Post release survival and movement patterns of roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis) off the Central American coastline

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Acoustic telemetry was used to assess immediate post-release survival and track the short-term movement patterns of roosterfish Nematistius pectoralis between 2008 and 2010. Seven roosterfish (85 to 146 cm fork length, FL) were continuously tracked along the Central American coastline for periods of up to 28 h following capture on recreational fishing tackle. All seven roosterfish were initially captured and spent the duration of the track period proximal to the coastline in waters <100 m of depth. From depth records and horizontal movements, it was determined that all seven roosterfish survived the acute effects of capture. The greatest depth achieved by any of the tracked individuals was 62 m and collectively roosterfish spent over 90% of the track records between the surface and 12 m. For all tracks, fish size showed no effect on maximum or average dive depth and the average day (7 ± 2 m) and night (6 ± 2 m) depths were similar among individuals. Mean water temperature for all tracks was 28 ± 1°C, with the lowest temperature experienced at depth being 23°C. Total horizontal movements from the roosterfish in this study ranged from 14.7 to 42.2 km and averaged 1.5 ± 0.4 km h -1. Data on movements in relation to bathymetry, prey presence and habitat structure are discussed. Collectively, these data provide insight into the immediate post-release disposition and short-term movements of this poorly studied species along the coast of Central America. Keywords: Nematistius pectoralis, roosterfish, Nematistidae, sport fishing, ecology, Central American coast.Sobrevivencia post-liberación y patrones de desplazamiento del pez gallo (Nematistius pectoralis) frente a la costa centroamericana RESUMEN. Durante el 2008-2010 se utilizó telemetría acústica para determinar los movimientos verticales y horizontales de corto plazo en pejegallo, Nematistius pectoralis, y evaluar la sobrevivencia inmediata después de ser capturados. Se siguieron en forma continua los movimientos de siete pejegallos (85 a 146 cm de longitud furcal) en la costa centroamericana por periodos de hasta 28 h después de ser capturados mediante métodos de pesca deportiva. Todos los pejegallo marcados pasaron la totalidad de su tiempo en aguas costeras a menos de 100 m de profundidad. Los datos de profundidad y de movimiento horizontal mostraron que todos los peces sobrevivieron a la captura. La profundidad máxima obtenida por un pez fue de 62 m y conjuntamente todos los individuos pasaron más del 90% de su tiempo entre la superficie y 12 m de profundidad. Los datos de movimientos no mostraron relación entre la longitud y la profundad máxima o promedio; la profundidad promedio durante el día (7 ± 2 m) y la noche (6 ± 2 m) no fue diferente. La temperatura promedio del agua durante el estudio fue de 28 ± 1ºC y la temperatura mínima fue de 23ºC. Los movimientos horizontales totales variaron de 14,7 a 42,2 km, con una velocidad media de 1,5 ± 0,4 km h -1. En este trabajo se presenta y discute datos de desplazamientos en relación con la batimetría, pre...

Genome Survey Sequencing of an Iconic ‘Trophy’ Sportfish, the Roosterfish Nematistius pectoralis: Genome Size, Repetitive Elements, Nuclear RNA Gene Operon, and Microsatellite Discovery

“…Among vertebrates, one of the most speciose chordate clades, the marine and freshwater bony fishes (superclass Pisces; class Actinopterygii) [1], exhibit remarkable disparity in terms of morphology, physiology, behavior, and ecology [2]. Among them, the 'Pez Gallo' or the Roosterfish, Nematistius pectoralis Gill, 1862, is an ecologically relevant species in shallow (0-20 m) soft-bottom marine and estuarine environments [3][4][5][6] and a target of a lucrative sport fishery in the Central Eastern Pacific Ocean [3,7]. The Roosterfish is an iconic and highly appreciated 'trophy fish' by anglers, in large part due to its impressive seven-stranded dorsal fin that resembles a rooster's comb and from which it receives its name (Figure 1).…”

“…It is also present in the Galapagos archipelago and Malpelo Island [6,9]. The life history of N. pectoralis is poorly known [3][4][5]7,10]. N. pectoralis can grow up to 191 cm and weigh 52 kg, and together with various other large fishes, e.g., albacore or swordfish (Xiphias gladius), marlins (Makaira spp.…”

Isolation and characterization of 16 novel microsatellite loci in the roosterfish Nematistius pectoralis Gill, 1862 by Illumina sequencing

“…The roosterfish also plays a critical role as a specialist hunter in coastal waters, preying upon schooling fishes along beaches and upon pelagic fishes (Bestley, Patterson, Hindell, & Gunn, 2010;Rodríguez-Romero et al, 2009). Researchers have used acoustic telemetry to track short-term movement patterns of roosterfish in Costa Rican waters, showing that individuals spend over 90% of their time between the surface and depths up to 12 m (Sepulveda, Aalbers, & Bernal, 2015). Other studies suggest they undergo seasonal movements that may be triggered by changes in water temperature, restricting their presence to near-shore waters (Rodríguez-Romero et al, 2009).…”