 F
S
Anisotremus virginicus
F
Barred Cardinalfish
Apogon binotatus
F
F
Flamefish
Apogon maculatus
F
M
Twospot Cardinalfish
Apogon pseudomaculatus
S
S
X
S
2 M
4 1
X F
Aulostomus maculatus
8 1
S
Astrapogon stellatus
Queen Triggerfish Spanish Hogfish Peacock Flounder Saucereye Porgy Whitespotted Filefish Orangespotted Filefish Ocean Triggerfish Sharpnose Puffer
F
Aetobatus narinari
Porkfish
Trumpetfish
5 2
Acanthemblemaria sp.
Spinyhead Blenny Scrawled Cowfish Honeycomb Cowfish Ocean Surgeonfish
All
5
1
F
S
S
X
5
Balistes vetula
F
F
F
F
M
F
S
S
8
Bodianus rufus
F
F
S
F
F
F
F
F
8 0
Bothus lunatus Calamus calamus
S
S
F
S
Cantherhines macrocerus Cantherhines pullus
F
Canthidermis sufflamen
F
Canthigaster rostrata
F
S
F
S
F F
F
F
F
S
S
F
F
S
F
F
X
F
F
F
F
F
7 2
S
7 5
M
7 2
Yellow Jack
Caranx bartholomaei
Blue Runner
Caranx crysos
crevale jack
Caranx hippos
0
Horse-eye Jack
Caranx latus
0
Black Jack
Caranx lugubris
0
41Â Â
S
M
2
FISH SPECIES Bar Jack
Caranx ruber
17
F
18
19
F
S
S
M F
F
F
20
21
S
F
F
22
23
24
X
F
F F
F
F F
F F
8 0 4 7
F
F
S
F
7
Caranx sp.
Cherubfish
Centropyge argi
Graysby
Cephalopholis cruentata
Coney
Cephalopholis fulva
Yellowface Pikeblenny Foureye Butterflyfish Spotfin Butterflyfish
Chaenopsis limbaughi
S
F S
Chaetodon capistratus
X
Chaetodon ocellatus
1
F
F
3
X
X
3 0
Chaetodon sedentarius
Banded Butterflyfish Bridled Burrfish Blue Chromis
Chaetodon striatus
All
F
S
F
S
F
F
F
6 0
Chilomycterus antennatus
M
F
M
M
M
M
M
M F
8 1
Chromis multilineata
M
M
M
F
M
M
X
F
8
Clepticus parrae
F
M
M
S
M
F
M
S
8
Colon Goby
Coryphopterus dicrus
S
S
F
F
S
F
F
7
Pallid Goby
Coryphopterus eidolon
Bridled Goby
Coryphopterus glaucofraenum
Kuna Goby
Coryphopterus retrospinis
Masked Goby
Coryphopterus personatus
Bluelip Parrotfish Southern Stingray
Cryptotomus roseus
Mackerel Scad
Decapterus macarellus
0
Balloonfish
Diodon holocanthus
0
Porcupinefish
Diodon hystrix
Sharknose Goby
Elacatinus evelynae
Chromis cyanea
Sunshinefish
Chromis insolata
Brown Chromis Creole Wrasse
0 M
F
X
F
F
F
F
F
F
2
F
X
F
F
1
S F
1 2
S
Elacatinus genie
Yellowline Goby
F
Elacatinus horsti Elacatinus illecebrosus/ Gobiosoma sp Elacatinus louisae
Broadstripe Goby
Elacatinus prochilos
M
F
F
F
F
F
S
0 5
S
1
F
0 8
F
F
X
Elacatinus sp.
