Prevalence of pelagic dependence among coral reef predators across an atoll seascape

Skinner, C., Newman, S. P., Mill, A. C., Newton, J. and Polunin, N. V.C. (2019) Prevalence of pelagic dependence among coral reef predators across an atoll seascape. Journal of Animal Ecology, 88(10), pp. 1564-1574. (doi: 10.1111/1365-2656.13056) (PMID:31264204) (PMCID:PMC6852557)

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Abstract

1)Coral reef food webs are complex, vary spatially and remain poorly understood. Certain large predators, notably sharks, are subsidised by pelagic production on outer reef slopes, but how widespread this dependence is across all teleost fishery target species and within atolls is unclear. 2)North Malé Atoll (Maldives) includes oceanic barrier as well as lagoonal reefs. Nine fishery target predators constituting ca. 55% of the local fishery target species biomass at assumed trophic levels 3‐5 were selected for analysis. Data were derived from carbon (δ13C), nitrogen (δ15N) and sulfur (δ34S) stable isotopes from predator white dorsal muscle samples, and primary consumer species representing production source end‐members. 3)Three‐source Bayesian stable isotope mixing models showed that uptake of pelagic production extends throughout the atoll, with predatory fishes showing equal planktonic reliance between inner and outer edge reefs. Median plankton contribution was 65‐80% for all groupers and 68‐88% for an emperor, a jack and snappers. 4)Lagoonal and atoll edge predators are equally at risk from anthropogenic and climate‐induced changes which may impact the linkages they construct, highlighting the need for management plans that transcend the boundaries of this threatened ecosystem.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Sample analysis funding was provided by NERC LSMSF Grant EK266-02/16. CS was supported by a Newcastle University SAgE DTA studentship and a cooperative agreement with Banyan Tree.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Newton, Dr Jason
Authors: Skinner, C., Newman, S. P., Mill, A. C., Newton, J., and Polunin, N. V.C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Journal of Animal Ecology
Publisher:Blackwell Publishing
ISSN:0021-8790
ISSN (Online):1365-2656
Published Online:02 July 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Animal Ecology 88(10)1564-1574
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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