Variation in reef associated assemblages of the Lutjanidae and Lethrinidae at different distances offshore in the central Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

Fish traps were used to quantify the distribution and abundance of the Lutjanidae and Lethrinidae on reefs across the central Great Barrier Reef. The assemblages of fishes on inshore reefs were distinctive from those on midshelf and outershelf reefs. There were significantly fewer individuals of the Lutjanidae and Lethrinidae inshore and all species examined displayed significant cross-shelf changes in abundance. These significant cross shelf changes in abundance were due to an absence or low abundance of individuals of a species at one or more cross shelf locations, with many species present in only one location on the continental shelf. The genera Aprion, Lutjanus, Macolor, Symphorichthys, Symphorus, Gnathodentex, Gymnocranius, Lethrinus and Monotaxis were all characteristic of the shallow shelf waters less than 100 m. In contrast, species of the genera Paracaesio, Pristipomoides and Wattsia were characteristic of the intermediate depths (100–200 m) and the deeper outer reef slope waters in excess of 200 m were characterised by species of the genus Etelis.