Spatial patterns in population biology of a large coral reef fish: what role can movement play?

摘要: Recent empirical studies have demonstrated significant spatial variation in the population biology of coral reef fish. The scales at which this variation occurs often depend on the species and processes that are examined. Most research on coral reef fish population biology has focused on relatively small, site-attached species and results from such research often indicate variations in population biology at localised spatial scales, such as 10's to 100's or 1000's of meters. There have been fewer studies of large reef fish species and, consequently, little is known of the spatial patterns in population biology of large reef fish. Large reef fish are generally thought to be more mobile and have larger home ranges than small reef fish species. Therefore, the spatial scales that define intermixed populations of large reef fish may differ from those at which small reef fish vary. Furthermore, large reef fish species are often the targets for commercial and recreational fisheries. Information on the spatial patterns in population biology of harvested species will be of particular importance for fisheries management, as population responses to fishing pressure and different management strategies will vary among populations with different dynamics. Within this context, the broad objectives of this thesis were to: 1) Estimate a number of reproductive parameters, including spawning season, maturity schedules and size and age at sex change for the red throat emperor (Lethrinus miniatus) and compare the parameters between the northern and southern areas of the distribution of L. miniatus on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR); 2) Estimate rates of growth and mortality for L …