The distribution of herbivorous fishes on the Great Barrier Reef |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Alistair?ChealEmail author Michael?Emslie Ian?Miller Hugh?Sweatman |
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Institution: | (1) Australian Institute of Marine Science, Cape Ferguson, Townsville, Australia |
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Abstract: | The composition and functionality of ecologically important herbivorous fish assemblages were examined throughout much of
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Diversity and abundance of surgeonfishes (Acanthuridae), parrotfishes (Labridae) and
rabbitfishes (Siganidae) were strongly associated with position on the continental shelf, whilst effects of latitude were
weaker and inconsistent. Species distributions varied considerably amongst taxonomic groups; parrotfishes were mostly widespread
whilst distributions of surgeonfishes were often restricted. Most inshore environments supported depauperate herbivore assemblages
dominated by different taxa and functional groups compared with assemblages in offshore environments. There were also strong
cross-shelf transitions in the main taxa performing each functional role. Overall, this study show that the functional contributions
of herbivorous fish assemblages to important ecosystem processes and the contributing taxa vary considerably amongst different
GBR environments. Additionally, the two most numerically dominant herbivores actively select detritus, not algae, supporting
increasing evidence for the importance of detritus in coral reef ecology. |
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