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Rademaker M, van Leeuwen A, Smallegange IM. Why we cannot always expect life history strategies to directly inform on sensitivity to environmental change. J Anim Ecol 2024; 93:348-366. [PMID: 38303132 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Variation in life history traits in animals and plants can often be structured along major axes of life history strategies. The position of a species along these axes can inform on their sensitivity to environmental change. For example, species with slow life histories are found to be less sensitive in their long-term population responses to environmental change than species with fast life histories. This provides a tantalizing link between sets of traits and population responses to change, contained in a highly generalizable theoretical framework. Life history strategies are assumed to reflect the outcome of life history tradeoffs that, by their very nature, act at the individual level. Examples include the tradeoff between current and future reproductive success, and allocating energy into growth versus reproduction. But the importance of such tradeoffs in structuring population-level responses to environmental change remains understudied. We aim to increase our understanding of the link between individual-level life history tradeoffs and the structuring of life history strategies across species, as well as the underlying links to population responses to environmental change. We find that the classical association between lifehistory strategies and population responses to environmental change breaks down when accounting for individual-level tradeoffs and energy allocation. Therefore, projecting population responses to environmental change should not be inferred based only on a limited set of species traits. We summarize our perspective and a way forward in a conceptual framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Rademaker
- Department of Coastal Systems, Royal NIOZ and Utrecht University, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Anieke van Leeuwen
- Department of Coastal Systems, Royal NIOZ and Utrecht University, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Isabel M Smallegange
- School of Natural & Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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2
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Glazier DS. The Relevance of Time in Biological Scaling. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1084. [PMID: 37626969 PMCID: PMC10452035 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Various phenotypic traits relate to the size of a living system in regular but often disproportionate (allometric) ways. These "biological scaling" relationships have been studied by biologists for over a century, but their causes remain hotly debated. Here, I focus on the patterns and possible causes of the body-mass scaling of the rates/durations of various biological processes and life-history events, i.e., the "pace of life". Many biologists have regarded the rate of metabolism or energy use as the master driver of the "pace of life" and its scaling with body size. Although this "energy perspective" has provided valuable insight, here I argue that a "time perspective" may be equally or even more important. I evaluate various major ways that time may be relevant in biological scaling, including as (1) an independent "fourth dimension" in biological dimensional analyses, (2) a universal "biological clock" that synchronizes various biological rates/durations, (3) a scaling method that uses various biological time periods (allochrony) as scaling metrics, rather than various measures of physical size (allometry), as traditionally performed, (4) an ultimate body-size-related constraint on the rates/timing of biological processes/events that is set by the inevitability of death, and (5) a geological "deep time" approach for viewing the evolution of biological scaling patterns. Although previously proposed universal four-dimensional space-time and "biological clock" views of biological scaling are problematic, novel approaches using allochronic analyses and time perspectives based on size-related rates of individual mortality and species origination/extinction may provide new valuable insights.
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3
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Varenne A, Richardson LE, Radford AN, Rossi F, Lecaillon G, Gudefin A, Bérenger L, Abadie E, Boissery P, Lenfant P, Simpson SD. Immersion Time Determines Performance of Artificial Habitats in Commercial Harbours by Changing Biodiversity of Colonising Invertebrate Assemblages. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15040505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
In highly modified coastal environments, such as commercial harbours, the installation of artificial habitats has garnered support as a means of enhancing local biological recruitment and connectivity. The success of these measures depends largely on the patterns of species colonisation. Using post-installation monitoring data, we compared the composition of assemblages of invertebrates colonising artificial habitats that were immersed for different periods (~6 vs. ~18 months) in three commercial harbours along the French Mediterranean coast. The artificial habitats were colonised by taxonomically diverse invertebrate assemblages of ecological and economic importance, including molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoids. Composition differed significantly with the immersion time of the artificial habitats, with total abundance, species richness, and evenness being significantly higher after ~18 than after ~6 months of immersion, indicating that long periods are necessary to enrich these new habitats with economically and ecologically important species. These results can inform restoration protocols and emphasise the value of post-installation monitoring programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix Varenne
- Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Côte d’Azur, ECOSEAS UMR 7035, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice, France
- Ecocean SAS, 1342 Avenue du Toulouse, 34070 Montpellier, France
| | - Laura E. Richardson
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Askew St, Menai Bridge LL59 5AB, UK
| | - Andrew N. Radford
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Francesca Rossi
- Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Côte d’Azur, ECOSEAS UMR 7035, Parc Valrose, 06108 Nice, France
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn—National Institute of Marine Biology, Ecology and Biotechnologies, Genoa Marine Centre, Villa del Principe, Piazza del Principe 4, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Anaïs Gudefin
- Ecocean SAS, 1342 Avenue du Toulouse, 34070 Montpellier, France
| | | | - Etienne Abadie
