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Spatial and vertical patterns in the tidepool fish assemblage on the island of O`ahu

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Abstract

The microtides, wave regimes, and relative isolation of the Hawaiian archipelago may provide unique environmental and biogeographic effects that shape the structure of tidepool fishes. We sampled fishes across a narrow gradient at low tide from 6 sites on the island of O`ahu. We tested predictions of the hypotheses that environmental conditions (pool depth, volume, macroalgal cover, temperature, and salinity) would result in a vertically structured tidepool fish assemblage unique to basalt or limestone rocky shores. 343 fish were recorded from 40 pools, and 19 species from 10 families were identified. Tidepool fish diversity (H’: O`ahu = 2.4; Sites Average = 0.0–0.9) was typical for tropical islands, with members from Gobiidae (5 species), Blenniidae (4 species), Pomacentridae (3 species), Acanthuridae (2 species) and Kuhliidae (2 species) among the most common. Endemism (32%) was higher than other well studied assemblages yet similar to Hawaiian reef fishes (25%). Assemblage abundance varied among shores with basalt or limestone substrate, among sites, and vertically among high, mid, and low pools. In general, blenniids occurred at higher proportions on limestone shores and gobiids were more common on basalt shores. High pools were characterized by an abundance of a small sized (29.0 mm median standard length) blenniid Istiblennius zebra, while the blenniid Entomacrodus marmoratus and wrasses Thalassoma spp. were more common in low pools. Temperature was the best environmental predictor of assemblages and this relationship warrants further investigation. Our findings indicate that assemblages can vary across a narrow geographical range and intertidal shore.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge Patrick Aldrich, Ross Langston, and Louise Giuseffi for their assistance in collection of fishes. In addition we thank Celia Smith for her guidance and are grateful for the comments from anonymous reviewers which helped to greatly improve this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, 3190 Maile Way, Room 101, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Traci Erin Cox

  2. Department of Biology, Western Oregon University, 345 N. Monmouth Ave, Monmouth, OR, 97361, USA

    Erin Baumgartner

  3. Department of Zoology, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson 152, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA

    Joanna Philippoff & Kelly S. Boyle

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  1. Traci Erin Cox
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  2. Erin Baumgartner
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  4. Kelly S. Boyle
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Correspondence to Traci Erin Cox.

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Cox, T.E., Baumgartner, E., Philippoff, J. et al. Spatial and vertical patterns in the tidepool fish assemblage on the island of O`ahu. Environ Biol Fish 90, 329–342 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-010-9744-4

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