First record of mosquitofish,Gambusia holbrooki,in Tasmania,Australia: Stock structure and reproductive biology

The first population of mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki, was discovered in a wetland area of the upper Tamar Estuary, northern Tasmania, Australia, in November 2000. We report aspects of the structure and reproductive biology of this population, based on 1567 fish collected between August 2001 and January 2002. Females dominated most catches. Maximum lengths were 48.9 and 23.6 mm standard length (SL) for females and males, respectively. Growth of the over‐wintered cohort was evident from October, when temperatures reached >19°C; growth rates in the young‐of‐season cohort from length frequency plots were 0.38 mm/ day for females and 0.19 mm/day for males. Estimated SL at 50% maturity for females (25.0 mm) and males (17.4 mm) were attained within 7 weeks of birth. Developing embryos were present from mid October and offspring from mid November; average number of stage III embryos was 55.5 (3–144). Given their rapid reproductive turnover (c. 34‐day gestation period) and resilience to broad environmental conditions, it is likely that this exotic pest will spread to other Tasmanian localities, as it has already been discovered in areas near the wetlands since the completion of this study.     

Aspects of the ecology of a littoral chiton,Sypharochiton pellisekpentis (Mollusca: Polyplacophora)

On several Auckland shores, a littoral chiton, Sypharochiton pelliserpentis (Quoy and Gaimard, 1835), was widely distributed and common. At Castor Bay it was the commonest chiton, and its density equalled or exceeded that of the commonest limpet (Cellana spp.) over most of the inter‐tidal range. Spot measurements of population density were made at other sites including exposed and sheltered shores. The smallest animals were restricted to the lower shore in pools or on areas of rock which were slow to drain. Exclusive of these small animals, the population structure was similar in pools and water‐filled crevices situated either high or low on the shore. This was also true for populations of animals from drained surfaces, but, at both shore levels, the population structure in the two micro‐habitats (pools and drained surfaces) was distinct.

Single measurements of salinity in the very small volumes of water in which chitons were living gave a range of 13.3–45.8‰. In laboratory experiments at normal temperatures this species could survive these fluctuations for the maximum time possible between tides. Desiccation experiments, in which weight loss was expressed as a percentage of total water content, showed weight loss to depend on size. No significant differences in weight loss were found between populations from the two shore levels and the two micro‐habitats considered, though there were slight survival differences. Desiccation is probably an important factor influencing population structure, but loss of up to 75% of water content could be tolerated before 50% mortality occurred. Osmotic and desiccation stress evoked a characteristic behaviour pattern.     

海岸圈围对雁鸭类种群及生境的影响研究——以长江口横沙东滩为例

滨海湿地是雁鸭类的重要栖息地,然而高强度的海岸圈围工程对滨海湿地生态系统和鸟类栖息地造成了显著影响,因此分析和研究海岸圈围对雁鸭类种群及栖息地的影响,对水鸟保护和滨海湿地资源可持续利用具有重要的理论和实践意义。位于长江口的横沙东滩,于2003年启动了海岸圈围促淤工程,工程的实施导致湿地生境和水鸟种群都发生着快速变化。本研究分别对2013、2015、2016和2017年,横沙东滩雁鸭类种群和生境因子的时空变化进行了调查与分析,通过拟合回归分析了两者的相关关系,探讨海岸圈围后生境的快速变化对雁鸭类种群产生的影响,从而提出海岸带圈围后水鸟栖息地的保护与管理对策。结果表明:1)海岸圈围工程的实施显著改变了滨海湿地的水鸟生境及种群特征。随着工程的推进,自然潮滩的盐沼湿地呈动态变化趋势;促淤区则随着泥沙的补给,新生了大面积的沼泽湿地;成陆区逐渐向淡水生态系统演替。伴随着生境的变化,雁鸭类种群逐渐从成陆区和自然潮滩向促淤区转移。2)不同生境类型影响雁鸭类种群数量特征的生境因子不同。未实施圈围的自然潮滩影响雁鸭类数量的主要因素是海三棱藨草/藨草群落面积;正在实施圈围的促淤区的主要影响因素是挺水植物面积、植被归一化指数(NDVI)和无植被覆盖水域面积;已圈围的成陆区主要影响因素为沉水植物面积。综上,雁鸭类偏向选择具有开阔水域、充足食物供给和相对较低植被盖度的生境类型。对于海岸圈围区域,若能合理利用圈围土地,保留部分区域为湿地,并根据水鸟的生境需求,适当营造水鸟适宜的栖息地,可在一定程度上减缓圈围工程对水鸟的影响,实现滨海湿地水鸟栖息地保护和湿地资源可持续利用的动态平衡。     