- Ecocean SAS, 1342 Avenue du Toulouse, 34070 Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Boissery
- Agence de l’Eau Rhône Méditerranée Corse—Délégation Paca Corse, Immeuble Le Noailles, 62 La Canebière, 13001 Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Lenfant
- Centre de Formation et de Recherche sur les Environnements Méditerranéens, UMR 5110, Université de Perpignan Via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan, France
| | - Stephen D. Simpson
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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4
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Functional and sex-specific dynamics of ectoparasite size evolution in marine isopod-fish interactions: Harrison's rule and increasing variance. Oecologia 2023; 201:213-225. [PMID: 36522603 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-022-05302-9] [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: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Harrison's rule, a pattern predicting that the body size of parasites correlates positively with the size of their hosts, is well-supported. However, its interaction with highly distinct "guilds" of closely related parasites warrants further exploration. The increasing variance hypothesis predicts that the variance in parasite size should also increase with the size of their hosts. Though untested, in parasite taxa with differential sex-dependent pressures on body size, this relationship should also be divergent across sexes due to differential size-fecundity relationships. We compiled global data on sequentially hermaphroditic isopods (Isopoda: Cymothoidae) parasitic on fish from published literature. With a data set comprising of 204 marine cymothoid species and their hosts, we used Bayesian hierarchical models to primarily test (1) Harrison's rule and its scaling across three functionally distinct guilds (mouth, gill, external); (2) the increasing variance hypothesis and sex-specific patterns. Our results revealed a strong positive association between parasite and host body sizes, but with uniform scaling across guilds. Host size exerted divergent, sex-specific effects on the relative intraspecific variation in parasite size, where this association was positive in males and absent in females. Here, we show that Harrison's rule is independent of guild, suggesting body size evolution across all cymothoids is equally underpinned by the size of their hosts. The sex-specificity of the increasing variance hypothesis can be explained by female fecundity being tightly bound to body size, whereas the dependency of reproductive success on size is inherently more relaxed in males.
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5
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Goatley CHR, Tornabene L. Tempestichthys bettyae, a new genus and species of ocean sleeper (Gobiiformes, Thalasseleotrididae) from the central Coral Sea. SYST BIODIVERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2090633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher H. R. Goatley
- Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research (FEAR) Lab, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum, 1 William Street, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Luke Tornabene
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
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6
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Mihalitsis M, Morais RA, Bellwood DR. Small predators dominate fish predation in coral reef communities. PLoS Biol 2022; 20:e3001898. [PMID: 36445867 PMCID: PMC9707750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecosystem processes are challenging to quantify at a community level, particularly within complex ecosystems (e.g., rainforests, coral reefs). Predation is one of the most important types of species interactions, determining several ecosystem processes. However, while it is widely recognised, it is rarely quantified, especially in aquatic systems. To address these issues, we model predation on fish by fish, in a hyperdiverse coral reef community. We show that body sizes previously examined in fish-fish predation studies (based on a metanalysis), only represent about 5% of likely predation events. The average fish predator on coral reefs is just 3.65 cm; the average fish prey just 1.5 cm. These results call for a shift in the way we view fish predation and its ability to shape the species or functional composition of coral reef fish communities. Considered from a functional group approach, we found general agreement in the distribution of simulated and observed predation events, among both predator and prey functional groups. Predation on coral reefs is a process driven by small fish, most of which are neither seen nor quantified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Mihalitsis
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Renato A. Morais
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - David R. Bellwood
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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7
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Goldsworthy NC, Srinivasan M, Smallhorn‐West P, Cheah L, Munday PL, Jones GP. Life-history constraints, short adult life span and reproductive strategies in coral reef gobies of the genus Trimma. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2022; 101:996-1007. [PMID: 35818109 PMCID: PMC9796689 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Body size influences many life-history traits, with small-bodied animals tending to have short life spans, high mortality and greater reproductive effort early in life. In this study, the authors investigated the life-history traits and reproductive strategies of three small-bodied coral reef gobies of the genus Trimma: Trimma benjamini, Trimma capostriatum and Trimma yanoi. The authors found all Trimma species studied attained a small body size of <25 mm, had a short life span of <140 days and experienced high estimated daily mortality of 3.0%-6.7%. Furthermore, the pelagic larval phase accounted for 25.3%-28.5% of the maximum life span, and maturation occurred between 74.1 and 82.1 days at 15.2-15.8 mm, leaving only 35%-43% of the total life span as a reproductively viable adult. All mature individuals had gonad structures consistent with bidirectional sex change, with bisexual gonads including both ovarian and testicular portions separated by a thin wall of connective tissue. In the female and male phases, only ovaries or testes were mature, whereas gonadal tissue of the non-active sex remained. One T. benjamini individual and one T. yanoi individual had ovarian and testicular tissue active simultaneously. The results of this study highlight the life-history challenges small CRFs face on their path to reproduction and reproductive strategies that could be beneficial in fishes with high and unpredictable mortality and short reproductive life spans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha C. Goldsworthy
