The importance of live coral for small-sized herbivorous reef fishes in physically challenging environments
C. L. Johansson A B D , D. R. Bellwood B and M. Depczynski C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A AIMS@JCU, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
B Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld 4811, Australia.
C Australian Institute of Marine Science, UWA Oceans Institute, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: charlotte.johansson@my.jcu.edu.au
Marine and Freshwater Research 63(8) 672-679 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF12011
Submitted: 18 January 2012 Accepted: 13 June 2012 Published: 18 July 2012
Abstract
Tropical coral reefs are facing increasing levels of disturbance, with predictions of ongoing reductions in live coral cover. The response of herbivorous fishes to loss of coral cover was investigated by analysing the relationship between the abundance of different sized herbivorous fishes and live coral cover, on a high flow reef slope and a sheltered back reef on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. We found positive relationships between coral cover and the abundance of small (10–20 cm) excavating and scraping parrotfishes on the slope, but a negative relationship between corals and small (10–15 cm) grazers. These relationships were not evident on back reefs. Generally, the abundance of large individuals were not correlated with live coral in either habitat. We suggest that in physically demanding environments small parrotfishes may utilise the structural complexity of corals to resist strong water flow and/or to reduce predation. Small acanthurid grazers may school to reduce energy costs and minimise predation risk. The loss of coral cover appears to be particularly important for small fishes in high energy habitats, especially non-schooling species.
Additional keywords: coral reefs, fish, habitat associations, herbivores, live coral, Ningaloo Reef.
References
Almany, G. R. (2004). Does increased habitat complexity reduce predation and competition in coral reef fish assemblages? Oikos 106, 275–284.| Does increased habitat complexity reduce predation and competition in coral reef fish assemblages?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Barlow, G. W. (1974). Extraspecific imposition of social grouping among surgeonfishes (Pisces: Acanthuridae). Journal of Zoology 174, 333–340.
| Extraspecific imposition of social grouping among surgeonfishes (Pisces: Acanthuridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bellwood, D. R. (1988). Ontogenetic changes in the diet of early post-settlement scarus species (Pieces, Scaridae). Journal of Fish Biology 33, 213–219.
| Ontogenetic changes in the diet of early post-settlement scarus species (Pieces, Scaridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bellwood, D. R., and Choat, J. H. (1990). A functional analysis of grazing in parrotfishes (family Scaridae): the ecological implications. Environmental Biology of Fishes 28, 189–214.
| A functional analysis of grazing in parrotfishes (family Scaridae): the ecological implications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bellwood, D. R., Hughes, T. P., Folke, C., and Nyström, M. (2004). Confronting the coral reef crisis. Nature 429, 827–833.
| Confronting the coral reef crisis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXltVKltb8%3D&md5=152c85b2f272d793e9ac6804ba208166CAS |
Bellwood, D. R., Hoey, A. S., and Hughes, T. P. (2012). Human activity selectively impacts the ecosystem roles of parrotfishes on coral reefs. Proceedings. Biological Sciences 279, 1621–1629.
| Human activity selectively impacts the ecosystem roles of parrotfishes on coral reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bonaldo, R. M., and Bellwood, D. R. (2008). Size-dependent variation in the functional role of the parrotfish Scarus rivulatus on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 360, 237–244.
| Size-dependent variation in the functional role of the parrotfish Scarus rivulatus on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bonaldo, R. M., and Bellwood, D. R. (2009). Dynamics of parrotfish grazing scars. Marine Biology 156, 771–777.
| Dynamics of parrotfish grazing scars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bonin, M. C., Almany, G. R., and Jones, G. P. (2011). Contrasting effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on coral-associated reef fishes. Ecology 92, 1503–1512.
| Contrasting effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on coral-associated reef fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brock, V. E., and Riffenburgh, R. H. (1960). Fish schooling: a possible factor in reducing predation. Journal du Conseil International pour l’Exploration de la Mer 25, 307–317.
