Diets Shifts in Coral Reef Fishes in Response to Changes in Food Availability and Predator Density

Diets Shifts in Coral Reef Fishes in Response to Changes in Food Availability and Predator Density PDF Author: Elisabeth Gibson Cordner
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781303220401
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 59

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Book Description
Food availability and predation risk are the primary factors that influence an individual's diet composition. Reduced food availability will result in populations with broader diet breadths due to individual diet specialization. This effect can be enhanced when predators limit foraging movement of prey. Predators can also force prey to forage in lower-risk habitats. An opportunity for us to study these influences on fish diets in a natural system exists in coral reefs. The reefs of the Northern Line Islands vary in their predator biomass and the amount of food available to each trophic guild. To determine the effects of changing food availability and predator densities on the diets of fishes we quantified the diets of species from three trophic guilds from the Northern Line Islands. Populations experiencing higher predation pressure and/or lower food availability are expected to have wider diet breadths. Trends in diet breadth varied across species. The results do not offer a clear indication that fish are shifting their foraging habitats to be closer to reef refuges in response to increased predation pressure. So, changes in predator density and the amount of food available seem to influence shifts in diet breadth, but the influences vary across species. There are two factors that may also influence diets: habitat complexity and resource patchiness.

Interactions Between Predators, Diets, and the Gut Microbiome of Tropical Reef Fish

Interactions Between Predators, Diets, and the Gut Microbiome of Tropical Reef Fish PDF Author: Cassandra Harris
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781085636353
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 88

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Book Description
Chemosensory predator recognition is a vital component for the survival for coral reef fishes. However, rather than detecting species-specific predator cues, the use of diet generalization allows prey to respond to any potential predator. Behavioral studies have demonstrated that diet influences the perception of fish, with naturally herbivorous fish perceived as predators when fed a piscivorous diet. Host diet highly influences the community composition of the gut microbiome, so it may be possible that the gut microbiome is generating the chemical cues stimulating predator avoidance behavior. In this study, the diet of herbivorous or invertivorous coral reef fishes were manipulated to that of a piscivore, with natural piscivores used as a control. In between each trial, the fish were starved to clear their gut contents. As diets shifted, the behavioral response of prey anemonefish were examined and fecal matter was collected. When fed a natural diet, anemonefish showed indifference to the chemosensory cues of the herbivore and invertivore, but demonstrated avoidance behavior towards cues from all species fed a piscivorous diet. Fecal matter bacterial 16S rRNA genes were sequenced to identify changes in gut microbiome community as the diet changed. These results were not reliable due to the impact of starvation, so trials were repeated without starvation. Fish were fed for a minimum of 4 weeks with the exclusion of a starvation period when diets were transitioned prior to data collection. Our results revealed that as Yellow Tangs and Triggerfish were transitioned to a piscivorous diet, there was a significant increase in the abundance of Rhodobacterales. Trimethylamine (TMA) dehydrogenase was found in the gut microbiome of the 3 piscivorous diets from Yellow Tangs, Triggerfish, and Hawkfish. These enzymes are found in the genera Ruegeria and Leisingera that belong to Rhodobacterales. The data suggests that Rhodobacterales could be the bacteria that contributes to the changes in chemical cues when switched to a piscivorous diet. The oxidized version of TMA, TMAO, is known as a biomarker for seafood consumption in higher animals, and may possibly contribute to the chemical cue for fish that alerts prey of nearby predators, but much more research has to be done to validate this theory.

The Influence of Food and Shelter on Density-dependent Processes in Coral Reef Fishes

The Influence of Food and Shelter on Density-dependent Processes in Coral Reef Fishes PDF Author: Jameal F. Samhouri
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 286

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Coral Reef Fishes

Coral Reef Fishes PDF Author: Peter F. Sale
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0126151857
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 567

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Book Description
The Encyclopedia of Insects is a comprehensive work devoted to all aspects of insects, including their anatomy, physiology, evolution, behavior, reproduction, ecology, and disease, as well as issues of exploitation, conservation, and management. Articles provide definitive facts about all insects from aphids, beetles and butterflies to weevils and yellowjackets. Insects are beautiful and dreadful, ravenous pests and devastating disease vectors, resilient and resistant to eradication, and the source of great benefit and great loss for civilization. Important for ecosystem health, they have infl.

