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Yang Y, Suyamud B, Liang S, Liang X, Wan W, Zhang W. Distinct spatiotemporal succession of bacterial generalists and specialists in the lacustrine plastisphere. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2746-2760. [PMID: 37190986 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The assembly processes of generalists and specialists and their driving mechanisms during spatiotemporal succession is a central issue in microbial ecology but a poorly researched subject in the plastisphere. We investigated the composition variation, spatiotemporal succession, and assembly processes of bacterial generalists and specialists in the plastisphere, including non-biodegradable (NBMPs) and biodegradable microplastics (BMPs). Although the composition of generalists and specialists on NBMPs differed from that of BMPs, colonization time mainly mediated the composition variation. The relative abundance of generalists and the relative contribution of species replacement were initially increased and then decreased with colonization time, while the specialists initially decreased and then increased. Besides, the richness differences also affected the composition variation of generalists and specialists in the plastisphere, and the generalists were more susceptible to richness differences than corresponding specialists. Furthermore, the assembly of generalists in the plastisphere was dominated by deterministic processes, while stochastic processes dominated the assembly of specialists. The network stability test showed that the community stability of generalists on NBMPs and BMPs was lower than corresponding specialists. Our results suggested that different ecological assembly processes shaped the spatiotemporal succession of bacterial generalists and specialists in the plastisphere, but were less influenced by polymer types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Bongkotrat Suyamud
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Shuxin Liang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Xinjin Liang
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Wenjie Wan
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
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Jiménez L, Freixa A, Besolí N, Sabater S. Resistance but not recovery is related to the role of specialist taxa in river communities submitted to hydric stress. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:161952. [PMID: 36740050 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
One of the main effects of global change is the human interference in the global water cycle, which alters river hydrological dynamics and submits their biological communities to hydric stress. Hydric stress is a pulse disturbance with potential multiple effects on biodiversity and functions in river ecosystems. The presence of habitat specialists may support the response of biological communities to pulse disturbances, maintaining ecological functions more consistently than other communities only having generalists. We tested this general hypothesis in stream communities submitted to increasing hydric stress (normal conditions vs humidity vs desiccation). We used communities with variable proportion of specialist algal and cyanobacterial taxa and tested their resistance to hydric stress by analyzing potential changes on their number of species, biovolume, proportion of intact cells, and photosynthetic variables (basal fluorescence, photosynthetic yield). We also evaluated the recovery of ecological functions (net community primary production, community respiration, phosphorus uptake) once hydric stress conditions ended. Hydric stress caused a slight decrease in the number of species and biovolume of assemblages, but the proportion of intact cells did not significantly change because of the disturbance. Basal fluorescence and photosynthetic yield under hydric stress decreased more markedly in communities without specialist taxa, while communities with habitat specialists resisted better. Metabolism did not remarkably decrease under moderate hydric stress, but dropped by half under desiccation in all communities, having or not specialist taxa. Overall, specialist taxa did provide higher resistance to stress but did not support a distinct recovery of ecological functions. We suggest that this characteristic response is related to the high plasticity of biofilm structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Jiménez
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Girona, Spain
| | - Anna Freixa
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - Neus Besolí
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Girona, Spain
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA), Girona, Spain; Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
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3
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Shantz AA, Ladd MC, Ezzat L, Schmitt RJ, Holbrook SJ, Schmeltzer E, Vega Thurber R, Burkepile DE. Positive interactions between corals and damselfish increase coral resistance to temperature stress. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2023; 29:417-431. [PMID: 36315059 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
By the century's end, many tropical seas will reach temperatures exceeding most coral species' thermal tolerance on an annual basis. The persistence of corals in these regions will, therefore, depend on their abilities to tolerate recurrent thermal stress. Although ecologists have long recognized that positive interspecific interactions can ameliorate environmental stress to expand the realized niche of plants and animals, coral bleaching studies have largely overlooked how interactions with community members outside of the coral holobiont shape the bleaching response. Here, we subjected a common coral, Pocillopora grandis, to 10 days of thermal stress in aquaria with and without the damselfish Dascyllus flavicaudus (yellowtail dascyllus), which commonly shelter within these corals, to examine how interactions with damselfish impacted coral thermal tolerance. Corals often benefit from nutrients excreted by animals they interact with and prior to thermal stress, corals grown with damselfish showed improved photophysiology (Fv /Fm ) and developed larger endosymbiont populations. When exposed to thermal stress, corals with fish performed as well as control corals maintained at ambient temperatures without fish. In contrast, corals exposed to thermal stress without fish experienced photophysiological impairment, a more than 50% decline in endosymbiont density, and a 36% decrease in tissue protein content. At the end of the experiment, thermal stress caused average calcification rates to decrease by over 80% when damselfish were absent but increase nearly 25% when damselfish were present. Our study indicates that damselfish-derived nutrients can increase coral thermal tolerance and are consistent with the Stress Gradient Hypothesis, which predicts that positive interactions become increasingly important for structuring communities as environmental stress increases. Because warming of just a few degrees can exceed corals' temperature tolerance to trigger bleaching and mortality, positive interactions could play a critical role in maintaining some coral species in warming regions until climate change is aggressively addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Shantz
- Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, St. Teresa, Florida, USA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Mark C Ladd
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- NOAA-National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Key Biscayne, Florida, USA
| | - Leila Ezzat
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Russell J Schmitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Sally J Holbrook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Emily Schmeltzer
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Deron E Burkepile
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
- Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
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4
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Blandford MI, Hillcoat KB, Pratchett MS, Hoey AS. Effects of habitat fragmentation on the recruitment and early post-settlement survival of coral reef fishes. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 183:105798. [PMID: 36401956 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The combined effects of global climate change and local anthropogenic stressors are leading to increasing loss and fragmentation of habitats. On coral reefs, habitat loss has been shown to influence the abundance and composition of associated fish assemblages, yet few studies have considered how habitat fragmentation may influence reef fish populations and assemblages. Herein, we compared survival, growth and recruitment of reef fish among experimental patches composed of six similar sized colonies of finely branching Pocillopora spp. but with different degrees of fragmentation: coral colonies were clumped (unfragmented), divided into two groups (low fragmentation), three groups (moderate fragmentation) or six groups (high fragmentation). Thirty settlement-stage Pomacentrus amboinensis were tagged, released onto each of the experimental patches, and their survival monitored daily for 11 days. Abundance and species richness of all reef fishes that subsequently recruited to the patches were also recorded, and used to analyse recruitment and community composition. There were no detectable differences among fragmentation treatments in the abundance or composition of reef fish assemblages that recruited to the patches, however, fragmentation influenced the survivorship of P. amboinensis. Highest survival of P. amboinensis was recorded on the unfragmented patches (61%.11 days-1) and highly fragmented habitat patches (54%.11 days-1) and lowest survival on low and moderate fragmentation treatments (47% and 48%.11 days-1, respectively). This suggests that there may be multiple competing processes that moderate mortality (e.g., predation) in unfragmented versus highly fragmented habitats, with moderate levels of habitat fragmentation having the greatest influence on the early post-settlement survival of corsal reef fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- M I Blandford
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville Q, 4811, Australia.
| | - K B Hillcoat
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville Q, 4811, Australia.
| | - M S Pratchett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville Q, 4811, Australia.
| | - A S Hoey
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville Q, 4811, Australia.
