Diurnal temporal patterns of the diversity and the abundance of reef fishes in a branching coral patch in New Caledonia

A study on the Lagoons of New Caledonia reveals significant diurnal variability in reef fish diversity and abundance. Researchers used autonomous video systems to record fish assemblages 10 times daily for 34 days, capturing over 50,000 observations from 114 taxa. The findings indicate that fish richness and abundance peak during early morning and late afternoon, with notable temporal patterns in the abundance of 14 taxa, primarily herbivore-detritus feeders. These patterns suggest diel migration behaviors, emphasizing the importance of accounting for small-scale temporal variability in ecological studies and habitat connectivity assessments.

Mallet, D., Vigliola, L., Wantiez, L., & Pelletier, D. (2016). Diurnal temporal patterns of the diversity and the abundance of reef fishes in a branching coral patch in New Caledonia. Austral Ecology, 41(7), 733–744. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12360