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Spatial Distribution and Long-term Movement Patterns of Cownose Rays Rhinoptera bonasus Within an Estuarine River |
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| Authors: | Angela B Collins Michelle R Heupel Colin A Simpfendorfer |
| Institution: | 1. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Avenue SE, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701, USA 2. Mote Marine Laboratory, Center for Shark Research, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, 34213, USA 3. Department of Biology, University of South Florida, 4200 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA 4. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia 5. Fishing and Fisheries Research Centre, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia |
| Abstract: | Passive acoustic telemetry was used to monitor the movements of cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) within the Caloosahatchee River estuary in Southwest Florida. Twelve rays were tracked within the river between January 2004 and May 2005 for periods up to 234 days. Linear home range was calculated for all individuals and ranged between 0 and 18.4 km (daily) and 1 and 22.3 km (overall). Ray position within the river was compared to changing water quality parameters throughout the study. Although home range size did not increase with increasing salinity, individuals did occur farther upriver with decreasing flow rates and increasing salinity. There were no differences detected between day and night distribution patterns. Movement and presence patterns demonstrated significant use of the estuarine river over all months, indicating that cownose rays in southwest Florida may not undertake long seasonal migrations as established for other parts of their range. |
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