LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Original MMS IOS-NEGOM Study Area (outer polygon), with proposed oceanographic transects (straight lines) and mooring sites (points within transects).  Four polygons are areas mapped by USGS using high-resolution multibeam methods (A, C, D), or proposed for mapping (B).  Small numbered boxes are NMFS hard-bottom fishery resource interest areas: 1) 29 Edge/27 Edge, 2) Woodward-Clyde Pinnacles, 3) "3-to-5s", 4) Mud Bank, 5) Madison & Swanson Reserve (incl. Whoopie Ground), 6) Twin Ridges, 7) Edges, 8) Steamboat Lumps Reserve. Short numbered lines are Ludwick & Walton (1957) hard-bottom echo-sounder transects.

Figure 2. Locations of comparative reef locations for P. martinicensis growth rates investigations.  Inset 'A' places the NEGOM study locations in a larger geographic frame of reference.  Inset 'B' provides an expanded view of reef locations from within the USGS Pinnacles Reef study area. Individual study reefs are denoted by abbreviations: Alabama Alps (AA), Scamp Reef (SR), Yellowtail Reef (YR), Porgy reef (PR), Low Profile Reef (LR), Roughtongue Reef (RR), Catspaw Reef (CR), and the Madison-Swanson Reserve (MS).  The border of the Madison-Swanson Reserve is indicated by the dotted rectangle.

Figure 3.  Standard length (mm) versus weight (g) relationship for P. martinicensis collected from the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, Florida Keys, and western Atlantic Ocean from 1997 through 2002 (n=931). Relationship was generated using only fresh and frozen specimens of P. martinicensis.

Figure 4. Digital images of P. martinicensis otolith preparations from an individual specimen (SL=116 mm) collected in the NEGOM.  A – whole otolith shown distal side up, and B - transverse section of same otolith taken through the dotted line in 'A'.   Arrows indicate ring structure representing annual growth rings, or annuli.

Figure 5. Mean marginal increment in mm (±95% confidence intervals) of age-I P. martinicensis from NEGOM waters.  Data are pooled from multiple years (1997-2002) and locations sampled (Table 3) throughout the study period. The shaded region indicates the period of annulus formation.

Figure 6. Histogram (percent frequency of individuals aged) of P. martinicensis age-classes from NEGOM samples (n=667). Ages are based on number of opaque rings resolved in whole sagittal otoliths viewed beneath a dissecting microscope using reflected light.

Figure 7. Mean standard length (SL) in mm, ±95% confidence intervals, at age for P. martinicensis from NEGOM reef habitats.  Age estimates are derived from whole sagittal otoliths viewed with reflected light. Age-0 P. martinicensis were not included in the analysis since daily ages were not available (curves have been extended back to a theoretical zero origin). Mean SL of age-IV  P. martinicensis (shaded region) is presented in Figure 8.

Figure 8.  Mean standard length in mm of age-IV P. martinicensis from NEGOM reefs. Error bars are ±95% confidence intervals. Reefs are listed in order of increasing mean SL in P. martinicensis.

Figure 9. Percent frequency of female, transitional, and male P. martinicensis classes from the NEGOM (all reefs combined):  A - standard length classes in 10 mm increments; B - age-classes is years estimated from reading of whole sagittal otoliths. Sex was determined through histological examination of gonad tissue.

Figure 10.  Histological features of P. martinicensis gonad development.  Partial cross section from (A) mature female; (B) transitional, and (C) mature male.  Major stages of gonad development are indicated by capital letters; cortical alveolar (C), hydrated oocyte (H), perinucleolar (P), post-ovulatory follicle (POF), tailed sperm (T), vitellogenic oocyte (V). All scale bars are 0.250 mm.

Figure 11. Standard length (mm) versus weight (g) relationship for H. vivanus collected in the NEGOM from 1997 through 2002 (n=279).  Relationship was generated using only fresh and frozen specimens of H. vivanus.

Figure 12. Digital image of whole sagittal otolith (shown distal side up) from an age-VI specimen of H. vivanus (SL = 84 mm) collected in the NEGOM.  Arrows indicate ring structure representing annual growth rings, or annuli.

Figure 13. Histogram (percent frequency of individuals aged) of H. vivanus age-classes from NEGOM samples (n=211). Ages are based on number of opaque rings resolved in whole sagittal otoliths viewed beneath a dissecting microscope using reflected light.

Figure 14. Mean standard length (SL) in mm, ±95% confidence intervals, at age for H. vivanus from NEGOM reef habitats (n=211). Age estimates are derived from whole sagittal otoliths viewed with reflected light.

Figure 15. Percent frequency of female, transitional, and male Hemanthias vivanus standard length classes (in 10 mm increments) from the NEGOM (all reefs combined). Sex was determined through histological examination of gonad tissue.

Figure 16. Histological features of H. vivanus gonad development.  Partial cross-section from (A) mature female; (B) transitional, and (C) mature male.  Major stages of gonad development are indicated by letters in white boxes + arrows: cortical alveolar (C), hydrated oocyte (H), perinucleolar (P), post-ovulatory follicle (POF), tailed sperm (T), vitellogenic oocyte (V).  All scale bars are 0.250 mm.

Figure 17. Secondary sexual expression in H. vivanus: Length of 4^th dorsal filament expressed as proportion of standard length for NEGOM  collected specimens.  Sex was determined by histological examination of gonad tissue.

Figure 18. Length-weight relationship for S. phoebe collected in the NEGOM from 1997 through 2002 (n=392). Relationship was generated using only fresh and frozen specimens of S. phoebe.

Figure 19. Digital image of whole sagittal otolith (shown distal side up) from an age-V specimen of S. phoebe (SL = 141 mm) collected in the NEGOM.   Arrows indicate ring structure representing annual growth rings, or annuli.

Figure 20.  Histogram (percent frequency of individuals aged) of S. phoebe age-classes from NEGOM samples (n=290). Ages are based on number of opaque rings resolved in whole sagittal otoliths viewed beneath a dissecting microscope using reflected light.

Figure 21.  Mean standard length (SL) in mm, ±95% confidence intervals, at age for S. phoebe from NEGOM reef habitats (n=290). Age estimates are derived from whole sagittal otoliths viewed with reflected light.

Figure 22. Histological features of S. phoebe gonad development.  Partial cross section from a mature active individual. Major stages of gonad development are indicated by capital letters; cortical alveolar (C), hydrating oocyte (H), perinucleolar (P), post-ovulatory follicle (POF), tailed sperm (T). Scale bar is 0.250 mm.

Figure 23.  Standard length (mm) versus total weight (g) relationship for C. enchrysurus collected in the NEGOM (n=48).  Relationship was generated using only fresh and frozen specimens of C. enchrysurus.  No regression was generated as a result of the very limited length distribution available for analysis.

Figure 24.  Digital image of sectioned sagittal otolith (shown distal side up) from an age-VI specimen of C. enchrysurus (SL = 78 mm) collected in the NEGOM.  Arrows indicate ring structure representing annual growth rings, or annuli.

Figure 25.  Histogram (percent frequency of individuals aged) of C. enchrysurus age-classes from NEGOM samples (n=31).  Ages are based on number of opaque rings resolved in transverse sections (500 μm thickness) of sagittal otoliths viewed beneath a dissecting microscope using reflected light.

Figure 26. Distribution of SL (mm) versus age-class for C. enchrysurus collected in the NEGOM. Age-class was derived from number of opaque rings (= presumed annuli) observed on transverse sections (500μm thickness) of sagittal otoliths.