Tiddy, I. C., Kaullysing, D., Bailey, D. M. , Killen, S. S. , Le Vin, A. and Bhagooli, R. (2023) Effects of territorial damselfish on corallivorous fish assemblage composition and coral predation in the Mauritian lagoon. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 569, 151960. (doi: 10.1016/j.jembe.2023.151960)
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Abstract
Predation is a significant stressor for many coral species. Understanding how predation interacts with factors such as climate change is key to coral conservation. Territorial damselfish of the genus Stegastes form territories on branching corals (genus Acropora) on which they cultivate algae, and while defending these territories, provide corals with indirect protection from predation. However, it is not known how the protection afforded by Stegastes spp. varies with corallivorous fish assemblage composition, nor whether corallivore assemblages themselves may be affected by the presence of Stegastes spp. and their associated Acropora spp. habitats. This study examined relationships among predation protection by Stegastes spp., branching Acropora coral cover, and the number and species richness of corallivorous fish present within a given area, namely the Mauritian lagoon in the western Indian Ocean. Predation on bleaching-resilient massive Porites lutea corals within and outside Stegastes territories was surveyed at sites around Mauritius island. Corallivorous fish assemblages, branching coral cover, and Stegastes spp. density were also surveyed at each site visit. Results show that high predation was correlated with the presence of high numbers of corallivores, but predation was lower within Stegastes spp. territories irrespective of all observed corallivore densities. Greater numbers of Stegastes spp. were correlated with increasing density of obligate corallivores. Non-Acroporid coral cover was positively correlated with species richness of obligate corallivores, while branching Acropora coral cover was negatively correlated with overall corallivore density. This study shows for the first time that predation on bleaching-resilient massive corals is lower within Stegastes spp. territories regardless of the number of corallivores present, adding to the growing body of knowledge on the complex relationships between Stegastes spp. and their environment. The findings also indicate possible effects of the presence of Stegastes spp. and their branching Acropora habitats on corallivorous fish density in areas with low coral diversity, which may warrant further study.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | RB is grateful to the University of Mauritius (R214 and RF002) and Higher Education Commission (T0721 and T0105) for research funds to study coral reefs. For funding to allow conference attendance, we are grateful to the University of Mauritius (Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies) and the University of Glasgow (School of Life Sciences). SSK was supported by Natural Environment Research Council Advanced Fellowship (NE/J019100/1) and European Research Council starting grant (640004). |
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Killen, Professor Shaun and Bailey, Dr David and Le Vin, Dr Ashley and Tiddy, Isabelle |
| Creator Roles: | Tiddy, I.Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing Bailey, D.Methodology, Formal analysis, Writing – review and editing, Supervision Killen, S.Formal analysis, Visualization, Writing – review and editing Le Vin, A.Methodology, Writing – review and editing, Supervision |
| Authors: | Tiddy, I. C., Kaullysing, D., Bailey, D. M., Killen, S. S., Le Vin, A., and Bhagooli, R. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| ISSN: | 0022-0981 |
| ISSN (Online): | 1879-1697 |
| Published Online: | 26 October 2023 |
| Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2023 The Authors |
| First Published: | First published in Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 569:151960 |
| Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons license |
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