Changes in mesophotic reef fish assemblages along depth and geographical gradients in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Fukunaga, Atsuko; Kosaki, Randall K.; Wagner, Daniel

doi:10.1007/s00338-017-1569-6

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…In all areas except Area 2, community analyses and spatial models indicated that average species richness (and abundance) was lower on the AC125 than in adjacent shallower sites off the AC125, and higher on the AC125 than in adjacent deeper sites off the AC125. These findings are consistent with patterns of decline in richness with increasing depth reported elsewhere across tropical marine taxa [ 1 , 11 , 79 – 81 ]. In Area 2, a greater number of species and individuals was observed on the AC125 than off the AC125, which is likely linked to its proximity to the biodiverse Rankin Bank.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Mesophotic fish communities of the ancient coastline in Western Australia

et al. 2021

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Marine diversity across the Australian continental shelf is shaped by characteristic benthic habitats which are determined by geomorphic features such as paleoshorelines. In north-western Australia there has been little attention on the fish communities that inhabit an ancient coastline at ~125 m depth (the designated AC125), which is specified as a key ecological feature (KEF) of the region and is thought to comprise hard substrate and support enhanced diversity. We investigated drivers of fish species richness and assemblage composition spanning six degrees of latitude along sections of the ancient coastline, categorised as ‘on’ and ‘off’ the AC125 based on depth, across a range of habitats and seafloor complexity (~60–180 m depth). While some surveyed sections of the AC125 had hard bottom substrate and supported enhanced fish diversity, including over half of the total species observed, species richness and abundance overall were not greater on the AC125 than immediately adjacent to the AC125. Instead, depth, seafloor complexity and habitat type explained patterns in richness and abundance, and structured fish assemblages at both local and broad spatial scales. Fewer fishes were associated with deep sites characterized by negligible complexity and soft-bottom habitats, in contrast to shallower depths that featured benthic biota and pockets of complex substrate. Drivers of abundance of common species were species-specific and primarily related to sampling Areas, depth and substrate. Fishes of the ancient coastline and adjacent habitats are representative of mesophotic fish communities of the region, included species important to fisheries and conservation, and several species were observed deeper than their currently known distribution. This study provides the first assessment of fish biodiversity associated with an ancient coastline feature, improving our understanding of the function it plays in regional spatial patterns in abundance of mesophotic fishes. Management decisions that incorporate the broader variety of depths and habitats surrounding the designated AC125 could enhance the ecological role of this KEF, contributing to effective conservation of fish biodiversity on Australia’s north west shelf.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Mesophotic fish communities of the ancient coastline in Western Australia

et al. 2021

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“…As nearshore sampling sites were shallower and offshore sites were deeper it was not possible to separate the influence of depth from distance to shore. Most studies found depth to be the primary predictor of species richness [48][49][50][51][52] . One of these studies did show that following depth, distance to shore was the next most significantly related variable to assemblage structure 49 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region

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Coetzee

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Understanding how fish associate with habitats across marine landscapes is crucial to developing effective marine spatial planning (MSP) in an expanding and diversifying ocean economy. Globally, anthropogenic pressures impact the barely understood temperate mesophotic ecosystems and South Africa’s remote Amathole shelf is no exception. The Kei and East London region encompass three coastal marine protected areas (MPAs), two of which were recently extended to the shelf-edge. The strong Agulhas current (exceeding 3 m/s), which runs along the narrow shelf exacerbates sampling challenges. For the first time, a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveyed fish and their associated habitats across the shelf. Results indicated fish assemblages differed between the two principle sampling areas, and across the shelf. The number of distinct fish assemblages was higher inshore and on the shelf-edge, relative to the mid-shelf. However, the mid-shelf had the highest species richness. Unique visuals of rare Rhinobatos ocellatus (Speckled guitarfish) and shoaling Polyprion americanus (wreckfish) were collected. Visual evidence of rhodolith beds, deep-water lace corals and critically endangered endemic seabreams were ecologically important observations. The ROV enabled in situ sampling without damaging sensitive habitats or extracting fish. This study provided information that supported the Amathole MPA expansions, which extended protection from the coast to beyond the shelf-edge and will guide their management. The data gathered provides baseline information for future benthopelagic fish and habitat monitoring in these new MPAs.

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“…Similarly, several studies have found that lower MCEs (∼60-150 m) also support fish assemblages distinct from upper MCEs and shallower habitats (Kahng et al, 2017;Semmler et al, 2017;Sih et al, 2017), suggesting even greater partitioning than previously thought. These assemblages are typified by the increased occurrence of endemic or undescribed species with increasing depth (Kane et al, 2014;Fukunaga et al, 2017;Kosaki et al, 2017) and thus warrant sustainable management and conservation in themselves. With a few exceptions (Colin, 1976;Thresher and Colin, 1986;Love et al, 2009;Starr et al, 2012;Sih et al, 2017), less is known about assemblages in deeper habitats (>150 m) from tropical and sub-tropical locations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depth-Dependent Structuring of Reef Fish Assemblages From the Shallows to the Rariphotic Zone

et al. 2019

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Shallow coral reef ecosystems worldwide are affected by local and global anthropogenic stressors. Exploring fish assemblages on deeper reefs is therefore important to examine their connectivity, and to help understand the biodiversity, ecology, distinctiveness, evolutionary history and threats in this sparsely studied environment. Conducting visual surveys on the Bermuda slope and a nearby seamount at depths from 15 to 300 m, we document decreasing fish biomass and diversity with increasing depth. Fish assemblages were primarily depth-stratified, with distinct suites of species inhabiting shallow (<30 m depth) and upper (60 m) and lower (90 m) mesophotic coral ecosystems, and confirming the presence of a distinct rariphotic (∼150-300 m) assemblage. We also report evidence of anthropogenic pressures throughout our surveyed depths. Our results highlight the novelty of deeper reef fish faunas, therefore suggesting limited applicability of the deep reef refuge hypothesis, and showcase the vulnerability of deep reefs to targeted fishing pressure and invasive species.

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Changes in mesophotic reef fish assemblages along depth and geographical gradients in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Cited by 17 publications

References 28 publications

Mesophotic fish communities of the ancient coastline in Western Australia

Mesophotic fish communities of the ancient coastline in Western Australia

ROV assessment of mesophotic fish and associated habitats across the continental shelf of the Amathole region

Depth-Dependent Structuring of Reef Fish Assemblages From the Shallows to the Rariphotic Zone

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