1
|
Bosch NE, Espino F, Tuya F, Haroun R, Bramanti L, Otero-Ferrer F. Black coral forests enhance taxonomic and functional distinctiveness of mesophotic fishes in an oceanic island: implications for biodiversity conservation. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4963. [PMID: 36973395 PMCID: PMC10043018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32138-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The degradation of shallow ecosystems has called for efforts to understand the biodiversity and functioning of Mesophotic Ecosystems. However, most empirical studies have been restricted to tropical regions and have majorly focused on taxonomic entities (i.e., species), neglecting important dimensions of biodiversity that influence community assembly and ecosystem functioning. Here, using a subtropical oceanic island in the eastern Atlantic Ocean (Lanzarote, Canary Islands), we investigated variation in (a) alpha and (b) beta functional (i.e., trait) diversity across a depth gradient (0-70 m), as a function of the presence of black coral forests (BCFs, order Antipatharian) in the mesophotic strata, a vulnerable but often overlooked 'ecosystem engineer' in regional biodiversity. Despite occupying a similar volume of the functional space (i.e., functional richness) than shallow (< 30 m) reefs, mesophotic fish assemblages inhabiting BCFs differed in their functional structure when accounting for species abundances, with lower evenness and divergence. Similarly, although mesophotic BCFs shared, on average, 90% of the functional entities with shallow reefs, the identity of common and dominant taxonomic and functional entities shifted. Our results suggest BCFs promoted the specialization of reef fishes, likely linked to convergence towards optimal traits to maximize the use of resources and space. Regional biodiversity planning should thus focus on developing specific management and conservation strategies for preserving the unique biodiversity and functionality of mesophotic BCFs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nestor E Bosch
- Asociación Biodiversidad Atlántica y Sostenibilidad (ABAS), 35214, Telde, Spain.
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain.
| | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain
| | - Ricardo Haroun
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Bramanti
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Ecogéochimie des Environnements Benthiques, LECOB, 66500, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - Francisco Otero-Ferrer
- Asociación Biodiversidad Atlántica y Sostenibilidad (ABAS), 35214, Telde, Spain
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35214, Telde, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bosch NE, Pessarrodona A, Filbee-Dexter K, Tuya F, Mulders Y, Bell S, Langlois T, Wernberg T. Habitat configurations shape the trophic and energetic dynamics of reef fishes in a tropical-temperate transition zone: implications under a warming future. Oecologia 2022; 200:455-470. [PMID: 36344837 PMCID: PMC9675646 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05278-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the extent to which species' traits mediate patterns of community assembly is key to predict the effect of natural and anthropogenic disturbances on ecosystem functioning. Here, we apply a trait-based community assembly framework to understand how four different habitat configurations (kelp forests, Sargassum spp. beds, hard corals, and turfs) shape the trophic and energetic dynamics of reef fish assemblages in a tropical-temperate transition zone. Specifically, we tested (i) the degree of trait divergence and convergence in each habitat, (ii) which traits explained variation in species' abundances, and (iii) differences in standing biomass (kg ha-1), secondary productivity (kg ha-1 day-1) and turnover (% day-1). Fish assemblages in coral and kelp habitats displayed greater evidence of trait convergence, while turf and Sargassum spp. habitats displayed a higher degree of trait divergence, a pattern that was mostly driven by traits related to resource use and thermal affinity. This filtering effect had an imprint on the trophic and energetic dynamics of reef fishes, with turf habitats supporting higher fish biomass and productivity. However, these gains were strongly dependent on trophic guild, with herbivores/detritivores disproportionately contributing to among-habitat differences. Despite these perceived overall gains, turnover was decoupled for fishes that act as conduit of energy to higher trophic levels (i.e. microinvertivores), with coral habitats displaying higher rates of fish biomass replenishment than turf despite their lower productivity. This has important implications for biodiversity conservation and fisheries management, questioning the long-term sustainability of ecological processes and fisheries yields in increasingly altered marine habitats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nestor E Bosch
- School of Biological Sciences, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Albert Pessarrodona
- School of Biological Sciences, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Karen Filbee-Dexter
- School of Biological Sciences, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevigveien 20, 4817, His, Norway
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Crta. Taliarte S/N, 35214, Telde, Spain
| | - Yannick Mulders
- School of Biological Sciences, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Sahira Bell
- School of Biological Sciences, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Tim Langlois
- School of Biological Sciences, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Thomas Wernberg
- School of Biological Sciences, The UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, Nye Flødevigveien 20, 4817, His, Norway
