Abstract
Mangroves and seagrass beds represent suitable fish habitats as nurseries or feeding areas. This study was conducted in a Caribbean lagoon to assess the foraging habits of juvenile transient reef fishes in these two habitats. Twelve fish species were sampled in coastal mangroves, an offshore mangrove islet, and a seagrass bed site, and stable isotope analyses were performed on fishes and their prey items. The SIAR mixing model indicated that transient fishes from both mangroves and seagrass beds derived most of their food from seagrass beds and their associated epiphytic community. Only a few species including planktivores (Harengula clupeola, Anchoa lyolepis) and carnivores (Centropomus undecimalis and small specimens of Ocyurus chrysurus) presented depleted carbon values, showing reliance on mangrove prey in their diets. Mangrove-derived organic matter contributed marginally to the diet of transient fishes, which relied more on seagrass food sources. Thus, mangroves seem to function more as refuge than feeding habitats for juvenile transient fishes.
Highlights
Mangroves and seagrass beds constitute highly productive ecosystems that are known to represent suitable fish habitats, acting as shelters, nurseries or foraging areas (Beck et al 2001, Nagelkerken et al 2008)
We examined the influence of mangrove location and habitat structure on the feeding behavior of 12 juvenile transient fishes by analyzing spatial patterns of stable isotopes
Three sites were studied between September and December 2007: Fajou offshore mangrove islet located near the barrier reef, coastal fringing mangroves located close to the mouth of Grande Rivière à Goyaves, and a seagrass bed in the middle of the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin (GCSM) lagoon
Summary
Mangroves and seagrass beds constitute highly productive ecosystems that are known to represent suitable fish habitats, acting as shelters, nurseries or foraging areas (Beck et al 2001, Nagelkerken et al 2008). Los manglares y las praderas de pastos marinos son ecosistemas altamente productivos así como hábitats adecuados para el refugio, la crianza y la alimentación de peces (Beck et al 2001, Nagelkerken et al 2008). La interceptación de larvas planctónicas de peces y la abundancia de fuentes de alimento son algunas de las principales hipótesis que explican la gran abundancia de individuos juveniles de peces arrecifales en estos hábitats (Beck et al 2001, Laegdsgaard y Johnson 2001). En el Caribe, los manglares frencuentemente se interrelacion con las praderas de pastos marinos y la poca influencia de las mareas permite un intercambio permanente entre estos
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