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Marine Biology and AquacultureJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Maya Srinivasan
- Marine Biology and AquacultureJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Patrick Smallhorn‐West
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- WorldFishBayan LepasPenangMalaysia
| | - Lit‐Chien Cheah
- Division of Tropical Environments & SocietiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Philip L. Munday
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Geoffrey P. Jones
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Marine Biology and AquacultureJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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8
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Spinks RK, Donelson JM, Bonzi LC, Ravasi T, Munday PL. Parents exposed to warming produce offspring lower in weight and condition. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9044. [PMID: 35866024 PMCID: PMC9288889 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The parental environment can alter offspring phenotypes via the transfer of non-genetic information. Parental effects may be viewed as an extension of (within-generation) phenotypic plasticity. Smaller size, poorer physical condition, and skewed sex ratios are common responses of organisms to global warming, yet whether parental effects alleviate, exacerbate, or have no impact on these responses has not been widely tested. Further, the relative non-genetic influence of mothers and fathers and ontogenetic timing of parental exposure to warming on offspring phenotypes is poorly understood. Here, we tested how maternal, paternal, and biparental exposure of a coral reef fish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus) to elevated temperature (+1.5°C) at different ontogenetic stages (development vs reproduction) influences offspring length, weight, condition, and sex. Fish were reared across two generations in present-day and projected ocean warming in a full factorial design. As expected, offspring of parents exposed to present-day control temperature that were reared in warmer water were shorter than their siblings reared in control temperature; however, within-generation plasticity allowed maintenance of weight, resulting in a higher body condition. Parental exposure to warming, irrespective of ontogenetic timing and sex, resulted in decreased weight and condition in all offspring rearing temperatures. By contrast, offspring sex ratios were not strongly influenced by their rearing temperature or that of their parents. Together, our results reveal that phenotypic plasticity may help coral reef fishes maintain performance in a warm ocean within a generation, but could exacerbate the negative effects of warming between generations, regardless of when mothers and fathers are exposed to warming. Alternatively, the multigenerational impact on offspring weight and condition may be a necessary cost to adapt metabolism to increasing temperatures. This research highlights the importance of examining phenotypic plasticity within and between generations across a range of traits to accurately predict how organisms will respond to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K. Spinks
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Jennifer M. Donelson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
| | - Lucrezia C. Bonzi
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Red Sea Research CenterKing Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyThuwalSaudi Arabia
| | - Timothy Ravasi
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
- Marine Climate Change UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Philip L. Munday
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQueenslandAustralia
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9
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Brodnicke OB, Hansen CE, Huie JM, Brandl SJ, Worsaae K. Functional impact and trophic morphology of small, sand‐sifting fishes on coral reefs. Funct Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.14087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- O. B. Brodnicke
- Department of Biology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Ø Denmark
| | - C. E. Hansen
- Department of Biology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Ø Denmark
| | - J. M. Huie
- Department of Biological Sciences The George Washington University Washington DC USA
| | - S. J. Brandl
- Department of Marine Science, The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute Port Aransas TX USA
| | - K. Worsaae
- Department of Biology University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Ø Denmark
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10
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Emerging insights on effects of sharks and other top predators on coral reefs. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:57-65. [PMID: 35258079 PMCID: PMC9023017 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Predation is ubiquitous on coral reefs. Among the most charismatic group of reef predators are the top predatory fishes, including sharks and large-bodied bony fishes. Despite the threat presented by top predators, data describing their realized effects on reef community structure and functioning are challenging to produce. Many innovative studies have capitalized on natural experimental conditions to explore predator effects on reefs. Gradients in predator density have been created by spatial patterning of fisheries management. Evidence of prey release has been observed across some reefs, namely that potential prey increase in density when predator density is reduced. While such studies search for evidence of prey release among broad groups or guilds of potential prey, a subset of studies have sought evidence of release at finer population levels. We find that some groups of fishes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of predators and more able to capitalize demographically when predator density is reduced. For example, territorial damselfish appear to realize reliable population expansion with the reduction in predator density, likely because their aggressive, defensive behavior makes them distinctly vulnerable to predation. Relatedly, individual fishes that suffer from debilitating conditions, such as heavy parasite loads, appear to realize relatively stronger levels of prey release with reduced predator density. Studying the effects of predators on coral reefs remains a timely pursuit, and we argue that efforts to focus on the specifics of vulnerability to predation among potential prey and other context-specific dimensions of mortality hold promise to expand our knowledge.
