Community structure of the fauna associated with the coral Pocillopora damicornis (L.) on the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

The structure and composition of the infauna of the coral P. damicornis in the Capricorn Group, Great Barrier Reef, is examined. A total of 40 coral heads were sampled from four localities on two reefs and 951 individuals of 101 species were extracted. This is five times the species collected from P. damicornis in previous studies. A comprehensive species list is provided. Infauna was dominated by only a few species, 20 species accounting for 78% of individuals and 36 species recorded only as single individuals. Crustacea was the dominant taxon present, comprising 72% of species and 86% of individuals.

Number of species and number of individuals show significant regressions with size of coral heads. Differences in physical environment at the four sites did not affect species diversity within coral heads. However, several common species only occurred within particular habitats.

Species diversity is discussed briefly in relation to the behaviour of resident symbionts, random pelagic settlements of larvae, the size of target corals and habitat heterogeneity in coral heads.