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tuya F, Pérez-Neira F, Espino F, Bosch NE, Meyers EK, Jiménez-Alvarado D, Castro JJ, Sobral A, Otero-Ferrer F, Haroun R. Coastal sharks and rays in the Northeastern Atlantic: From an urgent call to collect more data to the declaration of a marine corridor. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
|
4
|
Bosch NE, McLean M, Zarco-Perello S, Bennett S, Stuart-Smith RD, Vergés A, Pessarrodona A, Tuya F, Langlois T, Spencer C, Bell S, Saunders BJ, Harvey ES, Wernberg T. Persistent thermally driven shift in the functional trait structure of herbivorous fishes: Evidence of top-down control on the rebound potential of temperate seaweed forests? GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2022; 28:2296-2311. [PMID: 34981602 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Extreme climatic events can reshape the functional structure of ecological communities, potentially altering ecological interactions and ecosystem functioning. While these shifts have been widely documented, evidence of their persistence and potential flow-on effects on ecosystem structure following relaxation of extreme events remains limited. Here, we investigate changes in the functional trait structure - encompassing dimensions of resource use, thermal affinity, and body size - of herbivorous fishes in a temperate reef system that experienced an extreme marine heatwave (MHW) and subsequent return to cool conditions. We quantify how changes in the trait structure modified the nature and intensity of herbivory-related functions (macroalgae, turf, and sediment removal), and explored the potential flow-on effects on the recovery dynamics of macroalgal foundation species. The trait structure of the herbivorous fish assemblage shifted as a result of the MHW, from dominance of cool-water browsing species to increased evenness in the distribution of abundance among temperate and tropical guilds supporting novel herbivory roles (i.e. scraping, cropping, and sediment sucking). Despite the abundance of tropical herbivorous fishes and intensity of herbivory-related functions declined following a period of cooling after the MHW, the underlying trait structure displayed limited recovery. Concomitantly, algal assemblages displayed a lack of recovery of the formerly dominant foundational species, the kelp Ecklonia radiata, transitioning to an alternative state dominated by turf and Sargassum spp. Our study demonstrates a legacy effect of an extreme MHW and exemplified the value of monitoring phenotypic (trait mediated) changes in the nature of core ecosystem processes to predict and adapt to the future configurations of changing reef ecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nestor E Bosch
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Matthew McLean
- Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Salvador Zarco-Perello
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Scott Bennett
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Rick D Stuart-Smith
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Adriana Vergés
- Centre of Marine Science & Innovation, Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Albert Pessarrodona
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de G.C., Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Tim Langlois
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Claude Spencer
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sahira Bell
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Saunders
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Euan S Harvey
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Thomas Wernberg
- The UWA Oceans Institute, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Institute of Marine Research, His, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tuya F, Aguilar R, Espino F, Bosch NE, Meyers EKM, Jiménez‐Alvarado D, Castro JJ, Otero‐Ferrer F, Haroun R. Differences in the occurrence and abundance of batoids across an oceanic archipelago using complementary data sources: Implications for conservation. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:16704-16715. [PMID: 34938467 PMCID: PMC8668743 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Batoids, distributed from shallow to abyssal depths, are considerably vulnerable to anthropogenic threats. Data deficiencies on the distribution patterns of batoids, however, challenge their effective management and conservation. In this study, we took advantage of the particular geological and geomorphological configuration of the Canary Islands, across an east-to-west gradient in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, to assess whether patterns in the occurrence and abundance of batoids varied between groups of islands (western, central, and eastern). Data were collected from shallow (<40 m, via underwater visual counts and by a local community science program) and deep waters (60-700 m, via ROV deployments). Eleven species of batoids, assessed by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, were registered, including three "Critically Endangered" (Aetomylaeus bovinus, Dipturus batis, and Myliobatis aquila), three "Endangered" (Gymnura altavela, Mobula mobular, and Rostroraja alba), two "Vulnerable" (Dasyatis pastinaca and Raja maderenseis), and two "Data Deficient" (Taeniurops grabata and Torpedo marmorata). Also, a "Least Concern" species (Bathytoshia lata) was observed. Overall, batoids were ~1 to 2 orders of magnitude more abundant in the central and eastern islands, relative to the western islands. This pattern was consistent among the three sources of data and for both shallow and deep waters. This study, therefore, shows differences in the abundance of batoids across an oceanic archipelago, likely related to varying insular shelf area, availability of habitats, and proximity to the nearby continental (African) mass. Large variation in population abundances among islands suggests that "whole" archipelago management strategies are unlikely to provide adequate conservation. Instead, management plans should be adjusted individually per island and complemented with focused research to fill data gaps on the spatial use and movements of these iconic species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | | | - Fernando Espino
