Problem: zonation on coral reefs occurs when different species respond to environmental gradients that occur with increasing depth. A study was designed to describe zonation patterns of reef species by examining their abundance across three depths on the reef (15, 25 and 40 feet) at Puako, Hawaii. The following species were examined:
ACNF: Acanthurus nigrofuscus (herbivore)
CHMC: Chaetodon multicinctus (corallivore)
CRAG: Chromis agilis (planktivore)
CRVN: Chromis vanderbilti (planktivore)
MLVD: Melichthys vidua (plantivore)
PARC: Paracirrhites arcatus (carnivore)
STFS: Stegastes fasciolatus (herbivore)
THDP: Thallosoma duperrey (omnivore)
ZSFV: Zebrasoma flavescens (herbivore)
You will find additional information on these species at: http://www.fishbase.org/
Data set: Kona_reeffish.MPJ
Assignment:
Analyze the data using Principle Components Analysis (PCA) using the correlation matrix. Describe and contrast the results for the first two components and provide a biological interpretation of the eigenvalues and eignevectors fas well as PCA score and vector plots. Use ANOVA, if appropriate, to test any hypotheses about patterns you may discover.
This assignment is due next Monday, Nov. 2., in class.