Cryptic invertebrates on subtidal rocky reefs vary with microhabitat structure and protection from fishing

Alexander, Timothy J.

doi:10.3354/meps10263

Cited by 13 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Reef complexity is directly linked to fish diversity and abundance (Graham and Nash, 2013;Coker et al, 2014) and is especially important for small-bodied and cryptobenthic fishes that depend on the niches created by such complexity (Alvarez-Filip et al, 2011b;Dalben and Floeter, 2012;Richardson et al, 2017). Other cryptobenthic organisms heavily depend on the structural complexity of their environment (Alexander, 2013) and may also be affected if the predicted reductions in habitat suitability for reef builders take place in the future. As biodiversity is directly linked to functioning in coral reefs, loss of species can impair the resilience of these ecosystems (Benkwitt et al, 2020).…”

Section: Predicted Changes In the Distribution Of Reef Buildersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicted Shifts in the Distributions of Atlantic Reef-Building Corals in the Face of Climate Change

et al. 2021

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Many species drive the diversity of ecosystems by adding structural complexity to the environment. In coral reefs, stony corals act as habitat-forming species, increasing niche availability for other organisms. Some coral species play key roles as reef builders due to their abundance or morpho-functional characteristics. Thus, changes in the distributions of these species can entail cascading effects in entire ecosystems. With climate change, many coral species are experiencing shifts in their distributions, threatening the preservation of coral reefs. Here, we projected the current and future distributions of three key reef builders of the Atlantic (Mussismilia hispida, Montastraea cavernosa, and the Siderastrea complex) under three relative concentration pathway scenarios: the most optimistic, the most pessimistic and one moderate scenario (RCP2.6, 4.5, and 8.5). Our models revealed that all the above species will undergo habitat loss in the future (2100) in the most pessimistic scenario, although new areas could become suitable, including regions in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, when considering only its actual range of occurrence, M. hispida will lose habitats under all future scenarios. Moreover, in some regions of both the Tropical Northwestern Atlantic (TNA) and the Brazilian coast, these three species could disappear, with detrimental consequences for the associated communities. We highlight the need for an urgent change of course to guarantee functional reefs in the Atlantic in the future.

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Section: Predicted Changes In the Distribution Of Reef Buildersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predicted Shifts in the Distributions of Atlantic Reef-Building Corals in the Face of Climate Change

et al. 2021

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“…Aronson (1988) reported that Ophiuroidea has negative phototaxis and are inclined to hide. This cryptic behavior is a consequence of a strong preference for weakly illuminated microhabitats and to a lesser extent for complex substrata (Drolet et al 2004) and may vary among microhabitat structure (Alexander, 2013). They are also known to have burrowing activities under the sand to avoid high temperature (Sköld, 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tide pools diversity in Bojonglarang-Jayanti Nature Reserve, West Java, Indonesia

Pribadi

Kanza

2017

Indo Pac J Ocean Life

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Pribadi TWK, Kanza AA. 2017. Tide pools diversity in Bojonglarang-Jayanti Nature Reserve, West Java, Indonesia. Ocean Life 1: 43-48. Tide pools are micro-ecosystem in the intertidal zone, which have unique characteristics such as extreme water temperature range. Organisms living in it can survive by adapting to these extreme conditions. Study on community structure of macroinvertebrate in tide pools and along with the influencing environmental conditions has been carried out to observe species that can survive in such extreme conditions. Quantitatively, descriptive study on biotic and abiotic parameters was done by observing the tide pools, which passed 500-meter transect line parallel to the shoreline. Analyses of the biotic parameters included varied species, dominant species, species richness, species diversity index, dominance index, important value index, and macroalgal coverage. The observed abiotic parameters comprised water and air temperature, light intensities, conductivity, salinity, depth of tide pools in low tide conditions, extensive of tide pools, pH, and DO (Dissolved Oxygen). Results in physical parameter measurements showed that the water temperature, light intensity, and conductivity were at the high category, while air temperature, salinity, and depth of water were in the normal category. The results showed 31 species of macroinvertebrate of 21 families and 6 classes, with the highest relative abundance on Ophionereis dubia by 0.56. Macroalgal was dominated by Sargassum polycystum with 7.62% coverage. Species Diversity Index of macroinvertebrate was 2.53, with Dominance Index 0.85. These indexes indicated the dominance of particular macroinvertebrate species, which have the tendency to be adaptive to extreme water temperature range.

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“…caves. Alexander et al (2013) showed that seafloor complexity underneath a flat concrete block plays an important role as it directly impacts the volume available for colonisation. On the other hand, the number of holes available increases with the percentage of pebbles.…”

Section: Interaction Of Artificial Reef With Local Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Renewable energy homes for marine life: Habitat potential of a tidal energy project for benthic megafauna

Taormina

Laurans

Marzloff

et al. 2020

Marine Environmental Research

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An increasing number of offshore structures are being deployed worldwide to meet the growing demand for renewable energy. Besides energy production, these structures can also provide new artificial habitats to a diversity of fish and crustacean species. This study characterises how concrete mattresses that stabilise the submarine power cable of a tidal energy test site can increase habitat capacity for benthic megafauna. A five-year monitoring, which relied on both visual counts and video-based surveys by divers, revealed that these mattresses provide a suitable habitat for 5 taxa of large crustaceans and fish. In particular, two commercially valuable species, i.e. the edible crab Cancer pagurus and the European lobster Homarus gammarus, showed a constant occupancy of these artificial habitats throughout the course of the project. The shape and the number of shelters available below individual mattresses largely determine potential for colonisation by mobile megafauna. Local physical characteristics of the implantation site (e.g. substratum type, topography, exposition to current etc.) significantly impact amount and type of shelters provided by the concrete mattresses. Thus, to characterise habitat potential of artificial structures, it is not only essential to consider (i) the design of the structures, but also to (ii) account for their interactions with local environmental conditions when deployed on the seafloor. Highlights► The colonisation of artificial structures by benthic megafauna was surveyed during 5 years. ► Target taxa showed a constant occupancy of the artificial structures. ► Shape and number of shelters largely determine potential for colonisation. ► Local physical characteristics significantly impact amount and type of shelters. ► It is essential to consider both design of structures and interactions with environment.

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Cryptic invertebrates on subtidal rocky reefs vary with microhabitat structure and protection from fishing

Cited by 13 publications

References 55 publications

Predicted Shifts in the Distributions of Atlantic Reef-Building Corals in the Face of Climate Change

Predicted Shifts in the Distributions of Atlantic Reef-Building Corals in the Face of Climate Change

Tide pools diversity in Bojonglarang-Jayanti Nature Reserve, West Java, Indonesia

Renewable energy homes for marine life: Habitat potential of a tidal energy project for benthic megafauna

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