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5
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Samejima S, Tachihara K. Age, growth and reproductive biology of a widespread coral reef fish, yellowfin goatfish Mulloidichthys vanicolensis (Valenciennes, 1831). JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 100:1233-1244. [PMID: 35243646 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Yellowfin goatfish Mulloidichthys vanicolensis (Valenciennes, 1831) is a widely distributed commercial fish in the Indo-Pacific. The authors examined the age, growth, sexual maturity and spawning season of M. vanicolensis around Okinawa Island, southwestern Japan, based on sectioned otolith and gonadal histology. Monthly changes in the appearance of an opaque edge indicate the annual formation of otolith bands. This fish shows sexual size dimorphism due to the faster growth and larger size of females compared to males. The von Bertalanffy growth functions were Lt = 31.0{1 - exp(-0.39(t + 1.62))} for females and Lt = 28.3{1 - exp(-0.42(t + 1.45))} for males. This species has a short life span, with a maximum age of 7.75 years, and reaches maturity in its first year of life. Observed fork lengths at 50% maturity were 19.4 cm for female and 16.2 cm for male. The main spawning season occurs from May to October. The authors compared their findings with those of previous studies on the life-history characteristics of M. vanicolensis. Spawning season, growth and maturity size differed from those found in previous studies in areas with genetic continuity. Differences in life-history traits between genetically continuous populations suggest a high degree of environmental adaptability for this species, which may be one of the reasons for its widespread distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota Samejima
- Ishigaki Branch, Okinawa Prefectural Fisheries Research and Extension Center, Ishigaki, Japan
- Laboratory of Fisheries Biology and Coral Reef Studies, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Katsunori Tachihara
- Laboratory of Fisheries Biology and Coral Reef Studies, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
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Crown of thorns starfish life-history traits contribute to outbreaks, a continuing concern for coral reefs. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:67-79. [PMID: 35225331 PMCID: PMC9023020 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Crown of thorns starfish (COTS, Acanthaster sp.) are notorious for their destructive consumption of coral that decimates tropical reefs, an attribute unique among tropical marine invertebrates. Their populations can rapidly increase from 0–1 COTS ha−1 to more than 10–1000 COTS ha−1 in short order causing a drastic change to benthic communities and reducing the functional and species diversity of coral reef ecosystems. Population outbreaks were first identified to be a significant threat to coral reefs in the 1960s. Since then, they have become one of the leading causes of coral loss along with coral bleaching. Decades of research and significant investment in Australia and elsewhere, particularly Japan, have been directed towards identifying, understanding, and managing the potential causes of outbreaks and designing population control methods. Despite this, the drivers of outbreaks remain elusive. What is becoming increasingly clear is that the success of COTS is tied to their inherent biological traits, especially in early life. Survival of larval and juvenile COTS is likely to be enhanced by their dietary flexibility and resilience to variable food conditions as well as their phenotypically plastic growth dynamics, all magnified by the extreme reproductive potential of COTS. These traits enable COTS to capitalise on anthropogenic disturbances to reef systems as well as endure less favourable conditions.
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7
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Arreola-Alarcón IM, Reyes-Bonilla H, Sakthi JS, Rodríguez-González F, Jonathan MP. Seasonal tendencies of microplastics around coral reefs in selected Marine Protected National Parks of Gulf of California, Mexico. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113333. [PMID: 35123271 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on the presence of MPs in the sediment beds around coral reefs of MPNPs in Baja California Sur, México. Based on seasonal sampling results, comparison of MPs from Cabo Pulmo (avg. 680.25 items/100 g-1 d.w) recorded higher values than Espiritu Santo Island (avg. 321.75 items/100 g-1 d.w) from backshore/foreshore regions. Fibrous MPs are the dominant morphotypes followed by fragments and spheres. SEM/EDS analysis revealed that the MPs are altered texturally in surface and is bioavailable to marine organisms independent of size/shape. FTIR analysis indicate different polymers (in %) in the form of PP (70), PET (65), HDPE (59), LDPE (50), PS (30), PC (18), PU (10) and RYN (10). Most of the MPs are secondary in origin resulting from man-made and tourist's activities controlled by wave transportation and tidal currents. Existence of MPs in sediment beds around the coral reefs signals the ways for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Montserrat Arreola-Alarcón
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Carretera al Sur K.M 5.5, Apartado Postal 19-B, C.P.23080 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - H Reyes-Bonilla
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Carretera al Sur K.M 5.5, Apartado Postal 19-B, C.P.23080 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - J S Sakthi
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Francisco Rodríguez-González
- Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos (CEPROBI), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Carretera Yautepec-Jojutla Km. 6, Calle CEPROBI No. 8, Col. San Isidro, Yautepec, Morelos C.P. 62731, Mexico
| | - M P Jonathan
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340 Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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8
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Hall AE, Kingsford MJ. Habitat type and complexity drive fish assemblages in a tropical seascape. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2021; 99:1364-1379. [PMID: 34240745 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14843] [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: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Inshore marine seascapes support a diversity of interconnected habitats and are an important focus for biodiversity conservation. This study examines the importance of habitat attributes to fish assemblages across a mosaic of inshore habitats: coral reefs, rocky reefs, macroalgae beds and sand/rubble beds. Fishes and benthic habitats were surveyed at 34 sites around continental islands of the central Great Barrier Reef using baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS). Species richness was influenced foremost by habitat type and also by structural complexity within habitat types. The most speciose assemblages occurred in coral and rocky reef habitats with high structural complexity, provided by the presence of coral bommies/overhangs, boulders and rock crevices. Nonetheless, macroalgae and sand/rubble beds also supported unique species, and therefore contributed to the overall richness of fish assemblages in the seascape. Most trophic groups had positive associations with complexity, which was the most important predictor for abundance of piscivorous fishes and mobile planktivores. There was significant differentiation of fish assemblages among habitats, with the notable exception of coral and rocky reefs. Species assemblages overlapped substantially between coral and rocky reefs, which had 60% common species, despite coral cover being lower on rocky reefs. This suggests that, for many species, rocky and coral substrates can provide equivalent habitat structure, emphasizing the importance of complexity in providing habitat refuges, and highlighting the contribution of rocky reefs to habitat provision within tropical seascapes. The results of this study support an emerging recognition of the collective value of habitat mosaics in inshore marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- April E Hall
- College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael J Kingsford
- College of Science and Engineering and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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9
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Mazzei R, Rubenstein DR. Larval ecology, dispersal, and the evolution of sociality in the sea. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Renata Mazzei
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York NY USA
| | - Dustin R. Rubenstein
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology Columbia University New York NY USA
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10