3 1
S
Dasyatis americana
7
F
F
1 1
Lofty Triplefin
Emblemaria pandionis Enneanectes altivelis
Roughhead Triplefin
Enneanectes boehlkei
Red Hind
Epinephelus guttatus
0
Jewfish
Epinephelus itajara
0
Sailfin Blenny
42Â Â
S
0 S
1
FISH SPECIES
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
all
Equetus lanceolatus
0
Spotted Drum
Equetus punctatus
0
Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
Goldspot Goby Goby sp
Gnatholepis thompsoni
Orangeside Goby Fairy Basslet
F
S S
F F
S
6
F
4
Gobidae sp1
0
Gobiosoma dilepis
0
Gramma loreto
M
F
M
Gymnothorax miliaris
S
Gymnothorax moringa
S
Caesar Grunt
Haemulon carbonarium
Spanish Grunt
Haemulon macrostomum
Smallmouth Grunt French Grunt
Haemulon chrysargyreum
Cottonwick
Haemulon melanurum
Haemulon album
S
S
Haemulon aurolineatum
M
M
M
F
Haemulon flavolineatum
M
F
M
M
F
S
S
S
Haemulon plumierii
Yellowcheek Wrasse Yellowhead Wrasse Clown Wrasse Rainbow Wrasse Blackear Wrasse Puddingwife
Halichoeres cyanocephalus
Balllyhoo
Hemiramphus cf. brasiliensis
Brown Garden Eel Glasseye Snapper Queen Angelfish Rock Beauty
Heteroconger longissimus
Holacanthus tricolor
Squirrelfish
Holocentrus adscensionis
Reef Squirrelfish Longspine Squirrelfish Yellowbelly Hamlet Yellowtail Hamlet
Holocentrus coruscum
8 4
F
F
M
M
X
F
5
M
F
4
F
F
8 0
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
M
M
F
F
S
F
1
F
8 2
S
F
M
F
S
1
F
8
F
Haemulon sciurus Halichoeres bivittatus
M
1
Haemulon parra
Slippery Dick
43Â Â
S
F
Goldentail Moray Spotted Moray White Margate Tomtate
Sailors Choice White Grunt
S
F
F
1 F
A
F
M
M
F
8 0
Halichoeres garnoti
F
A
F
A
A
A
M
F
8
Halichoeres maculipinna
F
S
F
X
F
F
F
X
8
Halichoeres pictus
M
F
M
M
S
F
6
Halichoeres poeyi
F
Halichoeres radiatus
Heteropriacanthus cruentatus
F
Hypoplectrus aberrans Hypoplectrus chlorurus
F
F
F
M
X
X
X
8 1 0
F
F
2
S
S
S
S
F
F
F
7
S
F
F
F
F
F
F
S
8
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
Holacanthus ciliaris
Holocentrus rufus
F
1
7
X F
F
F
F
F
F
1 F
F
8
X
1 0
FISH SPECIES
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
S
All
1
Shy Hamlet
Hypoplectrus guttavarius
Indigo Hamlet
Hypoplectrus indigo
Black Hamlet
Hypoplectrus nigricans
F
1
Masked Hamlet Barred Hamlet
Hypoplectrus providencianus
S
1
F
3
Hybrid Hamlet Tan Hamlet Hybrid Hamlet Butter Hamlet Boga
0
S
Hypoplectrus puella
F
Hypoplectrus sp. (nigricans hibrido)
0
Hypoplectrus sp. (planifrons) Hypoplectrus randallorum (tan hamlet) Hypoplectrus sp. (variabilis)
0 0 F
0
Hypoplectrus unicolor
X
Inermia vittata
1 0
Istiophorus albicans
Bermuda Chub/Yellow Downy Blenny
Kyphosus spp.
F
F
F
F
4 S
Labrisomus kalisherae Labrisomus sp.
1
S
1 0
Lachnolaimus maximus
Spotted Trunkfish Trunkfish
Lactophrys bicaudalis
Smooth Trunkfish Peppermint Basslet
Lactophrys triqueter
S
S
S
S
S
S
F
S
X
S
Lipoproma rubre
5 S
Lutjanus mahogoni
Sand Tilefish
Malacanthus plumieri
Goldline Blenny Diamond Blenny
Malacoctenus aurolineatus
Rosy Blenny
Malacoctenus macropus
S S
S
F
F
3
X
S
F
S
S
S
F
0 S
1 S
1 0
Barfin Blenny
Malacoctenus versicolor
Saddled Blenny Black Durgon
Malacoctenus triangulatus
F
S
F
S
F
F
Melichthys niger
M
M
F
F
M
M
F
S
8
F
7 0
Micrognathus ensenadae
44Â Â
Monacanthus tuckeri
4 1
Malacoctenus boehlkei
Microspathodon chrysurus
4 0
Lutjanus synagris
Malacoctenus sp.
