Modelling the photosynthetic production by sponges on Davies Reef,Great Barrier Reef

Sponge populations on Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) may contain a mix of both phototrophic and heterotrophic species. The distribution of many of these sponges on reefs is assumed to be determined by light. A model was developed to investigate how the distribution of phototrophic sponges over depth is restricted by the availability of photosynthetically active radiation. Estimates of the balance between photosynthetic production and the total respiratory demand of entire sponge communities on Davies Reef (a middle-shelf reef of the Great Barrier Reef) are provided. These estimates are based upon published data for community composition and biomass, whilst photokinetic parameters have been determined for a variety of sponge species from oxygenexchange measurements. Phototrophic sponges on the fore-reef slope are predicted to exist at or above a state of net 24 h compensation (i.e., photosynthetic oxygen production by sponges balances or exceeds respiration over a 24 h period) to a depth of 30 m. It is proposed that phototrophic sponges are obligate phototrophs because the availability of light for photosynthesis corresponds with the lower depth limit of their distribution. Sponge communities (including both phototrophs and heterotrophs) from the fore-reef and lagoon exist close to a state of net 24 h compensation to a depth of 10 to 15 m. This balance shows diurnal variations, associated with the activity of phototrophs, such that instantaneous compensation of the community may occur to depths of 20 to 25 m when light is maximal.     

Zooplankton community structure and water flow in the lee of Helix Reef (Great Barrier Reef, Australia)

To investigate which physical processes contribute most in moulding zooplankton community structure in the waters close to coral reefs, light traps moored in a grid pattern were used to collect zooplankton from the sea surface at 16 stations on the downstream side of Helix Reef during three time periods (2100-2200, 2400-0100, and 0300-0400 hours) over three consecutive nights covering the new moon period in January 1992. Two distinct zooplankton communities were present: a community composed primarily of reef-resident, demersal plankton immediately to the south of the reef in an area of reduced flushing, and a community containing coastal and shelf-seas taxa at the more exposed sites in the open flow field. The fauna composition at a number of exposed stations was as rich as that at sheltered stations both in terms of number of taxa and diversity indices but was almost an order of magnitude less abundant. The reef-resident, demersal plankton community was dominated by gammarid amphipods, mysids, and polychaetes, whereas only transient, meroplanktonic forms such as echinoderm and echinopluteus larvae and shelf-seas, holoplanktonic forms such as doliolids and larvaceans were significantly more abundant in the exposed community. Zooplankton associations were apparently formed by a combination of hydrodynamic processes, spatial and temporal distribution patterns of individual taxa, specific behaviours of certain taxa, and the interactions among taxa at different trophic levels.     

Diversity,abundance, and distribution of reef sharks on outer-shelf reefs of the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Quantifying the distribution and habitat use of sharks is critical for understanding their ecological role and for establishing appropriate conservation and management regimes. On coral reefs, particularly the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), little is known regarding the distribution of sharks across major reef habitat types. In this study, we surveyed shark populations across outer-shelf reefs of the GBR in order to determine the diversity, abundance, and distribution of reef sharks across three major coral reef habitats: (1) the reef slope, (2) the back reef and (3) the reef flat. Model selection revealed that habitat was the principal factor influencing shark distribution and abundance. Specifically, overall shark abundance and diversity were significantly higher on the reef slope (and to a lesser degree, the back reef) than the reef flat. This confirms that shark populations are not homogeneously distributed across coral reefs. Thus, the results presented herein have important implications for shark population assessments. In addition, our results highlight the potential importance of the reef slope, with high levels of live coral cover and structural complexity, for sustaining reef shark populations. As this habitat is highly susceptible to disturbance events, this study provides a useful context for predicting and understanding how environmental degradation may influence reef shark populations in the future.     

