Spatial patterns of cryptobenthic coral-reef fishes in the Red Sea

Coker, Darren J.; DiBattista, Joseph D.; Sinclair‐Taylor, Tane H.; Berumen, Michael L.

doi:10.1007/s00338-017-1647-9

Cited by 23 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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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: 73%

“…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%

“…Depczynski & Bellwood, 2005;Ahmadia et al, 2012b), Western Atlantic (e.g. Smith-Vaniz et al, 2006;Brandl et al, 2017), and most recently, the Red Sea (Coker et al, 2017) and South Pacific (Ahmadia et al, 2018), there is a notable absence of data from the entire remainder of the Indian Ocean, most of the Central and South Pacific, and Southwestern Atlantic. In addition, coverage within the regions that have been sampled is poor, with in-depth sampling at just two locations on the GBR, and one location each in Indonesia and the Caribbean.…”

Section: (2) Distribution and Abundancementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Compared to temperate assemblages, abundances of CRFs are much higher on tropical coral reefs (up to 30 individuals m −2 in the Red Sea), although certain habitats, such as rubble beds on the GBR and in the Red Sea, or shallow reefs in eastern Panama, can harbour almost 40, 75, and 80 individuals m −2 , respectively (Depczynski & Bellwood, 2005;Brandl et al, 2017;Coker et al, 2017). However, wherever CRFs have been sampled quantitatively, their density is equal to (Ackerman & Bellwood, 2000), or outweighs that of all larger fishes.…”

Section: (2) Distribution and Abundancementioning

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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Section: Diversity and Distribution Of Crfsmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Diversity and Distribution Of Crfsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Ecology and Functional Role Of Crfsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: (2) Distribution and Abundancementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: (2) Distribution and Abundancementioning

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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Does color matter? Molecular and ecological divergence in four sympatric color morphs of a coral reef fish

Gaither

Coker

Greaves

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Non‐sex‐linked color polymorphism is common in animals and can be maintained in populations via balancing selection or, when under diversifying selection, can promote divergence. Despite their potential importance in ecological interactions and the evolution of biodiversity, their function and the mechanisms by which these polymorphisms are maintained are still poorly understood. Here, we combine field observations with life history and molecular data to compare four sympatric color morphs of the coral reef fish Paracirrhites forsteri (family Cirrhitidae) in the central Red Sea. Our findings verify that the color morphs are not sex‐limited, inhabit the same reefs, and do not show clear signs of avoidance or aggression among them. A barcoding approach based on 1,276 bp of mitochondrial DNA could not differentiate the color morphs. However, when 36,769 SNPs were considered, we found low but significant population structure. Focusing on 1,121 FST outliers, we recovered distinct population clusters that corresponded to shifts in allele frequencies with each color morph harboring unique alleles. Genetic divergence at these outlier loci is accompanied by differences in growth and marginal variation in microhabitat preference. Together, life history and molecular analysis suggest subtle divergence between the color morphs in this population, the causes for which remain elusive.

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