@article {227,
	title = {Aggregations and temporal changes in the activity and bioturbation contribution of the sea cucumber Holothuria whitmaei (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)},
	journal = {Marine Ecology Progress Series},
	volume = {415},
	year = {2010},
	month = {09/2010},
	pages = {127 - 139},
	abstract = {The population density, activity and bioturbation contribution of the sea cucumber Holothuria whitmaei was investigated on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Two methods, stratified manta tows and blanket manta tows, recorded population densities between 11.4 and >100 individuals (ind.) ha{\textendash}1. Further analysis revealed a heterogeneous pattern of distribution, with individuals tending to aggregate (Moran{\textquoteright}s I; 0.039; p < 0.05) on the outer reef lagoon and particularly in areas of high flow. Densities within aggregations were up to 7.2 times greater than those obtained after blanket manta tows (17.1 ind. ha{\textendash}1), and 4.5 to 6.3 times greater than those obtained after traditional stratified manta tows (19.3 to 27.1 ind. ha{\textendash}1). Behavioural studies, including investigations of activity and bioturbation, were conducted over a 2 yr time frame (2002{\textendash}2003) incorporating 3 monitoring periods within each year: January, April and August. Rates of activity varied diurnally, increasing between morning and afternoon, and seasonally, increasing in April, relative to January and August. Temporal patterns of feeding were more difficult to characterise; although rates of sediment egestion were in many cases higher in the morning, no conclusive diurnal or seasonal patterns could be established. Subsequent regression analysis, however, did find a significant positive correlation between the distance travelled and the volume of sediment egested. The volume of sediment bioturbated by H. whitmaei at a population level was found to represent only a small fraction of the sediments available (ca. 2 to 14\% per annum), even though the contribution per individual was greater than that of smaller sea cucumber species. However, at maximum densities and typical rates of activity, H. whitmeai makes physical contact with approximately 2 times the available coral reef sediments per annum per hectare, simply by crawling. This may represent an important ecological contribution, particularly in light of previously documented links between sea cucumber activity, nutrient recycling and the enhancement of benthic microalgal communities. },
	keywords = {biodiversity, bioturbation, sea cucumber},
	issn = {1616-1599},
	doi = {10.3354/meps08685},
	url = {http://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v415/p127-139/},
	author = {Shiell, GR and Knott, B}
}
@article {251,
	title = {Diurnal observations of sheltering behaviour in the coral reef sea cucumber Holothuria whitmaei},
	journal = {Fisheries Research},
	volume = {91},
	year = {2008},
	month = {05/2008},
	pages = {112 - 117},
	abstract = {Management of commercial sea cucumber stocks relies, in part, on estimates of population densities which, in-turn, depend on knowledge of habitat preferences, and of the influence of biological cues on sheltering and/or aggregation behaviour. Here, we document a diurnal shift in the sheltering behaviour of the Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean black teatfish, Holothuria whitmaei, and discuss the implication of this behaviour for surface-based population density surveys. Diurnal studies of 30 black teat fish on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia, found that the proportion of animals sheltered (and therefore hidden when viewed from directly above) was significantly greater in the morning (3{\textendash}23\%; AM_0830-1230 h) relative to the afternoon (0{\textendash}6\%; PM_1230-1730 h). As with sheltering behaviour, the straight-line distance between individual sea cucumber and the nearest shelter also showed marked diurnal variation, with animals observed at greater distances from shelter between 1230 and 1730 h (PM_4{\textendash}22 cm; AM_1{\textendash}7 cm). Based on these results, we suggest that surfaced-based census techniques (e.g. manta tows) may underestimate population densities if conducted during times of reduced activity and increased incidence of sheltering behaviour. Appropriate calibration factors for day-time black teatfish surveys are proposed.},
	keywords = {biodiversity, sea cucumber},
	issn = {01657836},
	doi = {10.1016/j.fishres.2007.12.010},
	url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165783607003608},
	author = {Shiell, GR and Knott, B}
}
@article {291,
	title = {Distribution, abundance and reproductive biology of Pseudeuphausia latifrons and other euphausiids on the southern North West Shelf, Western Australia},
	journal = {Marine Biology},
	volume = {42},
	year = {2003},
	month = {2003},
	pages = {369-379},
	abstract = {We examined the distribution and abundance of euphausiids on the southern North West Shelf of Western Australia over two consecutive summers (1997-1998 and 1998-1999) using submersible light traps. These were deployed at the surface and at depth along one cross-shelf transect in the first summer, and along two cross-shelf transects and one long-shore transect in the second summer. The euphausiid component of samples was predominantly Pseudeuphausia latifrons (>98\% of euphausiid catches), whereas Euphausia hemigibba, E. recurva and Thysanopoda tricuspidata were relatively rare (0.96, 0.49 and 0.0003\% of euphausiid catches, respectively). There were strong depth and cross-shelf trends in catches during both summers, with the highest abundances of P. latifrons occurring in deep traps at mid-shelf stations where water depths ranged from 20 m to 100 m. E. hemigibba, E. recurva and T. tricuspidata were most abundant in deep traps at offshore stations. P. latifrons was less abundant in the first summer, which was characterised by El Ni{\~n}o conditions with extensive upwelling, cool water temperatures, high chlorophyll concentrations and an abundance of both meso- and macrozooplankton. In the second summer, higher catches of this species occurred during La Ni{\~n}a conditions of limited upwelling, warm water temperatures, lower chlorophyll concentrations and decreased meso- and macrozooplankton abundances. P. latifrons was reproductively active throughout the survey period, with higher proportions of ovigerous females (mean - SE 29.0\% -5.0\%, n=12) in samples at the beginning of the second summer than in later months (mean - SE 10.9\% -2.5\%, n=19) or during the first summer (mean - SE 10.6\% -1.9\%, n=19). Ovigerous females were more abundant in catches from deep (17.4\% -3.1\%, n=27) than from shallow traps (13.2\% -2.7\%, n=20) over the two summers. Histological examination of the gonads of P. latifrons showed a pattern of continuous oogenesis and spermatogenesis throughout the second summer, suggesting the production of multiple broods. Brood sizes of this species averaged 83.1 (-3.0 SE, n=93) eggs, and mean egg size was 0.286 mm (-0.001 mm SE, n=347) and spermatozoa diameters averaged 5.45 {\textmu}m (-0.05 {\textmu}m SE, n=70) in the vas deferens and 5.37 {\textmu}m (-0.05 {\textmu}m SE, n=70) in the spermatophore sac.},
	keywords = {biodiversity, plankton},
	doi = {10.1007/s00227-002-0945-z},
	url = {http://www.springerlink.com/content/p4avpc78l8mye15x/},
	author = {Wilson, Steven G. and Meekan, MG and Carleton, J and Stewart, T and Knott, B}
}
