Coral reef fish association with macroalgal beds on a tropical reef system in North-eastern Brazil

Abstract

Macroalgal beds are recognised for their role as nursery and feeding grounds for several marine species. This study was conducted in the Tamandaré reef complex within the limits of the Costa dos Corais Marine Protected Area (MPA), North-eastern Brazil. The macroalgal bed studied is subjected to several disturbances, especially from tourism. The reef fish were assessed with free dives during the day and night using visual censuses within transects (20 × 2 m) and random swims. The percentage algal cover was estimated using quadrats (40 cm2). The behavioural traits of the fish also provided an understanding of their habitat use. In total, 68 fish species were recorded. The most abundant species were representatives of the families Labridae, Pomacentridae, Acanthuridae and Haemulidae. Sargassum polyceratium, Dictyopteris delicatula and Canistrocarpus cervicornis were the most abundant macroalgae. Because the most abundant fish trophic guild included primarily mobile invertebrate feeders (41.8%) and carnivores (28.4%), it is suggested that the high-canopy macroalgae harbour epiphytic invertebrates, which these fish use for food. Thereby, the study area would act as important nursery and feeding grounds. Tourism activity (e.g. laying chairs, trampling and anchoring) may disrupt fish behaviour and life- history traits and result in damage that would require mitigation through environmental awareness and law enforcement in the most affected areas.

Ontogenetic diet changes and food partitioning of Haemulon spp. coral reef fishes, with a review of the genus diet

“…In addition, juvenile Haemulon spp. are one of the most abundant reef fish that are associated with the macroalgal beds in the reef complex of the present study (Chaves et al 2013), using these areas as nursery and feeding grounds. Although all species preyed upon similar prey types, the proportion of each prey type in the diet differed significantly among grunt species.…”

Follower fish of the goldspotted eel Myrichthys ocellatus with a review on anguilliform fish as nuclear species

“…These features promote M. ocellatus as a potential nuclear species even for small reef fish such as verified herein as also mentioned elsewhere [13,20]. M. ocellatus is distributed throughout the Atlantic ocean [21] and it is common in Brazilian shallow waters [17,18,22]. Given its abundance and its role as nuclear, the species is suggested to have a relevant functional role in the trophic ecology of reef fish through the facilitation of food access and an increase in Table 2 Frequency of interactions among follower fish of Myrichthys ocellatus in Arraial do Cabo, Brazil…”

“Swallowing it all” – Extreme ingestion capability of juvenile reef fish

“…Juveniles are more abundant associated with macroalgal beds (Chaves et al 2013); in contrast adults are common in deeper waters connected with coral reefs (author personal observation). Therefore, these habitat use modification according to ontogeny can also be relevant for E.…”

“…These macroalgae beds are mainly composed by Sargassum polyceratium, Dictyopteris delicatula and Canistrocarpus cervicornis and are recognised nursery and feeding grounds for different reef fishes (Chaves et al 2013). The observation was performed by snorkelling during the morning (09:00 --11:00) in depth average of 2 m.…”