Home range, space use, and vertical distribution of Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) during non-spawning times in Western Puerto Rico

Understanding animal space use patterns is critical for ecological research and conservation efforts. An organism’s home range territory serves as the fundamental unit of area repeatedly used routine activities. Nassau grouper, Epinephelus striatus , once high commercial fishery importance, are now on IUCN’s Red List designated Critically Endangered due to overexploitation. Known formation large spawning aggregations, information their movements dynamics outside reproductive period lacking. In this study, we acoustic telemetry quantify non-spawning horizontal vertical grouper at Bajo de Sico seamount, a seasonally closed marine protected (MPA) in Puerto Rico. Twenty-nine groupers were tagged with transmitters, which, fourteen tracked continuously over three-year period. Tagged individuals displayed site fidelity reef locations occupied ranges relatively small size that remained constant between years. There was degree overlap territories where multiple same reef, maintained discrete distributions. recorded making forays reported season, two underwent relocation. Results indicate low contribution connectivity during non-reproductive period, therefore relative abundances species needed fulfill role community level. The results also highlight importance Sico, an isolated seamount deeper depth, habitat primary sites grouper. These provide basis adapting current management strategy MPA adequate protection population