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Côté IM, Brandl SJ. Functional niches of cleanerfish species are mediated by habitat use, cleaning intensity and client selectivity. J Anim Ecol 2021; 90:2834-2847. [PMID: 34478567 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.13585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
An animal's functional niche is a complex, multidimensional construct, mediated by an individual's morphology, physiology and behaviour. Behavioural aspects of the niche can be difficult to quantify, as their expression is often subtle and tailored to an infinite number of different situations that involve sophisticated mechanisms such as mutualisms, species dominance or fear effects. The extreme diversity of tropical fish assemblages has led to extensive debate over the extent to which species differ in their resource use and functional role. Ectoparasite removal by cleanerfish species is considered a behaviourally complex interspecific interaction in vertebrates, but differences in the services rendered by various species of cleanerfish, and potential consequences for the range of clients (i.e. resources) they attract, have rarely been examined. Here, we quantify differences among three coexisting species of morphologically similar cleaner wrasses (Labroides bicolor, L. dimidiatus and L. pectoralis) in the global centre of marine biodiversity, the Coral Triangle. We found no clear taxonomic partitioning of clients among cleanerfishes. However, the three cleanerfish species exhibited distinct habitat preferences, and differed in their cleaning intensity: L. bicolor serviced the fewest species and clients, while L. pectoralis serviced the most clients and spent the most time cleaning. Accordingly, L. pectoralis showed no preference for clients based on client size or abundance, while both L. bicolor and L. dimidiatus had a higher likelihood of interacting with clients based on their size (larger client species in L. bicolor, smaller client species in L. dimidiatus) and abundance (more abundant client species for both). Our results suggest that the services rendered by the three species of cleanerfishes differ in their spatial availability, quality and selectivity, thus permitting the coexistence of these species despite their ecological similarity. This, in turn, creates a complex seascape of species-specific cleaning services that underpins crucial biotic interactions in the ocean's most diverse ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle M Côté
- Earth to Ocean Group, Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Simon J Brandl
- Department of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, Port Aransas, Texas, USA
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11
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Nadler LE, McCormick MI, Johansen JL, Domenici P. Social familiarity improves fast-start escape performance in schooling fish. Commun Biol 2021; 4:897. [PMID: 34285330 PMCID: PMC8292327 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02407-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Using social groups (i.e. schools) of the tropical damselfish Chromis viridis, we test how familiarity through repeated social interactions influences fast-start responses, the primary defensive behaviour in a range of taxa, including fish, sharks, and larval amphibians. We focus on reactivity through response latency and kinematic performance (i.e. agility and propulsion) following a simulated predator attack, while distinguishing between first and subsequent responders (direct response to stimulation versus response triggered by integrated direct and social stimulation, respectively). In familiar schools, first and subsequent responders exhibit shorter latency than unfamiliar individuals, demonstrating that familiarity increases reactivity to direct and, potentially, social stimulation. Further, familiarity modulates kinematic performance in subsequent responders, demonstrated by increased agility and propulsion. These findings demonstrate that the benefits of social recognition and memory may enhance individual fitness through greater survival of predator attacks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Nadler
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia. .,College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia. .,Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Nova Southeastern University, Dania Beach, FL, USA.
| | - Mark I McCormick
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Jacob L Johansen
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Kaneohe, HI, USA
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12
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Cheal AJ, Emslie MJ, Currey-Randall LM, Heupel MR. Comparability and complementarity of reef fish measures from underwater visual census (UVC) and baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 289:112375. [PMID: 33813301 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The much-publicized threats to coral reef systems necessitate a considered management response based on comprehensive ecological data. However, data from large reef systems commonly originate from multiple monitoring programs that use different methods, each with distinct biases that limit united assessments of ecological status. The effective integration of data from different monitoring methods would allow better assessment of system status and hence, more informed management. Here we examine the scope for comparability and complementarity of fish data from two different methods used on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR): underwater visual census (UVC) and baited remote underwater video stations (BRUVS). We compared commonly reported reef fish measures from UVC and BRUVS on similar reef slope habitats of three central GBR reefs. Both methods recorded similar estimates of total species richness, although ~30% of recorded species were not common to both methods. There were marked differences between methods in sub-group species richness, frequency of species occurrences, relative abundances of taxa and assemblage structure. The magnitude and orientation of inter-method differences were often inconsistent among taxa. However, each method better categorized certain components of fish communities: BRUVS sampled more predatory species in higher numbers while UVC was similarly better at sampling damselfishes (Pomacentridae). Our results suggest limited scope for direct or adjusted comparisons of data from UVC and BRUVS. Conversely, complementary aspects of the two methods confirm that their integration in monitoring programs will provide a more complete and extensive assessment of reef fish status for managers than from either method alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair J Cheal
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia.
| | - Michael J Emslie
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, 4810, Australia
| | | | - Michelle R Heupel
- Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), Hobart, Tasmania, 7004, Australia
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13
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Hillyer KE, Beale DJ, Shima JS. Artificial light at night interacts with predatory threat to alter reef fish metabolite profiles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 769:144482. [PMID: 33477042 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144482] [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: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Light cycles and predatory threat define activity patterns (e.g. feeding/sleeping, activity/rest) in most diurnal fish species. Artificial light at night (ALAN) may disrupt natural cycles and biochemical processes, a mismatch which can eventually reduce condition and fitness. We evaluate the separate and joint effects of ALAN and predator threat on metabolism within brain, liver and muscle tissue of a common, wild caught damselfish, blue green chromis (Chromis viridis). The effects of ALAN varied according to tissue type and predator exposure. In all tissues we observed changes in metabolic pathways associated with increased activity under continuous light (despite provision of shelter), specifically those associated with energy metabolism, cell signalling, responses to oxidative stress and markers of cellular damage. In both the brain and liver tissues, predator threat served to moderate the influence of ALAN on metabolic change, likely due to increased sheltering behaviour. However, no interaction of predator threat with ALAN was observed in metabolism of the muscle tissue. Our results highlight complex sub-acute effects of ALAN exposure on tissue specific and whole organism energy metabolism. Collectively these effects indicate that ALAN has significant scope to reduce fitness of coastal fishes and potentially threaten ecosystem services, but that these changes are highly complex and may be altered by biotic drivers of activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie E Hillyer
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, 4001, Australia.