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | - Nestor E. Bosch
- School of Biological SciencesOceans InstituteUniversity of Western AustraliaCrawleyWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - David Jiménez‐Alvarado
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | - Jose J. Castro
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | - Francisco Otero‐Ferrer
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| | - Ricardo Haroun
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y ConservaciónIU‐ECOAQUAUniversidad de Las Palmas de Gran CanariaLas PalmasSpain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Marques V, Castagné P, Polanco A, Borrero-Pérez GH, Hocdé R, Guérin PÉ, Juhel JB, Velez L, Loiseau N, Letessier TB, Bessudo S, Valentini A, Dejean T, Mouillot D, Pellissier L, Villéger S. Use of environmental DNA in assessment of fish functional and phylogenetic diversity. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2021; 35:1944-1956. [PMID: 34224158 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Assessing the impact of global changes and protection effectiveness is a key step in monitoring marine fishes. Most traditional census methods are demanding or destructive. Nondisturbing and nonlethal approaches based on video and environmental DNA are alternatives to underwater visual census or fishing. However, their ability to detect multiple biodiversity factors beyond traditional taxonomic diversity is still unknown. For bony fishes and elasmobranchs, we compared the performance of eDNA metabarcoding and long-term remote video to assess species' phylogenetic and functional diversity. We used 10 eDNA samples from 30 L of water each and 25 hr of underwater videos over 4 days on Malpelo Island (pacific coast of Colombia), a remote marine protected area. Metabarcoding of eDNA detected 66% more molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) than species on video. We found 66 and 43 functional entities with a single eDNA marker and videos, respectively, and higher functional richness for eDNA than videos. Despite gaps in genetic reference databases, eDNA also detected a higher fish phylogenetic diversity than videos; accumulation curves showed how 1 eDNA transect detected as much phylogenetic diversity as 25 hr of video. Environmental DNA metabarcoding can be used to affordably, efficiently, and accurately census biodiversity factors in marine systems. Although taxonomic assignments are still limited by species coverage in genetic reference databases, use of MOTUs highlights the potential of eDNA metabarcoding once reference databases have expanded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Marques
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
- CEFE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Univ Paul Valery Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | - Paul Castagné
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Andréa Polanco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras-INVEMAR, Colombia, Museo de Historia Natural Marina de Colombia (MHNMC), Programa de Biodiversidad y Ecosistemas Marinos, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - Giomar Helena Borrero-Pérez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras-INVEMAR, Colombia, Museo de Historia Natural Marina de Colombia (MHNMC), Programa de Biodiversidad y Ecosistemas Marinos, Santa Marta, Colombia
| | - Régis Hocdé
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre-Édouard Guérin
- CEFE, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE-PSL University, IRD, Univ Paul Valery Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Laure Velez
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Loiseau
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Sandra Bessudo
- Fundación Malpelo y Otros Ecosistemas Marinos, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - David Mouillot
- MARBEC, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Montpellier, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
| | - Loïc Pellissier
- Landscape Ecology, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Garcia GS, Dias MS, Longo GO. Trade-off between number and length of remote videos for rapid assessments of reef fish assemblages. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:896-904. [PMID: 33973243 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Remote underwater videos are widely employed to assess the structure and composition of reef fish assemblages but the sampling effort employed on each survey differs considerably, indicating that both the number of assessments and video length could be optimized. We searched for this optimal sampling effort in remote video samples to conduct rapid assessments of community composition and discussed the relation between number of replicates and video length, and how it impacts the method's efficiency to characterize species assemblages. Remote video recordings from tropical reefs in northeastern Brazil were used to investigate how fish species richness and composition builds across time and number of assays. Videos as short as 5 min successfully recorded species richness, requiring about five repetitions to record most species that compose 80% of the total biomass. Recording species composition required even less time in these reefs, setting a minimum of 3 min with the same five videos. By comparing the detected richness per analysed time unit, we found several shorter videos recorded for more species than a few longer videos, indicating that increasing the sampling coverage in the reef area might be better than just extending the video length for rapid assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel S Garcia
- Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Oceanography and Limnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
- Aquatic Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory, Ecology Department, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Murilo S Dias
- Aquatic Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory, Ecology Department, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Universidade de Brasília, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Guilherme O Longo
- Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Oceanography and Limnology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Armstrong AO, Armstrong AJ, Bennett MB, Richardson AJ, Townsend KA, Everett JD, Hays GC, Pederson H, Dudgeon CL. Mutualism promotes site selection in a large marine planktivore. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5606-5623. [PMID: 34026033 PMCID: PMC8131819 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutualism is a form of symbiosis whereby both parties benefit from the relationship. An example is cleaning symbiosis, which has been observed in terrestrial and marine environments. The most recognized form of marine cleaning symbiosis is that of cleaner fishes and their clients.Cleaner species set up cleaning stations on the reef, and other species seek out their services. However, it is not well understood how the presence of cleaning stations influence movements of large highly mobile species. We examined the role of cleaning stations as a driver of movement and habitat use in a mobile client species.Here, we used a combination of passive acoustic telemetry and in-water surveys to investigate cleaning station attendance by the reef manta ray Mobula alfredi. We employed a novel approach in the form of a fine-scale acoustic receiver array set up around a known cleaning area and tagged 42 rays. Within the array, we mapped structural features, surveyed the distribution of cleaner wrasse, and observed the habitat use of the rays.We found manta ray space use was significantly associated with blue-streak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus distribution and hard coral substrate. Cleaning interactions dominated their habitat use at this site, taking precedence over other life history traits such as feeding and courtship.This study has demonstrated that cleaning symbiosis is a driver for highly mobile, and otherwise pelagic, species to visit inshore reef environments. We suggest that targeted and long-term use of specific cleaning stations reflects manta rays having a long-term memory and cognitive map of some shallow reef environments where quality cleaning is provided. We hypothesize that animals prefer cleaning sites in proximity to productive foraging regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Asia O. Armstrong
- School of Biomedical SciencesThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
| | - Amelia J. Armstrong
- School of Biomedical SciencesThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
| | - Michael B. Bennett
- School of Biomedical SciencesThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
| | - Anthony J. Richardson
- Centre for Applications in Natural Resource Mathematics (CARM)School of Mathematics and PhysicsThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
- CSIRO Oceans and AtmosphereQueensland Biosciences Precinct (QBP)St LuciaQLDAustralia
| | - Kathy A. Townsend
- School of Science, Technology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastHervey BayQLDAustralia
| | - Jason D. Everett
- Centre for Applications in Natural Resource Mathematics (CARM)School of Mathematics and PhysicsThe University of QueenslandSt LuciaQLDAustralia
- CSIRO Oceans and AtmosphereQueensland Biosciences Precinct (QBP)St LuciaQLDAustralia
- School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental SciencesUniversity of New South WalesSydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Graeme C. Hays
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesDeakin UniversityGeelongVICAustralia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
The biodiversity and composition of endoparasites in fish obtained from the Antarctic and subantarctic zones are compared in this study. Several fish were collected in the summer from Antarctica (King George Island) and the Southern Pacific coast (Strait of Magellan and Almirante Montt Gulf). This database was complemented with published information on fish endoparasite communities from both zones, with specimens of fish sample size n ≥ 15. Thus, 31 fish species were analysed in this study, which altogether had 79 parasite species. Diversity indices were calculated for the parasite community of each fish species. Then they were compared between the Antarctic and subantarctic zones. Parasite species composition and host specificity (as the number of fish species used by a parasite species) were also analysed and compared between zones. The diversity indices and the abundance of parasites were significantly higher in the Antarctic than the subantarctic fish. Few parasite species (7.6%) were shared between fish from both zones, showing significant differences in parasite composition. Antarctic parasites were less host-specific than subantarctic parasites, which allowed the coexistence of several parasite species in the fish. The high parasite abundance in Antarctic fish could trigger sympatric speciation in certain parasitic lineages or the exploitation of new resources, resulting in more parasite species than those in subantarctic environments. The high abundance of Antarctic parasites implies different methods and rates of transmission than those of subantarctic parasites. In addition, more alternative fish hosts were used by the Antarctic than subantarctic parasites. This altogether indicates that host-parasite interaction dynamics significantly differ between the Antarctic and subantarctic systems.
