Movements and site fidelity of the bonefish Albula vulpes in northern Florida Keys determined by acoustic telemetry

Abstract

We used an acoustic telemetry system to test the hypothesis that the bonefish Albula vulpes exhibits site fidelity in selection of foraging areas in the northern Florida Keys. Stationary hydrophone receivers with data-logging units were deployed surrounding a discrete bonefish foraging area. Individuals were captured, fitted with acoustic transmitters, and then released within the study area. The reception ranges of receiver stations within the array were evaluated by moving a transmitter within the array. These data were used to assess spatial coverage of monitoring and decipher fine-scale movement patterns from recorded presence-absence data: 64% of tagged fish were detected by receivers for multiple days following release. Tagged fish frequented the experimental area for periods ranging from 3 to 61 d. Only 2 individuals, tracked for 48 and 61 d, demonstrated site fidelity characterized by daily movements into the study area. Our observations contradict earlier studies that concluded that bonefish range widely throughout available habitats, and suggest that bonefish utilize shallow habitats most, although deep channels may provide refuge from the rapid temperature changes that occur on the shallow flats.

Topography and biological noise determine acoustic detectability on coral reefs

“…Passive monitoring of marine organisms with acoustic tags is now a widely used tool for investigating their movement patterns, site fidelity and habitat utilization (Humston et al 2005;Heupel et al 2006). Large numbers of individuals can be monitored in remote areas, for long periods of time, without the recapture effort commonly involved with other marking techniques.…”

Acoustic Telemetry Studies of Bonefish (Albula vulpes) Movement Around Andros Island, Bahamas: Implications for Species Management

“…The bonefish was secured on the surgery table and fresh seawater was circulated through the mouth and over the gills during surgery. The acoustic tags, measuring 36 mm long and 13 mm in diameter, were surgically implanted through an approximate 2 cm incision into the peritoneal cavity of the bonefish using field procedures similar to those described in Humston et al (2005) and following FIU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols (Fig. 4) …”

“…B (popularly known as A. garcia) and A. nemoptera (Crabtree et al 1996, Colborn et al 2001. Albula vulpes is believed to be the species that dominates the recreational fishery and is most commonly caught by anglers in Florida (Humston et al 2005) and possibly The Bahamas (Danylchuk et al 2007). …”

“…Of the three species in the Caribbean, published information has primarily been on A. vulpes and covers age, growth and mortality (Crabtree et al 1996, Adams et al 2008); maturation and reproduction (Crabtree et al 1997); habitat use (Adams et al 2008); diet (Colton & Alevizon 1983a, Crabtree et al 1998; movement (Colton & Alevizon 1983b, Humston et al 2005; larval duration and temporal abundance patterns (Mojica et al 1995, Dahlgren et al 2008; or a combination of these (Bruger 1974. However, most of these studies were conducted before the identification of Albula sp.…”

“…It is presumed that bonefish (Albula spp.) exhibit a tri-phasic life history strategy, occupying several habitats throughout their life history (Humston et al 2005, which is quite common for many aquatic species (Fairweather 1991). Animals with this life history strategy exhibit three key phases of ontogeny, movement and resource use ( Fig.…”