Reef habitats and associated sessile-benthic and fish assemblages across a euphotic–mesophotic depth gradient in Isla Desecheo, Puerto Rico

García‐Sais, Jorge R.

doi:10.1007/s00338-009-0582-9

Cited by 93 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Our study highlights that while technically in the MCE range, the 30-50 m fish communities are largely extensions of shallow reef communities, with more than 78% of the fish species observed at MCE depths typically associated with shallow waters. Our data corroborate the few other mesophotic fish studies in that these shallow MCE regions act as transition zones between shallow and deep fish communities (Brokovich et al 2008;Garcia-Sais 2010;Bejarano et al 2014;Rosa et al 2016). In particular, Rosa et al (2016) found nearly identical overlaps of shallow fishes in upper mesophotic depths (80%) as our study (78%), indicating that the upper mesophotic zone (30-50 m) is still largely dominated by common shallow reef-fish species.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

“…Vectors represent strength of variables in model Coral Reefs depths. Decreasing herbivorous fish abundances in mesophotic depths was first reported at Enewetak in the 1980s (Thresher and Colin 1986), but has received scant attention until recently; it has now been confirmed in the Red Sea, Caribbean and northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Brokovich et al 2008(Brokovich et al , 2010bGarcia-Sais 2010;Bejarano et al 2014;Fukunaga et al 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Few studies have focused on the ecology of fishes of mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCE; [30 m). These studies predominantly describe species composition and species-habitat relationships using observational techniques, and relate changes in community structure largely to depth and changes in coral abundance or morphology (Colin 1974;Thresher and Colin 1986;Pyle 2000;Feitoza et al 2005;Brokovich et al 2007Brokovich et al , 2008Brokovich et al , 2010aGarcia-Sais 2010;Bryan et al 2013;Bejarano et al 2014;Schultz et al 2014;Lindfield et al 2016). To date, five studies have investigated reef fishes at mesophotic depths in Hawaii: three in the remote northwestern Hawaiian Islands (Parrish and Boland 2004;Kane et al 2014;Fukunaga et al 2016); one from Maui in the main Hawaiian Islands (Boland and Parrish 2005); and one encompassing both the northwestern Hawaiian Islands and Au'au Channel in Maui (Pyle et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Trophic designation and live coral cover predict changes in reef-fish community structure along a shallow to mesophotic gradient in Hawaii

Kane

Tissot

2017

Coral Reefs

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Reef-fish community structure and habitat associations are well documented for shallow coral reefs (\20 m) but are largely unknown in deeper extensions of reefs (mesophotic reefs; [30 m). We documented the community structure of fishes and seafloor habitat composition through visual observations at depth intervals from 3 to 50 m in West Hawaii. Community structure changed gradually with depth, with more than 78% of fish species observed at mesophotic depths also found in shallow reef habitats. Depth explained 17% of the variation in reef-fish community structure; live coral cover explained 10% and prevalence of sand accounted for 7% of the fitted variation indicating that depth-related factors and coral habitat play a predominant role in structuring these communities. Differences in community structure also appear to be linked closely with feeding behavior. Trophic designation accounted for 31% of the fitted variation, with changes in herbivore abundance accounting for 10% of the variation. These findings suggest that changes in reef-fish community composition from shallow to mesophotic environments are largely influenced by trophic position, coral habitat and indirect effects of depth itself.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Trophic designation and live coral cover predict changes in reef-fish community structure along a shallow to mesophotic gradient in Hawaii

Kane

Tissot

2017

Coral Reefs

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“…This compositional change may have already been detected for fishes. Fish communities have been found to change rapidly with depth at around 60 m at some sites, for example in the Red Sea [29] and Puerto Rico [13,30]. A meta-analytical approach would allow this broad observation to be tested directly.…”

Section: Secondary Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

To what extent do mesophotic coral ecosystems and shallow reefs share species of conservation interest?