Ocean Acidification

Ocean Acidification PDF Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030916155X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 200

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Book Description
The ocean has absorbed a significant portion of all human-made carbon dioxide emissions. This benefits human society by moderating the rate of climate change, but also causes unprecedented changes to ocean chemistry. Carbon dioxide taken up by the ocean decreases the pH of the water and leads to a suite of chemical changes collectively known as ocean acidification. The long term consequences of ocean acidification are not known, but are expected to result in changes to many ecosystems and the services they provide to society. Ocean Acidification: A National Strategy to Meet the Challenges of a Changing Ocean reviews the current state of knowledge, explores gaps in understanding, and identifies several key findings. Like climate change, ocean acidification is a growing global problem that will intensify with continued CO2 emissions and has the potential to change marine ecosystems and affect benefits to society. The federal government has taken positive initial steps by developing a national ocean acidification program, but more information is needed to fully understand and address the threat that ocean acidification may pose to marine ecosystems and the services they provide. In addition, a global observation network of chemical and biological sensors is needed to monitor changes in ocean conditions attributable to acidification.

The Ecology of Fishes on Coral Reefs

The Ecology of Fishes on Coral Reefs PDF Author: Peter F. Sale
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0080925510
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 773

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Book Description
This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the ecology of coral reef fishes presented by top researchers from North America and Australia. Immense strides have been made over the past twenty years in our understanding of ecological systems in general and of reef fish ecology in particular. Many of the methodologies that reef fish ecologists use in their studies will be useful to a wider audience of ecologists for the design of their ecological studies. Significant among the impacts of the research on reef fish ecology are the development of nonequilibrium models of community organization, more emphasis on the role of recruitment variability in structuring local assemblages, the development and testing of evolutionary models of social organization and reproductive biology, and new insights into predator-prey and plant-herbivore interactions.

The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef PDF Author: Pat Hutchings
Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING
ISBN: 0643099972
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 396

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Book Description
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is 344 400 square kilometres in size and is home to one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. This comprehensive guide describes the organisms and ecosystems of the Great Barrier Reef, as well as the biological, chemical and physical processes that influence them. Contemporary pressing issues such as climate change, coral bleaching, coral disease and the challenges of coral reef fisheries are also discussed. In addition,the book includes a field guide that will help people to identify the common animals and plants on the reef, then to delve into the book to learn more about the roles the biota play. Beautifully illustrated and with contributions from 33 international experts, The Great Barrier Reef is a must-read for the interested reef tourist, student, researcher and environmental manager. While it has an Australian focus, it can equally be used as a baseline text for most Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Winner of a Whitley Certificate of Commendation for 2009.

The Diversity of Fishes

The Diversity of Fishes PDF Author: Douglas E. Facey
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1119341833
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 724

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Book Description
THE DIVERSITY OF FISHES The third edition of The Diversity of Fishes is a major revision of the widely adopted ichthyology textbook, incorporating the latest advances in the biology of fishes and covering taxonomy, anatomy, physiology, biogeography, ecology, and behavior. Key information on the evolution of various fishes is also presented, providing expansive and conclusive coverage on all key topics pertaining to the field. To aid in reader comprehension, each chapter begins with a summary that provides a broad overview of the content of that chapter, which may be particularly useful for those using the text for a course who don’t intend to address every chapter in detail. Detailed color photographs throughout the book demonstrate just some of the diversity and beauty of fishes that attract many to the field. A companion website provides related videos selected by the authors, instructor resources, and additional references and websites for further reading. Sample topics covered and learning resources included in The Diversity of Fishes are as follows: How molecular genetics has transformed many aspects of ichthyology The close relationship between structure and function, including adaptations to special environments Many physical and behavioral adaptations reflecting the fact that many fishes are both predators and prey Fish interactions with other species within fish assemblages and broader communities, plus their impacts on ecosystems Global maps that more accurately represent the comparative sizes of oceans and land masses than maps used in prior editions For students, instructors, and individuals with an interest in ichthyology, The Diversity of Fishes is an all-in-one introductory resource to the field, presenting vast opportunities for learning, many additional resources to aid in information retention, and helpful recommendations on where to go to explore specific topics further.

Calico Scallop Fishery and Sargassum Habitat Fishery

Calico Scallop Fishery and Sargassum Habitat Fishery PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 814

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The Importance of Behavior in the Recruitment of Marine Fauna and Flora

The Importance of Behavior in the Recruitment of Marine Fauna and Flora PDF Author: Claire Beatrix Paris
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889635015
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 131

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Book Description