Benthic structure drives butterflyfish species composition and trophic group abundance

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.

Download Full-text

Benthic structure drives butterflyfish species composition and trophic group abundance

10.7287/peerj.preprints.27491 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

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

Scientia Marina ◽

10.3989/scimar.04301.12b ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 80 (4) ◽

pp. 479 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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.

Download Full-text

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

Journal of Marine and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.24843/jmas.2019.v05.i02.p02 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

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

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315406014238 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 86 (5) ◽

pp. 1229-1236 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

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.

Download Full-text

Diversity of coral reef fish assemblages: Modelling of the species richness spectra from multi-scale environmental variables in the Tuamotu Archipelago (French Polynesia)

Ecological Modelling ◽

10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.05.012 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 198 (3-4) ◽

pp. 409-425 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

C. Mellin ◽

J. Ferraris ◽

R. Galzin ◽

M. Kulbicki ◽

D. Ponton

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Coral Reef ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Coral Reef Fish ◽

Environmental Variables ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

French Polynesia ◽

Multi Scale ◽

Tuamotu Archipelago

Download Full-text

An assessment of small islands coral cover and coral-reef fish diversity at Oba Sub-district, Halmahera Island

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/890/1/012060 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 890 (1) ◽

pp. 012060

Author(s):

F Ismail ◽

N Akbar ◽

I Tahir ◽

R E Paembonan ◽

I Marus ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Coral Growth ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Fish Diversity ◽

Live Coral ◽

Small Islands ◽

Study Results ◽

High Diversity

Abstract Study on the percentage of coral cover four small islands of Oba Sub-district, Halmahera Island of North Maluku Utara Province was carried out in April 2021.The four small islands of Oba Sub-district studied are Woda Island, Raja Island, Tamin Island, and Guratu Island. The study applied systematic sampling method that included collecting coral reef data using UPT (Underwater Photo Transect) method and coral fish data collection using visual census method. Study results showed that live coral coverage of reefs on the four small islands of Oba Sub-district had the highest value of 5.415% and the lowest value of 4.29%. There was positive relationship between coral growth form diversity and fish diversity. High diversity of coral growth forms was significantly related to high diversity of target reef fish.

Download Full-text

Impact of marine protected areas on economical important coral reef fish communities: An evaluation of the biological monitoring of coral reef fish in Anambas Islands, Indonesia

Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity ◽

10.13057/biodiv/d221006 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (10) ◽

Author(s):

RISANDI DWIRAMA PUTRA ◽

RIKOH MANOGAR SIRINGIRINGO ◽

Ani Suryanti ◽

NI WAYAN PURNAMA SARI ◽

MUIN SINAGA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Biological Monitoring ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Marine Protected Areas ◽

Coral Reef Fish ◽

Coral Cover ◽

Fish Diversity ◽

The Impact ◽

Destructive Fishing

Abstract. Putra RD, Siringiringo RM, Suryanti A, Sari NWP, Sinaga M, Hidayati NV, Hukom FD, Abrar M, Makatipu PC, Sianturi R, Ilham Y. 2021. Impact of marine protected areas on economical important coral reef fish communities: An evaluation of the biological monitoring of coral reef fish in Anambas Islands, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 4169-4181. The use of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is the core strategy to reduce the impact of the anthropogenic stressor on marine fisheries, especially in reducing the overexploitation of fisheries resources and destructive fishing in which this plays a significant role in the conservation of marine biodiversity and populations. We conducted a study over 4 years to evaluate and assess the impact of MPAs on economically important reef fish in the Anambas Islands. We compared density, size, biomass, and diversity indices from the seven families of coral reef fish (Acanthuridae, Haemulidae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae, Scaridae, Siganidae, and Serranidae) using Underwater Visual Census (UVC) with a total of 12 MPAs stations (70-m transect). Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to evaluate and assess reserve protection on the coral reef fish, and several ecological indices were used to compare the potential change of economically coral reef fish diversity. We also measured the rate of change in coral cover to identify the effectiveness of the MPAs. After 4 years of studies, our result showed that there was an increase of economical reefs. Fish diversity, density, and biomass increased by 244%, 257%, and 179% respectively. There was no significant difference in the rate of coral cover change among MPAs stations. Economical coral reef fish in Anambas Islands were restored in marine reserve overtimes after fisheries restriction protection, but this does not change the rate of coral cover through time. In addition, the government managed and increased community awareness that significantly influenced decreasing destructive fishing practices and overexploited reef fish species in Anambas Islands but no change in coral cover. The MPAs environmental condition and natural disturbance, including thermal stress and high sedimentation, play a key role in coral cover recovery besides fisheries restriction in the MPAs area.

Download Full-text

Reef fish

10.1093/oso/9780198787341.003.0006 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Charles R. C. Sheppard ◽

Simon K. Davy ◽

Graham M. Pilling ◽

Nicholas A. J. Graham

Keyword(s):

Coral Reef ◽

Reef Fish ◽

Coral Reef Fish ◽

Fish Assemblages ◽

Habitat Degradation ◽

Larval Fish ◽

Feeding Habits ◽

Age And Growth ◽

Fish Diversity ◽

Wide Range

This chapter discusses factors that have led to reef fish diversity. Geographic drivers for fish diversity, ranging from global historical events to local-scale drivers, are examined. Age and growth in reef fish are explored, followed by larval fish ecology. Colour diversity in modern reef fish is examined, along with mechanisms that have developed to enhance feeding success or predation avoidance. Different ecological feeding niches of coral reef fish are described and examples are given to illustrate the wide range of feeding mechanisms. The science around the abundance, biomass and trophic interactions of reef fish assemblages is examined. The range of fish feeding habits is detailed and functional roles of fish explored. Finally, the implications of changes in the reef fish community through fishing and habitat degradation are examined, highlighting the cascade effect of impacts on reefs, and how the influences of different disturbances interact to influence coral reef fish.

Download Full-text

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

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.1459 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. e1459 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

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.

Download Full-text