Title: COMPARING MESOPHOTIC AND EUPHOTIC REEF FISH SIZE, FEEDING GUILD COMPOSITION, DIVERSITY AND ENDEMISM IN THE AU‘AU CHANNEL, HAWAII

Abstract: Mesophotic reefs (30-150m) are understudied habitats. Little is known about the fish assemblages that occur at mesophotic depths and this dearth of information limits the ability to understand and manage potential resources. Mesophotic reef assemblages in the Au'au Channel between the islands of Maui and Lanai in the Hawaiian Islands were compared with neighboring euphotic reef fish assemblages surveyed during 2007-2011. Using three different survey methods for the mesophotic and one method for the euphotic, approximately 7,000 mesophotic and 800 euphotic fish individuals were identified and their standard length estimated. In general, mesophotic fish were greater in both body length (12.5 cm versus 7.0 cm) and mass (233 g versus 86 g). Fish in five of seven feeding guilds were larger on the mesophotic reef although planktivores were larger on euphotic reefs. Mesophotic fish assemblages had greater species richness (92 versus 66 species) and endemism, but euphotic fish assemblages were more diverse (Simpson's Index of Diversity: 0.93 versus 0.86).

Authors: Boland RC

Presentation: Oral

Session: 29

Date: 06/21/16

Time: 14:30

Location: 308 A/B

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