Effects of changes in seagrass shoot density and leaf height on the abundance of juveniles of Acentrogobius pflaumii in a Zostera marina bed

The effects of changes in the structural complexity of a seagrass (Zostera marina) habitat on the density of juveniles of the streaked goby, Acentrogobius pflaumii, were investigated by field experimentation at Moroiso Bay, Miura Peninsula, Japan. The experimental design, which included seven treatments plus a control, included reduction of seagrass shoot densities and leaf heights as well as complete removal of seagrass. Throughout the study period, juvenile densities remained similar among the experimental quadrats, including the completely cleared quadrat. On the other hand, juveniles did not appear over the bare sandy substratum surrounding the experimental seagrass bed. Within the bed, prey densities were high, being similar among the experimental quadrats, whereas prey were relatively scarce over the surrounding bare substratum. This result suggested that streaked goby juveniles were not attracted to the structure of the Zostera bed per se and that their distribution patterns may be determined by other factors, such as prey availability.