Cassata, L., and Collins, L. B. (2008). Coral reef communities, habitats, and substrates in and near sanctuary zones of Ningaloo Marine Park. Journal of Coastal Research 241, 139–151.
| Coral reef communities, habitats, and substrates in and near sanctuary zones of Ningaloo Marine Park.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ceccarelli, D. M., Hughes, T. P., and McCook, L. J. (2006). Impacts of simulated overfishing on the territoriality of coral reef damselfish. Marine Ecology Progress Series 309, 255–262.
| Impacts of simulated overfishing on the territoriality of coral reef damselfish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ceccarelli, D. M., Jones, G. P., and McCook, L. J. (2011). Interactions between herbivorous fish guilds and their influence on algal succession on a coastal coral reef. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 399, 60–67.
| Interactions between herbivorous fish guilds and their influence on algal succession on a coastal coral reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cheal, A. J., Wilson, S. K., Emslie, M. J., Dolman, A. M., and Sweatman, H. (2008). Responses of reef fish communities to coral declines on the Great Barrier Reef. Marine Ecology Progress Series 372, 211–223.
| Responses of reef fish communities to coral declines on the Great Barrier Reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cheal, A., MacNeil, M., Cripps, E., Emslie, M., Jonker, M., Schaffelke, B., and Sweatman, H. (2010). Coral–macroalgal phase shifts or reef resilience: links with diversity and functional roles of herbivorous fishes on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 29, 1005–1015.
| Coral–macroalgal phase shifts or reef resilience: links with diversity and functional roles of herbivorous fishes on the Great Barrier Reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Choat, J. H., Clements, K. D., and Robbins, W. D. (2002). The trophic status of herbivorous fishes on coral reefs. 1: Dietary analysis. Marine Biology 140, 623.
Fox, R. J., and Bellwood, D. R. (2011). Unconstrained by the clock? Plasticity of diel activity rhythm in a tropical reef fish, Siganus lineatus. Functional Ecology 25, 1096–1105.
| Unconstrained by the clock? Plasticity of diel activity rhythm in a tropical reef fish, Siganus lineatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fox, R. J., Sunderland, T. L., Hoey, A. S., and Bellwood, D. R. (2009). Estimating ecosystem function: contrasting roles of closely related herbivorous rabbitfishes (Siganidae) on coral reefs. Marine Ecology Progress Series 385, 261–269.
| Estimating ecosystem function: contrasting roles of closely related herbivorous rabbitfishes (Siganidae) on coral reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fulton, C. J., and Bellwood, D. R. (2002). Patterns of foraging in labrid fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series 226, 135–142.
| Patterns of foraging in labrid fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fulton, C. J., and Bellwood, D. R. (2004). Wave exposure, swimming performance, and the structure of tropical and temperate reef fish assemblages. Marine Biology 144, 429–437.
| Wave exposure, swimming performance, and the structure of tropical and temperate reef fish assemblages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Fulton, C. J., Bellwood, D. R., and Wainwright, P. C. (2001). The relationship between swimming ability and habitat use in wrasses (Labridae). Marine Biology 139, 25–33.
| The relationship between swimming ability and habitat use in wrasses (Labridae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Graham, N. A. J., Wilson, S. K., Simon, J., Polunin, N. V. C., Bijoux, J. P., and Robinson, J. (2006). Dynamic Fragility of Oceanic Coral Reef Ecosystems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103, 8425–8429.
| Dynamic Fragility of Oceanic Coral Reef Ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XlvFCht7k%3D&md5=30e4dbadd1e7da14ec985545e4fea18eCAS |
Graham, N. A. J., Wilson, S. K., Jennings, S., Polunin, N. V. C., Robinson, J., Bijoux, J. P., and Daw, T. M. (2007). Lag effects in the impacts of mass coral bleaching on coral reef fish, fisheries, and ecosystems. Conservation Biology 21, 1291–1300.
| Lag effects in the impacts of mass coral bleaching on coral reef fish, fisheries, and ecosystems.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Green, A. L., and Bellwood, D. R. (2009). Monitoring functional groups of herbivorous reef fishes as indicators of coral reef resilience – a practical guide for coral reef managers in the Asia Pacific region. IUCN working group on Climate Change and Coral Reefs, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Mumby, P. J., Hooten, A. J., Steneck, R. S., Greenfield, P., Gomez, E., Harvell, C. D., Sale, P. F., Edwards, A. J., Caldeira, K., Knowlton, N., Eakin, C. M., Iglesias-Prieto, R., Muthiga, N., Bradbury, R. H., Dubi, A., and Hatziolos, M. E. (2007). Coral reefs under rapid climate change and ocean acidification. Science 318, 1737–1742.
| Coral reefs under rapid climate change and ocean acidification.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXhsVWhu7fN&md5=26c851a6547d66c5f18bafd114cafb24CAS |
Hoey, A. S., and Bellwood, D. R. (2009). Limited functional redundancy in a high diversity system: single species dominates key ecological process on coral reefs. Ecosystems (New York, N.Y.) 12, 1316–1328.
| Limited functional redundancy in a high diversity system: single species dominates key ecological process on coral reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hoey, A. S., and Bellwood, D. R. (2010). Cross-shelf variation in browsing intensity on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral Reefs 29, 499–508.
| Cross-shelf variation in browsing intensity on the Great Barrier Reef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hoey, A. S., and Bellwood, D. R. (2011). Suppression of herbivory by macroalgal density: a critical feedback on coral reefs? Ecology Letters 14, 267–273.
| Suppression of herbivory by macroalgal density: a critical feedback on coral reefs?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Holbrook, S. J., Brooks, A. J., and Schmitt, R. J. (2006). Relationships between live coral cover and reef fishes: implications for predicting effects of environmental disturbances. In ‘Proceedings of 10th International Coral Reef Symposium, Okinawa’. pp. 241–249.
