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Variation in cownose ray Rhinoptera neglecta abundance and group size on the central east coast of Australia
Author(s) -
Tagliafico Alejandro,
Butcher Paul A.,
Colefax Andrew P.,
Clark Graeme F.,
Kelaher Brendan P.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/jfb.14219
Subject(s) - transect , abundance (ecology) , biology , relative species abundance , visibility , fishery , east coast , ecology , estuary , geography , meteorology
Here, we provide baseline information about the relative abundance and group size of the Australian cownose ray Rhinoptera neglecta on the central east coast of Australia. Using drone monitoring over 2 years, we completed 293 transects, each 2 km in length, at four locations distributed along c .100 km of coast. In total, 5979 R. neglecta were observed with overall relative abundance (±SE) of, 20.4 (±3.3) individuals per transect. The numbers of R. neglecta varied among locations, with the highest density found off the beach adjacent to the river mouth at Evans Head. The number of rays observed also decreased with increasing wind speed. While some of this relationship was probably associated with visibility, R. neglecta may also move offshore during strong winds. We found no evidence that R. neglecta was under significant threat. Additionally, our cost‐effective surveys demonstrate the utility of aerial drones in fisheries conservation biology.