Integrating ecological roles and trophic diversification on coral reefs: multiple lines of evidence identify parrotfishes as microphages

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 1, 2016

Coral reef ecosystems are remarkable for their high productivity in nutrient-poor waters. A proportion of primary production is consumed by the dominant herbivore assemblage, teleost fishes, many which product recent and rapid diversification. Our review synthesis trophodynamics herbivorous fishes suggests that current models underestimate level resource partitioning, thus trophic innovation, this diverse assemblage. We examine several lines evidence including feeding observations, anatomy, biochemical analyses diet, tissue composition digestive processes to show prevailing view (including explicit models) parrotfishes as consumers macroscopic algae incompatible with available data. Instead, data consistent hypothesis most microphages target cyanobacteria other protein-rich autotrophic microorganisms live on (epilithic) or within (endolithic) calcareous substrata, epiphytic seagrasses, endosymbiotic sessile invertebrates. This novel parrotfish biology provides a unified explanation apparently disparate range substrata used parrotfishes, integrates nutrition ecological roles bioerosion sediment transport. Accelerated evolution can now be explained result (1) ability utilize food i.e. microscopic autotrophs; (2) partitioning habitat successional stage.

Language: Английский

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Rapidly increasing macroalgal cover not related to herbivorous fishes on Mesoamerican reefs

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 4, P. e2084 - e2084

Published: May 31, 2016

Long-term phase shifts from coral to macroalgal dominated reef systems are well documented in the Caribbean. Although impact of diseases, climate change and other factors is acknowledged, major herbivore loss through disease overfishing often assigned a primary role. However, direct evidence for link between abundance, cover sparse, particularly over broad spatial scales. In this study we use database surveys performed at 85 sites along Mesoamerican Reef Mexico, Belize, Guatemala Honduras, examine potential ecological links by tracking site trajectories period 2005–2014. Despite long-term reduction herbivory capacity reported across Caribbean, region displayed relatively low onset study. Subsequently, increasing fleshy was pervasive. Herbivorous fish populations were not responsible trend as correlated with initial herbivorous biomass or change, majority experienced increases macroalgae browser biomass. This contrasts top-down control paradigm suggests role external making environmental conditions more favourable algae. Increasing typically suppresses ecosystem services leads degraded systems. Consequently, policy makers local managers should reassess focus on protection consider complementary measures such watershed management order arrest trend.

Language: Английский

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Tropical fish diversity enhances coral reef functioning across multiple scales

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 5(3)

Published: March 1, 2019

Fish diversity enhances the process of herbivory on coral reefs, with consequent benefits also to ecosystem integrity.

Language: Английский

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Reef-scale impacts of the stony coral tissue loss disease outbreak

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 39(4), P. 861 - 866

Published: May 15, 2020

Language: Английский

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The biology and ecology of coral rubble and implications for the future of coral reefs

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 40(6), P. 1769 - 1806

Published: Sept. 30, 2021

Language: Английский

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Comparative analysis of foraging behavior and bite mechanics reveals complex functional diversity among Caribbean parrotfishes

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 597, P. 207 - 220

Published: April 17, 2018

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsTheme Sections 597:207-220 (2018) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps12600 Comparative analysis of foraging behavior and bite mechanics reveals complex functional diversity among Caribbean parrotfishes Thomas C. Adam1,*, Alain Duran2, Corinne E. Fuchs3, Madelyn V. Roycroft4, Maria Rojas2, Benjamin I. Ruttenberg4, Deron Burkepile1,3 1Marine Science Institute, University California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA 2Department Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, 3Department Ecology, Evolution Biology 4Biological Sciences Department, California Polytechnic State San Luis Obispo, 93407, *Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT: Parrotfishes are a diverse group herbivores that can influence benthic community dynamics ecosystem function on coral reefs. Different species size classes vary in their feeding ecology impact reef ecosystems distinct ways. We documented differences 9 Keys National Sanctuary (FKNMS). Many key be summarized by assigning groups (e.g. scrapers, excavators, croppers, macroalgae browsers), which differentially responsible for carrying out specific ecological processes. For example, we found Sparisoma viride, Scarus coelestinus, Sc. guacamaia, taeniopterus, vetula feed short turfs with few sediments, while Sp. aurofrenatum, chrysopterum, rubripinne longer sediment-laden addition macroalgae. Further, use types indicate contrasting impacts benthos. Species scrape excavate epilithic endolithic algae, tend tear or crop algae from reef. These behaviors result different rates removal, carbonate erosion, sediment production. Recognizing interact benthos fundamentally ways will enable scientists managers better predict how changes structure parrotfish assemblages may affect communities KEY WORDS: Herbivory · Coral Niche partitioning Bioerosion Turf Macroalgae Ecosystem-based management Functional Full text pdf format Supplementary material PreviousNextCite this article as: Adam TC, Duran A, Fuchs CE, Roycroft MV, Rojas MC, Ruttenberg BI, Burkepile DE parrotfishes. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 597:207-220. Export citation Mail link Contents Lists Tweet linkedIn Cited Published Vol. 597. Online publication date: June 11, 2018 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; 1616-1599 Copyright © Inter-Research.