Yellowtail Damselfish Slender Filefish
2 0
Lutjanus apodus
Mahogany Snapper Lane Snapper
4 0
Lactophrys trigonus
Lucayablennius zingaro
Schoolmaster
1
F
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
8 0
FISH SPECIES Yellow Goatfish Yellowmouth Grouper
17
18
19
F
Mulloidichthys martinicus
20
F
21
M
22
23
24
S
All
4
Mycteroperca interstitialis
0
Mycteroperca phenax
0
Tiger Grouper
Mycteroperca tigris
0
Yellowfin Grouper
Mycteroperca venenosa
0
Sharptail Eel
Myrichthys breviceps
0
Blackbar Soldierfish Longjaw Squirrelfish Orangespotted Goby Yellowtail Snapper
Myripristis jacobus
S
F
F
F
Neoniphon marianus
F
F
S
F
F
F
7
F
4 0
Nes longus
S
Ocyurus chrysurus
X
S
F
0
Odontoscion dentex
Redlip Blenny Yellowhead Jawfish
Ophioblennius atlanticus (maclurei) Opistognathus aurifrons
4
S
S
S F
X F
M
F
F
6
F
4
Opistognathus macrognathus
0
Creole - fish
Paranthias furcifer
0
Highhat
Pareques acuminatus
Glassy Sweeper
Pempheris schomburgki
Lionfish
PEZ LEON (Pterois volitans)
Dusky Cardinalfish Sponge Cardinalfish Cardinal Soldierfish Gray Angelfish French Angelfish Longsnout Butetrflyfish Spotted Goatfish Greater Soapfish Spotted Soapfish Dusky Squirrelfish Midnight Parrotfish
Phaeoptyx pigmentaria
X M
1 F
F (4)
Phaeoptyx xenus
S
Plectrypops retrospinis
X
F
F
Prognathodes aculeatus
F
Pseudupeneus maculatus
F
S
X
F
F
F
2 1
F
X
S X
Rypticus subbifrenatus
F
F
S
F
F
1
F
6 2
F
2
S
1 X
S
45
5 2 0
Scarus coeruleus
Striped Parrotfish Princess Parrotfish Queen Parrotfish Reef Scorpionfish
6
X
F F
Scarus coelestinus
4 1
S
Rypticus saponaceus
Sargocentron vexillarium
S
M
Pomacanthus arcuatus Pomacanthus paru
1
Scarus iseri
M
F
M
F
F
M
F
F
8
Scarus taeniopterus
S
M
M
F
F
F
M
F
8
Scarus vetula
F
S
F
M
F
F
S
M
8
Scorpaenodes caribbaeus
S
1
FISH SPECIES
17
18
19
Spotted Scorpionfish
Scorpaena plumieri
Lantern bass
Serranus baldwini
Tobaccofish
Serranus tabacarius
S
Serranus tigrinus
F
Harlequin Bass Greenblotch Parrotfish Redband Parrotfish Redtail Parrotfish Bucktooth Parrotfish Yellowtail Parrotfish Stoplight Parrotfish Bandtail Puffer Great Barracuda
20
21
22
23
24
S
S S
S
1
S
3
F
3
Sparisoma atomarium
F
F
F
F
F
F
M
F
8
Sparisoma aurofrenatum
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
8
Sparisoma chrysopterum
F
F
X
Sparisoma radians
S
Sparisoma rubripinne
F
M
S
M
F
M
Sparisoma viride
F
F
M
F
F
F
S
4
M
Sphoeroides spengleri
F
Sphyraena barracuda
S
2 6 F
F
Dusky Damselfish Longfin Damselfish Beaugregory Bicolor Damselfish Threespot Damselfish Cocoa Damselfish
8 1
S
S
S
4 0
Sphyrna mokarran
Dwarf Blenny
All
1
S
Starksia cf. nanodes
1
Stegastes adustus
F
M
M
F
S
F
F
F
8
Stegastes diencaeus
A
M
F
F
M
F
F
F
8
Stegastes leucostictus
F
M
F
F
S
F
F
F
8
Stegastes partitus
M
F
M
M
M
S
F
M
8
Stegastes planifrons
F
F
A
M
M
M
F
M
8
Stegastes variabilis
F
M
F
F
F
F
F
F
8
S
1
Sand Diver
Synodus intermedius
Bluestriped Lizardfish
Synodus saurus
0
Red Lizardfish
Synodus synodus
0
Synodus sp.
