Regional variation in the structure and function of parrotfishes on Arabian reefs

Hoey, Andrew S., Feary, David A., Burt, John A., Vaughan, Grace, Pratchett, Morgan S., and Berumen, Michael L. (2016) Regional variation in the structure and function of parrotfishes on Arabian reefs. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 105 (2). pp. 524-531.

[img] PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Restricted to Repository staff only

View at Publisher Website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.20...
 
14
3


Abstract

Parrotfishes (f. Labridae) are a unique and ubiquitous group of herbivorous reef fishes. We compared the distribution and ecosystem function (grazing and erosion) of parrotfishes across 75 reefs in Arabia. Our results revealed marked regional differences in the abundance, and taxonomic and functional composition of parrotfishes between the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Arabian Gulf. High densities and diversity of parrotfishes, and high rates of grazing (210% year(⁻¹)) and erosion (1.57 kg m(⁻²) year(⁻¹)) characterised Red Sea reefs. Despite Arabian Sea and Red Sea reefs having broadly comparable abundances of parrotfishes, estimates of grazing (150% year(⁻¹)) and erosion (0.43 kg m(⁻²) year(⁻¹)) were markedly lower in the Arabian Sea. Parrotfishes were extremely rare within the southern Arabian Gulf, and as such rates of grazing and erosion were negligible. This regional variation in abundance and functional composition of parrotfishes appears to be related to local environmental conditions.

Item ID: 45583
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1879-3363
Keywords: ecosystem process, herbivory, bioerosion, Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea
Funders: Australian Research Council (ARC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), United Nations University International Network on Water, Environment and Health (UNU), New York University, Abu Dhabi Institute (NYU-ADI)
Date Deposited: 08 Jun 2016 07:48
FoR Codes: 31 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES > 3103 Ecology > 310305 Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9608 Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity > 960808 Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity @ 100%
Downloads: Total: 3
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page