Evolution of microhabitat association and morphology in a diverse group of cryptobenthic coral reef fishes (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota)

Tornabene, Luke; Ahmadia, Gabby N.; Berumen, Michael L.; Smith, David J.; Jompa, Jamaluddìn; Pezold, Frank

doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2012.10.014

Cited by 61 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Even short periods of genetic isolation, whether geographic or ecological in nature, may be sufficient to enable reproductive isolation in Eviota and initiate speciation. Generation time is extremely short in Eviota , and a fast evolutionary clock could allow populations to quickly develop species‐specific courtship rituals, prominent colour differences, strong secondary sexual characteristics (promoting assortative mating) and specific microhabitat preferences, all of which have been reported in Eviota (Sunobe, ; Sunobe & Nakazono, ; Sekiya & Karino, ; Depczynski & Bellwood, , ; Tornabene et al ., ; Greenfield & Tornabene, ). Collectively, the combination of complex geological features of the Coral Triangle and the diverse ecology of species within Eviota help explain the remarkable species richness observed within this group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi‐locus sequence data reveal a new species of coral reef goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota), and evidence of Pliocene vicariance across the Coral Triangle

Tornabene

Valdez

Erdmann

et al. 2016

Journal of Fish Biology

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Here, multi-locus sequence data are coupled with observations of live colouration to recognize a new species, Eviota punyit from the Coral Triangle, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. Relaxed molecular clock divergence time estimation indicates a Pliocene origin for the new species, and the current distribution of the new species and its sister species Eviota sebreei supports a scenario of vicariance across the Indo-Pacific Barrier, followed by subsequent range expansion and overlap in the Coral Triangle. These results are consistent with the 'centre of overlap' hypothesis, which states that the increased diversity in the Coral Triangle is due in part to the overlapping ranges of Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean faunas. These findings are discussed in the context of other geminate pairs of coral reef fishes separated by the Indo-Pacific Barrier.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi‐locus sequence data reveal a new species of coral reef goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota), and evidence of Pliocene vicariance across the Coral Triangle

Tornabene

Valdez

Erdmann

et al. 2016

Journal of Fish Biology

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“…B). Eviota species display varying levels of preference for coral, rubble, or sand habitats (Tornabene, Chen & Pezold, ). Phylogenetic and ecological data indicate that ancestral Eviota primarily lived on live coral, but then diversified to exploit rubble or sand microhabitats, ultimately leading to entire clades of sand versus coral versus rubble specialists coexisting on reefs (Tornabene et al , ).…”

Section: Diversity and Distribution Of Crfsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hidden half: ecology and evolution of cryptobenthic fishes on coral reefs

et al. 2018

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Teleost fishes are the most diverse group of vertebrates on Earth. On tropical coral reefs, their species richness exceeds 6000 species; one tenth of total vertebrate biodiversity. A large proportion of this diversity is composed of cryptobenthic reef fishes (CRFs): bottom-dwelling, morphologically or behaviourally cryptic species typically less than 50 mm in length. Yet, despite their diversity and abundance, these fishes are both poorly defined and understood. Herein we provide a new quantitative definition and synthesise current knowledge on the diversity, distribution and life history of CRFs. First, we use size distributions within families to define 17 core CRF families as characterised by the high prevalence (>10%) of small-bodied species (<50 mm). This stands in strong contrast to 42 families of large reef fishes, in which virtually no small-bodied species have evolved. We posit that small body size has allowed CRFs to diversify at extremely high rates, primarily by allowing for fine partitioning of microhabitats and facilitation of allopatric reproductive isolation; yet, we are far from understanding and documenting the biodiversity of CRFs. Using rates of description since 1758, we predict that approximately 30 new species of cryptobenthic species will be described per year until 2050 (approximately twice the annual rate compared to large fishes). Furthermore, we predict that by the year 2031, more than half of the described coral reef fish biodiversity will consist of CRFs. These fishes are the 'hidden half' of vertebrate biodiversity on coral reefs. Notably, global geographic coverage and spatial resolution of quantitative data on CRF communities is uniformly poor, which further emphasises the remarkable reservoir of biodiversity that is yet to be discovered. Although small body size may have enabled extensive diversification within CRF families, small size also comes with a suite of ecological challenges that affect fishes' capacities to feed, survive and reproduce; we identify a range of life-history adaptations that have enabled CRFs to overcome these limitations. In turn, these adaptations bestow a unique socio-ecological role on CRFs, which includes a key role in coral reef trophodynamics by cycling trophic energy provided by microscopic prey to larger consumers. Although small in body size, the ecology and evolutionary history of CRFs may make them a critical component of coral-reef food webs; yet our review also shows that these fishes are highly susceptible to a variety of anthropogenic disturbances. Understanding the consequences of these changes for CRFs and coral reef ecosystems will require us to shed more light on this frequently overlooked but highly diverse and abundant guild of coral reef fishes.

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“…Therefore, presumably, host coral identity, various shelter-hole properties, depth, and substrate types determine the large-scale distribution of spinyhead blennies, which, on the other hand, may also display small-scale distribution patterns because host coral colonies vary greatly in shape. Stony corals can be microhabitat to a large variety of other animals, including fish, which use their host for shelter, substrate, or food (Stella et al 2011;Ahmadia et al 2012b;Hoeksema and Farenzena 2012;Hoeksema et al , 2013aConi et al 2013;Gittenberger and Hoeksema 2013;Tornabene et al 2013; Van der Meij and Hoeksema 2013;Bos and Hoeksema 2015;Head et al 2015;Montano et al 2015;Van der Meij et al 2015;Goatley et al 2016;references herein).…”

Section: Communicated By R Vonkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Habitat selection of the coral-dwelling spinyhead blenny, Acanthemblemaria spinosa, at Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

Böhm

Hoeksema

2016

Mar Biodiv

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The distribution, abundance, and habitat preferences of the spinyhead blenny, Acanthemblemaria spinosa (Perciformes, Blennioidei, Chaenopsidae), were studied on coral reefs along the leeward side of Curaçao, southern Caribbean. The blennies inhabited small holes inside coral, which predominantly consisted of calcareous tubes constructed by coralassociated serpulid worms of the species Spirobranchus giganteus. About 50 % of the fish inhabited holes in dead coral, and the rest had their holes in live corals of eight species. The fishes showed a clustered distribution pattern and their abundance was higher at shallow depths (5 and 10 m) than at 15 m. Although males generally had a larger body size than females and needed larger holes for shelter and guarding eggs, no sexual dominance in hole selection was found. The position of the holes varied in elevation height above the reef floor, which showed a positive correlation with fish size.

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Evolution of microhabitat association and morphology in a diverse group of cryptobenthic coral reef fishes (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota)

Cited by 61 publications

References 39 publications

Multi‐locus sequence data reveal a new species of coral reef goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota), and evidence of Pliocene vicariance across the Coral Triangle

Multi‐locus sequence data reveal a new species of coral reef goby (Teleostei: Gobiidae: Eviota), and evidence of Pliocene vicariance across the Coral Triangle

The hidden half: ecology and evolution of cryptobenthic fishes on coral reefs

Habitat selection of the coral-dwelling spinyhead blenny, Acanthemblemaria spinosa, at Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

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