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11
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Prescott LA, Regish AM, McMahon SJ, McCormick SD, Rummer JL. Rapid embryonic development supports the early onset of gill functions in two coral reef damselfishes. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:272637. [PMID: 34708857 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The gill is one of the most important organs for growth and survival of fishes. Early life stages in coral reef fishes often exhibit extreme physiological and demographic characteristics that are linked to well-established respiratory and ionoregulatory processes. However, gill development and function in coral reef fishes is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated gill morphology, oxygen uptake and ionoregulatory systems throughout embryogenesis in two coral reef damselfishes, Acanthochromis polyacanthus and Amphiprion melanopus (Pomacentridae). In both species, we found key gill structures to develop rapidly early in the embryonic phase. Ionoregulatory cells appear on gill filaments 3-4 days post-fertilization and increase in density, whilst disappearing or shrinking in cutaneous locations. Primary respiratory tissue (lamellae) appears 5-7 days post-fertilization, coinciding with a peak in oxygen uptake rates of the developing embryos. Oxygen uptake was unaffected by phenylhydrazine across all ages (pre-hatching), indicating that haemoglobin is not yet required for oxygen uptake. This suggests that gills have limited contribution to respiratory functions during embryonic development, at least until hatching. Rapid gill development in damselfishes, when compared with that in most previously investigated fishes, may reflect preparations for a high-performance, challenging lifestyle on tropical reefs, but may also make reef fishes more vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leteisha A Prescott
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.,College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Amy M Regish
- US Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, Turners Falls, MA 01376, USA
| | - Shannon J McMahon
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Stephen D McCormick
- US Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Conte Anadromous Fish Research Laboratory, Turners Falls, MA 01376, USA.,Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - Jodie L Rummer
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.,College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
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12
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Mihalitsis M, Hemingson CR, Goatley CHR, Bellwood DR. The role of fishes as food: A functional perspective on predator–prey interactions. Funct Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Mihalitsis
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - Christopher R. Hemingson
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
| | - Christopher H. R. Goatley
- Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research (FEAR) Lab and Palaeoscience Research Centre School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale Australia
- Australian Museum Research InstituteAustralian Museum Sydney NSW Australia
| | - David R. Bellwood
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem Functions James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville QLD Australia
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13
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Hemingson CR, Cowman PF, Bellwood DR. Body size determines eyespot size and presence in coral reef fishes. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:8144-8152. [PMID: 32788967 PMCID: PMC7417216 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous organisms display conspicuous eyespots. These eye-like patterns have been shown to effectively reduce predation by either deflecting strikes away from nonvital organs or by intimidating potential predators. While investigated extensively in terrestrial systems, determining what factors shape eyespot form in colorful coral reef fishes remains less well known. Using a broadscale approach we ask: How does the size of the eyespot relate to the actual eye, and at what size during ontogeny are eyespots acquired or lost? We utilized publicly available images to generate a dataset of 167 eyespot-bearing reef fish species. We measured multiple features relating to the size of the fish, its eye, and the size of its eyespot. In reef fishes, the area of the eyespot closely matches that of the real eye; however, the eyespots "pupil" is nearly four times larger than the real pupil. Eyespots appear at about 20 mm standard length. However, there is a marked decrease in the presence of eyespots in fishes above 48 mm standard length; a size which is tightly correlated with significant decreases in documented mortality rates. Above 75-85 mm, the cost of eyespots appears to outweigh their benefit. Our results identify a "size window" for eyespots in coral reef fishes, which suggests that eyespot use is strictly body size-dependent within this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Hemingson
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQldAustralia
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem FunctionJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQldAustralia
- Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQldAustralia
| | - Peter F. Cowman
- Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQldAustralia
| | - David R. Bellwood
- College of Science and EngineeringJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQldAustralia
- Research Hub for Coral Reef Ecosystem FunctionJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQldAustralia
- Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook UniversityTownsvilleQldAustralia
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14
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Anthropogenic stressors impact fish sensory development and survival via thyroid disruption. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3614. [PMID: 32681015 PMCID: PMC7367887 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17450-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Larval metamorphosis and recruitment represent critical life-history transitions for most teleost fishes. While the detrimental effects of anthropogenic stressors on the behavior and survival of recruiting fishes are well-documented, the physiological mechanisms that underpin these patterns remain unclear. Here, we use pharmacological treatments to highlight the role that thyroid hormones (TH) play in sensory development and determining anti-predator responses in metamorphosing convict surgeonfish, Acanthurus triostegus. We then show that high doses of a physical stressor (increased temperature of +3 °C) and a chemical stressor (the pesticide chlorpyrifos at 30 µg L−1) induced similar defects by decreasing fish TH levels and affecting their sensory development. Stressor-exposed fish experienced higher predation; however, their ability to avoid predation improved when they received supplemental TH. Our results highlight that two different anthropogenic stressors can affect critical developmental and ecological transitions via the same physiological pathway. This finding provides a unifying mechanism to explain past results and underlines the profound threat anthropogenic stressors pose to fish communities. Anthropogenic stressors affect many aspects of marine organismal health. Here, the authors expose surgeonfish to temperature and pesticide stressors and show that the stressors, separately and in combination, have adverse effects on thyroid signaling, which disrupts several sensory systems and important predation defenses.
