Herbivory facilitates growth of a key reef‐building Caribbean coral

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 7(24), P. 11246 - 11256

Published: Nov. 22, 2017

Abstract The decline of reef‐building corals in conjunction with shifts to short‐lived opportunistic species has prompted concerns that Caribbean reef framework‐building capacity substantially diminished. Restoring herbivore populations may be a potential driver coral recovery; however, the impact herbivores on calcification been little studied. We performed an exclusion experiment evaluate herbivory Orbicella faveolata growth over 14 months. consisted three treatments: full cages; half cage procedural controls; and uncaged control plates, each small O. colonies. found herbivorous fish had substantial both macroalgal cover growth. Fleshy macroalgae reached 50% within some cages, but were almost absent from plates. Critically, rates suppressed by monthly negatively related overgrowth fleshy macroalgae. These findings highlight importance fishes for detrimental proliferation Caribbean. Policy makers local managers should consider measures protect reduce enable communities continue grow function.

Language: Английский

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Interactive effects of herbivory and substrate orientation on algal community dynamics on a coral reef

Marine Biology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 165(10)

Published: Sept. 14, 2018

Language: Английский

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Identity of coral reef herbivores drives variation in ecological processes over multiple spatial scales

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 29(4)

Published: April 26, 2019

Abstract Overexploitation of key species can negatively impact ecosystem processes, so understanding the ecological roles individual is critical for improving management. Here, we use coral reefs and process herbivory as a model to examine how identity consumers influence processes inform management these consumers. Herbivorous fishes facilitate recruitment, growth, recovery corals by controlling fast‐growing algae that outcompete space. However, herbivorous fish guilds are rich with important differences among in diet, movement, habitat preferences. Yet, lack general (1) species‐specific feeding behavior scale up reef‐wide rates (2) diversity processes. To address knowledge gaps, used field observations derive species‐ size‐specific foraging parameters nine parrotfish on Florida Keys, USA . We then combined survey data spanning multiple spatial scales estimate three processes: area reef grazed, amount macroalgae removed, rate bioerosion. found predicted varied dramatically habitats zones within habitats, driven primarily variation abundance different behaviors. In some cases, assemblages similar levels total biomass had others, Importantly, our models using differed from those genus‐level 300% highlighting importance herbivore this system. Our results indicate there may be little overlap play, suggesting systems vulnerable loss function reduction or just few species. This work provides framework applied across region predict changes affect herbivores.

Language: Английский

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Are stable isotope ratios suitable for describing niche partitioning and individual specialization?

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 31(6)

Published: June 24, 2021

Abstract As concerns about anthropogenic and natural disturbance grow, understanding animal resource use patterns has been increasingly prioritized to predict how changes in environmental conditions, food web structure, population dynamics will affect biological resilience. Among the tools used assess use, stable isotope analysis proliferated ecological studies, particularly relation describing intra‐ interspecific variation trophic interactions. Despite a growing need disseminate scientific information, inherent limitations of ratios inappropriate synonymizing distinct evolutionary processes may mislead inferences systems. This situation necessitates re‐evaluation utility address certain questions. Here, we efficacy describe two fundamental processes, niche partitioning individual specialization. Investigation these increased substantially accordance with access data. article discusses circumstances approaches that are necessary evaluate specialization, outlines key considerations for associated application ratios.

Language: Английский

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Territoriality drives patterns of fixed space use in Caribbean parrotfishes

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2023

Abstract Animals often occupy home ranges where they conduct daily activities. In many parrotfishes, large terminal phase (TP) males defend their diurnal (i.e., daytime) as intraspecific territories occupied by harems of initial (IP) females. However, we know relatively little about the exclusivity and spatial stability these territories. We investigated range behavior in several TPs IPs five common Caribbean parrotfish species on fringing coral reefs Bonaire, Netherlands. computed to investigate differences space use then quantified overlap between spatially co‐occurring exclusivity. also estimated from repeat tracks a few stability. discussed results context social behavior. Home sizes differed significantly among species. Spatial was lower for than interspecific pairs TPs. Focal frequently engaged agonistic interactions with interacted longest TP parrotfish. This suggests that exclusionary may contribute observed patterns low ranges. The repeated three study high, suggesting were stable at least 1 month. Taken together, our provide strong evidence daytime is constrained within fixed which territory holders have nearly exclusive access resources. Grazing parrotfishes maintains benthic reef substrates early successional states are conducive larval settlement recruitment. Behavioral constraints drive heterogeneity grazing pressure affect local community assembly. A thorough understanding ecology is, therefore, necessary elucidate functional roles reefs.

Language: Английский

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