Additive Diversity Partitioning of Fish in a Caribbean Coral Reef Undergoing Shift Transition

Acosta‐González, Gilberto; Rodríguez‐Zaragoza, Fabián Alejandro; Hernández-Landa, Roberto C.; Arias‐González, Jesús Ernesto

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0065665

Cited by 41 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…Habitat differences in coral cover and complexity [72,73] as well as variation in depth [72] or wave exposure [74] could generate differentiation in species composition among sites. Other factors such as pollution [75], coral-reef phase shift [76] and fisheries could also affect β-diversity [28]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Additive Partitioning of Coral Reef Fish Diversity across Hierarchical Spatial Scales throughout the Caribbean

Francisco

Arias‐González

2013

PLoS ONE

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There is an increasing need to examine regional patterns of diversity in coral-reef systems since their biodiversity is declining globally. In this sense, additive partitioning might be useful since it quantifies the contribution of alpha and beta to total diversity across different scales. We applied this approach using an unbalanced design across four hierarchical scales (80 sites, 22 subregions, six ecoregions, and the Caribbean basin). Reef-fish species were compiled from the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) database and distributions were confirmed with published data. Permutation tests were used to compare observed values to those expected by chance. The primary objective was to identify patterns of reef-fish diversity across multiple spatial scales under different scenarios, examining factors such as fisheries and demographic connectivity. Total diversity at the Caribbean scale was attributed to β-diversity (nearly 62% of the species), with the highest β-diversity at the site scale. α¯-diversity was higher than expected by chance in all scenarios and at all studied scales. This suggests that fish assemblages are more homogenous than expected, particularly at the ecoregion scale. Within each ecoregion, diversity was mainly attributed to alpha, except for the Southern ecoregion where there was a greater difference in species among sites. β-components were lower than expected in all ecoregions, indicating that fishes within each ecoregion are a subsample of the same species pool. The scenario involving the effects of fisheries showed a shift in dominance for β-diversity from regions to subregions, with no major changes to the diversity patterns. In contrast, demographic connectivity partially explained the diversity pattern. β-components were low within connectivity regions and higher than expected by chance when comparing between them. Our results highlight the importance of ecoregions as a spatial scale to conserve local and regional coral reef-fish diversity.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Additive Partitioning of Coral Reef Fish Diversity across Hierarchical Spatial Scales throughout the Caribbean

Francisco

Arias‐González

2013

PLoS ONE

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“…Furthermore, the ecological studies in this sector have increased in recent decades, particularly, in the community structure of different biological assemblages (e.g. Núñez-Lara et al, 2005;Reyes-Bonilla et al, 2014), the contribution of alpha, beta and gamma diversity of reef fish Rodríguez-Zaragoza and Arias-González, 2008), key ecological drivers (Arias-González et al, 2011), the effects of biodiversity loss (Acosta-González et al, 2013), reef architectural complexity assessments (Alvarez-Filip et al, 2011), and trophic functioning (e.g., Arias-González et al, 2004;Alva-Basurto and Arias-González, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coral biodiversity and bio-construction in the northern sector of the mesoamerican reef system

Rodríguez‐Zaragoza

Arias‐González

2015

Front. Mar. Sci.

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As the impact of anthropogenic activity and climate change continue to accelerate rates of degradation on Caribbean coral reefs, conservation and restoration faces greater challenges. At this stage, it is of particular importance in coral reefs to recognize and to understand the structural spatial patterns of benthic assemblages. We developed a field-based framework of a Caribbean reefscape benthic structure by using hermatypic corals as an indicator group of global biodiversity and bio-construction patterns in 11 reefs of the northern sector of the mesoamerican barrier reef system (nsMBRS). Four hundred and seventy four video-transects (50 m long by 0.4 m wide) were performed throughout a gradient of reef complexity from north to south (∼400 km) to identify coral species, families and ensembles of corals. Composition and abundance of species, families and ensembles showed differences among reefs. In the northern zone, the reefs had shallow, partial reef developments with low diversities, dominated by Acropora palmata, Siderastrea spp., Pseudodiploria strigosa, and Agaricia tenuifolia. In the central and southern zones, reefs presented extensive developments, high habitat heterogeneity, and the greatest diversity and dominance of Orbicella annularis and Orbicella faveolata. These two species determined the structure and diversity of corals in the central and southern zones of the nsMBRS and their bio-construction in these zones is unique in the Caribbean. Their abundance and distribution depended on the reef habitat area, topographic complexity and species richness. Orbicella species complex were crucial for maintaining the biodiversity and bio-construction of the central and southern zones while A. palmata in the northern zones of the nsMBRS.

