Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20441
Title: Low-quality sediments deter grazing by the parrotfish 'Scarus rivulatus' on inner-shelf reefs
Contributor(s): Gordon, Sophie E (author); Goatley, Christopher  (author)orcid ; Bellwood, David R (author)
Publication Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1007/s00338-015-1374-z
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/20441
Abstract: Elevated sediment loads in the epilithic algal matrix (EAM) deter grazing by herbivorous fishes and may compromise their critical roles on coral reefs. However, the properties of sediments that drive herbivore deterrence are unknown. Binary choice trials in aquaria were used to examine the effects of three sediment attributes-sediment source, grain size and organic load-on grazing by the abundant inner-shelf parrotfish, Scarus rivulatus. Fish were presented with a choice between EAM-covered rocks treated with (a) terrigenous or reefal sediments, (b) fine or coarse sediments or (c) sediments with high or low organic loads. Scarus rivulatus did not show a preference for sediments from different sources (terrigenous vs. reefal); however, a clear preference was evident for fine-grained sediments over coarse (109 % more bites) and sediments with high organic loads over low (147 % more bites). The avoidance of coarse sediments is likely to be a key factor driving the inhibition of grazing on mid-shelf reefs, which are dominated by coarse sediments. In contrast, on innershelf reefs, grazing by parrotfishes may be deterred primarily by high sediment loads, which reduce the proportional organic content in EAM sediments. Our study highlights the potential impact of sediments on critical ecological processes and the threats posed by changing sediment loads on inner-shelf reefs.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Coral Reefs, 35(1), p. 285-291
Publisher: Springer
Place of Publication: Germany
ISSN: 1432-0975
0722-4028
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 060801 Animal Behaviour
050102 Ecosystem Function
060205 Marine and Estuarine Ecology (incl. Marine Ichthyology)
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 310901 Animal behaviour
410203 Ecosystem function
310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology)
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity
960507 Ecosystem Assessment and Management of Marine Environments
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 180504 Marine biodiversity
180601 Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article

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