Article
Ecology
E. G. Knoester, N. Klerks, S. B. Vroege-Kolkman, A. J. Murk, S. O. Sande, R. Osinga
Summary: Active coral reef restoration is being hindered by coral predation, and to develop more effective restoration approaches, the factors driving corallivory need to be determined. This study characterized coral and corallivore communities and quantified fish bite mark densities on natural colonies and outplanted fragments in different fisheries management zones. The results showed that corallivorous fish densities were strongly correlated with coral cover, while facultative corallivorous fish were most abundant in no-take zones. Predation pressure was higher on outplanted fragments compared to natural colonies, and especially intense in no-take zones. These findings suggest that improved outplanting methods and consideration of species are necessary to address high predation pressure on outplanted fragments.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Rachel Zuercher, David Kochan, Alastair R. Harborne
Summary: The study examines the distribution of large-bodied parrotfishes on Florida reefs and identifies the major predictors of their presence. The results show that factors such as maximum hard substrate relief, surrounding reef area, and the availability of seagrass habitat are positively correlated with parrotfish presence. The study also highlights species-specific habitat preferences and suggests that these findings can improve management interventions and identify areas for protection.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Mark C. Ladd, Erin M. Winslow, Deron E. Burkepile, Hunter S. Lenihan
Summary: Water depth and corallivory have independent and interactive effects on coral growth rates. Coral populations recover at different rates after a major disturbance, with shallower populations recovering more quickly. Coral predators significantly reduce growth rates at 5 and 10 meters depth where corallivory intensity is greatest.
Article
Ecology
Sam King Fung Yiu, Jian-Wen Qiu
Summary: Phestilla is a small genus of coral-eating nudibranchs found in the Indo-Pacific region. A survey in Hong Kong waters revealed low densities of Phestilla fuscostriata, P. goniophaga, and P. melanobrachia. These species showed different levels of host specificity and exhibited size-dependent feeding rates on their respective host corals. The larvae of P. goniophaga and P. melanobrachia were significantly influenced by chemical cues from their hosts during metamorphosis.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Francisco Javier Loera-Padilla, Victor Julio Pineros, Carole C. Baldwin, Courtney E. Cox, Nuno Simoes, Emanuell Ribeiro, Oscar M. Lasso-Alcala, Omar Dominguez-Dominguez
Summary: The study on the genetic patterns of Stoplight parrotfish in the Greater Caribbean revealed high haplotypic diversity and low nucleotide diversity in the control region, as well as low genetic diversity in coxI and RHO. No genetic structure was found, indicating a panmictic population across the region with symmetrical migration rates. Demographic history estimates suggest population bottlenecks followed by expansion 80,000 years ago.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yayuan Xiao, Chunhou Li, Teng Wang, Lin Lin, Jiatong Guo, Qiumei Quan, Yong Liu
Summary: Parrotfish diversity in the South China Sea was investigated using DNA barcoding. A DNA barcode database was established, and genetic distance analysis showed close genetic relationships within South China Sea parrotfish. However, 6 out of 21 species could not be identified using DNA barcodes. This study complements the lack of parrotfish DNA barcode sequences and provides valuable information for further research on parrotfish diversity in the South China Sea.
Article
Ecology
Timothy C. Tricas, Kelly S. Boyle
Summary: The study demonstrates that parrotfish bite sounds can be used to estimate their feeding patterns on coral reefs, and are correlated with factors such as day length and tide range. Regular sampling by multiple acoustic monitors may be a cost-efficient and valuable tool for monitoring the health, degradation, and recovery of large coral reef areas.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca J. Hobbs, Justine K. O'Brien, Line K. Bay, Andrea Severati, Rebecca Spindler, E. Michael Henley, Kate M. Quigley, Carly J. Randall, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Virginia Carter, Nikolas Zuchowicz, Mary Hagedorn, Jonathan Daly
Summary: In order to support the resilience and adaptation of coral reef ecosystems, active restoration or intervention programs will be necessary in the future. Selective propagation of corals ex situ can assist in conserving keystone species and their ecosystems, and cross-disciplinary research and communication between science and industry are crucial to success.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Inga Dehnert, Luca Saponari, Paolo Galli, Simone Montano
Summary: This study aims to expand the knowledge base for coral restoration techniques in the Maldives by testing the performance of mid-water rope nurseries. The results show that both lagoon and reef nurseries are suitable for rearing large numbers of coral fragments, with different impacts on the survival and growth of different coral genera. Fish predation and the presence of mutualistic fauna influenced the success of coral rearing, and disease had a more severe impact in the lagoon habitat.
