The trophic ecology of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) relative to other large teleost predators on an isolated coral atoll

Bond, Mark E.; Valentin-Albanese, Jasmine; Babcock, Elizabeth A.; Hussey, Nigel E.; Heithaus, Michael R.; Chapman, Demian D.

doi:10.1007/s00227-018-3322-2

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…This classification resulted in most carcharhinid shark species (e.g., gray reef, blacktip reef, whitetip reef, Caribbean reef) being classified as mesopredators. Recent studies have supported this classification and shown that carcharhinid reef sharks occupy similar trophic levels and isotopic niche space to large-bodied teleost predators (Frisch et al, 2016;Casey et al, 2017;Bond et al, 2018). This seemingly high level of trophic redundancy could explain the limited evidence for shark-induced trophic cascades in most coral reef studies (Frisch et al, 2016;Casey et al, 2017), as these species are likely acting as mesopredators rather than apex predators Roff et al, 2016;Bond et al, 2018).…”

Section: What Are the Trophic Levels And Functional Roles Of Reef Shamentioning

confidence: 88%

Reef Shark Science – Key Questions and Future Directions

et al. 2019

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Section: What Are the Trophic Levels And Functional Roles Of Reef Shamentioning

confidence: 88%

Reef Shark Science – Key Questions and Future Directions

et al. 2019

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“…Large bodied mid‐trophic predators included large benthic feeding sharks and green moray eels ( Gymnothorax funebris ), while small bodied mid‐trophic predators encompassed small bodied sharks (<2 m) and spotted moray eels ( Gymnothorax moringa ). Groupings were determined based on relative size and the presumed correlating trophic pressures they placed on the ecosystem (Bond et al, ; LaymanWinemiller, Arrington, & Jepsen, ). Seven common prey families were identified and used to measure habitat risk and risk effects: filefish (family Monacanthidae), grunts (family Haemulidae), jacks (family Carangidae), porgies (family Sparidae), rays (family Dasyatidae & Urotrygonidae), snappers (family Lutjanidae), and triggerfish (family Balistidae).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These habitats provide increased visibility for and detectability of mobile, roving predators. Studies have suggested that in coral reef food webs, reef‐associated sharks and large teleosts occupy similar trophic niches (Bond et al, ; Frisch et al, ; Roff et al, ), which may allow for the detection of generalizable effects of predators on prey or may divert or dilute the nonconsumptive effects of species traditionally considered apex predators on larger prey species. Our knowledge of nonconsumptive effects of marine predators on prey may benefit from examining predator–prey interactions under varying environmental conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the effects of large marine predators on mobile prey behavior across subtropical reef ecosystems

Phenix

Tricarico²,

Quintero³

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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The indirect effect of predators on prey behavior, recruitment, and spatial relationships continues to attract considerable attention. However, top predators like sharks or large, mobile teleosts, which can have substantial top–down effects in ecosystems, are often difficult to study due to their large size and mobility. This has created a knowledge gap in understanding how they affect their prey through nonconsumptive effects. Here, we investigated how different functional groups of predators affected potential prey fish populations across various habitats within Biscayne Bay, FL. Using baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs), we quantified predator abundance and activity as a rough proxy for predation risk and analyzed key prey behaviors across coral reef, sea fan, seagrass, and sandy habitats. Both predator abundance and prey arrival times to the bait were strongly influenced by habitat type, with open homogenous habitats receiving faster arrival times by prey. Other prey behaviors, such as residency and risk‐associated behaviors, were potentially driven by predator interaction. Our data suggest that small predators across functional groups do not have large controlling effects on prey behavior or stress responses over short temporal scales; however, habitats where predators are more unpredictable in their occurrence (i.e., open areas) may trigger risk‐associated behaviors such as avoidance and vigilance. Our data shed new light on the importance of habitat and context for understanding how marine predators may influence prey behaviors in marine ecosystems.

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“…Adult C. perezi are known to frequently use deeper water habitats on the reef (Pikitch et al 2005, Chapman et al 2007) and along the reef shelf (Shipley et al 2018, Casselberry et al 2020). Since C. perezi probably does not act as the sole apex predator in many Caribbean coral reef ecosystems (Bond et al 2018), such ontogenetic changes in habitat use allow for avoidance of competition for food with large-bodied teleosts (Heithaus et al 2008, Casselberry et al 2020) and for exploitation of a diverse array of prey items (Bond et al 2018, Shipley et al 2018. Similar ontogenetic habitat shifts were reported for G. cirratum in Florida (Castro 2000), where smaller individuals were frequently found in shallow reefs, under rocks or ledges, whereas larger juveniles and adults were found in deeper reef habitats and rocky areas at depths up to 75 m. However, ontogenetic habitat shifts in G. cirratum are poorly studied, with some evidence to support that individuals occupy deeper parts of the reef with increasing age (Castro 2000, Casselberry et al 2020.…”

Section: Life Stage and Habitat Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and ontogenetic habitat shifts of reefassociated shark species in the northeastern Caribbean

Stoffers

Graaf

Winter

et al. 2021

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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Understanding how reef-associated sharks utilise coastal reef habitats throughout their ontogeny is essential for their effective management. In this study, we assessed the distribution of sharks in the northern Caribbean Netherlands (Saba, Saba Bank and St Eustatius) and ontogenetic shifts in habitat and depth use of the 2 most observed species: Caribbean reef shark Carcharhinus perezi and nurse shark Ginglymostoma cirratum. We used stereo baited remote underwater video (stereo-BRUV) surveys at 376 sites. A total of 126 shark sightings (6 species) were recorded, with C. perezi (n = 72) and G. cirratum (n = 42) most frequently observed. The probability of recording at least 1 shark per deployment ranged from 0.19 to 0.37 and is comparable with shark occurrences in the small number of other stereo-BRUV studies in the Wider Caribbean Region. Habitat type was the most important factor driving reef-associated shark occurrences, with the highest probability of observing C. perezi and G. cirratum in soft-coral habitat. Additionally, occurrences of C. perezi were significantly influenced by the management zone, with highest probabilities of occurrence in no-fishing zones. Almost all observed reef-associated sharks (95.6%) were juveniles, indicating that the study area may be a nursery area. Overall, both species were observed in deeper waters with increasing size, indicating ontogenetic shifts in depth use. Our findings imply that protected areas should not be limited to a single habitat or depth, but focus on protecting a large area with the range of habitats and depths necessary for reef-associated sharks to complete their life cycle.

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The trophic ecology of Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) relative to other large teleost predators on an isolated coral atoll

Cited by 23 publications

References 73 publications

Reef Shark Science – Key Questions and Future Directions

Reef Shark Science – Key Questions and Future Directions

Evaluating the effects of large marine predators on mobile prey behavior across subtropical reef ecosystems

Distribution and ontogenetic habitat shifts of reefassociated shark species in the northeastern Caribbean

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