Collapse
|
10
|
Vieira EA, Souza LRD, Longo GO. Diving into science and conservation: recreational divers can monitor reef assemblages. Perspect Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pecon.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
|
11
|
Thanopoulou Z, Sini M, Vatikiotis K, Katsoupis C, Dimitrakopoulos PG, Katsanevakis S. How many fish? Comparison of two underwater visual sampling methods for monitoring fish communities. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5066. [PMID: 29942703 PMCID: PMC6015482 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Underwater visual surveys (UVSs) for monitoring fish communities are preferred over fishing surveys in certain habitats, such as rocky or coral reefs and seagrass beds and are the standard monitoring tool in many cases, especially in protected areas. However, despite their wide application there are potential biases, mainly due to imperfect detectability and the behavioral responses of fish to the observers. Methods The performance of two methods of UVSs were compared to test whether they give similar results in terms of fish population density, occupancy, species richness, and community composition. Distance sampling (line transects) and plot sampling (strip transects) were conducted at 31 rocky reef sites in the Aegean Sea (Greece) using SCUBA diving. Results Line transects generated significantly higher values of occupancy, species richness, and total fish density compared to strip transects. For most species, density estimates differed significantly between the two sampling methods. For secretive species and species avoiding the observers, the line transect method yielded higher estimates, as it accounted for imperfect detectability and utilized a larger survey area compared to the strip transect method. On the other hand, large-scale spatial patterns of species composition were similar for both methods. Discussion Overall, both methods presented a number of advantages and limitations, which should be considered in survey design. Line transects appear to be more suitable for surveying secretive species, while strip transects should be preferred at high fish densities and for species of high mobility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Thanopoulou
- Department of Biology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.,Department of the Environment, Aegean University, Mytilene, Greece
| | - Maria Sini
- Department of Marine Sciences, Aegean University, Mytilene, Greece
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bosch NE, Gonçalves JMS, Erzini K, Tuya F. "How" and "what" matters: Sampling method affects biodiversity estimates of reef fishes. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:4891-4906. [PMID: 28690817 PMCID: PMC5496540 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.2979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding changes in biodiversity requires the implementation of monitoring programs encompassing different dimensions of biodiversity through varying sampling techniques. In this work, fish assemblages associated with the “outer” and “inner” sides of four marinas, two at the Canary Islands and two at southern Portugal, were investigated using three complementary sampling techniques: underwater visual censuses (UVCs), baited cameras (BCs), and fish traps (FTs). We firstly investigated the complementarity of these sampling methods to describe species composition. Then, we investigated differences in taxonomic (TD), phylogenetic (PD) and functional diversity (FD) between sides of the marinas according to each sampling method. Finally, we explored the applicability/reproducibility of each sampling technique to characterize fish assemblages according to these metrics of diversity. UVCs and BCs provided complementary information, in terms of the number and abundances of species, while FTs sampled a particular assemblage. Patterns of TD, PD, and FD between sides of the marinas varied depending on the sampling method. UVC was the most cost‐efficient technique, in terms of personnel hours, and it is recommended for local studies. However, for large‐scale studies, BCs are recommended, as it covers greater spatio‐temporal scales by a lower cost. Our study highlights the need to implement complementary sampling techniques to monitor ecological change, at various dimensions of biodiversity. The results presented here will be useful for optimizing future monitoring programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Néstor E Bosch
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación IU-ECOAQUA Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Las Palmas de G.C. Canary Islands Spain.,Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR) Universidade do Algarve Faro Portugal
| | | | - Karim Erzini
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR) Universidade do Algarve Faro Portugal
| | - Fernando Tuya
- Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación IU-ECOAQUA Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Las Palmas de G.C. Canary Islands Spain
| |
Collapse
|