Composition of the near-reef zooplankton at Heron Reef,Great Barrier Reef

Using a light trap, zooplankton was sampled at three stations at Heron Reef, Great Barrier Reef: (a) a typical patch reef in the Heron lagoon, (b) a site in 8 m water on the southern slope of Heron reef, and (c) a station approximately 300 m south of (b), in the open water of the channel between Heron and Wistari reefs. Samples were taken at the surface and on the substratum at the lagoon and reef-slope stations, and at 3 to 6 m depth at the open-water station. A total of 114 taxa, many recognized as species, were distinguished in the samples. Pronounced differences existed in abundance, diversity, and taxonomic composition of the samples obtained at different stations. Less pronounced differences existed between surface and substratum samples from the same station. Near-reef samples were more similar to one another than to open-water samples. Decapod larvae, amphipods, and cumaceans were all abundant in near-reef samples and very rare in open-water samples. Forams, isopods, mysids and polychaetes were common in near-reef samples, and rare or absent in open-water samples. Copepods were abundant in all samples but the near-reef samples contained predominantly different species than did samples from the open water. The near-reef fauna included 66 taxa which did not occur in open-water samples. Many of these were epibenthic rather than strictly planktonic in behaviour.     

Distribution,abundance, and substrate preferences of demersal reef zooplankton at Lizard Island Lagoon,Great Barrier Reef

Demersal zooplankton, those plankton which hide within reef sediments during the day but emerge to swim freely over the reef at night, were sampled quantitatively using emergence traps planced over the substrate at Lizard Island Lagoon, Great Barrier Reef. Densities of zooplankton emerging at night from 6 substrate types (fine, medium, and coarse sand, rubble, living coral and reef rock) and from 5 reef zones (seaward face, reef flat, lagoon, back reef, and sand flat) were determined. A large population of nocturnal plankton including cumaceans, mysids, ostracods, shrimp, isopods, amphipods, crustacean larvae, polychaetes, foraminiferans and copepods are resident members of the reef community at Lizard Island. The mean density of plankton emerging throughout the reef was 2510±388 (standard error) zooplankton/m² of substrate. Biomass averaged 66.2±5.4 mg ash-free dry weight/m² of substrate. Demersal zooplankton exhibited significant preferences for substrate types and reef zones. The highest mean density of zooplankton emerged from coral (11,264±1952 zooplankton/m²) while the lowest emerged from reef rock (840±106 zooplankton/m²). The density of demersal plankton was six times greater on the face than in any other zone, averaging 7900±1501 zooplankton/m². Copepods dominated samples collected over living coral and rubble while foraminiferans, ostracods and decapod larvae were most abundant from sand. Plankton collected with nets at night correlated only qualitatively with plankton collected in emergence traps from the same location. Although abundant, demersal plankton were not numerous enough to meet the metabolic needs of all corals at Lizard Island Lagoon. Demersal plankton appear especially adapted to avoid fish predation. The predator-avoidance strategies of demersal plankton and maintenance of position on the reef are discussed. Our results indicate that much of the zooplankton over coral reefs actually lives on the reef itself and that previous studies using standard net sampling techniques have greatly underestimated plankton abundance over coral reefs.     

Vertical distribution of fish larvae in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon,Australia

To investigate the natural defenses of Antarctic marine organisms against exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (280 to 320 nm), 57 species (1 fish, 48 invertebrates, and 8 algae) were collected during austral spring 1988 in the vicinity of Palmer Station (Anvers Island, Antarctic Peninsula) and were analyzed for the presence of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), compounds that absorb UV radiation and may provide shielding from these biologically hazardous wavelengths. Nearly 90% of the 57 species examined contained MAAs, and eight specific MAA compounds were identified. Seven of these (palythine, porphyra-334, shinorine, mycosporineglycine, palythene, asterina-330, and palythinol) have been observed previously in marine organisms from temperate and tropical latitudes. A new MAA, mycosporineglycine: valine, was found in the Antarctic fish and in 38 of the invertebrate species examined. This study confirms widespread occurrence of MAAs in Antarctic marine organisms and suggests that these species have some degree of natural biochemical protection from UV exposure.Contribution No. 502 from the Australian Institute of Marine Science     

Estimates of adult and juvenile mortality for labrid fishes at One Tree Reef,Great Barrier Reef

