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Small-scale spatial structure of two flatfish species, in Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2001

Victor E. Gomelyuk
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine Biology of Far-Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Science, 17 Palchevsky Street, Vladivostok 690041, Russia Present address: Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia victor___gomelyuk.zoology@muwaye.unimelb.edu.au
Sergej Y. Shchetkov
Affiliation:
Institute of Marine Biology of Far-Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Science, 17 Palchevsky Street, Vladivostok 690041, Russia

Abstract

Density and spatial distributions on an intermediate scale of two flatfishes—marbled flounder Pleuronectes yokohamae, and the brown sole Pleuronectes herzensteini (Pisces: Pleuronectiformes) within large (10,000–100,000 m2 patches of homogenous substratum (sand and silted sand)) were studied. Both species dominated in the demersal fish community. Densities of brown sole, were significantly higher in both types of habitat. Flatfish distribution was highly patchy and the mean fish densities in groups were as much as ten times higher than the mean fish densities in the area. More than 85% of all recorded flatfish were found within groups. Mixed groups with both species were most prevalent. The number of flatfish in one group ranged from 2 to 20. Brown sole was more abundant in the area and dominated in mixed groups. Levels of contacts between group members and densities within groups were inversely related to visibility condition. It is suggested that flatfish form a group and stay in the group, attracted by foraging movements of other flatfish and by plumes of upset particles caused by their bottom digging movements.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1999 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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