Responses to Predation Cues and Food in Two Species of Sympatric, Tropical Sea Urchins

Abstract. We examined the responses of two tropical sea urchins, Lytechinus variegatus and Tripneustes ventricosus, to cues from predators, simulated predation events and food. Cues released from damaged conspecifics, heterospecifics and heteroclassics (holothurian) were used to simulate predation events in field experiments. Responses to the presence of seagrass, spiny lobster or both were tested in tanks. Findings were supplemented by natural history observations of dispersion patterns off Bermuda. In field experiments, neither species formed groupings in the presence of conspecific, heterospecific or heteroclassic cues. Flight responses were greatest in conspecific treatments; responses to heterospecific cues were intermediate to control and conspecific cues. Urchins in pre‐assembled associations remained in groups in control trials but dispersed when exposed to predation cues. Lytechinus exhibited greater sensitivity to predation cues than Tripneustes. Cues from a damaged sea cucumber invoked a response from Lytechinus but not Tripneustes. Both species employed a two phased response to cues from damaged conspecifics: initially a rapid, but ephemeral (2 min), alarm response followed by a slower (≈ 35 % lower) sustained flight phase for 6+ min, which in nature would disperse urchins downstream and away from a predator. In tank experiments, Lytechinus formed groupings only around food or food + predators. The presence of a predator reduced the aggregation response to food, suggesting that Lytechinus employed a risk aversion strategy. Tripneustes exhibited escape or refractory behavior in both control and experimental treatments in laboratory tanks.     

Community structure and nutrition of deep methane-seep macrobenthos from the North Pacific (Aleutian) Margin and the Gulf of Mexico (Florida Escarpment)

Methane seeps occur at depths extending to over 7000 m along the world's continental margins, but there is little information about the infaunal communities inhabiting sediments of seeps deeper than 3000 m. Biological sampling was carried out off Unimak Island (3200–3300 m) and Kodiak Island (4500 m) on the Aleutian margin, Pacific Ocean and along the Florida Escarpment (3300 m) in the Gulf of Mexico to investigate the community structure and nutrition of macrofauna at these sites. We addressed whether there are characteristic infaunal communities common to the deep‐water seeps or to the specific habitats (clam beds, pogonophoran fields, and microbial mats) studied here, and ask how these differ from background communities or from shallow‐seep settings sampled previously. We also investigated, using stable isotopic signatures, the utilization of chemosynthetically fixed and methane‐derived organic matter by macrofauna from different regions and habitats. Within seep sites, macrofaunal densities were the greatest in the Florida microbial mats (20,961 ± 11,618 ind·m⁻²), the lowest in the Florida pogonophoran fields (926 ± 132 ind·m⁻²), and intermediate in the Unimak and Kodiak seep habitats. Seep macrofaunal densities differed from those in nearby non‐seep sediments only in Florida mat habitats, where a single, abundant species of hesionid polychaete comprised 70% of the macrofauna. Annelids were the dominant taxon (>60%) at all sites and habitats except in Florida background sediments (33%) and Unimak pogonophoran fields (27%). Macrofaunal diversity (H′) was lower at the Florida than the Alaska seeps, with a trend toward reduced richness in clam bed relative to pogonophoran field or non‐seep sediments. Community composition differences between seep and non‐seep sediments were evident in each region except for the Unimak margin, but pogonophoran and clam bed macrofaunal communities did not differ from one another in Alaska. Seep δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N signatures were lighter for seep than non‐seep macrofauna in all regions, indicating use of chemosynthetically derived carbon. The lightest δ¹³C values (average of species’ means) were observed at the Florida escarpment (−42.8‰). We estimated that on average animal tissues had up to 55% methane‐derived carbon in Florida mats, 31–44% in Florida clam beds and Kodiak clam beds and pogonophoran fields, and 9–23% in Unimak seep habitats. However, some taxa such as hesionid and capitellid polychaetes exhibited tremendous intraspecific δ¹³C variation (>30‰) between patch types. Overall we found few characteristic communities or features common to the three deep‐water seeps (>3000 m), but common properties across habitats (mat, clam bed, pogonophorans), independent of location or water depth. In general, macrofaunal densities were lower (except at Florida microbial mats), community structure was similar, and reliance on chemosynthesis was greater than observed in shallower seeps off California and Oregon.     

