Assessing the effects of runoff turbidity on habitat use of the invasive blacktail snapper (Lutjanus fulvus) in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii

• Grant number: 24/13755-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: December 30, 2024
• End date: December 29, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Ronaldo Bastos Francini Filho
• Grantee: Juliana de Andrade Souza
• Supervisor: Jacob Johansen
• Host Institution: Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMAR). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Sebastião , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Hawaii Institute Of Marine Biology, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 22/11036-5 - Settlement and ontogenetic migrations of reef fish and the effects of iron contamination on the perception of the environment, BP.DR

Abstract

Coral reefs are often affected by local impacts such as coastal pollution. Human landbased activities are major sources of pollution to reef communities, leading to disturbances in water quality and species composition. Impacted areas may also lead to the establishment of invasive species, that may pose significant threats to marine biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide. This study focuses on Lutjanus fulvus, an invasive reef fish species in Kane»ohe Bay, Hawai»i, where urban runoff contributes to elevated turbidity levels. The project aims to assess the abundance, distribution, and habitat preferences of L. fulvus in relation to native fish species across a gradient of turbidity influenced by freshwater input. Field surveys using underwater visual censuses will estimate the distribution of L. fulvus size classes to evaluate niche occupation in comparison with that of native species. Also, seasonal variations in turbidity levels will be captured to assess changes in species distribution patterns. Additionally, controlled experiments will be conducted in laboratory settings to evaluate L. fulvus' preference for turbid conditions compared to native species. The findings will provide insights into the habitat use and size-class turbidity preferences of L. fulvus within the Hawai»ian reefs, the ecological impacts of this invasive species in degraded environments and contribute to the management strategies for protecting native biodiversity in coastal ecosystems affected by urbanization and runoff.