Abstract
Identifying patterns of organismal distribution can provide valuable insights for basic and applied marine and coastal ecology because understanding where animals are located is foundational to both research and science-based conservation. Understanding variation in distributional patterns can lead to a better assessment of ecological drivers and an improved ability to predict consequences of natural and altered relationships. Here, our purpose is to explore if quantifying coexisting groups of individual fish predators advances our understanding of field distribution patterns. Toward this end, we quantified locations of 59 acoustically tagged striped bass (Morone saxatilis) within a 26-stationary unit telemetry receiver array in Plum Island Estuary (PIE), MA, United States. We then used cluster analyses on spatial and temporal-spatial metrics from this dataset to (1) assess if distinct groups of individuals coexisted, (2) quantify group characteristics, and (3) test associations between groups and distribution (e.g., physical site type and region). Based on multiple lines of evidence, we identified four groups of striped bass with different space use patterns that persisted across seasons (summer and fall). Similar-sized striped bass clustered at spatial and temporal scales at which individuals within distinct groups could, and did, physically overlap. In addition, distributional groups were linked to components of physical site type and region suggesting that discrete groups of individuals can interact differently with the environment within the same ecological system. The identification of these distinct groups of individuals creates a baseline from which to explore further ecological implications of grouping behavior for research and conservation in geographically large, temporally dynamic, and spatially heterogeneous marine and coastal environments.
Highlights
Identifying spatial patterns of organismal distribution can provide valuable insights for marine and coastal science because understanding where animals are located is foundational for both ecological research and science-based conservation
Our purpose is to assess if identifying discrete groups of individual fish that coexist within the same population can advance our understanding of fish distribution patterns
For each of our four clusters, we show one representative individual fish within each cluster to illustrate group trajectories and distributional maps (Figures 3A–D)
Summary
Identifying spatial patterns of organismal distribution can provide valuable insights for marine and coastal science because understanding where animals are located is foundational for both ecological research and science-based conservation. Variation in spatial distributions of individual predators can reduce fishrelated goods and services, change the magnitude of ecological impacts by and on predators, and influence relevant coastal and marine research, and management directions (e.g., Eero et al, 2012; Kessel et al, 2016; Shelton et al, 2020). We use individual-based acoustic telemetry of striped bass (a predator) to identify if quantifying behavioral groups can provide a more accurate understanding of the distribution of these fish in coastal seascapes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
