The functional roles of surgeonfishes on coral reefs: past, present and future

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 32(2), P. 387 - 439

Published: Jan. 9, 2022

Language: Английский

---

Interactions between coral restoration and fish assemblages: implications for reef management

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 97(3), P. 633 - 655

Published: June 21, 2020

Abstract Corals create complex reef structures that provide both habitat and food for many fish species. Because of numerous natural anthropogenic threats, coral reefs are currently being degraded, endangering the assemblages they support. Coral restoration, an active ecological management tool, may help reverse some current trends in degradation through transplantation stony corals. Although restoration techniques have been extensively reviewed relation to survival, our understanding effects adding live cover complexity on fishes is its infancy with a lack scientifically validated research. This study reviews limited data assemblages, complements this more extensive interactions between how might inform efforts. It also discusses which key species or functional groups promote, facilitate inhibit efforts and, turn, can be optimised enhance assemblages. By highlighting critical knowledge gaps interactions, aims stimulate research into role projects. A greater roles would whether projects return their compositions alternative develop, over what timeframe. alleviation local global stressors remains priority, important tool; increased replanted corals support ensuring success people nature.

Language: Английский

---

Studying functions on coral reefs: past perspectives, current conundrums, and future potential

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(2), P. 281 - 297

Published: Feb. 24, 2024

Abstract Function-based studies have opened a new chapter in our understanding of coral reefs. Unfortunately, we are opening this as the world’s reefs rapidly transform. In context, one most important roles function-based is to inform reef conservation. At critical juncture, chance reflect on where come from, and going, functional ecology, with specific consideration what means for approaches conserving As focal examples, examine role corals reefs, practice culling crown-of-thorns starfish, from perspective. We also consider how papers special issue build current understanding. Ultimately, highlight robust scientific investigation, based an ecosystem functions, will be key helping us navigate through crisis.

Language: Английский

---

Restoration of herbivory on Caribbean coral reefs: are fishes, urchins, or crabs the solution?

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: March 18, 2024

That coral reefs are in decline worldwide, particularly the Caribbean, will come as no surprise. This decades-long has reached a potential tipping point weight of effects climate change have decidedly to bear on planet’s most diverse marine ecosystem. Whether can persist without restorative intervention is debatable, which prompted surge reef restoration projects focusing primarily cultivation and transplantation fragments onto degraded reefs. But that widespread approach does little address underlying causes loss, one proliferation macroalgae deleterious corals. An emerging solution this problem enhancement herbivory through improved management herbivores, artificial herbivore settlement, or their mariculture subsequent stocking. review explores nuances biology well-studied Caribbean herbivores (fishes, sea urchins, crabs) it relates investigates promise stocking strategy. Fish, urchin, crab differ appreciably life histories, confers advantages disadvantages with respect effectiveness grazers. Mariculture herbivorous fish for essentially non-existent so reestablishment grazing abundance focuses protection fishery regulations, but only at few locations Caribbean. urchins crabs purposes its infancy, promising especially whose larval rearing less difficult. Perhaps biggest challenge either taxon “scaling-up” from research settings large-scale needed Numerous studies extol benefits functional redundancy complementarity ecosystem stability, whether principal applies function untested. We identify gaps our knowledge best practices conclude some practical guidance establishment targets macroalgal reduction, along strategic advice grazer given habitat.

Language: Английский

---

A functional perspective on the meaning of the term ‘herbivore’: patterns versus processes in coral reef fishes

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 43(2), P. 219 - 232

Published: April 3, 2023

Abstract Herbivorous fishes are a key functional group in coral reef ecosystems and have been the focus of vast body research. While substantial progress has made research, challenges persist, especially respect to quantifying patterns versus processes. Despite this challenge being recognised over 40 years ago. To help clarify such challenges, work towards solutions, perspective we explore how definition ‘herbivorous fishes’ precludes an easy translation between herbivore abundance process herbivory. Indeed, if herbivorous defined as, fish which diet is predominantly based on plant material , then encompasses diverse suite all remove primary producers varying extents markedly different impacts functioning. Given situation, our approaches directly herbivory reefs progressed. We highlight lessons learnt from macroalgal assays could be applied direct quantification algal turfs epilithic matrix (EAM); community that invariably difficult with quantify. Nevertheless, given reefs, their relative importance dynamics, widespread process-based assessment EAM represents avenue for expanding future Recognising difficulty translating herbivory, enhanced will necessary comprehensively quantify Anthropocene reefs.