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15
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Siqueira AC, Morais RA, Bellwood DR, Cowman PF. Trophic innovations fuel reef fish diversification. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2669. [PMID: 32472063 PMCID: PMC7260216 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16498-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Reef fishes are an exceptionally speciose vertebrate assemblage, yet the main drivers of their diversification remain unclear. It has been suggested that Miocene reef rearrangements promoted opportunities for lineage diversification, however, the specific mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we assemble near-complete reef fish phylogenies to assess the importance of ecological and geographical factors in explaining lineage origination patterns. We reveal that reef fish diversification is strongly associated with species' trophic identity and body size. Large-bodied herbivorous fishes outpace all other trophic groups in recent diversification rates, a pattern that is consistent through time. Additionally, we show that omnivory acts as an intermediate evolutionary step between higher and lower trophic levels, while planktivory represents a common transition destination. Overall, these results suggest that Miocene changes in reef configurations were likely driven by, and subsequently promoted, trophic innovations. This highlights trophic evolution as a key element in enhancing reef fish diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre C Siqueira
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia.
| | - Renato A Morais
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - David R Bellwood
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Peter F Cowman
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, 4811, Australia
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16
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Fontoura L, Zawada KJA, D'agata S, Álvarez-Noriega M, Baird AH, Boutros N, Dornelas M, Luiz OJ, Madin JS, Maina JM, Pizarro O, Torres-Pulliza D, Woods RM, Madin EMP. Climate-driven shift in coral morphological structure predicts decline of juvenile reef fishes. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2020; 26:557-567. [PMID: 31697006 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rapid intensification of environmental disturbances has sparked widespread decline and compositional shifts in foundation species in ecosystems worldwide. Now, an emergent challenge is to understand the consequences of shifts and losses in such habitat-forming species for associated communities and ecosystem processes. Recently, consecutive coral bleaching events shifted the morphological makeup of habitat-forming coral assemblages on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Considering the disparity of coral morphological growth forms in shelter provision for reef fishes, we investigated how shifts in the morphological structure of coral assemblages affect the abundance of juvenile and adult reef fishes. We used a temporal dataset from shallow reefs in the northern GBR to estimate coral convexity (a fine-scale quantitative morphological trait) and two widely used coral habitat descriptors (coral cover and reef rugosity) for disentangling the effects of coral morphology on reef fish assemblages. Changes in coral convexity, rather than live coral cover or reef rugosity, disproportionately affected juvenile reef fishes when compared to adults, and explained more than 20% of juvenile decline. The magnitude of this effect varied by fish body size with juveniles of small-bodied species showing higher vulnerability to changes in coral morphology. Our findings suggest that continued large-scale shifts in the relative abundance of morphological groups within coral assemblages are likely to affect population replenishment and dynamics of future reef fish communities. The different responses of juvenile and adult fishes according to habitat descriptors indicate that focusing on coarse-scale metrics alone may mask fine-scale ecological responses that are key to understand ecosystem functioning and resilience. Nonetheless, quantifying coral morphological traits may contribute to forecasting the structure of reef fish communities on novel reef ecosystems shaped by climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Fontoura
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University - Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kyle J A Zawada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University - Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Biological Diversity, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Stephanie D'agata
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University - Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Marine Programs, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Mariana Álvarez-Noriega
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld., Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld., Australia
| | - Andrew H Baird
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld., Australia
| | - Nader Boutros
- Australian Centre for Field Robotics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Maria Dornelas
- Centre for Biological Diversity, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Osmar J Luiz
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Joshua S Madin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
| | - Joseph M Maina
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University - Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Oscar Pizarro
- Australian Centre for Field Robotics, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Damaris Torres-Pulliza
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University - Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rachael M Woods
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University - Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elizabeth M P Madin
- Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawai'i, Kāne'ohe, HI, USA
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17
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Gordon TAC, Radford AN, Davidson IK, Barnes K, McCloskey K, Nedelec SL, Meekan MG, McCormick MI, Simpson SD. Acoustic enrichment can enhance fish community development on degraded coral reef habitat. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5414. [PMID: 31784508 PMCID: PMC6884498 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13186-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Coral reefs worldwide are increasingly damaged by anthropogenic stressors, necessitating novel approaches for their management. Maintaining healthy fish communities counteracts reef degradation, but degraded reefs smell and sound less attractive to settlement-stage fishes than their healthy states. Here, using a six-week field experiment, we demonstrate that playback of healthy reef sound can increase fish settlement and retention to degraded habitat. We compare fish community development on acoustically enriched coral-rubble patch reefs with acoustically unmanipulated controls. Acoustic enrichment enhances fish community development across all major trophic guilds, with a doubling in overall abundance and 50% greater species richness. If combined with active habitat restoration and effective conservation measures, rebuilding fish communities in this manner might accelerate ecosystem recovery at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Acoustic enrichment shows promise as a novel tool for the active management of degraded coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy A C Gordon
