Influence of Palythoa caribaeorum (Anthozoa, Cnidaria) zonation on site-attached reef fishes

Mendonça-Neto, José P.; Ferreira, Carlos E. L.; Chaves, Laís C.T.; Pereira, Renato Crespo

doi:10.1590/s0001-37652008000300010

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 71 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…In contrast with our results on subtropical Brazilian rocky shores Mendonça-Neto et al [ 84 ] found that over patches with a dominance of the zoantharian Palythoa caribaeorum (~70% of benthic cover) the richness and abundance of fishes were higher than over patches with low zoantharian cover (~10%). According to Ferreira et al [ 51 ] P .…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…caribaeorum is found in shallower zones of these environments, which characteristically have crevices and are therefore considered to be areas of greater structural complexity. The fish richness found by Mendonça-Neto et al [ 84 ] may in fact be associated with benthic complexity rather than being directly related with zoantharian coverage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effect of Phase Shift from Corals to Zoantharia on Reef Fish Assemblages

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Consequences of reef phase shifts on fish communities remain poorly understood. Studies on the causes, effects and consequences of phase shifts on reef fish communities have only been considered for coral-to-macroalgae shifts. Therefore, there is a large information gap regarding the consequences of novel phase shifts and how these kinds of phase shifts impact on fish assemblages. This study aimed to compare the fish assemblages on reefs under normal conditions (relatively high cover of corals) to those which have shifted to a dominance of the zoantharian Palythoa cf. variabilis on coral reefs in Todos os Santos Bay (TSB), Brazilian eastern coast. We examined eight reefs, where we estimated cover of corals and P. cf. variabilis and coral reef fish richness, abundance and body size. Fish richness differed significantly between normal reefs (48 species) and phase-shift reefs (38 species), a 20% reduction in species. However there was no difference in fish abundance between normal and phase shift reefs. One fish species, Chaetodon striatus, was significantly less abundant on normal reefs. The differences in fish assemblages between different reef phases was due to differences in trophic groups of fish; on normal reefs carnivorous fishes were more abundant, while on phase shift reefs mobile invertivores dominated.

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Effect of Phase Shift from Corals to Zoantharia on Reef Fish Assemblages

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This species is an aggressive competitor for space, killing or inhibiting the growth of nearly all other sessile reef invertebrates, including corals [69], thus playing important roles in reef community processes [70]. The negative relationship between cover of P. caribaeorum and that of crustose calcareous algae suggests competition between these organisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[38] suggested that sedimentation levels may mediate competition between P. caribaeorum and scleractinians, with high sedimentation levels favoring the former. Sedimentation, desiccation and predation levels are some of the environmental and ecological drivers that may influence P. caribaeorum abundance [70]–[72], but detailed experimental studies are still needed in order to understand factors affecting abundance and competitive capabilities of P. caribaeorum in the Abrolhos Bank and elsewhere.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of Coral Reef Benthic Assemblages of the Abrolhos Bank, Eastern Brazil: Inferences on Natural and Anthropogenic Drivers

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Abrolhos Bank (eastern Brazil) encompasses the largest and richest coral reefs of the South Atlantic. Coral reef benthic assemblages of the region were monitored from 2003 to 2008. Two habitats (pinnacles' tops and walls) were sampled per site with 3–10 sites sampled within different reef areas. Different methodologies were applied in two distinct sampling periods: 2003–2005 and 2006–2008. Spatial coverage and taxonomic resolution were lower in the former than in the latter period. Benthic assemblages differed markedly in the smallest spatial scale, with greater differences recorded between habitats. Management regimes and biomass of fish functional groups (roving and territorial herbivores) had minor influences on benthic assemblages. These results suggest that local environmental factors such as light, depth and substrate inclination exert a stronger influence on the structure of benthic assemblages than protection from fishing. Reef walls of unprotected coastal reefs showed highest coral cover values, with a major contribution of Montastraea cavernosa (a sediment resistant species that may benefit from low light levels). An overall negative relationship between fleshy macroalgae and slow-growing reef-building organisms (i.e. scleractinians and crustose calcareous algae) was recorded, suggesting competition between these organisms. The opposite trend (i.e. positive relationships) was recorded for turf algae and the two reef-building organisms, suggesting beneficial interactions and/or co-occurrence mediated by unexplored factors. Turf algae cover increased across the region between 2006 and 2008, while scleractinian cover showed no change. The need of a continued and standardized monitoring program, aimed at understanding drivers of change in community patterns, as well as to subsidize sound adaptive conservation and management measures, is highlighted.

show abstract

“…Another group was formed by C. glaucofraenum, E. signifer and P. marmoreus , species that at least in some sites, showed higher densities at deeper depths (10 m). For C. glaucofraenum the presence of rock–sand interface in deeper areas may be the explanation, because it is the preferred habitat of this species (Mendonça‐Neto et al , 2008). Emblemariopsis signifer is generally found below 6–10 m elsewhere in Brazilian rocky reefs (pers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cryptobenthic reef fishes: depth distribution and correlations with habitat complexity and sea urchins

Dalben

Floeter

2012

Journal of Fish Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this study, cryptobenthic fish depth patterns and their correlations with habitat complexity and sea urchin densities were investigated. In general, total density, species richness and diversity were higher in the shallower zones (3 m), while evenness was higher at the 10 m depth zone. Among sites, species density was similar at the 10 m zone, but at the 3 m zone it varied greatly. Species-specific depth preferences were found. Correlation between species density and habitat complexity was usually positive. The influence of sea urchin densities on the cryptobenthic fish assemblage was site and species dependent.

show abstract

Influence of Palythoa caribaeorum (Anthozoa, Cnidaria) zonation on site-attached reef fishes

Cited by 19 publications

References 71 publications

Effect of Phase Shift from Corals to Zoantharia on Reef Fish Assemblages

Effect of Phase Shift from Corals to Zoantharia on Reef Fish Assemblages

Dynamics of Coral Reef Benthic Assemblages of the Abrolhos Bank, Eastern Brazil: Inferences on Natural and Anthropogenic Drivers

Cryptobenthic reef fishes: depth distribution and correlations with habitat complexity and sea urchins

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About