Hughes, T. P., Baird, A. H., Bellwood, D. R., Card, M., Connolly, S. R., Folke, C., Grosberg, R., Hoegh-Guldberg, O., Jackson, J. B. C., Kleypas, J., Lough, J. M., Marshall, P., Nyström, M., Palumbi, S. R., Pandolfi, J. M., Rosen, B., and Roughgarden, J. (2003). Climate change, human impacts, and the resilience of coral reefs. Science 301, 929–933.
| Climate change, human impacts, and the resilience of coral reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXmt1elsb4%3D&md5=3d14de1a5f6b9c118aeccfd1225a7e7dCAS |
Johansen, J. L., Fulton, C. J., and Bellwood, D. R. (2007). Avoiding the flow: refuges expand the swimming potential of coral reef fishes. Coral Reefs 26, 577–583.
| Avoiding the flow: refuges expand the swimming potential of coral reef fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johansen, J. L., Bellwood, D. R., and Fulton, C. J. (2008). Coral reef fishes exploit flow refuges in high-flow habitats. Marine Ecology Progress Series 360, 219–226.
| Coral reef fishes exploit flow refuges in high-flow habitats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johansen, J. L., Vaknin, R., Steffensen, J. F., and Domenici, P. (2010). Kinematics and energetic benefits of schooling in the labriform fish, striped surfperch Embiotoca lateralis. Marine Ecology Progress Series 420, 221–229.
| Kinematics and energetic benefits of schooling in the labriform fish, striped surfperch Embiotoca lateralis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johansson, C. L., Bellwood, D. R., and Depczynski, M. (2010). Sea urchins, macroalgae and coral reef decline: a functional evaluation of an intact reef system, Ningaloo, Western Australia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 414, 65–74.
| Sea urchins, macroalgae and coral reef decline: a functional evaluation of an intact reef system, Ningaloo, Western Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jones, G. P., McCormick, M. I., Srinivasan, M., and Eagle, J. V. (2004). Coral decline threatens fish biodiversity in marine reserves. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 101, 8251–8253.
| Coral decline threatens fish biodiversity in marine reserves.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXkslCitbw%3D&md5=537e15ced621268f605a924def671c43CAS |
Kerry, J., and Bellwood, D. (2012). The effect of coral morphology on shelter selection by coral reef fishes. Coral Reefs 31, 415–424.
| The effect of coral morphology on shelter selection by coral reef fishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lawson, G. L., Kramer, D. L., and Hunte, W. (1999). Size-related habitat use and schooling behavior in two species of surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus and A. coeruleus) on a fringing reef in Barbados, West Indies. Environmental Biology of Fishes 54, 19–33.
| Size-related habitat use and schooling behavior in two species of surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus and A. coeruleus) on a fringing reef in Barbados, West Indies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lokrantz, J., Nystrom, M., Thyresson, M., and Johansson, C. (2008). The non-linear relationship between body size and function in parrotfishes. Coral Reefs 27, 967–974.
| The non-linear relationship between body size and function in parrotfishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
March, D., Palmer, M., Alos, J., Grau, A., and Cardona, F. (2010). Short-term residence, home range size and diel patterns of the painted comber Serranus scriba in a temperate marine reserve. Marine Ecology Progress Series 400, 195–206.
| Short-term residence, home range size and diel patterns of the painted comber Serranus scriba in a temperate marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meyer, C. G., and Holland, K. N. (2005). Movement patterns, home range size and habitat utilization of the bluespine unicornfish, Naso unicornis (Acanthuridae) in a Hawaiian marine reserve. Environmental Biology of Fishes 73, 201–210.
| Movement patterns, home range size and habitat utilization of the bluespine unicornfish, Naso unicornis (Acanthuridae) in a Hawaiian marine reserve.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Meyer, C., Papastamatiou, Y., and Clark, T. (2010). Differential movement patterns and site fidelity among trophic groups of reef fishes in a Hawaiian marine protected area. Marine Biology 157, 1499–1511.