0
Bluehead
Yellow Stingray Sargassum Triggerfish Rosy Razorfish Green Razorfish
Total
Thalassoma bifasciatum
S
M
46
M
M
M
M
M
8
Trachinotus falcatus
0
Urobatis jamaicensis
0
Xanthichthys ringens
0
Xyrichtys martinicensis Xyrichtys splendens
F
F
72
65
M
84
74
M
1 5
S
S
F
82
82
79
81
148
3. Herbivory studies Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow Sonia Bejarano, quantified the abundance and the grazing intensity of herbivorous reef fish in the remote banks of the Colombian Caribbean. Abundance of herbivorous reef fish was determined using the standard belt-transect technique, running 5-8 transects of 30 x 4 m per site. Fish within the transects were identified to a species level, with life phase recorded for parrotfishes, and size as total length was visually estimated. Fish census were conducted in a total of 16 sites, five of which were located in Bajo Alicia, two in Bajo Nuevo and three in Serranilla. In seven of the surveyed sites, Sonia also quantified the grazing intensity of the herbivorous fish community in the absence of divers. With this purpose, she fixed 10 high-definition video cameras on the substratum and programmed them to record continuously all fish activity for 2.5 hours in the afternoon, when grazing tends to be maximum. The position of each camera was selected haphazardly, but ensuring that distance from others was at least 5 m, and that a 1 m2 reef plot dominated by algal turfs could be adequately framed. Footage will be replayed back in the Marine Spatial Ecology Lab in the University of Queensland, and data on the bite rate (bites per minute) of individual fish will be extracted. Mean grazing intensity (m2 grazed per hour) of the entire fish community, as well as the contribution of individual species to the grazing function, a key process in maintaining the resilience of reefs, will be quantified.
47Â Â
4. Groundtruthing The groundtruthing team used a combination of Ikonos imagery (provided by CORALINA) and Digital Globe’s WorldView 2 imagery to identify features of interest and to navigate through the study area. The total amount of imagery purchased is shown in Table 7. Table 7. Total area of WorldView 2 4 band multispectral satellite imagery acquired for this project. Location
Site
COLOMBIA
All Serranilla Bajo Nuevo Alice Shoals
Polygon area (sq km)
3198 2387.4 369.72 440.27
During surveys at Alice, the team collected a total of 69 Dropcam videos and 226473 depth soundings. The groundtruthing track is shown in Fig.4. During surveys at Bajo Nuevo the team collected a total of 108 Dropcam videos and 60227 depth soundings. The groundtruthing track is shown in Fig. 5. During surveys at Serranilla the team collected a total of 70 Dropcam videos and 78071 depth soundings. The groundtruthing track is shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 4. Route taken by the twin V (yellow line) on Alice Bank and location of drop camera deployments (red dots) during groundtruthing efforts. 48
Fig. 5. Route taken by the twin V (yellow line) on Bajo Nuevo and location of drop camera deployments (red dots) during groundtruthing efforts.