| | - David J Beale
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, 4001, Australia
| | - Jeffrey S Shima
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
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14
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Fobert EK, Reeves SE, Swearer SE. Ontogenetic shifts in social aggregation and habitat use in a temperate reef fish. Ecosphere 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emily K. Fobert
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria3010Australia
| | - Simon E. Reeves
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania Hobart Tasmania7004Australia
- The Nature Conservancy Australia Carlton Victoria3053Australia
| | - Stephen E. Swearer
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria3010Australia
- National Centre for Coasts and Climate University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria3010Australia
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15
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Size-specific recolonization success by coral-dwelling damselfishes moderates resilience to habitat loss. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17016. [PMID: 33046807 PMCID: PMC7550353 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73979-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing degradation of coral reef ecosystems and specifically, loss of corals is causing significant and widespread declines in the abundance of coral reef fishes, but the proximate cause(s) of these declines are largely unknown. Here, we examine specific responses to host coral mortality for three species of coral-dwelling damselfishes (Dascyllus aruanus, D. reticulatus, and Pomacentrus moluccensis), explicitly testing whether these fishes can successfully move and recolonize nearby coral hosts. Responses of fishes to localized coral loss was studied during population irruptions of coral feeding crown-of-thorns starfish, where starfish consumed 29 (34%) out of 85 coral colonies, of which 25 (86%) were occupied by coral-dwelling damselfishes. Damselfishes were not tagged or individually recognizable, but changes in the colonization of different coral hosts was assessed by carefully assessing the number and size of fishes on every available coral colony. Most damselfishes (> 90%) vacated dead coral hosts within 5 days, and either disappeared entirely (presumed dead) or relocated to nearby coral hosts. Displaced fishes only ever colonized corals already occupied by other coral-dwelling damselfishes (mostly conspecifics) and colonization success was strongly size-dependent. Despite movement of damselfishes to surviving corals, the local abundance of coral-dependent damselfishes declined in approximate accordance with the proportional loss of coral habitat. These results suggest that even if alternative coral hosts are locally abundant, there are significant biological constraints on movement of coral-dwelling damselfishes and recolonization of alternative coral habitats, such that localized persistence of habitat patches during moderate or patchy disturbances do not necessarily provide resilience against overall habitat loss.
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16
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Chase TJ, Pratchett MS, McWilliam MJ, Hein MY, Tebbett SB, Hoogenboom MO. Damselfishes alleviate the impacts of sediments on host corals. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:192074. [PMID: 32431885 PMCID: PMC7211878 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.192074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mutualisms play a critical role in ecological communities; however, the importance and prevalence of mutualistic associations can be modified by external stressors. On coral reefs, elevated sediment deposition can be a major stressor reducing the health of corals and reef resilience. Here, we investigated the influence of severe sedimentation on the mutualistic relationship between small damselfishes (Pomacentrus moluccensis and Dascyllus aruanus) and their coral host (Pocillopora damicornis). In an aquarium experiment, corals were exposed to sedimentation rates of approximately 100 mg cm-2 d-1, with and without fishes present, to test whether: (i) fishes influence the accumulation of sediments on coral hosts, and (ii) fishes moderate partial colony mortality and/or coral tissue condition. Colonies with fishes accumulated much less sediment compared with colonies without fishes, and this effect was strongest for colonies with D. aruanus (fivefold less sediment than controls) as opposed to P. moluccensis (twofold less sediment than controls). Colonies with symbiont fishes also had up to 10-fold less sediment-induced partial mortality, as well as higher chlorophyll and protein concentrations. These results demonstrate that fish mutualisms vary in the strength of their benefits, and indicate that some mutualistic or facilitative interactions might become more important for species health and resilience at high-stress levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. J. Chase
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture Group, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - M. S. Pratchett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - M. J. McWilliam
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, USA
| | - M. Y. Hein
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture Group, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - S. B. Tebbett
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture Group, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - M. O. Hoogenboom
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture Group, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
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17
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Nay TJ, Johansen JL, Rummer JL, Steffensen JF, Pratchett MS, Hoey AS. Habitat complexity influences selection of thermal environment in a common coral reef fish. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 8:coaa070. [PMID: 32864133 PMCID: PMC7448933 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coaa070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Coral reef species, like most tropical species, are sensitive to increasing environmental temperatures, with many species already living close to their thermal maxima. Ocean warming and the increasing frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves are challenging the persistence of reef-associated species through both direct physiological effects of elevated water temperatures and the degradation and loss of habitat structure following disturbance. Understanding the relative importance of habitat degradation and ocean warming in shaping species distributions is critical in predicting the likely biological effects of global warming. Using an automated shuttle box system, we investigated how habitat complexity influences the selection of thermal environments for a common coral reef damselfish, Chromis atripectoralis. In the absence of any habitat (i.e. control), C. atripectoralis avoided temperatures below 22.9 ± 0.8°C and above 31.9 ± 0.6°C, with a preferred temperature (T pref) of 28.1 ± 0.9°C. When complex habitat was available, individual C. atripectoralis occupied temperatures down to 4.3°C lower (mean ± SE; threshold: 18.6 ± 0.7°C; T pref: 18.9 ± 1.0°C) than control fish. Conversely, C. atripectoralis in complex habitats occupied similar upper temperatures as control fish (threshold: 31.7 ± 0.4°C; preference: 28.3 ± 0.7°C). Our results show that the availability of complex habitat can influence the selection of thermal environment by a coral reef fish, but only at temperatures below their thermal preference. The limited scope of C. atripectoralis to occupy warmer environments, even when associated with complex habitat, suggests that habitat restoration efforts in areas that continue to warm may not be effective in retaining populations of C. atripectoralis and similar species. This species may have to move to cooler (e.g. deeper or higher latitude) habitats under predicted future warming. The integration of habitat quality and thermal environment into conservation efforts will be essential to conserve of coral reef fish populations under future ocean warming scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany J Nay
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, James Cook Dr., Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
- Corresponding author: ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Dr., Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
| | - Jacob L Johansen
- Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, 46-007 Lilipuna Rd, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA
| | - Jodie L Rummer
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, James Cook Dr., Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - John F Steffensen
- Marine Biological Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Strandpromenaden 5, Helsingør, 3000, Denmark
| | - Morgan S Pratchett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, James Cook Dr., Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Andrew S Hoey
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, James Cook Dr., Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
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18
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Jensen LH, Motti CA, Garm AL, Tonin H, Kroon FJ. Sources, distribution and fate of microfibres on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9021. [PMID: 31227771 PMCID: PMC6588688 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45340-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine microdebris, in particular microplastics (plastics <5 mm), has become an issue of international concern due to its prevalence, persistence and potential adverse impacts on marine ecosystems. Informing source reduction based on ecological effects requires an understanding of the origin, distribution and characteristics of microdebris and the interactions with marine organisms. Here we show widespread contamination of the central Great Barrier Reef environment with microdebris, with microfibres comprising 86% of all items detected. Microdebris intake by coral reef fish was non-random, with chemical composition, shape and colour differing significantly from that detected in surface waters. Furthermore, the origin of microdebris contamination in surface waters is non-random with riverine discharge a likely source for microdebris detected at inshore, but not at offshore reef locations. Our findings demonstrate the complexities associated with determining marine microdebris exposure and fate, and assist in improving future ecological assessments and prioritizing source reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lene H Jensen
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia.,University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cherie A Motti
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia
| | - Anders L Garm
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hemerson Tonin
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia
| | - Frederieke J Kroon
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Qld 4810, Australia.