Article
Ecology
Wendy T. T. Muraoka, Katie L. L. Cramer, Aaron O'Dea, Jian-xin Zhao, Nicole D. D. Leonard, Richard D. D. Norris
Summary: This study examines the impact of prehistorical and historical fishing on the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) ecosystem. Using fish teeth fossils and sediment accumulation rates, the study finds a decline in the abundance of parrotfish, a key herbivore, which has negatively affected coral growth. The decline in parrotfish abundance coincided with cultural and demographic changes resulting from European colonization. The study highlights the long-term degradation of the MAR due to human disturbances and climate change.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chris Roelfsema, Eva M. Kovacs, Kathryn Markey, Julie Vercelloni, Alberto Rodriguez-Ramirez, Sebastian Lopez-Marcano, Manuel Gonzalez-Rivero, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Stuart R. Phinn
Summary: This paper presents the use of machine learning and deep learning techniques to derive benthic coral reef community composition data from photoquadrats, supporting the understanding of coral reef biology and ecology. The approach is globally applicable for various submerged and benthic community ecological applications and provides a basis for further studies.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ian M. McLeod, Margaux Y. Hein, Russ Babcock, Line Bay, David G. Bourne, Nathan Cook, Christopher Doropoulos, Mark Gibbs, Peter Harrison, Stewart Lockie, Madeleine J. H. van Oppen, Neil Mattocks, Cathie A. Page, Carly J. Randall, Adam Smith, Hillary A. Smith, David J. Suggett, Bruce Taylor, Karen J. Vella, David Wachenfeld, Lisa Bostrom-Einarsson
Summary: Australia has been implementing innovative intervention and restoration actions to address the decline in coral cover in its reefs. This article outlines the various approaches taken, including in-water programs, research to enhance coral resilience, and investigations into socio-economic perspectives. The progress in coral restoration in Australia demonstrates the increasing urgency to confront the coral reef crisis and the development of new tools for reef management.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca L. Jackson, Matthew T. Woodhouse, Albert J. Gabric, Roger A. Cropp, Hilton B. Swan, Elisabeth S. M. Deschaseaux, Haydn Trounce
Summary: This study investigates the contribution of coral reef-derived dimethylsulfide (DMS) to the atmosphere and its influence on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) region using a climate model. The findings suggest that the GBR is an important source of atmospheric sulfur, with the potential to influence local-scale aerosol-cloud processes.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
R. C. Babcock, D. P. Thomson, M. D. E. Haywood, M. A. Vanderklift, R. Pillans, W. A. Rochester, M. Miller, C. W. Speed, G. Shedrawi, S. Field, R. Evans, J. Stoddart, T. J. Hurley, A. Thompson, J. Gilmour, M. Depczynski
Summary: Research indicates that coral reefs in the western Australian waters have experienced severe coral bleaching and declining coral cover over the past few decades, potentially facing more frequent marine heatwaves and coral mortality events.
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claire M. Spillman, Grant A. Smith
Summary: Seasonal forecasts of sea surface temperature have become crucial tools for reef managers to predict coral bleaching risk. The new thermal stress forecast products based on ACCESS-S1 provide critical advance warning of high thermal stress and increased coral bleaching risk. Degree Heating Months consider both magnitude and duration of thermal stress, impacting reef management and assessing different climate drivers.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)