Spatial distribution and long-term movement patterns of cownose rays Rhinoptera bonasus within an estuarine river

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Collins, Angela B.;Heupel, Michelle R.;Simpfendorfer, Colin A.
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.

Journal

Estuaries and Coasts

Publication Name

N/A

Volume

31

ISBN/ISSN

1559-2731

Edition

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Issue

6

Pages Count

10

Location

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Publisher

Springer

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

Lawrence, USA -KS

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1007/s12237-008-9100-5