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19
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The Distribution of Planktivorous Damselfishes (Pomacentridae) on the Great Barrier Reef and the Relative Influences of Habitat and Predation. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/d11030033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Planktivorous damselfishes (Pomacentridae) are diverse and abundant on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), are important prey for commercially harvested coral trout (Plectropomus spp.) and their feeding mode plays a central role in transferring energy from the plankton to the reef. However, little is known about their distribution patterns throughout the GBR and how those patterns are influenced by predators and habitat despite increasing pressures on both. Here we quantify the distribution and abundance of GBR planktivorous damselfishes, then examine the role of coral trout and habitat in shaping their assemblages. The assemblage structure of planktivorous damselfishes varied across the continental shelf, yet their total abundances varied sub-regionally, dependent on differences in coral habitat. Latitudinal patterns were relatively weak. Damselfish assemblages generally retained characteristics of their sub-regional setting over 20 years and assemblage degradation was only associated with major coral losses. Damselfish numbers were not negatively influenced by top-down control from coral trout. Instead, numbers of coral trout and damselfishes were both positively associated with coral habitat and each other. Our findings suggest that a complexity of factors and interactions shape reef fish assemblages and reinforce the fundamental importance of coral as the foundation of healthy reef communities.
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20
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Wismer S, Tebbett SB, Streit RP, Bellwood DR. Spatial mismatch in fish and coral loss following 2016 mass coral bleaching. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 650:1487-1498. [PMID: 30308835 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Record-breaking temperatures between 2015 and 2016 led to unprecedented pan-tropical bleaching of scleractinian corals. On the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), the effects were most pronounced in the remote, northern region, where over 90% of reefs exhibited bleaching. Mass bleaching that results in widespread coral mortality represents a major disturbance event for reef organisms, including reef fishes. Using 133 replicate 1 m2 quadrats, we quantified short-term changes in coral communities and spatially associated reef fish assemblages, at Lizard Island, Australia, in response to the 2016 mass bleaching event. Quadrats were spatially matched, permitting repeated sampling of fish and corals in the same areas: before, during and 6 months after mass bleaching. As expected, we documented a significant decrease in live coral cover. Subsequent decreases in fish abundance were primarily driven by coral-associated damselfishes. However, these losses, were relatively minor (37% decrease), especially compared to the magnitude of Acropora loss (>95% relative decrease). Furthermore, at a local, 1 m2 scale, we documented a strong spatial mismatch between fish and coral loss. Post-bleaching fish losses were not highest in quadrats that experienced the greatest loss of live coral. Nor were fish losses associated with a proliferation of cyanobacteria. Several sites did, however, exhibit increases in fish abundance suggesting substantial spatial movements. These results challenge common assumptions and emphasize the need for caution when ascribing causality to observed patterns of fish loss at larger spatial scales. Our results highlight the potential for short-term resilience to climate change, in fishes, through local migration and habitat plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Wismer
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Sterling B Tebbett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Robert P Streit
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - David R Bellwood
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.
