Diurnal observations on the behavioral ecology ofGymnothorax moringa (Cuvier) andMuraena miliaris (Kaup) on a Caribbean coral reef

Abrams, R. W.; Abrams, Marc D.; Schein, Martin W.

doi:10.1007/bf00571196

Cited by 23 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…2 Previous multispecies surveys carried out in the Caribbean (Bardach 1959;Rakitin 1994;Valles 2000;Whiteman & Coˆte´2002) reported much lower moray densities than our estimates (0.03-1.25 individuals 125 m )2 , with a maximum of two species). Studies in the Caribbean focussed on morays also recorded low densities, ranging from about 0.07 individuals 125 m )2 in back reef habitat in Belize (Young & Winn 2003) to 0.21 individuals 125 m )2 in continuous and patch reef habitats in the U.S. Virgin Islands (Abrams et al 1983;Abrams & Schein 1986). These values were lower than the mean density observed in a single daytime passage in our study (1.44 individuals 125 m )2 ).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 81%

“…Length of residency in a given hole is not well known but appears to be variable within and among species, ranging from less than a day to at least several months (Abrams et al 1983;Abrams & Schein 1986, Fishelson 1997Young & Winn 2003). The limited information on mobility suggests that goldentail morays (Gymnothorax miliaris) may remain in an area 5-6 m in diameter (Smith & Tyler 1972;Abrams et al 1983), while purplemouth (G. vicinus) and spotted morays (G. moringa) can travel at least 100 m overnight and move up to 400 m over a few months (Young 1992;Chapman & Kramer 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Estimating the density and biomass of moray eels (Muraenidae) using a modified visual census method for hole-dwelling reef fauna

2005

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SynopsisWe developed a modified visual census technique suitable for fairly sedentary, hole-dwelling species and used it to determine the diversity, density, biomass, and habitat use of morays at four sites including fringing, patch, and bank reefs in Barbados, West Indies. The method involved a careful search during two passages over transects by day and by night, noting size and position of morays seen, and using the number of new observations on the second passage to estimate the proportion of morays not seen. First passage counts were generally higher than numbers of morays recorded in previous visual censuses. These estimates were raised when we used the time period (day or night) with the highest average density visible for each species, added different individuals from the two passages, and corrected for individuals not seen. We saw more goldentail morays (Gymnothorax miliaris) during the day but more spotted (G. moringa), viper (Enchelycore nigricans), and chestnut (E. carychroa) morays at night. Counts of chain morays (Echidna catenata) did not differ significantly between night and day. Relative abundance and size of moray species varied among sites and to a lesser extent among habitat types within sites, but spotted morays were generally the most important in numbers and biomass. Mean estimated moray density and biomass were much higher than in most previous visual censuses, but similar to rotenone samples on other reefs and comparable to those of other families of predatory fishes. Our findings confirm that morays are abundant and potentially important predators that should be the focus of more attention in ecological studies of coral reefs.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating the density and biomass of moray eels (Muraenidae) using a modified visual census method for hole-dwelling reef fauna

2005

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“…The moray may also profit from consuming predators -including octopuses -attracted to the lobsters but, as shown in this and other studies (Hiatt & Strassburg 1960, Randall 1967, Young & Winn 2003, morays tend to feed rather infrequently. They also tend to remain inactive in their shelters for days at a time and, if satiated, do not tend to respond to stimuli from potential prey or to become involved in aggressive interactions (Abrams et al 1983, Fishelson 1997. These traits of morays may underlie their 'tolerance' to other animals, including potential prey, in or near their shelters (Abrams & Schein 1986, Miller 1989.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alternatively, morays may affect lobsters indirectly (by intimidation) rather than by consumption (Preisser et al 2005). However, morays and lobsters often share crevices without showing any obvious interactions (Berry 1971, Abrams et al 1983, LozanoÁlvarez & Spanier 1997, Young & Winn 2003, Weiss et al 2006. Berry (1971) considered this occurrence as a potential mutualism, wherein the lobster would be protected from other predators (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of shelter availability on interactions between Caribbean spiny lobsters and moray eels: implications for artificial lobster enhancement