Fig. 6. Route taken by the Twin V (yellow line) on Serranilla and location of drop camera deployments (red dots) during groundtruthing efforts. 49
5. Turtles and mammals Between 11th y 23 of April of 2012 Judy Pacheco collected data on birds, turtles and mammals during surveys of reef complexes of Serranilla, Alicia and New, in the north of the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Colombia. She identified 15 species of birds, most of them marine habits, 2 species of turtles and 1 species of dolphin. Most of the birds observed during the expedition are boreal species in migratory habitats (from North America) or species that migrate in the Caribbean. The ducks were traveling in groups of 50 individuals in South to North direction. In the archipelago of San Andrés there are 6 species reported to nest on the Cays, but only 2 were observed during this Expedition (Sula leucogaster and Fregata magnificens). Table 8. Species observed during coral reef assessments. Class
BIRDS
TURTLES DOLPHIN
Scientific Name
English Name
Anas sp. Egretta thula Falco peregrinus Fregatta magnificens Hirundo rustica Larus atricilla Stercorarius parasiticus Sterna maxima Pandion haliaetus Dendroica palmarum Columba livia Phaethon aethereus Arenaria interpres Sula leucogaster Plegadis falcinellus Caretta caretta Eretmochelys imbricata Tursiops truncatus
Duck Snowy egret Peregrine falcus Fregatebird Barn swallow Laughing Gull Parasitic Jaeger Royal Tern Osprey Palm warbler Rock Pigeon* Red-billed Tropicbird Ruddy turnstone Brown Booby Glossy Ibis Loggerhead Hawksbill Bottlenose Dolphin
Status** M M M R M R M M M M R M R M M M
Indiv 124 1 2 71 24 14 1 12 1 1 1 2 6 12 10 6 3 36
Alicia x
X X X X
Place Nuevo Serranilla x X X X X X X X X X X X
X X X
X X X X X X X
X
X X X
* Common dove, with color ring in your foots. ** Status: M=Migratory; R=Resident
In addition, the conch team had six sitings of dolphins and three sitings of turtles (Table 9). Table 9. Sitings of mammals and turtles. Date
Area
4/18/12 4/18/12
Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Serranilla Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo Bajo Nuevo
4/22/12
4/17/12
50
Site # 62 64
23
CONU 15
Latitude
Longitude
15.86179 15.81103 15.859659 15.886975 15.876448 15.89562 15.912454 15.842895 15.861800
-79.79362 -79.87041 -79.847361 -79.876932 -80.092548 -78.59954 -78.56678 -78.639409 -78.680700
Depth (M) 11 16 surface surface surface 14 surface surface surface
#
Species 12 1 2-3 2-3 1 3 1 2 2
T. truncatus T. truncatus Unid. dolphin Unid dolphin T. truncatus T. truncatus Unidentified turtle Unidentified turtle Mating Chelonia mydas
Acknowledgements This project represents a collaboration between the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation and CORALINA. I am grateful for all of the assistance provided by Martha Prada, without whom this project would never have been possible. Martha assisted with all aspects related to permitting, identified Colombian team members, assisted in identifying priorities for research, and remained engaged throughout the project period. The research team was dedicated and hard working and accomplished a considerable amount in a very short time. This work was conducted under a permit issued by the Republica de Colombia, Ministerio de Defensa Nacional, Direccion General Maritima, Resolucion No. 184, 12 April, 2012. Additional authorization for work within the Joint Regime Area was obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (Ref. 358/505/209, 16th March, 2012). No oil spills, groundings or damage to the marine environment occurred during this research.
Fig. 7. The science team.
51
Appendix 1. List of participants, agencies and responsibility. Full Name Andy Bruckner Brian Beck Judy Lang David Grenda Alex Dempsey Jeremy Kerr
Institution LOF LOF AGRRA FL Aquarium NCRI NOVA/NCRI
Anastasios Stathakopoulos
NOVA/NCRI
Joyce Schulke
AGRRA
Fish surveys
Eco Reefs
Benthic surveys
Nathalie Zenny
TNC Jamaica
Sonia Bejarano Nacor Bolanos
LOF Fellow CORALINA
Alfredo Abril
CORALINA
Invertebrate surveys Fish herbivory Fish surveys Administrative Coordinator & Investigator (Fish Survey)
Judy A. Pacheco
CORALINA
Researcher & Observer
Agriculture and Fishery secretary
Diver, Industrial Designing
CORALINA
Conch surveys
CORALINA CORALINA
Conch surveys Scientific Diver Conch surveys
Conch surveys
Luis Olarte
CORALINA Fishery and Agriculture Department Armada Nacional de Colombia - Dirección General Marítima
Nick Cautin
LOF
DSO
Michael Haley
Omar Abril Leonidas Cabeza Alfredo Colmenares Heins Bent Gloria Hinestroza
Trisha Forbes
52
Role Chief scientist, coral surveys Benthic surveys Coral surveys Fish surveys Benthic surveys
Groundtruthing Groundtruthing
Observer