Ecology of Gygis alba
 
Main Ref. SAUP Database, 2006
Remarks Coastal (Ref. 356). Exclusively marine. Breeds at many tropical and subtropical oceanic islands (Ref. 91362). Solitary breeder; uniquely, lays a single egg on tree branch without any nest. Inquisitive; hovers around nest site in presence of human intruders (Ref. 91362). Exhibits dipping behavior (Ref. 356) or surface diving (Ref. 122680). Feeds mainly on fish (Refs. 81748, 122680) driven to the surface by large, predatory fish (Ref. 122680). Diet consists mostly of juvenile goatfish and flying fish (Ref. 122680).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

Marine - Neritic Marine - Oceanic Brackishwater Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies
  • supra-littoral zone
  • littoral zone
  • sublittoral zone
  • epipelagic
  • mesopelagic
  • epipelagic
  • abyssopelagic
  • hadopelagic
  • estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas
  • mangroves
  • marshes/swamps
  • rivers/streams
  • lakes/ponds
  • caves
  • exclusively in caves
Highighted items on the list are where Gygis alba may be found.

Habitat

Substrate
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats
Special habitats Ref.

Associations

Ref. Harrison, P., 1987
Associations solitary;
Associated with
Association remarks Breeds singly.
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type mainly animals (troph. 2.8 and up)
Feeding type Ref. Karpouzi, V.S., 2005
Feeding habit hunting macrofauna (predator)
Feeding habit Ref. Karpouzi, V.S., 2005

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method original sample unfished population Remark
Troph s.e. Troph s.e.
From diet composition
From individual food items 4.38 0.71 Trophic level estimated from a number of food items using a randomized resampling routine.
Ref.
Ref. [ e.g. 3742]
Glossary [ e.g. cnidaria]
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