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK. .,Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Andrew N Radford
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Isla K Davidson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Kasey Barnes
- Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Kieran McCloskey
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Sophie L Nedelec
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
| | - Mark G Meekan
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Mark I McCormick
- Department of Marine Biology and Aquaculture, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Stephen D Simpson
- Biosciences, University of Exeter, Hatherly Laboratories, Prince of Wales Road, Exeter, EX4 4PS, UK
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18
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Baraf LM, Pratchett MS, Cowman PF. Ancestral biogeography and ecology of marine angelfishes (F: Pomacanthidae). Mol Phylogenet Evol 2019; 140:106596. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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19
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Tariel J, Longo G, Quiros A, Crane NL, Tenggardjaja K, Jackson A, Lyon BE, Bernardi G. Alloparental care in the sea: Brood parasitism and adoption within and between two species of coral reef Altrichthys damselfish? Mol Ecol 2019; 28:4680-4691. [PMID: 31520569 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The evolution of parental care opens the door for the evolution of brood parasitic strategies that allow individuals to gain the benefits of parental care without paying the costs. Here we provide the first documentation for alloparental care in coral reef fish and we discuss why these patterns may reflect conspecific and interspecific brood parasitism. Species-specific barcodes revealed the existence of low levels (3.5% of all offspring) of mixed interspecific broods, mostly juvenile Amblyglyphidodon batunai and Pomacentrus smithi damselfish in Altrichthys broods. A separate analysis of conspecific parentage based on microsatellite markers revealed that mixed parentage broods are common in both species, and the genetic patterns are consistent with two different modes of conspecific brood parasitism, although further studies are required to determine the specific mechanisms responsible for these mixed parentage broods. While many broods had offspring from multiple parasites, in many cases a given brood contained only a single foreign offspring, perhaps a consequence of the movement of lone juveniles between nests. In other cases, broods contained large numbers of putative parasitic offspring from the same parents and we propose that these are more likely to be cases where parasitic adults laid a large number of eggs in the host nest than the result of movements of large numbers of offspring from a single brood after hatching. The evidence that these genetic patterns reflect adaptive brood parasitism, as well as possible costs and benefits of parasitism to hosts and parasites, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Tariel
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Gary Longo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Angela Quiros
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Tenggardjaja
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Alexis Jackson
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.,The Nature Conservancy, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bruce E Lyon
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Giacomo Bernardi
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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20
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Spinks RK, Munday PL, Donelson JM. Developmental effects of heatwave conditions on the early life stages of a coral reef fish. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:222/16/jeb202713. [PMID: 31444281 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.202713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Marine heatwaves, which are increasing in frequency, duration and intensity owing to climate change, are an imminent threat to marine ecosystems. On coral reefs, heatwave conditions often coincide with periods of peak recruitment of juvenile fishes and exposure to elevated temperature may affect their development. However, whether differences in the duration of high temperature exposure have effects on individual performance is unknown. We exposed juvenile spiny damselfish, Acanthochromis polyacanthus, to increasing lengths of time (3, 7, 30 and 108 days post-hatching) of elevated temperature (+2°C). After 108 days, we measured escape performance at present-day control and elevated temperatures, standard length, mass and critical thermal maximum. Using a Bayesian approach, we show that 30 days or more exposure to +2°C leads to improved escape performance, irrespective of performance temperature, possibly owing to developmental effects of high temperature on muscle development and/or anaerobic metabolism. Continued exposure to elevated temperature for 108 days caused a reduction in body size compared with the control, but not in fish exposed to high temperature for 30 days or less. By contrast, exposure to elevated temperatures for any length of time had no effect on critical thermal maximum, which, combined with previous work, suggests a short-term physiological constraint of ∼37°C in this species. Our study shows that extended exposure to increased temperature can affect the development of juvenile fishes, with potential immediate and future consequences for individual performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K Spinks
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Drive, Douglas 4814, James Cook University, QLD, Australia
| | - Philip L Munday
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Drive, Douglas 4814, James Cook University, QLD, Australia
| | - Jennifer M Donelson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook Drive, Douglas 4814, James Cook University, QLD, Australia
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21
