Structures, dynamics and stability of reef fish assemblages in non-reefal coral communities in Hong Kong, China

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-321
Author(s):  
Tze-Wai Tam ◽  
Put O. Ang
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Coral Communities

A comparison of coral reef and coral community fish assemblages in Pacific Panama and environmental factors governing their structure

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (7) ◽  
pp. 1331-1341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Benfield ◽  
Laura Baxter ◽  
Hector M. Guzman ◽  
James M. Mair
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Size Composition ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Coral Community ◽  
Percentage Cover ◽  
Dimensional Scaling ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Habitat Variables

We compared the reef fish assemblages of two habitats, coral reefs and coral communities (rocky substratum with coral colonies), in the Las Perlas Archipelago in Pacific Panama and attempted to determine associations with habitat variables. We used a modified Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (AGRRA) survey to record fish species and quadrat transects to determine benthic composition. Multivariate non-parametric multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) ordinations were performed in PRIMER and univariate correlations were used to determine relationships. The reef fish of coral communities were significantly more diverse and species rich than those of coral reefs. The two habitats had significantly different species and size composition, but trophic and family groups overlapped between habitats. Topography, exposure, and the percentage cover of branching and massive corals correlated significantly with differences in fish parameters. The reef fish assemblages of this region appear to be determined more by the larger scale structural features that characterize the two habitats than by features that vary over small scales within the habitats.

Reef fish functional composition and metrics reveal spatial differences in three protected islands in the Eastern Pacific

2020 ◽  
Vol 635 ◽  
pp. 139-150
Author(s):  
D Morales-de-Anda ◽  
AL Cupul-Magaña ◽  
FA Rodríguez-Zaragoza ◽  
C Aguilar-Betancourt ◽  
G González-Sansón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Habitat Structure ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Eastern Pacific ◽  
Ecosystem Functions ◽  
Spatial Differences ◽  
Coral Communities ◽  
Interesting System

Reef fish assemblages in the Eastern Pacific (EP) represent an interesting system to understand how areas with lower diversity respond to multiple factors and their effect on ecosystem functions and services. Among the multiple approaches that have emerged, the evaluation of functional metrics provides an initial comprehension of these relationships. In this context, to better understand reef fish variability in the EP, we evaluated spatial differences in ecological metrics, the composition of fish assemblages, and their relationship with habitat structure in coral communities at 3 islands in Mexico (Marietas, Isabel, and Cleofas). To include a functional approach, we created a functional entity (FE) matrix using species abundance and 6 categorical functional traits; specifically, we calculated ecological metrics that reflect the representation or under-representation of species in the functions or FEs (redundancy and vulnerability) and the rarity in FEs and species and their relationship with habitat structure. Overall, most of the fish FEs in the EP were represented by 1 species (i.e. high vulnerability and low functional redundancy). Despite the low redundancy recorded in the islands, reef fish performed multiple key functions; however, many functions remained rare. Furthermore, both metrics and fish composition showed high variability among sites and islands, but this variability was only partially explained by a few variables of habitat structure (i.e. rugosity). These results, in combination with the unique characteristics of coral communities in the EP, highlight the need to identify the drivers of fish assemblages and their effect on the ecosystem processes and services in order to implement unique management strategies for each island.

Spatial assemblage structure of shallow-water reef fish in Southwest Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 649 ◽  
pp. 125-140
Author(s):  
DS Goldsworthy ◽  
BJ Saunders ◽  
JRC Parker ◽  
ES Harvey
Keyword(s):  
Shallow Water ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Reef Fish Assemblage ◽  
Reef Type ◽  
Present Distribution ◽  
Southwest Australia

Bioregional categorisation of the Australian marine environment is essential to conserve and manage entire ecosystems, including the biota and associated habitats. It is important that these regions are optimally positioned to effectively plan for the protection of distinct assemblages. Recent climatic variation and changes to the marine environment in Southwest Australia (SWA) have resulted in shifts in species ranges and changes to the composition of marine assemblages. The goal of this study was to determine if the current bioregionalisation of SWA accurately represents the present distribution of shallow-water reef fishes across 2000 km of its subtropical and temperate coastline. Data was collected in 2015 using diver-operated underwater stereo-video surveys from 7 regions between Port Gregory (north of Geraldton) to the east of Esperance. This study indicated that (1) the shallow-water reef fish of SWA formed 4 distinct assemblages along the coast: one Midwestern, one Central and 2 Southern Assemblages; (2) differences between these fish assemblages were primarily driven by sea surface temperature, Ecklonia radiata cover, non-E. radiata (canopy) cover, understorey algae cover, reef type and reef height; and (3) each of the 4 assemblages were characterised by a high number of short-range Australian and Western Australian endemic species. The findings from this study suggest that 4, rather than the existing 3 bioregions would more effectively capture the shallow-water reef fish assemblage patterns, with boundaries having shifted southwards likely associated with ocean warming.

STABILITY OF CORAL REEF FISH ASSEMBLAGES IMPACTED BY NUCLEAR TESTS

Ecology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 86 (10) ◽  
pp. 2578-2585 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Planes ◽  
R. Galzin ◽  
J-P. Bablet ◽  
P. F. Sale
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Nuclear Tests

A comparison of temperate reef fish assemblages recorded by three underwater stereo-video techniques

2005 ◽  
Vol 148 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dianne L. Watson ◽  
Euan S. Harvey ◽  
Marti J. Anderson ◽  
Gary A. Kendrick
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Temperate Reef ◽  
Stereo Video ◽  
Temperate Reef Fish

scholarly journals Coral settlement and recruitment responses to reef fish foraging and trait diversity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cher F Y Chow ◽  
Caitlin Bolton ◽  
Nader Boutros ◽  
Viviana Brambilla ◽  
Luisa Fontoura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Reef Fishes ◽  
Foraging Strategies ◽  
Coral Recruitment ◽  
Coral Settlement ◽  
Trait Divergence ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Recruitment Success ◽  
Trait Diversity

The process of coral recruitment is crucial to the healthy functioning of coral reef ecosystems, as well as recovery following disturbances. Fishes are key modulators of this process by feeding on algae and other benthic taxa that compete with corals for benthic space. However, foraging strategies within reef fish assemblages are highly diverse and the effect of foraging diversity on coral recruitment success remains poorly understood. Here, we test how the foraging traits of reef fishes affect coral settlement and juvenile success at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Using a multi-model inference approach incorporating six metrics of fish assemblage foraging diversity (foraging rates, trait richness, trait evenness, trait divergence, herbivore abundance, and benthic invertivore abundance), we found that herbivore abundance had positive effects on both coral settlement and recruitment success. However, foraging trait diversity had a negative effect on coral settlement but not on recruitment. Coral settlement was higher at sites with less trait diverse fish assemblages, specifically in trait divergence and richness. Moreover, these two trait diversity metrics were stronger predictors of coral settlement success compared to herbivore abundance. Our findings provide evidence that impacts mediated by fish foraging on coral juveniles can potentially be harmful during settlement, but the space-clearing effect overall remains advantageous. We show here that the variation of fish biodiversity across reefs can be a partial driver to spatially uneven patterns of coral recruitment and reef recovery.

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