Marine dock pilings foster diverse, native cryptobenthic fish assemblages across bioregions

Brandl, Simon J.; Casey, Jordan M.; Knowlton­, Nancy­; Duffy, J. Emmett

doi:10.1002/ece3.3288

Cited by 21 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 61 publications

(103 reference statements)

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“…The highest reported average species densities of CRFs are 12.98 and 13.75 species m −2 on the GBR (Lefèvre et al ., ) and Red Sea (Coker et al ., ), respectively, which is considerably higher than estimates from the Tropical Eastern Pacific (4 species m −2 ; González‐Cabello & Bellwood, ) or the Caribbean (4.8 species m −2 ; Brandl et al ., ). As for abundance, CRFs can constitute a large proportion of fish species richness on reefs (approximately 40% on the GBR and the eastern Pacific; Ackerman & Bellwood, ; Galland et al ., ).…”

Section: Diversity and Distribution Of Crfsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Thus, although CRFs appear to be present at high densities and diversity in all tropical reef habitats sampled to date, we lack even basic quantitative data on cryptobenthic fish communities from most locations within all biogeographic regions. Only two studies have, to date, compared CRF assemblages across bioregions (González‐Cabello & Bellwood, ; Ahmadia et al ., ), with one other study comparing cryptobenthic fish assemblages from artificial habitats across a latitudinal gradient (Brandl et al ., ). All three studies show that cryptobenthic fish assemblages follow established biogeographic patterns, which suggests that we have yet to comprehensively explore regions that harbour the ocean's highest levels of biodiversity (i.e.…”

Section: Diversity and Distribution Of Crfsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…For example, some small species of gobies (e.g. Coryphopterus personatus ) form large conspicuous groups that hover above the coral reef substrate (Brandl et al ., ), while their congener ( Coryphopterus glaucofraenum ) are cryptically coloured and live in, and on top of, sand and rubble (Forrester, ).…”

Section: Defining Crfsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In terms of the chemical agent used, there is evidence that clove oil (diluted with ethanol) and rotenone/quinaldine differ in their efficiency in sampling certain taxonomic groups (Ackerman & Bellwood, ), which ultimately leads to broadly comparable, but nevertheless complementary, samples. Yet, due to legal limitations and the potential environmental and health impacts of rotenone or quinaldine versus clove oil (Robertson & Smith‐Vaniz, ), enclosed clove oil stations are now the most widely used collection tool (Ahmadia et al , ; Lefèvre et al , ; Goatley et al , ; Brandl et al , ), although both rotenone and quinaldine continue to be used (Glavičić et al , ; Coker et al , ).…”

Section: Diversity and Distribution Of Crfsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…CRF larvae are extremely common in the nearshore ichthyoplankton (Leis, ; Sponaugle et al , ; Isari et al , ; Kimmerling et al , ), and their prevalence appears to be relatively independent of seasonal recruitment peaks (Lefèvre et al , ). The high abundance of CRF larvae is likely linked to their high abundance on reefs (Depczynski & Bellwood, ; Coker et al , ; Brandl et al , ; Galland et al , ; Fig. ) and their high post‐zygotic investment (see Section IV.1 c ).…”

Section: Ecology and Functional Role Of Crfsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The hidden half: ecology and evolution of cryptobenthic fishes on coral reefs

et al. 2018

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Teleost fishes are the most diverse group of vertebrates on Earth. On tropical coral reefs, their species richness exceeds 6000 species; one tenth of total vertebrate biodiversity. A large proportion of this diversity is composed of cryptobenthic reef fishes (CRFs): bottom-dwelling, morphologically or behaviourally cryptic species typically less than 50 mm in length. Yet, despite their diversity and abundance, these fishes are both poorly defined and understood. Herein we provide a new quantitative definition and synthesise current knowledge on the diversity, distribution and life history of CRFs. First, we use size distributions within families to define 17 core CRF families as characterised by the high prevalence (>10%) of small-bodied species (<50 mm). This stands in strong contrast to 42 families of large reef fishes, in which virtually no small-bodied species have evolved. We posit that small body size has allowed CRFs to diversify at extremely high rates, primarily by allowing for fine partitioning of microhabitats and facilitation of allopatric reproductive isolation; yet, we are far from understanding and documenting the biodiversity of CRFs. Using rates of description since 1758, we predict that approximately 30 new species of cryptobenthic species will be described per year until 2050 (approximately twice the annual rate compared to large fishes). Furthermore, we predict that by the year 2031, more than half of the described coral reef fish biodiversity will consist of CRFs. These fishes are the 'hidden half' of vertebrate biodiversity on coral reefs. Notably, global geographic coverage and spatial resolution of quantitative data on CRF communities is uniformly poor, which further emphasises the remarkable reservoir of biodiversity that is yet to be discovered. Although small body size may have enabled extensive diversification within CRF families, small size also comes with a suite of ecological challenges that affect fishes' capacities to feed, survive and reproduce; we identify a range of life-history adaptations that have enabled CRFs to overcome these limitations. In turn, these adaptations bestow a unique socio-ecological role on CRFs, which includes a key role in coral reef trophodynamics by cycling trophic energy provided by microscopic prey to larger consumers. Although small in body size, the ecology and evolutionary history of CRFs may make them a critical component of coral-reef food webs; yet our review also shows that these fishes are highly susceptible to a variety of anthropogenic disturbances. Understanding the consequences of these changes for CRFs and coral reef ecosystems will require us to shed more light on this frequently overlooked but highly diverse and abundant guild of coral reef fishes.

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