Habitat changes in coastal wetlands associated to hydrological changes in the watershed

In recent decades wetlands associated with the Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain) have undergone several hydrological and biological changes as a consequence of increased water inputs from agricultural drainage off the watershed. Changes in the vegetal communities were studied by means of supervised classification of Landsat images, and TM and ETM+ sensors during the period 1984–2000, and a series of land cover maps was created. Changes in the wetland area during this period were analysed and a good fit was found with the total area of irrigated lands in the watershed. The series of land cover maps also allowed the study of the internal composition of the vegetal communities in each wetland. Important changes were detected, with an expansion of reedbeds and a significant reduction in the area occupied by priority habitats according to the Habitats Directive.     

Surface evolution and carbon sequestration in disturbed and undisturbed wetland soils of the Hunter estuary,southeast Australia

The aim of this work was to quantify the soil carbon storage and sequestration rates of undisturbed natural wetlands and disturbed wetlands subject to restriction of tidal flow and subsequent rehabilitation in an Australian estuary. Disturbed and undisturbed estuarine wetlands of the Hunter estuary, New South Wales, Australia were selected as the study sites for this research. Vertical accretion rates of estuarine substrates were combined with soil carbon concentrations and bulk densities to determine the carbon store and carbon sequestration rates of the substrates tested. Relationships between estuary water level, soil evolution and vertical accretion were also examined. The carbon sequestration rate of undisturbed wetlands was lower (15% for mangrove and 55% for saltmarsh) than disturbed wetlands, but the carbon store was higher (65% for mangrove and 60% for saltmarsh). The increased carbon sequestration rate of the disturbed wetlands was driven by substantially higher rates of vertical accretion (95% for mangrove and 345% for saltmarsh). Estuarine wetland carbon stores were estimated at 700–1000 Gg C for the Hunter estuary and 3900–5600 Gg C for New South Wales. Vertical accretion and carbon sequestration rates of estuarine wetlands in the Hunter are at the lower end of the range reported in the literature. The comparatively high carbon sequestration rates reported for the disturbed wetlands in this study indicate that wetland rehabilitation has positive benefits for regulation of atmospheric carbon concentrations, in addition to more broadly accepted ecosystem services.     

日照傅疃河流域湿地功能综合评价

The Tutuan River wetland is one of the important wetlands in Rizhao City,Shandong.Comprehensive evaluation of its function was studied for essking a comprehensive remedy to current geological and environmental problems.Ecological function, ecosystem characteristics,environmental problems and function loss of the wetland were assessed,and the effect of climate change on the wetland was analyzed in monthly weather change in 2000-2005.Meanwhile the surface water and groundwater in key sites were sampled and analyze for water quality assessment and sea water invasion to the study area was also evaluated.     

Reduction of a population of Canterbury mudfish,Neochanna burrowsius (Galaxiidae), by drovight

A population of Canterbury mudfish Neochanna burrowsius (Phillipps), estimated to exceed 3000 adults in July‐December 1975, and its habitat at Clearwell in mid Canterbury, are described. A 7 month drought nearly extinguished the population; this and the subsequent return migration (in August 1976) of survivors from a stockwater race are recorded.     

七里海潟湖湿地近期演变分析及生态修复研究

海岸潟湖是半封闭系统,往往被海岸沙丘、沙嘴或沙坝阻碍了淡水与海洋的流通,也是重要的栖息地,如湿地、红树林、盐沼和海草地等。在过去的30年,七里海潟湖湿地生态系统遭受了严重的干扰。文章基于1987年、2000年、2010年和2017年的遥感数据,开展了七里海潟湖湿地类型变化研究。结果表明:1987年以来,七里海潟湖湖盆和沼泽面积持续减少,主要原因是向养殖池塘和稻田转变。围堰养殖、稻田开发、渔港及防潮闸建设等导致潟湖淤积严重,湖盆面积萎缩,水质恶化。为了更好地开发和利用潟湖湿地资源,提出了生态修复工程与措施。     

Characteristics of Habitats Used by Enteroctopus dofleini in Prince William Sound and Cook Inlet,Alaska