Few estimates of natural mortality have been reported for coral reef fishes, yet this information is essential for predicting the effects of recruitment fluctuations on adult populations. In this study, mortality of adult (10 species) and juvenile (11 species) labrid fishes resident on ten isolated patch reefs in One Tree Lagoon, southern Great Barrier Reef, was estimated by visual censuses covering 30 mo, from November 1981 to April 1984. Numbers of adults of all species declined linearly over this period. Mortality rates differed significantly among species, ranging from 4.9 to 69.5% per annum. Average life-span for fishes that had survived the first year of life varied from 1.6 to 11.5 yr, depending on species. Average juvenile mortality varied among species from 25 to 91.8% per annum and was highest for abundant schooling species. Different cohorts of the same species also experienced significantly different rates of mortality. No clear relationship emerged between the number of new recruits and the number of fishes surviving to one year of age. The influence of recruitment fluctuations on adult populations of labrid fishes may be difficult to predict.     

Spatial,temporal, and behavioral patterns in emergence of zooplankton in the lagoon of Heron Reef,Great Barrier Reef,Australia

A total of 34 zooplanktonic taxa were common in emergence trap, reentry trap, and net-tow samples taken in the lagoon of Heron Reef, Great Barrier Reef, between 27 February and 22 March and between 11 June and 4 July 1985. Twenty-nine of these taxa were classified as demersal (17 taxa), meroplanktonic and larval (10 taxa), or incidental (2 taxa). The remaining five multispecific groups yielded variable results. Differences were observed between two locations separated by 200 m, with emergence 2 to 62 times greater for 22 taxa at a deeper site with larger coral formations. Most zooplankters were more common (2 to 122 times) in samples from 1 m² areas around 0.25 to 0.5 m² patches of branching coral. However, two species of copepods, Pseudodiaptomus colefaxi and Metis holothuriae, were taken in greater numbers (3 to 12 times) from open sand. Seasonal increases (2 to 322 times) were observed for 13 adult taxa and 8 classes of larvae or juveniles in the summer and for 10 adult taxa and one larval group in the winter. Fourteen of the 17 demersal taxa and 4 groups of large larvae or juveniles emerged in numbers 2 to 323 times greater during lunar quarters or new moons. In contrast, 6 larval taxa and 4 groups of small or transparent adults displayed significant emergence during full moons. Five diurnal emergence patterns were shown by 27 taxa, with patterns varying primarily among lunar periods. The variety of taxon-specific patterns observed in this study highlight a need for caution when generalizing about demersal zooplankton.     

Reproduction in five species of crinoids at Lizard Island,Great Barrier Reef

Reproduction in five species of crinoids [Himerometra bartschi (A. H. Clark), H. robustipinna (P. H. Carpenter), Cenometra bella (Hartlaub), Colobometra perspinosa (P. H. Carpenter), and Oligometra serripinna (P. H. Carpenter)] was studied at Lizard Island, Queensland, over 24 mo, from April 1981 to March 1983 (except for O. serripinna —June 1981 to March 1983). All five species of crinoids were dioecious, although a few instances of synchronous hermaphroditism were noted in H. bartschi, C. perspinosa, and O. serripinna. Gonad morphology and the sequence of developmental stages were similar in each species. Within individuals, gametogenesis was synchronous in gonads both along and between arms, except in some proximal and distal genital pinnules in which gonads never matured. Within a species, there was a degree of synchrony of gametogenesis in a sample, but the level of gametogenic activity varied considerably between years. A high level of continuous reproductive activity was observed in H. bartschi, H. robustipinna, Cenometra bella, and Colobometra perspinosa from about mid-summer to early/mid-winter, while O. serripinna probably had a bimodal reproductive cycle with peaks around February and June. There was a significant 1:1 male:female sex ratio in the populations sampled, and unsexable individuals were significantly smaller (as determined by maximum arm length) than either sexable males or females.     