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Lin CH, De Gracia B, Pierotti MER, Andrews AH, Griswold K, O’Dea A. Reconstructing reef fish communities using fish otoliths in coral reef sediments. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218413. [PMID: 31199853 PMCID: PMC6568422 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about long-term changes in coral reef fish communities. Here we present a new technique that leverages fish otoliths in reef sediments to reconstruct coral reef fish communities. We found over 5,400 otoliths in 169 modern and mid-Holocene bulk samples from Caribbean Panama and Dominican Republic mid-Holocene and modern reefs, demonstrating otoliths are abundant in reef sediments. With a specially-built reference collection, we were able to assign over 4,400 otoliths to one of 56 taxa (35 families) though mostly at genus and family level. Many otoliths were from juvenile fishes for which identification is challenging. Richness (by rarefaction) of otolith assemblages was slightly higher in modern than mid-Holocene reefs, but further analyses are required to elucidate the underlying causes. We compared the living fish communities, sampled using icthyocide, with the sediment otolith assemblages on four reefs finding the otolith assemblages faithfully capture the general composition of the living fish communities. Radiocarbon dating performed directly on the otoliths suggests that relatively little mixing of sediment layers particularly on actively accreting branching coral reefs. All otolith assemblages were strongly dominated by small, fast-turnover fish taxa and juvenile individuals, and our exploration on taxonomy, functional ecology and taphonomy lead us to the conclusion that intense predation is likely the most important process for otolith accumulation in reef sediments. We conclude that otolith assemblages in modern and fossil reef sediments can provide a powerful tool to explore ecological changes in reef fish communities over time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Hsiang Lin
- Center for Ecology and Environment, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Allen H. Andrews
- Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii at Manoa, HI, United States of America
| | - Katie Griswold
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama
| | - Aaron O’Dea
- Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Balboa, Republic of Panama
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22
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Brandl SJ, Tornabene L, Goatley CHR, Casey JM, Morais RA, Côté IM, Baldwin CC, Parravicini V, Schiettekatte NMD, Bellwood DR. Demographic dynamics of the smallest marine vertebrates fuel coral reef ecosystem functioning. Science 2019; 364:1189-1192. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aav3384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
How coral reefs survive as oases of life in low-productivity oceans has puzzled scientists for centuries. The answer may lie in internal nutrient cycling and/or input from the pelagic zone. Integrating meta-analysis, field data, and population modeling, we show that the ocean’s smallest vertebrates, cryptobenthic reef fishes, promote internal reef fish biomass production through extensive larval supply from the pelagic environment. Specifically, cryptobenthics account for two-thirds of reef fish larvae in the near-reef pelagic zone despite limited adult reproductive outputs. This overwhelming abundance of cryptobenthic larvae fuels reef trophodynamics via rapid growth and extreme mortality, producing almost 60% of consumed reef fish biomass. Although cryptobenthics are often overlooked, their distinctive demographic dynamics may make them a cornerstone of ecosystem functioning on modern coral reefs.
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23
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Feeney WE, Brooker RM, Johnston LN, Gilbert JDJ, Besson M, Lecchini D, Dixson DL, Cowman PF, Manica A. Predation drives recurrent convergence of an interspecies mutualism. Ecol Lett 2018; 22:256-264. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.13184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William E. Feeney
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland Brisbane Australia
- School of Marine Sciences and Policy University of Delaware Newark DE USA
| | - Rohan M. Brooker
- School of Marine Sciences and Policy University of Delaware Newark DE USA
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology Deakin University Geelong Vic. Australia
| | - Lane N. Johnston
- School of Marine Sciences and Policy University of Delaware Newark DE USA
| | | | - Marc Besson
- PSL Research University CRIOBE USR3278‐CNRS‐EPHE‐UPVD, Laboratoire d'Excellence “CORAIL” Moorea French Polynesia
- BIOM Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls‐sur‐Mer Université Pierre et Marie Curie Banyuls‐sur‐Mer France
| | - David Lecchini
- PSL Research University CRIOBE USR3278‐CNRS‐EPHE‐UPVD, Laboratoire d'Excellence “CORAIL” Moorea French Polynesia
| | - Danielle L. Dixson
- School of Marine Sciences and Policy University of Delaware Newark DE USA
| | - Peter F. Cowman
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - Andrea Manica
- Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
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24
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Brandl SJ, Goatley CHR, Bellwood DR, Tornabene L. The hidden half: ecology and evolution of cryptobenthic fishes on coral reefs. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2018; 93:1846-1873. [PMID: 29736999 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Teleost fishes are the most diverse group of vertebrates on Earth. On tropical coral reefs, their species richness exceeds 6000 species; one tenth of total vertebrate biodiversity. A large proportion of this diversity is composed of cryptobenthic reef fishes (CRFs): bottom-dwelling, morphologically or behaviourally cryptic species typically less than 50 mm in length. Yet, despite their diversity and abundance, these fishes are both poorly defined and understood. Herein we provide a new quantitative definition and synthesise current knowledge on the diversity, distribution and life history of CRFs. First, we use size distributions within families to define 17 core CRF families as characterised by the high prevalence (>10%) of small-bodied species (<50 mm). This stands in strong contrast to 42 families of large reef fishes, in which virtually no small-bodied species have evolved. We posit that small body size has allowed CRFs to diversify at extremely high rates, primarily by allowing for fine partitioning of microhabitats and facilitation of allopatric reproductive isolation; yet, we are far from understanding and documenting the biodiversity of CRFs. Using rates of description since 1758, we predict that approximately 30 new species of cryptobenthic species will be described per year until 2050 (approximately twice the annual rate compared to large fishes). Furthermore, we predict that by the year 2031, more than half of the described coral reef fish biodiversity will consist of CRFs. These fishes are the 'hidden half' of vertebrate biodiversity on coral reefs. Notably, global geographic coverage and spatial resolution of quantitative data on CRF communities is uniformly poor, which further emphasises the remarkable reservoir of biodiversity that is yet to be discovered. Although small body size may have enabled extensive diversification within CRF families, small size also comes with a suite of ecological challenges that affect fishes' capacities to feed, survive and reproduce; we identify a range of life-history adaptations that have enabled CRFs to overcome these limitations. In turn, these adaptations bestow a unique socio-ecological role on CRFs, which includes a key role in coral reef trophodynamics by cycling trophic energy provided by microscopic prey to larger consumers. Although small in body size, the ecology and evolutionary history of CRFs may make them a critical component of coral-reef food webs; yet our review also shows that these fishes are highly susceptible to a variety of anthropogenic disturbances. Understanding the consequences of these changes for CRFs and coral reef ecosystems will require us to shed more light on this frequently overlooked but highly diverse and abundant guild of coral reef fishes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon J Brandl
