Stingrays are a diverse and widespread group of elasmobranchs. Despite their ecological and economical importance, many aspects of stingray ecology remain poorly understood. Few studies have examined fine-scale movements of juvenile stingrays within nursery areas. This study aimed to examine diel movement patterns in juvenile mangrove whiprays (Urogymnus granulatus) by using towed-float GPS telemetry within a reef flat habitat of the Great Barrier Reef. Juvenile mangrove whiprays travelled distances from 394 to 2189m, moving at a rate (mean±s.e.) of 3.97m min–1±2.5 during tracking periods ranging from 1.35 to 9h. Movements of juvenile mangrove whiprays were influenced by tidal height and diel period. Individuals chose more direct paths during outgoing and incoming tides and their activity space was significantly larger during the day than at night-time. Individuals showed preference for mangrove areas during high tides, which was likely to reduce predation risk. Our findings have established the use of the towed-float GPS telemetry as an effective tool to assess short-term movement patterns and habitat use of juvenile stingrays, as well as highlighted how juvenile mangrove whiprays use reef-flat environments.

中文翻译：

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使用拖曳浮标 GPS 遥测技术的红树林幼鱼的潮汐-潮汐运动、活动和栖息地利用模式

黄貂鱼是一种多样化且分布广泛的弹鳃类动物。尽管它们具有生态和经济重要性，但黄貂鱼生态学的许多方面仍然知之甚少。很少有研究对幼年黄貂鱼在保育区内的精细运动进行过研究。本研究旨在通过在大堡礁的礁滩栖息地内使用拖曳式 GPS 遥测技术来检查幼年红树林海蜇（Urogymnus granulatus）的运动模式。红树林幼鱼的移动距离为 394 到 2189m，在 1.35 到 9 小时的跟踪期内以 3.97m min–1±2.5 的速率（平均值±se）移动。红树林幼鱼的运动受潮汐高度和干旱期的影响。个体在退潮和进潮时选择更直接的路径，白天的活动空间明显大于夜间。个体在涨潮期间表现出对红树林地区的偏好，这可能会降低捕食风险。我们的研究结果确立了使用拖曳式 GPS 遥测技术作为评估幼年黄貂鱼的短期运动模式和栖息地使用的有效工具，并强调了幼年红树林whiprays 如何使用礁滩环境。