Spawning Aggregation of Beardfish, Polymixia lowei, in a Deep-Water Sinkhole off the Florida Keys

Authors

Rex E. Baumberger, Florida Atlantic UniversityFollow
Nancy J. Brown-Peterson, University of Southern MississippiFollow
John K. Reed, Florida Atlantic UniversityFollow
R. Grant Gilmore Jr., Estuarine, Coastal, and Ocean SciencesFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-26-2010

Department

Coastal Sciences, Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Abstract

A large spawning aggregation of Polymixia lowei, Beardfish, was documented via video and specimen collection in a deep-water (413 m) sinkhole off Key West, Florida on 5 June 2007. The use of the human-occupied submersible, Johnson-Sea-Link It, allowed for in situ observations, video documentation, and specimen collection. The maximum density (1117 fish m(-2)), average abundance (56 fish m(-2)), and average standard length (152.1 mm) were estimated from video transects. Ovarian histology of the fish collected indicated recent spawning activity. Observations of a deep scattering layer above the sinkhole by echo sounder suggested that A towel were in the water column during the pre-dawn hours. This represents the first report of aggregating behavior for reproduction in A towel.

Publication Title

Copeia

Issue

1

First Page

41

Last Page

46

Recommended Citation

Baumberger, R. E., Brown-Peterson, N. J., Reed, J. K., Gilmore, R. (2010). Spawning Aggregation of Beardfish, Polymixia lowei, in a Deep-Water Sinkhole off the Florida Keys. Copeia(1), 41-46.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/708