scholarly journals Coral reef fish assemblages at Clipperton Atoll (Eastern Tropical Pacific) and their relationship with coral cover

2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurora M. Ricart ◽  
Fabián A. Rodríguez-Zaragoza ◽  
Carlos González-Salas ◽  
Marco Ortiz ◽  
Amílcar L. Cupul-Magaña ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
Live Coral Cover

Clipperton Atoll, one of the most isolated coral reefs worldwide, is of great scientific interest due to its geomorphology and high levels of endemism. This study explored the reef fish assemblage structure of Clipperton Atoll and its relationship with live coral cover. Nine stations were sampled at three sites and three depths (6, 12 and 20 m) around the reef, measuring fish species richness and biomass and hermatypic coral cover (at genus level). We evaluated variation in species richness, biomass and diversity of fish assemblages among sites and depths, as well as the relationship between the entire fish assemblage composition and live coral cover. The results showed that species richness and biomass were similar among sites, but differed across depths, increasing with depth. In contrast, diversity differed among sites but not among depths. Multivariate analyses indicated that fish assemblage composition differed among sites and depths in relation to changes in cover of coral of the genera Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona and Leptoseris, which dominate at different depths. The results showed that fish species richness and diversity were low at Clipperton Atoll and that, in isolated coral reefs with a low habitat heterogeneity and low human disturbance, live coral cover has a significant influence on the spatial variation of the reef fish assemblages. This study highlights the importance of coral habitat structure in shaping coral reef fish assemblages.

scholarly journals Benthic structure drives butterflyfish species composition and trophic group abundance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Barbosa ◽  
Neil Coupland ◽  
Clara Douglas ◽  
Ellen Harrison ◽  
Kelly M James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Fish Diversity ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Benthic Composition

Corals provide structure and food sources vital for the maintenance of coral reef fish diversity. However, coral reefs are currently under threat from climate change, which has led to the largest recorded loss of live coral. The loss of live coral, and corresponding shift in reef benthic composition, are predicted to impact the abundance and composition of coral reef fish species and communities. In this study, we investigate the effect of changes in reef benthic composition (eg. live coral, dead coral, algae), on the diversity and composition in an assemblage of butterflyfish species, in Faafu Atoll in the Maldives after the 2016 bleaching event. We show that differences in community composition of butterflyfish are associated to benthic structure, reflecting species feeding preferences. Interestingly, however, we also show that lower coral cover is not associated to lower abundance and species richness of butterflyfish. Our results suggest that maintenance of coral reef structure after a disturbance provides key microhabitats to accommodate non-corallivorous butterflyfish, thus maintaining abundance and species richness. Overall our study provides support for regulation of richness and abundance of coral reef fish assemblages to short term changes in coral reef benthic composition after disturbance via turnover in composition.

scholarly journals Benthic structure drives butterflyfish species composition and trophic group abundance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Barbosa ◽  
Neil Coupland ◽  
Clara Douglas ◽  
Ellen Harrison ◽  
Kelly M James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Fish Diversity ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Benthic Composition

Corals provide structure and food sources vital for the maintenance of coral reef fish diversity. However, coral reefs are currently under threat from climate change, which has led to the largest recorded loss of live coral. The loss of live coral, and corresponding shift in reef benthic composition, are predicted to impact the abundance and composition of coral reef fish species and communities. In this study, we investigate the effect of changes in reef benthic composition (eg. live coral, dead coral, algae), on the diversity and composition in an assemblage of butterflyfish species, in Faafu Atoll in the Maldives after the 2016 bleaching event. We show that differences in community composition of butterflyfish are associated to benthic structure, reflecting species feeding preferences. Interestingly, however, we also show that lower coral cover is not associated to lower abundance and species richness of butterflyfish. Our results suggest that maintenance of coral reef structure after a disturbance provides key microhabitats to accommodate non-corallivorous butterflyfish, thus maintaining abundance and species richness. Overall our study provides support for regulation of richness and abundance of coral reef fish assemblages to short term changes in coral reef benthic composition after disturbance via turnover in composition.

