Global tropical reef fish richness could decline by around half if corals are lost

Reef fishes are a treasured part of marine biodiversity, and also provide needed protein for many millions of people. Although most reef fishes might survive projected increases in ocean temperatures, corals are less tolerant. A few fish species strictly depend on corals for food and shelter, suggesting that coral extinctions could lead to some secondary fish extinctions. However, secondary extinctions could extend far beyond those few coral-dependent species. Furthermore, it is yet unknown how such fish declines might vary around the world. Current coral mass mortalities led us to ask how fish communities would respond to coral loss within and across oceans. We mapped 6964 coral-reef-fish species and 119 coral genera, and then regressed reef-fish species richness against coral generic richness at the 1° scale (after controlling for biogeographic factors that drive species diversification). Consistent with small-scale studies, statistical extrapolations suggested that local fish richness across the globe would be around half its current value in a hypothetical world without coral, leading to more areas with low or intermediate fish species richness and fewer fish diversity hotspots.

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Exploitation-related reef fish species richness depletion in the epicenter of marine biodiversity

Environmental Biology of Fishes ◽

10.1007/s10641-010-9750-6 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (4) ◽

pp. 405-420 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

Cleto L. Nañola ◽

Porfirio M. Aliño ◽

Kent E. Carpenter

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Marine Biodiversity ◽

Reef Fish Species

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Global patterns and predictors of tropical reef fish species richness

Ecography ◽

10.1111/j.1600-0587.2013.00291.x ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 36 (12) ◽

pp. 1254-1262 ◽

Cited By ~ 82

Author(s):

V. Parravicini ◽

M. Kulbicki ◽

D. R. Bellwood ◽

A. M. Friedlander ◽

J. E. Arias-Gonzalez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Reef Fish Species ◽

Tropical Reef ◽

Global Patterns

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Body size, reef area and temperature predict global reef-fish species richness across spatial scales

Global Ecology and Biogeography ◽

10.1111/geb.12851 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 315-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

D. R. Barneche ◽

E. L. Rezende ◽

V. Parravicini ◽

E. Maire ◽

G. J. Edgar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Body Size ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Reef Area ◽

Reef Fish Species

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Predictive mapping of reef fish species richness, diversity and biomass in Zanzibar using IKONOS imagery and machine-learning techniques

Remote Sensing of Environment ◽

10.1016/j.rse.2010.01.007 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 114 (6) ◽

pp. 1230-1241 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Anders Knudby ◽

Ellsworth LeDrew ◽

Alexander Brenning

Keyword(s):

Machine Learning ◽

Species Richness ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Machine Learning Techniques ◽

Predictive Mapping ◽

Learning Techniques ◽

Reef Fish Species

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DNA-based identification of predators of the corallivorous Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) from fish faeces and gut contents

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-65136-4 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Frederieke J. Kroon ◽

Carine D. Lefèvre ◽

Jason R. Doyle ◽

Frances Patel ◽

Grant Milton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Coral Reef Fish ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Fish Predation ◽

Reef Fishes ◽

Positive Control ◽

Gut Contents ◽

Reef Fish Species

Abstract The corallivorous Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (CoTS, Acanthaster spp.) has been linked with the widespread loss of scleractinian coral cover on Indo-Pacific reefs during periodic population outbreaks. Here, we re-examine CoTS consumption by coral reef fish species by using new DNA technologies to detect Pacific Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris) in fish faecal and gut content samples. CoTS DNA was detected in samples from 18 different coral reef fish species collected on reefs at various stages of CoTS outbreaks in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, nine of which had not been previously reported to feed on CoTS. A comprehensive set of negative and positive control samples confirmed that our collection, processing and analysis procedures were robust, although food web transfer of CoTS DNA cannot be ruled out for some fish species. Our results, combined with the (i) presence of CoTS spines in some samples, (ii) reported predation on CoTS gametes, larvae and settled individuals, and (iii) known diet information for fish species examined, strongly indicate that direct fish predation on CoTS may well be more common than is currently appreciated. We provide recommendations for specific management approaches to enhance predation on CoTS by coral reef fishes, and to support the mitigation of CoTS outbreaks and reverse declines in hard coral cover.

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Turtle cleaners: reef fishes foraging on epibionts of sea turtles in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic, with a summary of this association type

Neotropical Ichthyology ◽

10.1590/s1679-62252010005000003 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 187-192 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Cristina Sazima ◽

Alice Grossman ◽

Ivan Sazima

Keyword(s):

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Sea Turtles ◽

Reef Fishes ◽

Oceanic Islands ◽

Southwestern Atlantic ◽

Cleaning Symbiosis ◽

Turtle Species ◽

Fernando De Noronha ◽

Reef Fish Species

In the present study we record several instances of reef fish species foraging on epibionts of sea turtles (cleaning symbiosis) at the oceanic islands of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and near a shipwreck, both off the coast of Pernambuco State, northeast Brazil. Nine reef fish species and three turtle species involved in cleaning are herein recorded. Besides our records, a summary of the literature on this association type is presented. Postures adopted by turtles during the interaction are related to the habits of associated fishes. Feeding associations between fishes and turtles seem a localized, albeit common, phenomenon.