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“…A total of 197 species are currently known for Clipperton Atoll, while a total of 76 have been seen in situ during several field samplings (Fourriére et al 2014). Several authors have pointed to a bottom-up causal relationship between the reefscape and fish species, suggesting that a high LCC and high coral species richness can support more fish species at higher abundances (Chabanet et al 1997, Arias-González et al 2011, Acosta-González et al 2013. The LCC at Clipperton Atoll is high, but with a low coral species richness (Glynn et al 1996, Salvat et al 1998, and this is likely to be reflected in the low fish species richness and diversity found.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rodríguez-Zaragoza et al 2011, Alvarez-Filip et al 2011, Rodríguez-Zaragoza and Arias-González 2015. In particular, some authors consider that a strong relationship exists between fish fauna and corals in terms of live coral cover (LCC), such that increased variation in coral species can support high abundance and richness in fish assemblages (Adjeroud et al 1998, Arias-González et al 2008, Acosta-González et al 2013. However, this relationship has not been found in other studies (Roberts andOrmond 1987, Dominici-Arosemena andWolff 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Ricart¹,

Rodríguez‐Zaragoza

González‐Salas

et al. 2016

Sci. Mar.

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Summary: 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.Keywords: species-habitat interaction; reef fish diversity; spatial variation; habitat structure. Comunidades de peces del atolón de Clipperton (Pacífico oriental tropical) y su relación con la cobertura de coralesResumen: El atolón de Clipperton, uno de los arrecifes de coral más aislados del mundo, presenta un gran interés científico por su geomorfología y endemismo. Este estudio analizó la estructura de las comunidades de peces de arrecife de este atolón y su relación con la cobertura de coral vivo. Para ello se muestrearon nueve estaciones alrededor del arrecife en tres sitios a tres profundidades (6, 12, 20 m), registrando, la riqueza y biomasa de peces, así como la cobertura de coral hermatípico a nivel de género. Se evaluó la variación de la riqueza, biomasa y diversidad de peces entre sitios y profundidades, así como la relación de la composición y biomasa de peces con la cobertura de coral vivo. Los resultados mostraron que la riqueza y biomasa fueron similares entre los sitios, pero diferentes entre profundidades, ya que incrementan con la profundidad. En contraste, la diversidad difirió entre sitios pero no entre profundidades. Los análisis multidimensionales indicaron que la comunidad de peces fue diferente entre sitios y profundidades, relacionándolo con la cobertura de coral de los géneros Pocillopora, Porites, Pavona y Leptoseris, que dominan a distinta profundidad. Los resultados evidenciaron una baja riqueza y diversidad de peces arrecifales en el atolón de Clipperton. En arrecifes de coral aislados, con baja heterogeneidad de hábitats y po...

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Additive Diversity Partitioning of Fish in a Caribbean Coral Reef Undergoing Shift Transition

Cited by 41 publications

References 75 publications

Additive Partitioning of Coral Reef Fish Diversity across Hierarchical Spatial Scales throughout the Caribbean

Additive Partitioning of Coral Reef Fish Diversity across Hierarchical Spatial Scales throughout the Caribbean

Coral biodiversity and bio-construction in the northern sector of the mesoamerican reef system

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

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