Abstract. Habitat characteristics associated with the giant Pacific octopus, Enteroctopus dofleini (Wülker 1910), were studied in Prince William Sound and Port Graham, Alaska, from beach walk, SCUBA and submersible surveys at depths of 0 to 197 m. Octopus counts on beach walk transects were positively correlated with soft substrates (sand, gravel or broken rubble), the presence of boulders, and dense kelp cover immediately offshore of the transect; and negatively correlated with depth on SCUBA transects. No significant habitat correlations were found with counts on submersible transects. On beach walks, octopus counts were reduced on hard substrates to 38 % of the counts on soft substrates. Counts increased five‐fold in the presence of boulders over counts in their absence, and increased fifteen‐fold adjacent to dense (> 75 %) kelp cover over counts adjacent to sparse (< 25 %) kelp cover. On SCUBA transects, the average density at less than 5 m depth was over five times that below 5 m. No trends in octopus size or sex ratio were detected with depth. Den use was inversely correlated with depth although there was no indication that den availability declined with depth. Octopuses were found at densities from 0 to 2.5 per 1000 m². These densities were only 1 to 50 % of densities of the same species recorded in British Columbia in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Few data are available to test recruitment, mortality, and habitat selection hypotheses that would account for differences between habitats. However, the presence of the highest octopus densities in intertidal and very shallow subtidal areas indicates the likely importance of near‐shore, shallow‐water habitats, and highlights the vulnerability of octopus populations to changes in these habitats.     

Effects of fluctuations in water level and growth of Lagarosiphon major on the aquatic vascular plants in Lake Rotoma, 1973–80

Fluctuations in water level and the growth of the introduced exotic Lagarosiphon major (Ridley) Moss have significantly influenced the submerged vegetation of Lake Rotoma over the period 1973–80. Low lake levels temporarily reduced the proportion of native vascular plants by removing available shallow‐water habitats through erosion, siltation, or desiccation. High lake levels have allowed native vascular plants to re‐establish from seed and rhizomes. Fluctuations in water level appear to have reduced the long‐term replacement of native species by L. major, which has none the less spread progressively around the lake. Water‐level fluctuations enhanced its rate of fragmentation, and thus its dispersal and establishment. The annual increase in the proportion of L. major has been primarily at the expense of the shallow‐water characean algae, but also partly by competitive displacement of native vascular plants. The southwest inlet of Lake Rotoma had an exceptionally high plant density, with up to 3518 g/m² dry weight of L. major (believed to be a world record for submerged plant biomass); this is attributed to local enrichment and protection from wave exposure.     

高强度人类活动对泉州湾滨海湿地环境的影响及其对策

由于滨海湿地丰富的资源和优越的环境,人们对其进行了大规模的开发利用,导致了滨海湿地的丧失与生态退化。滨海湿地位于陆地-海洋-大气相互作用最活跃的地带,具有非常重要的生态意义。总结泉州湾滨海湿地水动力、地貌、生态、环境质量的特征,分析围填海、养殖、污染物排放及人工生态工程等对滨海湿地的影响。结果表明,随着社会经济的快速发展以及人类活动的显著增强,泉州湾滨海湿地面积减小,输水及输沙的路径和方式发生变化,湿地环境质量显著下降,生物多样性及生物量减少。为了实现泉州湾滨海湿地的可持续发展,提出了如下对策:(1)加强围海造地的科学管理,提倡新的围海造地方式;(2)开展海岸整治与生态修复,建设特色湿地公园;(3)挖掘海洋文化特色,发展生态旅游。本研究揭示高强度人类活动对滨海湿地环境的影响,为开展滨海湿地研究、整治与修复,为制定滨海湿地开发利用与保护对策提供科学依据。     

How much runoff do riparian wetlands affect?