Nitrogen excretion by some demersal macrozooplankton in Heron and One Tree Reefs,Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Nitrogen excretion rates of demersal macrozooplankton were measured together with nitrogen concentrations in the water column and sediments in lagoons of Heron Reef and One Tree Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, during August and November 1991. Excretion rates increased with body weight, and weight-specific excretion rates of the demersal macrozooplankton were comparable to those of pelagic zooplankton and meiofauna in the Great Barrier Reef. Values of demersal macrozooplankton abundance from previous studies and excretion rates from this study were combined to estimate fluxes of ammonium from demersal macrozooplankton in coral reef lagoons. The estimated fluxes in the water column and sediments were 12 M NH₄ m^-2 d^-1 and 34 M NH₄ m^-2d^-1, respectively. These fluxes were compared with reported fluxes of ammonium in coral reef lagoons in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The estimated flux from the demersal macrozooplankton in the water column was 29 and 9% of those reported for microheterotroph regeneration and phytoplankton utilization, respectively. It was 10% of the reported advective flux during periods of low advection and 13% of the maximum efflux from sediments computed from diffusion models. The estimated flux from the demersal macrozooplankton in the sediments exceeded those reported for meiofauna, and was 5 to 32% and 2 to 13% of those reported for ammonification and utilization in sediments, respectively. The potential importance of demersal macrozooplankton in mediating sediment-water column exchanges in the absence of diffusive effluxes and when they swarm is discussed.     

Diel patterns of emergence of crinoids (Echinodermata) from within a reef at Lizard Island,Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Periods of emergence of nine species (88 individuals) of crinoids (Comanthus parvicirrus, Clarkcomanthus albinotus, Comaster multifidus, Oxycomanthus comanthipinna, Oligometra serripinna, Comanthus gisleni, Comanthus wahlbergi, Comatula purpurea, and Oxycomanthus exilis) were monitored at Lizard Island, Queensland, over seven days in March 1983. One species (O. serripinna) was fully exposed and the others partially exposed. Two patterns of emergence were species-specific: emergent both day and night, and emergent only at night. Intraspecific exposure patterns were generally synchronous in six species and asynchronous in three species. The number of species visible was relatively constant during all dives, while at least twice as many individuals were visible at night compared to day. Degree of emergence was determined as the number and length of arms extended into the water column. Except for species fully exposed, degree of crinoid emergence was generally minimal at midday and maximal at twilight and night. Increases in both number of crinoids visible, and the amount of an individual's emergence, corresponded to decreasing light intensities, even during daytime. It is suggested that the patterns of exposure are a response to increased prey abundance at twilight and night, and also a means of avoiding diurnal predators. Gonads on the longest arms of some partially exposed crinoids were not extended into the water, thus protecting the gonads from predators.     

Production and reworking of sediment by parrotfishes (family Scaridae) on the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Sediment produced by parrotfishes (family Scaridae) may comprise new bioeroded material and/or reworked sediment. The relative contribution of the two components was examined in two bioeroding Chlorurus species, C. gibbus and C. sordidus, from Lizard Island in the Northern Great Barrier Reef. The relative importance of reworked sediment was determined based on direct estimates of sediment ingestion. In C. gibbus, 2.4% of the sediment produced is reworked. In C. sordidus, reworking contributes 27.2%. Comparisons of sediment size-distributions in epilithic algal communities, gut contents and defaecation sites suggest that both C. gibbus and C. sordidus markedly decrease the particle size of sediment as a result of ingestion and trituration in the pharyngeal apparatus.     

Vertical profiles of bacterial abundance,productivity and growth rates in coastal sediments of the central Great Barrier Reef lagoon

Vertical patterns of bacterial densities, productivity and specific growth rates in coastal muds, quartz sands and muddy sands of the central Great Barrier Reef lagoon were examined in summer (February) and autumn (May) 1988. Variations in these parameters with station location, sediment depth and season were complex, exhibiting significant main and interaction effects in most instances. Some trends were apparent despite the large and complex variations. Bacterial densities did not vary seasonally, ranging from 2.9 to 38.1×10⁹ cells g^-1 dry wt, averaged over sediment depth (0 to 20 cm) and seasons. Trend analysis revealed that densities decreased with increasing sediment depth. Bacterial production (tritiated thymidine incorporation into DNA) was high, ranging from 0.4 to 5.7 gCm^-2 d^-1 (integrated over 10 cm depth), as were specific growth rates (grand mean, =0.25 d^-1; range=0.004 to 1.3 d^-1). Both were generally higher in summer than in autumn. Vertical profiles of productivity and specific growth rates revealed actively growing bacterial assemblages down to 20 cm depth. Factors which may account for these very abundant and productive communities are: (1) subsurface accumulations of detritus exported from adjacent mangrove forests, and (2) physical disturbance from tidal scouring and severe climate (e.g. cyclones, wet-season floods). Disturbance events occur frequently enough to inhibit the development of highly sulphidic conditions, but stimulate production of bacterial types (aerobes, fermenters) capable of incorporating labelled thymidine into their DNA.     