Language: Английский

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The shape of success in a turbulent world: wave exposure filtering of coral reef herbivory

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 31(6), P. 1312 - 1324

Published: Jan. 17, 2017

Summary While environmental filters are well‐known factors influencing community assembly, the extent to which these modify species functions, and entire ecosystem processes, is poorly understood. Focusing on a high‐diversity system, we ask whether filtering has ecosystem‐wide effects beyond assembly. We characterise coral reef herbivorous fish for swimming performance based ten functional traits derived from morphology. then investigate wave exposure modifies make‐up of herbivory, absolute relative feeding frequency distinct groups. Herbivorous conformed either laterally compressed or fusiform body plans, differ in their morphological design minimise drag. High selectively limited function deepest shapes with highest caudal thrust efficiency, favoured bodies irrespective pectoral fin shape. Traditionally recognised herbivore groups (i.e. grazers–detritivores scrapers–small excavators) differed performance, capacity feed consistently across levels exposure. therefore emphasise distinctness ecological niche complementarity. Species within same group also had contrasting responses thereby reveal further dimension partitioning, reiterate risk assuming redundancy among common mode. Contrasting roles response diversity) allowed preservation critical trophic functions throughout gradient (e.g. macroalgal browsing), likely explained why overall herbivory were robust filtering. Whether functioning will remain under additive stress human‐induced disturbances remains be tested. A lay summary available this article.

Language: Английский

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Resolving resource partitioning in parrotfishes (Scarini) using microhistology of feeding substrata

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 39(5), P. 1313 - 1327

Published: June 9, 2020

Language: Английский

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Hierarchical drivers of cryptic biodiversity on coral reefs

Ecological Monographs, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 93(3)

Published: June 10, 2023

Abstract Declines in habitat structural complexity have marked ecological outcomes, as currently observed many of the world's ecosystems. Coral reefs provided a model for such changes marine ecosystems; still our understanding has been centered on corals and fishes at broad spatial scales when metazoan diversity coral is dominated by small cryptic taxa (herein: “cryptofauna”). Given paucity studies high taxonomic cryptofauna, both which limit priori hypotheses, we asked whether hierarchical structuring theory provides compelling framework to impose order quantify patterns. In general terms, explored communities are sufficiently described seascape parameters or limited set processes operating their distinctly nested microhabitat scale. To address this gaps knowledge characterized community structure rubble, an eroded condition where biodiversity proliferates. Rubble was sampled along depth exposure gradient Heron Island Great Barrier Reef, Australia, parameterize environmental morphological indicators sessile motile cryptofauna communities. We used study from scales, were evaluated using nonstructured multivariate analyses Bayesian equation modeling. While showed effects cryptobenthos its community, approach overlooked finer patterns rubble ecology revealed only structured model. Seascape (exposure depth) influenced (i.e., branchiness), determined cover organisms pieces, shaped community. likely be increasingly prevalent Anthropocene typically associated with low seascape‐level reduced macrofaunal richness. Parallel theory, similar response scale whereby branchiness) cryptobenthic structure, size spectra. future ocean, expect there may initial increase trophodynamic derived branching but delay ecosystem‐scale outcomes if coral, thus generation not sustained.

Language: Английский

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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

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