Abstract

Nitrate runoff from pastoral fanning is of concern because it contributes to lake eutrophication. Surface flow in wetlands is a measure of the runoff likely to experience nitrate attenuation. This study assessed the potential of small headwater wetlands to reduce catchment nitrate loads by quantifying the proportion of total runoff that occurred as surface flow at the outlet of wetlands. Surface flow can be measured from wetlands in side valleys (valley wetlands) with well defined flow channels, but not in those parallel to the stream (riparian wetlands) with distributed flow. This study, from November 2004 to June 2008: (1) measured the mean specific flow yield (mm yr^?1) at the outlet of 6 wetlands; (2) classified wetlands into 3 types based on hydrology; (3) mapped and classified all wetlands in the catchment; and (4) calculated the area‐weighted mean specific yield of wetlands for the whole catchment. The 6.6 km² study catchment at Taupo, North Island, New Zealand, was predominantly pasture on volcanic soils where flows were baseflow dominated. Riparian and valley wetlands occupied 5% of catchment area. Type 1 wetlands flowed continuously, were dominated by baseflow (81–83%), and had a mean annual yield (± SE) of 167 ± 46 mm (34% of stream yield). Type 2 wetlands dried up during droughts and type 3 wetlands dried up each summer. Both latter types had a low baseflow component (20%) and a yield of 66±18 mm (13% of stream yield). In one tributary, gaugings over 4 days in summer during a wet year indicated that 27% of streamflow originated from wetlands. For the catchment as a whole, wetland baseflow accounted for 11± 4% of mean annual streamflow and wetland quickflow another 8 ± 2%, although these percentages are likely underestimates because seepages occurred downslope from measurement points. Although riparian and valley wetlands occupied only 5% of the catchment area, they could potentially have attenuated nitrogen in 11–19% of runoff. Other catchments may have different hydrology and wetland nitrate attenuation, and the methods outlined here could be used to quantify these differences.     

福建洛阳江河口湿地沉积物粒度特征及其沉积环境意义

沉积物粒度是反映湿地沉积环境的重要指标之一．利用Mastersizer2000型激光粒度仪对取自福建洛阳江河口不同类型湿地的6根短柱状沉积物样品进行了粒度分析．结果显示,该地区沉积物基本为粘土质粉砂,红树林湿地内的沉积物最细,分选程度最好;互花米草湿地圈闭了大量水流带来的粗、细颗粒物质,导致平均粒径相对较大,分选相对较差．粒度参数的相关分析结果显示,平均粒径与分选系数的显著正线性相关,揭示了该地区水动力作用弱、物质来源单一的沉积环境,显著增加了河口湿地沉积速率．     

Exploring LiDAR data for mapping the micro-topography and tidal hydro-dynamics of mangrove systems: An example from southeast Queensland,Australia

The aim was to explore the use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data to map the micro-topography of an intertidal wetland in southeast Queensland Australia. The driver for this was the need to identify and map the habitats of the immature stages of an aedine disease vector mosquito (Aedes vigilax (Skuse)). We derived a high resolution digital elevation model (DEM) data set at a vertical resolution of 0.05 m from LiDAR data. The relative accuracy of the DEM across the site was tested by comparing water depth predictions derived from the DEM against in-situ water depth readings from pressure sensors over a 10-day tidal cycle, which included high spring tides. We found that the field observations of micro-topographic units important for mosquito management matched those delineated from the DEM. The micro-topography included a low berm or central ridge that was more or less continuous across the site, a shallow back basin and fringing mangroves. The fringing mangroves had unimpeded connection to the tidal source, however the central ridge blocked tidal water from the back basin for all but the highest tides. Eggshell survey indicated that the back basin was the area suitable for immature mosquitoes. We conclude that LiDAR data has application for understanding and mapping the structure of mangrove wetlands. We have also demonstrated (in a small area) that LiDAR is useful for modelling the effect of sea level changes on the coastal fringe. LiDAR may be the only method to inform research on changes to land use and ecosystems caused by sea level change.     

Is seagrass an important nursery habitat for the Caribbean spiny lobster,panulirus argus,in Florida?

Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus) settle preferentially in macroalgal‐covered hard‐bottom habitat, but seagrass is more prevalent in Florida (United States) and the Caribbean, so even low settlement of lobsters within seagrass could contribute substantially to recruitment if post‐settlement survival and growth were high. We tested the role of seagrass and hard‐bottom habitats for P. argus recruitment in three ways. We first explored possible density‐dependent regulation of early benthic juvenile lobster survival within cages deployed in seagrass and hard‐bottom habitats. Second, we compared settlement and survival of P. argus in both habitats, by comparing the recovery of microwire‐tagged early benthic juveniles from patches of seagrass and hard‐bottom. Finally, we assessed the relative abundance of juvenile lobsters in each habitat by deploying artificial structures in seagrass sites and compared these data with data from similar deployments of artificial structures in hard‐bottom habitat in other years. More early benthic juvenile lobsters were recovered from cages placed in hard‐bottom than in seagrass, but mortality of the early benthic life stage was high in both habitats. In regional surveys, the mean number of lobsters recovered from artificial shelters deployed within seagrass was lower than in any year that we sampled hard‐bottom, indicating that fewer lobsters reside naturally in seagrass, particularly large juveniles >40 mm carapace length. The greater abundance (and likely survival) of juvenile P. argus that we observed in hard‐bottom habitat as opposed to seagrass, combined with previous studies demonstrating that postlarval P. argus are attracted to, settle in, and metamorphose more quickly in red macroalgae, confirm that macroalgae‐dominated hard‐bottom habitat appears to be the preferred and more optimal nursery for Caribbean spiny lobster.     

