Examining coastal habitat co-utilization of chimaeras using social network analysis

Examining coastal habitat co-utilization of chimaeras using social network analysis | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Examining coastal habitat co-utilization of chimaeras using social network analysis Laura Maria Avila Turriago, David Moreno, Jayson Semmens This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6174144/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 13 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Marine Biology → Version 1 posted 5 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Group living determines how animals interact with others and their habitat. Elephant fish ( Callorhinchus milii ) are chimaeras (Class Chondrichthyes, subclass Holocephali) that migrate to coastal waters for reproduction throughout its southern Australian range. However, there is limited information about how they co-utilize these areas. This study used social network analysis (SNA) and passive acoustic monitoring data to examine associations between adult elephant fish in an estuary in southeastern Tasmania, Australia (42°53.710′S 147°34.228′E), specifically Pitt Water (PW) and Frederick Henry Bay (FHB) from January 2012 to December 2013. The influence of sex on the social structure was also investigated. As a result, two distinct groups of animals (clusters) were found across both years: a resident female cluster that remained in the upper estuary (UP) and a mixed-sex group whose movements varied seasonally. These clusters formed a cohesive community, with the female cluster potentially playing a critical role in connecting the population members. The mixed-sex group split into temporary aggregations, a so-called fission-fusion society that relies on seasonal reproductive patterns. Furthermore, by investigating all the individuals (including both clusters), spatial sex segregation was evident. The suitable conditions of the upper part of the estuary for egg-laying and the mating dynamics may shape the association structure observed. These findings highlight the importance of these essential habitats for elephant fish reproduction and emphasize the need for management strategies that incorporate space co-utilization patterns, address sex-based segregation, and recognize the role of females in maintaining social structure to ensure population stability and connectivity. Social network analysis Passive acoustic monitoring Association Aggregation Chondrichthyan Elephant fish Holocephalan Sex segregation Spatial analysis Full Text Supplementary Files FigureS1.GLMdaysstrength.png FigureS1.GLMdetectionsstrength.png FigureS2.Detecteddaysvscluster.png FigureS2.Detectionsvscluster.png SupplementaryMaterial.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 13 Apr, 2026 Read the published version in Marine Biology → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revise and Resubmit 18 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Mar, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 17 Mar, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 11 Mar, 2025 First submitted to journal 06 Mar, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6174144","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":430041012,"identity":"51d9fa66-f685-4c65-ad76-c338a4058e73","order_by":0,"name":"Laura Maria Avila 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