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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The movement ecology of fishes

Journal of Fish Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 101(4), P. 756 - 779

Published: July 5, 2022

Abstract Movement of fishes in the aquatic realm is fundamental to their ecology and survival. can be driven by a variety biological, physiological environmental factors occurring across all spatial temporal scales. The intrinsic capacity movement impact fish individually ( e.g. , foraging) with potential knock‐on effects throughout ecosystem food web dynamics) has garnered considerable interest field ecology. advancement technology recent decades, combination ever‐growing threats freshwater marine systems, further spurred empirical research theoretical considerations. Given rapid expansion within its significant role informing management conservation efforts, contemporary multidisciplinary review about various components influencing outstanding. Using an established conceptual framework for as guide i.e. Nathan et al. 2008: 19052), we synthesized individual that affect fishes. Specifically, internal energy acquisition, endocrinology, homeostasis) external (biotic abiotic) elements are discussed, well different processes influence individual‐level (or population) decisions, such navigation cues, motion capacity, propagation characteristics group behaviours. In addition drivers factors, also explored how associated strategies help survival optimizing other biological states. Next, identified increasingly being incorporated into highlighting inherent benefits spatio‐temporal behaviour imbues policy, regulatory, remediation planning. Finally, considered future evaluating ongoing technological innovations both challenges opportunities these advancements create scientists managers. As ecosystems continue face alarming climate (and human‐driven) issues animal movements, comprehensive assessment will instrumental developing plans promote sustainability measures resources.

Language: Английский

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Macroalgal herbivory on recovering versus degrading coral reefs

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 33(2), P. 409 - 419

Published: March 5, 2014

Language: Английский

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How far do schools of roving herbivores rove? A case study using Scarus rivulatus

Coral Reefs, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 31(4), P. 991 - 1003

Published: June 13, 2012

Language: Английский

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The ontogeny of home ranges: evidence from coral reef fishes

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 280(1773), P. 20132066 - 20132066

Published: Oct. 30, 2013

The concept of home ranges is fundamental to ecology. Numerous studies have quantified how scale with body size across taxa. However, these relationships are not always applicable intraspecifically. Here, we describe the range an important group reef fish, parrotfishes, scales mass. With masses spanning five orders magnitude, from early postsettlement stage through adulthood, find no evidence a response predation risk, dietary shifts or sex change on expansion rates. Instead, document distinct ontogenetic shift in sexual maturity. Juvenile parrotfishes displayed rapid growth until reaching approximately 100–150 mm length. Thereafter, relationship between and mass broke down. This reflected changes colour patterns, social status reproductive behaviour associated transition adult stages. While there clear among individuals different species, it does appear be within species. Ontogenetic do follow expected mass–area scaling relationships.

Language: Английский

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Impact of conservation areas on trophic interactions between apex predators and herbivores on coral reefs

Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 29(2), P. 418 - 429

Published: Sept. 3, 2014

Abstract Apex predators are declining at alarming rates due to exploitation by humans, but we have yet fully discern the impacts of apex predator loss on ecosystem function. In a management context, it is critically important clarify role play in structuring populations lower trophic levels. Thus, examined top‐down influence reef sharks (an coral reefs) and mesopredators large‐bodied herbivores. We measured abundance, size structure, biomass predators, mesopredators, herbivores across fished, no‐take, no‐entry zones Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia. Shark abundance mesopredator were higher than fished no‐take zones, which indicates viability strictly enforced human exclusion areas as tools for conservation communities. Changes protection did not discernible density, size, or different functional groups herbivorous fishes. The lack relationship between suggests that forces may strong regulating fish populations. Given this inconsistency with traditional ecological theories cascades, structures reefs need be reassessed enable establishment appropriate effective regimes. El Impacto de las Áreas Conservación sobre Interacciones Tróficas entre los Depredadores Dominantes y Herbívoros en Arrecifes Coral

Language: Английский

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Patchy delivery of functions undermines functional redundancy in a high diversity system

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 33(6), P. 1144 - 1155

Published: March 9, 2019

Abstract Globally, many ecosystems are being challenged and transformed by anthropogenic climate change. Future ecosystem configurations will be heavily influenced the critical ecological functions that affect resilience. Robust measures of these thus essential for understanding responding to Coral reefs experiencing unprecedented change due global mass coral bleaching. After bleaching events other disturbances, herbivorous fishes provide reef resilience controlling harmful proliferation algae. Identifying functional diversity amongst has been a mainstay fish research, but it remained unclear how, what extent, translates impacts on reefs. Rather than assessing potential community, we explicitly considered delivery herbivory quantifying, in detail, spatial extent overlap feeding areas across different groups. Core were highly concentrated consistently covered just 14% available space. Overlap groups was limited, showing high complementarity as tended feed next one another. Thus, processes patchy, effectively reducing redundancy, even presence diverse assemblage. Our findings caution against assumptions homogeneity functions. The impact local assemblages current approaches may overestimated, potentially leading skewed assessments results highlight need incorporate collective animal behaviour spatio‐temporal scales into future ultimately A plain language summary is this article.

Language: Английский

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Fish foraging patterns, vulnerability to fishing, and implications for the management of ecosystem function across scales

Ecological Applications, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 23(7), P. 1632 - 1644

Published: April 15, 2013

The function of species has been recognized as critical for the maintenance ecosystems within desired states. However, there are still considerable gaps in our knowledge interspecific differences functional roles organisms, particularly with regard to spatial scales over which impact is exerted. This implications delivery and ecosystem processes. In this study we assessed allometric relationship between foraging movements fish body length at three sites, 20 herbivorous reef fishes four different groups: browsers, farmers, grazer/ detritivores, scraper/excavators. vulnerability fishing their scale was also examined. We present empirical evidence strong, positive, log-linear movement length. consistent among sites two metrics used. Phylogeny did not affect these results. Functional groups foraged contrasting ranges scales; example, scraper/excavators performed role a wide range scales, whereas browsers were represented by few operated narrow scales. Overfishing likely only remove operating large but browser group whole. Large typically have significant removing algae on reefs, key controlling macroalgae reversing shifts macroalgal-dominated exploitation serious consequences ability assemblages deliver face anthropogenic impacts. identification susceptible provides managers design management strategies support coral-dominated reefs maintaining vulnerable operate.

Language: Английский

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Patterns and trends in coral reef macroalgae browsing: a review of browsing herbivorous fishes of the Indo-Pacific

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 26(1), P. 53 - 70

Published: Nov. 28, 2015

Language: Английский

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Proximity of breeding and foraging areas affects foraging effort of a crepuscular, insectivorous bird

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: Feb. 8, 2018

When complementary resources are required for an optimal life cycle, most animals need to move between different habitats. However, the level of connectivity can vary and, hence, influence individuals' behaviour. We show that landscape composition and configuration affect breeding (heathlands) foraging habitats (extensively-grazed grasslands) European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), a crepuscular insectivorous bird. On daily basis, nightjars connect sites by rapidly crossing unsuitable in order exploit higher prey biomass sites. low availability habitat near clustered landscapes greatly increase distance. Birds occupying these sub-optimal areas compensate longer travels increasing duration, their physiology shows increased stress levels. All findings suggest heterogeneity population dynamics nightjars. Therefore, we recommend integrated management approach this EU-protected bird species.

Language: Английский

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