Meeting Abstract

P2.95  Monday, Jan. 5  The Tahitian Butterflyfish: A Bay Specialist and Territorial Omnivore COPUS, J.M.*; REAVIS, R.H. ; SHUSTER, S.M.; Northern Arizona University; Glendale Community College; Northern Arizona University jmc374@nau.edu

Butterflyfish (Family Chaetodontidae) are easily observed and well studied members of coral-reef communities. Their behavior and ecology have been cited to support models of speciation, territoriality and mating system theory. However, most studies of butterflyfish have focused on obligate corallivores, many of which mate monogamously. To further test these models, we investigated the behavior and ecology of the endemic Tahitian butterflyfish, Chaetodon trichrous. First, we determined the distribution of this fish around Moorea Island, French Polynesia where it was a dominant Chaetodon species in two bays of Moorea, but not seen in other habitats. We note that the turbidity of these waters might explain the relatively drab coloration of C. trichrous. Second, we tested the hypothesis that determinations of territoriality may depend on the duration of observations made on butterflyfish. We did not observe territoriality in our first (short) season of observations. However, territorial behavior was confirmed after additional observation. Finally, we observed C. trichrous fed broadly on planktonic and benthic organisms, yet most adults were found in pairs. Moreover, females fed on the benthos at higher rates than their male partners. This pattern of feeding is common among monogamously paired fishes and suggests C. trichrous may be monogamous. Our observations challenge the typical models of Chaetodon mating systems which suggest that generalist butterflyfish are not monogamous.