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Roche RC, Heenan A, Taylor BM, Schwarz JN, Fox MD, Southworth LK, Williams GJ, Turner JR. Linking variation in planktonic primary production to coral reef fish growth and condition. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:201012. [PMID: 36061523 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6156452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Within low-nutrient tropical oceans, islands and atolls with higher primary production support higher fish biomass and reef organism abundance. External energy subsidies can be delivered onto reefs via a range of physical mechanisms. However, the influence of spatial variation in primary production on reef fish growth and condition is largely unknown. It is not yet clear how energy subsidies interact with reef depth and slope. Here we test the hypothesis that with increased proximity to deep-water oceanic nutrient sources, or at sites with shallower reef slopes, parameters of fish growth and condition will be higher. Contrary to expectations, we found no association between fish growth rate and sites with higher mean chlorophyll-a values. There were no differences in fish δ 15N or δ 13C values between depths. The relationship between fish condition and primary production was influenced by depth, driven by increased fish condition at shallow depths within a primary production 'hotspot' site. Carbon δ 13C was depleted with increasing primary production, and interacted with reef slope. Our results indicate that variable primary production did not influence growth rates in planktivorous Chromis fieldi within 10-17.5 m depth, but show site-specific variation in reef physical characteristics influencing fish carbon isotopic composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan C Roche
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Adel Heenan
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | | | - Jill N Schwarz
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Michael D Fox
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lucy K Southworth
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
- Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Gareth J Williams
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - John R Turner
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
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Roche RC, Heenan A, Taylor BM, Schwarz JN, Fox MD, Southworth LK, Williams GJ, Turner JR. Linking variation in planktonic primary production to coral reef fish growth and condition. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:201012. [PMID: 36061523 PMCID: PMC9428543 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.201012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Within low-nutrient tropical oceans, islands and atolls with higher primary production support higher fish biomass and reef organism abundance. External energy subsidies can be delivered onto reefs via a range of physical mechanisms. However, the influence of spatial variation in primary production on reef fish growth and condition is largely unknown. It is not yet clear how energy subsidies interact with reef depth and slope. Here we test the hypothesis that with increased proximity to deep-water oceanic nutrient sources, or at sites with shallower reef slopes, parameters of fish growth and condition will be higher. Contrary to expectations, we found no association between fish growth rate and sites with higher mean chlorophyll-a values. There were no differences in fish δ 15N or δ 13C values between depths. The relationship between fish condition and primary production was influenced by depth, driven by increased fish condition at shallow depths within a primary production 'hotspot' site. Carbon δ 13C was depleted with increasing primary production, and interacted with reef slope. Our results indicate that variable primary production did not influence growth rates in planktivorous Chromis fieldi within 10-17.5 m depth, but show site-specific variation in reef physical characteristics influencing fish carbon isotopic composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronan C. Roche
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Adel Heenan
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | | | - Jill N. Schwarz
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Michael D. Fox
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
- Red Sea Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lucy K. Southworth
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
- Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Douglas, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Gareth J. Williams
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
| | - John R. Turner
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, UK
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MacDonald C, Bridge TCL, McMahon KW, Jones GP. Alternative functional strategies and altered carbon pathways facilitate broad depth ranges in coral‐obligate reef fishes. Funct Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chancey MacDonald
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture Science, College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Excellence in Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - Tom C. L. Bridge
- Australian Research Council Centre for Excellence in Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- Biodiversity and Geosciences Program, Museum of Tropical Queensland Queensland Museum Network Townsville Qld Australia
| | - Kelton W. McMahon
- Institute of Marine Sciences University of California – Santa Cruz Santa Cruz CA USA
- Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island Narragansett RI USA
| | - Geoffrey P. Jones
- Marine Biology and Aquaculture Science, College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre for Excellence in Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
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Lesser MP, Slattery M, Mobley CD. Biodiversity and Functional Ecology of Mesophotic Coral Reefs. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ECOLOGY EVOLUTION AND SYSTEMATICS 2018. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110617-062423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mesophotic coral reefs, currently defined as deep reefs between 30 and 150 m, are linked physically and biologically to their shallow water counterparts, have the potential to be refuges for shallow coral reef taxa such as coral and sponges, and might be a source of larvae that could contribute to the resiliency of shallow water reefs. Mesophotic coral reefs are found worldwide, but most are undescribed and understudied. Here, we review our current knowledge of mesophotic coral reefs and their functional ecology as it relates to their geomorphology, changes in the abiotic environment along depth gradients, trophic ecology, their reproduction, and their connectivity to shallow depths. Understanding the ecology of mesophotic coral reefs, and the connectivity between them and their shallow water counterparts, is now a primary focus for many reef studies as the worldwide degradation of shallow coral reefs, and the ecosystem services they provide, continues unabated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P. Lesser
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, and School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA
| | - Marc Slattery
- Department of BioMolecular Science, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi 38677, USA
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Pereira PHC, Macedo CH, Nunes JDACC, Marangoni LFDB, Bianchini A. Effects of depth on reef fish communities: Insights of a "deep refuge hypothesis" from Southwestern Atlantic reefs. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203072. [PMID: 30256788 PMCID: PMC6157832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Deeper reefs are often considered to be less susceptible to local and global disturbances, such as overfishing, pollution and climate change, compared to shallow reefs and therefore could act as refugia for shallow water species. Hence, the interest on deeper reefs has happened at a time when shallow reefs are undergoing unprecedented changes. Here we investigated the hypothesis that fish community differed from shallow to deeper reefs due to factors apart from habitat structure and quality and therefore discuss for the first-time insights of a “deep refuge hypothesis” from Brazilian reefs. We collected data on fish community, benthic community and physiological conditions of two coral species on shallow (< 6 m) and deep reefs (> 25 m). No significant difference on substratum composition was observed comparing sites and depths. Additionally, physiological data on corals also showed similar oxidative status and growth conditions when comparing the two-coral species in shallow and deep reefs. Conversely, our study demonstrated strong differences on reef fish communities in terms of abundance, species richness, trophic groups, size classes and groups of interest when comparing shallow and deeper reefs. Fish abundance was 2-fold higher and species richness was up to 70% higher on deeper reefs. Also, a significant difference was observed comparing trophic groups of reef fish. Macrocarnivore, Mobile invertebrate feeders, Planktivores, Sessile Invertebrates Feeders and Roving Herbivores were more abundant on deeper reefs. On the other hand, Territorialist Herbivores almost exclusively dominated shallow reefs. Strong differences were also observed comparing the abundance of reef fish groups of interest and their respective size classes between shallow and deeper reefs. Ornamental, Great Herbivores and Groupers showed clear differences, with higher abundances being observed in deeper reefs. Considering size classes, larger individuals (> 15 cm) of Great Herbivores, Groupers and Snapper were uniquely recorded at deeper reefs. Additionally, individuals with > 30 cm were recorded almost exclusively on deeper reefs for all the analyzed groups of interest. Our findings suggest that fishing pressure on the target species may be attenuated on deeper reefs, and these regions may therefore be considered as areas of refuge from shallow water impacts. Therefore, the likely potential for deeper reefs protect species from natural or anthropogenic disturbances increases the attention of marine conservation planning and resource management on including deeper reefs in protected areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique Cipresso Pereira
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Departamento de Oceanografia, Recife (PE), Brazil
- Projeto Conservação Recifal (Reef Conservation Project), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Cláudio Henrique Macedo
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Departamento de Oceanografia, Recife (PE), Brazil
- Projeto Conservação Recifal (Reef Conservation Project), Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
| | | | - Laura Fernandes de Barros Marangoni
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Adalto Bianchini
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Biológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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