Understory algae associations and predation risk influence broad-scale kelp habitat use in a temperate reef fish

Pérez‐Matus, Alejandro; Sánchez, Fidel Márquez; González-But, Juan C.; Lamb, Robert W.

doi:10.3354/meps11892

Cited by 19 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…In complex temperate reefs, the type of habitat a given species of fish inhabits determines the use of food resources, as evidence suggests that prey availability determines the diet of the associated species (Angel & Ojeda, ; Pérez‐Matus et al., ). We found support for our hypothesis that there are driving forces specific to each site (such as availability of foraging habitats, available prey, exposure, kelp density, predation see Pérez‐Matus et al., ) that drive phenotypic divergence in morphologies used for feeding. Individuals with larger mouth gape and pectoral fin area [a large surface area moves more water and has a larger effect on the fish's momentum than a smaller surface area see (Langerhans, )] were positively correlated with a high percent volumetric composition of benthic decapod prey.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Pérez‐Matus et al. () found no association by H. cunninghami with any specific habitat type at CH (called El Arrayan in the 2016 study). We conclude that the low diversity of microhabitats at northern sites resulted in low prey diversity, which led to dominance of the IRI by singularly abundant prey types: bivalvia at LM and EF, cirripedia at CH.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…This understory, composed of corticated, foliose, and filamentous algal types, provides substantial microhabitat and foraging space for triplefins. A previous study showed that H. cunninghami prefers corticated foliose algae among all habitat types available at LM (Pérez‐Matus et al., ). Interestingly, bivalvia species constituted more than 80% of triplefin IRI at this location.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Labrid fishes (wrasses and parrotfish) with lower aspect ratio paddle‐shaped fins tend to swim more slowly (Wainwright et al., ) and occupy less energetic zones on the reef (Bellwood & Wainwright, ; Fulton et al., ). H. cunninghami tends to live in low‐flow habitats, usually a deeper portion of the subtidal margins between 10 and 15 m depth where kelp tends to be sparse (Pérez‐Matus et al., ). Binning and Roche () found that even intraspecific fin shape polymorphisms vary with exposure to wave action, such that fish with elongated fins can be found at high wave exposure and individuals with rounder fins prefer sheltered reefs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Together they inhabit shallow waters along high‐energy exposed rocky coasts and can be found in intertidal and subtidal habitats, respectively. H. cunninghami, commonly known as trombolito tres aletas or Cunningham's triplefin, is a microcarnivorous and cryptic fish that is very abundant along the northern‐central Chilean coast, associated with particular subtidal reef microhabitats that vary at the local scale (Pérez‐Matus et al., ); Figure ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Diet reveals links between morphology and foraging in a cryptic temperate reef fish

Winkler

Paz-Goicoechea

Lamb

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Predators select prey so as to maximize energy and minimize manipulation time. In order to reduce prey detection and handling time, individuals must actively select their foraging space (microhabitat) and populations exhibit morphologies that are best suited for capturing locally available prey. We explored how variation in diet correlates with habitat type, and how these factors influence key morphological structures (mouth gape, eye diameter, fin length, fin area, and pectoral fin ratio) in a common microcarnivorous cryptic reef fish species, the triplefin Helcogrammoides cunninghami. In a mensurative experiment carried out at six kelp‐dominated sites, we observed considerable differences in diet along 400 km of the Chilean coast coincident with variation in habitat availability and prey distributions. Triplefins preferred a single prey type (bivalves or barnacles) at northern sites, coincident with a low diversity of foraging habitats. In contrast, southern sites presented varied and heterogeneous habitats, where triplefin diets were more diverse and included amphipods, decapods, and cumaceans. Allometry‐corrected results indicated that some morphological structures were consistently correlated with different prey items. Specifically, large mouth gape was associated with the capture of highly mobile prey such as decapods, while small mouth gape was more associated with cumaceans and copepods. In contrast, triplefins that capture sessile prey such as hydroids tend to have larger eyes. Therefore, morphological structures co‐vary with habitat selection and prey usage in this species. Our study shows how an abundant generalist reef fish exhibits variable feeding morphologies in response to the distribution of potential habitats and prey throughout its range.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Diet reveals links between morphology and foraging in a cryptic temperate reef fish