盐城海岸湿地资源利用及可持续发展研究

随着人口的增加以及经济的发展,盐城海岸湿地资源利用变化不断加剧.在从时间变化和空间差异角度对盐城海岸湿地资源利用现状进行宏观分析的基础上,文章具体分析了湿地资源利用对水环境和生物多样性的生态效应.结果表明:水质不断恶化,生物多样性受到严重威胁,海岸湿地景观斑块数增加,平均斑块面积减小,破碎化程度加大.进而提出盐城海岸湿地资源可持续利用的生态优化方案,包括生态功能规划、生态产业规划、生态系统管理等措施,以此缓减由于不合理的开发利用对海岸湿地资源的压力,实现其良好状态的维持和海岸湿地资源的可持续利用.     

Reduced abundance of banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus) and other native fish in turbid rivers of the North Island of New Zealand

Laboratory experiments demonstrated that migrant juvenile banded kokopu (Galaxias fasciatus Gray) were more sensitive to suspended sediment (SS) than other native fish species. If juvenile migrants avoid waters made turbid by SS and their recruitment to adult habitats up stream is reduced, then adult abundance may decline in turbid rivers. To test this, we compared the abundance of diadromous native fish between turbid and clear rivers. The duration (% time) for which SS concentrations exceeded 120 mg litre^‐1 (a critical level from laboratory experiments) during the migration season (August‐December) was estimated for over 150 New Zealand river sites. Turbid rivers were defined as those where SS concentrations exceeded 120 mg litre^‐1 for over 20% of the time and clear rivers as those where SS concentrations exceeded 120 mg litre^‐1 for less than 10% of the time. Eight turbid rivers and seven clear ones were identified where sufficient data on SS and native fish populations existed to permit a comparison. The mean occurrence of banded kokopu was reduced by 89.5% in turbid rivers and, although other diadromous fish species were also less common, banded kokopu was most affected. Densities of adult banded kokopu were also significantly lower in optimal stream habitats in three turbid compared with three matched clear rivers. We therefore concluded that the abundance of adult banded kokopu was reduced in turbid rivers and propose that this is because of reduced recruitment of juveniles in turbid rivers.     

Predation has no competition: factors influencing space and resource use by echinoids in deep‐sea coral habitats,as evidenced by continuous video transects

Predation and competition are highly influential factors determining space use in foraging animals, and ultimately contribute to the spatial heterogeneity observed within habitats. Here we investigated the influence of competition and predation on space and resource use via continuous video transect observations – a tool that has not previously been employed for this purpose. This study therefore also evaluates video data as a pragmatic tool to study community interactions in the deep sea. Observations were compiled from 15 video transects spanning five submarine canyons in the Bay of Biscay, France. Substrate choice, positioning on the coral, echinoid aggregate size, and the presence/absence of predators (e.g. fish and decapods) as well as competitors (both inter‐ and intra‐specific) were recorded. Two dominant co‐existing echinoid taxa, echinothurids and Cidaris cidaris (3188 total observations), were observed in the study. For the echinothurids, no significant trends were detected in the inter‐ and intra‐specific competition data. For Cidaris cidaris, significant shifts in substrate use were correlated to the presence of inter‐specific competitors (echinothurids), whereby an increase in dead coral substrate usage was observed. Highly significant patterns were detected amongst echinoids near fish and decapod predators. A shift to the base of the coral infra‐structure was correlated to the presence of fish, and fewer individuals were observed in the open areas of the reef and a greater number were found in the mid and top sections of the coral when in the presence of decapods. Aggregates formed irrespective of the presence of predators. Aggregations are likely to form for feeding and reproduction rather than for defensive purposes; and migration along the coral infra‐structure may be a predator‐driven behaviour as echinoids seek refuge from predators. Predation risk might play a stronger – or more detectable – role in structuring echinoid space and resource use in deep‐sea coral habitats. In addition, the study successfully detected patterns in the video data thereby demonstrating its potential usefulness for similar ecological studies on other deep‐dwelling megabenthos.