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21
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Chase TJ, Pratchett MS, Frank GE, Hoogenboom MO. Coral-dwelling fish moderate bleaching susceptibility of coral hosts. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208545. [PMID: 30550591 PMCID: PMC6294555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Global environmental change has the potential to disrupt well established species interactions, with impacts on nutrient cycling and ecosystem function. On coral reefs, fish living within the branches of coral colonies can promote coral performance, and it has been hypothesized that the enhanced water flow and nutrients provided by fish to corals could ameliorate coral bleaching. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of small, aggregating damselfish on the health of their host corals (physiology, recovery, and survival) before, during, and after a thermal-bleaching event. When comparing coral colonies with and without fish, those with resident fish exhibited higher Symbiodinium densities and chlorophyll in both field and experimentally-induced bleaching conditions, and higher protein concentrations in field colonies. Additionally, colonies with damselfish in aquaria exhibited both higher photosynthetic efficiency (FV/FM) during bleaching stress and post-bleaching recovery, compared to uninhabited colonies. These results demonstrate that symbiotic damselfishes, and the services they provide, translate into measureable impacts on coral tissue, and can influence coral bleaching susceptibility/resilience and recovery. By mediating how external abiotic stressors influence coral colony health, damselfish can affect the functional responses of these interspecific interactions in a warming ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- T. J. Chase
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville QLD, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville QLD, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - M. S. Pratchett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville QLD, Australia
| | - G. E. Frank
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville QLD, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville QLD, Australia
| | - M. O. Hoogenboom
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville QLD, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville QLD, Australia
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22
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Nadler LE, Killen SS, Domenici P, McCormick MI. Role of water flow regime in the swimming behaviour and escape performance of a schooling fish. Biol Open 2018; 7:bio.031997. [PMID: 30237289 PMCID: PMC6215405 DOI: 10.1242/bio.031997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals are exposed to variable and rapidly changing environmental flow conditions, such as wind in terrestrial habitats and currents in aquatic systems. For fishes, previous work suggests that individuals exhibit flow-induced changes in aerobic swimming performance. Yet, no one has examined whether similar plasticity is found in fast-start escape responses, which are modulated by anaerobic swimming performance, sensory stimuli and neural control. In this study, we used fish from wild schools of the tropical damselfish Chromis viridis from shallow reefs surrounding Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The flow regime at each site was measured to ascertain differences in mean water flow speed and its temporal variability. Swimming and escape behaviour in fish schools were video-recorded in a laminar-flow swim tunnel. Though each school's swimming behaviour (i.e. alignment and cohesion) was not associated with local flow conditions, traits linked with fast-start performance (particularly turning rate and the distance travelled with the response) were significantly greater in individuals from high-flow habitats. This stronger performance may occur due to a number of mechanisms, such as an i n s itu training effect or greater selection pressure for faster performance phenotypes in areas with high flow speed.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Nadler
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia .,Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
| | - Shaun S Killen
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Domenici
- CNR-IAMC, Istituto per l'Ambiente Marino Costiero, Localita Sa Mardini, Torregrande, 09170, Oristano, Italy
| | - Mark I McCormick
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.,Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia
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23
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Komyakova V, Jones GP, Munday PL. Strong effects of coral species on the diversity and structure of reef fish communities: A multi-scale analysis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202206. [PMID: 30102715 PMCID: PMC6089460 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
While there is increasing evidence for habitat specialization in coral reef fishes, the extent to which different corals support different fish communities is not well understood. Here we quantitatively assess the relative importance of different coral species in structuring fish communities and evaluate whether sampling scale and coral colony size affect the perceived strength of fish-habitat relationships. Fish communities present on colonies of eight coral species (Porites cylindrica, Echinopora horrida, Hydnophora rigida, Stylophora pistillata, Seriatopora hystrix, Acropora formosa, A. tenuis and A. millepora) were examined in the Lizard Island lagoon, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Additionally, the differences in fish communities supported by three coral species (P. cylindrica, E. horrida, H. rigida) were investigated at three spatial scales of sampling (2x2 m, 1x1 m, 0.5x0.5 m). Substantial differences in fish communities were observed across the different coral species, with E. horrida and H. rigida supporting the most fish species and individuals. Coral species explained more of the variability in fish species richness (20.9-53.6%), than in fish abundance (0-15%). Most coral species supported distinctive fish communities, with dissimilarities ranging from 50 to 90%. For three focal coral species, a greater amount of total variation in fish species richness and fish abundance was evident at a larger scale of sampling. Together, these results indicate that the structure of reef fish communities is finely tuned to coral species. Loss of preferred coral species could have profound effects on reef fish biodiversity, potentially more so than would be predicted on the basis of declining coral cover alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeriya Komyakova
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.,Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Geoffrey P Jones
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Philip L Munday
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, and College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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24
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Matis PA, Donelson JM, Bush S, Fox RJ, Booth DJ. Temperature influences habitat preference of coral reef fishes: Will generalists become more specialised in a warming ocean? GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2018; 24:3158-3169. [PMID: 29658157 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Climate change is expected to pose a significant risk to species that exhibit strong behavioural preferences for specific habitat types, with generalist species assumed to be less vulnerable. In this study, we conducted habitat choice experiments to determine how water temperature influences habitat preference for three common species of coral reef damselfish (Pomacentridae) that differ in their levels of habitat specialisation. The lemon damselfish Pomacentrus moluccensis, a habitat specialist, consistently selected complex coral habitat across all temperature treatments (selected based on local average seasonal temperatures naturally experienced in situ: ambient winter 22°C; ambient summer 28°C; and elevated 31°C). Unexpectedly, the neon damselfish Pomacentrus coelestis and scissortail sergeant Abudefduf sexfasciatus, both of which have more generalist habitat associations, developed strong habitat preferences (for complex coral and boulder habitat, respectively) at the elevated temperature treatment (31°C) compared to no single preferred habitat at 22°C or 28°C. The observed shifts in habitat preference with temperature suggest that we may be currently underestimating the vulnerability of some habitat generalists to climate change and highlight that the ongoing loss of complex live coral through coral bleaching could further exacerbate resource overlap and species competition in ways not currently considered in climate change models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paloma A Matis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
| | - Jennifer M Donelson
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen Bush
- School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Fox
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Booth
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, Australia
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25
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Pratchett MS, Thompson CA, Hoey AS, Cowman PF, Wilson SK. Effects of Coral Bleaching and Coral Loss on the Structure and Function of Reef Fish Assemblages. ECOLOGICAL STUDIES 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-75393-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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26
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Comparing two remote video survey methods for spatial predictions of the distribution and environmental niche suitability of demersal fishes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:17633. [PMID: 29247193 PMCID: PMC5732166 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-17946-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Information on habitat associations from survey data, combined with spatial modelling, allow the development of more refined species distribution modelling which may identify areas of high conservation/fisheries value and consequentially improve conservation efforts. Generalised additive models were used to model the probability of occurrence of six focal species after surveys that utilised two remote underwater video sampling methods (i.e. baited and towed video). Models developed for the towed video method had consistently better predictive performance for all but one study species although only three models had a good to fair fit, and the rest were poor fits, highlighting the challenges associated with modelling habitat associations of marine species in highly homogenous, low relief environments. Models based on baited video dataset regularly included large-scale measures of structural complexity, suggesting fish attraction to a single focus point by bait. Conversely, models based on the towed video data often incorporated small-scale measures of habitat complexity and were more likely to reflect true species-habitat relationships. The cost associated with use of the towed video systems for surveying low-relief seascapes was also relatively low providing additional support for considering this method for marine spatial ecological modelling.
