Vertical Resource Partitioning and Sexuality of Three Sympatric Species of Red Sea Sandfishes (Xyrichtys melanopus, Labridae; Trichonotus nikii, Trichonotidae; Gorgasia sp., Congridae)
Vertical Resource Partitioning and Sexuality of Three Sympatric Species of Red Sea Sandfishes (Xyrichtys melanopus, Labridae; Trichonotus nikii, Trichonotidae; Gorgasia sp., Congridae)
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Date
1988
Authors
Krall, Marianne Martha
Advisor
Clark, Eugenie
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Abstract
Three species of marine sandfishes were studied from
1984 to 1986. Their inter- and intraspecific behavior
was monitored during the daylight hours to examine
interactions that could result in the vertical
stratification of the species over the sandy bottom
within the fringing and patch reefs in the north Red Sea.
Horizontal plankton tows were taken at three heights and
three times a day. These samples were compared to
stomach contents of the fishes to determine the trophic
relationships in the community and their affects on
spatial relations between the species . Prey
specificities of the fishes were determined by using an
electivity measure. Using paraffin histology, Xyrichtys
melanopus was determined to be a monandric protogynous
hermaphrodite and Trichonotus nikii, a gonochorist.
Previous work on the mating systems and territoriality of
all three sandfish species helped in part to explain the
vertical spatial arrangement of the sandfish species
within the community. Effects of pollution on the b iota
of the Northern Gulf of Aqaba are noted.