| Differential movement patterns and site fidelity among trophic groups of reef fishes in a Hawaiian marine protected area.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Overholtzer, K. L., and Motta, P. J. (2000). Effects of mixed-species foraging groups on the feeding and aggression of juvenile parrotfishes. Environmental Biology of Fishes 58, 345–354.
| Effects of mixed-species foraging groups on the feeding and aggression of juvenile parrotfishes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pratchett, M. S., Munday, P. L., Wilson, S. K., Graham, N. A. J., Cinner, J. E., Bellwood, D. R., Jones, G. P., Polunin, N. V. C., and McClanahan, T. R. (2008). Effects of climate-induced coral bleaching on coral-reef fishes – Ecological and economic consequences. Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review 46, 251–296.
| Effects of climate-induced coral bleaching on coral-reef fishes – Ecological and economic consequences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Randall, J. E. (1997) ‘Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.’ 2nd edn. (Crawford House Publishing: Bathurst, Australia.)
Stockwell, B., Jadloc, C. R. L., Abesamis, R. A., Alcala, A. C., and Russ, G. R. (2009). Trophic and benthic responses to no-take marine reserve protection in the Philippines. Marine Ecology Progress Series 389, 1–15.
| Trophic and benthic responses to no-take marine reserve protection in the Philippines.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weihs, D. (1973). Hydromechanics of Fish Schooling. Nature 241, 290–291.
| Hydromechanics of Fish Schooling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Welsh, J., and Bellwood, D. (2012). Spatial ecology of the steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos): an evaluation using acoustic telemetry. Coral Reefs 31, 55–65.
| Spatial ecology of the steephead parrotfish (Chlorurus microrhinos): an evaluation using acoustic telemetry.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Welsh, J., and Bellwood, D. (2012). How far do schools of roving herbivores rove? A case study using Scarus rivulatus. Coral Reefs , .
| How far do schools of roving herbivores rove? A case study using Scarus rivulatus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Werner, E. E., Gilliam, J. F., Hall, D. J., and Mittelbach, G. G. (1983). An Experimental Test of the Effects of Predation Risk on Habitat Use in Fish. Ecology 64, 1540–1548.
| An Experimental Test of the Effects of Predation Risk on Habitat Use in Fish.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, S. K., Bellwood, D. R., Choat, J. H., and Furnas, M. J. (2003). Detritus in the epilithic algal matrix and its use by coral reef fishes. Oceanography and Marine Biology 41, 279–309.
Wilson, S. K., Graham, N. A. J., Pratchett, M. S., Jones, G. P., and Polunin, N. V. C. (2006). Multiple disturbances and the global degradation of coral reefs: are reef fishes at risk or resilient? Global Change Biology 12, 2220–2234.
| Multiple disturbances and the global degradation of coral reefs: are reef fishes at risk or resilient?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, S. K., Graham, N. A. J., and Polunin, N. V. C. (2007). Appraisal of visual assessments of habitat complexity and benthic composition on coral reefs Marine Biology 151, 1069–1076.
| Appraisal of visual assessments of habitat complexity and benthic composition on coral reefsCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, S. K., Burgess, S. C., Cheal, A. J., Emslie, M., Fisher, R., Miller, I., Polunin, N. V. C., and Sweatman, H. P. A. (2008). Habitat utilization by coral reef fish: implications for specialists vs. generalists in a changing environment. Journal of Animal Ecology 77, 220–228.
| Habitat utilization by coral reef fish: implications for specialists vs. generalists in a changing environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, S. K., Dolman, A. M., Cheal, A. J., Emslie, M. J., Pratchett, M. S., and Sweatman, H. P. A. (2009). Maintenance of fish diversity on disturbed coral reefs. Coral Reefs 28, 3–14.
| Maintenance of fish diversity on disturbed coral reefs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, S. K., Depczynski, M., Fisher, R., Holmes, T. H., O’Leary, R. A., and Tinkler, P. (2010). Habitat Associations of Juvenile Fish at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia: The Importance of Coral and Algae. PLoS ONE 5, e15185.
| Habitat Associations of Juvenile Fish at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia: The Importance of Coral and Algae.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wyatt, A. S. J., Lowe, R. J., Humphries, S., and Waite, A. M. (2010). Particulate nutrient fluxes over a fringing coral reef: relevant scales of phytoplankton production and mechanisms of supply. Marine Ecology Progress Series 405, 113–130.
| Particulate nutrient fluxes over a fringing coral reef: relevant scales of phytoplankton production and mechanisms of supply.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXnvFKhsbk%3D&md5=57bcd883332966b5121b6daefec15895CAS |