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REEF FISHES BIODIVERSITY IN MARINE SANCTUARY AT MINAHASA UTARA DISTRICT, NORTH SULAWESI

Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Kelautan Tropis ◽

10.28930/jitkt.v8i1.12496 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fakhrizal Setiawan ◽

Sonny Tasidjawa ◽

Efra Wantah ◽

Hendri Johanis

Keyword(s):

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Fish Community ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Good Condition ◽

Reef Fishes ◽

Fish Community Structure ◽

North Sulawesi ◽

Reef Fish Community ◽

Reef Fish Species

ABSTRACTThere are some marine sanctuaries (DPL) which are managed together by its societies in North Minahasa regency. From 19 villages with DPL, we conducted surveys using point intercept transect in 14 villages both inside and outside DPL in the subdistrict West Likupang and East Likupang, North Minahasa. Result showed that live coral cover was in general in moderate to excellent conditions both inside and outside DPL. Reef fish recorded in the study areas consisted of 267 reef fish species which categorized into 40 families. Bahoi village had the highest abundance and biomass within the DPL due to a very good condition of coral reef ecosystemn (>75% coral cover) both inside and outside DPL. Biomass of reef fish outside DPL of Bahoi was small but its abundance was the highest. This conditions indicated that the size of reef fish outside of Bahoi DPL was small and this gave a positive perspective to supply fishes into the outside region of Bahoi DPL. Overall, marine sanctuary in North Minahasa contained reef fish community structure in good condition, moderate diversity, relatively labile of evenness index, and low dominance. Grouping by similarity, reef fish species were generally similar in all locations. The separation of DPL locations produced some different fishes group due to its different location, oceanographic conditions, and characters. Keywords: Marine sanctuary, reef fish community, North Minahasa.

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Effect of changes in hook pattern and size on catch rate, hooking location, injury and bleeding for a number of tropical reef fish species

Fisheries Research ◽

10.1016/j.fishres.2007.11.026 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 91 (2-3) ◽

pp. 203-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Amos Mapleston ◽

David Welch ◽

Gavin A. Begg ◽

Mark McLennan ◽

David Mayer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Catch Rate ◽

Reef Fish Species ◽

Tropical Reef

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Endemic and widespread coral reef fishes have similar mitochondrial genetic diversity

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2014.1068 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 281 (1797) ◽

pp. 20141068 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Erwan Delrieu-Trottin ◽

Jeffrey Maynard ◽

Serge Planes

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Coral Reef ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Nucleotide Diversity ◽

Reef Fishes ◽

Effective Population ◽

Terrestrial Environment ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Reef Fish Species

Endemic species are frequently assumed to have lower genetic diversity than species with large distributions, even if closely related. This assumption is based on research from the terrestrial environment and theoretical evolutionary modelling. We test this assumption in the marine environment by analysing the mitochondrial genetic diversity of 33 coral reef fish species from five families sampled from Pacific Ocean archipelagos. Surprisingly, haplotype and nucleotide diversity did not differ significantly between endemic and widespread species. The probable explanation is that the effective population size of some widespread fishes locally is similar to that of many of the endemics. Connectivity across parts of the distribution of the widespread species is probably low, so widespread species can operate like endemics at the extreme or isolated parts of their range. Mitochondrial genetic diversity of many endemic reef fish species may not either limit range size or be a source of vulnerability.

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THE COMPOSITION OF SPESIES AND CHANGES IN REEF FISHES COMMUNITY AT ECOREEF REHABILITATION SITE, MANADO TUA ISLAND, BUNAKEN NATIONAL PARK

Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Kelautan Tropis ◽

10.29244/jitkt.v5i2.7566 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Fakhrizal Setiawan ◽

Tries B. Razak ◽

Idris Idris ◽

Estradivari Estradivari

Keyword(s):

Reef Fish ◽

Fish Species ◽

Reef Fishes ◽

Ecological Index ◽

Schooling Behavior ◽

Reef Fish Species ◽

Early Survey ◽

Peak Abundance ◽

Number Of Individuals ◽

Total Species

The study conducted from 2006 to 2012 with an interval of every two years in the ecoreef area of Manado Tua island found 2,936 individual reef fishes of 181 species that include into 32 families. Species composition value of the 10 dominant species of reef fishes was 55.48% of the total species. The highest number of species was Plotosus lineatus with schooling behavior which only discovered in 2010 at a depth of 3 meters. Ecoreef area of Manado Tua island, when analyzed from the abundance and biomass of reef fishes exhibited a succession of reef fish that have been stable, with peak abundance and higher biomass in 2008 and 2010. Reef fish found in ecoreef seemed to start a new living and become a new habitat for them. These were indicated by the highest biomass during the previous year but the number of individuals and spesies were decline. There was no change in the structure of reef fish communities in the ecoreef area of Manado Tua Island, which characterized by non significant different ecological index between the years. Cluster analyses grouped reef fish species into 2 groups i.e., the group of 2006 and the group of 2008, 2010, and 2012. Early survey in 2006 showed lower abundance of reef fish species for allegedly associated with low ecoreef organisms. Keywords: ecoreef, spesies composition, community structure, reef fish.

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