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27
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Thirty Years of Research on Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (1986–2016): Scientific Advances and Emerging Opportunities. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/d9040041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Coker DJ, Chaidez V, Berumen ML. Habitat Use and Spatial Variability of Hawkfishes with a Focus on Colour Polymorphism in Paracirrhites forsteri. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0169079. [PMID: 28125589 PMCID: PMC5268474 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying relationships between fishes and their environment is an integral part of understanding coral reef ecosystems. However, this information is lacking for many species, particularly in understudied and remote regions. With coral reefs continuing to face environmental pressures, insight into abundance and distribution patterns along with resource use of fish communities will aid in advancing our ecological understanding and management processes. Based on ecological surveys of hawkfish assemblages (Family: Cirrhitidae) in the Red Sea, we reveal distinct patterns in the distribution and abundance across the continental shelf, wave exposure, and with depth, particularly in the four colour morphs of Paracirrhites forsteri. Distinct patterns were observed among hawkfishes, with higher abundance of all species recorded on reefs farther from shore and on wave exposed reef zones. Cirrhitus spilotoceps was only recorded on the exposed crest, but unlike the other species, did not associate with live coral colonies. Overall, the most abundant species was P. forsteri. This species exploited a variety of habitats but showed an affinity for complex habitats provided by live and dead coral colonies. No difference in habitat use was observed among the four colour morphs, but distinct patterns were apparent in distribution and abundance with depth. This study suggests that in addition to P. forsteri exhibiting diverse colour morphologies, these various morphotypes appear to have corresponding ecological differences in the Red Sea. To better understand this, further studies are needed to identify what these differences extend to and the mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J. Coker
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- * E-mail:
| | - Veronica Chaidez
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael L. Berumen
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
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Recent Advances in Understanding the Effects of Climate Change on Coral Reefs. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2016. [DOI: 10.3390/d8020012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Agudo-Adriani EA, Cappelletto J, Cavada-Blanco F, Croquer A. Colony geometry and structural complexity of the endangered species Acropora cervicornis partly explains the structure of their associated fish assemblage. PeerJ 2016; 4:e1861. [PMID: 27069801 PMCID: PMC4824912 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.1861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, significant efforts have been made to describe fish-habitat associations. However, most studies have oversimplified actual connections between fish assemblages and their habitats by using univariate correlations. The purpose of this study was to identify the features of habitat forming corals that facilitate and influences assemblages of associated species such as fishes. For this we developed three-dimensional models of colonies of Acropora cervicornis to estimate geometry (length and height), structural complexity (i.e., volume, density of branches, etc.) and biological features of the colonies (i.e., live coral tissue, algae). We then correlated these colony characteristics with the associated fish assemblage using multivariate analyses. We found that geometry and complexity were better predictors of the structure of fish community, compared to other variables such as percentage of live coral tissue or algae. Combined, the geometry of each colony explained 40% of the variability of the fish assemblage structure associated with this coral species; 61% of the abundance and 69% of fish richness, respectively. Our study shows that three-dimensional reconstructions of discrete colonies of Acropora cervicornis provides a useful description of the colonial structural complexity and may explain a great deal of the variance in the structure of the associated coral reef fish community. This demonstration of the strongly trait-dependent ecosystem role of this threatened species has important implications for restoration and conservation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esteban A Agudo-Adriani
- Laboratorio de Ecología Experimental, Departamento de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad Simón Bolivar , Caracas , Venezuela
| | - Jose Cappelletto
- Grupo de Investigación y Desarrollo en Mecatrónica, Departamento de Electrónica y Circuítos, Universidad Simón Bolivar , Caracas , Venezuela
| | - Francoise Cavada-Blanco
- Laboratorio de Conservación Marino-Costera, Departamento de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad Simón Bolivar , Caracas , Venezuela
| | - Aldo Croquer
- Laboratorio de Ecología Experimental, Departamento de Estudios Ambientales, Universidad Simón Bolivar , Caracas , Venezuela
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Coker DJ, Hoey AS, Wilson SK, Depczynski M, Graham NAJ, Hobbs JPA, Holmes TH, Pratchett MS. Habitat Selectivity and Reliance on Live Corals for Indo-Pacific Hawkfishes (Family: Cirrhitidae). PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138136. [PMID: 26529406 PMCID: PMC4631501 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hawkfishes (family: Cirrhitidae) are small conspicuous reef predators that commonly perch on, or shelter within, the branches of coral colonies. This study examined habitat associations of hawkfishes, and explicitly tested whether hawkfishes associate with specific types of live coral. Live coral use and habitat selectivity of hawkfishes was explored at six locations from Chagos in the central Indian Ocean extending east to Fiji in the Pacific Ocean. A total of 529 hawkfishes from seven species were recorded across all locations with 63% of individuals observed perching on, or sheltering within, live coral colonies. Five species (all except Cirrhitus pinnulatus and Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus) associated with live coral habitats. Cirrhitichthys falco selected for species of Pocillopora while Paracirrhites arcatus and P. forsteri selected for both Pocillopora and Acropora, revealing that these habitats are used disproportionately more than expected based on the local cover of these coral genera. Habitat selection was consistent across geographic locations, and species of Pocillopora were the most frequently used and most consistently selected even though this coral genus never comprised more than 6% of the total coral cover at any of the locations. Across locations, Paracirrhites arcatus and P. forsteri were the most abundant species and variation in their abundance corresponded with local patterns of live coral cover and abundance of Pocilloporid corals, respectively. These findings demonstrate the link between small predatory fishes and live coral habitats adding to the growing body of literature highlighting that live corals (especially erect branching corals) are critically important for sustaining high abundance and diversity of fishes on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren J. Coker
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- Red Sea Research Center, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Andrew S. Hoey
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
| | - Shaun K. Wilson
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
- Marine Science Program, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth, Australia
| | - Martial Depczynski
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
| | - Nicholas A. J. Graham
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Paul A. Hobbs
- Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Thomas H. Holmes
- Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
- Marine Science Program, Department of Parks and Wildlife, Perth, Australia
| | - Morgan S. Pratchett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
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Lamy T, Legendre P, Chancerelle Y, Siu G, Claudet J. Understanding the Spatio-Temporal Response of Coral Reef Fish Communities to Natural Disturbances: Insights from Beta-Diversity Decomposition. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138696. [PMID: 26393511 PMCID: PMC4578945 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how communities respond to natural disturbances is fundamental to assess the mechanisms of ecosystem resistance and resilience. However, ecosystem responses to natural disturbances are rarely monitored both through space and time, while the factors promoting ecosystem stability act at various temporal and spatial scales. Hence, assessing both the spatial and temporal variations in species composition is important to comprehensively explore the effects of natural disturbances. Here, we suggest a framework to better scrutinize the mechanisms underlying community responses to disturbances through both time and space. Our analytical approach is based on beta diversity decomposition into two components, replacement and biomass difference. We illustrate this approach using a 9-year monitoring of coral reef fish communities off Moorea Island (French Polynesia), which encompassed two severe natural disturbances: a crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak and a hurricane. These disturbances triggered a fast logistic decline in coral cover, which suffered a 90% decrease on all reefs. However, we found that the coral reef fish composition remained largely stable through time and space whereas compensatory changes in biomass among species were responsible for most of the temporal fluctuations, as outlined by the overall high contribution of the replacement component to total beta diversity. This suggests that, despite the severity of the two disturbances, fish communities exhibited high resistance and the ability to reorganize their compositions to maintain the same level of total community biomass as before the disturbances. We further investigated the spatial congruence of this pattern and showed that temporal dynamics involved different species across sites; yet, herbivores controlling the proliferation of algae that compete with coral communities were consistently favored. These results suggest that compensatory changes in biomass among species and spatial heterogeneity in species responses can provide further insurance against natural disturbances in coral reef ecosystems by promoting high levels of key species (herbivores). They can also allow the ecosystem to recover more quickly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lamy
