Herbivorous fish feeding dynamics and energy expenditure on a coral reef: Insights from stereo‐video and AI‐driven 3D tracking

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Abstract Unveiling the intricate relationships between animal movement ecology, feeding behavior, and internal energy budgeting is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem functioning, especially on coral reefs under significant anthropogenic stress. Here, herbivorous fishes play vital role as mediators algae growth recruitment. Our research examines preferences, bite rates, inter‐bite distances, foraging expenditure Brown surgeonfish ( Acanthurus nigrofuscus ) Yellowtail tang Zebrasoma xanthurum within fish community Red Sea reef. To this end, we used advanced methods such remote underwater stereo‐video, AI‐driven object recognition, species classification, 3D tracking. Despite their comparatively low biomass, two significantly influence grazing pressure studied A. exhibits specialized preferences Z. more generalist approach, highlighting niche differentiation importance in maintaining reef balance. these differences strategies, population level, both achieve similar level efficiency. This study highlights transformative potential cutting‐edge technologies revealing functional traits utilization keystone species. It facilitates detailed mapping seascapes, guiding targeted conservation efforts to enhance health biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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A seascape dichotomy in the role of small consumers for coral reef energy fluxes

Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 106(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract Biogeochemical fluxes through ecological communities underpin the functioning of ecosystems worldwide. These are often heavily influenced by small‐bodied consumers, such as insects, worms, mollusks, or small vertebrates, which transfer energy and nutrients from autotrophic sources to larger animals. Although coral reefs one most productive in world, we know relatively little about how consumers make available predators their roles may vary across reefs. Here, use community‐scale collections small, bottom‐dwelling (“cryptobenthic”) reef fishes along with size spectrum analyses, stable isotopes, demographic modeling examine role harnessing transferring carbon two distinct habitats. Using a comprehensive dataset Mo'orea (French Polynesia), demonstrate that, despite only being separated narrow crest, forereef backreef habitats harbor cryptobenthic that play vastly divergent transfer. Forereef depauperate, largely consisting predatory planktivorous species have comparatively high standing biomass (both individually collectively). In these communities, combination spectra isotope values suggests important contributions pelagic subsidies, but rate production turnover (i.e., at is replenished) low. contrast, fish characterized abundances smallest bodied species, forming traditional bottom‐heavy trophic pyramid fueled benthic autotrophs. productivity fuels rapid biomass, while channels notably less productive. Our integrative approach demonstrates utility combining multiple methods (e.g., isotopically informed models) trace consumer complex ecosystems. Furthermore, our results highlight dynamics highly habitat‐dependent be pronounced shallow systems limited connectivity open ocean.

Language: Английский

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eDNA Metabarcoding Reveals the Depth-Structured Variation of Coral Reef Fish

Fishes, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 10(5), P. 209 - 209

Published: May 2, 2025

Global coral reef ecosystems face various levels of disturbance pressure. Understanding the depth-structured variation in fish communities can help us to better grasp and predict adaptive changes ecosystem under different stressors. This study applied eDNA metabarcoding technology analyze spatial distribution at depths (0 m, 5 10 15 20 30 40 50 60 m) within Xisha Islands China. The results indicated that detected a total 213 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), including 33 species were not identified using traditional methods. Herbivorous generally dominated relative abundance across depths. Moreover, similarity among depth groups was largely absent, significant differences existed assemblages gradients, consistent with unique preferences microhabitats. Importantly, our findings revealed distinct functional fish. Large carnivorous initially increased then decreased along gradient from 0 turning point around while large herbivorous displayed opposite trend. Small small consistently declined same gradient. Additionally, Margalef index (D) Function richness (FRic) both downward trend increasing depth, Shannon–Wiener (H′), Pielou (J′), Quadratic entropy (RaoQ), Functional dispersion (FDis), evenness (FEve) decreased, peaking m. is an effective tool for evaluating biodiversity, community composition, distribution. It enhances understanding dynamics offers valuable insights conservation restoration efforts.

Language: Английский

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Tropical fishery nutrient production depends on biomass-based management

iScience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(4), P. 109420 - 109420

Published: March 5, 2024

The need to enhance nutrient production from tropical ecosystems feed the poor could potentially create a new framework for fisheries science and management. Early recommendations have included targeting small fishes increasing species richness of fish catches, which represent departure more traditional approaches such as biomass-based To test these recommendations, we compared outcomes management with hypothesized factors influencing density in nearshore artisanal catches Western Indian Ocean. We found that enhancing depends primarily on achieving targets. Catches dominated by low- mid-trophic level smaller body sizes faster turnover were associated modest increases densities, but variability was relative human nutritional requirements. Therefore, fishery should focus restoring biomass achieve maximum yields sustainability, particularly herbivorous fishes.

Language: Английский

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Securing Coral Reefs: Integrating Sustainable Development Goals in the Anthropocene

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Amidst escalating threats to coral reefs during the Anthropocene era, an urgent call emerges for a holistic strategy that seamlessly integrates Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring conservation and sustainable development of these vital ecosystems. Employing interdisciplinary lens, this chapter delves into current state reefs, shedding light on critical need immediate action. The study emphasizes transformative potential SDGs as guiding framework policies initiatives aimed at fortifying resilient ecosystems uplifting communities intricately tied reef Drawing diverse case studies successful models, discerns key strategies essential realizing in intricate context reefs. synthesis ecological socio-economic perspectives contributes nuanced understanding multifaceted challenges opportunities entwined securing sustainability within Anthropocene. underscores imperativeness collaborative efforts, innovative solutions, policy coherence effectively navigate issues surrounding offering blueprint integration practical initiatives. As teeter brink irreversible decline, research advocates comprehensive dynamic approach transcends disciplinary boundaries, promoting vitality well-being reliant upon them.

Language: Английский

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Diel movement patterns in nominally nocturnal coral reef fishes (Haemulidae and Lutjanidae): Intra vs. Interspecific variation

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 43(6), P. 1749 - 1760

Published: Oct. 3, 2024

Language: Английский

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Contrasting energy flow associated with tropical and subtropical reef fish assemblages

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 18, 2024

Energy flows (production and consumption of biomass) are key to ecosystem functioning resilience. In coral reefs, fishes involved in core ecological processes associated with energy flow, their rapid responses biotic abiotic changes further make them ideal indicators for assessing reef health. However, variations fish flow across a natural gradient have been overlooked, yet could be important interpreting functioning. Here, assemblages were surveyed by stereo-video transects five regions spanning tropical-subtropical transition characterized using three metrics (standing biomass, productivity, turnover). Generalized linear mixed models used identify intrinsic (biotic; i.e., benthic morpho-functional groups) extrinsic (abiotic; environmental anthropogenic factors) drivers flow. The results showed regional specificities the patterns flows. subtropical region dominance planktivorous characterizing middle-driven trophic system high contrast, transitional tropical dominated parrotfishes surgeonfishes while exhibiting concave structure lacking high-level predators. suggested that crustose coralline algae, encrusting hard corals, presence substrates crevices may leverage maintenance Overall, this study identifies characteristics between reveals influential factors on these It establishes baseline information consequences climate change

Language: Английский

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