Winkler

Paz-Goicoechea

Lamb

et al. 2017

Ecology and Evolution

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Adapting a multi‐species tool for single‐species impact assessments: Managing fishes at risk in Canada

Montgomery

Minns

Mandrak

2020

Aquatic Conservation

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To assess the impacts of human activity on fishes and fish habitat, impact assessment tools use single‐ and multi‐species approaches depending on the ecological and socio‐economic objectives. In Canadian aquatic ecosystems, single‐ and multi‐species impact assessments are guided by the Species at Risk Act and Fisheries Act, respectively. Yet, for species protected under the Species at Risk Act, the sparse data often require alternative approaches to risk assessment. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether a database‐derived multi‐species tool – the Habitat Ecosystem Assessment Tool (HEAT) – can be used for single‐species impact assessments. Using an empirical example of proposed drain maintenance in a tributary of Lake St. Clair, the net loss of suitable habitat was evaluated across six conservation targets, ranging from single species, such as the pugnose shiner (Notropis anogenus) and the yellow perch (Perca flavescens), to the entire fish assemblage. Model outcomes were compared across various habitat suitability indices, spatial resolutions, and environmental habitat layers. The net loss of suitable habitat varied widely across conservation targets and was greatest for the rare specialist species (pugnose shiner). Single‐species conservation targets were more sensitive to variation in spatial resolution and uncertainty in model input parameters. The results of this study emphasize that single‐ and multi‐species conservation targets should not be considered equal, especially when species differ in abundance and niche breadth. This study demonstrates the flexibility of HEAT for evaluating potential impacts of human disturbance on fishes and their habitat. Future development of this tool should expand beyond physical habitat, to include other factors relevant to species distribution and survival (e.g. biotic interactions).

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Effects of harvesting on subtidal kelp forests (Lessonia trabeculata) in central Chile

et al. 2022

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The systematic degradation of marine ecosystems is a global phenomenon that has important and diverse consequences including biodiversity loss and reduced ecosystem service provisions. In temperate regions, subtidal kelp forests are dominant ecosystems in rocky coasts, subjected to the influence of local-scale stressors and regional environmental variation. For example, kelps within the Humboldt Current System are at risk of degradation from liveharvesting by fisheries. However, limited information exists regarding the long-term consequences of kelp harvesting, which, in turn, limits the ability to provide effective management and conservation efforts. Here, we examined the ecosystem-level consequences of the artisanal subtidal Lessonia trabeculata fishery along the coast of central Chile during a 2-year period, assessing (1) the change in adult and juvenile L. trabeculata density within harvested and nonharvested (control) plots (~90 m 2 ), (2) the impact of L. trabeculata harvesting on reef fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages, and (3) the change in density of the most abundant L. trabeculata-associated species. The experiment was conducted over a 2-year period, from December 2016 to May 2019. Approximately 90% of L. trabeculata was removed by an experienced kelp fisherman in experimental plots. After 2 years, L. trabeculata and its associated community showed a lack of recovery in the harvested plots. Within these plots, the average abundance of the rock shrimp, Rhynchocinetes typus, and the herbivorous snail, Tegula tridentata, was greater than in nonharvested plots and the pattern persisted over the study period. The difference in abundance of associated species may be key to the (lack of) recovery of L. trabeculata forests. Our study highlights the impact of L. trabeculata harvesting on associated fauna; however, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the capacity and time frame to reestablish the original biomass of L. trabeculata, as well as its associated fauna.The management of L. trabeculata fisheries needs to account for ecosystem-wide impacts in order to better manage and protect vital coastal ecosystems.

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Understory algae associations and predation risk influence broad-scale kelp habitat use in a temperate reef fish

Cited by 19 publications

References 63 publications

Diet reveals links between morphology and foraging in a cryptic temperate reef fish

Diet reveals links between morphology and foraging in a cryptic temperate reef fish

Adapting a multi‐species tool for single‐species impact assessments: Managing fishes at risk in Canada

Effects of harvesting on subtidal kelp forests (Lessonia trabeculata) in central Chile

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