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, V5A 1S6, Canada.,Tennenbaum Marine Observatories Network, Smithsonian Institution, Edgewater, MD, 21037, U.S.A
| | - Christopher H R Goatley
- Function, Evolution and Anatomy Research (FEAR) Lab and Palaeoscience Research Centre, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, 2351, Australia
| | - David R Bellwood
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Australia.,ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, 4811, Australia
| | - Luke Tornabene
- School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, U.S.A
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25
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Bellwood DR, Tebbett SB, Bellwood O, Mihalitsis M, Morais RA, Streit RP, Fulton CJ. The role of the reef flat in coral reef trophodynamics: Past, present, and future. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:4108-4119. [PMID: 29721284 PMCID: PMC5916286 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2017] [Revised: 01/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The reef flat is one of the largest and most distinctive habitats on coral reefs, yet its role in reef trophodynamics is poorly understood. Evolutionary evidence suggests that reef flat colonization by grazing fishes was a major innovation that permitted the exploitation of new space and trophic resources. However, the reef flat is hydrodynamically challenging, subject to high predation risks and covered with sediments that inhibit feeding by grazers. To explore these opposing influences, we examine the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) as a model system. We focus on grazing herbivores that directly access algal primary productivity in the epilithic algal matrix (EAM). By assessing abundance, biomass, and potential fish productivity, we explore the potential of the reef flat to support key ecosystem processes and its ability to maintain fisheries yields. On the GBR, the reef flat is, by far, the most important habitat for turf-grazing fishes, supporting an estimated 79% of individuals and 58% of the total biomass of grazing surgeonfishes, parrotfishes, and rabbitfishes. Approximately 59% of all (reef-wide) turf algal productivity is removed by reef flat grazers. The flat also supports approximately 75% of all grazer biomass growth. Our results highlight the evolutionary and ecological benefits of occupying shallow-water habitats (permitting a ninefold population increase). The acquisition of key locomotor and feeding traits has enabled fishes to access the trophic benefits of the reef flat, outweighing the costs imposed by water movement, predation, and sediments. Benthic assemblages on reefs in the future may increasingly resemble those seen on reef flats today, with low coral cover, limited topographic complexity, and extensive EAM. Reef flat grazing fishes may therefore play an increasingly important role in key ecosystem processes and in sustaining future fisheries yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Bellwood
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia.,College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Sterling B Tebbett
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia.,College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Orpha Bellwood
- College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Michalis Mihalitsis
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia.,College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Renato A Morais
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia.,College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Robert P Streit
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia.,College of Science and Engineering James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
| | - Christopher J Fulton
- Research School of Biology The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
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26
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Mihalitsis M, Bellwood DR. A morphological and functional basis for maximum prey size in piscivorous fishes. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184679. [PMID: 28886161 PMCID: PMC5590994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fish predation is important in shaping populations and community structure in aquatic systems. These predator-prey interactions can be influenced by environmental, behavioural and morphological factors. Morphological constraints influence the feeding performance of species, and interspecific differences can thus affect patterns of resource use. For piscivorous fishes that swallow prey whole, feeding performance has traditionally been linked to three key morphological constraints: oral gape, pharyngeal gape, and the cleithral gape. However, other constraints may be important. We therefore examine 18 potential morphological constraints related to prey capture and processing, on four predatory species (Cephalopholis urodeta, Paracirrhites forsteri, Pterois volitans, Lates calcarifer). Aquarium-based experiments were then carried out to determine capture and processing behaviour and maximum prey size in two focal species, C. urodeta and P. forsteri. All four species showed a progressive decrease in gape measurements from anterior to posterior with oral gape ≥ buccal ≥ pharyngeal ≥ pectoral girdle ≥ esophagus ≥ stomach. C. urodeta was able to process prey with a maximum depth of 27% of the predators' standard length; for P. forsteri it was 20%. C. urodeta captured prey head-first in 79% of successful strikes. In P. forsteri head-first was 16.6%, mid-body 44.4%, and tail-first 38.8%. Regardless of capture mode, prey were almost always swallowed head first and horizontally in both focal species. Most internal measurements appeared too small for prey to pass through. This may reflect the compressibility of prey, i.e. their ability to be dorsoventrally compressed during swallowing movements. Despite examining all known potential morphological constraints on prey size, horizontal maxillary oral gape in a mechanically stretched position appears to be the main morphological variable that is likely to affect maximum prey size and resource use by these predatory species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalis Mihalitsis
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - David R. Bellwood
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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