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CRIOBE-USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan cedex, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan cedex, France
- Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Pierre Legendre
- Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yannick Chancerelle
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan cedex, France
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, CRIOBE-USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, BP 1013, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Gilles Siu
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan cedex, France
- Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, CRIOBE-USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, BP 1013, Papetoai, Moorea, French Polynesia
| | - Joachim Claudet
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, CRIOBE-USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE-UPVD, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan cedex, France
- Laboratoire d'Excellence CORAIL, 58 Avenue Paul Alduy, 66860, Perpignan cedex, France
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Holbrook SJ, Schmitt RJ, Messmer V, Brooks AJ, Srinivasan M, Munday PL, Jones GP. Reef fishes in biodiversity hotspots are at greatest risk from loss of coral species. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0124054. [PMID: 25970588 PMCID: PMC4430502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reef ecosystems are under a variety of threats from global change and anthropogenic disturbances that are reducing the number and type of coral species on reefs. Coral reefs support upwards of one third of all marine species of fish, so the loss of coral habitat may have substantial consequences to local fish diversity. We posit that the effects of habitat degradation will be most severe in coral regions with highest biodiversity of fishes due to greater specialization by fishes for particular coral habitats. Our novel approach to this important but untested hypothesis was to conduct the same field experiment at three geographic locations across the Indo-Pacific biodiversity gradient (Papua New Guinea; Great Barrier Reef, Australia; French Polynesia). Specifically, we experimentally explored whether the response of local fish communities to identical changes in diversity of habitat-providing corals was independent of the size of the regional species pool of fishes. We found that the proportional reduction (sensitivity) in fish biodiversity to loss of coral diversity was greater for regions with larger background species pools, reflecting variation in the degree of habitat specialization of fishes across the Indo-Pacific diversity gradient. This result implies that habitat-associated fish in diversity hotspots are at greater risk of local extinction to a given loss of habitat diversity compared to regions with lower species richness. This mechanism, related to the positive relationship between habitat specialization and regional biodiversity, and the elevated extinction risk this poses for biodiversity hotspots, may apply to species in other types of ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally J. Holbrook
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
- Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Russell J. Schmitt
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
- Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
| | - Vanessa Messmer
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Andrew J. Brooks
- Coastal Research Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, 93106, United States of America
| | - Maya Srinivasan
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Philip L. Munday
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
| | - Geoffrey P. Jones
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, 4811, Australia
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Alvarez-Filip L, Paddack MJ, Collen B, Robertson DR, Côté IM. Simplification of Caribbean reef-fish assemblages over decades of coral reef degradation. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126004. [PMID: 25875218 PMCID: PMC4397080 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Caribbean coral reefs are becoming structurally simpler, largely due to human impacts. The consequences of this trend for reef-associated communities are currently unclear, but expected to be profound. Here, we assess whether changes in fish assemblages have been non-random over several decades of declining reef structure. More specifically, we predicted that species that depend exclusively on coral reef habitat (i.e., habitat specialists) should be at a disadvantage compared to those that use a broader array of habitats (i.e., habitat generalists). Analysing 3727 abundance trends of 161 Caribbean reef-fishes, surveyed between 1980 and 2006, we found that the trends of habitat-generalists and habitat-specialists differed markedly. The abundance of specialists started to decline in the mid-1980s, reaching a low of ~60% of the 1980 baseline by the mid-1990s. Both the average and the variation in abundance of specialists have increased since the early 2000s, although the average is still well below the baseline level of 1980. This modest recovery occurred despite no clear evidence of a regional recovery in coral reef habitat quality in the Caribbean during the 2000s. In contrast, the abundance of generalist fishes remained relatively stable over the same three decades. Few specialist species are fished, thus their population declines are most likely linked to habitat degradation. These results mirror the observed trends of replacement of specialists by generalists, observed in terrestrial taxa across the globe. A significant challenge that arises from our findings is now to investigate if, and how, such community-level changes in fish populations affect ecosystem function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Alvarez-Filip
- Unidad Académica de Sistemas Arrecifales, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, México
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Michelle J. Paddack
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
- Department of Biology, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, California, 93109, United States of America
| | - Ben Collen
- Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Isabelle M. Côté
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
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Boaden AE, Kingsford M.J. Predators drive community structure in coral reef fish assemblages. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es14-00292.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A. E. Boaden
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811 Australia
| | - M. .J Kingsford
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811 Australia
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Chase TJ, Pratchett MS, Walker SPW, Hoogenboom MO. Small-scale environmental variation influences whether coral-dwelling fish promote or impede coral growth. Oecologia 2014; 176:1009-22. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3065-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Wen CKC, Chen KS, Hsieh HJ, Hsu CM, Chen CA. High coral cover and subsequent high fish richness on mature breakwaters in Taiwan. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 72:55-63. [PMID: 23711840 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Breakwaters are widely used in coastal development. Breakwaters can alter habitats by undermining shallow coastal ecosystems, especially coral reefs. However, recent studies indicate that mature breakwaters can have well-developed corals and coral-associated fishes. Breakwaters with colonized corals may act as surrogates of natural coral reefs against the global coral crisis. Here, we examined the composition of corals, fishes, and benthic biota/abiota between natural reefs and mature breakwaters to evaluate the possibility of breakwaters supplementing natural reefs. We found equal or higher coral cover, fish abundance, and species richness on breakwaters. Conversely, differential coral growth forms and fish assemblages on mature breakwaters suggested the irreplaceability of natural reefs. Corals and coral reef fishes on mature man-made structures, however, may improve the resistance and resilience of coral reefs. Conclusively, despite high coral cover on mature man-made structures appropriate management (e.g., marine reserves) is still necessary to sustain the coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Kuo-Chang Wen
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, QLD, Australia.
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The Status of Coral Reef Fish Assemblages in the Chagos Archipelago, with Implications for Protected Area Management and Climate Change. CORAL REEFS OF THE WORLD 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-5965-7_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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