Meeting Abstract

P3.10  Jan. 6  Colonization of an Introduced Resource by Reef Organisms at Cochinos Grande, Cayos Cochinos, Honduras ARNOLD, M.C.; New College of Florida mariah.arnold@ncf.edu

The shallow reef off Cochinos Grande is a thriving nursery for many fish species. Invertebrates also inhabit the rock ledges and sandy bottom that create the reef�s substrate. Conch shells of various sizes were placed on the reef as a novel resource and monitored for sixteen days. Shell colonization by fish and invertebrates was seen as soon as 24 hours after placement. The predominant colonists included juveniles of four fish species: Malacoctenus macropus, Coryphopterus glaucofraenum, Stegastes diencaeus, and Stegastes partitus. Invertebrate activity in and around the shells was also observed sporadically during the experiment. Four distinct colonization patterns emerged from observing the four fish species. For some fish, such as Malacoctenus macropus, interaction with the shells was very transient and the shells were only used as temporary shelters. Other fish, such as Stegastes partitus, seemed to colonize the shells more permanently, using them as a home base, defending and cleaning the shell. The shells were integrated into the reef system extremely quickly, leading to the conclusion that new shells are an invaluable resource for both the juvenile fish and invertebrates of the nursery reef.