Abstract
Assemblage structure of fishes associated with seagrasses (order Alismatales) is affected by factors such as depth, seagrass coverage, location of seagrass beds, and proximity of seagrass beds to adjacent habitats. Although these relationships have been well explored for small‐bodied fishes, few studies have examined seagrass habitat use by large‐bodied fishes (>100 mm SL). To examine the effects of habitat characteristics on assemblages of large‐bodied fishes, two seagrass habitat types were sampled in three eastern Gulf of Mexico estuaries (2008–2010) with a 183‐m haul seine: (1) seagrasses immediately adjacent to shorelines and (2) seagrasses associated with shoals (seagrass beds >100 m from shoreline). Within each estuary, fish density was greater (as much as two times greater) in shoal seagrass beds than in those along shorelines. Fish assemblage structure also differed significantly between the two habitat types. Species that distinguished the seagrass shoreline (e.g., Spot Leiostomus xanthurus, Redfin Needlefish Strongylura notata) had affinities for habitats that were relatively shallow, gently sloped, less saline, and muddy with less seagrass coverage. Species that distinguished seagrass shoals (e.g., Pigfish Orthopristis chrysoptera, Silver Perch Bairdiella chrysoura) had affinities for habitats that were deeper, steeply sloped, sandy, and more saline, with greater seagrass coverage. Among economically important fishes, some were more abundant along shorelines (e.g., Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis, Sheepshead Archosargus probatocephalus, and Striped Mullet Mugil cephalus), while others were more abundant on shoals (e.g., Gag Mycteroperca microlepis, Spotted Seatrout Cynoscion nebulosus, and Scaled Sardine Harengula jaguana). This study demonstrates that seagrass shoals, which are being lost in some estuaries, provide different environmental conditions than those along shorelines, support unique fish assemblages, and host greater densities of several economically important species.