No genetic differentiation of giant clam (Tridacna gigas) populations in the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Six Tridacna gigas populations were sampled in 1990 from locations throughout the central and northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Despite separations in excess of 1000 km, mean Nei's unbiased genetic distances among the populations was 0.0007. The complete lack of spatial variation observed among populations did not results from lack of genetic variability. Genetic variation within populations was high, with mean heterozygosities from 0.221 to 0.250. Gene frequencies were consistent with expectations under conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These data suggest panmixis, or random mating, throughout the highly connected reef system of the central and northern GBR. The large gene exchange among the giant clam populations has important implications for conservation management of one of the few large populations of T. gigas in the world. Small local effects are likely to be overcome in time by inputs from other sources. However, large genetic perturbations, particularly from up-current sources, may spread rapidly through the population.Contribution No. 561 from the Australian Institute of Marine Science     

Occurrence and characteristics of unusual protistan symbionts from surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae) of the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

The occurrence of unusual symbiotic microorganisms was examined in the intestines of a range of fish from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. The fish taxa examined included 26 species of the family Acanthuridae, as well as representatives of phylogenetically related and herbivorous taxa. The microorganisms, referred to as protists, were only found in herbivorous and detritivorous members of the Acanthuridae. Protists were not found in planktivorous acanthurids, nor in any members of the families Kyphosidae, Pomacentridae, Scaridae, Zanclidae, Siganidae and Bleniidae we examined. In addition, protists were absent from the herbivorous acanthurids A. xanthopterus and A. nigricans. A range of protist forms, characterized by differences in size (8 to 417 m), shape and mode of cell division (daughter-cell production and binary fission), was observed. The occurrence of these forms appeared to be correlated with host feedingecology. Large forms (>100 m) of the protists were only found in acanthurids which fed over hard-reef substrata. Smaller forms were found in sand-grazing and detritivorous species. One of the protist forms appears identical to protists previously reported from Red Sea acanthurids.     

Zoning,a fundamental cornerstone of effective Marine Spatial Planning: lessons learnt from the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park was established to provide for conservation and ecologically sustainable multiple use of 344,400 km² of a large marine ecosystem. Management is based on multiple use, with zoning as a fundamental component of marine spatial planning. The legislative framework, including a specific Act and Regulations, address the objectives of ecosystem-based, integrated management of human uses and impacts consistent with best contemporary understanding of biological diversity. Zoning is one of a suite of management tools that include other spatial and temporal management tools and non-spatial measures including public education, community engagement, codes of environmental best practice, industry partnerships and economic instruments. The first section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park came into operation in 1981 and the most recent zoning came into operation in mid 2004. The paper discusses some common misunderstandings about zoning and identifies lessons that appear relevant for others addressing management and use of marine ecosystems and natural resources.     

Variation in emergence of parasitic and predatory isopods among habitats at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef

Gnathiid isopods are one of the most abundant groups of ectoparasites on coral reef fishes. They, and other isopods, have been shown to significantly affect the health and behaviour of many reef fish. Whether isopod emergence differs among habitats on coral reefs is not known. In this study, we measured emergence rates of parasitic isopods (Gnathiidea and Flabellifera) in six habitats at two sites at Lizard Island during new moon periods in March and December 2004. Isopods were collected from the periphery and centres of micro-reefs, patch reefs, continuous reefs, and from inter-reefal habitats (sand or rubble) with 1 m² emergence traps. Sites (Casuarina and Coconut Beach) were located on opposite sides of Lizard Island. Live gnathiids were collected with light traps in November 2005 to investigate species differences between sites. At both sites, the most abundant gnathiid species was exclusive to that site. More gnathiid larvae emerged at night, and emergence of fed gnathiids (pranizae) and flabelliferan isopods was almost exclusively nocturnal. Diurnal emergence was greater at Coconut Beach than Casuarina Beach. Although emergence counts were not consistently affected by parameters such as habitat, site, or sampling period, gnathiid size and feeding state were. Where significant differences existed, gnathiids were larger and more often fed over reef borders than centrally. We suggest first stage larvae (Z1) have the largest influence on total abundance and are patchily distributed in accordance with adults from which they have recently hatched. As later stage larvae depend on fish, more successful (fed) and older larvae are found on the edges of reefs where appropriate hosts may be more abundant, or predation is lower. Gnathiids were over-dispersed in all habitats investigated, including apparently homogeneous beds of coral rubble and sand. This indicates that their distributions may be better predicted by very fine scale differences in substrate or that aggregations are the result of gregariousness and may be difficult to predict on the basis of substrate. Emergence traps collected comparatively few parasitic flabelliferan isopods. This community differed greatly from the previously described community of scavenging isopods at Lizard Island. These differences are probably the result of differences in trapping methodology.     

Vertical and horizontal distribution of fish larvae near coral reefs at Lizard Island,Great Barrier Reef

Consistent patterns of horizontal distribution of fish larvae from plankton tows were found in shallow waters around Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef during 1979 and 1980. Few types of larvae were most abundant in Lizard Lagoon, and none of these were old larvae. Forty percent of the 57 types of larvae studied differed in abundance between windward and downwind sides of the island. More types of old larvae were found in greatest abundance off the windward side of the island than the downwind side. Most types of larvae preferred deeper water (>3 m) during the day and moved upward at night, although a few types preferred upper (<3 m) or middle portions of the water column. These latter were more likely to descend at night or to maintain their day-time distribution than to move upward. Windward larvae [those more abundant off the windward (SE) side of the island] were more shallow-living than were downwind larvae, and were more likely to maintain their day-time distribution at night. The current patterns around Lizard Island were favourable for retention of larvae in both Lizard Lagoon and off the windward side of the island, if combined with certain vertical distributions of the larvae. However, while there was evidence for retention on the windward side of the island, there was no evidence for retention in Lizard Lagoon. Currents on the downwind side of the island were not favourable for retention of larvae and there was little evidence that larvae were retained there. Retention may be an accidental result of interaction between currents and larval behaviour, or the result of a strategy of retention by the larvae. These could not be distinguished in the present study.     

Dietary overlap among coral-feeding butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) at Lizard Island,northern Great Barrier Reef

This study documented the range of corals, and other prey types, consumed by 20 species of butterflyfishes, which co-occur at Lizard Island, northern Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Six species (Chaetodon aureofasciatus, C. baronessa, C. lunulatus, C. plebius, C. rainfordi and C. trifascialis) fed almost exclusively on scleractinian corals, and a further eight species (C. citrinellus, C. kleinii, C. lunula, C. melannotus, C. rafflesi, C. speculum, C. ulietensis, and C. unimaculatus) took a significant proportion of their bites from corals. The other six species (C. auriga, C. ephippium, C. lineolatus, C. semeion, C. vagabundus, and Chelmon rostratus) rarely consumed coral, but fed on small discrete prey items from non-coral substrates. Coral-feeding butterflyfishes consumed a wide range of corals. Chaetodon lunulatus, for example, consumed 51 coral species from 24 different genera. However, there was up to 72% dietary overlap between coral-feeding butterflyfishes, with 11/14 species feeding predominantly on Acropora hyacinthus or Pocillopora damicornis. The most specialised corallivore, C. trifascialis, took 88% of bites from A. hyacinthus. Chaetodon trifascialis defend territories encompassing one or more colonies of A. hyacinthus, and may have prevented other species such as C. lunulatus from feeding even more extensively on this coral. This study has shown that coexistence of coral-feeding butterflyfishes occurs despite an apparent lack of partitioning of prey resources. While different coral-feeding butterflyfishes were more or less selective in their use of different coral prey, virtually all species fed predominantly on A. hyacinthus or P. damicornis.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at