Consistent size‐independent harvest selection on fish body shape in two recreationally exploited marine species

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 4(11), P. 2154 - 2164

Published: May 1, 2014

Harvesting wild animals may exert size-independent selection pressures on a range of morphological, life history, and behavioral traits. Most work so far has focused history traits body size as morphological trait. We studied here how recreational fishing selects for related to shape, which correlate with underlying swimming behavior. Using landmark-based geometric morphometrics, we found consistent fishing-induced shape in two recreationally exploited marine fish species. show that individuals larger-sized mouths more streamlined elongated bodies were vulnerable passively operated hook-and-line independent the individual's or condition. While greater vulnerability larger mouth gapes can be explained by direct physical interaction hooks, against could either involve specific foraging mode relate elevated using passive gear is common around globe, thus, expected widespread potentially leaving behind smaller oral compact bodies. This might have repercussions food webs altering predation.

Language: Английский

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Size structuring and allometric scaling relationships in coral reef fishes

Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 86(3), P. 577 - 589

Published: Jan. 18, 2017

Summary Temperate marine fish communities are often size‐structured, with predators consuming increasingly larger prey and feeding at higher trophic levels as they grow. Gape limitation ontogenetic diet shifts key mechanisms by which size structuring arises in these communities. Little is known, however, about coral reef fishes. Here, we aimed to advance understanding of food webs examining the evidence for two groups predators. Given diversity modes amongst fishes, also compared gape size–body allometric relationships across functional determine whether reliable indicators structuring. We used gut content analysis quantile regressions predator size–prey test niche piscivores ( n = 13 species) benthic invertivores 3 species). then estimated scaling coefficients 21 different species from four groups, including herbivores/detritivores, not expected be gape‐limited. found both piscivores, maximum positively body size, type expansion size. There was, little invertivores. Across absolute relative sizes were largest expected, but indicative Instead, mouth morphologies may better indicators. Our results provide that size‐structured this structure arises. Although allometry was structuring, it have implications ecosystem function: herbivores/detritivores suggests loss large‐bodied individuals will a disproportionately negative impact on grazing pressure.

Language: Английский

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Environmental conditions and herbivore biomass determine coral reef benthic community composition: implications for quantitative baselines

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 37(4), P. 1157 - 1168

Published: Oct. 4, 2018

Our ability to understand natural constraints on coral reef benthic communities requires quantitative assessment of the relative strengths abiotic and biotic processes across large spatial scales. Here, we combine underwater images, visual censuses remote sensing data for 1566 sites 34 islands spanning central-western Pacific Ocean, empirically assess roles grazing in determining prevalence calcifying organisms fleshy algae reefs. We used regression trees identify major predictors composition test whether anthropogenic stress at inhabited decouples relationships. show that sea surface temperature, wave energy, oceanic productivity aragonite saturation strongly influence community composition; overlooking these factors may bias expectations calcified states. Maintenance biomass above a relatively low threshold (~ 10-20 kg ha-1) also prevent transitions algal-dominated states, providing tangible management target rebuilding overexploited herbivore populations. Biophysical relationships did not decouple islands, indicating influences remain important macroscale processes, even chronically disturbed However, autocorrelation among reefs was substantial exceeded influences, suggesting benthos were superseded by unmeasured impacts. Evidence strong underscores their importance specifying targets restoration are realistic within context local conditions.

Language: Английский

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Herbivory through the lens of ecological processes across Pacific coral reefs

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Coral reefs are in global decline primarily due to climate change. Herbivory is often viewed as key maintaining coral‐dominated reefs, and herbivore management gaining traction a possible strategy for promoting reef resilience. The functional impact of herbivorous fishes has typically been inferred from total biomass, but robust estimates ecological processes needed better inform targets. Here, we provide framework calculate rates herbivory across Pacific reefs. We synthesized available observations foraging metrics relation fish body size found considerable variation, even among closely related species. then applied these allometric functions survey data calculated acanthurids scarines, which make up the vast majority biomass Pacific. Estimated algal consumption, area scraped, bioerosion varied islands, with noticeable differences that may align relative influence human population density underlying groups. no evidence compensatory relationships whereby decreasing one type offset by increasing another. observed nonlinear, positive between herbivory. Yet, given corresponding regions, instances where islands greatest did not also have highest Islands largest classes herbivores consistently exhibit greater herbivory, find clear, consistent pattern number species processes. Cropping Acanthurus spp. provided proportion consumption at every island, yet single accounted this process, whereas identified parrotfish >75% scraping or certain islands. Our results emphasize importance considering composition assemblages when estimating processes, rather than relying on alone. Lastly, highlight gaps additional work further broaden our ability quantify herbivores.

Language: Английский

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Drivers of herbivory on coral reefs: species, habitat and management effects

Marine Ecology Progress Series, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 554, P. 129 - 140

Published: June 13, 2016

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout JournalEditorsTheme Sections 554:129-140 (2016) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11795 Drivers of herbivory on coral reefs: species, habitat and management effects Kirsty L. Nash1,2,3,*, Rene A. Abesamis1,4,5, Nicholas J. Graham1,6, Eva C. McClure1,4, Even Moland7,8 1ARC Centre Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia 2Centre Socioecology, Hobart, TAS 7000, 3Institute Antarctic University Tasmania, 4College Environmental Sciences, 5Silliman University—Angelo King Center Research Management (SUAKCREM), 6200 Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines 6Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK 7Institute Research, Flødevigen Station, 4817 His, Norway 8Centre Coastal Agder, Department Natural Faculty Engineering Science, 4604 Kristiansand, *Corresponding author: [email protected] ABSTRACT: Ecosystems are under increasing pressure from external disturbances. Understanding how species that drive important functional processes respond benthic community change will have implications predicting ecosystem recovery. Herbivorous fishes support reefs in coral-dominated states by mediating competition between macroalgae. Spatiotemporal variability herbivore populations behaviour direct removal algae, but knowledge different drivers impact their foraging is currently lacking. Such understand whether likely compensate changing resource availability, thus, potential recover disturbance. The relative importance these has suitability specific actions put place herbivory. Variability density, body size, movements grazing rate 2 parrotfish was investigated across exhibiting a range fish compositions. Foraging were influenced benthos, with distances greatest degraded reefs. In contrast, densities driven status reef; size primarily linked identity, whereas both species. These findings suggest distribution effort vary over time response reef condition, such feeding becomes more dispersed as degrade. Gear restrictions protect large, high-grazing-rate or designation no-take areas, maximise algal removal, regardless condition. KEY WORDS: · Functional role Inter-foray distance Resilience Spatial ecology Full text pdf format Supplementary material PreviousNextCite this article as: Nash KL, Abesamis RA, Graham NAJ, McClure EC, Moland E effects. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 554:129-140. Export citation Tweet linkedIn Cited Published Vol. 554. Online publication date: July 28, 2016 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; 1616-1599 Copyright © Inter-Research.

Language: Английский

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