scholarly journals Benthic structure drives butterflyfish species composition and trophic group abundance

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Barbosa ◽  
Neil Coupland ◽  
Clara Douglas ◽  
Ellen Harrison ◽  
Kelly M James ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Fish Diversity ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Benthic Composition

Corals provide structure and food sources vital for the maintenance of coral reef fish diversity. However, coral reefs are currently under threat from climate change, which has led to the largest recorded loss of live coral. The loss of live coral, and corresponding shift in reef benthic composition, are predicted to impact the abundance and composition of coral reef fish species and communities. In this study, we investigate the effect of changes in reef benthic composition (eg. live coral, dead coral, algae), on the diversity and composition in an assemblage of butterflyfish species, in Faafu Atoll in the Maldives after the 2016 bleaching event. We show that differences in community composition of butterflyfish are associated to benthic structure, reflecting species feeding preferences. Interestingly, however, we also show that lower coral cover is not associated to lower abundance and species richness of butterflyfish. Our results suggest that maintenance of coral reef structure after a disturbance provides key microhabitats to accommodate non-corallivorous butterflyfish, thus maintaining abundance and species richness. Overall our study provides support for regulation of richness and abundance of coral reef fish assemblages to short term changes in coral reef benthic composition after disturbance via turnover in composition.

scholarly journals Keanekaragaman dan Biomassa Ikan Karang serta Keterkaitannya dengan Tutupan Karang Hidup di Perairan Manggis, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
I Made Raditya Putra ◽  
I Gusti Ngurah Putra Dirgayusa ◽  
Elok Faiqoh
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Living Coral ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Live Coral Cover

The existence of coral reef fish is closely related to the availability of coral reef resource as a habitat. Coral reef fish is a biota that has a fascination with a variety of color patterns and fascinating. Differences in coral cover conditions will affect the abundance of coral reef fish, especially those with strong linkages to living corals. This research was conducted in June - August 2017 by using line intercept transect (LIT) method for coral cover percentage and visual census method for biodiversity and biomass of coral reef fish with 3 research stations in Manggis waters, Karangasem. From the research results, it shows that the diversity index ranged between 2.54 - 2.70 which means the diversity of coral reef fish in the medium category and the stability of the community is in the medium. Furthermore, total biomass of coral reef fish ranged between 186,17 - 1692,08 kg / ha. The results stated that the percentage of live coral cover in Manggis waters ranged from 3.83% to 12.44% which means that live coral cover is categorized as bad. A very strong positive correlation between living coral conditions and coral reef fish biomass was 92.42%. Meanwhile, the relationship between living coral conditions and the diversity of coral reef fish had a strong positive correlation of 65.4%. The diversity of coral reef fish in waters is not only caused by live coral cover; however, it is caused by coral reef ecosystems that are associated in the bottom of the waters.

scholarly journals Temporal comparison and predictors of fish species abundance and richness on undisturbed coral reef patches

PeerJ ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. e1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena L.E.S. Wagner ◽  
Dominique G. Roche ◽  
Sandra A. Binning ◽  
Sharon Wismer ◽  
Redouan Bshary
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
Patch Size ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Live Coral Cover

Large disturbances can cause rapid degradation of coral reef communities, but what baseline changes in species assemblages occur on undisturbed reefs through time? We surveyed live coral cover, reef fish abundance and fish species richness in 1997 and again in 2007 on 47 fringing patch reefs of varying size and depth at Mersa Bareika, Ras Mohammed National Park, Egypt. No major human or natural disturbance event occurred between these two survey periods in this remote protected area. In the absence of large disturbances, we found that live coral cover, reef fish abundance and fish species richness did not differ in 1997 compared to 2007. Fish abundance and species richness on patches was largely related to the presence of shelters (caves and/or holes), live coral cover and patch size (volume). The presence of the ectoparasite-eating cleaner wrasse,Labroides dimidiatus, was also positively related to fish species richness. Our results underscore the importance of physical reef characteristics, such as patch size and shelter availability, in addition to biotic characteristics, such as live coral cover and cleaner wrasse abundance, in supporting reef fish species richness and abundance through time in a relatively undisturbed and understudied region.