Lozano‐Álvarez¹,

Briones‐Fourzán²,

Álvarez‐Filip³

et al. 2010

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The Caribbean spiny lobster Panulirus argus is a valuable fishing resource, but local populations may be limited by availability of crevice shelter on juvenile (seagrass) habitats. This has prompted research into the potential density enhancement of juvenile lobsters with 'casitas', large (1.1 m 2 surface area) but low-lying (3.8 cm entrance height) artificial shelters that exclude large predators. Moray eels (Muraenidae), however, fit into casitas and could therefore pose a threat to lobster enhancement. In a shelter-poor reef lagoon, we examined potential interactions between juvenile lobsters and the locally dominant morays Gymnothorax vicinus and G. moringa in the absence (four 1 ha control sites) and presence of casitas (five 1 ha 'casita sites', each with 10 casitas), before (6 surveys) and after (22 surveys) deployment. Morays and lobsters did not interact as predator-prey, as morays neither consumed nor intimidated co-occurring lobsters. Rather, the 2 taxa appeared to compete for limited shelter on the reef lagoon, as suggested by a significant increase in density and mean size of both taxa on casita sites after deployment. Casitas significantly increased cohabitation of morays and lobsters, yet they tended to co-occur less often than expected by chance, but this result likely reflects behavioral differences between the highly gregarious, more numerous lobsters and the typically solitary, cannibalistic morays. Our study exemplifies the influence of habitat complexity on the nature of interspecific interactions and shows that G. vicinus and G. moringa would not pose a threat to lobster enhancement with casitas.

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“…Only recently have a few short papers been published on the biology of some of them (Abrams et al 1983, Ferrais 1985 and the ecology of feeding. This paper summarizes observations on the genus Rhinomuraena, partly also studied by Shen (1974) and Shen et al (1979).…”

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confidence: 99%

Rhinomuraena spp. (Pisces: Muraenidae): The first vertebrate genus with post-anally situated urogenital organs

Fishelson

1990

Mar. Biol.

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Abstract. Rhinomuraena spp. are specialized, marine sand-dwelling ribbon-like eels, protandric in their sexual activity. With maturation they develop black, blueyellow and yellow colour morphs, according to stages of sexual change. This investigation is based on fish collected around Fiji, near the Moluccas, Taiwan and Philippines from 1978 to 1989. The study of 20 individuals of 400 to 1170 mm total length disclosed that, contrary to all known Vertebrata, 80 to 82% of their gonads, that range in length between 80 to 400 mm, and the entire posterior kidney complex are situated post-anally, in two parallel pouches extending ventrally in the caudal part of the body. The kidney is situated dorsally and partially posteriorly to the gonads and attached to them.While studying the reproduction strategy and gonad structure of moray eels (Muraenidae) (Fishelson unpublished), I found that the gross anatomy of the genus Rhinomuraena differs greatly from the 60 other species dissected and does not fit well into the described vertebrate scheme.Although this fish family includes some 200 species, the information on their structure, biology and ecology is very sparse. Only recently have a few short papers been published on the biology of some of them (Abrams et al. 1983, Ferrais 1985 and the ecology of feeding. This paper summarizes observations on the genus Rhinomuraena, partly also studied by Shen (1974) and Shen et al. (1979).

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Diurnal observations on the behavioral ecology ofGymnothorax moringa (Cuvier) andMuraena miliaris (Kaup) on a Caribbean coral reef

Cited by 23 publications

References 11 publications

Estimating the density and biomass of moray eels (Muraenidae) using a modified visual census method for hole-dwelling reef fauna

Estimating the density and biomass of moray eels (Muraenidae) using a modified visual census method for hole-dwelling reef fauna

Influence of shelter availability on interactions between Caribbean spiny lobsters and moray eels: implications for artificial lobster enhancement

Rhinomuraena spp. (Pisces: Muraenidae): The first vertebrate genus with post-anally situated urogenital organs

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