Language: Английский

---

Critical Review and Conceptual and Quantitative Models for the Transfer and Depuration of Ciguatoxins in Fishes

Toxins, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 13(8), P. 515 - 515

Published: July 23, 2021

We review and develop conceptual models for the bio-transfer of ciguatoxins in food chains Platypus Bay Great Barrier Reef on east coast Australia. is unique repeatedly producing ciguateric fishes Australia, with produced by benthic dinoflagellates (Gambierdiscus spp.) growing epiphytically free-living, macroalgae. The Gambierdiscus are consumed invertebrates living within macroalgae, which preyed upon small carnivorous fishes, then Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson). hypothesise that and/or Fukuyoa species turf algae main source entering marine to cause ciguatera Reef. abundance surgeonfish feed may act as a feedback mechanism controlling flow through this chain. If hypothesis broadly applicable, reduction herbivory from overharvesting herbivores could lead increases concentrating remaining, smaller population herbivores. Modelling dilution somatic growth coral trout (Plectropomus leopardus) revealed not significantly reduce toxicity fish flesh, except young fast-growing or legal-sized contaminated low levels ciguatoxins. along Australia can depurate ciguatoxins, it most likely half-life ≤1-year. Our aid management research globally.

Language: Английский

---

Habitat trumps biogeography in structuring coral reef fishes

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 11, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Incorporating parrotfish bioerosion into the herbivory paradigm of coral reef resilience

Conservation Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 8, 2024

Abstract Promoting resilience is highly relevant to preserving biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. For coral reefs, parrotfish protection emerged as a mainstream action for reversing the degradation experienced by these systems. The rationale that restoring their populations will increase grazing activity reinforce control of fast‐growing macroalgae, facilitating cover recovery. A lack link between trends macroalgae at large scale has, however, often been case. Suggesting more complex underlying dynamics should be reexamined. In this review, we discuss how lumping species if they were functionally redundant may obscure trends. And appreciation other functions around paradigm, specifically bioerosion, have unforeseen potentially adverse effects on degraded reefs. We show bioerosion responded directly quickly spatial temporal changes in assemblages than consumption, arguably due varying vulnerability among Caribbean parrotfishes fisheries habitat loss. positive could hence compromise remaining skeleton structures reef framework, further accentuating degradation, where increases consumption not necessarily compensate higher rates bioerosion.

Language: Английский

---

Subconscious Biases in Coral Reef Fish Studies

BioScience, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 70(7), P. 621 - 627

Published: May 15, 2020

Abstract In complex, diverse ecosystems, one is faced with an exceptionally challenging decision: which species to examine first and why? This raises the question: Is there evidence of subconscious biases in study selection? Likewise, this bias selecting methods, locations, times? We addressed these questions by surveying literature on most group vertebrates (fishes) iconic high-diversity ecosystem (coral reefs). The suggests that we select are predominantly yellow. Reef fish studies also selectively fishes behaviorally bold warm, calm, attractive locations. Our findings call for a reevaluation selection methodological approaches, recognizing potential drive rather than important methods give only partial view ecosystems. Given challenges may need question our decision-making processes.

Language: Английский

---

Functional diversity in herbivorous fishes on Caribbean reefs: The role of macroalgal traits in driving interspecific differences in feeding behavior

Food Webs, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 33, P. e00255 - e00255

Published: Sept. 8, 2022

Language: Английский

---