Initial and mid-term impacts of cyclone Erica on coral reef fish communities and habitat in the South Lagoon Marine Park of New Caledonia

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
pp. 1229-1236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Wantiez ◽  
Olivier Chateau ◽  
Soazig Le Mouellic
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
New Caledonia ◽  
Fish Communities ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
The South ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Density And Biomass

The cyclone Erica (Class 5) hit the South Lagoon Marine Park of New Caledonia on 14 March 2003, in the midst of a survey conducted on coral reef fish and habitat of Larégnère and Crouy reefs. Such perturbation was exceptional for the area. Nine stations had already been sampled (8–11 March 2003) when the cyclone hit the reefs. These stations were sampled again just after the cyclone (23 March–15 April 2003) and 20 months later (14–16 November 2004). Erica had a significant initial impact on habitat characteristics. The fragile coral forms cover (branching, tubular and foliose) decreased significantly, resulting in a loss of habitat for the fish communities. Species richness and biomass of the commercial reef fish and the Chaetodontidae decreased just after Erica, but not the density. The species assemblage was modified on the stations with the lowest remaining live coral cover. The loss of shelter modified the behaviour of potential prey, which constituted unusual shoals and attracted predators. Twenty months after Erica, the habitat had not recovered and the broken coral colonies were transformed into rubble or colonized by algae. The nature of the mid-term impact on the fish communities was different and more significant than the initial impact. Species richness per station, density and biomass were significantly lower than before and just after Erica. This pattern was confirmed for all the main families, with the exception of Acanthuridae. A different fish assemblage was observed on all stations 20 months after Erica. Herbivorous species and benthic macro-invertebrate feeders associated with rubble replaced the coral associated species that characterized the assemblages before the cyclone. When a Class 5 cyclone affects an area where perturbations of such intensity are uncommon, its impact is immediate and the mid-term consequences are even more significant. A complete modification of the structure of the habitat and the fish assemblages is observed. The consecutive recovery should be a long process.

scholarly journals HUBUNGAN TUTUPAN BENTUK KARANG DENGAN KELIMPAHAN IKAN KARANG DI PERAIRAN PULAU CILIK TAMAN NASIONAL KARIMUNJAWA

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-252
Author(s):  
Lillah Gustilah ◽  
Anhar Solichin ◽  
Pujiono Wahyu Purnomo
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
National Park ◽  
Coral Cover ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Live Coral ◽  
Central Java ◽  
Live Coral Cover ◽  
Coral Reef Ecosystems

