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    Diurnal observations of sheltering behaviour in the coral reef sea cucumber Holothuria whitmaei

    Access Status
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    Authors
    Shiell, Glenn
    Knott, B.
    Date
    2008
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
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    Citation
    Shiell, G. and Knott, B. 2008. Diurnal observations of sheltering behaviour in the coral reef sea cucumber Holothuria whitmaei. Fisheries Research. 91 (1): pp. 112-117.
    Source Title
    Fisheries Research
    DOI
    10.1016/j.fishres.2007.12.010
    ISSN
    0165-7836
    School
    Department of Environment and Agriculture
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/10116
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    Management of commercial sea cucumber stocks relies, in part, on estimates of population densities which, in-turn, depend on knowledge of habitat preferences, and of the influence of biological cues on sheltering and/or aggregation behaviour. Here, we document a diurnal shift in the sheltering behaviour of the Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean black teatfish, Holothuria whitmaei, and discuss the implication of this behaviour for surface-based population density surveys. Diurnal studies of 30 black teat fish on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, found that the proportion of animals sheltered (and therefore hidden when viewed from directly above) was significantly greater in the morning (3-23%; AM_0830-1230 h) relative to the afternoon (0-6%; PM_1230-1730 h). As with sheltering behaviour, the straight-line distance between individual sea cucumber and the nearest shelter also showed marked diurnal variation, with animals observed at greater distances from shelter between 1230 and 1730 h (PM_4-22 cm; AM_1-7 cm). Based on these results, we suggest that surfaced-based census techniques (e.g. manta tows) may underestimate population densities if conducted during times of reduced activity and increased incidence of sheltering behaviour. Appropriate calibration factors for day-time black teatfish surveys are proposed. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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