et al. 2016

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Background: Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are tropical and sub-tropical reefs between 30 m and potentially >150 m depth, the maximum for photosynthetic hard corals. The definition's upper boundary is ecologically arbitrary. Recently, research has focused on the deep reef refugia hypothesis suggesting MCEs can be protected from shallow-water threats, potentially acting as a local source for re-colonisation of shallow reefs. This led to recent calls to increase their protection. It remains unclear whether the current MCE definition reflects changing biodiversity with depth, and so whether protecting MCEs based on this definition will protect shallow reef species. We ask where shifts in ecological community structure occur across the shallow-mesophotic depth gradient. We consider to what extent MCEs as currently defined protect shallow reef taxa. Research on coral reef depth gradients has a long history. Research relevant to MCEs has been published under a variety of terms. We will use the systematic review framework to collect older data sources, increasing accessibility by depositing the meta-data in an online library for researchers and managers. Methods:A systematic review will be conducted, searching online databases, grey literature and personal libraries of experts. The primary question was formulated after consulting an advisory committee. Inclusion criteria discriminate among studies by sampling depths and community data. Critical appraisal of studies will consider key criteria concerning internal validity. We shall identify where more biodiversity and community-level data are required, determined by whether a meta-analysis is possible. Considering how to structure a meta-analysis once community metric and variability data have been collected will help to advise future data collection. Provided enough data are extracted, we shall conduct a meta-analysis examining changes in species richness, abundance and biomass across the depth gradient. If ecological community level data are present, we shall conduct an additional meta-analysis looking at community turnover with depth.

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“…Although these ecosystems harbor species found in their shallower counterparts, they may also be colonized by a number of depth-restricted species of fishes, invertebrates, and algae, and a lower diversity of corals (Hanisak and Blair 1988;Pyle 2000;Aponte 2003, 2005;Jarrett et al 2005;Armstrong et al 2006;Brokovich et al 2008;Garcia-Sais 2010). To this end, MCEs that serve as refugia for shallow and mid-depth species (Glynn 1996;Armstrong et al 2006) may warrant special resource management attention and protection to help maintain local and regional biodiversity (Riegl and Piller 2003), However, the review by Bongaerts et al (2010) demonstrates how little is known about deep reefs and coral reproduction over depth, and thus they propose a list of urgent research priorities to determine the extent to which deep reefs may act as a refuge in the face of global reef decline.…”

Section: Introduction To Mesophotic Coral Ecosystemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Theme section on “Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems: Characterization, Ecology, and Management”

et al. 2010

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Mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs) are characterized by the presence of light-dependent corals and associated communities that are typically found at depths ranging from 30 to 40 m and extending to over 150 m in tropical and subtropical regions. The dominant communities providing structural habitat in the mesophotic zone can be comprised of coral, sponge, and algal species. Because working in this depth range is constrained by traditional SCUBA limits, less is known about corals and associated organisms there compared to shallower coral communities. Following the first-ever gathering of international scientists to review and discuss existing knowledge of MCEs, this issue focuses on the ecological characterization, geomorphology, and concept of MCEs as refugia for shallow-water populations. The review and research papers comprising this special issue reflect the current scientific understanding of these ecosystems and the underlying mechanisms that regulate them, as well as potential resource management implications. It is important to understand the value and role of mesophotic coral ecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions as these areas face increasing environmental change and human impacts Keywords Mesophotic coral ecosystem Á Biodiversity Á Geomorphology Á Connectivity Á Community structure Á Resource management Mesophotic coral ecosystem workshopOn 12-15 July 2008, a scientific workshop was held in Jupiter, Florida, to identify critical research and resource management needs for mesophotic coral ecosystems

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Reef habitats and associated sessile-benthic and fish assemblages across a euphotic–mesophotic depth gradient in Isla Desecheo, Puerto Rico

Cited by 93 publications

References 9 publications

Trophic designation and live coral cover predict changes in reef-fish community structure along a shallow to mesophotic gradient in Hawaii

Trophic designation and live coral cover predict changes in reef-fish community structure along a shallow to mesophotic gradient in Hawaii

To what extent do mesophotic coral ecosystems and shallow reefs share species of conservation interest?

Theme section on “Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems: Characterization, Ecology, and Management”

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