Pulau Cilik merupakan salah satu dari 27 Pulau yang membentuk kepulauan Karimunjawa, Jawa Tengah. Kondisi terumbu karang yang masih baik menjadikan Pulau Cilik sebagai salah satu objek wisata. Adanya kegiatan pariwisata dikhawatirkan dapat mengganggu kondisi ekosistem terumbu karang. Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui jenis dan perbedaan kelimpahan ikan antar kedalaman dan hubungan kerapatan bentuk karang dan kelimpahan ikan karang di berbagai tingkat kedalaman yang berbeda di Pulau Cilik Taman Nasional Karimunjawa, Jawa Tengah. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan September 2016 di perairan Pulau Cilik Taman Nasional Karimunjawa, Jawa Tengah. Metode penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian bersifat deskriptif. Pengamatan dilakukan pada 4 stasiun yaitu barat, selatan, utara dan timur Pulau Cilik terdapat 2 titik kedalaman titik 1 3 m dan 10 m, masing-masing dilakukan pengulangan pengamatan 2 kali. Pada setiap titik dilakukan pengukuran parameter fisika dan kimia air, pengamatan kondisi bentuk karang dan kelimpahan ikan. Analisis data meliputi indeks keanekaragaman, keseragaman dan perhitungan persentase tutupan karang hidup, karang mati, pasir dan pecahan karang. Data yang telah diperoleh selanjutnya dianalisa statistik dengan uji t, yaitu membandingkan kelimpahan ikan karang antara kedalaman 3 m dan 10 m serta membandingkan perbedaan hubungan antara bentuk karang dan ikan karang. Hasil Bentuk karang yang terdapat di Pulau Cilik yaitu bentuk karang keras dan kelimpahan ikan karang yang mendominasi adalah jenis ikan Pomacentridae. Hubungan kerapatan terumbu karang dengan kelimpahan ikan karang terdapat hubungan positif dengan nilai koefisien korelasi (R) sebesar 0,6861 pada kedalaman 3 m dan 10 m, Persentase tutupan terumbu karang hidup termasuk kategori baik (>50%). Cilik Island is one of 27 island that form the Karimunjawa islands, Central Java. The condition of coral reefs are still outstanding to make Cilik Island as one of tourist destinations. The existence of tourism activities is worried to disrupt the condition of coral reef ecosystems. The aim of this research is to recognise the types and differences of fish abundance between depth and the relation of coral cover density and abundance of reef fish at different level of depth in Cilik Island Karimunjawa National Park, Central Java. This research was conducted in September 2016 in the waters of Pulau Cilik Karimunjawa National Park, Central Java. The research method used in the research is descriptive method. The observations were conducted on 4 stations, they are west, south, north and east of Cilik Island has 2 points depth point of 3m and 10m,each of observation was reapeted twice. At each point, It was conducted the measurement on physical and chemical parameters of water, observation of coral cover condition and fish abundance. Analysis data included index of diversity, uniformity and calculation of percentage of live coral cover, dead corals, sand and coral fragments. The obtained data were then analyzed statistically with t-test, by comparing the abundance of reef fish between 3 m and 10 m of depth and comparing the differences between coral cover and reef fish. The results of coral shape found in Pulau Cilik is the form of hard corals and the abundance of reef fish that dominate is Pomacentridae fish species. The correlation of coral reef density with abundance of reef fish has positive correlation with correlation coefficient value (R) 0,6861 at depth of 3 m and 10 m. The percentage of live coral cover is good category (> 50%). 

scholarly journals Considering multiple-species attributes to understand better the effects of successive changes in protection status on a coral reef fish assemblage

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastien Preuss ◽  
Dominique Pelletier ◽  
Laurent Wantiez ◽  
Yves Letourneur ◽  
Sébastien Sarramégna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reef ◽  
Reef Fish ◽  
Coral Reef Fish ◽  
Fish Assemblage ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Adult Size ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Reef Fish Assemblage ◽  
Species Groups ◽  
Multiple Species

Abstract Preuss, B., Pelletier, D., Wantiez, L., Letourneur, Y., Sarramégna, S., Kulbicki, M., Galzin, R., and Ferraris, J. 2009. Considering multiple-species attributes to understand better the effects of successive changes in protection status on a coral reef fish assemblage. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 170–179. The response of fish assemblages to changes in protection status is a major issue for both biodiversity conservation and fishery management. In New Caledonia, the Aboré reef marine reserve harbours more than 500 fish species, and has been subjected to changes in protection status since 1988. The present study investigates the impact of these changes on a wide subset of species (213), based on underwater visual counts collected before the opening and after the closure to fishing of this marine protected area (MPA). We analysed the spatial and temporal variability in fish assemblage attributable to protection status, explicitly considering habitat. To understand the successive responses of fish assemblage to fishing and protection, the assessment models included four criteria defining species groups that partition the fish assemblage: trophic regime, adult size, mobility, and interest for fishing. We could therefore identify the negative impact of opening the MPA to fishing on piscivores and highly mobile species. Surprisingly, target species were not affected more than non-target species. Model results were used to identify species groups that respond to fishing and protection. These results utilize fisheries-related criteria to provide new insight into the response of fish assemblages to protection from the perspective of MPA monitoring.

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